The Red Cross will sponsor a blood drive in Junction City Monday and Tuesday, May 23-24, at the Municipal Building.
The hours on the third will be 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., and on the fourth 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Call 1-800-RED-CROSS to make an appointment.
There’s a good chance of severe thunderstorms for much of this week.
Monday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Monday Night A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South southeast wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South southeast wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Tuesday Night A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South southeast wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
-by: DeAngela McDougald
-by: DeAngela McDougald
“Run for the Wall” made it’s way through Junction City this evening in a patriotic, and emotional tribute to America’s veterans.
Nearly 350 motorcyclists arrived in town shortly before 5:00 p.m. and a ceremony in Heritage Park at the Veterans Memorial followed.
Event emcee Phyllis Fitzgerald reminded the crowd that that “many [veterans] did not make it back home, and those we will never forget and we will always honor them for their sacrifices for u
s.”
The tone of the evening was very much in tune with Fitzgerald’s remembrance of those who “sacrificed” for us.
Guest speaker and Medal of Honor recipient Retired Colonel Donald E. Ballard said, “I’m of the belief that the military is a family owned business. We pass it down from generation to generation and we’re influenced to join because of [our] parents, [our] grandparents – because somebody in [our] family told us you can’t live here for free…and if you can’t serve the military, serve the community.”
Also among the speakers at the event was Senator Jerry Moran. Moran gave an impassioned speech in which he shared his experiences growing up in a post-Vietnam War era and his father’s contributions in the military.
Moran closed his moving speech with this, “The message from the people of Kansas to the riders, to all of you who have served our country, to the folks in Fort Riley who serve our country today here and around the globe is this: we thank you, we respect you, and we love you.”
“Do not be afraid of the changes the futures hold. Learn to embrace and hold them.”
Those were comments by the valedictorian of the Class of 2016 at Junction City High School, Natalie Wells. She spoke to 327 JCHS graduates and many in the stadium.
Wells noted she had attended eight different schools during her lifetime, including two high schools. She advised her classmates to surround themselves with good friends and families. She plans to attend Southeastern Louisiana, where she will major in nursing.
Kathryn Westerhaus was the Senior Class President and the Salutatorian. She said to her classmates, “Take a deep breath, follow your heart, work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen throughout your lifetime.” Westerhaus also told the graduating class, “Always remember that I believe in every single one of you.”
Westerhaus grew up in Junction City and attended JCHS the past four years. She plans to attend Fort Hays State where she will pursue a dual major in Biology and Secondary Education.
-by: DeAngela McDougald
Saint Xavier’s Catholic School honored their class of 2016 graduates in an intimate and emotional graduation ceremony today.
“You have a class full of such great leaders, people who are so strong in their faith, people who strive academically and have met so many goals,” said school counselor Rebecca Cronander.
Amongst those students who achieved at a high level was valedictorian Tyler Tanguay.
“My classmates and I can agree that these past four years have been both good and and bad…however they might have been one of the best opportunities to learn – not just math and science, but to learn from our mistakes, our past and to learn important life lessons,” said Tanguay.
Between the nine graduating seniors they “collectively received over 250,000 in scholarships” according to Cronander.
Guest speaker, and teacher Kristen Dinsmore gave an empassioned and 
personal speech to the students that offered many tips for the students as they go forward in their future.
“Concentrate on what is really important to you – like your family, and your dreams,” said Dinsmore.
The nine graduating seniors were Nichole Betancur, Adam Carpenter, Yeen Cho, Simon Englehardt, Meagan Fernandez, Logan Madrigal, Andrew Schwanke, Cheyenne Stratton, and Tyler Tanguay.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Board of Regents has approved a working group to study how the state’s universities respond to sexual violence and other sex-based discrimination issues. A separate group will study how to find and enroll Kansans with some college credits but no degree.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports the regents approved both groups during meetings this week.
The first group will involve university Title IX coordinators working together to determine the best practices for investigating and resolving cases of sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination on college campuses.
The second group will explore organizing a statewide initiative to persuade Kansans with some college but no diploma to return to higher education to complete a certificate or degree.
An autistic child reported missing on Sunday morning has been found safe. Junction City Police Chief Tim Brown provided that information.
At 9:35 a.m. Sunday the Junction City Police Department received a report of a missing autistic child from 948 Grant Avenue #37. The child, 6-year old Xavier Napolitano, walked away from his home at about 0630 hours Sunday morning and had not been located.
Again….6-year old Xavier Napolitano has been found safe.
USD 475 Executive Director of Communication Hugh Davis has notified JC Post that Junction City High School commencement will be held outdoors Sunday evening at the Al Simpler Stadium.
It is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
In the event of any possible rain it could have been moved indoors, but the decision has been made to hold commencement outside.
by Tiffany Roney
MANHATTAN — Phillips 66 and Kansas State University have selected the new SHIELD Scholars for the 2016-2017 academic year.
The SHIELD Scholarship, sponsored by Phillips 66, is available for students in select majors in the College of Business Administration or the College of Engineering and who have an interest in the energy industry. SHIELD Scholars receive $3,500 annually in scholarship money. Additional funding is provided for enrichment activities to help develop the scholars as students, young professionals and contributing members of the community.
Mentoring relationships with Phillips 66 professionals also are developed. The scholarship is renewable as long as the student meets the 3.25 minimum GPA requirement and participates in enrichment activities.
The SHIELD Scholars for 2016-2017 at Kansas State University:
Rachel Walker, senior in chemical engineering, Augusta; Karter Krokstrom, junior in chemical engineering, Chanute; Ryan Pauly, senior in mechanical engineering, Conway Springs; Andrea Burghardt, graduate student in accounting, Derby.
From Greater Kansas City: Stephen Kucera, senior in accounting and music performance, Kansas City; Christian Hughes, senior in computer science, Leawood; Geordy Williams junior in computer science, Prairie Village; and Reagan Wood, junior in computer science, Shawnee.
Abe Fangman, senior in civil engineering, Hutchinson; Amy Scott-Sanjur, sophomore in accounting, Junction City; Brett Bandy, senior in chemical engineering, and Jordyn Stephens, senior in management information systems and accounting, both from Manhattan; Abby Steiner, senior in accounting, McPherson; Jordan Markley, senior in management information systems, and Alex Reed, junior in accounting, both from Ottawa; Patrick Kennedy, senior in finance, Paola; Adam Seiwert, senior in computer science, Pittsburg; Ronald Sastoque-Prieto, junior in mechanical engineering, Topeka.
From Wichita: Olivia Baalman, junior in computer science; Hunter Dellere, senior in electrical engineering; Paige Lauer, senior in management information systems; and Matt Zemanick, senior in accounting.
From out of state: Rashae Taylor, senior in accounting, Kansas City, Missouri; Matt Hixon, junior in computer science, Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and Caden Hilger, junior in mechanical engineering, Houston, Texas.