Another school year in the Geary County Schools is drawing to a close. Following tradition, the Geary Community Schools Foundation announces the Twelfth Annual Celebration of Teaching Banquet.   District teachers, administrators, and members of the Board of Education will be guests in recognition of their work and dedication to serve students in USD 475.

 

This year’s event will be held on Monday, May 2nd, at the Courtyard by Marriott in Junction City.   The doors to the event will open at 5:30 pm.  The Junction City High School Jazz band will perform until the banquet begins at 6 pm.  The 2016 keynote speaker is Kevin Willmott.  Kevin was born in Junction City, attended elementary and secondary schools in USD 475 before graduating from St. Xavier High School in 1976.    He is now an accomplished film writer and director.  His films touch on issues close to our community, state, and beyond.  Film credits includeC.S.A. The Confederate States of America and Jayhawkersamong others.  His most recent release is Chi-Raq (2015), which he has screen-written with Spike Lee who also directs the movie.    Kevin is a Professor of Film and Media Studies, School of the Arts, University of Kansas.  He holds a BA from Marymount College in Salina and an MFA from Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, NYC, NY.  His first film, Ninth Street, told the story of a part of our local community through the eyes of those who lived there.   Kevin has deep roots in our community.  He will share about growing up in Junction City and more.

This very special Celebration honoring our educators is hosted by the Geary Community Schools Foundation with the assistance of local and area sponsors and donors.  It is endorsed by the USD 475 Board of Education.  Again this year the Geary Community Schools Foundation is extending an invitation to all retired USD 475 educators.  The retired educator ticket is $20.  If you would like a ticket, more information, or to contribute to this special event please contact the Geary Community Schools Foundation office at 785-717-4063 or email at gcsf@usd475.org.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) – The search for the next president of Kansas State University will be closed to the public.

The Manhattan Mercury (https://bit.ly/1U8Gqii ) reports that Regent Dennis Mullin says a closed search process was selected to make sure the best candidates for the position are found.

He discussed the search process this week with the Kansas Board of Regents. It’s looking for a replacement for Kirk Schulz, who has been selected as the next president of Washington State University. Richard Myers, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is serving as Kansas State’s interim president.

Mullin says many qualified candidates won’t allow themselves to be considered with an open search process. Schulz previously has said he only applied for the Washington State position because it was a closed search.

SHAWNEE COUNTY – A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just after 9a.m. on Friday in Shawnee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Mercury Milan driven by Justin Harrison Neeley, 26, Manhattan, was northbound U.S. 75 at Interstate 70 and Gage Avenue.

The vehicle hit a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe driven by Michelle Lee Ramos, 30, Topeka, as she attempted to make a U-turn from the right lane.

Ramos was transported to Stormont Vail.

Neeley, Eric David Weeden, 32, and a 2-year-old girl both of Manhattan were not injured.

All were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

MANHATTAN-  Kansas State University Vice President for Student Life Pat Bosco issued a statement Friday after reports this week that  two female students sued the University, alleging it has refused to investigate their rapes at off-campus fraternity houses.

Bosco wrote: The K-State family must continue to act together to make sure everyone is safe, respected and supported. We all share in the collective responsibility to report and respond to incidents of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and harassment.

Recently, there has been heightened awareness surrounding these issues nationwide. They are serious and must be addressed.

At K-State, we have taken many steps to educate the university community about prevention, how to respond, and the many resources available to students and employees. Please know that it is also my personal commitment to ensure we do everything we can under the law and university policy to investigate any reported acts of sexual violence. We take these situations seriously and are tireless in helping and supporting my students. However, when we receive a report, we also are committed to maintaining confidentiality to protect those involved. This means we will not comment publicly about sexual assault cases or respond to claims made in the media.

If you, or someone you know, have experienced sexual violence, please let us know. A wide array of support services are available for our students and employees. Confidential, caring help is not far away.

The K-State Center for Advocacy Response and Education, or CARE, offers confidential advocacy and support services to any member of the K-State community who has experienced sexual assault, dating violence, stalking or harassment. The CARE office is a safe place for survivors to explore their options, receive support from trained advocates and obtain referrals to other campus and community resources. Contact the office at 785-532-6444 or www.k-state.edu/care.

K-State Counseling Services and the K-State Family Center also offer confidential therapeutic support. Contact K-State Counseling Services at 785-532-6927 or www.k-state.edu/counseling; and the K-State Family Center at 785-532-6974 or www.he.k-state.edu/familycenter.

There are no easy answers to these difficult issues, but we must not waver in our efforts to keep each other safe. The K-State family is built on a foundation of respect for each other. Please help us in this important endeavor.

Sunny skies return to end the work week with lighter winds and highs in the lower 70s according to the National Weather Service of Topeka. Saturday and Sunday are expected to be even warmer and breezy with readings in the upper 70s. There is a chance for thunderstorms late Saturday evening over portions of north central Kansas. Severe storms are not expected with this first round. Late Sunday afternoon and evening, a few severe storms may develop over northeast Kansas with large hail and damaging winds being the main hazards. There is still a threat for more widespread severe weather Tuesday afternoon and evening across the region. Stay weather aware as details are likely to change in the coming day

Today: Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight: Clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Southeast winds up to 10 mph.

Saturday: Breezy…sunny. Highs around 80. South winds 5 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Warmer. Partly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the upper 50s. South winds 15 to 20 mph.

Sunday: Partly sunny. Chance of rain showers and thunderstorms in the morning…then rain showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. South winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts to around 35 mph. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 50s.

Monday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s.

Monday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s.

Tuesday: Partly sunny with a 50 percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 70s.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 50s.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s.

Thursday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.

Nine airports have been selected for funding under the second phase of the 2017 Kansas Airport Improvement Program.

Funding totals will range from $980,000 to extend a runway at the airport in Anthony to $21,000 to construct an airport fence in Herington.

KDOT had received 114 applications for projects totaling $38.7 million. Earlier this year under phase one of the fiscal year 2017 program, 12 projects were selected for $2.25 million of funding.

WABAUNSEE COUNTY – One person was injured in an accident just after 2p.m. on Thursday in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Honda Sedan driven by Joshua Karl Olson, 33, Aurora, CO, was eastbound on Interstate 70 just before the Maple Hill exit in the passing lane.

The vehicle crossed the centerline, ran off the road to the right, entered the south ditch, struck a tree and overturned.

Olson was transported to Stormont Vail in Manhattan.

He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

DICKINSON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate a man and woman involved in a high-speed chase and accident just after 11a.m. on Tuesday in Dickinson County.

The Geary County Attorney will make a decision on charges since the initial interaction with law enforcement and the alleged stolen Toyota passenger vehicle from Florida began in that county, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

The suspect ran one vehicle off the road in a construction zone just east of Abilene and drove around deployed stop sticks just west of Abilene.

The chase ended on Interstate 70 just east of Solomon Road when the KHP used a tactical vehicle intervention, which caused the suspect’s vehicle to role, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

The man and woman in the vehicle were transported to area hospital. One by air to Wichita and the other by ground to Salina Regional Medical Center.

Until the case is presented to the Geary County Attorney, the names of those involved will not be released, according to the KHP.

 

The Geary Community Hospital Rago Radiology Department received a mammography chair from Rhonda Sharp, owner of The Mane Thing and Headlines. Throughout the month of October The Mane Thing and Headlines run a breast cancer awareness campaign called “Color for a Cure.”  For every hair color service at both salons, a portion of the proceeds is donated toward the “Color for a Cure” campaign. Those proceeds are used to purchase equipment through the Geary Community Healthcare Foundation related to breast health and wellness, such as the mammography chair.

 

“After visiting with Pat Small and patients among the community, it became aware to me that this chair is a valid need in our GCH Radiology Department,” said Jolana Montgomery-Matney, Executive Director of the Geary Community Healthcare Foundation. “This was a great opportunity to designate “Color for a Cure” campaign funds toward the chair and meet the needs of our GCH patients and families. It’s also a prime example of the several services the Geary Community Healthcare Foundation provides. We keep up to date on the community health and connect the dots between our patient’s needs and generous donors among the community.”

 

“This chair is very special to have, it is helpful for our patients and improves their experience here at GCH,” said Joe Stratton, GCH Chief Executive Officer. “Some of our patients cannot stand for very long and can make the mammogram difficult to conduct. The adjustable mammography chair allows patients to sit comfortably and have their exam completed effectively.”

 

Picture l-r: Pat Small, Director of GCH Radiology, Rhonda Sharp, Owner of The Mane Thing and Headlines and Jolana Montgomery-Matney, Executive Director of the Geary Community Healthcare Foundation.

Nikki Davies

Director, Marketing and Public Relations

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Pottawatomie County are investigating 2 suspects on drug charges and asking for help to locate two others.

On Wednesday, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Wamego Police Department, executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 Block of East Valley Street, in Wamego, according to a media release.

The search warrant was in reference to the possession and distribution of illegal drugs.

As a result of this search warrant a large quantity of marijuana was seized, as well as drug paraphernalia, and cash.

The residents of the home, Brendon Sexton, 24, and Kristin Stalnaker, 22, were arrested for Possession of Marijuana with intent to distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Felony Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Jeroid Garcia, 25, and Nicole Jackson, 22, both of Topeka, were arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia,

All four are currently confined at the Pottawatomie County Jail pending bond being set.

On March 26 the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Wamego Police Department executed a search warrant in a hotel room at Simmer Motel, 1215 Highway 24.

The search warrant was in reference to the alleged possession and distribution of illegal drugs. Deputies seized large quantities methamphetamine, marijuana, as well as drug
paraphernalia and scales.

The occupants of the room had left prior to the search. The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s asks for assistance in locating
Leona Craven, 39. She is wanted for the distribution of controlled substances. They are also looking for John Swartz, 45, whose last known address was in Manhattan. He is also wanted for the distribution of controlled substances.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office at 785-457-3353 or their local law enforcement agency.