The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported the arrests of three men at 1:52 a.m. Monday on I-70 approximately 12 miles east of Junction City.

Deputies arrested Mario Valadez, Shelbyville, Kentucky on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Speeding and Driving without a Valid Driver’s License, Juan Valadez Jr., Fullerton, California, on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Omar Perez, Shelbyville, Kentucky, on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Fort Riley Middle School staff members Shannon Molt, Sara Elliott, Stephanie Heady, Amanda Tackett, and Mandy White have received a check for $3,000 from the Federally Impacted Schools Foundatiuon Grant. USD 475 Superintendent of Schools Dr. Corbin Witt accepted the check of the school district while attendingthe National Association of Federally Impacted Schools Conference.

The grant will fund The OutDoor Classroom project, which will give students the opportunity to experience nature and science across multiple disciplines at Rock Springs Ranch in Geary County. The knowledge and data collected will be applied and analyzed throughout the student’s core classes.

The project will be photographed and video recorded as a way to evaluate how the activities were conducted. The video will also be shown at the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools’ 2017 Spring Conference.

Widespread rain is expected across the entire outlook area this morning, with additional showers and thunderstorms likely this afternoon, primarily along and east of Highway 75 according to the National Weather Service of Topeka. While conditions will briefly dry out overnight, there will be off and on periods of showers and thunderstorms across the area during the Tuesday through Thursday timeframe before conditions finally dry out by Thursday night. Highs temperatures for the next few days will generally be in the mid 60s to low/mid 70s.

Early This Morning: Rain showers and isolated thunderstorms. East winds up to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

Today: Rain showers and isolated thunderstorms in the morning. Highs in the mid 60s. West winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

Tonight: Cooler. Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the mid 40s. Northwest winds up to 5 mph.

Tuesday: Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers and isolated thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 40s. Northeast winds up to 5 mph shifting to the west after midnight. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers and isolated thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 40s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.

Thursday: Mostly sunny with slight chance of rain showers and isolated thunderstorms. Highs around 70.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s.

Friday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s.

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

Saturday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s.

Sunday: Mostly sunny with slight chance of rain showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s

  DICKINSON COUNTY – A Kansas man was injured in an accident just
before noon on Sunday in Dickinson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Saturn Ion driven by
Chance B. Evans, 20, Abilene, was west bound on Kansas 18 just east
of Fair Road.

The Saturn crossed the centerline going head-on with an eastbound
1998 Ford Kountry Aire RV driven by Kenneth A. Becker, 74, Olathe.

Evans was transported to the hospital in Salina. Becker was not
injured.

Evans was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP

The Junction City Police Department received information on Sunday about two people wanted in reference to an aggravated assault in Topeka on Friday, and that they may be located at 917 Dreiling Apt. C-1 in Junction City. Authorities also learned that one of the subjects was wanted for questioning in connection with several burglaries in Riley County.

On Sunday morning about 10 a.m. Junction City police began surveillance and later spotted one of the wanted subjects, who attempted to flee on foot from the officers on the scene. With assistance from the Geary County Sheriff’s Department, and members of the Drug Operations Group that person was located and arrested. A second suspect was located at 917 Dreiling Apt. C-1 and taken into custody.

The JCPD said those arrested include Paul L. Olberg, 50, on suspicion of Felony Possession of Stolen Property and Felony Obstruction, and Mary A. Olberg, 47, on suspicion of Felony Possession of Stolen Property. Both were booked into the Geary County Detention Center on a no bond status.

nk MANHATTAN – The Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation recognized Nancy Kassebaum Baker as the “2016 Friend of the Flint Hills”, Saturday night April 16, 2016. The award honors significant time, effort and resources devoted to the cause of conserving the Flint Hills of Kansas and northern Oklahoma and to the Flint Hills Discovery Center. The award is given to an individual(s), nongovernmental organization or public institution each spring since 2012.

“Nancy was chosen for her exemplary leadership role and commitment to the Flint Hills as an elected official,” said Bruce Snead, President of the Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation.

Kassebaum’s love of Kansas and the Flint Hills region was exemplified by her efforts along with that of others in the establishment of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve near Strong City, KS in 1996. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and the 100th anniversary of the U.S. National Park Service.

The significance of the 20 year anniversary is that this was the first time a public and private entity came together and formed a partnership dedicated to preserving a portion of the last remaining stand of tallgrass prairie in North America. The Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service partnered in order to foster preservation, provide a venue to interpret local cultural and historical features, provide visitors with the opportunity to become inspired and to explore the ecological, geological and historical aspects of the property. The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is the only one of its kind in the National Park Service system.

Kassebaum served three terms representing the state of Kansas in the U.S. Senate from 1979-1997. She returned to her permanent home in the Flint Hills in 2014 following the death of her husband, former U. S. Senator Howard Baker.

Former U. S. Senator Kassebaum Baker accepted her award at the annual recognition event on April 16, 2016 at the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan.

The Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation functions to advance the mission of the Flint Hills Discovery Center by providing support for its programs and initiatives, ensuring stewardship of the region’s tallgrass prairie.  The Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, serves as an active local, regional and national advocate by creating opportunities to give to the Foundation and provide for the long-term financial success of the Flint Hills Discovery Center.

Release by Megan Berry

SKOWHEGAN, Maine (AP) – A bill in Congress would require the Department of Defense to provide U.S.-made footwear to personnel.

The Stepping Up for American Workers and Troops Act is sponsored by Maine Reps. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat, and Bruce Poliquin, a Republican, and Democratic Rep. Niki Tsongas, of Massachusetts.

The proposal comes after one manufacturer, New Balance Athletic Shoe Co., criticized the Obama administration for encouraging it to support the Trans-Pacific Partnership in exchange for military purchases of sneakers that never came to pass.

The defense department agreed to close the footwear loophole in a 2014 amendment. But it hasn’t started buying U.S.-made shoes, saying available footwear doesn’t meet military standards.

Several companies – including Boston-based New Balance, with factories in Skowhegan, Norridgewock and Norway, Maine – manufacture shoes in the U.S.uy

Topeka – Governor Sam Brownback has announced that Lieutenant General Perry Wiggins will lead the Governor’s Military Council as its new executive director. General Wiggins will officially assume duties as the Executive Director this fall, upon retirement from the United States Army following 33 years of service.

General Wiggins currently serves as Commanding General of U.S. Army North and Senior Commander Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

“Lieutenant General Wiggins is a true American hero who has dedicated his life to serving our nation,” said Governor Brownback. “I can think of no one more qualified to lead the Governor’s Military Council or more dedicated to the men and women of our military than General Wiggins.”

General Wiggins has served with the U.S. Army in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. Prior to becoming the Commanding General of 5^th United States Army, he was the Commanding General, 1^st Army Division West, Fort Hood, Texas and is a former Commanding General of the 1^st Infantry Division, “Big Red One,” Fort Riley, Kansas.

“I’m honored to have been selected for this very important position. After nearly 34 years of having the privilege of wearing the cloth of the nation, working with the Governor’s Military Council will afford me the opportunity to serve the men and women of our military, their families, and our veterans,” said Lt. General Wiggins. “While at Fort Riley, my wife and I fell in love with the great state of Kansas and its people. We look forward to our return and beginning the next chapter in our lives.”

Lieutenant General Wiggins is an experienced military leader, participating in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the first Gulf War; Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia; Operation Desert Fox, Desert Thunder and Southern Watch; and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He holds a Master of Arts degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College and is a graduate of the Command General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth. He replaces John Armbrust who has served as the executive director of the council since February 2004.

The mission of the Governor’s Military Council is to grow and protect major military activities located in Kansas; to leverage this significant military activity in the state into creating additional defense related jobs; and to help local units of government in the state improve the quality of life for men and women in uniform, and their families, and veterans and their families, that live and work in the state.

TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt on Friday, filed with the Kansas Supreme Court the state’s brief in Gannon v. Kansas.

The brief argues that Senate Substitute for House Bill 2655, a school-finance bill signed into law last week by Gov. Sam Brownback, satisfies the requirements of the prior Supreme Court order regarding the equitable funding of public schools.

The brief argues that the Court’s threat to close schools should be withdrawn because the new law meets the Kansas Constitution’s requirement for equitable funding. According to the brief, even if the Court remains dissatisfied with the Legislature’s work, the new law makes clear the Court should sever and strike down only those parts of the law that violate the Constitution rather than striking down the state’s entire school-funding system.