RILEY COUNTY – A bicycle rider was injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. on Thursday in Riley County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Honda Civic driven by Rachel Ryan, 24, Overland Park, was south bound on U.S. 177 three miles south of Manhattan, in the right lane.

The vehicle struck a southbound bicycle ridden by Shem McConnell, 17, Cusseta, Georgia.

McConnell was transported to the University of Kansas Hospital. He was wearing a helmet, according the KHP.

Ryan was not injured.

WAUBAUNSEE COUNTY- A Kansas man was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. on Friday in Waubaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Dodge Ram driven by Mark Boswell, 66, Topeka, was eastbound on Interstate 70 at the Wamego exit.

The pickup left the road and entered the median.

The driver over corrected, drove across the eastbound lanes, entered the south ditch and the vehicle overturned.
Boswell was transported to Stormont Vail.

He was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

There will be lots of opportunities for all  different skill sets with the NBAF project, and area communities can benefit from the development of related industries.

Those were points during a visit by Kansas State University Vice President for Research, Ron Trewyn, during a visit with members of the Flint Hills Regional Council on Friday in Grandview Plaza.

Trewyn told JC Post there are great economic development opportunities for the entire region. “And if we all work together we can really bring in a lot we can leverage and bring in a lot more private sector, public sector entities that will help us all.”

Can Junction City really benefit from NBAF?  “Absolutely. There are capabilities here, there are assets that I think would be utilized. We talked a little bit about the research park and some of the things. Many of the entities that are looking at this region don’t need to be right in Manhattan right next to NBAF. They need to be in the area. So Junction City, this whole region, it should benefit if this is done right.”

The workforce challenges include developing the scientific training and engineering training, and specialized work for NBAF make it important to ensure the right force exists in this region.

Numerous area cities and counties are represented on the Flint Hills Regional Council, including Junction City and Geary County.

JUNCTION CITY– (March 18, 2016) – A Junction City man was sentenced Friday to more than 15 years in prison for child sex crimes, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said.

 

Samuel L. Merced, 35, was sentenced in Geary County District Court by Judge Maritza Segarra to 185 months to be served in the Kansas Department of Corrections. Merced was convicted by a jury in October 2015 of two counts of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child and one count of lewd and lascivious behavior. The convictions stemmed from crimes that occurred in May and June 2014.

 

The case was investigated by the Junction City Police Department. Assistant Attorney General Lyndzie Carter of Schmidt’s office prosecuted the case.

The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department Drug Enforcement Unit along with the Abilene Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol Special Response Team executed a search warrant on Tuesday at 2042 900 Avenue in rural Dickinson County.

According to Sheriff Gareth Hoffman the search warrant was the result of a four-month long investigation into the alleged distribution of methamhetamine in the Herington and Hope area. Arrested during the search warrant were three

occupants of the residence.

–Shawn O. Penrod, on suspicion of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia ( felony ), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia ( misdemeanor ), Acquiring Drug Proceeds, Failure to Obtain a Kansas Drug Tax Stamp, and three counts of Criminal Use of a Weapon. Bond was set at $200,000.

–Olivia Penman, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $100,000.

–Russell Pitts, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $75,000.

Hoffman reported that law enforcement officers seized a total of 646.9 grams of methamphetamine that was in bulk and packaged for resale. The estimated street value of the methamphetamine seized was calculated at more than $65,000 dollars.

Hoffman indicated that the case is still ongoing, and as a result of the investigation more arrests can be expected in  the next few weeks.

MANHATTAN — Masons from 220 lodges across Kansas have collectively given $2.5 million through the Kansas Masonic Foundation to support Kansas State University programs. The gift will support the Kansas PRIDE program, the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship and the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, according to a media release.

“This gift is on behalf of Kansas Masons to benefit programs that are good for Kansans and Kansas communities,” said Darren Kellerman, grand master of Kansas Masons.

“Last year, we awarded 78 scholarships to Kansas State University students. Now we are excited to expand our partnership with K-State through three truly unique initiatives,” said Michael Tavares, president of the Kansas Masonic Foundation. He added that the foundation is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the public launch of a $20 million fundraising campaign to help Kansas Masons continue improving communities.

“We are grateful for this significant partnership with Kansas Masons,” saidKirk Schulz, president of Kansas State University. “Their generous investment will support K-State’s outreach and service mission, which is part of our land-grant heritage and is key to becoming a Top 50 public research university by 2025.”

The Kansas PRIDE Program is a partnership between K-State Research and Extension, the Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas PRIDE Inc. The program encourages and assists local volunteers working in cooperation with local government in making their community a better place to work and live through projects that preserve, create and improve.

“With more than 45 years of success, the Kansas PRIDE program continues to be vital in creating a better tomorrow for 500 Kansas communities over the life of the program, including about 70 communities each year,” said Daryl Buchholz, associate director of extension and applied research at Kansas State University. “The Kansas Masons’ generous investment of time and money will help us expand this program to even more communities, engaging more Kansans in community vitality projects that will improve their future.”

The Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship works to enhance the entrepreneurial environment at Kansas State University and throughout Kansas by providing education and support to entrepreneurs. The Kansas Masonic Foundation’s gift will support the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge, offering financial prizes and mentors from Masonic and business leaders to guide teams from Kansas high schools and universities.

“We are sincerely grateful for the generosity and support of the Kansas Masons,” said Chad Jackson, director of the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship. “Their sponsorship of the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge will enable us to provide key resources and support for the next generation of Kansas entrepreneurs who will drive our state’s economy.”

The Office of Military and Veterans Affairs focuses on military-related institutional policies, education, research and outreach. The office works in conjunction with administrative, academic and student life offices across Kansas State University, and also with the ROTC program, the Kansas National Guard and Fort Riley military installation.

“This gift will help us expand the reach and depth of our work serving military and their families in the state of Kansas, as well as those who are transitioning from military back into civilian work and education in the state of Kansas,” said Arthur DeGroat, retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and executive director of military and veterans affairs at the university.

Philanthropic contributions to Kansas State University are coordinated by the Kansas State University Foundation. The foundation was established in 1944 as the official fundraising arm of the university. It is a separate, independent entity chartered by the state of Kansas as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education corporation. The foundation is leading Innovation and Inspiration: The Campaign for Kansas State University to raise $1 billion for student success, faculty development, facility enhancement and programmatic success.

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported the arrest of Kerry Senior, Fort Riley,  at 1:37 Thursday afternoon at 700 East 6th Street on suspicion of Possession of Madrijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Display of Vehicle Registration, and Driving While Suspended.

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The Department reported Deputies arrested Tyris M. Jefferson and Travian M. Brown, both of Tyler Texas on US 77, milepost 148,  at 1:09 a.m. on Friday. Jefferson was arrested on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana, Driving While a Habitual Violator and No Proof of Insurance. Brown was arrested on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana.

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Deputies worked a single vehicle accident. Clayton Yantis, Clay Center, was north bound on US 77 when he struck a deer in His Ford F150. Yantis was not injured.

Periods of light rain today may occasionally mix with light snow especially in the morning hours across northeast Kansas according to the National Weather Service of Topeka. With the warmer ground temps, little to no snow accumulations are anticipated.

Colder air moves in for the weekend with highs in the 40s today, dropping into the 20s tonight. There is a slight chance for rain showers Saturday for mainly for northeast Kansas.

Highs are once again in the upper 40s with overnight lows Sunday morning falling back in to the 20s.

Today: Colder. Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain…possibly mixed with snow in the morning…then slight chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 40s. North winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.

Tonight: Colder. Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s. Northwest winds up to 10 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 40s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 20 mph in the evening.

Sunday: Sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 20s.

Monday: Warmer…sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.

Monday Night: Not as cool. Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s.

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

Wednesday: Cooler. Partly sunny with slight chance of rain showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 60s.

Wednesday Night: Colder. Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain and snow. Lows in the mid 30s.

Thursday: Cooler. Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain and snow. Highs in the lower 50s.

Junction City police reported two arrests at 2025 North Wind Drive Lot 49 on Thursday afternoon.

Chad Michael Sharp, 44, Junction City was arrested on suspicion of felony Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Patricia Elaine Pearson, 39, Junction City, was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

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The JCPD also reported that a notice to appear was issued to Andrea Bruce, 32, Junction City, for suspicion of Possession of Marijuana. That was issued at 1446 North Calhoun, Apartment 6 Thursday afternoon.