Local – Page 91

Sundown Salute will be in the spotlight in Junction City

Posted on June 29, 2019

The five-day Sundown Salute celebration begins Wednesday and runs through Sunday. There will be free concerts, fireworks and a parade.

Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Director Michelle Stimatze said the theme is Tribute to America.”We have plenty of entertainment, the carnival, vendors, we have 50-plus vendors that will be in the park, our beer tent, we have some really neat things for the kids this year.” Hedrick’s Promotions petting zoo and camel rides will be part of the attractions.

The Sundown Salute parade is scheduled at 10 a.m. Thursday and the Freedom Run activities will begin at 7 a.m. with both a 5K and 10K. There is also a one mile-fun Kid’s Run at 8:30 a.m. This will be the 43rd year for the Freedom Run. The annual Veterans Ceremony will be held at noon in Heritage Park.

Concerts performers will range from the tribute group KC/DC at 9:05 p.m. Wednesday to Hairball at 9 p.m. Friday. The Christian Night performers will be Kaylee Keller at 6:30 p.m. and Josh Wilson at 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 7th.

Ottaway Amusements carnival will be operate downtown all five days of Sundown Salute.

The outflow is increased for Milford Lake

Posted on June 29, 2019

The Corps of Engineers on Friday increased the outflow from Milford Lake to 9,000 cubic feet per second. The lake level was at 1174.56.

As of ZFriday the inflow was 7400 cfs and was expected to drop to 5920 on Saturday.

Four arrested after month-long Geary Co. drug investigation

Posted on June 28, 2019June 28, 2019

GEARY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects on numerous charges after a month-long investigation into methamphetamine distribution, according to the the Junction City-Geary Co. Drug Operations Group.

Investigators reportedly found meth, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a gun when they served a search warrant at a Junction City home, 106 S. Webster St., on Thursday, authorities say.

Police arrested Gregory Lawrence Westfall, 51, of Concordia, on requested charges Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine within 1000′ of a school; Possession with intent to distribute Marijuana within 1000′ of a school; Felony possession of drug paraphernalia;
Theft of services.

They arrested Preston Lee Cressler, 32, of Junction City on requested charges of Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine within 1000′ feet of a school;Felony possession of drug paraphernalia;
theft of services.

Brandi Lee Leonard, 27, of Junction City, was arrested on requested charges of Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine within 1000′ of a school, Felony possession of drug paraphernalia and Samantha Larae Goodno, 33, of Junction City on requested charges of Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine within 1000′ of a school and Felony possession of drug paraphernalia

RCPD: Manhattan woman lost $20,000 in scam

Posted on June 28, 2019June 28, 2019

RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a scam and alerting the public again.

On Friday police received a theft report from a Manhattan woman who was scammed out of $20,000.00 using the gift card scam, according to a media release from Riley County Police.

Police warned the public about this 10 days ago, but the ruse continues to become more advanced.

The suspects disguise their number as the RCPD main line (785-537-2112). They claim different things, but attempt to maintain credibility by using names of those in leadership positions to include our Director, Dennis Butler, and others at the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Social Security Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The victim bought gift cards and gave the scammers the numbers, allowing them access to the funds.

Police advised the following.

RCPD and other law enforcement will NEVER call you unsolicited and ask for money, payment or personal information

If someone asks you to pay for something with gift cards, there is a good chance it is a scam

You can ALWAYS call us to verify if something doesn’t seem right. Our non-emergent number is (785) 537-2112

Talk to your financial institution. Maintaining an open dialogue may help others see red flags you might be missing

This information may seem common knowledge to some, but police say they need you to talk to family, friends, neighbors to make sure they know so another person does not become a victim.

Junction City retailers added to Kansas Lottery’s vending machine pilot program

Posted on June 28, 2019June 28, 2019

TOPEKA – The Kansas Lottery has added two Junction City retailers to the Lottery’s vending machine pilot program. The additions come after the successful launch of the pilot program on Wednesday. The new additions bring the total number of pilot locations to six.

In 2018, the Kansas legislature passed HB 2194 allowing the Kansas Lottery to sell traditional style lottery tickets through self-service vending machines.

The updated locations of the pilot program are:

Gage Center Bowl, 4200 SW Huntoon Street, Topeka
John’s Food Center, 5812 SW Topeka Blvd, Topeka
Kansas Lottery Headquarters, 128 N. Kansas Ave, Topeka
West Ridge Lanes, 1935 SW Westport Drive, Topeka
Shop Quik 8, 740 W 6^th, Junction City
Shop Quik 6, 821 E. Chestnut, Junction City

Vending machines located at Gage Center Bowl and West Ridge Lanes in Topeka will be operational next week.

The Kansas Lottery plans to roll out a total of 272 machines to select retailers across the state beginning in July 2019.

Rathert Field will be the topic at Memories at the Museum

Posted on June 28, 2019

A Junction City Junior Baseball Association opening ceremony.

The first Memories at the Museum program at the Geary County Historical Museum this year will focus on Rathert Field memories. It is scheduled at 3 p.m. Sunday ( June 30th ).

These round table discussions encourage community members to share their memories about a topic with one another. Discussions are recorded and then placed in the archives as part of an ongoing mission to collect living history.

Anyone with stories about playing on or attending games at Rathert Field are encouraged to attend this program.

Children can be enrolled for school in USD 475

Posted on June 28, 2019

Geary USD 475 officials have announced that you can enroll your children early for school this fall.

There is an online enrollment option. New students willuse the new student online enrollment link and returning students the returning students online registration link through Skyward Family Access. Students can also enroll in person at their school.

New students need to have a Kansas certificate of immunization card,required immunizations, child health assessment, proof of identity, grade cards, certified transcripts and a KSHSAA physical examination.

Former Sheriff is sentenced to probation

Posted on June 28, 2019June 28, 2019

By Dewey Terrill

JC Post

Former Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf has been placed on 12 months supervised probation and ordered to pay restitution totaling $2,200 plus costs and fees. That was the controlling sentence handed down in Geary County District Court on Friday morning for Wolf, who in April. pleaded no contest and was found guilty of one felony count of Theft, and a misdemeanor charge of Misuse of Public Funds.

Wolf submitted his resignation from the sheriff’s post in April following his convictions.

In District Court on Friday the court followed the recommendation of the attorneys and the plea agreement in the case, and sentenced Wolf to 12 months supervised probation on each count. But they are to run concurrently, meaning 12 months is the controlling term.

Wolf stated in court, “I’m sorry. This is tough, this is real tough,” and he apologized. Wolf was remorseful, “I’m sorry this had to work out this way,” and also told the community that he was sorry.

According to the factual basis outlined in court in April, Wolf authorized an expense of $530 against a county credit card to purchase tires for a friend’s vehicle but initially claimed it was a payment to a confidential informant for drug information which was false. Later he admitted to a KBI adgent that the tires were purchased for a friend. Those funds were credited by the vendor back to the credit card and Wolf later paid the vendor.

In the second case Wolf used state asset forfeiture funds to purchase items ranging from weapons and ammunition to a scope. Wolf turned in a list on that, but it did not include six items including a scope. He will make the $2,200 restitution in that case.

As a result of his felony conviction Wolf cannot own, use or possess a firearm for five years.

Emergency Operations Center reopens in Riley County to monitor Tuttle Creek lake and Kansas River

Posted on June 28, 2019June 28, 2019

The Emergency Operations Center in Manhattan has reopened to monitor rising water levels on Tuttle Creek Lake and the Kansas River. Officials from Riley County and Pottawatomie County are monitoring the situation.

No advisories have been issued for areas downstream of Tuttle Creek Dam at this time but residents should be aware of weather conditions and have a plan to evacuate safely if the situation changes.

“This isn’t the first time we’ve gone through this. In 1993 the lake came up and went down three times before the flood. Right now we’reworking with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to track information prepare people for the possibility of flooding. We’re not out of the woods and people need to stay alert and aware,” said Pat Collins, Riley County Emergency Manager.

The height of the Kansas River will have an effect on the flood potential for neighborhoods in Manhattan. If the Kansas River is at 18 feet or higher, a release from Tuttle Creek Reservoir of 20,000 cubic feet per second could cause some flooding in neighborhoods. The Kansas River was expected to reach 18.1 feet on Thursday.

The Riley County Public Works department plans to close boat ramps at Rocky Ford Park and Fairmont Friday morning to help ensure safety.

More information is available on the City of Manhattan website at www.cityofmhk.com/flood and on Facebook ManhattanFloodUpdates and Twitter @updatesflood. A recorded message will be updated each day on the Manhattan Flood Hotline (785) 587-4526. If the situation becomes more serious, the hotline will be staffed from 8AM to 8PM.

National Weather Service puts a heat advisory into effect for Friday and Saturday

Posted on June 28, 2019

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from 1 to 8 p.m. for both Friday and Saturday.

Afternoon high temperatures are expected to rise into the low to upper 90s with heat index values surging from 103 to 107 degrees.

Heat-related illnesses are possible for those who spend a prolonged amount of time outdoors or for thosewho are more susceptible to heat, such as young children and the elderly.

During the advisory period you should try to limit your outdoor activiteis, if possible remain in an air-conditioned building and check up on relatives and neighbors. While outside, drink plenty of water, wear light and loose fitting clothing, and reduce strenous activities.