There was a full crowd on hand for Congressman Tim Huelskamp’s first town hall meeting of 2016 held Tuesday at the Manhattan Public Library.

For just over an hour and a half the Congressman took questions regarding a number of topics, the most frequent one concerning the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. Huelskamp explained that there are efforts to repeal Obamacare and the last bill that would have completely repealed it was vetoed by President Obama. Efforts will continue on repealing it, but he’s concerned because there isn’t a plan in place for once it is repealed.

“For five years I pressed John Boehner (former speaker of the house), and other leaders, let’s have a debate. Let’s have an alternative,” said Huelskamp. “I’ve signed on to an alternative called the American Healthcare Reform Act that has some great reforms in there, it’s not perfect, but they’ve never let us debate it on the floor.”

Any alternative would be a massive change and take years to put together Huelskamp admitted,”but what I see across America is a growing discontent with Obamacare, and this is probably still the most unpopular bill ever passed by congress in recent history.”

There were both supporters and opponents of the law present during the meeting, at times creating a heated debate on the issue.

Light freezing drizzle followed by snow left some roads slick on Tuesday afternoon.

At 3:15 p.m. the JCPD confirmed there had been one vehicle slide-off in Geary County on Interstate 70. Later in the 4 o’clock hour a truck went down an embankment and hit a tree. Police reported multiple non-injury accidents in the late afternoon time period due to the slick street and road conditions.

Motorists should drive with caution, especially near bridges, overpasses, and intersections.

Several officers with the Riley County Police Department were recognized on Tuesday during the Riley County Law Board meeting for having gone above and beyond the call of duty.

RCPD Director Brad Schoen presented a Meritorious Service Award to Officer Jeffery Childs, a native of Junction City and a Junction City High School graduate.

“Our Riley County Police Department’s Meritorious Service Award is presented to Officer Jeffery Childs in connection with his actions on April 12 of 2015,” read Schoen. “The PD was alerted to a shooting which had just occurred near 11th and Fremont. The suspect left the area on foot prior to officers arrival.”

According to Schoen, the suspects descriptors were broadcast over the radio and Officer Childs started searching the area along with several other officers. He located a man walking in City Park who matched the description, and when he attempted to contact the man he fled on foot.

Childs then used his vehicle on a couple of occasions to intercept the man’s flight paths, causing him to try to hide from the officers. He was then able to locate the shooting suspect and arrest him.

The Geary County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau plans to provide funding for Sundown Salute and the Jammin’ in JC festivals in 2016. But the amount provided will be at a reduced rate.

CVB Director Connie Hall confirmed they will provide $7,500 to Jammin’ in JC and $5,000 to Sundown Salute. That’s down from $10,000 apiece in 2015.

Reduced transient guest tax revenues the first part of 2015 for the CVB was one factor in the decision, although those revenues did increase back up the latter part of the year. Hall noted there is another factor as well.”Also another key factor is how many room nights did these events put into the motels.”

In addition the CVB will also provide some advertising support for the two festivals.

 

Geary County Democrats will meet on Tuesday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Dorothy Bramlage Public Library.

The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss plans for the Democratic Presidential Primary Caucus scheduled for Saturday, March 5.  All area Democrats are welcome to attend to learn how to participate in the caucus.

Volunteers are also needed to assist at the caucus.

For more information contact Shelley Hoyle Kite at 785-238-6222 or tandskite@cox.net.

RILEY-DICKINSON-GEARY-MORRIS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…MANHATTAN…ABILENE…JUNCTION CITY…
COUNCIL GROVE
1207 PM CST TUE JAN 19 2016

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TOPEKA HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR FREEZING DRIZZLE…WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL
9 PM CST THIS EVENING.

* TIMING…FREEZING DRIZZLE HAS ALREADY BEGUN TO DEVELOP ACROSS
PORTIONS OF THE AREA. THIS IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE UNTIL LATE
AFTERNOON.

* ICE ACCUMULATIONS…UP TO A HUNDREDTH OF AN INCH.

* IMPACTS…ROADS MAY BECOME SLICK…RESULTING IN HAZARDOUS
TRAVEL CONDITIONS THIS MORNING THROUGH EARLY THIS EVENING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

Westar Energy sustained a power outage that affected about 3,500 customers or locations in Junction City Tuesday morning.

That outage which lasted about 20 minutes, has been repaired.

A check with the company revealed a switch busted was the cause of the outage.

MANHATTAN – Law enforcement in Riley County and officials at Manhattan High School conducted a joint operation with multiple canine units, to perform a random search for illicit drugs on Tuesday morning, according to principal Greg Hoyt.

“This was a planned and coordinated effort between the school and law enforcement and was not prompted by any specific information regarding drugs or drug activity at the school, according to a letter to parents from Hoyt.

The building was placed into “lockout” mode during the drill and all exterior doors were locked to prevent anyone from entering the building during the search.

School officials monitored the front entryways during the drill to direct any incoming traffic. Students were not permitted to leave their classrooms, but regular instruction did continue for the duration of the drill. The drill was completed in approximately 45 minutes.

“Several positive indicants did arise and school administrators are following up in concert with law enforcement, according to  Hoyt.

According to the National Weather Service of Topeka, today you can expect precipitation mainly in the form of snow. However, some mixed precipitation may be possible over southern portions of the area in mainly in the form of freezing drizzle. Snow accumulations likely less than 3 inches over northeastern Kansas. A break in precipitation on Wednesday before another round of potential snowfall enters the forecast for late Wednesday into the day on Thursday. Expect less than 2-3 inches of additional snowfall. Hazardous travel conditions could cause delays as roads could become slick in spots. Stay weather aware and allow extra time when necessary for both Today and Thursday time frame.

Today: Chance of flurries in the morning…then snow likely in the afternoon. Snow accumulation around 1 inch. Near steady temperature in the lower 20s. East winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of snow in the evening. Lows around 14. Northeast winds up to 10 mph shifting to the southeast after midnight.

Wednesday: Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s. South winds up to 5 mph shifting to the southeast in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Not as cold. Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow. Lows in the mid 20s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday: Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow. Highs in the lower 30s. North winds 5 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night: Cloudy. Lows around 19.

Friday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows around 15.

Saturday: Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.

Saturday Night: Not as cold. Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s.

Sunday: Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s.

Monday: Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s.