TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Westar Energy is looking for customers interested in using some solar energy without having to install equipment.

The utility announced Monday it will build a solar array if enough customers agree by the end of March to buy at least 1 megawatt of power. That’s enough electricity to power 164 homes.

Westar spokeswoman Gina Penzig says anywhere in Westar’s territory could participate in the program.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports a household would pay about $10 per month to receive about 15 percent of its electricity through the solar community project. The incentive is that the rates would be locked in for as long as the customer is enrolled, regardless of how regular rates fluctuate.

Customers can enroll by visiting Westar’s website, WestarEnergy.com/communitysolar.

SHAWNEE COUNTY- A woman from Manhattan was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. on Monday in Shawnee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Nissan Sentra driven by Katie Jo Jarvis, 26, Manhattan, was east bound on Interstate 70 one mile east of Valencia.

After changing lanes, the Nissan struck the driver’s side door of a 2015 Subaru Legacy driven by Clinese A. Thompson, 40, Topeka.

After the collision, the Nissan veered through the median across opposing traffic lanes, over the embankment and came to a rest after damaging a fence on the access road below.

Jarvis was transported to Stormont Vail. Thompson and two passengers in the Subaru were not injured.

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

Junction City will be sending a number of representatives to the annual Leaders’ Retreat held in Overland Park this Friday and Saturday.

Mayor Mick McCallister, will be among the local representatives and he explained the retreat provides a good opportunity for regional leaders to sit down at the same table together.

“Go to the table and talk and network, on some of our issues and concerns that we have. Over the course of the last couple of years we’ve started in motion things that we’ve been working on, and this is a time to make sure that those things are working forward,” said McCallister.

There are a number of topics on the agenda for the retreat but the three major topics include discussions on Fort Riley, the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility being built in Manhattan, and workforce development for the entire region.

 

The Green Dress Project will be at the Fort Riley USO on Saturday, January 30, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Coordinator Traci Scott explains that many young women are making career ending mistakes, and don’t even know it. The Green Dress Project is designed to help.

You can learn how to avoid career ending mistakes, the do’s and don’ts of how to dress in the workplace, how to build a resume, and tips on how to leave a positive impression in your new job.

There will be free food and giveaways.

If you would like to attend friend on Facebook: The Green Dress Project, or email at thegreendressproject@gmail.com.

Junction City is home to two Buffalo Soldiers who served at Fort Riley during WWII, and they were recognized Monday morning during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at the C.L. Hoover Opera House.

MSG ( Ret. ) Nolan Self and 1SG ( Ret. ) Albert Curley were both in attendance Monday.

Col. Andrew Cole, Fort Riley Garrison Commander was the guest speaker and spoke about the Buffalo Soldiers. He told a story about when Self was at Fort Riley at the same time as legendary boxer, Joe Louis, who completed basic training at Fort Riley.

“As the story goes, Joe Louis realized there wasn’t much for the Buffalo Soldiers to do at Fort Riley. So he called his friend, then jazz pianist, Count Basie, to see if he would perform a concert in Topeka,” said Cole. “He agreed and Louis rented buses to give a couple hundred girls free transportation to the show so the soldiers would have someone to dance with. That’s when Mr. Self met the girl he danced with for the next 70 plus, and I believe we just heard the last 73 years, his wife Wilma.”

This year marked the 31st year of the annual MLK Celebration in Junction City. The theme was “Making the Dream a Reality.”

 

Light to moderate snowfall will overspread the area tomorrow morning, continuing into the evening hours according to the National Weather Service of Topeka. Roads are expected to become snow-packed and icy as snowfallaccumulations up to 2″ are expected. Another chance for rain and snow returns for Thursday, only minor accumulations are expected at this time.

Hazardous Weather Outlook

Today: Not as cold. Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s. South winds up to 10 mph. Lowest wind chill readings 9 below to 1 above zero in the morning.

Tonight: Not as cold. Mostly cloudy. Near steady temperature in the lower 20s. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

Tuesday: Cloudy. Chance of snow in the morning…then snow likely in the afternoon. Snow accumulation around 1 inch. Highs in the upper 20s. East winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of snow in the evening. Lows around 16. Northwest winds up to 5 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny in the morning then becoming mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s. Southeast winds up to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Cloudy with slight chance of snow. Lows in the lower 20s.

Thursday: Cloudy with slight chance of snow. Highs in the lower 30s.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows around 16.

Friday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows around 19.

Saturday: Not as cold. Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s.

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

There will be an American Red Cross Blood Drive in Junction City on Thursday and Friday at the Municipal Building Gym.

The hours are 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday.

To schedule an appointment visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS ( 733-2767 ).

 

The Junction City Little Theater will present Jake’s Women at the C. L. Hoover Opera House on February 12, 13, and 14. The show is directed by Brent Sigman with Lacy Mann as stage manager.

Jake’s Women features performances by Bill Pugh, Brittany Renee Shreve, Peighton Jamison, Mary Renee Shirk, Tiffany Stone, Tiffany Dozier, Stephanie Mead, and Katie Locke.

The story by Neil Simon is a funny and moving look into the world of modern relationships. Jake, a novelist more successful with fiction than life, must navigate his complicated relationships with women.

You can reserve tickets online at www.jclt.info or call the box office at 785-238-3906.

1st District Congressman Tim Huelskamp will conduct a Town Hall meeting at the Manhattan Public Library Tuesday at noon.

He will take questions from the public and listen to thoughts and concerns.