A Gospel Tribute and Mucisal Celebration opened the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in the Junction City community Sunday afternoon.
Emcee Daphne Maxwell told the audience at the C.L. Hoover Opera House as they celebrate they” give thanks through praise, worship and hearing of the word to a great and almighty God who reminds us that nothing is impossible to those who believe. ”
Musical groups and choirs from different churches performed during the observance on Sunday.
The MLK celebration continues at 10 a.m. Monday at the Opera House with a “Tribute to the Buffalo Soldiers” with special recognition for MSG ( Ret. ) Nolan Self and 1SG ( Ret. ) Albert Curley. The keynote speaker for the observance is COL Andrew Cole, Garrison Commander at Fort Riley. There will be music presented by the Geary County Children’s Choir under the direction of Greg Gooden.
The theme for the 2016 MLK Celebration is “Making the Dream a Reality.”
Daphne Maxwell speaking during the MLK celebration in Junction City,
The Junction City Police Department has reported the arrest of three California residents on on I-70 on Friday.
Police said the arrests near Mile Marker 307, eastbound, included Callie C. Harvey, 30, Latoia L. Thomas, 34, and Devion T. Toy, 31 on suspicion of Possession of Heroin With Intent, Possession of Cocaine With Intent, No Drug Tax Stamp and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Bitterly cold wind chills of 0 to -15 are expected throughout the day on Sunday according to the National Weather Service of Topeka. Light snow and flurries are also expected Sunday morning. Any accumulations will be generally less than 1 inch. Similar wind chill values are expected Monday morning along with another chance for light snowfall on Tuesday.
Today: Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s. North winds up to 5 mph shifting to the northeast in the afternoon.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Lows around 9. Southeast winds up to 5 mph shifting to the northeast 5 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph after midnight. Lowest wind chill readings 6 below to 4 above zero after midnight.
Sunday: Colder. Mostly cloudy. Near steady temperature around 13. North winds 10 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the morning. Wind chill readings 10 below to zero.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows around 2. Northeast winds up to 10 mph. Wind chill readings 6 below to 4 above zero.
Martin Luther King Jr Day: Not as cold. Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 20s. South winds up to 10 mph. Lowest wind chill readings 8 below to 2 above zero in the morning.
Monday Night: Not as cold. Mostly cloudy. Lows around 19.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Highs in the lower 30s.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy with slight chance of snow. Lows around 20.
Wednesday: Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.
Thursday: Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.
The Junction City Police Department tour log report released on Saturday morning includes the arrests of Michael White, 19, Junction City and Erick S. Wiseman, 19, Junction City on allegations ranging from suspicion of Kidnapping to Aggravated Robbery.
White was also arrested on suspicion of Commission of a Crime, Criminal Threat, Aggravated Intimidation of a Witness, and Aggravated Assault. Wiseman was also arrested on suspicion of Commission of a Crime, Criminal Threat, and Aggravated Intimidation of a Witness.
Both men were arrested Friday at the Geary County Detention Center, where they have been incarcerated in recent days.
Wiseman and White were arrested by the Geary County Sheriff’s Department earlier in the week in a seperate case on allegations that included suspicion of Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree, Aggravated Kidnapping and Aggravated Robbery stemming from an incident on a rural location near Milford.
JCPD officials confirmed for JC Post that the new arrests are in connection with a different case involving a lapsed report from another incident that originated at 5th and Jackson in Junction City, and that was just reported to police after the arrests earlier in the week. In the new case police reported that items such as cell phone, wallet, and cash were allegedly taken.
The USD 473 Chapman Board of Education has voted against a motion to extend the contract of Superintendent Lacee Sell.
Sell informed JC Post that the superintendent’s contract was on the Board’s agenda last Monday as an action item. The motion to extend the contract failed 2-5. She reported that Board members Bob Haynes and Judd Liebau voted in favor of the extension, while Board members John Hultgren, Joe Miller, Brian Rock, Todd Frieze, and Mitch Langvardt voted no.
The current contract runs through June 30, 2017. Sell told JC Post historically, typically, a superintendent is on a contract two years out. “Well I had two that were in favor of doing so and five that voted against. So as of right now, unfortunately, it looks like my career at 473 might be coming to an end next June ( 2017 ).
JC Post asked Sell if she would remain in the job through June 2017? “I am going to do my absolute best to do that. The Board doesn’t feel that my performance is good enough to extend my contract two years out. There are some things that I am going to have to solve on my own in regard to my own thoughts and feelings about this. I say yes to that because every decision that I have ever made has been in the best interest of our kids. My absolute intention is to continue leading every day and to make decisions upon what’s best for our kiddos.”
On the reason why the contract is not being extended Sell said it’s based upon performance. “Concerns of things that I have been asked to do in the past and have done differently, and tried to change, and maybe that wasn’t good enough. ” Sell added, “Some opinion is thrown in there. Maybe some communication about possibly over communicating….I needing for communication to be a two-way street. ”
Sell called the decision devastating in light of the accomplishments that have occurred for the staff and students in USD 473. “( USD ) 473 has come a long way in the past few years. I’m not trying to be arrogant by any means, but we have great people doing great things with great kids. I’m right there beside everyone, and I want to continue to be part.” Sell added her intention is to continue leading every day in the way she knows how.
On whether the school board might reconsider the decision and extend the contract, Sell said, “Absolutely. I pray for that and I hope for that. I hope that there’s a change of heart and we can get on the same page as far as what expectations of me need to be so I can meet whatever those are, and absolutely. I haven’t given my heart, and my time and my soul the past five years just to turn and walk away.”
While contract renewal typically occurs in January, the Board could at any time vote to extend it, if the members choose to do so.
In a prepared statement Sell also wrote, “Yes, there have been areas of conflict and differences of opinion between myself and some board members as I suspect happens from time to time in any organization. I do not believe any of that rises to the level of me not performing my job at a high level and not having my contract extended.”
There was an attempt to contact different board members on this story, but at this point there has been no public comment to JC Post on this matter. Some of those we tried to reach were unavailable.
SALINE COUNTY- A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 1p.m. on Friday in Saline County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Chevy Silverado driven by Lathan M. Griffith, 18, Middletown, was northbound on Niles Road two miles east of New Cambria.
The driver failed to yield to a 2001 Chevy Malibu driven by Jayna Kay Mikesell, 33, Abilene, that was westbound on Old US-40
The Malibu collided with the Silverado.
Mikesell was transported to Salina Regional Medical Center.
Griffith was not injured.
Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
Ben Kitchens Painting Co., Inc., has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2015.
“We constantly strive to treat all of our customers with the utmost respect and courtesy and deliver the best service we can. To receive this award for the 2nd year in a row is an honor that my team is extremely proud of,” said Ben Kitchens.
“Only about 5 percent of the home improvement companies in the Junction City area have performed so consistently well enough to earn our super Service Award,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “It’s a really high standard.”
Angie’s List Super Service Award 2015 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade; the company must be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.
Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.
DEL Motors of Junction City will serve as a sponsor for Military Affairs Council breakfasts in the community.
The monthly MAC board meeting included reports on a number of topics.
–123 new soldiers were welcomed to Fort Riley this past Monday, and more than 200 were welcomed on Wednesday.
–As of Thursday 34 people from Junction City had signed up to attend the Regional Leaders Retreat January 22 and 23 in Overland Park. The chambers of commerce in Junction City, Manhattan, and Wamego coordinate that event.
–The MAC board received a report from Mayor Mick McCallister about a meeting with Fort Riley Garrison Command to discuss housing issues. McCallister noted city officials head some encouraging comments, and he was hopeful more information would be released in the future.
–The Lady Troopers and Old Troopers have been invited to tour the new hospital at Fort Riley on February 26. There is an effort to try and expand that tour to other groups.
–Congressional Staffer’s Day activities at Fort Riley are planned March 30-31. Congressional staff members will visit the post to learn about the installation.
–The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce and USD 475 will co-host a legislative coffee February 6 at Junction City High School. The public will be able to visit with area state legislators.
–The Society of the 1st Infantry Division offices will move on post to Grimes Hall at the end of January.
–General ( Retired ) Gordon Sullivan will be paying a visit to Fort Riley on February 5. AUSA will host a social for him from 3-5 p.m. Sullivan served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, and is a former commanding general for the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley.
Kevin Royse is resigning from his post as Junction City Fire Chief to become the Fire Chief in Salina.
Kevin Royse
Royse confirmed for JC Post he will step down in Junction City on January 29, and begin work in Salina on February 15.
Royse said the position in Salina is a nationally accredited fire department, and there are only four of those in Kansas. “Salina is a little bit larger than Junction City here, and they just have a well trained, well managed Fire / EMS Department.”
Royse noted the Salina Fire Department has 94 employees and four fire stations. That compares with 51 employees and two stations in Junction City. He has served as Fire Chief in Junction City since July of 2013.
Junction City Manager Allen Dinkel said Royse was an asset to the community and added that Royse was also a great asset to the fire department. The city manager indicated he would probably appoint an acting chief before Royse leaves, and then begin the selection process and work forward.
The Saint Xavier Rams Middle School girls basketball team defeated Topeka Lutheran 24-22 on Thursday. The Saint Xavier Middle School boys team downed Topeka Lutheran 33-9.
In high school boys action at the St. John’s Military Tournament the Rams fell to Flint Hills Job Corps 52-25.
