MANHATTAN, KAN. – Due to heightened security at public events nationwide the Riley County Police Department will have an increased presence at some large community functions, those that meet an undisclosed criteria, in the future. This increased police presence is out of an abundance of caution and not a result of direct threats or increased danger to the community, its safety, or future event participants.

“A conscious decision has been made by RCPD to provide additional resources at some of these events to include an increase in visible police presence. This increase in personnel at events is intended to improve safety and security…” Josh Kyle, patrol commander for the Riley County Police Department.

Attendees of the New Year’s Eve event in Manhattan on December 31, 2015 will see this increased presence first-hand though no threats of violence have been made. Those attending the event are asked to assist law enforcement by avoiding parking vehicles on or near Moro Street between 11th Street and N. Manhattan Avenue Police also ask that attendees only carry bags and backpacks that are necessary to enjoy the event comfortably.

WABAUNSEE COUNTY- One person was injured in a 3-vehicle accident just before 5p.m. on Monday in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport driven by Jin Song, 37, Pike, AL., was eastbound on Interstate 70 just east of Spring Hill Road.

The Hyundai spun out and struck a 2008 BMW Series 3 driven by Rui Kong, 20, Columbia, MO, that was stopped on the side of the road and a 2005 Chevy Malibu driven by Nicholas Tidwell, 25, Wamego, that had spun out and come to rest by the BMW.

A passenger in the Chevy Annika Luna, 25, El Paso, TX, was transported to the hospital in Manhattan. Song and Kong, Tidwell and passengers in the Hyundai were not injured.

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

After a week of releasing 4,000 cfs the Corps of Engineers has reduced the lake’s outflow to “low flow” due to flooding downstream in Missouri.

As of Monday the lake’s elevation was normal at 1144.61 ft, heavy rains over the past couple of weeks had pushed the lake five feet high at one point.

RJ Harms, Corps of Engineers Project Operations Manager at Milford Lake explained that they are still hoping to make additional releases in the near future in order to get them to their winter goal of a few feet below normal. By reducing the lake’s elevation during the winter it helps prevent any damage to docks and shore lines due to ice and wind.

“We want to get the water off the shoreline and away from grass, and it kind of helps the marina’s a little bit, when we’re a little bit lower, when they do get iced in like that. It just kind of settles them in and maybe eliminate or reduce some of their wind damage, that might get us,” said Harms.

It’s unclear when they may be able to begin making releases again, but Harms hopes it is before the lake has a chance to freeze over with temperatures forecasted to be below freezing throughout this week.

Right now aTa Bus riders in Junction City need to call to make an appointment to ride the public transportation buses.

But county commissioner Florence Whitebread said recently they hope to have fixed bus routes in place in Junction City by February 1st. “There will be at least a minimum of three and possibly four fixed routes here in Junction City. And with those routes they just go to a bus stop and get on a bus. They don’t have to call 24-hours in advance. They can get on the bus and ride.”

Whitebread said the fixed routes will cover almost 80% of Junction City. “And people can go to shopping. They can go to visit or wherever they need to go as long as it makes connection with these routes.”

aTa Bus also serves Manhattan, Ogden, and Wamego.

The Geary County Commission has approved year end fund transfers.

Commission Chairman Ben Bennett said they include a $12,000 transfer of funds to capital improvements for the noxious weed department. “Road and bridge is asking for us to transfer $300,000 into capital improvements, and the rural fire department is asking us to transfer $20,000 out of their surplus into fire protection equipment and funds.”

The commission met for the final time in 2015 on Monday.

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Bennett reported the County received a clean audit report Monday for 2014 with no major deficiencies.

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Bennett reminded that county offices will close at noon Thursday for year-end accounting purposes. Geary County employees will have Thursday afternoon off.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Pottawatomie and Riley County are investigating three suspects on drug charges.

Just after 3:45 a.m., on Sunday, Pottawatomie County Sheriff Deputy William Cline stopped a green 1994 Chevrolet Camaro near Enoch Lane and Frontage Road in Manhattan, Pottawatomie County, according to a sheriff’s department media release.

During this traffic stop an occupant of the vehicle fled on foot.

Sheriff Deputies later captured this suspect identified as Joseph Luven Pham-Gardner, 28, Onaga, along with the assistance of the Riley County Police Department.

Pham-Gardner was taken into custody for criminal possession of a firearm, interference with law enforcement, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of a stimulant drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The driver of the Camaro, Patrick Arrow, 22, Louisville, Kan., was taken into custody for possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of a stimulant drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a hallucinogenic drug with intent to distribute, possession of a stimulant drug with intent to distribute, possession of medication with intent to distribute, criminal use of a firearm and transporting an open container. Arrow remains at the Pottawatomie County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

The third occupant of the Camaro, Seth Lightfoot, 21, Blaine, was taken into custody for possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of a stimulant drug and possession of drug paraphernalia. Pham-Gardner, Arrow, and Lightfoot remain at the Pottawatomie County Jail on a $25,000 bond each.

During this stop a quantity of marijuana and methamphetamine were also seized as well as the vehicle.

TOPEKA – (December 28, 2015) – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt today reminded Verizon and Sprint customers in Kansas that they have until December 31 to seek refunds as part of two multi-state settlements reached in May.

The national settlements announced May 12 were reached between Verizon, Sprint and the attorneys general of Kansas and 49 other states and the District of Columbia, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Communications Commission. They resolved allegations that Verizon and Sprint placed charges on consumers’ mobile phone bills for third-party services that had not been authorized by the consumer, a practice known as “mobile cramming.” These settlements follow similar settlements reached with AT&T and T Mobile last year.

Under the terms of the settlements, Sprint and Verizon are required to provide $50 million and $70 million, respectively, in refunds to consumers who were victims of cramming.

Consumers who are uncertain whether or not they are owed a refund can file a request with the mobile carrier to identify any third party charges they may have been unaware of.  For information on how to do this or to file a claim, Kansas consumers should visit the attorney general’s consumer protection website at www.InYourCornerKansas.org or call(800) 432-2310.

The Junction City, Manhattan and Wamego Chambers of Commerce will once again come together for the Annual 2016 Regional Leaders’ Retreat on Friday and Saturday, January 22 & 23, 2016.

The retreat is being held once again at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel in Overland Park, KS and will focus on discussions on regional issues relating to Fort Riley, NBAF, housing, and workforce.

To register for the event call Kaitlin at the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce at (785) 762-2632. The last day to register for the event is Friday, January 15, 2016.

To book your hotel room call the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at (913) 234-2100 and mention the Leaders’ Retreat block rate or your local Chamber of Commerce. The last day to secure the block rate of $95/night is Friday, January 8, 2016.

Junction City Public Works has announced that there will be no trash / garbage pick-up by the City on Friday due to the New Year’s holiday.

However, trash / garbage pick-up will be picked up the next day, in this case on Saturday.

In order to ensure pick-up your trash should be set out by 6 a.m. Saturday.

Carts should be removed from the curb-alley by the following day of their scheduled pick-up. Additional items that are set out may require making arrangements for a special pick-up.

Customers with questions should call the City Public Works Department at 785-238-7142.