MANHATTAN – Law enforcement authorities in Riley County are investigating a case of vandalism at the Bluemont Hill scenic overlook.

Officers with the Riley County Police Department responded to the popular location to meet with city employees on Wednesday according to a media release.

They discovered that someone had painted all the letters that spell the city’s name. Most of the painting was too vulgar to reveal.

The damage is estimated at $1,200.

Fort Riley will be closing the Grant Ave. gate on Saturdays starting on December 12th.

John Seitz, Director of the Junction City Military Affairs Council shared that information with Junction City Post Thursday. He explained that it’s all driven on man power.

“They used to have 80 civilian guards that they could put on gates, and because of cuts in the budget, they’re down to 20,” said Seitz. “So that means you fill in that other 60 with soldiers. Well, we’ve got soldiers deployed, we’ve got soldiers getting ready to deploy, and training up for it, and so you just run out of bodies.”

The gate is already closed on Sundays and closing on Saturdays won’t be a big problem according to Seitz,”because you can still get in through the Trooper gate or through the Henry gate at the airfield.”

He also added that there is very little traffic that has utilized the Grant gate during the weekend anyways, “less than 200 vehicles a day.”

Local officials had concerns about the closure of the Grant gate on Saturdays in fear that it would have a negative economic impact on business’ located along Grant Avenue.

LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Associated Press has learned that Defense Secretary Ash Carter will order the military to open all combat jobs to women, and is giving the armed services until Jan. 1 to submit plans to make the historic change.

Carter’s announcement is expected later Thursday.

It rebuffs arguments from the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman that the Marine Corps should be allowed to exclude women from certain front-line combat jobs, citing studies showing that mixed-gender units aren’t as capable as all-male units.

A senior defense official says all the services will have to begin putting plans in place by April 1.

The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Nine Manhattan pastors are pushing for sexual orientation and gender identity protections.

The Manhattan Mercury reports that the pastors want the protections added to an anti-discrimination ordinance.

Richard Gehring, co-pastor at Manhattan Mennonite Church, read a letter Tuesday during the Manhattan City Commission meeting to push for employment, housing and public accommodation protections.

Gehring says the pastors felt the need to speak because religion is often cited as a justification for discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The pastors’ statement came after the Flint Hills Human Rights Project advocated for sexual orientation and gender identity protections during a commission meeting last month.

In 2011, the commission passed and then repealed an ordinance that placed sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes in areas of employment.

The City of  Junction City is soliciting individuals who are interested to serve a three year term on the Economic Development Commission (EDC) beginning in 2016.   All interested persons are requested to contact City Manager Allen Dinkel at 238-3103 or allen.dinkel@jcks.com by Thursday,  December 10.

Dinkel said ” the appointment will be made by the City Commission and the commission is allowing all those who are interested in serving as an EDC member the opportunity to be considered for the position.”

The groundbreaking for a new small animal veterinary clinic in Junction City was a Thursday business highlight in the community.

Dr. Thersa McCreath plans to locate the Spring Valley Veterinary Hospital at 1822 South Spring Valley Road on the southwest side of Junction City.

“It’s going to be a 39 by 42 foot              building. It’s a metal Lester building that’s going up. We are going to be doing small animal medicine and surgery here.” McCreath said this will be a fully equipped facility. “X-rays, seperate surgery suites, exam rooms pretty much to handle anything small animal wise. Any large animal will out at the farm sites if I have time to get out and away from the clinic.”

Initially McCreath will be the only doctor for the business. There will also be at least two employees, but as growth occurs she is hopeful of adding to that total.

K-Construction Inc. of Alta Vista is the contractor for the project. McCreath said the time frame calls for her to occupy the building in January. She could then open for business once the necessary permits are approved.

McCreath has worked in Junction City for many years, dating back to 1999. Now she is starting her own business.

 

Junction City police have reported the arrest of three people at 1:24 a.m. Thursday at 1024 South Washington Street following a traffic stop.

The arrests included Charles machado, 24, Fort Riley, Neko Jones, 21, Junction City, and Clarence Collom, 22, Fort Riley on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Also, Neko Jones was arrested on a Geary County District Court warrant charging him with Sale of Marijuana Within 1,000 Feet of a School, No Drug Stamp, Possession of Marijuana and Other Hallucinogens, Felony Possession Paraphernalia, Felony Theft, Possession of Cocaine, and two counts of Aggravated Endangerment of a Child.

Warmer than normal weather is forecast for the next several days. Clouds will be more widespread over the weekend, especially late Saturay, and there is a slight chance for a rain or snow shower but conditions should be mainly dry.

Early This Morning: Clear. West winds up to 5 mph.

Today: Sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. South winds up to 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 20s. South winds up to 5 mph.

Friday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. South winds 5 to 10 mph increasing to around 15 mph in the afternoon. Gusts up to 25 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. South winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy with slight chance of rain and snow. Lows in the lower 30s.

Sunday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 40s.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear. Lows around 30.

Monday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 50s.

Monday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 30s.

Tuesday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 50s.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 30s.

Wednesday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 50s.

FORT RILEY, Kan. – A 1st Infantry Division Soldier was found dead in his Junction City residence Nov. 30.

First Sgt. Patrick E. Centamore, 46, was assigned as the senior
noncommissioned officer of Company G, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div.

His military occupational specialty was 91Z, a senior maintenance
supervisor. He deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He arrived at Fort Riley in August 2010.

“While a new arrival to the battalion, 1st Sgt. Centamore had already
rapidly established himself as a professional senior noncommissioned officer who was well liked and respected by Soldiers and leaders across the formation,” said Lt. Col. Trent Upton, 1st Bn., 16th Inf. Regt., commander. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, and we stand ready to support them throughout this difficult time.”

The Junction City Police Department is investigating Centamore’s death.

Release from Fort Riley Public Affairs