Longbine on Senate Action

March 1, 2015, 11:58 am

≫ Next: National Weather Service Seven-Day Forecast

≪ Previous: Severe Weather Meeting Wednesday Night

$

0

0

The Kansas Senate has approved a bill that will allow the state to issue up to one billion dollars in pension bonds.

State Senator Jeff Longbine said the funding will be used to shore up KPERS, the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, and reduce unfunded liability. “There’s a number of safety measures in the bill which allowed me some comfort on it. First of all we have to be able to borrow the money below five percent.”

Longbine added KPER’s returns over the last 25 to 30 years have always averaged more than eight percent. Projections show if the state can earn eight percent, Kansas will save more than $300 million over the life of the bonds.

Longbine’s 17th Kansas Senate district includes Junction City.

---

National Weather Service Seven-Day Forecast

March 2, 2015, 5:31 am

≫ Next: Rollover Accident on Icy Highway

≪ Previous: Longbine on Senate Action

$

0

0

Winds will become more southerly tonight ahead of an approaching cold front. These south winds are expected to bring warm moist air into the region with temperatures rising through the night and a chance for rain. There may even be a brief period where there is light freezing drizzle in the evening before temperatures warm up. The cold front will move through the area by the early afternoon Tuesday bringing colder air and falling temperatures through the afternoon. Winds ahead of and behind the front could gust up to 35 MPH.

Today: Partly sunny. Highs around 36. Southeast winds up to 5 mph increasing to around 15 mph in the afternoon. Gusts up to 25 mph.

Tonight: Cloudy. Chance of light freezing rain…sleet possibly mixed with drizzle…rain or freezing drizzle in the evening… Then chance of rain possibly mixed with drizzle after midnight. Lows around 32…but temperatures rising into the 30s after midnight. South winds 10 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph increasing to 35 mph after midnight. Chance of measurable precipitation 30 percent.

Tuesday: Breezy. Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain in the morning. Highs around 42…but temperatures falling into the 30s in the afternoon. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph shifting to the northwest 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Colder. Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of light snow. Lows around 14. North winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the evening. Wind chill readings as cold as 1 below.

Wednesday: Colder. Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s. North winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph. Lowest wind chill readings 1 below in the morning.

Wednesday Night And Thursday: Not as cool. Mostly clear. Lows around 9. Highs around 40.

Thursday Night And Friday: Warmer. Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 20s. Highs in the lower 50s.

Friday Night And Saturday: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 20s. Highs in the lower 50s.

Saturday Night And Sunday: Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s. Highs in the mid 50s.

---

 

Rollover Accident on Icy Highway

March 2, 2015, 6:36 am

≫ Next: Geary County Sheriff’s Department Report

≪ Previous: National Weather Service Seven-Day Forecast

$

0

0

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department reports deputies worked an accident on I-70 at mid morning Saturday.

Shaquan S. White, Manhattan, was eastbound on the interstate in a 1990 Lexus when she lost control due to icy conditions and the vehicle slid off the highway, rolling onto its top. There were no injuries.

Geary County Sheriff’s Department Report

March 2, 2015, 8:32 am

≫ Next: Groff Named GCH Employee of the Month

≪ Previous: Rollover Accident on Icy Highway

$

0

0

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department worked two non-injury accidents.

In one case on U.S. 77 Highway Kevin Nadrchal was traveling in a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox when he struck a deer in the roadway.   The accident was reported at 8:08 p.m. Saturday.

In the second case Deputies responded to K-177 Highway for a single vehicle accident. Harley D. Grimmett, Council Grove, was northbound in a 2014 Mazda when the vehicle struck a deer in the roadway. The accident was reported at 4:13 a.m. on Monday.

The Sheriff’s Department has also reported arrests in other cases.

–Kyle Vinson, Junction City on U.S. 77 on allegations including Arson and False Reporting to Law Enforcement

–Tiffany M. Wells-Cotts, McCallester, Oklahoma, on U.S. 77 on suspicion of Driving while Suspended

–Daniel Kosowski on K-177 on suspicion of Driving While Suspended and Speeding.

Groff Named GCH Employee of the Month

March 2, 2015, 10:50 am

≫ Next: School Board to Get Playground Proposal

≪ Previous: Geary County Sheriff’s Department Report

$

0

0

Eve Groff, Junction City, has been named the March Employee of the Month at Geary Community Hospital.

Groff works in the Patient Access Department at GCH.

( l-r ) Joe Stratton, GCH CEO; Eve Groff, Patient Access; and Laura Reynolds, Director, Business Office

School Board to Get Playground Proposal

March 2, 2015, 11:33 am

≫ Next: Committee Will Study Renaming

≪ Previous: Groff Named GCH Employee of the Month

$

0

0

Lorraine Walker ( center )

When the Geary USD 475 Board of Education meets Monday evening they will receive a staff proposal for a new playground at Washington Elementary School. The playground would be named after the late Lorraine Walker, the former longtime principal at the school.

Lorraine Walked died last April.

Dr. Corbin Witt noted it’s something that’s needed. “It’s something that I think Lorraine would really like, benefits the entire community. That’ll be what we work to try to provide so that we can memorialize Lorraine and do great things for kids.”

There was some recent interest in possibly renaming Washington Elementary School after Walker, but Witt noted the Board has a policy that does not allow a facility to be renamed until a person has not been connected with the District for at least five years. But he added they also realize there is something they would like to do to memorialize Walker.

The Board meeting begins at 5 p.m. at the Devin Center.

Committee Will Study Renaming

March 2, 2015, 7:45 pm

≫ Next: Geary County Monday Booking Photos

≪ Previous: School Board to Get Playground Proposal

$

0

0

The Geary USD 475 Board of Education has authorized the formation of a committee to study

Lorraine Walker ( center )

the naming of either a new playground or building addition at Washington Elementary School.

The discussion revolves around renaming one or the other after former principal Lorraine Walker, who died last April.

Board member Dr. Ferrell Miller pushed for the committee. “Think it’s important that we get those people who actually work in that building to be a part of the decision making process.”

Miller would like to see the process completed and a recommendation brought back to the Board by the end of the school year. The committee will be comprised of one principal, three staff members, one Board of Education member, two people from the community, and two parents.

Geary County Monday Booking Photos

March 2, 2015, 8:11 pm

≫ Next: 1 hospitalized after semi spills load on I-70 in Dickinson Co.

≪ Previous: Committee Will Study Renaming

$

0

0

All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. Courtesy Photos.

This information is not criminal history. All individuals included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. JC Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. Any person who believes information provided is not accurate may submit a complaint to admin@salinapost.com

---

1 hospitalized after semi spills load on I-70 in Dickinson Co.

March 3, 2015, 3:13 am

≫ Next: Man denied diversion in Manhattan bicyclist death’s

≪ Previous: Geary County Monday Booking Photos

$

0

0

ABILENE- One person was injured in an accident involving five vehicles just before 7 p.m. on Monday in Dickinson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 tractor and trailer-hauling I-beams was westbound on Interstate 70 near mile marker 279.

The vehicle traveled off the roadway, losing control of the trailer.

The trailer jackknifed and detached from the power unit.

The trailer traveled across the roadway to the north, struck the guardrail on the north side of the highway, overturned and spilled the I-beams onto the roadway. The trailer came to rest in the north ditch.

Four westbound vehicles struck an I-beam and other road debris.

One driver Constance M. Welborn, 61, Abilene, was transported to Salina Regional Medical Center

The driver of the semi Vaughn B. Ansel, 23, Peru, IN., was not injured.

The KHP reported all were properly restrained at the time of the accident.

Man denied diversion in Manhattan bicyclist death’s

March 3, 2015, 4:19 am

≫ Next: National Weather Service Forecast

≪ Previous: 1 hospitalized after semi spills load on I-70 in Dickinson Co.

$

0

0

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — A northeast Kansas man accused of causing the death of a Manhattan bicyclist will not be eligible for diversion.

Assistant Riley County Attorney James Garrison said during a hearing Monday that 33-year-old Derik Kesler of Rossville will not be eligible for diversion because of his past criminal history. Garrison did not detail Kesler’s past crimes.

Kesler faces one misdemeanor charge of vehicular homicide in the June 2014 death of 49-year-old Mark Jilka of Manhattan, who was riding his bicycle on Kansas Highway 177 south of Manhattan

The Manhattan Mercury reports  that Kesler said in a voluntary statement that he was typing a location into his phone’s GPS when his truck hit Kesler.

National Weather Service Forecast

March 3, 2015, 6:19 am

≫ Next: Sheriff’s Department Report

≪ Previous: Man denied diversion in Manhattan bicyclist death’s

$

0

0

A cold front will move across the state today. But before it does, temperatures should warm up into the 40s and lower 50s. The front however should move through east central Kansas during the early afternoon causing the whole region to see temperatures falling back into the 30s and 40s. This latest shot of cold air will also bring a chance for light snow late tonight and Wednesday. Areas along and south of I-35 are more likely to see some snow accumulations on Wednesday.

Today: Mostly cloudy. Highs around 45…but temperatures falling into the 30s in the afternoon. Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph shifting to the northwest in the afternoon. Gusts up to 30 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy in the evening…then mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of light snow after midnight. Lows around 16. North winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph.

Wednesday: Colder. Cloudy with a 20 percent chance of light snow in the morning…then partly sunny in the afternoon. Highs around 29. North winds 10 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear. Lows around 7. North winds up to 10 mph shifting to the northeast after midnight.

Thursday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 30s. South winds up to 10 mph.

Thursday Night And Friday: Warmer. Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 20s. Highs in the lower 50s.

Friday Night And Saturday: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 20s. Highs in the lower 50s.

Saturday Night And Sunday: Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s. Highs in the mid 50s.

Sunday Night And Monday: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 20s. Highs in the mid 50s.

---

 

Sheriff’s Department Report

March 3, 2015, 7:50 am

≫ Next: Geary County Tuesday Booking Photos

≪ Previous: National Weather Service Forecast

$

0

0

Geary County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 9000 block of Old Highway 77 for a two vehicle accident early Tuesday morning.

Jonathan Moore, Junction City, was eastbound in a 2007 Pontiac when the vehicle hit the rear end of a 2008 Ford F150 pickup truck driven by Thomas Packer of Wakefield. No injuries were reported.

The accident was reported at 6:02 a.m.

—

Deputies on Monday evening responded to he 12000 block of Humboldt Creek Road for a single vehicle accident. Gabreal Tillotson, Junction city, was southbound in a 2014 Ford F150 pickup truck when he struck a deer. No injuries were reported.

Geary County Tuesday Booking Photos

March 3, 2015, 9:39 am

≫ Next: Youth Hiring Fair Coming to Fort Riley

≪ Previous: Sheriff’s Department Report

$

0

0

All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. Courtesy Photos.

This information is not criminal history. All individuals included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. JC Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. Any person who believes information provided is not accurate may submit a complaint to admin@salinapost.com

Youth Hiring Fair Coming to Fort Riley

March 3, 2015, 10:51 am

≫ Next: Statewide Tornado Safety Drill Goes off Without a Hitch

≪ Previous: Geary County Tuesday Booking Photos

$

0

0

Young people looking to make some extra money or gain valuable career experience this summer can attend a Youth Hiring Fair March 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fort Riley. The event will be held at the Forsyth Community Center ( 22900 Hitching Post Road ).

The hiring fair is an opportunity for people ages 14 to 21 to visit with employers and volunteer organizations, and learn about summertime jobs and volunteer positions.

For more information call the Employment Readiness Program at 239-9435.

Statewide Tornado Safety Drill Goes off Without a Hitch

March 3, 2015, 1:35 pm

≫ Next: More ‘Devil’ brigade Soldiers Return from Kuwait

≪ Previous: Youth Hiring Fair Coming to Fort Riley

$

0

0

Tornado sirens across Geary County sounded Tuesday afternoon as a part of the statewide tornado safety drill.

Garry Berges, Geary County Emergency Management Director said that they had zero problems reported during the test.

“From what we can tell the sirens went off in both Junction City, the rural areas, Milford and Grandview Plaza,” said Berges. “We test those every week so no big surprise there.”

Schools also participated in the statewide tornado safety drill and Berges said that Curt Janke, Assistant Emergency Management Director was at one of the schools during the drill.

“By the time the sirens went off and until the kids were where they needed to be was about three minutes, which is pretty good so we were happy about that.”

Because the state of Kansas did see a decrease in the number of total tornado’s last summer the some officials are worried that residents may become careless when it comes to being prepared for a tornado.

“People need to be aware that tornadoes can happen anytime, day or night, or anytime of the year and we need to be ready. That’s one reason why we do the testing like we did today, so people can be prepared and know where to go and what they need to do in the event of severe weather.”

Last year the state had reports of 40 tornadoes when Kansas averages over 100 tornadoes a year.

---

More ‘Devil’ brigade Soldiers Return from Kuwait

March 3, 2015, 2:11 pm

≫ Next: Senator Moran Introduces Bill to Support Rural Hospitals

≪ Previous: Statewide Tornado Safety Drill Goes off Without a Hitch

$

0

0

FORT RILEY, Kansas – Soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st
Infantry Division, are returning to Fort Riley following a successful nine-month deployment to Kuwait.

The first group of Soldiers arrived on post earlier this month, with the remaining set to redeploy in large groups in the next few weeks. The entire brigade will return by late March.

During the deployment, Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts, then-Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Gen. Raymond Odierno, the Army’s chief of staff, visited the brigade’s Soldiers.

“What you’re doing here, this joint task force, is really the centerpiece,” Hagel told the “Devil” brigade troops during his in December visit. “It is the pivot point. It is absolutely critical to everything that happens. This business of what you do right here is essential to make it all work, along with the 60 coalition partners that have been assembled to degrade and defeat ISIL.”

Several thousand Soldiers from the brigade departed for Southwest Asia in June.

Senator Moran Introduces Bill to Support Rural Hospitals

March 3, 2015, 7:28 pm

≫ Next: Walking Trail Progress

≪ Previous: More ‘Devil’ brigade Soldiers Return from Kuwait

$

0

0

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) recently sponsored legislation (S. 607) to extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program – an important Medicare initiative that helps certain rural hospitals in sparsely populated states expand care to patients in their communities open. Currently, 23 small, rural hospitals participate in the program including four in Kansas – Mercy Hospital Fort Scott in Fort Scott, Kan.; Mercy Hospital Independence in Independence, Kan.; Geary Community Hospital in Junction City, Kan.; and Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, Kan.   “Making certain Kansans have access to quality health care in their home communities is one of my top priorities,” Sen. Moran said. “This legislation will enable the Kansas hospitals currently utilizing the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration to continue receiving Medicare reimbursements that more accurately reflect the true cost of providing care to their patients. To preserve medical access for Kansans and strengthen our communities, health care professionals must receive appropriate reimbursement for the care they provide.”   Initiated in 2004, the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program was a five-year program created to help rural hospitals in the country’s 10 most sparsely populated states. The program was renewed for another five years in 2010 and expanded to include 20 of the most sparsely populated states. This program, which is budget neutral, enables participating hospitals to test the feasibility and advisability of a cost-based payment model for acute-care inpatient services. Eligible hospitals must be located in a rural area and within one of the 20 most sparsely populated states. It must also have fewer than 51 inpatient beds, must offer 24-hour emergency care services, and is not eligible for designation as a Community Access Hospital.   Kansas was not initially selected as one of the states to participate in the program.  In October 2009 when Sen. Moran was serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, he introduced the Enhanced Rural Health Care Extension Act (H.R. 3806) to extend the Rural Community Hospital Program and allow Kansas hospitals to be considered for participation in the program.   Katie Niederee Press Secretary U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, Kansas

 

Walking Trail Progress

March 4, 2015, 5:38 am

≫ Next: Seven Day Weather Forecast

≪ Previous: Senator Moran Introduces Bill to Support Rural Hospitals

$

0

0

Part B of a KDOT grant project with local City match received approval at the Tuesday night Junction City Commission meeting.

It involves $950,000 of KDOT grant money and approximately $300,000 in City funding to finance construction of a stretch of ten-foot wide walkway on the north side of K-18 going west.

Municipal Services Director Greg McCaffrey said this stretch of project will begin near the former Country Club driveway.  “Right where that rock encropment is. So we’ll be pulling a portion of that rock encropment back and shelfing it. We’ll be tying a little piece into the Helland Park property.”

This is part of a bigger 1.2 mile walking path project that will stretch from the Rucker Road area west to Spring Valley Road and south to hook with City Middle School. The total cost is $1.3 million dollars, with the city’s total share a little under $500,000.

Seven Day Weather Forecast

March 4, 2015, 5:53 am

≫ Next: Manhattan duo arrested on drugs and theft charges

≪ Previous: Walking Trail Progress

$

0

0

There is one last blast of cold air today before temperatures begin to warm up for the weekend and early next week. East central Kansas and motorists along I-35 will see some light snow this morning, which could make your morning commute a little slower. The snow should push south by the early afternoon. At least we have 60 degree temperatures to look forward to by next week.

Early This Morning: Colder. Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of light snow. Near steady temperature around 19. North winds 10 to 15 mph.

Today: Colder. Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of light snow in the morning. Highs around 30. North winds 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight: Colder. Mostly clear. Lows around 8 above. Northeast winds up to 10 mph.

Thursday: Sunny. Highs around 37. South winds up to 10 mph.

Thursday Night And Friday: Warmer. Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 20s. Highs in the mid 50s. Southwest winds 5 to 15 mph.

Friday Night Through Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 30s. Highs in the upper 50s.

Sunday: Mostly sunny. Highs around 60.

Sunday Night And Monday: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 30s. Highs in the lower 60s.

Monday Night And Tuesday: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 30s. Highs in the mid 60s.

---

 

Manhattan duo arrested on drugs and theft charges

March 4, 2015, 8:16 am

≫ Next: Geary County Wednesday Booking Photos

≪ Previous: Seven Day Weather Forecast

$

0

0

SPAUR, JEREMY MICHAEL
Approx Picture Date
2006-05-24 – Photo KBI

MANHATTAN- Law enforcement authorities in Manhattan arrested two suspects on Tuesday night on various drug charges.

The Riley County Police Department reported officers arrested Jeremy Michael Spaur, 30, in the 700 Block of Riley Lane following a brief chase.

He is being held in the Riley County Jail on charges including sale and distribution of stimulants, possession of paraphernalia to grow less than 5 plants, use and possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, criminal use of weapons, fleeing and attempting to elude, as well as eight counts of theft, seven counts of burglary of a vehicle or dwelling, and three counts of criminal damage to property.

Nicole Ann Holt was arrested at the same time and place for the sale and distribution of stimulants, possession of opiates, trafficking contraband into a correctional facility, unlawful possession of hallucinogens, possession of paraphernalia to grow less than 5 plants, use and possession of paraphernalia, criminal use of weapons, two counts of theft, and three counts of burglary.
She is confined on a $30,000 bond in the Riley County Jail.