There is a joint City-County cleanup scheduled from Aug. 4-9.&nbsp;

It will include the strategic placement of rollaway dumpsters in both city and county areas, as well as free access to the Geary County Transfer Station for all county residents.

The goal is to give residents the opportunity to dispose of large or accumulated waste items that are not part of regular household trash collection. This initiative is intended to assist with the cleanup of properties by providing disposal options that would normally require residents to transport items themselves.

The City will coordinate efforts to ensure that dumpsters are managed properly, are not overfilled, and that appropriate public safety measures are in place to prevent climbing or rummaging in the containers.

There will be four City rollaway dumpster locations.

Each one will receive a 40-feet rollaway dumpster:

1. 12th Street near Blue Building (BB) – Utilize existing parking spaces

2. Pool Parking Lot (906 W. 4th Street) – Near current dumpster; minimize impact on parking

4. North Park Parking Lot (by Thompson Drive)

City staff will periodically monitor these locations throughout the week&nbsp;

• Two rollaways at City Public Works – Dedicated for tires and appliances

• Two rollaway dumpsters to be located at county-designated sites

• County will always maintain access to dumpsters for residents.

The cost of the cleanup initiative will be split 50/50 between the City and County. Rollaway Dumpster costs $200 per unit. Trash disposal costs $64 per ton. 

City-County cleanup is planned

ELLSWORTH&nbsp;– The Bureau of Land Management will offer the public an opportunity to adopt a wild horse at an adoption event held at the Svaty Ranch Public Off-Range Pasture on Saturday, June 21.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature 12 yearling and 2-year-old wild horses available for adoption. Pictures and more information about the wild horses available for adoption&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/svatyranch/posts/pfbid02RbQsjJKUmaF14iWbjeoVFCgksMdavk5oHtP2K1Pdfh93DewEjQ6rhmqpW1CTtLql">can be found on Facebook</a>. The Svaty Ranch Public Off-Range Pasture is located at 1016 Avenue J, Ellsworth.

BLM staff will be onsite to assist with and approve applications. To qualify to adopt, applicants must be at least 18 years old, with no record of animal abuse. Qualified homes must have a minimum of four hundred square feet of corral space per animal, with access to food, water, and shelter. A six-foot corral fence is required for adult horses; five-feet for yearlings; and four-and-a-half feet for burros. All animals must be loaded in covered, stock-type trailers with swing gates and sturdy walls and floors.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/adoptions-and-sales">Find more information about the BLM’s Adoption and Sales programs</a>.

Adopt wild horse at Svaty Ranch wild horse pasture in Ellsworth

Facility improvements at the Junction City Family YMCA were one focus at thr&nbsp; Chamber of Commerce Business During Hours Wednesday.

Family YMCA undergoes facility improvements

The JC Breakfast Optimist Club is affiliated with Optimist International (OI).  The purposes of OI and the local club to develop optimism as a philosophy of life; to promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs; to inspire respect for the law; promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people and to aid and encourage the development of youth, in the belief that the giving of one's self in service to others will advance the well being of humankind, community life and the world.  

Three people joined JC Breakfast Optimist Club on June 18 at the Hampton Inn, and committed to help promote the purposes and values of being an Optimist Club member.  Nita Miller, JC Breakfast Optimist Club President swore in the new members who Ardena Carlyon; Liza Russell and Bobby Whitten, Jr. pictured left to right.

The JC Breakfast Optimist Club meets every Wednesday at the Hampton Inn.  Breakfast is available at 6:30 AM, the meeting begins at 6:50 AM and concludes at 7:30 AM.  Anyone interested in supporting our youth is invited to attend.  

New members join the JC Breakfast Optimist Club

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a burglary at a church in Riley County.

Just before 10a.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report for burglary in the 15800 block of Green-Randolph Road. in Randolph, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Alert Covenant Church reported an unknown suspect took cash and electronic equipment. 

The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $4,000. Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RCPD: Suspect took cash, electronic equipment from church

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.

James Melton, Transporting open container of alcohol; DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 06/18

Geary County Booking Photos June 18

Geary County Offices will be closed on Thursday, June 19 in commemoration of Juneteenth. This includes the Geary County Public Works Department, HHW/Recycling Center, and the County Landfill. The Geary County Transfer Station will remain OPEN.

The Emancipation Proclamation, an edict issued by President Abraham Lincoln freeing the enslaved, went into effect January 1, 1863.  The information did not reach all parts of the Confederate south for over two years, June 19, 1865, now commemorated as Juneteenth. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Geary County facilities observe Juneteenth on Thursday

The Geary County Public Works Department will be conducting chip seal operations on county roads beginning Monday, June 23, 2025, and continuing for approximately three (3) weeks, weather permitting. Chip sealing is a preventive maintenance process that helps extend the life of roadways by sealing the surface from water intrusion and improving traction.

Humboldt Creek Rd starting from Hwy 177 to Interstate 70 

Ascher Rd from Humboldt Creek Rd to Clarks Creek Rd 

Motorists should expect temporary traffic delays and reduced speed limits, fresh oil and loose gravel on roadway surfaces, and one-lane traffic controlled by flaggers. Please drive slowly and cautiously in work zones to protect workers and prevent damage to vehicles. Avoid driving or turning abruptly on freshly treated surfaces and follow all posted signage and instruction from traffic control personnel. 

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to improve your county roadways. For further information, please contact the Geary County Public Works Department at publicworks@gearycounty.org.

Geary County Public Works announces upcoming Chip Seal Road Maintenance Operations

Geary County Emergency Management provided a weather update from the National Weather Service. A mostly dry and mild afternoon Wednesday with only slight chances for thunderstorms. While isolated in nature, they could produce gusty winds around 50 mph and small hail. 

Dry forecast commences Wednesday evening through the end of the week as upper ridge builds in. Focus turns to the heat as high heat indices peak near 100 degrees each afternoon Friday through Sunday.

Flood watch/warnings have been cancelled and 20% chance of rain in the early afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Weather forecast update

Senator Roger Marshall joined our Eagle Radio partners in Hutchinson to visit about what is happening in Washington&nbsp;

🎧 Senator Marshall answers questions on issues in Washington

DEANA CORE College of Agriculture, Kansas State University&nbsp;

High school seniors and college students can learn about career opportunities in precision agriculture, data analysis and variable rate application equipment during Kansas State University's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/outreach-and-services/educational-workshops/precision-agriculture-workshop/">Smart Farm Challenge Precision Agriculture Workshop</a>&nbsp;from July 27-29.

Workshop participants will engage in hands-on activities, including flying drones, learning about soil and plant sensors, and collecting field data. There will also be opportunities for participants to engage with industry partners to connect what they are learning to the wide range of precision agriculture career fields.

As many as 30 participants will be learning from faculty at the agronomy facilities and farms on the Manhattan campus, including all meals and housing in the residence halls.

Students of any skill level or familiarity with precision agriculture and agronomy are welcome to attend. The cost of the workshop is $50. Registration is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/outreach-and-services/educational-workshops/precision-agriculture-workshop/">online</a>&nbsp;and will close on July 11 or when it's full.

Please contact Deana Core at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dcore@k-state.edu">dcore@k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or 785-532-5736 for more information.

K-State conference to help high school seniors, college students explore careers in precision agriculture

DODGE CITY, Kan. — Eagle Media will serve as the official radio broadcast partner of the 52nd Kansas Shrine Bowl, set for Saturday, June 21, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium in Dodge City.

The broadcast team features Gerard Wellbrock as play-by-play, Dustin Armbruster as analyst, and Sean Boston and Anthony Gorges reporting from the West and East sidelines, respectively. Glen Grunwald will serve as the producer.

The game will air live across five Eagle Media markets:

Additional coverage will be available on affiliate stations in Beloit (1190 AM, 102.9 FM, 105.5 FM) and Coffeyville (690 AM/104.1 FM).

Pregame coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. with a 30-minute show featuring interviews and more.

The Shrine Bowl of Kansas, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to producing annual events that benefit Shriners Children’s. Since its inception in 1974, the organization has raised nearly $4 million for the healthcare network, which provides pediatric specialty care regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

In addition to the East vs. West all-star football game, Kansas Shrine All-Star Events include the Kansas Masonic All-State Marching Band Camp, the Kansas Shrine Bowl All-Star Cheer Camp, the KWCA Kansas Shrine Duals, and a variety of other game week activities. Shriners Children’s, formerly known as Shriners Hospitals for Children, operates facilities and outreach programs worldwide, offering innovative research, teaching programs, and family-centered care to children up to age 18.

<a href="https://www.kansasshrinebowl.com/uploads/1/0/2/8/10280235/2025_kansas_shrine_bowl_rosters_-_updated_6-16-25.pdf">Click here</a> for complete rosters for the Kansas Shrine Bowl game.

Eagle Media to serve as official radio home of Kansas Shrine Bowl

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Salvador Perez homered twice,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/bobby-witt-jr-homers-9-on-a-fly-ball-to-left-field?partnerId=web_multimedia-search_video-share">Bobby Witt Jr. went deep</a>&nbsp;in his hometown team's ballpark for the first time and the Kansas City Royals stopped a six-game losing streak with a 6-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night.

Seth Lugo struck out a season-high nine for his first win since May 1 as all three active Kansas City All-Stars from last year's Midsummer Classic at Globe Life Field returned to Texas and had a hand in ending the team's five-game skid against the Rangers.

Lugo (4-5), who threw a scoreless inning in the American League's 5-3 victory last July, gave up three hits and a run over six innings in his return to Arlington.

With the Royals coming off an 0-6 homestand that matched their longest losing streak of the season, Perez hit a two-run shot for a 3-0 lead in the first inning. After adding an RBI double in the fourth, Perez connected for his eighth homer of the year, a solo shot that made it 6-1 in the sixth.

Witt also homered off Jack Leiter in a matchup between sons of former major league pitchers. Witt grew up in the Dallas area, where Bobby Witt settled after spending 11 of his 16 big league seasons with the Rangers.

Leiter (4-4) is the son of Al Leiter, who had a 19-year major league career. The rookie right-hander gave up eight hits and six runs — both matching season highs — in 5 2/3 innings.

The Rangers equaled their season high by striking out 14 times.

Texas rookie Alejandro Osuna had his first career RBI in the fourth.

Perez had his 18th multihomer game, breaking George Brett's franchise record.

Kansas City's Kris Bubic (5-4, 1.92 ERA) faces Patrick Corbin (4-5, 3.66) in a matchup of lefties Wednesday.

⚾ Perez homers twice as Royals beat the Rangers 

The Junction City Brigade's home game vs the Newton Rebels for tonight has been canceled due to field conditions and inclement weather expected around game time.&nbsp;

The game is rescheduled for Saturday, July 12 at Rathert Field.&nbsp;

Tonight's Junction City Brigade game is canceled

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nick Kurtz hit a solo ninth-inning homer to rally the Athletics to a 3-2 win and three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Kurtz hit Carlos Estévez’s (2-2) fastball 411 feet to right-center for his sixth home run. It gave the Athletics their first sweep at Kauffman Stadium since September 2016.

T.J. Ferguson (2-2) retired all four batters he faced, striking out two to earn the win and Mason Miller struck out two for his 14th save.

The Royals matched their longest losing streak of the season while dropping all six games of their homestand. Kansas City has lost six straight home series.

Austin Wynns hit a two-run homer to left-center off reliever John Schreiber, tying the game 2-2 in the sixth. It was Wynns’ fifth home run and second in five games since his acquisition from the Cincinnati Reds.

Royals starter Noah Cameron struck out seven in five scoreless innings.

After Kyle Isbel doubled off first baseman Kurtz’s glove to open the third, Bobby Witt Jr. snapped an 0-for-16 slump with an RBI double and moved to third on Jeffrey Springs’ balk before scoring on Vinnie Pasquantino’s single for a 2-0 lead.

With the Athletics trailing 2-0 in the fifth, Lawrence Butler hit a two-out double, and then was caught stealing third to end the inning. Butler was initially ruled safe by third base umpire Adrian Johnson, who quickly changed his call, prompting an unsuccessful argument from A’s manager Mark Kotsay.

The Royals have been outscored 44-15 in the sixth inning.

The Athletics host the Houston Astros on Monday to open a four-game series.

RHP Seth Lugo (3-5, 3.18) opens the Royals road series in Texas on Tuesday.

⚾ Kurtz hits a solo homer to rally the Athletics to a win and sweep of the Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jacob Lopez became the latest pitcher to shut down the Royals with six innings of three-hit ball, Max Muncy and Lawrence Butler hit homers, and the Athletics beat struggling Kansas City 4-0 on Saturday.

Lopez (1-4) walked one and struck out nine while winning for the second time in his big league career. His other victory came on Oct. 1, 2023, when Lopez allowed five runs while pitching for the Rays in a game against Toronto.

He was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas last month and had been 0-3 with a 6.88 ERA in three games since.

Michael Kelly pitched two perfect innings in relief and Hogan Harris finished off the four-hitter for the A's.

Muncy followed a leadoff walk by Tyler Soderstrom in the second inning with his fifth homer of the year, a line-drive into the A's bullpen off Kansas City starter Michael Lorenzen. Lawrence homered off reliever Daniel Lynch IV in the seventh.

Lorenzen (4-7) allowed three runs on four hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out four.

The Royals have lost the first five games on their homestand after getting swept by the Yankees earlier in the week, then losing the first two against the A's. They've lost seven of their last eight overall and 13 of their last 16 at Kauffman Stadium.

Meanwhile, the A's have finally found some kind of stride. They'd lost 13 of their last 16 games on their way to Kansas City, and were coming off a three-game sweep by the Angels in which they allowed 15 runs.

Muncy homered off an 85 mph slider from Lorenzen to give the A's all the offense they needed.

Kansas City has been shut out in two of its last three games.

⚾Jacob Lopez leads A's to victory over struggling Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Austin Wynns and Luis Urías hit home runs, Luis Severino pitched 7 2/3 strong innings, and the Athletics beat Kansas City 6-4 on Friday night to end a 14-game road losing streak and hand the Royals their fourth straight loss.

Severino (2-6) allowed six hits and a first-inning run on an RBI double by Salvador Perez. He surrendered 17 hits and 13 earned runs in his two previous starts covering 11 1/3 innings.

Wynns hit his fourth home run — a solo shot with two outs in the second off Royals starter Michael Wacha (3-6) — to tie it 1-1. Urías hit Wacha’s second pitch in the fourth out to left for his seventh homer and a 3-1 lead. Nick Kurtz drove in the second run for the A's with a two-out single in the third.

The Athletics pulled away after Wacha left with two on and one out in the sixth.

Jacob Wilson greeted reliever Steven Cruz with a single to load the bases. Cruz fanned Brent Rooker on three pitches but walked Tyler Soderstrom to force in a run. Max Muncy followed with a two-run single for a 6-1 advantage. Cruz fanned Kurtz with his 22nd pitch to end the inning. Wilson went 2 for 5 and scored twice.

Nick Loftin had a two-run triple in a three-run ninth as the Athletics held on for their fifth victory in their last 29 games.

Wacha gave up five runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings. Taylor Clarke pitched two scoreless innings after Cruz got two outs.

Muncy's two-out, two-run single in the sixth following the bases-loaded walk to Soderstrom proved to be the difference.

The Athletics began the day with the worst ERA in the AL at 5.63 while allowing the most home runs — 104.

⚾ Athletics end 14-game road losing streak, beat the Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pablo Reyes stumbled, stopped and still&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/lucas-erceg-in-play-no-out-to-paul-goldschmidt?q=Yankees&amp;cp=CMS_FIRST&amp;qt=FREETEXT&amp;p=0">scrambled home safely on a wild play</a>&nbsp;in the eighth inning Thursday night, taking advantage of a throwing error by reliever Lucas Erceg to give the New York Yankees a 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

New York completed a three-game sweep to finish 6-0 against the Royals this season after eliminating them 3-1 in their best-of-five playoff series last October.

Backed by some&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/salvador-perez-grounds-out-shortstop-anthony-volpe-to-first-baseman-paul?q=Yankees&amp;cp=CMS_FIRST&amp;qt=FREETEXT&amp;p=0">brilliant defense,</a>&nbsp;Will Warren and four relievers combined on a five-hitter as the AL East-leading Yankees (42-25) moved a season-high 17 games over .500. They have the best road record in the majors at 21-13.

Mark Leiter Jr. (4-3) got one out for the win, and Devin Williams earned his ninth save with a perfect ninth. He threw a called third strike past Jac Caglianone to end it, freezing the touted rookie with a full-count fastball.

The game was interrupted by rain for 28 minutes in the top of the sixth.

With two on and two outs in the eighth, Paul Goldschmidt lined a single off the glove of leaping first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. He tracked down the ball behind him and threw to Erceg (1-2) covering first, but Goldschmidt beat the play.

Reyes lost his balance coming around third, changed direction twice and then slid home safely when Erceg bounced his throw to the plate.

Both starters pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings. Seth Lugo allowed just two hits, while Warren permitted four.

Pasquantino extended his hitting streak to a career-high 12 games and his on-base streak to a career-best 27 games.

New York rested Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Austin Wells, who were a combined 7 for 23 with three homers and 10 RBIs in the first two games of the series.

The Royals squandered two excellent chances to take their first lead of the series. In the second inning, they had runners on first and second with nobody out. In the fifth, they had a runner at third with one out.

New York swept a season series from the Royals for the third time in their 57-year history. ... The Yankees have won 19 of the past 20 series between the teams.

Yankees LHP Ryan Yarbrough (3-1, 4.17 ERA) faces Boston LHP Garrett Crochet (6-4, 2.35) in the opener of a three-game series Friday night at Fenway Park.

Royals RHP Michael Wacha (3-5, 3.01 ERA) starts Friday at home against Athletics RHP Luis Severino (1-6, 4.77).

⚾ Yankees score late run to edge Royals and complete season sweep

The Junction City Brigade will play four games in a row at Rathert Field in the coming days.&nbsp;

(Tonight) - Thursday, June 12 - Junction City hosts the Great Bend Bat Cats. First pitch - 7:00 p.m.&nbsp;

Friday - June 13 - Junction City hosts the KC Monarchs. First pitch - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday - June 14 - Junction City hosts Haysville Aviators (Doubleheader) - First pitches at 5:00 / 7:00 p.m.&nbsp;

Brigade set to begin four game Homestand

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Aaron Judge homered for the third consecutive game, Clarke Schmidt allowed just two hits over six innings, and the New York Yankees cruised to a 6-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night.

Paul Goldschmidt added a pair of RBIs during a five-run second inning for New York, which improved to 5-0 against the Royals this season. The Yankees are are 12-3 against them since the start of last season, including their playoff series win.

Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer during a three-run ninth for Kansas City.

Schmidt (3-3) allowed one runner to reach second base, and that was courtesy of his own balk that advanced Maikel Garcia in the first inning. He also struck out seven to remain unbeaten in six regular-season appearances against the Royals. Devin Williams got the final two outs for his eighth save.

Kris Bubic (5-4) looked like he might be in for a duel with Schmidt after a perfect first inning. But he proceeded to allow five runs on four hits and two walks during the second, and ultimately six hits and four walks in just 4 1/3 innings.

Judge's homer off Steven Cruz came on the heels of a two-homer game Sunday against Boston and a 469-foot shot in the series opener against Kansas City on Tuesday night. The two-time MVP has eight RBIs over the three-game span.

Until Perez's homer, the biggest highlight for the Royals came in the fifth inning, when the Yankees loaded the bases with one out. DJ LeMahieu hit a sharp grounder to third base, where Garcia fielded it while falling to his rump. He threw to second from his back side, and a relay by Jonathan India to first base resulted in an inning-ending double play.

Jazz Chisholm, who later left the game with left groin tightness, drew a walk in the second inning after plate umpire Lance Barrett called what would have been the third strike a questionable ball. The Yankees capitalized on their fortunes, sending 10 batters to the plate in what became the decisive inning.

The Royals (34-34) are 10-18 after going on a 16-2 run in April and May.

Yankees RHP Will Warren (4-3, 5.34) starts the series finale Thursday night. RHP Seth Lugo (3-5, 3.46) goes for Kansas City.

⚾ Aaron Judge homers in third straight game as Yankees beat the Royals

Three Junction City High School Lady Jay players were recognized by the Centennial League for their play during the 2025 softball season.&nbsp;

Three Lady Jay Softball players receive League Honors

KANSAS CITY—A man is facing multiple charges&nbsp;in connection with a fatal shooting that also left two others injured in Independence, Missouri.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2654/CordatoRobert---Complaint-Packet">Robert L. Cordato</a>, 42,&nbsp;faces 1st Degree Murder, two counts of 1st Degree Assault, 1st Degree Burglary, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and four counts of Armed Criminal Action, according to the Jackson County Prosectutor's office.

On June 12, police were dispatched to a shooting at a residence in Independence and located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. An additional victim was found deceased in the kitchen.&nbsp;

Detectives determined based on witness reports that Cordato entered the residence and shot the victim in the kitchen and then shot the other two victims in a room where additional juveniles were also present.&nbsp;

When police arrested Cordato the following day, he was in possession of methamphetamine. He has also been charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance.&nbsp;

Cordato is in custody and bond has been set at $750,000 cash only.&nbsp;

Man shot 3 victims in front of children in KC area home 

SEDGWICK COUNTY — The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a body in an advanced state of decomposition was discovered Wednesday afternoon in Sedgwick County Park.

At approximately 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, a park employee called 911 to report a possible deceased person in a thick grass-covered area in the northwest section of the park near 21st Street North and Ridge Road, according Deputy Branden Stitt.

Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputies, along with the Wichita Fire Department and Sedgwick County EMS, responded and found a body near a single campsite outside a tent. Due to the condition of the remains, detectives have not been able to immediately determine the decedent’s age or gender. The advanced decomposition has also prevented them from identifying any visible signs of injury.

Deputies found personal belongings near the body. The Sheriff’s Office is working with the Sedgwick County Coroner’s Office to positively identify the remains. Detectives are also reviewing a missing person case reported in the area, though it is too early to confirm any connection.

The Coroner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death, as well as estimate when the death occurred.

Anyone who has recently visited Sedgwick County Park and believes they may have information that could assist detectives is encouraged to contact the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at 316-660-5300.

Sheriff: Body found near campsite in Kansas park

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

A man was arrested in Hays after a Houston-based civilian group conducted a sting operation.

Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said 45-year-old Lucan Wayne Paramore of Plainville, Kansas, was arrested for electronic solicitation after allegedly attempting to meet someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl for sex.

Scheibler said the case came to the department’s attention on June 16 after a group called Predator Poachers lured Paramore to Big Creek Crossing at 2918 Vine St.

Scheibler said no actual minor was ever at risk, as the group that provided information to responding officers had been posing as a child online.

Alex Rosen is with Predator Poachers and posted a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/iFightForKids/status/1934737035425882446">video on social media</a>&nbsp;showing Hays officers arresting Paramore.

According to the video caption, Paramore allegedly carved the nonexistent minor’s name into his arm as a display of affection.

Paramore was booked into the Ellis County Jail, where he remains in custody. Scheibler said all parties are innocent until proven guilty. The investigation is ongoing.

🎥Police: NW Kan. man attempted to meet minor for sex

🎥Trump shows off  new ‘magnificent’ flagpoles at the White House

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. State Department said Wednesday it is restarting the suspended process for foreigners applying for student visas but all applicants will now be required to unlock their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harvard-visa-applicants-social-media-d871408efca521e2dee038da2f22f8c7">social media accounts for government review</a>.

The department said consular officers will be on the lookout for posts and messages that could be deemed hostile to the United States, its government, culture, institutions or founding principles.

In a notice made public Wednesday, the department said it had rescinded its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-student-visa-republicans-056bb72cd0f06f6ea0148c3bbcac9be6">May suspension of student visa processing</a>&nbsp;but said new applicants who refuse to set their social media accounts to “public” and allow them to be reviewed may be rejected. It said a refusal to do so could be a sign they are trying to evade the requirement or hide their online activity.

The Trump administration last month temporarily halted the scheduling of new visa interviews for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-students-visas-terminated-trump-sevis-9f85c3c58a4b74c354df0d7d993cf34c">foreign students</a>&nbsp;hoping to study in the U.S. while preparing to expand the screening of their activity on social media, officials said.

Students around the world have been waiting anxiously for U.S. consulates to reopen appointments for visa interviews, as the window left to book their travel and make housing arrangements narrows ahead of the start of the school year.

Students from China, India, Mexico and the Philippines have posted on social media sites that they have been refreshing visa booking websites and closely watching press briefings of the State Department to get any indication of when appointment bookings might resume.

“Under new guidance, consular officers will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting of all student and exchange visitor applicants,” the department said in a statement.

“To facilitate this vetting” applicants “will be asked to adjust the privacy settings on all their social media profiles to ‘public,’” it said. “The enhanced social media vetting will ensure we are properly screening every single person attempting to visit our country.”

In internal guidance sent to consular officers, the department said they should be looking for “any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.”

US resumes visas for foreign students but demands access to social media 

TOPEKA —The Kansas Department of Health this week reported new cases of measles over the past week in the state for a total of 79 cases in 11 counties.

According to the Associated Press, the U.S. logged fewer than 30&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-vaccine-mmr-covid-exemptions-87cbfe44d8599b68408861f9b62421ed">measles cases</a>&nbsp;last week as Ohio health officials confirmed three outbreaks in two counties were over.

There have been 1,197 confirmed measles cases this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. Health officials in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">Texas, where the nation's biggest outbreak</a>&nbsp;raged during the late winter and spring, confirmed two cases in the last week.

There are three other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-mexico-canada-ontario-0956a30c043b030ae79bc9f67c6ce89c">major outbreaks</a>&nbsp;in North America. The longest, in Ontario, Canada, has resulted in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/Documents/M/24/measles-ontario-epi-summary.pdf?rev=3d8451977cd34084a8b494a6a11b4f1a&amp;sc_lang=en&amp;hash=48D1A6D0D037B39BD421AAF060204EE0">2,083 cases</a>&nbsp;from mid-October through June 10. The province logged its first death June 5 in a baby who got congenital measles but also had other preexisting conditions.

Another outbreak in Alberta, Canada, has sickened&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alberta.ca/measles">868 as of Thursday</a>. And the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-measles-vaccines-misinformation-mmr-mennonites-misinformation-ea6158b9a4d513b20f33cbc09034e5c2">Mexican state of Chihuahua</a>&nbsp;had 2,179 measles cases and four deaths as of Friday, according to data from the state health ministry.

Other U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-kansas-ohio-mmr-vaccination-new-mexico-texas-569474272df9baaad1f6d73462ebe92a">states with active outbreaks</a>&nbsp;— which the CDC defines as three or more related cases — include Kansas Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota and Oklahoma.

In the U.S.,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">two elementary school-aged children</a>&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-west-texas-death-rfk-41adc66641e4a56ce2b2677480031ab9">epicenter in West Texas</a>&nbsp;and an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-death-new-mexico-texas-outbreak-b9aef6fdd51fbb4ebd1ce9ce28e33299">adult in New Mexico</a>&nbsp;have died of measles this year. All were unvaccinated.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-mmr-outbreak-vaccines-408371700e3ab548777bf0354e586549">Measles</a>&nbsp;is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-vaccines-autism-measles-obesity-food-dye-f26089856550e978d28fd25b653d8103">preventable through vaccines</a>, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.

How many measles cases are there in Texas?

There are a total of 744 cases across&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/sxSwi/?v=7">35 counties, most of them in West Texas</a>, state health officials said Tuesday.

Throughout the outbreak, 96 people have been hospitalized.

<a href="https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-2025">State health officials estimated</a>&nbsp;less than 1% of cases — fewer than 10 — are actively infectious. Fifty-five percent of Texas’ cases are in Gaines County, where the virus started spreading in a close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite community. The county has had 411 cases since late January — just under 2% of the county’s residents.

The April 3 death in Texas was an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">8-year-old child,</a>&nbsp;according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-measles-outbreak-rfk-jr-ben-edwards-2dd7c79d47c64ad2e6d4a4ac3c87ec1f">Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;Local health officials said the child did not have underlying health conditions and died of “what the child’s doctor described as measles pulmonary failure.” A unvaccinated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-west-texas-death-rfk-41adc66641e4a56ce2b2677480031ab9">child with no underlying conditions died of measles in Texas</a>&nbsp;in late February; Kennedy said the child was 6.

How many measles cases are there in New Mexico?

New Mexico held steady Friday with a total of 81 cases.

Seven people have been hospitalized since the outbreak started. Most of the state’s cases are in Lea County. Sandoval County near Albuquerque has six cases, Eddy County has three, Doña Ana County has two. Chaves, Curry and San Juan counties have one each.

An unvaccinated adult died of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-death-new-mexico-texas-outbreak-b9aef6fdd51fbb4ebd1ce9ce28e33299">measles-related illness March 6</a>. The person did not seek medical care.

Oklahoma stayed steady Friday with a total of 16 confirmed and three probable cases.

The state health department is not releasing which counties have cases.

Arizona has four cases in Navajo County. They are linked to a single source, the county health department said June 9. All four were unvaccinated and had a history of recent international travel.

Colorado has seen a total of 15 measles cases in 2025, which includes one outbreak of eight related cases.

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