You can attend a public scoping meeting Tuesday evening in Junction City to give your input on the Kansas River Reservoirs Flood and Sediment Study. The Corps said this is a joint-federal and state watershed study effort. The Corps and Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism are in the early stages of a five-year watershed study to develop a long-term plan for the basin's water resources and infrastructure. The study is an opportunity to review existing and possible future conditions in the basin, lake and river basin management, and to investigate ways to extend the useful life of the 18 federal reservoirs in the basin by increasing resiliency and maintaining capacity. The meeting in Junction City will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.. Tuesday at the 4-H / Senior Citizens Center at 1107 South Spring Valley Road.

Public input is sought for a Kansas River Basin watershed study

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. Courtesy photos.<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575907090689.jpeg">Christopher Clark, Transporting an open container, Possession of marijuana, Possession of controlled substance, Distribute certain stimulant, Distribute marijuana, Use / possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into the human body, Arrested 12/9<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575907174927.jpeg">Marietta Williams, Transporting an open container, Possession of marijuana, Possession of stimulant, Distribute certain stimulant, Distribute marijuana, Use / possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into the human body, Driving without headlights when needed, Arrested 12/9<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575907280614.jpeg">Daniel Pettigrew, Criminal damage to property, Arrested 12/8<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575907313109.jpeg">Eric Kluckman, DUI-Liquor / drugs, Arrested 12/8<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575907382853.jpeg">Amanda Smith, Failure to appear, Arrested 12/6<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575907433196.jpeg">Richard Garza, Failure to appear, Arrested 12/6<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575907476139.jpeg">Tracy Blevins, Failure to appear, Arrested 12/6<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575907513026.jpeg">Jessie Kopietz, Failure to appear ( 2 counts ), Arrested 12/6<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575907552987.jpeg">Mark Judy, Probation violation ( 2 counts ), Arrested 12/6<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575907593834.jpeg">Ben Stribling, Following another vehicle too closely, Taxation; drugs, Distribute marijuana, Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture / plant / cultivate controlled substance, Arrested 12/6 Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Quinten Call, Assault, Aggravated battery, Arrested 12/6Dakendrix Curry, Failure to appear, Arrested 12/6Damonte Green, Failure to appear, Arrested 12/6Brandon Deitrick, Domestic battery, Arrested 12/7Evangelina Arreola, Maximum speed limits, Driving while license cancelled / suspended / revoked, Arrested 12/7Diego Vergaracaballero, Exceeding posted speed limit, DUI - Liquor / drugs, Arrested 12/8Derek Helton, Failure to appear, Arrested 12/8 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. Courtesy photos.

Geary County Monday Booking Photos

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575903107980.jpeg">The C.L. Hoover Opera House in Junction City will be the site of three 1st Infantry Division Band Holiday concerts Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Show times are 7:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. The concerts are free and open to the public. No tickets will be issued. The concerts are being offered as a free gift to the public.

1st Infantry Division Band Holiday Concerts are this week 

The Geary County Sheriff's Department has reported that Deputies responded to U. 77 Highway, mile marker 159, at 7:56 a.m. Sunday for a non-injury car - deer accident. Bradley Draper, Milford, was southbound in a 1994 Toyota Celica when a deer entered the roadway. There was moderate damage to the vehicle. Deputies responded to the K-18 Bypass, mile marker 178, for a car - deer non-injury accident. Rhia Coonrod, Manhattan, was driving a 2013 Dodge Avenger eastbound when a deer entered the roadway. There was damage to the front of the vehicle.

Car-deer accidents result in vehicle damage

By Martin Hawver That neat Docking Institute of Public Affairs “Kansas Speaks” poll which sprang out of Fort Hays State University last week felt about right, didn’t it? The 352 adult telephone-owners who participated in that poll generally found Kansas a good place to live—the state economy is generally good and getting better since Democrat Gov. Laura Kelly moved into Cedar Crest, the governor’s mansion, the majority said. But…that poll which asked so many questions we have to wonder whether those taking the survey on their cell phones were checking battery levels about halfway through…also for political insiders the poll probably created some negotiating room on major issues coming up next legislative session.Take an obvious question—expanding Medicaid, bringing 90 percent federal/10 percent state funded health care to about 130,000 people in the state who don’t have health-care coverage. Some 66 percent of those respondents say it would help rural hospitals, and 60 percent said those without health coverage “deserve this benefit from the state.” Now, that’s a pretty strong level of support. But that strong support also makes it a debatable legislative issue. That’s Statehouse talk for if the program is that popular with a majority of Kansans, what can folks who aren’t fans of the expansion add to it and still see it passed into law? Remember, at some point the bill – one simple, straight-forward bill was introduced last week by Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, that is virtually identical to a measure passed 69-54 by the House last session and ignored by the Senate—will move into a conference committee. That conference committee will negotiate over provisions so that both chambers will vote on an identical down-to-the-last-word bill. The conference committee? Three House and three Senate members—four Republicans and two Democrats—and it’s there that the Kansas-specific Medicaid expansion bill will be written.So…it comes down to just what expansion supporters will accept for that final report. New work requirements? A $1 a pack hike on cigarette taxes? Or other limits on eligibility? That 60 percent plus of poll respondents aren’t likely to know about those provisions that conservative Republicans who will probably be needed to pass the measure want…they just hear Medicaid expansion and are happy. See the negotiation room handed to conservatives who aren’t fans of Medicaid? And, what if a heavily amended bill does get to the House and Senate and is so cluttered with conservative amendments that while the Legislature which stands for re-election next year will pass it, Kelly vetoes it? Imagine that. A governor who calls expansion her No. 1 priority has to veto a bill that includes that priority but which picked up objectionable provisions that she can’t allow to become law. Do Democrats who support expansion have to override her veto? Vote against their party’s governor? Explain that to their party’s supporters? For those who aren’t fans of Medicaid expansion, they could&nbsp;put the governor in a tough position that will resound through the remainder of her first term and possibly into a decision on whether to seek a second term in Republican-majority Kansas.It’s one thing to read those polls and not see deep into the bowels of the Statehouse how public opinion can be nudged, pushed, detoured into results that while sounding poll-respondent, actually aren’t. And yes, we’re wondering just how lawmakers will try to look poll-friendly even when the politics under the dome require them to accept amendments, or trade votes on issues.Oh, and there are tax issues, spending issues, immigration and a gamut of others that the poll showed Kansans support. Wonder how those poll results will become yet another bargaining chip under the dome?&nbsp; Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">www.hawvernews.com</a>&nbsp;

At the Rail

UPDATE:Westbound K-18 is now open to traffic.---Riley County police are working a six-vehicle accident in the westbound lane of K-18 Highway. Motorists are asked to use Skyway Drive for westbound traffic.

Riley County police are responding to an accident

The Junction City Arts Council is sponsoring a reception for their new exhibiting artist, Rodney Hoover on Dec. 14th from 5-7 p.m. His photos are on display at the C.L. Hoover Opera House in the upper level gallery through January 31st. The reception on the 14th is right before a 1st Infantry Division Band Concert. "Hoover is a composite photographer &amp; multi-media artist who creates animal-headed circus characters." <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575894496621.jpeg"><img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575894481446.jpeg"><img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575894507589.jpeg"><img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575894518341.jpeg">

Unique exhibit is on display at the Opera House 

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1569336839553.jpeg">Click&nbsp;<a href="http://www.jcpost.com/category/obituaries/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(39, 163, 209);">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners. JC Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos at no cost to families.

Recent obituaries

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575892479473.png">MANHATTAN — Law enforcement authorities are investigating the theft of electronics in Manhattan and asking the public for help to identify suspects. <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575892519650.png">According to the Riley County Police Department, if you know any of the people in the security camera photos, police would like to speak to them after nearly 30 electronic devices were stolen from Best Buy. If you have any information on their identities, please contact RCPD at (785) 537-2112 or Crime Stoppers at (785) 539-7777.

RCPD working to identify suspects after large electronics theft

Downtown Junction City was the site for the third annual Hometown Holiday celebration Friday night. Activities ranged from carriage rides, a visit by Santa Claus and carolers to a performance by the Astra Program children from Junction City Middle School. Hundreds of people attended the event, which also included a visit by the "Grinch."( Photos by Mark Ediger )<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575859466527.jpeg"><img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575859484207.jpeg"><img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575859502278.jpeg"><img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575859514014.jpeg">

Junction City celebrates a Hometown Holiday

High31°Colder. Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow in the morning, then sunny in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 30s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts to around 40 mph.

Monday weather forecast

The Junction City Blue Jays varsity boys team third and went 2-2 in a wrestling dual tournament at Haysville Campus on Saturday. Junction City defeated Hays and Wichita West but lost to Mulvane, the tournament champion, and to Haysville Campus.

For Junction City Anthony Petrusky went 4-0 at 126 pounds, Cameron Beasley 4-0 at 145 pounds, while four Blue Jays were 3-1 on the day. They included Zane Thornton at 132 pounds, Elias Robinson 170, Jonathon Dennard 285 and C.J. Neuman at 152.

Going 2-2 for Junction City were Kayden Blake at 106, Zachary Petrusky 113 and Patrick Foxworth 120 pounds.

The Blue Jay JV team tied for first place in a tournament at Salina South.

The girls varsity team sent six Lady Jays to compete at McPherson High School.&nbsp; Elisa Robinson finished first at 191 pounds, and the Savannah Green and Lyah Duenas both finished first in their weight classes. Tanaka Zahirah was second at 123 pounds.

The Blue Jay wrestlers will compete at Shawnee Heights High School on Wednesday.

The Junction City Blue Jays varsity boys team third and went 2-2 in a wrestling dual tournament at Haysville Campus on Saturday. Junction City defeated Hays and Wichita West but lost to Mulvane, the tournament champion, and to Haysville Campus.For Junction City Anthony Petrusky went 4-0 at 126 pounds, Cameron Beasley 4-0 at 145 pounds, while four Blue Jays were 3-1 on the day. They included Zane Thornton at 132 pounds, Elias Robinson 170, Jonathon Dennard 285 and C.J. Neuman at 152.Going 2-2 for Junction City were Kayden Blake at 106, Zachary Petrusky 113 and Patrick Foxworth 120 pounds.--The Blue Jay JV team tied for first place in a tournament at Salina South.--The girls varsity team sent six Lady Jays to compete at McPherson High School.&nbsp; Elisa Robinson finished first at 191 pounds, and the Savannah Green and Lyah Duenas both finished first in their weight classes. Tanaka Zahirah was second at 123 pounds.The Blue Jay wrestlers will compete at Shawnee Heights High School on Wednesday.

Blue Jay wrestlers open season at Haysville Campus

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575915266272.jpeg"> MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;For a second-consecutive season, Kansas State center&nbsp;Adam Holtorf&nbsp;has been recognized for his work in the classroom by being named a 2019 CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American, the College Sports Information Directors of America announced Monday.&nbsp;It is the third-straight year that the Seward, Nebraska, native has been named an Academic All-American making him the first player in school history to accomplish the feat. He is the first Wildcat to garner a first-team designation in two-straight seasons since&nbsp;Jon McGraw&nbsp;in 2000 and 2001.&nbsp;Holtorf, who carries a 3.916 GPA in agribusiness, is a National Football Foundation (NFF) National Scholar-Athlete and finalist for this year’s Campbell Trophy. He has been named a First Team Academic All-Big 12 performer the last three years as he was part of a school record 32 Wildcats on this year’s Academic All-Big 12 teams, including a conference-record 26 first-team members.&nbsp;A senior, Holtorf has started each of the last 37 games at center, including all 12 this year to help the Wildcats average 189.0 rushing yards per game to rank fourth in the Big 12, while K-State’s 28 rushing touchdowns rank third.&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a href="http://k-statesports.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">k-statesports.com</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;——————RYAN LACKEYDirector of Football CommunicationsK-State Athletics

K-State's Holtorf named First Team Academic All-American

The Junction City Wildcats captured the team title in the Don Stevens Invitational on Saturday. Junction City won the team title by one-half point over Marysville and two-and-a-half points over Anthony Middle School of Manhattan. In varsity competition the Wildcats placed 12 wrestlers. Champions for City Middle School include Ezekiel Witt at 80 pounds, Jaime Villaneuva at 127 and Cooper Bogenhagen 141. Finishing second were Lincoln Uphan at 105 pounds, Beau Peterson 180 and Benny Underhill 265. Finishing third were Griffin Bohanan at 148, Demarion Shaw 155 and Keiondre Wilcox at 165. Scotty Cary at 215 pounds, Keiondre Wilcox 165 and Billy Dee at 110 all finished fourth. In JV wrestling the Wildcats placed six wrestlers including champions Jayden Palmer at 141, Jayson Harris 134 and Jeremiah Collins at 165 pounds. Charles Margeson turned in a second place finish in the 215 pound weight class, Sky Kiwaha Choy third place at 127 and Charly Goodwin fourth at 115 pounds. Junction City will finish their season this week with a home dual against Manhattan Eisenhower and Seaman on Wednesday and with the league tournament on Saturday at Topeka Seaman.

The Junction City Wildcats capture first place in the Fort Riley Tournament

Chelsea Dungee scored 32 points, Alex Tolefree added 21, both season highs, and No. 23 Arkansas turned back Kansas State 81-72&nbsp;in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. ﻿ The Razorbacks led 37-33 at the half and used a 10-0 run in the third quarter and a last-minute 3-pointer by Tolefree, to take a 61-50 advantage into the fourth quarter. Petyon Williams had 19 points and 13 rebounds for K-State (4-4) and Ayoka Lee had 15 and 14. Angela Harris added 16 points.

Arkansas women top K-State 81-72

Bashaud Breeland knocked away Tom Brady's fourth-down pass to Julian Edelman in the end zone and the Kansas City Chiefs survived a series of mistakes and questionable calls by the officials to hold off the New England Patriots 23-16. Combined with Oakland's loss to Tennessee the Chiefs clinched the AFC West title.&nbsp; ﻿The loss ends the Patriots' 21-game&nbsp;home win streak in the regular season and playoffs, was tied for the longest in team history. It was the third-longest string in NFL history.&nbsp;

Chiefs clinch the AFC West

The Troopers hosted the Don Stevens Invitational Tournament Friday night. The Troopers finished 7 out of 8 teams.&nbsp;Lane Chivers finished 1st and is undefeated this year in the 100 pound class going into the NCKL next Friday.&nbsp; Jace Howard took 2nd in the 165 pound class,&nbsp;&nbsp;Korbin Ortiz took 3rd in the 110 weight class, Deveon Stevens took 4th in the 120 weight class, Alex Roberts took 4th in the 180 pound class.&nbsp; Junction City Middle School was also there and they finished 1st as a team.&nbsp;

Troopers compete in a tournament

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575924848487.png">(President Trump at the Israeli American Council Summit Sunday-White House Photo) WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats have reached a tentative agreement with labor leaders and the White House over a rewrite of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal that has been a top priority for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/058fa4676b4d40948055cfae877d4e7c" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(16, 75, 165);">President Donald Trump</a>. That’s according to a Democratic aide not authorized to discuss the talks and granted anonymity. Details still need to be finalized and the U.S. Trade Representative will need to submit the implementing legislation to Congress. No vote has been scheduled. The aide requested anonymity because the agreement is not official. The new, long-sought trade agreement with Mexico and Canada would give both Trump and his top adversary, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a major accomplishment despite the turmoil of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f4ed63e09b3cb2aa2119246194118470" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(16, 75, 165);">his likely impeachment.</a> An announcement could come as early as Monday. Pelosi, D-Calif., still has to officially sign off on the accord, aides said.The new trade pact would replace the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, which eliminated most tariffs and other trade barriers involving the United States, Mexico and Canada. Critics, including Trump, labor unions and many Democratic lawmakers, branded NAFTA a job killer for America because it encouraged factories to move south of the border, capitalize on low-wage Mexican workers and ship products back to the U.S. duty free. Weeks of back-and-forth, closely monitored by Democratic labor allies such as the AFL-CIO, have brought the two sides together. Pelosi is a longtime free trade advocate and supported the original NAFTA in 1994. Trump has accused Pelosi of being incapable of passing the agreement because she is too wrapped up in impeachment. Democrats from swing districts have agitated for finishing the accord, in part to demonstrate some accomplishments for their majority. By ratifying the agreement, Congress could lift uncertainty over the future of U.S. commerce with its No. 2 (Canada) and No. 3 (Mexico) trading partners last year and perhaps give the U.S. economy a modest boost. U.S. farmers are especially eager to make sure their exports to Canada and Mexico continue uninterrupted.U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer last year negotiated the replacement agreement with Canada and Mexico. But the new USMCA accord required congressional approval and input from top Democrats like Pelosi and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal of Massachusetts, who have been engaged in lengthy, detailed negotiations over enforcement provisions and other technical details. Republicans leaders and lawmakers have agitated for months for the accord but Pelosi has painstakingly worked to bring labor on board. Democrats see the pact as significantly better than NAFTA and an endorsement by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka could be the key to winning significant Democratic support.The pact contains provisions designed to nudge manufacturing back to the United States. For example, it requires that 40% to 45% of cars eventually be made in countries that pay autoworkers at least $16 an hour — that is, in the United States and Canada and not in Mexico.The trade pact picked up some momentum after Mexico in April passed a labor-law overhaul required by USMCA. The reforms are meant to make it easier for Mexican workers to form independent unions and bargain for better pay and working conditions, narrowing the gap with the United States. Mexico ratified USMCA in June and has budgeted more money later this year to provide the resources needed for enforcing the agreement.

Trump, Dems in tentative deal on North American trade pact

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575920720517.png">Liuqi Gu photo from <a href="https://eeb.ku.edu/liuqi-gu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">his KU Bio page</a> in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology LAWRENCE –– A researcher at the University of Kansas has been charged with two counts of theft and four related criminal charges, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. Liuqi Gu, 37, of Lawrence, was charged Thursday in Douglas County District Court&nbsp;with one felony count of theft in excess of $100,000, one felony count of theft between $25,000 and $100,000, one felony count of unlawful acts concerning computers, one felony count of making false information, one misdemeanor count of official misconduct and one misdemeanor count of failure to pay state sales tax. Gu was taken into custody today by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. The complaint alleges from November 2016 to October 2018, Gu falsely represented that purchases he made from Thermo-Fisher Scientific were for the use of the University of Kansas in order to receive discounts from the company for his personal benefit or the benefit of another. It also alleges Gu used confidential information acquired in the course of his employment with the University of Kansas in order to avoid paying sales tax totaling between $25,000 and $100,000 on those purchases. The investigation in this case was conducted by the Fraud &amp; Abuse Litigation Division of the attorney general’s office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

University of Kansas researcher charged with theft and more

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575909789424.png">First responders at the fatal crash scene photo courtesy KWCH BUTLER COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal weekend crash and fire in Butler County. Just after 9:30p.m. Saturday, deputies and fire crews responded to report of a two-vehicle crash and fire at Southwest 50th and Haverhill Road five miles south of El Dorado, according to Sheriff Kelly Herzet. When deputies arrived, they found both vehicles fully engulfed in flames, numerous bystanders and a lot of debris from the crash. Investigators have determined a Ford Edge was northbound in the southbound lanes of Haverhill Road at a high rate of speed and struck a southbound Chevy Impala. The impact was so severe that it flipped the Ford onto its top, according to Herzet. Three victims were burned beyond recognition and pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;Until autopsy is completed, the sheriff’s department won’t release identities of the victims.

Sheriff: Triple fatal Kan. crash, fire blamed on excessive speed

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575911683580.jpeg">Hernandez-Rodriguez photo Saline County Sheriff SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged rape and have a suspect in custody. On Saturday, a 22-year-old woman reported an unwanted sexual encounter occurred at a residence in Salina, according Police Captain Gary Hanus. The suspect identified as 24-year-old Herbey Hernandez-Rodriguez would not cooperate with investigators. Police obtained a search warrant, collected evidence and arrested Hernandez-Rodriguez. He remain jailed on requested charges that include rape and aggravated criminal sodomy, according to Hanus.

Police: Kansas man in custody for alleged rape

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal accident at a home rural Sedgwick County. Just after 2:30 Sunday, deputies were dispatched to the 12000 block of west 101st&nbsp;St. North to the report of a home accident involving a motor vehicle, according to Captain Keith Allen with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department. The driver reported backing a vehicle out of a building and striking a two-year-old child.&nbsp; EMS transported the boy to Wesley Hospital and he child was pronounced dead at 3:34 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Sheriff’s Office is not releasing the name of the victim or other parties involved at this time.&nbsp;

Sheriff: 2-year-old Kan. boy dies after vehicle backs over him

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575910168611.png">Skimmer found on a bank ATM in Salina in 2015 SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after a skimmer was found on a bank ATM in Salina over the weekend, according to Salina Police Captain Gary Hanus. Police have not released the name of the bank or location. Check the post for for additional details as they become available.

Police: Card skimmer found on bank ATM in Salina

GREAT BEND —The Barton County Health Department has been conducting an investigation of an active tuberculosis case since early last week, according to Health Director Shelly Schneider. "With this active tuberculosis case, we ended up having approximately 42 blood samples that we had to deliver Friday to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment lab in Topeka," Schneider said.&nbsp; "Many people have latent TB that live in our communities," she explained. "It's only a concern when it becomes active which is why we began the investigation." While Schneider is hoping for those test results to come back negative, she says they are ready to move forward with the assistance of KDHE to prevent the spreading of the disease. Tuberculosis usually affects the lungs, but can also attack any part of the body, such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Left untreated, TB can be fatal.&nbsp;TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The bacteria are put into the air when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected. Schneider says there is a concern that TB may not be identified due to the fact that people may think they are are suffering from a cold or flu.

Officials investigate tuberculosis case in Barton Co.

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575907513463.png">Police on the scene of the investigation <a href="https://www.kmbc.com/article/police-officer-shoots-at-intruder-inside-his-kansas-city-home/30166328">photo courtesy KMBC-TV</a> KANSAS CITY (AP) — Authorities say an off-duty police officer has fired multiple shots at an intruder in his Kansas City home, although it's not known whether the intruder was wounded. Police say in a news release that the officer came on his radio around 2:30 a.m. Monday and asked for help at his home. The officers said he was alone in his home when he heard sounds, went downstairs and found an unknown man inside. The release says the officers fired multiple shots at the intruder because he feared for his safety and then ran from the scene.Police say the intruder hasn't been located.The shooting is being investigated as an officer involved shooting.

Off-duty officer shoots at intruder inside his Kansas City home

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574950995361.png">(Wesley Ira Purkey is from Kansas. His execution is scheduled for Dec. 13, for raping and killing 16-year-old Jennifer Long before dismembering, burning and dumping her body in a septic pond in 2003) WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has blocked the Trump administration from restarting federal executions next week after a 16-year break. The justices denied the administration’s plea to undo a lower court ruling in favor of inmates who have been given execution dates. The first of those had been scheduled for Monday, with a second set for Friday. Two more inmates had been given execution dates in January. Attorney General William Barr announced during the summer that federal executions would resume using a single drug, pentobarbital, to put inmates to death. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington, D.C., temporarily halted the executions after some of the chosen inmates challenged the new execution procedures in court. Chutkan ruled that the procedure approved by Barr likely violates the Federal Death Penalty Act. The federal appeals court in Washington had earlier denied the administration’s emergency plea to put Chutkan’s ruling on hold and allow the executions to proceed. Federal executions are likely to remain on hold at least for several months, while the appeals court in Washington undertakes a full review of Chutkan’s ruling. The Supreme Court justices directed the appeals court to act “with appropriate dispatch.” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in a short separate opinion that he believes the government ultimately will win the case and would have set a 60-day deadline for appeals court action. Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh joined Alito’s opinion. Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said the legal fight would continue. “While we are disappointed with the ruling, we will argue the case on its merits in the D.C. Circuit and, if necessary, the Supreme Court,” Kupec said in a statement.Four inmates won temporary reprieves from the court rulings. Danny Lee was the first inmate scheduled for execution, at 8 o’clock Monday morning. Lee was convicted of killing a family of three, including an 8-year-old. The government had next planned on Friday to execute Wesley Ira Purkey, who raped and murdered a 16-year-old girl and killed an 80-year-old woman. His lawyers say Purkey is suffering from dementia and he has a separate lawsuit pending in federal court in Washington, D.C. Then in January, executions had been scheduled for Alfred Bourgeois, who tortured, molested and then beat his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter to death, and Dustin Lee Honken, who killed five people, including two children. A fifth inmate, Lezmond Mitchell, has had his execution blocked by the federal appeals court in San Francisco over questions of bias against Native Americans. Mitchell beheaded a 63-year-old woman and her 9-year-old granddaughter.

Supreme Court delays start of federal executions 

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;Pushing ahead with articles of impeachment, the House Judiciary Committee will formally receive the investigative findings against President Donald Trump as the White House and its allies launch an aggressive attack on Democrats and the proceedings. Click here to <a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?467123-1/hearing-evidence-impeachment-inquiry&amp;live" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Watch the hearing</a> Chairman Jerrold Nadler expects the committee to vote soon, possibly this week, on at least two or more charges against the Republican president. Democrats say Trump’s push to have Ukraine investigate rival Joe Biden while at the same time withholding U.S. military aid ran counter to U.S. policy and benefited Russia. It could result in impeachment charges of abuse of power, bribery and obstruction. “The central allegation is that the president put himself above his country several times, that he sought foreign interference in our elections several times, both for 2016 and 2020, that he sought to cover it up,” Nadler said. “All this presents a pattern that poses a real and present danger to the integrity of the next election, which is one reason why we can’t just wait for the next election to settle matters,” he said. Chairman Jerrold Nadler expects the committee to vote soon, possibly this week, on at least two or more charges against the Republican president. Democrats say Trump’s push to have Ukraine investigate rival Joe Biden while at the same time withholding U.S. military aid ran counter to U.S. policy and benefited Russia. It could result in impeachment charges of abuse of power, bribery and obstruction. “The central allegation is that the president put himself above his country several times, that he sought foreign interference in our elections several times, both for 2016 and 2020, that he sought to cover it up,” Nadler said. “All this presents a pattern that poses a real and present danger to the integrity of the next election, which is one reason why we can’t just wait for the next election to settle matters,” he said.

Watch: Judiciary Committee hears Trump impeachment evidence

FINNEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 3p.m. Sunday in Finney County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a two-wheeled, off-road vehicle driven by Ethan Stanford, 15, Garden City, was westbound in a field just south of U.S. 50 and west of 3rd Street in Garden City. The driver lost control and was thrown from the vehicle when it overturned.&nbsp;EMS transported Stanford to St. Catherine’s Hospital. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

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