by BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

ST. GEORGE - On Wednesday afternoon, just after 4:30 pm, fire crews were dispatched to the 500 block of Maple in St. George for the report of a residence on fire.

When crews arrived on the scene they found a mobile home with flames and smoke coming from the residence. Crews were able to get the fire under control within 30-45 minutes of the call to 911.&nbsp;

No one was home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. The home is a total loss.

Firefighters from Pottawatomie County Consolidated Fire District #1, Louisville Fire Department and Wamego Fire Department responded to the fire.

Pottawatomie County EMS, St. George Police officers and Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office also responded to the incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706800029157.jpeg" alt="St. George fire, picture by Becky Goff" />
 <figcaption>St. George fire, picture by Becky Goff</figcaption>
 </figure>by BECKY GOFF Little Apple PostST. GEORGE - On Wednesday afternoon, just after 4:30 pm, fire crews were dispatched to the 500 block of Maple in St. George for the report of a residence on fire.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706800464579.jpeg" alt="St George Fire, picture by Drew Kuchera" />
 <figcaption>St George Fire, picture by Drew Kuchera</figcaption>
 </figure>When crews arrived on the scene they found a mobile home with flames and smoke coming from the residence. Crews were able to get the fire under control within 30-45 minutes of the call to 911.&nbsp;No one was home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. The home is a total loss.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706800664915.jpeg" alt="St. George fire, picture by Becky Goff" />
 <figcaption>St. George fire, picture by Becky Goff</figcaption>
 </figure>Firefighters from Pottawatomie County Consolidated Fire District #1, Louisville Fire Department and Wamego Fire Department responded to the fire.Pottawatomie County EMS, St. George Police officers and Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office also responded to the incident.

St. George residence complete loss following Wednesday fire

Geary County Emergency Management said that temperatures will remain warm as we begin February with highs approaching 70 degrees Thursday! Rain will move in on Saturday and linger into Sunday. Rain totals are expected to range from 0.5" to 1.0" across the area.

Geary County Emergency Management said that temperatures will remain warm as we begin February with highs approaching 70 degrees Thursday! Rain will move in on Saturday and linger into Sunday. Rain totals are expected to range from 0.5" to 1.0" across the area.

Warm up followed by rain

&nbsp; The public is invited to the annual Sundown Salute Mardi Gras Party, Friday, February 9th 2024 from 6 to 11:45 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 1037 South Washington Street, Junction City.

Enjoy Cajun food, music and dancing. Doors open at 6 p.m. The $35.00 meal ticket includes, Jambalaya and Muffuletta.

In 2024 Sundown Salute is scheduled during the Labor Day weekend.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706566890875.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp; The public is invited to the annual Sundown Salute Mardi Gras Party, Friday, February 9th 2024 from 6 to 11:45 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 1037 South Washington Street, Junction City.Enjoy Cajun food, music and dancing. Doors open at 6 p.m. The $35.00 meal ticket includes, Jambalaya and Muffuletta.In 2024 Sundown Salute is scheduled during the Labor Day weekend.

Fundraiser will be held for Sundown Salute.

Grandview Plaza police said that there will be power line construction going on in the following areas: State Avenue and Grandview Drive. Drivers are instructed to follow the traffic control devices. The police department and fire department will be out directing traffic.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Grandview Plaza police said that there will be power line construction going on in the following areas: State Avenue and Grandview Drive. Drivers are instructed to follow the traffic control devices. The police department and fire department will be out directing traffic.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Traffic notice in Grandview Plaza

NICK GOSNELL Hutch Post&nbsp;

HUTCHINSON,Kan. —&nbsp;Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson is commemorating National Unclaimed Property Day on Feb. 1 with reminders for Kansans of how they can check to see if they have money they've forgotten about that is with his office.

"That's where we interact with most of our citizens," Johnson said. "A lot of the other things are intra-offices in the state government. If you go to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansascash.ks.gov/">https://kansascash.ks.gov/</a>, the first icon on the&nbsp;State Treasurer's site is Search&nbsp;Unclaimed Property. Clicking on that icon will bring you to a search field, where you can put in last name, first name. If your name is as common as&nbsp;Steven Johnson, you will want to put in a city or a ZIP Code or something to narrow it a little bit. That, then will do a search to see if we are holding any property in your name."

"For something to be unclaimed, to get disconnected and not make it all the way through, there could be something like a change in name," Johnson said. "Searching maiden names are great. It could be a change in address, where a utility deposit didn't make it back to a student who moved from home to school and then again, those types of things. If you have a minute to search your name and then a few other family members, one in seven people have unclaimed property in Kansas."

It is always free to search and file claims for property through Johnson's office.

"When you see your name pop up, there's a little orange button that says, Claim," Johnson said. "You click on Claim and that will lead you into the claim process. If it's for yourself, you just click on owner and it's pretty simple."

If you're having trouble navigating the website, you can still call (785) 296-4165.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683385661997.jpeg" alt="Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch Post&nbsp;HUTCHINSON,Kan. —&nbsp;Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson is commemorating National Unclaimed Property Day on Feb. 1 with reminders for Kansans of how they can check to see if they have money they've forgotten about that is with his office."That's where we interact with most of our citizens," Johnson said. "A lot of the other things are intra-offices in the state government. If you go to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansascash.ks.gov/">https://kansascash.ks.gov/</a>, the first icon on the&nbsp;State Treasurer's site is Search&nbsp;Unclaimed Property. Clicking on that icon will bring you to a search field, where you can put in last name, first name. If your name is as common as&nbsp;Steven Johnson, you will want to put in a city or a ZIP Code or something to narrow it a little bit. That, then will do a search to see if we are holding any property in your name."Unclaimed property is a common problem."For something to be unclaimed, to get disconnected and not make it all the way through, there could be something like a change in name," Johnson said. "Searching maiden names are great. It could be a change in address, where a utility deposit didn't make it back to a student who moved from home to school and then again, those types of things. If you have a minute to search your name and then a few other family members, one in seven people have unclaimed property in Kansas."It is always free to search and file claims for property through Johnson's office."When you see your name pop up, there's a little orange button that says, Claim," Johnson said. "You click on Claim and that will lead you into the claim process. If it's for yourself, you just click on owner and it's pretty simple."If you're having trouble navigating the website, you can still call (785) 296-4165.

National Unclaimed Property Day is good day to double check

Southwind Developers LLC have plans for the&nbsp; property where the former KJCK Radio Station was located on the west side of Junction City. 

According to a member of the Southwind group, Tammy Melton, they plan to put in a Paradox To Go on the site. There are also plans to retain their existing Paradox Coffee and Bistro in downtown Junction City.

Other future goals for the west side location include hopefully, a second new stand alone food establishment and development of a 20,000 square foot multi-occupancy strip mall on a five acre site on the south side of the property. 

Remodeling of the former radio station building is currently under way for future business rental as well.

There is not a definite timetable on completion of the project, although Melton noted "hopefully sooner rather than later."

Members of Southwind LLC include Tammy and Derrick Melton, Dr. Teran and Tiffany Naccarato, plus three other individuals who's names have not yet been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706739654497.jpeg" alt="Former KJCK Radio Station building" />
 <figcaption>Former KJCK Radio Station building</figcaption>
 </figure>By Dewey TerrillJC PostSouthwind Developers LLC have plans for the&nbsp; property where the former KJCK Radio Station was located on the west side of Junction City. According to a member of the Southwind group, Tammy Melton, they plan to put in a Paradox To Go on the site. There are also plans to retain their existing Paradox Coffee and Bistro in downtown Junction City.Other future goals for the west side location include hopefully, a second new stand alone food establishment and development of a 20,000 square foot multi-occupancy strip mall on a five acre site on the south side of the property. Remodeling of the former radio station building is currently under way for future business rental as well.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706741807810.jpeg" alt="Remodeling is under way on the former radio station facility." />
 <figcaption>Remodeling is under way on the former radio station facility.</figcaption>
 </figure>There is not a definite timetable on completion of the project, although Melton noted "hopefully sooner rather than later."Members of Southwind LLC include Tammy and Derrick Melton, Dr. Teran and Tiffany Naccarato, plus three other individuals who's names have not yet been released.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706741966698.jpeg" alt="Area where the proposed strip mall would be developed." />
 <figcaption>Area where the proposed strip mall would be developed.</figcaption>
 </figure>Photos:&nbsp; Jerry Brecheisen

New business development is proposed for the west side of Junction City

The KANSASWORKS Virtual Statewide Job Fair is scheduled for Feb. 21, 2024 beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. Employers can register for this upcoming event at <a href="https://pvapi.premiervirtual.com/s/dngwnx">https://pvapi.premiervirtual.com/s/dngwnx</a> by selecting “Organization” and it will take you to the registration page where you will click on “Register for Event."

The Virtual Statewide job fair will be split up into five workforce areas and eleven sub-categories.  When you register, PLEASE select ONLY the areas of the state that your company/business has jobs in.

There is no charge to participate, but an Employer account on <a href="http://www.kansasworks.com">www.kansasworks.com</a> is required.

A video explaining how to register for those new to the platform can be found <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsTpw84Epmc">here</a>.

  Additional training with new enhancements is available within your booth after you have logged on.

The next Virtual Statewide Job Fair will be held April 24, 2024.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706733681262.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe KANSASWORKS Virtual Statewide Job Fair is scheduled for Feb. 21, 2024 beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. Employers can register for this upcoming event at <a href="https://pvapi.premiervirtual.com/s/dngwnx">https://pvapi.premiervirtual.com/s/dngwnx</a> by selecting “Organization” and it will take you to the registration page where you will click on “Register for Event."The Virtual Statewide job fair will be split up into five workforce areas and eleven sub-categories. When you register, PLEASE select ONLY the areas of the state that your company/business has jobs in.There is no charge to participate, but an Employer account on <a href="http://www.kansasworks.com">www.kansasworks.com</a> is required.A video explaining how to register for those new to the platform can be found <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsTpw84Epmc">here</a>. Additional training with new enhancements is available within your booth after you have logged on.The next Virtual Statewide Job Fair will be held April 24, 2024.

KANSASWORKS virtual statewide job fair scheduled for Feb. 21

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an alleged robbery have taken two suspects into custody.

Early Tuesday, the Riley County Police Department Communication Center received several 911 calls reporting a robbery. A 29-year-old man reported two men brandished a weapon and stole a backpack from him containing various items. Within the day, detectives were able to identify the suspects, execute a search warrant and make arrests.

Just after 5p.m., police arrested Brandon Welty, 25, and Joseph Bauer, 19 both of Manhattan in the 400 block of Leavenworth Street in Manhattan.

Welty was arrested on a Riley County District Court warrant for aggravated robbery and probation violation. Bauer was arrested on a requested charge of aggravated robbery, failure to appear, and probation violation.

Welty was issued total bond of $90,000 and Bauer was issued a total bond of $82,000. Both suspects remain confined in the Riley County Jail. Welty has previous convictions for possession of marijuana and attempted obstruction, according to the Kansas Department of Corections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706723210839.png" alt="Welty-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Welty-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an alleged robbery have taken two suspects into custody.Early Tuesday, the Riley County Police Department Communication Center received several 911 calls reporting a robbery. A 29-year-old man reported two men brandished a weapon and stole a backpack from him containing various items. Within the day, detectives were able to identify the suspects, execute a search warrant and make arrests.Just after 5p.m., police arrested Brandon Welty, 25, and Joseph Bauer, 19 both of Manhattan in the 400 block of Leavenworth Street in Manhattan.Welty was arrested on a Riley County District Court warrant for aggravated robbery and probation violation. Bauer was arrested on a requested charge of aggravated robbery, failure to appear, and probation violation.Welty was issued total bond of $90,000 and Bauer was issued a total bond of $82,000. Both suspects remain confined in the Riley County Jail. Welty has previous convictions for possession of marijuana and attempted obstruction, according to the Kansas Department of Corections.

 Kan. felon accused of aggravated robbery in Manhattan

Ray Ibarra has received the Making a Difference for Youth Award from the JC Breakfast Club.

The purpose of the Award is to recognize a Geary County resident who has been a volunteer, had a positive influence on youth and reflects the characteristics represented in “The Optimist Creed”. 

 Some of those ideals include but are not limited to: being respectful to themselves and others in words and actions; being a person of integrity and respected by others; is enthusiastic about the success of youth and strives to help them be successful; and has demonstrated volunteer work that makes a difference in youth for at least five consecutive years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706721546219.jpeg" alt="Pictured left to right are Cheryl Ibarra; Ray Ibarra and Joe Handlos, Coordinator of the JC Breakfast Optimist Club’s “Making A Difference For Youth” Award." />
 <figcaption>Pictured left to right are Cheryl Ibarra; Ray Ibarra and Joe Handlos, Coordinator of the JC Breakfast Optimist Club’s “Making A Difference For Youth” Award.</figcaption>
 </figure>By Dewey TerrillJC PostRay Ibarra has received the Making a Difference for Youth Award from the JC Breakfast Club.The purpose of the Award is to recognize a Geary County resident who has been a volunteer, had a positive influence on youth and reflects the characteristics represented in “The Optimist Creed”. Some of those ideals include but are not limited to: being respectful to themselves and others in words and actions; being a person of integrity and respected by others; is enthusiastic about the success of youth and strives to help them be successful; and has demonstrated volunteer work that makes a difference in youth for at least five consecutive years.

JC Breakfast Optimist Club Recognizes Ray Ibarra

Grandview Plaza police have announced that West Grandview Drive from Wayne Lane to State Avenue will be closed during the day for approximately 2 days for power pole replacement. Thank you for understanding. 

Grandview Plaza police have announced that West Grandview Drive from Wayne Lane to State Avenue will be closed during the day for approximately 2 days for power pole replacement. Thank you for understanding. Please avoid this area.

Grandview Plaza traffic notice

At the January 31 “Celebration of Optimism” gathering of JC Breakfast Optimist Club members at the Hampton Inn, Randall Zimmerman was the guest speaker. He is an instructor, Head Football and Track Coach at Junction City High School. He was originally from Western Kansas and graduated from Fort Hays State University. Before coming to Junction City High School in 1994, he taught and coached at smaller schools in Kansas. He told the Optimist Club members that “I have a heart for at risk kids, coaching and love this community.”

Coach Zimmerman shared that his “mission is to build champions for life. We are letting young people down if we just teach them a sport. Life is about discipline and hard work. It is about getting better every day. Only 7.4% of high school athletes will compete at the next level.”

He also stated that “life is not only about being disciplined and working hard, but it is also important to imitate successful people.” Youth, “especially young men at the high school level, need structure and positive role models.”

Getting better one day at a time is an important part of Coach Zimmerman’s philosophy in working with youth. “Kids think they can come into our Strength and Conditioning program and lift a certain weight and the next day double it. That’s not going to happen.” It takes discipline and hard work each day to increase skills – “discipline is a culture”.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706719645500.jpeg" alt="( L-R ) Nita Miller and Randall Zimmerman" />
 <figcaption>( L-R ) Nita Miller and Randall Zimmerman</figcaption>
 </figure>By Dr. Ferrell MillerAt the January 31 “Celebration of Optimism” gathering of JC Breakfast Optimist Club members at the Hampton Inn, Randall Zimmerman was the guest speaker. He is an instructor, Head Football and Track Coach at Junction City High School. He was originally from Western Kansas and graduated from Fort Hays State University. Before coming to Junction City High School in 1994, he taught and coached at smaller schools in Kansas. He told the Optimist Club members that “I have a heart for at risk kids, coaching and love this community.”Coach Zimmerman shared that his “mission is to build champions for life. We are letting young people down if we just teach them a sport. Life is about discipline and hard work. It is about getting better every day. Only 7.4% of high school athletes will compete at the next level.”He also stated that “life is not only about being disciplined and working hard, but it is also important to imitate successful people.” Youth, “especially young men at the high school level, need structure and positive role models.”Getting better one day at a time is an important part of Coach Zimmerman’s philosophy in working with youth. “Kids think they can come into our Strength and Conditioning program and lift a certain weight and the next day double it. That’s not going to happen.” It takes discipline and hard work each day to increase skills – “discipline is a culture”.

JC Breakfast Optimist Club’s Guest Speaker Was Randall Zimmerman

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.

Asia Holden, Probation violation, arrested 01/29

Luis Olivas Altamirana, Driving while license canceled/suspended or revoked, arrested 01/30

Jan Perez Colon, Unlawful damage to property, arrested 01/30

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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706718472421.jpeg" alt="Dwayne Reid, Criminal damage to property, Felony, arrested 01/29" />
 <figcaption>Dwayne Reid, Criminal damage to property, Felony, arrested 01/29</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706718529286.jpeg" alt="Samantha Hilbert, Outside warrant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of marijuana,&nbsp; arrested 01/29" />
 <figcaption>Samantha Hilbert, Outside warrant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of marijuana,&nbsp; arrested 01/29</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706718597942.jpeg" alt="Juan Balderrama-Diaz, Outside warrant, arrested 01/30" />
 <figcaption>Juan Balderrama-Diaz, Outside warrant, arrested 01/30</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706719053996.jpeg" alt="Heidi Mealer, Domestic battery, arrested 01/30" />
 <figcaption>Heidi Mealer, Domestic battery, arrested 01/30</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706719112975.jpeg" alt="Desiree Hardin, Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance, Taxation drugs, No drug stamp payment for marijuana or controlled substance, Distribute marijuana &gt; 30 kilograms, arrested 01/30" />
 <figcaption>Desiree Hardin, Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance, Taxation drugs, No drug stamp payment for marijuana or controlled substance, Distribute marijuana &gt; 30 kilograms, arrested 01/30</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706719237190.jpeg" alt="Maurice Robinson,&nbsp;Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance, Taxation drugs, No drug stamp payment for marijuana or controlled substance, Distribute marijuana &gt; 30 kilograms, Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction, value &lt;$5,000, arrested 01/30" />
 <figcaption>Maurice Robinson,&nbsp;Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance, Taxation drugs, No drug stamp payment for marijuana or controlled substance, Distribute marijuana &gt; 30 kilograms, Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction, value &lt;$5,000, arrested 01/30</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Asia Holden, Probation violation, arrested 01/29Luis Olivas Altamirana, Driving while license canceled/suspended or revoked, arrested 01/30Jan Perez Colon, Unlawful damage to property, arrested 01/30Recent 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.

Geary County Booking Photos Jan. 30-31

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged motor vehicle theft in Riley County.

Just before 6p.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report of motor vehicle theft in the 2600 block of Farm Bureau Road, Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp;

 Rock Hills Church reported an unknown suspect stole the church's 2003 GMC Sierra. 

Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged motor vehicle theft in Riley County.Just before 6p.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report of motor vehicle theft in the 2600 block of Farm Bureau Road, Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp; Rock Hills Church reported an unknown suspect stole the church's 2003 GMC Sierra. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RCPD: Church pickup reported stolen

The Junction City Blue Jays produced another thrilling game inside Blue Jay Event Center when they defeated Blue Valley Northwest 60-53 on Tuesday night.&nbsp;

The Huskies are the defending 6A state champions and had been dominant all season long, but Junction City was up for the challenge and grabbed a quick lead and never looked back.&nbsp;

It was another great performance by junior sharp shooter Jackson Austin with 17 points, both Tre Ruffin and Larkin Turner added 11 points, and sophomore Lovell Autry finished with 10 points.&nbsp;

Despite being much smaller than the Huskies, the Blue Jays battled on both ends of the floor and held a double-digit lead for most of the second and third quarters. The largest lead for Junction City was a 17 point lead in the second quarter.&nbsp;

"Our guys play with so much heart," said head coach Nick Perez. "I am so proud of our guys, this team is special."

Along with great performances on both ends of the court, the home crowd, especially the student section helped fire up Junction City throughout the game. "The crowd was amazing," Perez said. "That student section got loud towards the end, and that is what we need every game."

With the win, the Blue Jays improve to 12-2 on the season. Their next action is Friday night, on the road at Topeka High School.&nbsp;

The Lady Jays were defeated 71-20 by the Topeka Hayden Wildcats.&nbsp;

The leading scores on the night were Morgan Nabus and Sara Rexrode both with six points.&nbsp;

With the loss, the Lady Jays fall to 1-12 on the season and will travel to Topeka High School on Friday night.&nbsp;

By Anthony GorgesJC PostThe Junction City Blue Jays produced another thrilling game inside Blue Jay Event Center when they defeated Blue Valley Northwest 60-53 on Tuesday night.&nbsp;The Huskies are the defending 6A state champions and had been dominant all season long, but Junction City was up for the challenge and grabbed a quick lead and never looked back.&nbsp;It was another great performance by junior sharp shooter Jackson Austin with 17 points, both Tre Ruffin and Larkin Turner added 11 points, and sophomore Lovell Autry finished with 10 points.&nbsp;Despite being much smaller than the Huskies, the Blue Jays battled on both ends of the floor and held a double-digit lead for most of the second and third quarters. The largest lead for Junction City was a 17 point lead in the second quarter.&nbsp;"Our guys play with so much heart," said head coach Nick Perez. "I am so proud of our guys, this team is special."Along with great performances on both ends of the court, the home crowd, especially the student section helped fire up Junction City throughout the game. "The crowd was amazing," Perez said. "That student section got loud towards the end, and that is what we need every game."With the win, the Blue Jays improve to 12-2 on the season. Their next action is Friday night, on the road at Topeka High School.&nbsp;Junction City Lady Jay resultsThe Lady Jays were defeated 71-20 by the Topeka Hayden Wildcats.&nbsp;The leading scores on the night were Morgan Nabus and Sara Rexrode both with six points.&nbsp;With the loss, the Lady Jays fall to 1-12 on the season and will travel to Topeka High School on Friday night.&nbsp;

Blue Jays pull off exciting win over Blue Valley Northwest, improve to 12-2

The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JCRotaryClub?__cft__[0]=AZVcqjJSzBqDfy9cLXJ6K-AIIiIM3R3bc55ZVslDtCXqQqH3ICTO7fgigwXXscrBP7CSu9Jjai_PH9a8AypGUYhUnrDv-5uvHNcbtkx9lBsVAttll9Wg4_CyTLhcMe4iRJT-wnh8lP81Oo3sErhJn_EMjH2uxEoee_a5FJvlnK0GTvqYw8kaP7ht7SjKYx3hFL8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Junction City Rotary Club</a>'s Building Re-Dedication Event is scheduled at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The building that today is owned and operated by the Fraternal Order of the Eagles JC was originally dedicated as a Community Building for returning WWI Soldiers, 106 years later, this building is owned and Operated by the Fraternal Order of the Eagles JC. The Command Section of Fort Riley, and the Junction City - Geary County Military Affairs Council will support the event.

The building was funded by 1th District Rotary Clubs, including the Junction City Rotary Club.

The Re-Dedication will include the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. There will also be a fundraising dinner from 5-7 p.m. with tickets at the door for a $12 donation. Meals will be available for takeout.

Donations will support the Junction City Rotary Club's Youth Leadership Camp.

The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JCRotaryClub?__cft__[0]=AZVcqjJSzBqDfy9cLXJ6K-AIIiIM3R3bc55ZVslDtCXqQqH3ICTO7fgigwXXscrBP7CSu9Jjai_PH9a8AypGUYhUnrDv-5uvHNcbtkx9lBsVAttll9Wg4_CyTLhcMe4iRJT-wnh8lP81Oo3sErhJn_EMjH2uxEoee_a5FJvlnK0GTvqYw8kaP7ht7SjKYx3hFL8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Junction City Rotary Club</a>'s Building Re-Dedication Event is scheduled at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The building that today is owned and operated by the Fraternal Order of the Eagles JC was originally dedicated as a Community Building for returning WWI Soldiers, 106 years later, this building is owned and Operated by the Fraternal Order of the Eagles JC. The Command Section of Fort Riley, and the Junction City - Geary County Military Affairs Council will support the event.The building was funded by 1th District Rotary Clubs, including the Junction City Rotary Club.The Re-Dedication will include the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. There will also be a fundraising dinner from 5-7 p.m. with tickets at the door for a $12 donation. Meals will be available for takeout.Donations will support the Junction City Rotary Club's Youth Leadership Camp.

Rededication of the 1918 Community Building will be Wednesday

Felicia Ayers, Failure to appear, arrested 01/26

Yance Woody, Possession of a firearm while under the influence, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 01/27

Jett Acker, Criminal damage to property, Criminal Damage to property, Criminal threat, (Cause terror, evacuation or disruption), Kidnapping, (Inflict bodily harm or terrorize victim), Aggravated intimidation of a witness/victim, (Threat of force or violence), Domestic battery, (Knowing or reckless bodily harm to family/person in dating relationship), Aggravated domestic battery, (Choke in rude manner, Family member/dating relationship), arrested 01/27

Timothe Louisnel, Failure to appear, arrested 01/27

Ziya Langford-Boyd,&nbsp;Failure to appear, arrested 01/27

Kodie Hoover, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 01/28

Blake Hays, Failure to appear, arrested 01/28

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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706644567072.jpeg" alt="Korina Lafitte, Licensing (Animal), Pitbull ownership, restrictions (No more than two per household), Cruelty to animals (Well being), Probation violation, arrested 01/26" />
 <figcaption>Korina Lafitte, Licensing (Animal), Pitbull ownership, restrictions (No more than two per household), Cruelty to animals (Well being), Probation violation, arrested 01/26</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706644672021.jpeg" alt="Michael Lafitte, Failure to appear, Probation violation, Failure to appear, arrested 01/26" />
 <figcaption>Michael Lafitte, Failure to appear, Probation violation, Failure to appear, arrested 01/26</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706644723064.jpeg" alt="Jorge Hernandez Barragan, Taxation drugs, No drug stamp for marijuana or controlled substance, Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction, value &lt; $5,000, Distribute drug paraphernalia for illegal use, Distribute certain stimulant &gt; 1 kilogram, arrested 01/27" />
 <figcaption>Jorge Hernandez Barragan, Taxation drugs, No drug stamp for marijuana or controlled substance, Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transaction, value &lt; $5,000, Distribute drug paraphernalia for illegal use, Distribute certain stimulant &gt; 1 kilogram, arrested 01/27</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706644878432.jpeg" alt="Jose Flores Andrade, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, Transporting an open container, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, arrested 01/29" />
 <figcaption>Jose Flores Andrade, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, Transporting an open container, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, arrested 01/29</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Felicia Ayers, Failure to appear, arrested 01/26Yance Woody, Possession of a firearm while under the influence, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 01/27Jett Acker, Criminal damage to property, Criminal Damage to property, Criminal threat, (Cause terror, evacuation or disruption), Kidnapping, (Inflict bodily harm or terrorize victim), Aggravated intimidation of a witness/victim, (Threat of force or violence), Domestic battery, (Knowing or reckless bodily harm to family/person in dating relationship), Aggravated domestic battery, (Choke in rude manner, Family member/dating relationship), arrested 01/27Timothe Louisnel, Failure to appear, arrested 01/27Ziya Langford-Boyd,&nbsp;Failure to appear, arrested 01/27Kodie Hoover, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 01/28Blake Hays, Failure to appear, arrested 01/28Recent 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.

Geary County Booking Photos Jan.27-29

The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce has cancelled their Legislative Coffee that was scheduled on Feb. 10th due to a conflict with another forum.&nbsp;

There will be a Legislative Coffee on March 9th at the Junction City Municipal Auditorium.

The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce has cancelled their Legislative Coffee that was scheduled on Feb. 10th due to a conflict with another forum.&nbsp;There will be a Legislative Coffee on March 9th at the Junction City Municipal Auditorium.

Chamber cancels February Legislative Coffee

Kstate CREDIT UNION has announced that Enterprise Credit Union in Enterprise, KS, has merged with kstate CREDIT UNION. The unified entity will operate under a single brand and continue to serve over ten thousand members. With this merger, kstate CREDIT UNION will have membership eligibility to serve residents in a ten-county area in Kansas.

1. Enhance services for more members: The merger allows for the integration of complimentary products and services, offering members an expanded range of financial solutions tailored to meet their evolving needs.

2. Increased geographic reach: The combined entity will have an extended geographic footprint, enabling them to serve more people. The eligibility for membership includes these Kansas Counties: Cloud, Clay, Dickinson, Saline, Morris, Geary, Riley, McPherson, Ottawa &amp; Pottawatomie.

3. Innovative financial technology for more Kansas counties: This merger allows for the combined entity to have access to modern technical tools to help more individuals receive the financial services they need. This includes a versatile and user-friendly mobile app, remote deposit capture, online and responsive lending solutions, and a host of expanded online services.

*press release from kstate Credit Union

Kstate CREDIT UNION has announced that Enterprise Credit Union in Enterprise, KS, has merged with kstate CREDIT UNION. The unified entity will operate under a single brand and continue to serve over ten thousand members. With this merger, kstate CREDIT UNION will have membership eligibility to serve residents in a ten-county area in Kansas.Highlights of the Merger:1. Enhance services for more members: The merger allows for the integration of complimentary products and services, offering members an expanded range of financial solutions tailored to meet their evolving needs.2. Increased geographic reach: The combined entity will have an extended geographic footprint, enabling them to serve more people. The eligibility for membership includes these Kansas Counties: Cloud, Clay, Dickinson, Saline, Morris, Geary, Riley, McPherson, Ottawa &amp; Pottawatomie.3. Innovative financial technology for more Kansas counties: This merger allows for the combined entity to have access to modern technical tools to help more individuals receive the financial services they need. This includes a versatile and user-friendly mobile app, remote deposit capture, online and responsive lending solutions, and a host of expanded online services.*press release from kstate Credit Union

Kstate CREDIT UNION announces merger with Enterprise Credit Union in Enterprise, KS

There will be&nbsp; SkillBridge job seeker workshops and a job fair&nbsp;at&nbsp;Riley’s Community Center, 446 Seitz Dr., Fort Riley&nbsp;Thursday, Feb. 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9:00 to 10:30 a.m.:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Workshops specifically for military service members

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Job Fair for all attendees

This is doe Soldiers transitioning out of the Army, family members and veterans

This in-person event brings employers together with military spouses, military caregivers, transition service members, and veterans seeking work now or preparing for the future.

The Department of Defense SkillBridge program provides service members preparing to leave the military an opportunity to gain civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during their last 180 days of military service. Participants can register at HiringOurHeroes.org/rile

There will be&nbsp; SkillBridge job seeker workshops and a job fair&nbsp;at&nbsp;Riley’s Community Center, 446 Seitz Dr., Fort Riley&nbsp;Thursday, Feb. 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.They include:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9:00 to 10:30 a.m.:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Workshops specifically for military service members&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Job Fair for all attendeesThis is doe Soldiers transitioning out of the Army, family members and veteransThis in-person event brings employers together with military spouses, military caregivers, transition service members, and veterans seeking work now or preparing for the future.The Department of Defense SkillBridge program provides service members preparing to leave the military an opportunity to gain civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during their last 180 days of military service. Participants can register at HiringOurHeroes.org/rileKirk HutchinsonSupervisory Public Affairs Specialist

Fort Riley Transition Assistance Program hosts SkillBridge Exploration Fair

The Junction City High School USD 475 boy’s swimming team recently had two individuals and two relays qualify for the Kansas State High School Activities Association Boys State Championships in Topeka next month.

The Blue Jays have now had a representative at state, which will take place on Feb. 16-17 at the Capitol Federal Natatorium in Topeka, each of the last five years.

“We are super proud of these boys. They have worked so hard and have really weathered all of the cancelled meets and practices. It all came together for us,” said Anna Schlesener, JCHS head coach.

Earning a trip to state was the 200-medley relay with a blistering time of 1:48.69. The quartet consisted of Ivan Velarde, Creytin Sanner, Noah Lamb and Truman Fortner. The Blue Jays also qualified in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:36.81.

Individually, Sanner, who will head to state for a second-straight year, qualified in the 100 breast stroke after clocking a time of 1:04.17. Lamb will also represent JCHS in Topeka, competing in the 100 fly with a time of 56.58.

By the duo qualifying for state, it marks the first time in Schlesener’s 13-year career she has had two individuals advance to the state meet.

“This senior class is one of the best I have ever coached. It has been a few years since we have had an individual qualify and Noah and Creytin came in with a positive mindset, which helped them come out with qualifying times. We couldn’t be prouder,” said Schlesener.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Junction City High School release&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706641908469.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of Geary County Schools USD 475 Facebook page" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Geary County Schools USD 475 Facebook page</figcaption>
 </figure>--The Junction City High School USD 475 boy’s swimming team recently had two individuals and two relays qualify for the Kansas State High School Activities Association Boys State Championships in Topeka next month.The Blue Jays have now had a representative at state, which will take place on Feb. 16-17 at the Capitol Federal Natatorium in Topeka, each of the last five years.“We are super proud of these boys. They have worked so hard and have really weathered all of the cancelled meets and practices. It all came together for us,” said Anna Schlesener, JCHS head coach.Earning a trip to state was the 200-medley relay with a blistering time of 1:48.69. The quartet consisted of Ivan Velarde, Creytin Sanner, Noah Lamb and Truman Fortner. The Blue Jays also qualified in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:36.81.Individually, Sanner, who will head to state for a second-straight year, qualified in the 100 breast stroke after clocking a time of 1:04.17. Lamb will also represent JCHS in Topeka, competing in the 100 fly with a time of 56.58.By the duo qualifying for state, it marks the first time in Schlesener’s 13-year career she has had two individuals advance to the state meet.“This senior class is one of the best I have ever coached. It has been a few years since we have had an individual qualify and Noah and Creytin came in with a positive mindset, which helped them come out with qualifying times. We couldn’t be prouder,” said Schlesener.&nbsp;&nbsp;

JCHS Boys Swimming Qualifies For State

Registration is now open to the public for the Geary County Historical Society’s new workshop series, Homesteading 101: Weaving.  The Weaving Workshop will be held on Saturday, February 24 from 10am-2pm with a lunch included in registration cost. 

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the history and art of weaving before creating their own woven piece. The cost for the event is $25 for historical society members and $35 for non-members. 

Registration forms can be filled out at the museum, located at 530 N. Adams. Participants must be 16 years old or older and space is limited.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706633720801.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Registration is now open to the public for the Geary County Historical Society’s new workshop series, Homesteading 101: Weaving. The Weaving Workshop will be held on Saturday, February 24 from 10am-2pm with a lunch included in registration cost. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the history and art of weaving before creating their own woven piece. The cost for the event is $25 for historical society members and $35 for non-members. Registration forms can be filled out at the museum, located at 530 N. Adams. Participants must be 16 years old or older and space is limited.By Heather HagedornExecutive Director / CuratorGeary County Historical Society

Historical Society will host a Weaving Workshop

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 10:30a.m. Monday in Manhattan.

A 2004 Saturn Ion driven by Erica Arnold, 21, of Wamego crashed with a 2014 Dodge Journey driven by Robert Bellinder, 61, of St. George&nbsp;in the 300 block of E. Poyntz in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

EMS transported Bellinder to Ascension Via Christi for treatment of non life-threatening injuries. Arnold was issued a citation for improper right turn.

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 10:30a.m. Monday in Manhattan.A 2004 Saturn Ion driven by Erica Arnold, 21, of Wamego crashed with a 2014 Dodge Journey driven by Robert Bellinder, 61, of St. George&nbsp;in the 300 block of E. Poyntz in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.EMS transported Bellinder to Ascension Via Christi for treatment of non life-threatening injuries. Arnold was issued a citation for improper right turn.

Kansas man injured after 2-vehicle crash in Manhattan

Kansas Department of Transportation

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation’s I-70 asphalt improvement project in Gove County received the 2023 Sheldon G. Hayes Award – the top paving award from the National Asphalt Pavement Association.

The award was presented this week to the project’s contractor, APAC Kansas, Inc., Shears Division, of Hutchinson, at the NAPA annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.

“This award acknowledges what we Kansans have always known; Kansas contractors are second to none,” said Calvin Reed, Secretary of Transportation.&nbsp; “It is the result of exceptional collaboration between Kansas-based industry partners and KDOT who completed the I-70 project with a high degree of skill and attention to detail.”

The Gove County project covered just over 9 miles of I-70 starting 4 miles east of Park and ending at the Trego County line. Nearly 76,000 tons of asphalt was used on the driving lanes and shoulders.

The winner and finalists are determined through a two-year evaluation process. To be eligible, projects must use more than 50,000 tons of asphalt and be selected for a NAPA Quality in Construction Award the previous year. Qualifying projects are then evaluated for smoothness and inspected in person by an independent pavement consultant.

This award is named for a founder of NAPA and the association’s first chairman. It has been presented annually since 1971.

Kansas Department of TransportationTOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Transportation’s I-70 asphalt improvement project in Gove County received the 2023 Sheldon G. Hayes Award – the top paving award from the National Asphalt Pavement Association.The award was presented this week to the project’s contractor, APAC Kansas, Inc., Shears Division, of Hutchinson, at the NAPA annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.“This award acknowledges what we Kansans have always known; Kansas contractors are second to none,” said Calvin Reed, Secretary of Transportation.&nbsp; “It is the result of exceptional collaboration between Kansas-based industry partners and KDOT who completed the I-70 project with a high degree of skill and attention to detail.”The Gove County project covered just over 9 miles of I-70 starting 4 miles east of Park and ending at the Trego County line. Nearly 76,000 tons of asphalt was used on the driving lanes and shoulders.The winner and finalists are determined through a two-year evaluation process. To be eligible, projects must use more than 50,000 tons of asphalt and be selected for a NAPA Quality in Construction Award the previous year. Qualifying projects are then evaluated for smoothness and inspected in person by an independent pavement consultant.This award is named for a founder of NAPA and the association’s first chairman. It has been presented annually since 1971.

APAC Kansas Shears Division wins national paving award

As the Ogallala Aquifer dwindles, rural towns try to keep their sole water source

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-kite/">ALLISON KITE</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/kevinhardy/">KEVIN HARDY</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

This story, the first in an occasional series about water challenges facing the American heartland, is a partnership between Stateline and the Kansas Reflector.

MOSCOW, Kan. — Brownie Wilson pulls off a remote dirt road right through a steep ditch and onto a farmer’s field.

He hops out of his white Silverado pickup, mud covering nearly all of it except the Kansas Geological Survey logo stuck on the side with electrical tape. Dry cornstalks crunch under his work boots as he makes his way to a decommissioned irrigation well.

He unspools a steel highway tape measure a few feet at a time and feeds it into the well until gravity takes over. He keeps a thumb on it to control the speed.

How much of the tape comes out wet lets him calculate how much water has been lost here.

Wilson crisscrosses western Kansas every January to measure wells and track the rapid decline of the Ogallala Aquifer,&nbsp;which contains&nbsp;the nation’s largest underground store of fresh water.

Last year, some wells had dropped 10 feet or more because of the severe 2022 drought. But this year, they stayed about the same or dropped a couple feet. Some of these wells have dropped more than 100 feet since Wilson started working for the agency in 2001, he said.

“Some of our issues looking forward look gargantuan,” Wilson said. “But I do think we can peck away at it and make some headway.”

The Ogallala Aquifer,&nbsp;the underground rock and sediment formation that&nbsp;spans eight states from South Dakota to the Texas panhandle, is the only reliable water source for some parts of the region. But for decades, states have allowed farmers to overpump groundwater to irrigate corn and other crops that would otherwise struggle on the arid High Plains.

Now, the disappearing water is threatening more than just agriculture. Rural communities are facing dire futures where water is no longer a certainty. Across the Ogallala, small towns and cities built around agriculture are facing a twisted threat: The very industry that made their communities might just eradicate them.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly acknowledges some communities are just a generation away from running out of water. But she said there’s still time to act.

“If they do nothing, I think they’re going to suffer the consequences,” Kelly said in an interview.

Today, the aquifer supports 20 percent of the nation’s wheat, corn, cotton and cattle production and represents 30 percent of all water used for irrigation&nbsp;in the United States.

Depletion is forcing aquifer-dependent communities across the region to dig deeper wells, purchase expensive water rights from farmers, build pipelines and recycle their water supplies in new ways to save every drop possible.

Since the mid-20th century, when large-scale irrigation began,&nbsp;water&nbsp;levels in the stretches of the Ogallala&nbsp;underlying Kansas have dropped an average 28.2 feet farther below the surface, far worse than the eight-state average of 16.8 feet.

Water levels in&nbsp;Texas,&nbsp;where the Ogallala&nbsp;runs under the state’s panhandle, have&nbsp;dropped 44 feet.&nbsp;New Mexico has seen a 19.1-foot decline.

In&nbsp;Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wyoming, the&nbsp;water level has declined less than&nbsp;the eight-state average, while&nbsp;in&nbsp;South Dakota it has risen.

While the Ogallala Aquifer presents distinct circumstances, tensions over groundwater are growing across the country, said climate scientist and author Peter Gleick, who founded the Pacific Institute, a global water think tank.

“You’re not alone,” Gleick told Kansas irrigators and policymakers at the Governor’s Conference on Water, held in November in Manhattan, Kan.&nbsp;“A lot of the issues that you’re dealing with in Kansas, they’re dealing with in Arizona, and the Colorado [River] basin.”

Without drastic measures, some communities may not survive.

“I think, without a doubt, we will see some communities dry up,” Gleick said in an interview. “We’ve seen that historically, where communities outgrow a natural resource or lose a natural resource and people have to move to abandon their homes.”

When Micheal Shannon got his start in local government over 40 years ago, water supplies were not top of mind.

“We’re running out of water,” said Shannon, the interim city manager in Guymon, Okla. “We’re pumping our maximum. And the water levels keep coming down.”

The largest city in the Oklahoma Panhandle, Guymon relies on 18 wells to draw water from the Ogallala. But dropping water levels have forced the city of about 13,000 to explore new wells outside of town.

The city has already committed some $4.5 million to study and drill new wells, but there’s no guarantee the wells will produce a reliable water supply.

“There’s always that what if,” he said. “There could not be any water.”

The city’s largest water user and employer is a massive pork plant that slaughters and processes more than 20,000 hogs per day. The plant has voluntarily reduced water usage by nearly half during times of shortened supply.

Shannon said the city, industry and agricultural producers must work together.

“We all still want to be here the next 35, 40 years,” he said. “We know farmers are going to have to produce ag products. And the citizens of Guymon are going to have to have water.”

More than 200 miles away, several New Mexico communities are banking on more drastic measures.

A new pipeline, expected to cost more than $800 million, will bring water from the Canadian River’s Ute Reservoir to four municipalities and Cannon Air Force Base.

“This is our future, no doubt about it,” said Orlando Ortega, administrator of the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority. “Without this project, none of these communities could exist for very long.”

The pipeline is being funded largely by the federal government, though four participating communities have been paying dues to the water authority for years. Officials aim to have the pipeline operational by the end of the decade.

Even so, communities will still need to get more aggressive about conserving water, said Michael Morris, who leads the water authority board and is mayor of Clovis, one of its member communities.

Morris is active in agricultural efforts to decrease pumping — such as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ogalwc.org/">conservation programs</a>&nbsp;in the region that pay producers to stop pumping. And the city is working to expand water recycling efforts.

But he said the situation is even more dire than locals realize. Few know how close Clovis has come to seeing its water demand outpace the underground supply.

“So is there another option?” he said. “No.”

In Kansas, the Ogallala Aquifer supplies 70 percent to 80 percent of the water residents use each day. But for decades, the state’s regulation of water benefited its largest user and its largest industry: agriculture.

The once-abundant water allowed farmers to grow cheap cattle feed, attracting the feedlots, and increasingly, dairy farms, that dot southwest Kansas.

But that feed is cheap, partly because — aside from the fuel costs associated with running a well — the water is free.

A report commissioned by the Kansas Legislature in 1955 warned of a future without it.

“Ground-water mining is a serious problem,” the report says.

After the grave 1955 warning, however, the state legislature only made it easier to pump the water, according to Burke Griggs, a water law professor at Washburn University in Topeka.

Griggs, formerly a water lawyer for the state, criticized Kansas lawmakers’ decadeslong posture that depletion would best be solved locally. He said it is a stance held by every governor since the 1980s.

“They want it to be voluntary. And they want it to be cooperative. They want to have local-based solutions,” Griggs said. “These are the catchwords you hear. None of them have achieved much.”

Kelly follows the same line. The second-term governor recently signed a law mandating more reporting and planning from groundwater management districts and created a new subcabinet to coordinate water issues across agencies. But she hasn’t wavered from her position that water conservation efforts are most effective when they are voluntary.

<h2>As the Ogallala Aquifer dwindles, rural towns try to keep their sole water source</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706560795592.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Brownie Wilson kneels next to a decommissioned irrigation well outside Moscow, Kan., as part of the Kansas Geological Survey’s efforts to measure the decline of the Ogallala Aquifer. Groundwater has been declining for decades because of irrigation in the eight states that rely on the aquifer. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Brownie Wilson kneels next to a decommissioned irrigation well outside Moscow, Kan., as part of the Kansas Geological Survey’s efforts to measure the decline of the Ogallala Aquifer. Groundwater has been declining for decades because of irrigation in the eight states that rely on the aquifer. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-kite/">ALLISON KITE</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/kevinhardy/">KEVIN HARDY</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>This story, the first in an occasional series about water challenges facing the American heartland, is a partnership between Stateline and the Kansas Reflector.MOSCOW, Kan. — Brownie Wilson pulls off a remote dirt road right through a steep ditch and onto a farmer’s field.He hops out of his white Silverado pickup, mud covering nearly all of it except the Kansas Geological Survey logo stuck on the side with electrical tape. Dry cornstalks crunch under his work boots as he makes his way to a decommissioned irrigation well.He unspools a steel highway tape measure a few feet at a time and feeds it into the well until gravity takes over. He keeps a thumb on it to control the speed.How much of the tape comes out wet lets him calculate how much water has been lost here.Wilson crisscrosses western Kansas every January to measure wells and track the rapid decline of the Ogallala Aquifer,&nbsp;which contains&nbsp;the nation’s largest underground store of fresh water.Last year, some wells had dropped 10 feet or more because of the severe 2022 drought. But this year, they stayed about the same or dropped a couple feet. Some of these wells have dropped more than 100 feet since Wilson started working for the agency in 2001, he said.“Some of our issues looking forward look gargantuan,” Wilson said. “But I do think we can peck away at it and make some headway.”The Ogallala Aquifer,&nbsp;the underground rock and sediment formation that&nbsp;spans eight states from South Dakota to the Texas panhandle, is the only reliable water source for some parts of the region. But for decades, states have allowed farmers to overpump groundwater to irrigate corn and other crops that would otherwise struggle on the arid High Plains.Now, the disappearing water is threatening more than just agriculture. Rural communities are facing dire futures where water is no longer a certainty. Across the Ogallala, small towns and cities built around agriculture are facing a twisted threat: The very industry that made their communities might just eradicate them.Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly acknowledges some communities are just a generation away from running out of water. But she said there’s still time to act.“If they do nothing, I think they’re going to suffer the consequences,” Kelly said in an interview.Today, the aquifer supports 20 percent of the nation’s wheat, corn, cotton and cattle production and represents 30 percent of all water used for irrigation&nbsp;in the United States.Depletion is forcing aquifer-dependent communities across the region to dig deeper wells, purchase expensive water rights from farmers, build pipelines and recycle their water supplies in new ways to save every drop possible.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706560868265.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Since the mid-20th century, when large-scale irrigation began,&nbsp;water&nbsp;levels in the stretches of the Ogallala&nbsp;underlying Kansas have dropped an average 28.2 feet farther below the surface, far worse than the eight-state average of 16.8 feet.Water levels in&nbsp;Texas,&nbsp;where the Ogallala&nbsp;runs under the state’s panhandle, have&nbsp;dropped 44 feet.&nbsp;New Mexico has seen a 19.1-foot decline.In&nbsp;Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wyoming, the&nbsp;water level has declined less than&nbsp;the eight-state average, while&nbsp;in&nbsp;South Dakota it has risen.While the Ogallala Aquifer presents distinct circumstances, tensions over groundwater are growing across the country, said climate scientist and author Peter Gleick, who founded the Pacific Institute, a global water think tank.“You’re not alone,” Gleick told Kansas irrigators and policymakers at the Governor’s Conference on Water, held in November in Manhattan, Kan.&nbsp;“A lot of the issues that you’re dealing with in Kansas, they’re dealing with in Arizona, and the Colorado [River] basin.”Without drastic measures, some communities may not survive.“I think, without a doubt, we will see some communities dry up,” Gleick said in an interview. “We’ve seen that historically, where communities outgrow a natural resource or lose a natural resource and people have to move to abandon their homes.”<h2>‘We’re running out of water’</h2>When Micheal Shannon got his start in local government over 40 years ago, water supplies were not top of mind.Those days are gone.“We’re running out of water,” said Shannon, the interim city manager in Guymon, Okla. “We’re pumping our maximum. And the water levels keep coming down.”The largest city in the Oklahoma Panhandle, Guymon relies on 18 wells to draw water from the Ogallala. But dropping water levels have forced the city of about 13,000 to explore new wells outside of town.The city has already committed some $4.5 million to study and drill new wells, but there’s no guarantee the wells will produce a reliable water supply.“There’s always that what if,” he said. “There could not be any water.”The city’s largest water user and employer is a massive pork plant that slaughters and processes more than 20,000 hogs per day. The plant has voluntarily reduced water usage by nearly half during times of shortened supply.Shannon said the city, industry and agricultural producers must work together.“We all still want to be here the next 35, 40 years,” he said. “We know farmers are going to have to produce ag products. And the citizens of Guymon are going to have to have water.”More than 200 miles away, several New Mexico communities are banking on more drastic measures.A new pipeline, expected to cost more than $800 million, will bring water from the Canadian River’s Ute Reservoir to four municipalities and Cannon Air Force Base.“This is our future, no doubt about it,” said Orlando Ortega, administrator of the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority. “Without this project, none of these communities could exist for very long.”The pipeline is being funded largely by the federal government, though four participating communities have been paying dues to the water authority for years. Officials aim to have the pipeline operational by the end of the decade.Even so, communities will still need to get more aggressive about conserving water, said Michael Morris, who leads the water authority board and is mayor of Clovis, one of its member communities.Morris is active in agricultural efforts to decrease pumping — such as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ogalwc.org/">conservation programs</a>&nbsp;in the region that pay producers to stop pumping. And the city is working to expand water recycling efforts.But he said the situation is even more dire than locals realize. Few know how close Clovis has come to seeing its water demand outpace the underground supply.“So is there another option?” he said. “No.”<h2>Decades of state inaction</h2>In Kansas, the Ogallala Aquifer supplies 70 percent to 80 percent of the water residents use each day. But for decades, the state’s regulation of water benefited its largest user and its largest industry: agriculture.The once-abundant water allowed farmers to grow cheap cattle feed, attracting the feedlots, and increasingly, dairy farms, that dot southwest Kansas.But that feed is cheap, partly because — aside from the fuel costs associated with running a well — the water is free.A report commissioned by the Kansas Legislature in 1955 warned of a future without it.“Ground-water mining is a serious problem,” the report says.After the grave 1955 warning, however, the state legislature only made it easier to pump the water, according to Burke Griggs, a water law professor at Washburn University in Topeka.Griggs, formerly a water lawyer for the state, criticized Kansas lawmakers’ decadeslong posture that depletion would best be solved locally. He said it is a stance held by every governor since the 1980s.“They want it to be voluntary. And they want it to be cooperative. They want to have local-based solutions,” Griggs said. “These are the catchwords you hear. None of them have achieved much.”Kelly follows the same line. The second-term governor recently signed a law mandating more reporting and planning from groundwater management districts and created a new subcabinet to coordinate water issues across agencies. But she hasn’t wavered from her position that water conservation efforts are most effective when they are voluntary.“Things are more likely to work out in the long run and succeed if there is local buy-in, and local commitment and the idea is generated locally — rather than the state wielding that heavy hammer,” Kelly said.But even some farmers want the state to step in, water policy watchers say.“Many families who are trying to make a living from farming, and who would like to keep farming on their own land, are just waiting for the state to step in and help them fix this. Most people agree that we need fair, enforceable and transparent rules to get this turned around,” said&nbsp;Lucas&nbsp;Bessire, a professor of anthropology at the University of Oklahoma who grew up in southwest Kansas.<h2>Voluntary efforts in action</h2>For the first time since their father dug an irrigation well in the dusty sandhills of southwest Kansas more than 50 years ago, Gina and Marc Gigot’s farm isn’t growing corn.The sibling farmers are trying to preserve the precious water below their land outside Garden City.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706560914560.jpeg" alt="Gina and Marc Gigot stand in front of a center pivot irrigation system on their farm outside of Garden City, Kansas. The farm has historically been among the largest water users in Kansas, but it has cut usage in recent years as part of voluntary conservation measures aimed at slowing the decline of the Ogallala Aquifer. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)" />
 <figcaption>Gina and Marc Gigot stand in front of a center pivot irrigation system on their farm outside of Garden City, Kansas. The farm has historically been among the largest water users in Kansas, but it has cut usage in recent years as part of voluntary conservation measures aimed at slowing the decline of the Ogallala Aquifer. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)</figcaption>
 </figure>For decades,&nbsp;the Gigot family has benefited from drawing groundwater to the surface to grow bright green circles of crops where the sandy soil is otherwise so dusty it might blow away.As Marc’s pickup bumps along the farm’s private roads, he and Gina point to the electric systems and water pipes laid by their father. Some of the massive center pivot systems use the same parts he installed 50 years ago.To extend the life of the aquifer, the siblings are opting for&nbsp;fewer water-intensive crops and grazing cattle. The farm has historically been among Kansas’ largest water users, irrigating 9,000 acres, but they’ve cut their usage in recent years and committed to another 10 years of voluntary water conservation.In exchange, they get more flexibility in how they use the water. As long as they hit their five-year goal, they can pump more water in drought years.Beyond that, they’re partnering with Garden City, the largest city in southwest Kansas and a major agricultural hub. Garden City’s municipal water wells sit right next door to the Gigot farm, which can directly impact the city’s ability to supply drinking water.To keep more water underground, Garden City will soon divert treated wastewater to the Gigot farm — rather than continuing to dump it into the bone-dry bed of the Arkansas River. That will allow the farm to turn off some wells.“It’s not really a situation where either the city gets what they need or the irrigators get what they need. It is way more symbiotic,” said Fred Jones, who oversees Garden City’s water.In northwest Kansas, a group of farmers voluntarily cut their water usage by 20 percent through a five-year conservation program with the state. They switched from corn to wheat or grain sorghum and used irrigation more strategically. Farmers in the area exceeded their goal and cut use, on average, 23.1 percent over the initial five-year period and slowed the decline of the aquifer from 2 feet per year to less than half a foot.Still, the Gigots said the state must force other producers to cut back.Even Kansas Farm Bureau President Joe Newland said he’s fearful that voluntary efforts aren’t enough.Newland, a former Kansas Republican legislator, offered an amendment in 2022 that effectively sank a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/01/shooting-themselves-in-the-foot-committee-guts-kansas-bill-to-protect-water/">massive bill</a>&nbsp;designed to make the aquifer a higher priority in state government, impose more requirements on local groundwater officials, and give communities a greater voice in decisions over water.In Kansas, the agricultural industry, led in part by Newland,&nbsp;has largely pushed back against aggressive water restrictions, instead calling for voluntary conservation measures. But Newland worries that those voluntary measures haven’t saved enough water, which could&nbsp;eventually&nbsp;push the state to hand down strict mandates.“I’m always hopeful and prayerful that people realize just how important it is that we’re doing this on a voluntary basis and not ever have to go through a mandatory situation,” he said. “But that’s going to be determined in the near future how this works, because, as I said, we don’t have decades to fix this problem.”<h2>Kansas towns take the lead</h2>Few places evoke the Old West like Dodge City, where Wyatt Earp patrolled the lawless streets rife with gambling, saloons and shootouts.Today, the city proudly displays remnants of those days at the Boot Hill Museum, which contains a reproduction of the legendary Long Branch Saloon and an Old West photo booth for visitors.But the former frontier outpost has embraced some of the state’s most progressive water strategies.“We were recycling before recycling was cool,” said City Manager Nick Hernandez, who highlighted water reuse efforts that began in the 1980s.Effluent from one of the city’s wastewater treatment plants keeps a golf course green. Another plant sends about 1.8 billion gallons of treated wastewater to irrigate 3,000 acres of crops at a nearby farm, reducing the need for aquifer pumping.Another project aims to directly recharge the aquifer with treated wastewater. That will not only help protect the city’s quantity of water, but also prevent contamination from agricultural runoff like nitrates by keeping the hydraulic pressure up in city wells, he said.That project is expected to cost $60 million. Dodge City, home to about 28,000 people,&nbsp;is seeking federal and state assistance for the effort. But even without grants, Hernandez said that would prove cheaper than buying water rights and digging new wells.All those projects are building toward treating the city’s sewage directly into drinkable water — still&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://stateline.org/2023/12/12/from-flush-to-faucet-more-places-look-to-turn-sewage-into-tap-water/">an emerging idea in most parts of the country.</a>&nbsp;That would allow the city to decrease demand on groundwater by continually reusing its water.“We all have a concern about the stability of the aquifer because that’s our lifeline,” said Ray Slattery, the city’s director of engineering services. “But I feel very good about where the city is, and what we’ve done in the past to conserve. We knew it was important and so we took steps way before it became a problem.”Communities such as Dodge City offer a glimpse into the future of municipal water supplies in the region, said state Rep. Jim Minnix, a Republican who represents part of western Kansas and leads the House Water Committee.Minnix,&nbsp;who raises cattle and farms both dryland and irrigated crops, said cities and farms alike must adapt. Cities need to continue embracing water recycling efforts, reduce lawn watering and encourage more efficient appliances. Farmers, he said, should embrace new technologies such as more efficient irrigation systems and drought-resistant crops.“You’d be amazed at the water quantity that’s actually being saved out there from what had been done 40, 50 years ago,” he said. “As a farmer myself, I know a lot of little things add up to something that’s really worthwhile. And to maintain our aquifer and our economy out here is absolutely worthwhile.”But the way Connie Owen, director of the Kansas Water Office, sees it, change is coming to both agricultural and municipal water users one way or another.“If we don’t adapt to different behaviors, it will run dry,” she said.&nbsp;“And that will cause the economic devastation that everyone fears with restrictions.”

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