News release from the Geary County Sheriff's Office

During weather conditions where numerous accidents occur, the Sheriff's Office can be overwhelmed by calls for service involving minor accidents.&nbsp;

-- The Geary County Sheriff's Department will not respond to non-injury accidents when the vehicles are operable.&nbsp;

-- Drivers should move to a place of safety and exchange personal and insurance information and report the accident to their insurance company as soon as possible. Then, file a report when there is property damage over $1,000.00 with the appropriate Law Enforcement agency within 48 hours.&nbsp;

-- All injury accidents and accidents that block the street due to disabled vehicles should be reported to Law Enforcement. Law Enforcement and needed Emergency personnel will respond.&nbsp;

-- As soon as caseload permits, the Sheriff's Office will go back to normal report taking.

News release from the Geary County Sheriff's Office<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703373634064.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>--During weather conditions where numerous accidents occur, the Sheriff's Office can be overwhelmed by calls for service involving minor accidents.&nbsp;Emergency reporting Procedures:-- The Geary County Sheriff's Department will not respond to non-injury accidents when the vehicles are operable.&nbsp;-- Drivers should move to a place of safety and exchange personal and insurance information and report the accident to their insurance company as soon as possible. Then, file a report when there is property damage over $1,000.00 with the appropriate Law Enforcement agency within 48 hours.&nbsp;-- All injury accidents and accidents that block the street due to disabled vehicles should be reported to Law Enforcement. Law Enforcement and needed Emergency personnel will respond.&nbsp;-- As soon as caseload permits, the Sheriff's Office will go back to normal report taking.

Geary County Sheriff Implements Emergency Accident Reporting

Winter weather has led to cancellations for Tuesday.

--The Junction City Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting will be postponed from today, January 9 to Thursday, January 11 at 5:00 P.m. at the City Office at 700 N. Jefferson.

--Geary County Senior Center is closed Tuesday.

--The Junction City Breakfast Optimist Club meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled.

--&nbsp;Junction City Family YMCA will be closed.

--Fort Riley will operate with minimal manning and limited services Tuesday due to inclement weather.

--

Due to the winter weather in the area, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USD475?__cft__[0]=AZW6p6OipSM5-x1UTDHnKGYpKxTF2orab9-x0iQfDYvbh-HLDmgtker9ZEm5rt8r5FAzNHRtKmPOQqKXEiC-jqBrS5WqrzAG9CbGcaSEf7etYISfzxKBzma_VtmMKKPfVgWnZc29wghyL0dvl807lfSF&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Geary County Schools USD 475</a> will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 9. All athletic and after-school activities are canceled.&nbsp; &nbsp;

--USD 473 Chapman will not have school on Tuesday. There will not be any activities and the Chapman Board of Education meeting has been rescheduled to Monday Jan.15 at 7 p.m.

-- Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 will be closed on Tuesday, January 9 due to anticipated weather conditions. All before and after school activities are also cancelled.

--St. Xavier Catholic School is closed. All activities are cancelled.

--USD 378 Riley County closed. All activities are cancelled.

--USD 379 Clay County closed. All activities are cancelled.

--USD 481 Rural Vista is closed. All activities are cancelled.

--USD 487 Herington closed. All activities are postponed.

--Manhattan Area Technical College will be closed Tuesday.

--Cloud County Community College campuses in Geary County and Concordia are closed. Student Services Day at the campus in Geary County has been cancelled.

--Urgent K-State Alert: Due to winter weather predictions, Manhattan and Salina campus operations are essential personnel only on Tuesday, Jan. 9. Intersession classes will not be held. Olathe campus evening activities for tonight, Jan. 8, are canceled. See updates at k-state.edu.

--The Dorothy Bramlage Public Library will delay opening on Tuesday until 11 a.m.&nbsp; Any further changes will be decided Tuesday morning.&nbsp;

--Due to the inclement weather expected later Monday and overnight, Geary County Offices (except for essential personnel) will be closed through regular business hours Tuesday, January 9.

--Konza Prairie Community Health Centers - closed all day Tuesday

--Manhattan City-operated buildings are closed&nbsp;Tuesday, January 9&nbsp;due to winter weather and blizzardlike conditions.

This includes City Hall, Municipal Court,&nbsp;<a href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=2a07ac4d9c&amp;e=8c33f27c6f" target="_blank">Flint Hills Discovery Center</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=557c47d60c&amp;e=8c33f27c6f" target="_blank">Sunset Zoo</a>, all three recreation centers, and the Ice Rink. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for the Manhattan area until&nbsp;noon Tuesday, January 9.

--Geary County Historical Society Museum will be closed Tuesday.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostWinter weather has led to cancellations for Tuesday.--The Junction City Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting will be postponed from today, January 9 to Thursday, January 11 at 5:00 P.m. at the City Office at 700 N. Jefferson.--Geary County Senior Center is closed Tuesday.--The Junction City Breakfast Optimist Club meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled.--&nbsp;Junction City Family YMCA will be closed.--Fort Riley will operate with minimal manning and limited services Tuesday due to inclement weather.--

Due to the winter weather in the area, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USD475?__cft__[0]=AZW6p6OipSM5-x1UTDHnKGYpKxTF2orab9-x0iQfDYvbh-HLDmgtker9ZEm5rt8r5FAzNHRtKmPOQqKXEiC-jqBrS5WqrzAG9CbGcaSEf7etYISfzxKBzma_VtmMKKPfVgWnZc29wghyL0dvl807lfSF&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Geary County Schools USD 475</a> will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 9. All athletic and after-school activities are canceled.&nbsp; &nbsp;--USD 473 Chapman will not have school on Tuesday. There will not be any activities and the Chapman Board of Education meeting has been rescheduled to Monday Jan.15 at 7 p.m.-- Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 will be closed on Tuesday, January 9 due to anticipated weather conditions. All before and after school activities are also cancelled.--St. Xavier Catholic School is closed. All activities are cancelled.--USD 378 Riley County closed. All activities are cancelled.--USD 329 Wabaunsee schools are closed.--USD 323 Rock Creek is closed.--USD 379 Clay County closed. All activities are cancelled.--USD 481 Rural Vista is closed. All activities are cancelled.--USD 487 Herington closed. All activities are postponed.--Manhattan Area Technical College will be closed Tuesday.--Cloud County Community College campuses in Geary County and Concordia are closed. Student Services Day at the campus in Geary County has been cancelled.--Urgent K-State Alert: Due to winter weather predictions, Manhattan and Salina campus operations are essential personnel only on Tuesday, Jan. 9. Intersession classes will not be held. Olathe campus evening activities for tonight, Jan. 8, are canceled. See updates at k-state.edu.--The Dorothy Bramlage Public Library will delay opening on Tuesday until 11 a.m.&nbsp; Any further changes will be decided Tuesday morning.&nbsp;--Due to the inclement weather expected later Monday and overnight, Geary County Offices (except for essential personnel) will be closed through regular business hours Tuesday, January 9.--Konza Prairie Community Health Centers - closed all day Tuesday--Manhattan City-operated buildings are closed&nbsp;Tuesday, January 9&nbsp;due to winter weather and blizzardlike conditions.This includes City Hall, Municipal Court,&nbsp;<a href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=2a07ac4d9c&amp;e=8c33f27c6f" target="_blank">Flint Hills Discovery Center</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=557c47d60c&amp;e=8c33f27c6f" target="_blank">Sunset Zoo</a>, all three recreation centers, and the Ice Rink. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for the Manhattan area until&nbsp;noon Tuesday, January 9.--Geary County Historical Society Museum will be closed Tuesday.

Postponements and Cancellations for Tuesday

● Snow will come to an end from west to east this morning.

● The chances for more snow Thursday night and&nbsp; into Friday are trending higher (50% to 70%).

● There is some potential (20% to 30%) of more&nbsp; &nbsp;snow on Sunday.

● Confidence is increasing for a prolonged period of bitterly cold weather Friday through Monday

● Snow will come to an end from west to east this morning.● The chances for more snow Thursday night and&nbsp; into Friday are trending higher (50% to 70%).● There is some potential (20% to 30%) of more&nbsp; &nbsp;snow on Sunday.● Confidence is increasing for a prolonged period of bitterly cold weather Friday through Monday

National Weather provides update on the snowfall 

Because of low visibility and dangerous winter weather, the Kansas Department of Transportation has closed multiple highways.&nbsp;

Motorists should anticipate more possible highway closings through the night in other counties across north central Kansas as road conditions continue to deteriorate due to heavy snowfall and high winds.

Because of low visibility and dangerous winter weather, the Kansas Department of Transportation has closed multiple highways.&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Westbound I-70 closed from Salina to the Colorado border</li><li>Eastbound I-70 closed from exit 205 in Ellsworth County to the Colorado border</li><li>K-4 closed from north of Herrington to just south of Alta Vista</li><li>K-149 closed from south of White City to U.S. 56</li>
 </ul>Motorists should anticipate more possible highway closings through the night in other counties across north central Kansas as road conditions continue to deteriorate due to heavy snowfall and high winds.

Winter weather closes some highways

Due to weather conditions, St. Francis Xavier School is closed on Tuesday, Jan. 9. All activities are cancelled.

St. Xavier School will dismiss early today at 11:45 due to weather conditions.&nbsp;

St. Xavier School release<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704735269997.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>UPDATE:Due to weather conditions, St. Francis Xavier School is closed on Tuesday, Jan. 9. All activities are cancelled.--St. Xavier School will dismiss early today at 11:45 due to weather conditions.&nbsp;

UPDATE: St. Francis Xavier School closed on Tuesday, Jan. 9

All Child Development Centers, the School Age Center and Teen Center will be closed. All fitness centers, except 24-hour gyms will be closed.

Irwin Army Community Hospital will offer in-patient services and the emergency room will be open. All appointments will be rescheduled. Medical and Dental clinics will be closed.

The Main Post Exchange will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including the food court. The BRO Express and Forsyth Express shopettes will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. All other shopettes and AAFES facilities will be closed. The Fort Riley Commissary will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Visitor Control Center will operate with normal hours, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Henry, Trooper, Four Corners and Ogden access control points will continue operating 24/7. Parker and Grant gates will be closed Tuesday.

All employees and Soldiers are urged to maintain contact with supervisors and chain of command for new information. Updates will also be posted at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FortRiley" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/FortRiley</a>, the Fort Riley website,&nbsp;<a href="https://home.army.mil/riley/" target="_blank">https://home.army.mil/riley/</a>, and on the Digital Garrison app.

All Child Development Centers, the School Age Center and Teen Center will be closed. All fitness centers, except 24-hour gyms will be closed.Irwin Army Community Hospital will offer in-patient services and the emergency room will be open. All appointments will be rescheduled. Medical and Dental clinics will be closed.The Main Post Exchange will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including the food court. The BRO Express and Forsyth Express shopettes will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. All other shopettes and AAFES facilities will be closed. The Fort Riley Commissary will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.The Visitor Control Center will operate with normal hours, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Henry, Trooper, Four Corners and Ogden access control points will continue operating 24/7. Parker and Grant gates will be closed Tuesday.All employees and Soldiers are urged to maintain contact with supervisors and chain of command for new information. Updates will also be posted at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FortRiley" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/FortRiley</a>, the Fort Riley website,&nbsp;<a href="https://home.army.mil/riley/" target="_blank">https://home.army.mil/riley/</a>, and on the Digital Garrison app.Kirk HutchinsonSupervisory Public Affairs Specialist

Fort Riley will operate with minimal manning and limited services Tuesday due to inclement weather.

Due to the winter weather in the area,&nbsp;Geary County Schools USD 475 will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 9. All athletic and after-school activities will be canceled as well.&nbsp;

All schools will remain open for the remainder of Monday. USD 475’s school board meeting originally scheduled for tonight has been moved to Thursday, Jan. 11 at 6 p.m.&nbsp;

USD 475 news release--Due to the winter weather in the area,&nbsp;Geary County Schools USD 475 will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 9. All athletic and after-school activities will be canceled as well.&nbsp;All schools will remain open for the remainder of Monday. USD 475’s school board meeting originally scheduled for tonight has been moved to Thursday, Jan. 11 at 6 p.m.&nbsp;

Geary County Schools - USD 475 closed on Tuesday, Jan. 9

MANHATTAN&nbsp;— "Come From Away" flies into town to open the spring season of popular Broadway touring shows from Kansas State University's McCain Performance Series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25.

On 9/11, the world stopped. The next day, the stories moved us all. Celebrate the best of humankind and the best in all of us at&nbsp;"Come From Away."&nbsp;This stirring and inspiring musical takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of the small town in Newfoundland that opened their homes to 7,000 stranded travelers on 9/11. During that fateful week, cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

Tickets are available online at&nbsp;<a href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">mccain.k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or at the ticket office in the McCain lobby from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays. Tickets are also available by phone at 785-532-6428 during the same hours.

K-State News and Communications Services Division of Communications and Marketing&nbsp;&nbsp;

MANHATTAN&nbsp;— "Come From Away" flies into town to open the spring season of popular Broadway touring shows from Kansas State University's McCain Performance Series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25.On 9/11, the world stopped. The next day, the stories moved us all. Celebrate the best of humankind and the best in all of us at&nbsp;"Come From Away."&nbsp;This stirring and inspiring musical takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of the small town in Newfoundland that opened their homes to 7,000 stranded travelers on 9/11. During that fateful week, cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.Tickets are available online at&nbsp;<a href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">mccain.k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or at the ticket office in the McCain lobby from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays. Tickets are also available by phone at 785-532-6428 during the same hours.K-State News and Communications Services Division of Communications and Marketing&nbsp;&nbsp;

McCain Performance Series kicks off spring Broadway season  

Due to weather, the Geary County Historical Society has cancelled their Board of Directors meeting for Monday, January 8th and it will be rescheduled for Monday, January 22nd. The museum will be closed Tuesday, January 9th.&nbsp;

Due to weather, the Geary County Historical Society has cancelled their Board of Directors meeting for Monday, January 8th and it will be rescheduled for Monday, January 22nd. The museum will be closed Tuesday, January 9th.&nbsp;

Geary County Historical Society reschedules Board of Directors meeting, Closed Tuesday

Trish Giordano has been elected by her fellow commissioners to serve as the Chair of the governing body for the coming year. Alex Tyson will be the Vice-Chair and Keith Ascher&nbsp; Secretary.

Appointments by the commission to other public boards include:

--Trish Giordano to the North Central Kansas Regional Detention Center Board, Flint Hills Regional Council and Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Board.

--Alex Tyson to the EDC, ATA Bus Board, County Risk Management Committee, the Emergency Planning Committee, Heartland Works and the Geary County Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau Board.

--Keith Ascher will serve on the MPO, Solid Waste Management Planning Committee&nbsp; and the Military Affairs Council.

--John Moyer, Tony Van Buren and Eric Coffman to the 911 Board.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640042080491.jpeg" alt="Geary County Commission Chair Trish Giordano" />
 <figcaption>Geary County Commission Chair Trish Giordano</figcaption>
 </figure>Trish Giordano has been elected by her fellow commissioners to serve as the Chair of the governing body for the coming year. Alex Tyson will be the Vice-Chair and Keith Ascher&nbsp; Secretary.Appointments by the commission to other public boards include:--Trish Giordano to the North Central Kansas Regional Detention Center Board, Flint Hills Regional Council and Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Board.--Alex Tyson to the EDC, ATA Bus Board, County Risk Management Committee, the Emergency Planning Committee, Heartland Works and the Geary County Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau Board.--Keith Ascher will serve on the MPO, Solid Waste Management Planning Committee&nbsp; and the Military Affairs Council.--John Moyer, Tony Van Buren and Eric Coffman to the 911 Board.

Geary County Commission reorganizes

Geary County Commissioners have adopted a resolution on payment of 2023 ambulance service fees totaling $505,883.83 to the City of Junction City. That is in addition to earlier payments totaling $1,004,494.96 in 2023 to the City for that service, according to County Finance Director Tami Robison.

The City and County have been trying to negotiate a settlement. The resolution now goes to the City.

Geary County Commissioners have adopted a resolution on payment of 2023 ambulance service fees totaling $505,883.83 to the City of Junction City. That is in addition to earlier payments totaling $1,004,494.96 in 2023 to the City for that service, according to County Finance Director Tami Robison.The City and County have been trying to negotiate a settlement. The resolution now goes to the City.

Commissioners adopt a resolution on 2023 ambulance fees

Due to the inclement weather expected later Monday and overnight, Geary County Offices (except for essential personnel) closed at 3:00 p.m. Monday, and will remain closed through regular business hours&nbsp; Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697561382114.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Due to the inclement weather expected later Monday and overnight, Geary County Offices (except for essential personnel) closed at 3:00 p.m. Monday, and will remain closed through regular business hours&nbsp; Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

Geary County offices closed early Monday and are closed Tuesday

Postponements and cancellations due to the winter weather.

--

Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 will be closed on Tuesday, January 9 due to anticipated weather conditions. All before and after school activities are also cancelled.

--Due to the inclement weather expected later Monday and overnight, Geary County Offices (except for essential personnel) will close at 3:00 p.m. Monday, and remain closed through regular business hours tomorrow, Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

--USD 475 Board of Education meeting is being postponed from Monday evening until 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11.

--Konza Prairie Community Health Centers - Closing at 2:00 pm Monday, closed all day Tuesday

--USD 473 Chapman will dismiss school early at 1:30 p.m. Monday and will not have school on Tuesday. There will not be any activities and the Chapman Board of Education meeting has been rescheduled to Monday Jan.15 at 7 p.m.

-- Geary County Schools USD 475 is cancelling all athletic and after school activities for Monday, Jan. 8.

--St. Xavier School will dismiss today at 11:45 due to weather conditions.&nbsp;

-- USD 378 Riley County - EARLY DISMISSAL at 11:15 am(bus riders)/11:30 am(all remaining students)

--USD 379 Clay County schools will dismiss at 1 p.m. All activities are cancelled.

--USD 417 Morris County will dismiss early at 12:10 p.m. Monday.

--Manhattan Area Technical College will close at noon Jan. 8 (Monday)

--Urgent K-State Alert: Due to winter weather predictions, K-State in Manhattan and Salina will reduce operations to essential personnel only at 3 p.m. on Jan. 8 ( Monday ). Olathe will continue normal operations.

--Cloud County Community College campuses in both Geary County and Concordia will be closed.

--USO at Fort Riley is closed due to weather

Postponements and cancellations due to the winter weather.--

Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 will be closed on Tuesday, January 9 due to anticipated weather conditions. All before and after school activities are also cancelled.--Due to the inclement weather expected later Monday and overnight, Geary County Offices (except for essential personnel) will close at 3:00 p.m. Monday, and remain closed through regular business hours tomorrow, Tuesday, January 9, 2024.--Riley County offices closed at 1 p.m.--USD 475 Board of Education meeting is being postponed from Monday evening until 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11.--Konza Prairie Community Health Centers - Closing at 2:00 pm Monday, closed all day Tuesday--USD 473 Chapman will dismiss school early at 1:30 p.m. Monday and will not have school on Tuesday. There will not be any activities and the Chapman Board of Education meeting has been rescheduled to Monday Jan.15 at 7 p.m.-- Geary County Schools USD 475 is cancelling all athletic and after school activities for Monday, Jan. 8.--St. Xavier School will dismiss today at 11:45 due to weather conditions.&nbsp;-- USD 378 Riley County - EARLY DISMISSAL at 11:15 am(bus riders)/11:30 am(all remaining students)--USD 379 Clay County schools will dismiss at 1 p.m. All activities are cancelled.--USD 417 Morris County will dismiss early at 12:10 p.m. Monday.--Manhattan Area Technical College will close at noon Jan. 8 (Monday)--Urgent K-State Alert: Due to winter weather predictions, K-State in Manhattan and Salina will reduce operations to essential personnel only at 3 p.m. on Jan. 8 ( Monday ). Olathe will continue normal operations.--Cloud County Community College campuses in both Geary County and Concordia will be closed.--USD 320 Wamego, closed--USD 323 Rock Creek closed--USO at Fort Riley is closed due to weather

Postponements and Cancellations for Monday

&nbsp;Geary County Schools USD 475 is canceling all athletic and after school activities for Monday, Jan. 8.&nbsp;

USD 475 is continuing to monitor weather forecasts throughout the day and will notify parents of any school closings or changes.

Don’t forget to opt-in to our School Messenger text message service to receive up-to-date information straight to your mobile phone about any weather information. You can participate in this free service by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to 67587.

USD 475 news release--&nbsp;Geary County Schools USD 475 is canceling all athletic and after school activities for Monday, Jan. 8.&nbsp;USD 475 is continuing to monitor weather forecasts throughout the day and will notify parents of any school closings or changes.Don’t forget to opt-in to our School Messenger text message service to receive up-to-date information straight to your mobile phone about any weather information. You can participate in this free service by sending a text message of “Y” or “Yes” to 67587.

USD 475 Cancels Athletic and After School Activities for today, Jan. 8

Confidence in higher snowfall totals along I-70 has increased slightly. Snow has changed over faster than previously anticipated.

Snow accumulating faster in portions of east-central Kansas.&nbsp;Especially along I-335

Snowfall rates this afternoon and evening could range from 1-2 inch/hour at times.

The national Weather Service said that the storm looks to unfold in two waves. The first Monday morning and early afternoon, and the second overnight tonight into Tuesday morning.

High snowfall rates and strong winds should creating adverse travel conditions, especially Monday night.

Additional snow is forecast for Friday (40% to 60% chance). Bitterly cold weather arrives to end the week.

The National Weather Service said confidence is high in rain and snow developing early Monday morning, changing to all snow by the mid morning hours..

The storm looks to unfold in two waves. The first Monday morning and early afternoon, and the second overnight Monday into Tuesday morning.

Additional snow is forecast for Friday (40% to 50% chance). Bitterly cold weather moves in to end the week.

The Winter Storm Watch has been upgraded to a&nbsp; Warning for Geary and Dickinson Counties. There is a Winter Weather Advisory for east central KS.

Confidence is high in rain and snow developing Monday morning, changing to all snow by Monday night.

High snowfall rates and strong winds should creating adverse travel conditions.

Additional snow is forecast for Friday (40% to 50% chance). Bitterly cold weather moves in to end the week

The Winter Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Warning for northern Counties. The Watch remains in effect elsewhere. Geary County is in the watch area and Riley County in the warning area.

Confidence is increasing in the potential for a winter storm to impact the region Monday into early Tuesday.

According to the National Weather Service a Winter Storm Watch is in effect for areas along and north of I-70, where there is medium confidence (40-70%) for at least 4” of snowfall.

The rest of the area still has a high chance (70-80%) of seeing accumulating snowfall.

Continue to monitor the forecast in the coming days as details become more clear.&nbsp;&nbsp;Much colder temperatures to end this week.

A strong system could bring snow Monday &amp; Tuesday.

&nbsp;This is for all of north central, northeast, and east central Kansas.

The National Weather Service said confidence is medium to high that several inches of snow will accumulate area-wide late Sunday night into early early Tuesday. At this time the highest snow amounts will be across north central KS where there is winter storm watch in effect Sunday night into early Tuesday morning.


UPDATE:Confidence in higher snowfall totals along I-70 has increased slightly. Snow has changed over faster than previously anticipated.Snow accumulating faster in portions of east-central Kansas.&nbsp;Especially along I-335Snowfall rates this afternoon and evening could range from 1-2 inch/hour at times.----The national Weather Service said that the storm looks to unfold in two waves. The first Monday morning and early afternoon, and the second overnight tonight into Tuesday morning.High snowfall rates and strong winds should creating adverse travel conditions, especially Monday night.Additional snow is forecast for Friday (40% to 60% chance). Bitterly cold weather arrives to end the week.----The National Weather Service said confidence is high in rain and snow developing early Monday morning, changing to all snow by the mid morning hours..The storm looks to unfold in two waves. The first Monday morning and early afternoon, and the second overnight Monday into Tuesday morning.High snowfall rates and strong winds should creating adverse travel conditions, especially Monday night.Additional snow is forecast for Friday (40% to 50% chance). Bitterly cold weather moves in to end the week. What Has ChangedThe Winter Storm Watch has been upgraded to a&nbsp; Warning for Geary and Dickinson Counties. There is a Winter Weather Advisory for east central KS.------Confidence is high in rain and snow developing Monday morning, changing to all snow by Monday night.The storm looks to unfold in two waves. The first Monday morning and early afternoon, and the second overnight Monday into Tuesday morning.High snowfall rates and strong winds should creating adverse travel conditions.Additional snow is forecast for Friday (40% to 50% chance). Bitterly cold weather moves in to end the weekThe Winter Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Warning for northern Counties. The Watch remains in effect elsewhere. Geary County is in the watch area and Riley County in the warning area.-----Confidence is increasing in the potential for a winter storm to impact the region Monday into early Tuesday.According to the National Weather Service a Winter Storm Watch is in effect for areas along and north of I-70, where there is medium confidence (40-70%) for at least 4” of snowfall.The rest of the area still has a high chance (70-80%) of seeing accumulating snowfall.Continue to monitor the forecast in the coming days as details become more clear.&nbsp;&nbsp;Much colder temperatures to end this week.-----A strong system could bring snow Monday &amp; Tuesday.&nbsp;This is for all of north central, northeast, and east central Kansas.The National Weather Service said confidence is medium to high that several inches of snow will accumulate area-wide late Sunday night into early early Tuesday. At this time the highest snow amounts will be across north central KS where there is winter storm watch in effect Sunday night into early Tuesday morning.

More snow is expected Monday and Tuesday

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged car theft.

Just before 5p.m. Saturday, officers filed a report for recovery of a stolen vehicle in the 4400 block of Riverpond Road in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A known male suspect test-drove a 2002 Jeep Wrangler and never returned it. Police arrested 62-year-old Barry Sullivan of Topeka on requested charges of possession of stolen property, use/possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent to use, and possession of a stimulant.&nbsp; He is being held on a total bond of $8,000, according to the RCPD.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704732693687.png" alt="Sullivan from an earlier arrest in Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Sullivan from an earlier arrest in Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged car theft.Just before 5p.m. Saturday, officers filed a report for recovery of a stolen vehicle in the 4400 block of Riverpond Road in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.A known male suspect test-drove a 2002 Jeep Wrangler and never returned it. Police arrested 62-year-old Barry Sullivan of Topeka on requested charges of possession of stolen property, use/possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent to use, and possession of a stimulant.&nbsp; He is being held on a total bond of $8,000, according to the RCPD.

RCPD: Suspect test drove SUV, didn't return it

Just before 10:30 a.m. Monday as snow fell Emergency Management said slide offs are already occurring in Geary County.  This is only the beginning.  If you can stay at home, please do so.

Road conditions are available by *511 or KanDrive app.

Just before 10:30 a.m. Monday as snow fell Emergency Management said slide offs are already occurring in Geary County. This is only the beginning. If you can stay at home, please do so.Road conditions are available by *511 or KanDrive app.

Snow update

Monthly webinars also feature women’s health topics&nbsp;

By Pat Melgares, K-State Research and Extension news service&nbsp;

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Other than resting up for the day ahead, many folks may think that nothing much happens during a good night’s sleep.&nbsp;

Yet, science proves that sleep directly affects one’s life expectancy, relationships, libido, weight, cardiovascular health and the immune system, according to Michelle Lane, the senior director for Community Wellness and Corporate Health at North Kansas City Hospital.&nbsp;

Lane is the featured speaker for the kickoff to the 2024 Living Well Wednesday series, hosted by K-State Research and Extension. Her talk – Sleep is a Superpower – is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/fcs/livingwellwed" target="_blank">available online for free</a>&nbsp;on Jan. 10 from 12:10 p.m. to 1 p.m. Pre-registration is required.&nbsp;

“Sometimes we think that sleep is a waste of time, or maybe that one thing that we can cut back on because our lives are busy and stressed,” said Sharoly Jackson, co-coordinator of K-State’s Living Well Wednesday series. “I admit that I can fall into that category myself.&nbsp;

“But what I really like about our guest speaker (Lane) is that she talks about the science behind sleep (and) why it’s so important to lay the foundation of good sleep. There is a whole lot going on while you’re sleeping that we don’t really think about.”&nbsp;

Living Well Wednesday is a virtual learning series offered by K-State family and consumer science professionals from across Kansas. Jackson said this spring’s series includes sessions on the second Wednesdays in February and March, and focusing on women’s health.&nbsp;

On Feb. 14, Joleen Zivnuska, a women’s health nurse practitioner with Prairie Health and Wellness, will give a talk titled, Women’s Health and Function Medicine, which focuses on root causes of illness in women.&nbsp;

On March 13, Priscilla Barnes, a state extension specialist and assistant profession in K-State’s Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health, will give a talk titled, Navigating Diets, Supplements and Women’s Health in a Confusing World. Barnes will focus on keys to a health and balanced diet; how and when to use supplements; and wellness tips for women.&nbsp;

Where personal health is concerned, “we do live in a confusing world,” Jackson said. “We often wonder how to make sense of all the information that’s out there, and it’s easy to slip into a place where look for what we want to hear or something that supports what we want to believe.”&nbsp;

Barnes’ talk, she added, “will address what is really rooted in science and help us navigate information related to diets.”&nbsp;

Jackson noted that Barnes’ talk also is expected to be available in Spanish later in March. Organizers also are planning to offer one of last fall’s popular sessions on baby brain development in Spanish on Jan. 17.&nbsp;

Monthly webinars also feature women’s health topics&nbsp;By Pat Melgares, K-State Research and Extension news service&nbsp;MANHATTAN, Kan. – Other than resting up for the day ahead, many folks may think that nothing much happens during a good night’s sleep.&nbsp;Yet, science proves that sleep directly affects one’s life expectancy, relationships, libido, weight, cardiovascular health and the immune system, according to Michelle Lane, the senior director for Community Wellness and Corporate Health at North Kansas City Hospital.&nbsp;Lane is the featured speaker for the kickoff to the 2024 Living Well Wednesday series, hosted by K-State Research and Extension. Her talk – Sleep is a Superpower – is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/fcs/livingwellwed" target="_blank">available online for free</a>&nbsp;on Jan. 10 from 12:10 p.m. to 1 p.m. Pre-registration is required.&nbsp;“Sometimes we think that sleep is a waste of time, or maybe that one thing that we can cut back on because our lives are busy and stressed,” said Sharoly Jackson, co-coordinator of K-State’s Living Well Wednesday series. “I admit that I can fall into that category myself.&nbsp;“But what I really like about our guest speaker (Lane) is that she talks about the science behind sleep (and) why it’s so important to lay the foundation of good sleep. There is a whole lot going on while you’re sleeping that we don’t really think about.”&nbsp;Living Well Wednesday is a virtual learning series offered by K-State family and consumer science professionals from across Kansas. Jackson said this spring’s series includes sessions on the second Wednesdays in February and March, and focusing on women’s health.&nbsp;On Feb. 14, Joleen Zivnuska, a women’s health nurse practitioner with Prairie Health and Wellness, will give a talk titled, Women’s Health and Function Medicine, which focuses on root causes of illness in women.&nbsp;On March 13, Priscilla Barnes, a state extension specialist and assistant profession in K-State’s Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health, will give a talk titled, Navigating Diets, Supplements and Women’s Health in a Confusing World. Barnes will focus on keys to a health and balanced diet; how and when to use supplements; and wellness tips for women.&nbsp;Where personal health is concerned, “we do live in a confusing world,” Jackson said. “We often wonder how to make sense of all the information that’s out there, and it’s easy to slip into a place where look for what we want to hear or something that supports what we want to believe.”&nbsp;Barnes’ talk, she added, “will address what is really rooted in science and help us navigate information related to diets.”&nbsp;Jackson noted that Barnes’ talk also is expected to be available in Spanish later in March. Organizers also are planning to offer one of last fall’s popular sessions on baby brain development in Spanish on Jan. 17.&nbsp;

Sleep is a Superpower: K-State kicks off Living Well Wednesday spring series 

Snow is coming! With that, they ask you, if you live on a snow route to park your vehicle(s) in your driveways so the snow plow can move the snow for everyone with ease. The snow routes in the city of Grandview Plaza are: Continental Drive, East &amp; West, Grandview Plaza Drive, Plaza Drive, Witt Street, State Ave, Castle Street and Speer Street 



Geary County be ready for the upcoming winter storm. Forecasts indicate the county is expecting between 4 to 6 inches of snow.  Rain will begin around 3 AM changing to snow on Monday morning  and is likely to continue until early afternoon and again overnight Monday into Tuesday morning.

Blowing and drifting snow will become the main concern.  Winds are to be up to 40 mph at times.  -If possible, avoid travel during the storm.-Expect longer travel times for commutes.-Remember: snow-covered roads significantly increase stopping distances. Please reduce your speed for safety.



Grandview Plaza Police:ALERT//REMINDERSnow is coming! With that, they ask you, if you live on a snow route to park your vehicle(s) in your driveways so the snow plow can move the snow for everyone with ease. The snow routes in the city of Grandview Plaza are: Continental Drive, East &amp; West, Grandview Plaza Drive, Plaza Drive, Witt Street, State Ave, Castle Street and Speer Street 

---Geary County Emergency Management:Prepare for Heavy Snowfall Geary County be ready for the upcoming winter storm. Forecasts indicate the county is expecting between 4 to 6 inches of snow. Rain will begin around 3 AM changing to snow on Monday morning and is likely to continue until early afternoon and again overnight Monday into Tuesday morning.Adverse Traveling Conditions Please use extreme caution.Blowing and drifting snow will become the main concern. Winds are to be up to 40 mph at times. -If possible, avoid travel during the storm.-Expect longer travel times for commutes.-Remember: snow-covered roads significantly increase stopping distances. Please reduce your speed for safety.

Authorities issue snow-related messages

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration in Junction City has been scheduled Monday Jan. 15th at 10 a.m. at the C.L. Hoover Opera House.

Fueled by Faith is the theme for the event.

The keynote speaker will be Kenyon&nbsp; 'KJ' Ladson Jr., Youth Minister and Musician.

Other speakers will include the chair of the Martin Luther King Committee, Daphne Maxwell, and the Community Charge from Brewel Currie. There will be presentations of the Coretta Scott- King Courage Award and on the Black History Trails of Geary County. There will be musical presentations and following the ceremony a Commemorative March on 7th and 8th Streets downtown.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704644995378.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration in Junction City has been scheduled Monday Jan. 15th at 10 a.m. at the C.L. Hoover Opera House.Fueled by Faith is the theme for the event.The keynote speaker will be Kenyon&nbsp; 'KJ' Ladson Jr., Youth Minister and Musician.Other speakers will include the chair of the Martin Luther King Committee, Daphne Maxwell, and the Community Charge from Brewel Currie. There will be presentations of the Coretta Scott- King Courage Award and on the Black History Trails of Geary County. There will be musical presentations and following the ceremony a Commemorative March on 7th and 8th Streets downtown.Admission to the ceremony is free.

MLK Jr. celebration is set for Jan. 15

Last week I wrote about the food sales tax change on the State level and then rolled into some general discussion about City revenue. I have seen and heard some comments about that column, and we will begin with that this week.

I saw one comment on Social Media about the drop in the State Food Sales to 2%. This person placed a copy of a receipt from a local store, and it showed the sales tax on food items at 5.25%. As we mentioned the State portion dropped to 2% and is set to go to Zero on the first day of 2025. However, the local portion stays in place. No, that is not just in Junction City, but for every city in the State of Kansas that has a local sales tax, be it City or County or both. I did a scan over the 626 cities in Kansas, and I think only 24 do not have a local sales tax. Those are very small cities where there probably is not a grocery store or food sales are extremely small. Cities such as Dexter, Liebenthal, or Cassoday. (How many know where all 3 of these cities are located in the State?) I have not added it up, but my guess is the total population of all these 24 added together is less than 5,000 people and I may be way high on that. Remember that all local sales taxes in Kansas were approved by local voters. Local sales tax regardless of that the purchase it, are often vital to local governing units.

Other comments we often hear are ones I have heard before in other cities I managed in Kansas. On the one hand we get complaints about the need for more street maintenance and replacement, but at the same time we hear complaints about the taxes being too high. I have never figured out at work or at home how we can spend more and cut revenue at the same time. Yes, we worry about cash reserves at the City, because not that many years ago this City was nearly broke and if a disaster would have occurred, it would have been difficult as even up to about 6 years ago, the City could not have issued any more General Obligation (G.O.) Debt as it had been too high, Special State Legislation was needed twice, and debt had to be lowered. To date this has been accomplished and the journey is getting shorter.

Sometimes we hear from people why should they have to pay for what occurred 15 or so years ago. The debt happened and had to be paid. Here was no choice. The City simply had to balance debt service, expenses for City operations and projects, build some cash reserves, and attempt to keep taxes as low as possible. Of course, everyone has their own opinions and does not always agree. Comes with the territory.

One question I am asked is how are City projects such as street projects are chosen. The Public Works Departments along with the consulting engineer of the City, collect data and try to address the greatest concerns. Unfortunately, there are limited resources and choices are made.

The one project I am often asked about is the work that was done on 7th Street from Jefferson to Garfield and then over to 8th Street to Eisenhower. One person that money could have been used elsewhere. This project was the idea of Live Well Geary County who obtained a grant through Pathways to a Healthy Kansas. This grant was used as a local match for grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation to construct a “Bike Boulevard”. Yes, structures were installed to “calm” traffic and make the area safer for other transportation methods. Yes, it was a change and I know there are those who like the improvements and others who totally disagree. No, these dollars could not have been used for other transportation projects in the City and did not lower the local funds available for improvements.

When the new High School was built, the City worked with the School District to install the Roundabout at K-18 that was required by KDOT. Since the City could get KDOT funds, a partnership of the City and the District to construct the roundabout and the south 1/2 mile of Blue Jay Way. Ray Way was also built due to the requirements of KDOT who did provide extra funding. The City Commission authorized debt financing some funds to build the north ½ mile. The cost was nearly $2 million, but it needed to be done. Now as more homes are being built in Sutter Woods and Sutter Highlands, these improvements are quite valuable. Sometimes money has to be spent.

There are always many choices that have to be made as the City moves forward. Care has to be not to make mistakes that take “forever” to pay off but have to be considered for the present and future of the community.

Allen Dinkel, City ManagerLast week I wrote about the food sales tax change on the State level and then rolled into some general discussion about City revenue. I have seen and heard some comments about that column, and we will begin with that this week.I saw one comment on Social Media about the drop in the State Food Sales to 2%. This person placed a copy of a receipt from a local store, and it showed the sales tax on food items at 5.25%. As we mentioned the State portion dropped to 2% and is set to go to Zero on the first day of 2025. However, the local portion stays in place. No, that is not just in Junction City, but for every city in the State of Kansas that has a local sales tax, be it City or County or both. I did a scan over the 626 cities in Kansas, and I think only 24 do not have a local sales tax. Those are very small cities where there probably is not a grocery store or food sales are extremely small. Cities such as Dexter, Liebenthal, or Cassoday. (How many know where all 3 of these cities are located in the State?) I have not added it up, but my guess is the total population of all these 24 added together is less than 5,000 people and I may be way high on that. Remember that all local sales taxes in Kansas were approved by local voters. Local sales tax regardless of that the purchase it, are often vital to local governing units.Other comments we often hear are ones I have heard before in other cities I managed in Kansas. On the one hand we get complaints about the need for more street maintenance and replacement, but at the same time we hear complaints about the taxes being too high. I have never figured out at work or at home how we can spend more and cut revenue at the same time. Yes, we worry about cash reserves at the City, because not that many years ago this City was nearly broke and if a disaster would have occurred, it would have been difficult as even up to about 6 years ago, the City could not have issued any more General Obligation (G.O.) Debt as it had been too high, Special State Legislation was needed twice, and debt had to be lowered. To date this has been accomplished and the journey is getting shorter.Sometimes we hear from people why should they have to pay for what occurred 15 or so years ago. The debt happened and had to be paid. Here was no choice. The City simply had to balance debt service, expenses for City operations and projects, build some cash reserves, and attempt to keep taxes as low as possible. Of course, everyone has their own opinions and does not always agree. Comes with the territory.One question I am asked is how are City projects such as street projects are chosen. The Public Works Departments along with the consulting engineer of the City, collect data and try to address the greatest concerns. Unfortunately, there are limited resources and choices are made.The one project I am often asked about is the work that was done on 7th Street from Jefferson to Garfield and then over to 8th Street to Eisenhower. One person that money could have been used elsewhere. This project was the idea of Live Well Geary County who obtained a grant through Pathways to a Healthy Kansas. This grant was used as a local match for grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation to construct a “Bike Boulevard”. Yes, structures were installed to “calm” traffic and make the area safer for other transportation methods. Yes, it was a change and I know there are those who like the improvements and others who totally disagree. No, these dollars could not have been used for other transportation projects in the City and did not lower the local funds available for improvements.When the new High School was built, the City worked with the School District to install the Roundabout at K-18 that was required by KDOT. Since the City could get KDOT funds, a partnership of the City and the District to construct the roundabout and the south 1/2 mile of Blue Jay Way. Ray Way was also built due to the requirements of KDOT who did provide extra funding. The City Commission authorized debt financing some funds to build the north ½ mile. The cost was nearly $2 million, but it needed to be done. Now as more homes are being built in Sutter Woods and Sutter Highlands, these improvements are quite valuable. Sometimes money has to be spent.There are always many choices that have to be made as the City moves forward. Care has to be not to make mistakes that take “forever” to pay off but have to be considered for the present and future of the community.

City Manger provides his 515 report

A changing climate looks poised to increase wildfire conditions significantly. That would compound other growing risks, such as the aggressive spread of eastern red cedars.

&nbsp;By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/people/celia-llopis-jepsen">Celia Llopis-Jepsen</a> <a href="https://www.kcur.org/">Kansas News Service</a>

A changing climate may bring many more days per year of extreme wildfire risk to Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

The findings from&nbsp;<a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023EF003823" target="_blank">a new study</a>&nbsp;also suggest people in those states should brace for more of these days at seemingly unlikely times of the year.

“Even in the winter,” said Guo Yu, an assistant research professor at the Desert Research Institute who studies precipitation and climate change. “In the future, when we have a drier and warmer winter, there’s a high probability wildfire could occur.”

Yu and his colleagues looked at the four most common North American indices that firefighting agencies use to stay alert about wildfire-prone weather.

Think of these as more advanced versions of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nwcg.gov/fpetdl/fire-danger-levels-with-smokey-bear" target="_blank">Smokey Bear fire danger levels</a>&nbsp;that parks sometimes display, he said.

The indices pull together conditions such as wind speed and humidity relative to temperature.

Researchers combined them with climate change models to project wildfire risks into the future.

This analysis suggests that by the last decade of this century, the region that includes Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas will see 30 more days per year of extreme risk for wildfire, Yu said. Today, this region typically experiences about six of these days annually.

The extra days of extreme risk will be scattered throughout the year, including more instances of these conditions in the wintertime.

Kansas dealt with just that in 2021, when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2021-12-22/kansas-ranchers-face-a-long-road-to-recovery-after-devastating-wildfires" target="_blank">the Four-County Fire</a>&nbsp;struck the Smoky Hills just two weeks before Christmas.

An&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/3b83accf-a254-45ea-a2fb-10f31bf5587c" target="_blank">extreme windstorm</a>&nbsp;with gusts up to 100 mph carried flames across more than 120,000 acres of Russell, Ellis, Osborne and Rooks counties. Scattered blazes burned thousands of acres elsewhere, with 54 wildfires starting in 34 counties on a single day.

The expected increase in wildfire-prone weather conditions highlights the importance of taking preventive measures in a region that has begun to see more destructive blazes than in decades past.

And it raises questions about how to support the already stretched firefighting agencies that protect rural areas. About 80 percent of the state’s fire departments consist entirely of&nbsp;<a href="https://agriculture.ks.gov/about-kda/wildfire-task-force" target="_blank">volunteers</a>.

When fires are small and easily contained, firefighters can get the job done quickly. But increasingly, volunteers find themselves called upon to tackle blazes that last many hours and days.

“They have jobs, they have families,” state forester Jason Hartman said earlier this fall. “They aren’t available for those longer-term (firefights) as easily as they are for the shorter-term grass fires — true grass fires — we used to have in this state.”

The landscape of Kansas and neighboring states is moving from&nbsp;<a href="https://centerforresilience.unl.edu/Woody-Plant-Encroachment" target="_blank">grassland to shrub and juniper woodland</a>, a transformation caused by humans.

Native juniper trees — commonly called&nbsp;<a href="https://agronomy.unl.edu/eastern-redcedar-science-literacy-project/invasion" target="_blank">eastern red cedars</a>&nbsp;— are spreading aggressively and greatly intensifying wildfires.

“They look like a Roman candle going off,” Hutchinson fire Capt. Troy Mueller said while training firefighters near Scott City last April. “A 30-foot, 40-foot tall cedar tree … will have 50-, 60-foot flame lengths above the top of the tree and can throw an ember out into the grass a quarter mile (away) and start another fire.”

<a href="https://agriculture.ks.gov/about-kda/wildfire-task-force" target="_blank">A recent report</a>&nbsp;issued by a new task force on wildfire in Kansas calls for helping communities and landowners beat back these trees.

It also calls for clear regulation of certain kinds of poorly maintained, rural power lines that are suspected of starting some wildfires.

The new study led by Yu shows that climate change will likely make risky situations such as juniper expansion and sagging power lines even riskier. The study appeared in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023EF003823" target="_blank">Earth’s Future</a>.

Major fires increasing on the Great Plains

Large wildfires have become more common on the Great Plains in recent decades, researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln&nbsp;<a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2017GL072901" target="_blank">concluded in 2017</a>.

Some of the biggest recorded blazes in Kansas happened in the past decade:

The biggest — the March 2017 Starbuck fire — and other fires that ignited at about the same time burned more than 2 million acres across Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Eastern red cedars played a significant role in intensifying the 2016 and 2017 fires, the state’s wildfire task force said.

“Over the last 20-plus years,” the panel wrote, “the Kansas landscape has evolved in a manner that creates greater risks for wildfires that are almost impossible to contain during dry and windy conditions.”

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has created a&nbsp;<a href="https://agronomy.unl.edu/eastern-redcedar-science-literacy-project" target="_blank">public education campaign</a>&nbsp;to help residents of the Great Plains understand why junipers are spreading, and the reasons for concern. And the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has launched the Great Plains Grassland Initiative to help&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/kansas/ks-great-plains-grassland-initiative" target="_blank">ranchers in Kansas</a>, Nebraska and Oklahoma combat the trees.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704488532134.png" alt="Mark Penner, of the Kansas Forest Service, helps carry out a controlled fire on property owned by the University of Kansas in November. Prescribed burns help keep habitat healthy and make wildfires less dangerous.&nbsp;Celia Llopis-Jepsen/Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Mark Penner, of the Kansas Forest Service, helps carry out a controlled fire on property owned by the University of Kansas in November. Prescribed burns help keep habitat healthy and make wildfires less dangerous.&nbsp;Celia Llopis-Jepsen/Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A changing climate looks poised to increase wildfire conditions significantly. That would compound other growing risks, such as the aggressive spread of eastern red cedars.</h2>&nbsp;By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/people/celia-llopis-jepsen">Celia Llopis-Jepsen</a> <a href="https://www.kcur.org/">Kansas News Service</a>A changing climate may bring many more days per year of extreme wildfire risk to Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.The findings from&nbsp;<a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023EF003823" target="_blank">a new study</a>&nbsp;also suggest people in those states should brace for more of these days at seemingly unlikely times of the year.“Even in the winter,” said Guo Yu, an assistant research professor at the Desert Research Institute who studies precipitation and climate change. “In the future, when we have a drier and warmer winter, there’s a high probability wildfire could occur.”Yu and his colleagues looked at the four most common North American indices that firefighting agencies use to stay alert about wildfire-prone weather.Think of these as more advanced versions of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nwcg.gov/fpetdl/fire-danger-levels-with-smokey-bear" target="_blank">Smokey Bear fire danger levels</a>&nbsp;that parks sometimes display, he said.The indices pull together conditions such as wind speed and humidity relative to temperature.Researchers combined them with climate change models to project wildfire risks into the future.This analysis suggests that by the last decade of this century, the region that includes Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas will see 30 more days per year of extreme risk for wildfire, Yu said. Today, this region typically experiences about six of these days annually.The extra days of extreme risk will be scattered throughout the year, including more instances of these conditions in the wintertime.Kansas dealt with just that in 2021, when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2021-12-22/kansas-ranchers-face-a-long-road-to-recovery-after-devastating-wildfires" target="_blank">the Four-County Fire</a>&nbsp;struck the Smoky Hills just two weeks before Christmas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704488698235.png" alt="An excavator lowers dead cattle into a burial pit in the Smoky Hills in 2021 after the Four-County Fire swept through this ranching region, including Ellis County, too fast to protect livestock.&nbsp;David Condos/Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>An excavator lowers dead cattle into a burial pit in the Smoky Hills in 2021 after the Four-County Fire swept through this ranching region, including Ellis County, too fast to protect livestock.&nbsp;David Condos/Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>An&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/3b83accf-a254-45ea-a2fb-10f31bf5587c" target="_blank">extreme windstorm</a>&nbsp;with gusts up to 100 mph carried flames across more than 120,000 acres of Russell, Ellis, Osborne and Rooks counties. Scattered blazes burned thousands of acres elsewhere, with 54 wildfires starting in 34 counties on a single day.<h2>Fire agencies are stretched thin</h2>The expected increase in wildfire-prone weather conditions highlights the importance of taking preventive measures in a region that has begun to see more destructive blazes than in decades past.And it raises questions about how to support the already stretched firefighting agencies that protect rural areas. About 80 percent of the state’s fire departments consist entirely of&nbsp;<a href="https://agriculture.ks.gov/about-kda/wildfire-task-force" target="_blank">volunteers</a>.When fires are small and easily contained, firefighters can get the job done quickly. But increasingly, volunteers find themselves called upon to tackle blazes that last many hours and days.“They have jobs, they have families,” state forester Jason Hartman said earlier this fall. “They aren’t available for those longer-term (firefights) as easily as they are for the shorter-term grass fires — true grass fires — we used to have in this state.”The landscape of Kansas and neighboring states is moving from&nbsp;<a href="https://centerforresilience.unl.edu/Woody-Plant-Encroachment" target="_blank">grassland to shrub and juniper woodland</a>, a transformation caused by humans.Native juniper trees — commonly called&nbsp;<a href="https://agronomy.unl.edu/eastern-redcedar-science-literacy-project/invasion" target="_blank">eastern red cedars</a>&nbsp;— are spreading aggressively and greatly intensifying wildfires.“They look like a Roman candle going off,” Hutchinson fire Capt. Troy Mueller said while training firefighters near Scott City last April. “A 30-foot, 40-foot tall cedar tree … will have 50-, 60-foot flame lengths above the top of the tree and can throw an ember out into the grass a quarter mile (away) and start another fire.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704488897217.png" alt="As birds carry seeds away from a grove of eastern red cedars, saplings pop up across this Flint Hills grassland in Morris County. Areas that aren’t burned regularly convert into juniper woodland.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ryan Armbrust/Kansas Forest Service" />
 <figcaption>As birds carry seeds away from a grove of eastern red cedars, saplings pop up across this Flint Hills grassland in Morris County. Areas that aren’t burned regularly convert into juniper woodland.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ryan Armbrust/Kansas Forest Service</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://agriculture.ks.gov/about-kda/wildfire-task-force" target="_blank">A recent report</a>&nbsp;issued by a new task force on wildfire in Kansas calls for helping communities and landowners beat back these trees.It also calls for clear regulation of certain kinds of poorly maintained, rural power lines that are suspected of starting some wildfires.The new study led by Yu shows that climate change will likely make risky situations such as juniper expansion and sagging power lines even riskier. The study appeared in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023EF003823" target="_blank">Earth’s Future</a>.<h2>Major fires increasing on the Great Plains</h2>Large wildfires have become more common on the Great Plains in recent decades, researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln&nbsp;<a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2017GL072901" target="_blank">concluded in 2017</a>.Some of the biggest recorded blazes in Kansas happened in the past decade:<ul>
 <li>March 2016: Anderson Creek Fire (280,000 acres).</li><li>March 2017: Starbuck Fire (460,000 acres).</li><li>December 2021: Four-County Fire (120,000 acres).</li>
 </ul>The biggest — the March 2017 Starbuck fire — and other fires that ignited at about the same time burned more than 2 million acres across Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Eastern red cedars played a significant role in intensifying the 2016 and 2017 fires, the state’s wildfire task force said.“Over the last 20-plus years,” the panel wrote, “the Kansas landscape has evolved in a manner that creates greater risks for wildfires that are almost impossible to contain during dry and windy conditions.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704488988003.jpeg" alt="The evergreens spreading into these deciduous woods in Riley County are eastern red cedars. In dry, windy weather, these junipers make the woods more prone to fast-moving, hard-to-stop crown fires.&nbsp;Ryan Armbrust/Kansas Forest Service" />
 <figcaption>The evergreens spreading into these deciduous woods in Riley County are eastern red cedars. In dry, windy weather, these junipers make the woods more prone to fast-moving, hard-to-stop crown fires.&nbsp;Ryan Armbrust/Kansas Forest Service</figcaption>
 </figure>The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has created a&nbsp;<a href="https://agronomy.unl.edu/eastern-redcedar-science-literacy-project" target="_blank">public education campaign</a>&nbsp;to help residents of the Great Plains understand why junipers are spreading, and the reasons for concern. And the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has launched the Great Plains Grassland Initiative to help&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/kansas/ks-great-plains-grassland-initiative" target="_blank">ranchers in Kansas</a>, Nebraska and Oklahoma combat the trees.<h2>What can Kansas and its residents do?</h2>Many ranchers, especially in the Flint Hills, use controlled fires to fight the junipers that otherwise eat up their rangeland.But some landowners don’t have the means to combat the trees, even if they want to.And plenty of people outside the ranching industry enjoy the trees and allow them to spread, creating tension at times among neighbors.Often homeowners like the privacy these dense evergreens create, so they aren’t necessarily bothered by the increase in juniper woods hugging their suburban neighborhoods and semirural ranchettes.But in March 2022, wildfire struck juniper-packed suburbs in Reno County. More than 6,000 acres burned. One person died and more than 100 buildings, including 36 homes, were destroyed.The wildfire task force says all those eastern red cedars made it hard to stop the flames.Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly created the task force in 2022. Its November report encourages state and federal agencies to control problem species on their property — along highways, for example. And it calls for helping private landowners do the same.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704489093722.png" alt="Homes on the outskirts of Manhattan overlook a gully of eastern red cedars and prairie.&nbsp;Celia Llopis-Jepsen/Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Homes on the outskirts of Manhattan overlook a gully of eastern red cedars and prairie.&nbsp;Celia Llopis-Jepsen/Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>The task force recommends more resources, equipment and training for firefighters and local burn associations that carry out controlled blazes called prescribed fire.The Kansas Forest Service should get more state funding to that end, it says, and to help the agency coordinate community wildfire protection plans.Federal grants can help communities and landowners take prevention measures, but these often require matching funds to qualify. The report suggests the state government could help out.It also says documenting the causes of all wildfires — “no matter how small or large” — could help guide prevention measures. Many Kansas wildfires go uninvestigated.In particular, the task force found a common suspicion that some wildfires are started by poorly maintained, rural power lines that carry electricity to facilities such as oil fields and that are not owned by utilities.It recommends putting the Kansas Corporation Commission, which oversees the energy industry in Kansas, in charge of regulating the situation.