<a href="https://www.gchcf.org/">Geary Community Health Care&nbsp; Foundation</a> executive Director Tracy Geisler joins me to talk about the future of the foundation following the acquisition of the former Geary Community Hospital by the Stormont Vale Regional Health System.&nbsp; She also looks back at the "70s Music Adult Night Out" event and ahead to the&nbsp; Fall Classic Golf Tournament and the Holiday&nbsp; Glitz events and the programs and organizations that will benefit from the money raised.

<div><iframe title="Edpisode 4: Geary Community Health Care Foundation." allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=xuwte-1455fcc-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=60a0c8" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>BY JERRY BRECHEISEN<a href="https://www.gchcf.org/">Geary Community Health Care&nbsp; Foundation</a> executive Director Tracy Geisler joins me to talk about the future of the foundation following the acquisition of the former Geary Community Hospital by the Stormont Vale Regional Health System.&nbsp; She also looks back at the "70s Music Adult Night Out" event and ahead to the&nbsp; Fall Classic Golf Tournament and the Holiday&nbsp; Glitz events and the programs and organizations that will benefit from the money raised.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689267680975.jpeg" alt="" />
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🎙: Paradox Coffee and Bistro "Coffee Talk" - Geary  Community Healthcare  Foundation

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 6a.m. Thursday in Manhattan.

According to the Riley County Police Department activity report, a Nissan Sentra driven by Debra Palmer, 63, of Manhattan rear-ended a Honda motorcycle driven by Richard Pena, 35, of Atlanta, Georgia,&nbsp;near the intersection of Claflin and Hylton Heights Roads in Manhattan.

EMS transported Pena to Via Christi for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Palmer was issued a citation for inattentive driving.

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 6a.m. Thursday in Manhattan.According to the Riley County Police Department activity report, a Nissan Sentra driven by Debra Palmer, 63, of Manhattan rear-ended a Honda motorcycle driven by Richard Pena, 35, of Atlanta, Georgia,&nbsp;near the intersection of Claflin and Hylton Heights Roads in Manhattan.EMS transported Pena to Via Christi for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Palmer was issued a citation for inattentive driving.

Man hospitalized after car rear-ends motorcycle in Manhattan

This is day 11 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

Northwest Kansas has been struggling to get into a harvest rhythm. With high humidity and scattered showers, combines can’t begin rolling until mid-afternoon in most cases. Overall, harvest is getting started about 10 days to two weeks later than normal. Multiple thunderstorms have come through the area, bringing with them large hail and causing significant losses in wheat fields that are just teetering on being dry enough to harvest.

Lisa Schemm from Sharon Springs reports that their harvest started on July 4, about 10 days later than normal. They still have about six days of harvest left when fields dry out, but they’ve been struggling with high moisture and finding fields that are ready.&nbsp;

“This has been one of the latest harvests to get started,” Schemm said, noting it will be, by far, the latest to finish.

Yields have ranged from 30 bushels per acre on fields with hail damage to 55 bushels per acre on dryland to 87 bushels per acre on irrigated land. Test weights have held steady at 60 to 61 pounds, for now. Protein is 12 percent and better.

The Schemm family is fighting weeds and suckerheads, which have been continuing to stall their harvest. Their harvest crew is test cutting several fields but finding moisture is still too high. While annual rainfall averages 18 to 20 inches in their area, they have received all of that average rainfall since mid-May. However, when it comes as quickly as it has, the soils can’t absorb it and benefit as much as they would if it came a little at a time.

Schemm says they planted a little later than others in the area, which may be contributing to their late harvest, but mostly it is caused by the late suckerheads, which are now even taller than the rest of the field, and the high humidity in the area. Their custom harvest crew is strung out across Kansas, with some in Ulysses and others in Sharon Springs. But both crews are struggling to find wheat that’s dry enough to cut. They are scheduled to move on to Montana at the end of next week.

“Why would harvesters want to stay here and wait for it to dry out when there’s good wheat to cut in Montana?” Schemm asked. Even their best wheat has five-foot tall kochia to go along with it. Farmers are having a hard time getting the weeds under control.

In Dodge City, Mike Schmidt, operations manager for Pride Ag Resources, reports harvest started a week late on June 20, but the first big day of cutting was June 26. They received a rain on July 4 and ever since then, harvest has been slow to pick up the pace.&nbsp;

Proteins have been all over the board, reaching as low as 7 to 11 percent, and as high as 14 percent. Test weights started out strong, reaching as high as 63 to 64 pounds per bushel; however, as harvest progresses, the test weights have gone down and they are now seeing test weights around 59 to 60 pounds per bushel.&nbsp;

Back in April around Easter, the area received rain in the northern portion of their territory. This saved some fields and got the crop over the hump to potentially be harvested. The southern half was not as fortunate and missed those rain events.&nbsp;

Some farmers in the area have had to control weeds, which not only pushes off harvest, but is yet another costly input to apply to a very short crop.&nbsp;

Although they have not reached Schmidt’s projection yet, he anticipates seeing a third of the wheat they usually bring in. It is still early yet, however, since there are lots of acres left to be cut.&nbsp;

Wheat that comes into the Dodge City facility usually goes to the gulf for export, but not currently. Instead, this wheat will be loaded onto trains to either go to Wichita mills, terminals or off to California.&nbsp;

In North Central Kansas, Mike Jordan from Mitchell County reports that they finished up their harvest on July 4.

“We were some of the last to finish; everybody around us was done around the 4 and 5 of July,” he explained. Jordan says that about one-third of all the fields in his area were abandoned due to thin and weedy wheat. They did not see any hail damage on their crop.&nbsp;

Jordan reports that he was getting good proteins on his wheat, ranging from 13 to 16 percent. They sacrificed yields for this high protein; however, those being just about 12 bushels per acre. His whole farm average landed in the teens this year, unable to pull through the abnormal weather and the effects of these changing patterns.&nbsp;

All of Jordan’s fields are no-till, and he said that some in the area have had continuous wheat yielding in the 30’s, with some even breaking 40 bushels per acre.

“If you wanted to walk across the fields stepping on the wheat plants along the way, you would be doing a lot of jumping,” Jordan notes. In Jordan’s years of farming, he says that he hasn’t experienced a wheat crop this bad since 1989.

“We are really just living rain to rain at this point,” he laments. He continues to say that, although their wheat crop struggled, there is corn in the area that could turn out well. Jordan is quick to acknowledge that, despite this discouraging wheat crop, there is hope for this year for surrounding farmers.

The 2023 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on Twitter, use #wheatharvest23. Tag us at @kansaswheat on&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tWbdFVo7xwMQkKtT6aWcV_x7VQUjoYmp13_Ynsq9AcuBArMrRkz-gCMxpSLsI3KM8StiA8-l9PZM_ugNNiUJaIss_NU1PoPPABF2r8xPoO7_Oa7vHDQztLM7D__UAOzeREBVKEfew9j2kJ34xLA4ZQXRO_toAlAV&amp;c=mB7Pyxt7UR6V_vqyBdlPPibbSckms_Rs4RQ1Gx2anQZJCO9kk8S4CA==&amp;ch=dqi1vYJoRPje-POOdsbzzToChliW1BY4dToY6i5a2-k60-sxvBVSjQ==" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tWbdFVo7xwMQkKtT6aWcV_x7VQUjoYmp13_Ynsq9AcuBArMrRkz-gAiN2xqCmdyzpMr0gVDXTVOiAcmej9_1G0G3XG942Ps4nXnrQ30CAQXY5KmZvRzyL5Gtesttc45h1Y9Hr8a-deEwOyXtAgEEEObc4Y8VJMay&amp;c=mB7Pyxt7UR6V_vqyBdlPPibbSckms_Rs4RQ1Gx2anQZJCO9kk8S4CA==&amp;ch=dqi1vYJoRPje-POOdsbzzToChliW1BY4dToY6i5a2-k60-sxvBVSjQ==" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tWbdFVo7xwMQkKtT6aWcV_x7VQUjoYmp13_Ynsq9AcuBArMrRkz-gADsKq_abayykAwss3G3qW5d10yE1GCaadcHFhAAijMULJBpq0x1h8l01zKAdxaugrLySHtT0-SZaxcFsm4_yKw1xkldnv17twxdQkirdDCa&amp;c=mB7Pyxt7UR6V_vqyBdlPPibbSckms_Rs4RQ1Gx2anQZJCO9kk8S4CA==&amp;ch=dqi1vYJoRPje-POOdsbzzToChliW1BY4dToY6i5a2-k60-sxvBVSjQ==" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

Kansas WheatThis is day 11 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.Northwest Kansas has been struggling to get into a harvest rhythm. With high humidity and scattered showers, combines can’t begin rolling until mid-afternoon in most cases. Overall, harvest is getting started about 10 days to two weeks later than normal. Multiple thunderstorms have come through the area, bringing with them large hail and causing significant losses in wheat fields that are just teetering on being dry enough to harvest.Lisa Schemm from Sharon Springs reports that their harvest started on July 4, about 10 days later than normal. They still have about six days of harvest left when fields dry out, but they’ve been struggling with high moisture and finding fields that are ready.&nbsp;“This has been one of the latest harvests to get started,” Schemm said, noting it will be, by far, the latest to finish.Yields have ranged from 30 bushels per acre on fields with hail damage to 55 bushels per acre on dryland to 87 bushels per acre on irrigated land. Test weights have held steady at 60 to 61 pounds, for now. Protein is 12 percent and better.The Schemm family is fighting weeds and suckerheads, which have been continuing to stall their harvest. Their harvest crew is test cutting several fields but finding moisture is still too high. While annual rainfall averages 18 to 20 inches in their area, they have received all of that average rainfall since mid-May. However, when it comes as quickly as it has, the soils can’t absorb it and benefit as much as they would if it came a little at a time.Schemm says they planted a little later than others in the area, which may be contributing to their late harvest, but mostly it is caused by the late suckerheads, which are now even taller than the rest of the field, and the high humidity in the area. Their custom harvest crew is strung out across Kansas, with some in Ulysses and others in Sharon Springs. But both crews are struggling to find wheat that’s dry enough to cut. They are scheduled to move on to Montana at the end of next week.“Why would harvesters want to stay here and wait for it to dry out when there’s good wheat to cut in Montana?” Schemm asked. Even their best wheat has five-foot tall kochia to go along with it. Farmers are having a hard time getting the weeds under control.In Dodge City, Mike Schmidt, operations manager for Pride Ag Resources, reports harvest started a week late on June 20, but the first big day of cutting was June 26. They received a rain on July 4 and ever since then, harvest has been slow to pick up the pace.&nbsp;Proteins have been all over the board, reaching as low as 7 to 11 percent, and as high as 14 percent. Test weights started out strong, reaching as high as 63 to 64 pounds per bushel; however, as harvest progresses, the test weights have gone down and they are now seeing test weights around 59 to 60 pounds per bushel.&nbsp;Back in April around Easter, the area received rain in the northern portion of their territory. This saved some fields and got the crop over the hump to potentially be harvested. The southern half was not as fortunate and missed those rain events.&nbsp;Some farmers in the area have had to control weeds, which not only pushes off harvest, but is yet another costly input to apply to a very short crop.&nbsp;Although they have not reached Schmidt’s projection yet, he anticipates seeing a third of the wheat they usually bring in. It is still early yet, however, since there are lots of acres left to be cut.&nbsp;Wheat that comes into the Dodge City facility usually goes to the gulf for export, but not currently. Instead, this wheat will be loaded onto trains to either go to Wichita mills, terminals or off to California.&nbsp;In North Central Kansas, Mike Jordan from Mitchell County reports that they finished up their harvest on July 4.“We were some of the last to finish; everybody around us was done around the 4 and 5 of July,” he explained. Jordan says that about one-third of all the fields in his area were abandoned due to thin and weedy wheat. They did not see any hail damage on their crop.&nbsp;Jordan reports that he was getting good proteins on his wheat, ranging from 13 to 16 percent. They sacrificed yields for this high protein; however, those being just about 12 bushels per acre. His whole farm average landed in the teens this year, unable to pull through the abnormal weather and the effects of these changing patterns.&nbsp;All of Jordan’s fields are no-till, and he said that some in the area have had continuous wheat yielding in the 30’s, with some even breaking 40 bushels per acre.“If you wanted to walk across the fields stepping on the wheat plants along the way, you would be doing a lot of jumping,” Jordan notes. In Jordan’s years of farming, he says that he hasn’t experienced a wheat crop this bad since 1989.“We are really just living rain to rain at this point,” he laments. He continues to say that, although their wheat crop struggled, there is corn in the area that could turn out well. Jordan is quick to acknowledge that, despite this discouraging wheat crop, there is hope for this year for surrounding farmers.The 2023 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on Twitter, use #wheatharvest23. Tag us at @kansaswheat on&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tWbdFVo7xwMQkKtT6aWcV_x7VQUjoYmp13_Ynsq9AcuBArMrRkz-gCMxpSLsI3KM8StiA8-l9PZM_ugNNiUJaIss_NU1PoPPABF2r8xPoO7_Oa7vHDQztLM7D__UAOzeREBVKEfew9j2kJ34xLA4ZQXRO_toAlAV&amp;c=mB7Pyxt7UR6V_vqyBdlPPibbSckms_Rs4RQ1Gx2anQZJCO9kk8S4CA==&amp;ch=dqi1vYJoRPje-POOdsbzzToChliW1BY4dToY6i5a2-k60-sxvBVSjQ==" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tWbdFVo7xwMQkKtT6aWcV_x7VQUjoYmp13_Ynsq9AcuBArMrRkz-gAiN2xqCmdyzpMr0gVDXTVOiAcmej9_1G0G3XG942Ps4nXnrQ30CAQXY5KmZvRzyL5Gtesttc45h1Y9Hr8a-deEwOyXtAgEEEObc4Y8VJMay&amp;c=mB7Pyxt7UR6V_vqyBdlPPibbSckms_Rs4RQ1Gx2anQZJCO9kk8S4CA==&amp;ch=dqi1vYJoRPje-POOdsbzzToChliW1BY4dToY6i5a2-k60-sxvBVSjQ==" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tWbdFVo7xwMQkKtT6aWcV_x7VQUjoYmp13_Ynsq9AcuBArMrRkz-gADsKq_abayykAwss3G3qW5d10yE1GCaadcHFhAAijMULJBpq0x1h8l01zKAdxaugrLySHtT0-SZaxcFsm4_yKw1xkldnv17twxdQkirdDCa&amp;c=mB7Pyxt7UR6V_vqyBdlPPibbSckms_Rs4RQ1Gx2anQZJCO9kk8S4CA==&amp;ch=dqi1vYJoRPje-POOdsbzzToChliW1BY4dToY6i5a2-k60-sxvBVSjQ==" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

Day 11, Kansas Wheat Harvest Report

Junction City / Geary County Military Affairs Council will host their monthly breakfast July 27th at the convention center. Check-in begins at 7 a.m. with breakfast from 7:30 - 9 a.m. Tickets are $20.

The speaker will be Bud Pettigrew, Commissioner, American Battle Monuments Commission. Register online at www.jcacc.org/mac-breakfast or to mac@jcacc.org by 4 p.m. Friday, July 21st.

Junction City / Geary County Military Affairs Council will host their monthly breakfast July 27th at the convention center. Check-in begins at 7 a.m. with breakfast from 7:30 - 9 a.m. Tickets are $20.The speaker will be Bud Pettigrew, Commissioner, American Battle Monuments Commission. Register online at www.jcacc.org/mac-breakfast or to mac@jcacc.org by 4 p.m. Friday, July 21st.

MAC Breakfast will feature  an American Battle Monuments commissioner

&nbsp;Junction&nbsp;City&nbsp;Water Department’s customer service window located in the lobby of the Municipal Building will be closing at 3:00PM on July 19th and all day on July 20th for software upgrades. Payments can still be made by utilizing the following options. 1. Drop box (located outside building) 2. Online at www.municipalpayments.com/junctioncityks 3. Pay by phone with the IVR system at 888-730-7263 No in person payments will be accepted during this time. Customers with questions should call the&nbsp;City&nbsp;of&nbsp;Junction&nbsp;City, Customer Service Department at 785-238-3103&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;Junction&nbsp;City&nbsp;Water Department’s customer service window located in the lobby of the Municipal Building will be closing at 3:00PM on July 19th and all day on July 20th for software upgrades. Payments can still be made by utilizing the following options. 1. Drop box (located outside building) 2. Online at www.municipalpayments.com/junctioncityks 3. Pay by phone with the IVR system at 888-730-7263 No in person payments will be accepted during this time. Customers with questions should call the&nbsp;City&nbsp;of&nbsp;Junction&nbsp;City, Customer Service Department at 785-238-3103&nbsp;&nbsp;

Junction City customer service window will temporarily close for software upgrades

Fort Riley will conduct an energy resilience readiness exercise, referred to as&nbsp;Black&nbsp;Start, July 26.&nbsp;Black&nbsp;Start&nbsp;is designed to test the installation’s emergency and standby energy generation systems, key infrastructure, and equipment.

Congress has mandated that the Department of Defense services test the ability to operate without power in an emergency.&nbsp;Senior officials will learn from exercise outcomes about the infrastructure needs for crucial installation missions in the event of a power loss.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The exercise will&nbsp;start&nbsp;at 4 a.m. and continue until 1 p.m. Many facilities can expect power to&nbsp;start&nbsp;returning within 30 minutes to two hours after the initial&nbsp;blackout.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Black&nbsp;Start&nbsp;Exercise will be rolled into Fort Riley’s annual full-scale exercise which tests the post’s emergency preparedness and provides training for the post and community partners involved in the exercise.

In addition to the planned power outage, residents, employees, and community members can expect an increase in emergency response traffic on Fort Riley and multiple emergency notifications, including “Giant Voice” loudspeaker announcements. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689289738546.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Fort Riley will conduct an energy resilience readiness exercise, referred to as&nbsp;Black&nbsp;Start, July 26.&nbsp;Black&nbsp;Start&nbsp;is designed to test the installation’s emergency and standby energy generation systems, key infrastructure, and equipment.Congress has mandated that the Department of Defense services test the ability to operate without power in an emergency.&nbsp;Senior officials will learn from exercise outcomes about the infrastructure needs for crucial installation missions in the event of a power loss.&nbsp;&nbsp;The exercise will&nbsp;start&nbsp;at 4 a.m. and continue until 1 p.m. Many facilities can expect power to&nbsp;start&nbsp;returning within 30 minutes to two hours after the initial&nbsp;blackout.&nbsp;&nbsp;The&nbsp;Black&nbsp;Start&nbsp;Exercise will be rolled into Fort Riley’s annual full-scale exercise which tests the post’s emergency preparedness and provides training for the post and community partners involved in the exercise.In addition to the planned power outage, residents, employees, and community members can expect an increase in emergency response traffic on Fort Riley and multiple emergency notifications, including “Giant Voice” loudspeaker announcements. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fort Riley will conduct a Black Start Exercise

The Junction City Rodeo will be held Friday&nbsp; night despite the afternoon rain. Rodeo officials confirmed the show will go on!

Geary County 4-H Fairgrounds Arena at 1025 Spring Valley Rd. will be the site of the Junction City Rodeo Friday and Saturday evenings. Cody Hutchinson, Rodeo Association Vice-President, said activities will range from bull riding and bronc riding to team roping. "It's an open rodeo. Anybody can come participate in it. "

Adult advance tickets are $9 at Messenger Total Promotions, Stacy's Restaurant and Rittels. For children 6-12 they are $4 and $5 at the gate. Children 5 and under admitted free.

Kraft Rodeo provides the livestock for the rodeo.

Friday evening is Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night and there will be a Special Needs Rodeo from 10 a.m. ten a.m. until noon Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625928939385.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Junction City Rodeo will be held Friday&nbsp; night despite the afternoon rain. Rodeo officials confirmed the show will go on!------Geary County 4-H Fairgrounds Arena at 1025 Spring Valley Rd. will be the site of the Junction City Rodeo Friday and Saturday evenings. Cody Hutchinson, Rodeo Association Vice-President, said activities will range from bull riding and bronc riding to team roping. "It's an open rodeo. Anybody can come participate in it. "Adult advance tickets are $9 at Messenger Total Promotions, Stacy's Restaurant and Rittels. For children 6-12 they are $4 and $5 at the gate. Children 5 and under admitted free.Kraft Rodeo provides the livestock for the rodeo.Friday evening is Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night and there will be a Special Needs Rodeo from 10 a.m. ten a.m. until noon Saturday.

Junction City Rodeo runs two nights

Junction City Public Works made an announcement at 11:25 a.m. Thursday. Continued water repairs at 13th &amp; Monroe will occur. Residents on the east side may experience low water pressure.

Junction City Public Works made an announcement at 11:25 a.m. Thursday. Continued water repairs at 13th &amp; Monroe will occur. Residents on the east side may experience low water pressure.

Water repairs are under way

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.

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.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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/2023/7/1689261340101.jpeg" alt="Gabrielle Breanne Ballenger, Failure to appear x4; Arrested 07/12/2023" />
 <figcaption>Gabrielle Breanne Ballenger, Failure to appear x4; Arrested 07/12/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689261440746.jpeg" alt="Cody Taylor Dodge, Interference with LEO; unknown circumstance; felony; Arrested 07/12/2023" />
 <figcaption>Cody Taylor Dodge, Interference with LEO; unknown circumstance; felony; Arrested 07/12/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689261956581.jpeg" alt="Xander Bryan Dutcher, Interference with LEO; obstruct/resist/oppose felony warrant service or execution; Possession of marijuana; Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of controlled substance; unknown substance; Outside warrant; Arrested 07/12/2023" />
 <figcaption>Xander Bryan Dutcher, Interference with LEO; obstruct/resist/oppose felony warrant service or execution; Possession of marijuana; Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of controlled substance; unknown substance; Outside warrant; Arrested 07/12/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689262101837.jpeg" alt="Aaron Bidal Tatum, Theft &gt; $1,500 &lt; $25,000 Pocket picking" />
 <figcaption>Aaron Bidal Tatum, Theft &gt; $1,500 &lt; $25,000 Pocket picking</figcaption>
 </figure>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.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Geary County Booking Photos July 13

RILEY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 9:30p.m. Tuesday in Manhattan.

A 2006 Nissan Sentra driven by Danyel Lane, 19, of Manhattan was westbound on Kimball Avenue at North Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

The car rear-ended a 2020 Nissan Sentra driven by William Modesitt, 34, of Manhattan at the intersection.

EMS transported Lane and a passenger in her car, Brooklynn Grogg, 20, of Manhattan to Via Christi for treatment of broken wrist and hand bones, according to the RCPD. Lane was issued a citation for inattentive driving.

RILEY COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just after 9:30p.m. Tuesday in Manhattan.A 2006 Nissan Sentra driven by Danyel Lane, 19, of Manhattan was westbound on Kimball Avenue at North Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.The car rear-ended a 2020 Nissan Sentra driven by William Modesitt, 34, of Manhattan at the intersection.EMS transported Lane and a passenger in her car, Brooklynn Grogg, 20, of Manhattan to Via Christi for treatment of broken wrist and hand bones, according to the RCPD. Lane was issued a citation for inattentive driving.

2 Manhattan women hospitalized after rear-end crash

This is day 10 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

Based on July 1 conditions, Kansas' winter wheat production is forecast at 208 million bushels, down 15 percent from last year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Average yield is forecast at 32 bushels per acre, down 5 bushels from 2022. Area to be harvested for grain is estimated at 6.5 million acres, down 2 percent from a year ago.

This week wheat coming in looks to be all over the board, according to Jim Bob Lewton, senior Vice President of Grain Operations with the Konza Coop in Pratt.&nbsp;

Harvest in and surrounding Pratt began June 20, about seven to ten days later than when they usually start. Yields have been averaging about 25 bushels per acre, but some fields have been better than others. Proteins have been high, reaching up into 12-13 percent. These recent rains have been causing test weights to dip, remaining in the 58-60 pounds per bushel region. Moisture has been varying with these recent rains, although the grain has remained dry enough for harvesting. Now all that is left is to wait for conditions to dry enough for farmers to get combines in the field.&nbsp;

Lewton predicts harvest will be complete next week. They anticipate that they will only receive 30-40 percent of their usual amount of wheat.&nbsp;

Chris Tanner from Norton reports his harvest began on July 4 and will last about another week, barring rain delays. He said harvest is far later than normal and he is fighting weed pressure.

“I’m amazed at the resiliency of wheat, given what it looked like through the winter,” he said, noting that the Westbred variety Grainfield has been doing well for him.

This year’s harvest is much better than last year for Tanner, who said this is going to be a “highly average year” for the acres he is able to harvest. Even so, about 30 percent of his wheat was zeroed out due to the drought.

Tanner reports that his test weights have been averaging 61 to 62 pounds per bushel, except for the wheat that was hailed on, which was only in the low 50s. Yields are ranging from 15 to 70 bushels per acre, with an overall farm average anticipated to be 25. Protein is about 13 percent.

﻿It was truly a family wheat harvest with four generations in the field. He was fortunate this year that his son, daughter, son-in-law and 6-month-old granddaughter were able to join him, his brother and his father for this year’s harvest.

Evan Lesser, who farms near Palco in Graham County, reports that harvest began on June 26 and he has about 2 days left.

Test weights are ranging from 60 to 64 pounds per bushel and protein measured 15 percent. May rains came a little too late to positively affect yield, but they did help with improving grain fill and test weights. Yields are ranging from 22 to 50 bushels per acre, depending on which fields caught the rain.

Lesser says yields were much better last year, with his 2022 farm average better than even his highest yields this year. Overall, this has been a disappointing year for his wheat, one of the worst since he started farming in 2010.&nbsp; He does, however, have high hopes for corn and grain sorghum.

He reported that Kansas Wheat Alliance’s KS Territory has been an excellent variety for him this year.

The 2023 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on Twitter, use #wheatharvest23. Tag us at @kansaswheat on&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001uUHTjYUGm0agKg5bNkG36qziYiniLBG49kvxDmo0yJ90DSr5L8p6CqgUN6zt8VxCTkeqRgZL8UjPTg3fMK30q33IQCfmIab9S4vPVS2Vb1_ahR0wtaP929qeh-yN1X_X6bwnwCIHttnTq0JpMPq0uo8_UZEYcOT-&amp;c=rZYjSSl3F6iXfQp1FNICjWdM8ViE-cJ4ajf22zNjeuLG9AywHqYaOg==&amp;ch=b9BRnaujUJO3rMs3HVYMq-k6gYC5la1hzODhhcOzjkBwdPXzjKmzpg==" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001uUHTjYUGm0agKg5bNkG36qziYiniLBG49kvxDmo0yJ90DSr5L8p6Cslpts-mkPoqgJb50EqE6lCWLhp9bWa7T7aLclWuLb9-Ewhv9zveVMK9H7O0ZLZysYYRd2-60_FkdUU7fn3Tg_LlCeawzLHE2773fUdClAGM&amp;c=rZYjSSl3F6iXfQp1FNICjWdM8ViE-cJ4ajf22zNjeuLG9AywHqYaOg==&amp;ch=b9BRnaujUJO3rMs3HVYMq-k6gYC5la1hzODhhcOzjkBwdPXzjKmzpg==" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001uUHTjYUGm0agKg5bNkG36qziYiniLBG49kvxDmo0yJ90DSr5L8p6CpV0N8SJAo1ZTmYbsThoiTFH04yPAZCU35KNXa8zGkLxx_ElQQfxsZZUYxeCqg5u-A61fwPqmt0TFvxsQBJmHK02R_h3gX3t4XQydj5PNpKV&amp;c=rZYjSSl3F6iXfQp1FNICjWdM8ViE-cJ4ajf22zNjeuLG9AywHqYaOg==&amp;ch=b9BRnaujUJO3rMs3HVYMq-k6gYC5la1hzODhhcOzjkBwdPXzjKmzpg==" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

Kansas WheatThis is day 10 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.Based on July 1 conditions, Kansas' winter wheat production is forecast at 208 million bushels, down 15 percent from last year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Average yield is forecast at 32 bushels per acre, down 5 bushels from 2022. Area to be harvested for grain is estimated at 6.5 million acres, down 2 percent from a year ago.This week wheat coming in looks to be all over the board, according to Jim Bob Lewton, senior Vice President of Grain Operations with the Konza Coop in Pratt.&nbsp;Harvest in and surrounding Pratt began June 20, about seven to ten days later than when they usually start. Yields have been averaging about 25 bushels per acre, but some fields have been better than others. Proteins have been high, reaching up into 12-13 percent. These recent rains have been causing test weights to dip, remaining in the 58-60 pounds per bushel region. Moisture has been varying with these recent rains, although the grain has remained dry enough for harvesting. Now all that is left is to wait for conditions to dry enough for farmers to get combines in the field.&nbsp;Lewton predicts harvest will be complete next week. They anticipate that they will only receive 30-40 percent of their usual amount of wheat.&nbsp;Chris Tanner from Norton reports his harvest began on July 4 and will last about another week, barring rain delays. He said harvest is far later than normal and he is fighting weed pressure.“I’m amazed at the resiliency of wheat, given what it looked like through the winter,” he said, noting that the Westbred variety Grainfield has been doing well for him.This year’s harvest is much better than last year for Tanner, who said this is going to be a “highly average year” for the acres he is able to harvest. Even so, about 30 percent of his wheat was zeroed out due to the drought.Tanner reports that his test weights have been averaging 61 to 62 pounds per bushel, except for the wheat that was hailed on, which was only in the low 50s. Yields are ranging from 15 to 70 bushels per acre, with an overall farm average anticipated to be 25. Protein is about 13 percent.﻿It was truly a family wheat harvest with four generations in the field. He was fortunate this year that his son, daughter, son-in-law and 6-month-old granddaughter were able to join him, his brother and his father for this year’s harvest.Evan Lesser, who farms near Palco in Graham County, reports that harvest began on June 26 and he has about 2 days left.Test weights are ranging from 60 to 64 pounds per bushel and protein measured 15 percent. May rains came a little too late to positively affect yield, but they did help with improving grain fill and test weights. Yields are ranging from 22 to 50 bushels per acre, depending on which fields caught the rain.Lesser says yields were much better last year, with his 2022 farm average better than even his highest yields this year. Overall, this has been a disappointing year for his wheat, one of the worst since he started farming in 2010.&nbsp; He does, however, have high hopes for corn and grain sorghum.He reported that Kansas Wheat Alliance’s KS Territory has been an excellent variety for him this year.The 2023 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on Twitter, use #wheatharvest23. Tag us at @kansaswheat on&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001uUHTjYUGm0agKg5bNkG36qziYiniLBG49kvxDmo0yJ90DSr5L8p6CqgUN6zt8VxCTkeqRgZL8UjPTg3fMK30q33IQCfmIab9S4vPVS2Vb1_ahR0wtaP929qeh-yN1X_X6bwnwCIHttnTq0JpMPq0uo8_UZEYcOT-&amp;c=rZYjSSl3F6iXfQp1FNICjWdM8ViE-cJ4ajf22zNjeuLG9AywHqYaOg==&amp;ch=b9BRnaujUJO3rMs3HVYMq-k6gYC5la1hzODhhcOzjkBwdPXzjKmzpg==" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001uUHTjYUGm0agKg5bNkG36qziYiniLBG49kvxDmo0yJ90DSr5L8p6Cslpts-mkPoqgJb50EqE6lCWLhp9bWa7T7aLclWuLb9-Ewhv9zveVMK9H7O0ZLZysYYRd2-60_FkdUU7fn3Tg_LlCeawzLHE2773fUdClAGM&amp;c=rZYjSSl3F6iXfQp1FNICjWdM8ViE-cJ4ajf22zNjeuLG9AywHqYaOg==&amp;ch=b9BRnaujUJO3rMs3HVYMq-k6gYC5la1hzODhhcOzjkBwdPXzjKmzpg==" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001uUHTjYUGm0agKg5bNkG36qziYiniLBG49kvxDmo0yJ90DSr5L8p6CpV0N8SJAo1ZTmYbsThoiTFH04yPAZCU35KNXa8zGkLxx_ElQQfxsZZUYxeCqg5u-A61fwPqmt0TFvxsQBJmHK02R_h3gX3t4XQydj5PNpKV&amp;c=rZYjSSl3F6iXfQp1FNICjWdM8ViE-cJ4ajf22zNjeuLG9AywHqYaOg==&amp;ch=b9BRnaujUJO3rMs3HVYMq-k6gYC5la1hzODhhcOzjkBwdPXzjKmzpg==" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

Day 10, Kansas wheat harvest report

MARSHALL COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just before noon Wednesday in Marshall Coounty.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Toyota Rav 4 driven by Ning Wang, 54, Stillwater, Oklahoma,&nbsp;was south bound on Kansas 99&nbsp; one and one half miles south of Beattie.

The driver failed to stop at stop sign at the junction with U.S. 36. An eastbound 2023 Dodge Ram driven by Daniel Lee&nbsp;Broxterman, 72, Seneca,&nbsp;struck on the passenger side of the Toyota.

After impact the Toyota came to rest in the south east ditch of the intersection and the pickup came to rest in the north ditch of U.S. 36 east of K99.

EMS transported Wang and a passenger identified as Naiqian&nbsp;Zhang, 76, Manhattan, to&nbsp;Bryan Medical Center West Campus in Lincoln Nebraska.

EMS transported Broxterman to&nbsp;Nemaha Valley Community Hospital. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

MARSHALL COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just before noon Wednesday in Marshall Coounty.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2023 Toyota Rav 4 driven by Ning Wang, 54, Stillwater, Oklahoma,&nbsp;was south bound on Kansas 99&nbsp; one and one half miles south of Beattie.The driver failed to stop at stop sign at the junction with U.S. 36. An eastbound 2023 Dodge Ram driven by Daniel Lee&nbsp;Broxterman, 72, Seneca,&nbsp;struck on the passenger side of the Toyota.After impact the Toyota came to rest in the south east ditch of the intersection and the pickup came to rest in the north ditch of U.S. 36 east of K99.EMS transported Wang and a passenger identified as Naiqian&nbsp;Zhang, 76, Manhattan, to&nbsp;Bryan Medical Center West Campus in Lincoln Nebraska.EMS transported Broxterman to&nbsp;Nemaha Valley Community Hospital. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Manhattan man among 3 hospitalized after pickup, SUV crash

&nbsp;You can make appointments and donate blood on July 20th from 11:30 to 6:00 or July 21 from 8:00 to 1:00&nbsp; atthe Municipal Building.&nbsp; during the upcoming Red Cross Blood drive. Donations always drop off in the summer, but the need increases. CALL 1-800-RED CROSS.

&nbsp;You can make appointments and donate blood on July 20th from 11:30 to 6:00 or July 21 from 8:00 to 1:00&nbsp; atthe Municipal Building.&nbsp; during the upcoming Red Cross Blood drive. Donations always drop off in the summer, but the need increases. CALL 1-800-RED CROSS.

Blood drive needs donors

The JC Breakfast Optimist Club donated to the Junction City Little Theater Summer Theater Program on July 12 at the Hampton Inn in Junction City. The Optimists presented their donation to Ellie Dillon. JCLT Board of Directors Secretary and Desiree (Desi) Brown, Director of the JCLT Summer Theater Program.

Ellie explained that “the Junction City Little Theater (JCLT) is the longest-running community theater in the state of Kansas. The theater began in 1949 under the vision and guidance of Bettina Coover. In 1944, Bettina, Betty Cleary, Mona Kessinger and Alma Hornbaker signed the documents of incorporation creating the JCLT. The mission is to enrich, educate, and entertain their regional community by providing quality theatrical entertainment.

Desi Brown shared that “the JCLT Summer Program had 130 youth involved in three shows this summer. There was a new group of Kindergarten through second graders who did a pre-show; third through fifth graders performed Disney’s Aladdin, Jr; and middle through high school students performed Disney’s Peter Pan, Jr. Rehearsals ranged from two to three hours, three days a week for three or four weeks depending on the age group followed by a thirty minute performance at the C.L. Hoover Opera House.”

She also stated that “the youth learned how to work together, problem solve, prop placement, lighting, sound, and many other elements in production of a show.” She appreciated the support of parents and community members who also assisted behind the scenes.

Ellie Dillon stated that ”a Disney production comes with many restrictions and royalty costs. For example, the Aladdin, Junior royalty was $3,500. We rely on ticket sales and donations like those from the Optimist Club to cover our financial obligations, which also includes a rental fee at the Opera House. Although we are housed in the C.L. Hoover Opera House, the Little Theater is a separate entity.”

JCLT’s upcoming season will include Murder on the Orient Express, which is in production now and will be presented in August; Jersey Boys in November; The Foreigner in February and Footloose in April. Tickets for these shows may be purchased by calling 785-238-3871

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689194220825.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The JC Breakfast Optimist Club donated to the Junction City Little Theater Summer Theater Program on July 12 at the Hampton Inn in Junction City. The Optimists presented their donation to Ellie Dillon. JCLT Board of Directors Secretary and Desiree (Desi) Brown, Director of the JCLT Summer Theater Program.Ellie explained that “the Junction City Little Theater (JCLT) is the longest-running community theater in the state of Kansas. The theater began in 1949 under the vision and guidance of Bettina Coover. In 1944, Bettina, Betty Cleary, Mona Kessinger and Alma Hornbaker signed the documents of incorporation creating the JCLT. The mission is to enrich, educate, and entertain their regional community by providing quality theatrical entertainment.Desi Brown shared that “the JCLT Summer Program had 130 youth involved in three shows this summer. There was a new group of Kindergarten through second graders who did a pre-show; third through fifth graders performed Disney’s Aladdin, Jr; and middle through high school students performed Disney’s Peter Pan, Jr. Rehearsals ranged from two to three hours, three days a week for three or four weeks depending on the age group followed by a thirty minute performance at the C.L. Hoover Opera House.”She also stated that “the youth learned how to work together, problem solve, prop placement, lighting, sound, and many other elements in production of a show.” She appreciated the support of parents and community members who also assisted behind the scenes.Ellie Dillon stated that ”a Disney production comes with many restrictions and royalty costs. For example, the Aladdin, Junior royalty was $3,500. We rely on ticket sales and donations like those from the Optimist Club to cover our financial obligations, which also includes a rental fee at the Opera House. Although we are housed in the C.L. Hoover Opera House, the Little Theater is a separate entity.”JCLT’s upcoming season will include Murder on the Orient Express, which is in production now and will be presented in August; Jersey Boys in November; The Foreigner in February and Footloose in April. Tickets for these shows may be purchased by calling 785-238-3871

JC Breakfast Optimist Club Donates To JCLT Summer Theater Program

City commissioners says they don’t want ‘garbage’ on the public library’s shelves

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-lawmakers-debate-definition-of-female-and-male-for-county-jails/">Kansas Reflector</a>

ST. MARYS —&nbsp;Gerard Kleinsmith says he hates the idea of censorship.

He just wants to pull the lease for the city’s public library because he doesn’t like books about transgender people.

As a city commissioner, he feels it is his duty to remove transgender content — “garbage,” as he refers to it. Kleinsmith said during a city commission meeting that removing the library was part of his job as a city official, emphasizing “God doesn’t make mistakes,” and his belief that people can’t change genders.

“My goal is to terminate the lease with the library,” Kleinsmith said. “If they want to have their library, so be it. Go do it. Find another building to do it in, I can’t stop that. My intention is not to stop that, but I will not ever vote for any taxpayer money, facilities, anything to be used anywhere that houses this kind of garbage.”

He is supported in this stance by the other members of St. Marys’ five-person city commission, a heavily religious group that attends the Society of St. Pius X, or SSPX, an extreme religious sect that broke away from the Catholic church. The commissioners have said at previous meetings that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/06/kansas-towns-library-lease-renewed-after-months-of-debate-about-lgbtq-content/">their views are influenced by their religious affiliation</a>.

“Some things are wrong,” said commissioner Richard Binsfeld, during a city commission discussion about&nbsp; transgender books and the transgender community at large. “If you live up to your morals, if you stand by your morals at all, you’d look at it and say, ‘Why do we have it?'”

The public library has been under scrutiny from local officials for months, narrowly surviving an attempt to pull the lease at the end of last year. Library director Judith Cremer said she and her staff were trying to work with the commissioners while remaining in accordance with legal guidelines for public libraries.

She’s still not sure why the commissioners have taken issue with the library in recent months when it had operated in its St. Marys location for decades without problems. Cremer has held her position since 2003, and until last year, this was a position without controversy.

“We’re not part of the city structure and the lease agreement is the only leverage that they have seemed to be able to find,” Cremer said. “They seem to be continuing down that road, which I’m disappointed with because we have still been here doing our job, trying to help people, trying to do summer reading, and I feel like it’s a misunderstanding of who we are. We are trying to do our job and we have followed the rules.”

While commissioners have no governing influence over the library, the Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library would be forced to shift locations if the lease isn’t renewed, giving up a community spot it has held for decades and depriving St. Marys residents of easily accessible library material.

The library has been housed in St. Marys since the 1980s, operating on an annual lease with the city. The library acts as the headquarters for eight locations, including Alma, Alta Vista, Eskridge, Harveyville, Olsburg, Onaga, St. Marys and Westmoreland, with county residents funding the library through taxes.

An eight-member board of trustees provides oversight of the library’s operations, with Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee County commissioners appointing members to the board to serve four-year terms. The commission doesn’t have influence over board decisions.

The library formed an advisory group in an attempt to address community concerns with library materials, but efforts toward reconciliation have been unsuccessful.

The library’s lease renewal came up for debate last year because the library refused to accept a renewal clause asking for the removal of all LGBTQ and socially divisive books from the shelves. Facing intense public pressure, the commission in December&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/06/kansas-towns-library-lease-renewed-after-months-of-debate-about-lgbtq-content/">renewed the lease</a>&nbsp;for one year.

Now, city commissioners have renewed their campaign against LGBTQ books, despite federal legal protections for public libraries.

During the April city commission meeting, Kleinsmith raged against the book “Rethinking Normal: A Memoir in Transition,” a coming of age story about a transgender teenager.

“This author is absolutely wrong. God does not make mistakes,” Kleinsmith said. “God cannot make a mistake. We can make mistakes. Mankind can make a mistake. God cannot make a mistake. … I will do everything I can to fight this kind of garbage.”

“If God makes you as a male, you are a male,” he added. “If God makes you a female, you are a female, no matter what.”

St. Marys Mayor Matthew Childs, who formulated the anti-LGBTQ renewal clause last year, said during the April meeting that the library’s contents would once again influence the commission’s decision to renew the lease.

“We don’t want transgender books in the library. … The elephant in the room is that we don’t want the library to be promoting certain types of material,” Childs said. “If the library is, we come back to the question, do we want to renew it at all?”

Sharon Brett, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, which warned commissioners to drop their censorship attempts during the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/02/troubling-and-authoritarian-kansas-aclu-warns-st-marys-officials-that-closing-town-library-is-unconstitutional/">first lease renewal discussion</a>, said city officials need to remember constitutional protections.

“Each member of the commission should remember that their own discomfort with a certain book does not justify restricting its availability to everyone else in the community,” Brett said. “Not only is this potential censorship authoritarian, it has implications under even a basic reading of our First Amendment. We urge the commission to remember their obligations under the Constitution.”

Cremer said she and the library board had been trying to cooperate with the commission and concerned residents as much as possible.

“We’re providing services to the community,” Cremer said. “We’re taking care of the same people. I don’t see why there should be a problem.”

Following the April commission meeting, she sent a letter to the commissioners asking them to directly address their concerns with library staff, as they had a process in place to review book complaints.

Library staff are also participating in the advisory committee. Cremer said the library was sending regular updates about the library and the advisory committee’s work to the city commission.

But she is still fielding criticism from religious members of the community, including during a contentious June 28 library board meeting attended by Binsfeld and other St. Marys residents.&nbsp;

“As we move forward, we would like to see that all LGBTQ+ media — whether audio files, movies, books, activities, etc. — be removed from this branch altogether and from any access, including online ordering and inter-library loans, to any minor through this branch,” resident Stephen Murtha wrote in a letter to library board members.

The library should reflect the community’s Christian majority, Murtha wrote.

Cremer said for the most part, these complaints were from a small segment of the population and that she hasn’t had problems or complaints from a majority of library customers.

But she is concerned about the future of the library.

“We have continued, even though that stress and controversy has been significant,” Cremer said. “My staff and I have continued forward just as we always have to provide those services, because it’s not the people that we’re serving, it’s not their fault, but they’re the ones that are going to be losing.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689185283812.png" alt=" St. Marys city commissioners have taken offense with a transgender book in the Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> St. Marys city commissioners have taken offense with a transgender book in the Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>City commissioners says they don’t want ‘garbage’ on the public library’s shelves</h2>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-lawmakers-debate-definition-of-female-and-male-for-county-jails/">Kansas Reflector</a>ST. MARYS —&nbsp;Gerard Kleinsmith says he hates the idea of censorship.He just wants to pull the lease for the city’s public library because he doesn’t like books about transgender people.As a city commissioner, he feels it is his duty to remove transgender content — “garbage,” as he refers to it. Kleinsmith said during a city commission meeting that removing the library was part of his job as a city official, emphasizing “God doesn’t make mistakes,” and his belief that people can’t change genders.“My goal is to terminate the lease with the library,” Kleinsmith said. “If they want to have their library, so be it. Go do it. Find another building to do it in, I can’t stop that. My intention is not to stop that, but I will not ever vote for any taxpayer money, facilities, anything to be used anywhere that houses this kind of garbage.”He is supported in this stance by the other members of St. Marys’ five-person city commission, a heavily religious group that attends the Society of St. Pius X, or SSPX, an extreme religious sect that broke away from the Catholic church. The commissioners have said at previous meetings that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/06/kansas-towns-library-lease-renewed-after-months-of-debate-about-lgbtq-content/">their views are influenced by their religious affiliation</a>.“Some things are wrong,” said commissioner Richard Binsfeld, during a city commission discussion about&nbsp; transgender books and the transgender community at large. “If you live up to your morals, if you stand by your morals at all, you’d look at it and say, ‘Why do we have it?'”The public library has been under scrutiny from local officials for months, narrowly surviving an attempt to pull the lease at the end of last year. Library director Judith Cremer said she and her staff were trying to work with the commissioners while remaining in accordance with legal guidelines for public libraries.She’s still not sure why the commissioners have taken issue with the library in recent months when it had operated in its St. Marys location for decades without problems. Cremer has held her position since 2003, and until last year, this was a position without controversy.“We’re not part of the city structure and the lease agreement is the only leverage that they have seemed to be able to find,” Cremer said. “They seem to be continuing down that road, which I’m disappointed with because we have still been here doing our job, trying to help people, trying to do summer reading, and I feel like it’s a misunderstanding of who we are. We are trying to do our job and we have followed the rules.”While commissioners have no governing influence over the library, the Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library would be forced to shift locations if the lease isn’t renewed, giving up a community spot it has held for decades and depriving St. Marys residents of easily accessible library material.The library has been housed in St. Marys since the 1980s, operating on an annual lease with the city. The library acts as the headquarters for eight locations, including Alma, Alta Vista, Eskridge, Harveyville, Olsburg, Onaga, St. Marys and Westmoreland, with county residents funding the library through taxes.An eight-member board of trustees provides oversight of the library’s operations, with Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee County commissioners appointing members to the board to serve four-year terms. The commission doesn’t have influence over board decisions.The library formed an advisory group in an attempt to address community concerns with library materials, but efforts toward reconciliation have been unsuccessful.The library’s lease renewal came up for debate last year because the library refused to accept a renewal clause asking for the removal of all LGBTQ and socially divisive books from the shelves. Facing intense public pressure, the commission in December&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/06/kansas-towns-library-lease-renewed-after-months-of-debate-about-lgbtq-content/">renewed the lease</a>&nbsp;for one year.Now, city commissioners have renewed their campaign against LGBTQ books, despite federal legal protections for public libraries.During the April city commission meeting, Kleinsmith raged against the book “Rethinking Normal: A Memoir in Transition,” a coming of age story about a transgender teenager.“This author is absolutely wrong. God does not make mistakes,” Kleinsmith said. “God cannot make a mistake. We can make mistakes. Mankind can make a mistake. God cannot make a mistake. … I will do everything I can to fight this kind of garbage.”“If God makes you as a male, you are a male,” he added. “If God makes you a female, you are a female, no matter what.”St. Marys Mayor Matthew Childs, who formulated the anti-LGBTQ renewal clause last year, said during the April meeting that the library’s contents would once again influence the commission’s decision to renew the lease.“We don’t want transgender books in the library. … The elephant in the room is that we don’t want the library to be promoting certain types of material,” Childs said. “If the library is, we come back to the question, do we want to renew it at all?”Sharon Brett, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, which warned commissioners to drop their censorship attempts during the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/02/troubling-and-authoritarian-kansas-aclu-warns-st-marys-officials-that-closing-town-library-is-unconstitutional/">first lease renewal discussion</a>, said city officials need to remember constitutional protections.“Each member of the commission should remember that their own discomfort with a certain book does not justify restricting its availability to everyone else in the community,” Brett said. “Not only is this potential censorship authoritarian, it has implications under even a basic reading of our First Amendment. We urge the commission to remember their obligations under the Constitution.”Cremer said she and the library board had been trying to cooperate with the commission and concerned residents as much as possible.“We’re providing services to the community,” Cremer said. “We’re taking care of the same people. I don’t see why there should be a problem.”Following the April commission meeting, she sent a letter to the commissioners asking them to directly address their concerns with library staff, as they had a process in place to review book complaints.Library staff are also participating in the advisory committee. Cremer said the library was sending regular updates about the library and the advisory committee’s work to the city commission.But she is still fielding criticism from religious members of the community, including during a contentious June 28 library board meeting attended by Binsfeld and other St. Marys residents.&nbsp;“As we move forward, we would like to see that all LGBTQ+ media — whether audio files, movies, books, activities, etc. — be removed from this branch altogether and from any access, including online ordering and inter-library loans, to any minor through this branch,” resident Stephen Murtha wrote in a letter to library board members.The library should reflect the community’s Christian majority, Murtha wrote.Cremer said for the most part, these complaints were from a small segment of the population and that she hasn’t had problems or complaints from a majority of library customers.But she is concerned about the future of the library.“We have continued, even though that stress and controversy has been significant,” Cremer said. “My staff and I have continued forward just as we always have to provide those services, because it’s not the people that we’re serving, it’s not their fault, but they’re the ones that are going to be losing.”

St. Marys officials again threaten library because of LGBTQ books

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.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689181225646.jpeg" alt="Marshawn Marquatte Harge, Failure to appear; Arrested 07/12/2023" />
 <figcaption>Marshawn Marquatte Harge, Failure to appear; Arrested 07/12/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689181429561.jpeg" alt="Jerrica Meshawn Kirby, Failure to appear; Arrested 07/12/2023" />
 <figcaption>Jerrica Meshawn Kirby, Failure to appear; Arrested 07/12/2023</figcaption>
 </figure>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.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Geary County Booking Photos July 12

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged computer crimes in Manhattan.

Just after 6p.m. July 1, officers filed a report for fraud in the 800 block of Juniper Drive in Manhattan, according to the Riley County P olice Department activity report.

A 44-year-old woman reported an unknown suspect hacked her Facebook, Instagram and phone allowing the suspect to retrieve personal and bank information. 

The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $4,800. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers.</a>&nbsp;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 computer crimes in Manhattan.Just after 6p.m. July 1, officers filed a report for fraud in the 800 block of Juniper Drive in Manhattan, according to the Riley County P olice Department activity report.A 44-year-old woman reported an unknown suspect hacked her Facebook, Instagram and phone allowing the suspect to retrieve personal and bank information. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $4,800. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers.</a>&nbsp;Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RCPD: Woman lost $4800 after social media accounts hacked

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged animal cruelty in Manhattan and after asking the public for help with information reported they have identified the driver, according to a social media report from the Riley County Police Department.

Police released no additional details early Wedesday.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged animal cruelty in Manhattan. On social media late Monday, the Riley County Police Department asked the public for help identifying a Jeep and the driver.

Police want to speak with the driver about a cat in bad shape that was abandoned in a mesh carrier in the parking lot at Hy-Vee, 601 North Third Sunday afternoon.

If you have any information about this car, the driver, or this abandoned animal, please contact us at (785) 537-2112 or email Animal Control at madison.looney@cityofmhk.com or kourtney.brodosi@cityofmhk.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689070670775.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged animal cruelty in Manhattan and after asking the public for help with information reported they have identified the driver, according to a social media report from the Riley County Police Department.Police released no additional details early Wedesday.----------RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged animal cruelty in Manhattan. On social media late Monday, the Riley County Police Department asked the public for help identifying a Jeep and the driver.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Do you recognize this Jeep? We would like to speak with the driver about a cat in bad shape that was abandoned in a mesh carrier at the Hy-Vee parking lot yesterday afternoon. <a href="https://t.co/ruwbUGsfFO">pic.twitter.com/ruwbUGsfFO</a>&mdash; RCPD (@RileyCountyPD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RileyCountyPD/status/1678591693745004544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Police want to speak with the driver about a cat in bad shape that was abandoned in a mesh carrier in the parking lot at Hy-Vee, 601 North Third Sunday afternoon.If you have any information about this car, the driver, or this abandoned animal, please contact us at (785) 537-2112 or email Animal Control at madison.looney@cityofmhk.com or kourtney.brodosi@cityofmhk.com.

RCPD IDs driver in case of alleged animal cruelty

One pallet of emergency drinking water is being donated by Anheuser-Busch to Geary County Rural Fire. The supply consists of 98 cases or 2,352 cans of water.

Company Representative for Anheuser-Busch, Ben Rowe noted that the their goal this summer is to distribute about two and a half million cans to more than 600 volunteer fire departments across the country.

&nbsp;Rowe noted that the water can be used for any emergencies. "If there's any wildfire, or just any disaster that the firemen could use it for their drinking purposes to keep them hydrated while serving our communities here in the area." The water will be delivered Friday.

That water is being sourced from Anheuser Busch breweries in Cartersville, Georgia and Fort Collins, Col.

Volunteers account for more than two-thirds of firefighters in the United States and can be their communities' first line of defense in a range of emergencies.

One pallet of emergency drinking water is being donated by Anheuser-Busch to Geary County Rural Fire. The supply consists of 98 cases or 2,352 cans of water.Company Representative for Anheuser-Busch, Ben Rowe noted that the their goal this summer is to distribute about two and a half million cans to more than 600 volunteer fire departments across the country.&nbsp;Rowe noted that the water can be used for any emergencies. "If there's any wildfire, or just any disaster that the firemen could use it for their drinking purposes to keep them hydrated while serving our communities here in the area." The water will be delivered Friday.That water is being sourced from Anheuser Busch breweries in Cartersville, Georgia and Fort Collins, Col.Volunteers account for more than two-thirds of firefighters in the United States and can be their communities' first line of defense in a range of emergencies.

Anheuser will donate drinking water to Geary County Rural Fire

Child Care 101 Workshop will be held July 22nd

Junction City officials said water pressure would be low for a couple of hours in some parts of the city on Adams from 7th Street through 12th Street, and on Madison and Jefferson Streets plus cross streets. East 10th at Monroe were scheduled to be without water at some point Tuesday to repair a water main.

Junction City officials said water pressure would be low for a couple of hours in some parts of the city on Adams from 7th Street through 12th Street, and on Madison and Jefferson Streets plus cross streets. East 10th at Monroe were scheduled to be without water at some point Tuesday to repair a water main.

City makes water repairs

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities filed a report for throwing objects onto a highway in the 1300 block of South Walnut Street in Manhattan. The incident occurred just before 12:30a.m.&nbsp; on July 11, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 34-year-old man reported an unknown male suspect threw a rock over the bridge, hitting the victim’s windshield and causing damage. 

The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $500. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers.</a>&nbsp;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 filed a report for throwing objects onto a highway in the 1300 block of South Walnut Street in Manhattan. The incident occurred just before 12:30a.m.&nbsp; on July 11, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.A 34-year-old man reported an unknown male suspect threw a rock over the bridge, hitting the victim’s windshield and causing damage. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $500. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers.</a>&nbsp;Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RCPD: Suspect threw rock over bridge that hit man's windshield

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/2023/7/1689170334074.jpeg" alt="Vincent Earl Holman, Probation Violation; Arrested 07/11/2023" />
 <figcaption>Vincent Earl Holman, Probation Violation; Arrested 07/11/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689170487400.jpeg" alt="Elijah Tee McLeroy, Possession of stolen property; Felony; Vehicles; Operate a vehicle without registration or w/expired tag; Vehicle liability coverage required; Arrested 07/11/2023" />
 <figcaption>Elijah Tee McLeroy, Possession of stolen property; Felony; Vehicles; Operate a vehicle without registration or w/expired tag; Vehicle liability coverage required; Arrested 07/11/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689170674401.jpeg" alt="Candice Danielle Thomas, Domestic battery; Knowing rude physical contact w/family or dating relationship; Criminal damage to property; misdemeanor; Criminal threat; Cause terror, evacuation or disruption; Arrested 07/11/2023" />
 <figcaption>Candice Danielle Thomas, Domestic battery; Knowing rude physical contact w/family or dating relationship; Criminal damage to property; misdemeanor; Criminal threat; Cause terror, evacuation or disruption; Arrested 07/11/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689170750926.jpeg" alt="Jeffrey Clyde Zook, Failure to appear x4; Arrested 07/11/2023" />
 <figcaption>Jeffrey Clyde Zook, Failure to appear x4; Arrested 07/11/2023</figcaption>
 </figure>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.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Geary County Booking Photos July 11

The Kansas Chapter 34A of the Americas Guardians Motorcycle Club (AGMC) 3rd annual Rebob Legacy Ride on Saturday, June 10th had approximately 50 motorcyclists and vehicles participate in the ride.&nbsp; The event was held to honor the memory of the club's former Vice President Bob Bartholic (road nameRebob) and raised funds for the nonprofit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Kansas (RMHC).

"Rebob died in a motorcycle accident on June 13, 2020"&nbsp; said Jerry Hoeffner (the current Vice-President).&nbsp; Each year AGMC KS 34A chapter selects a charity to receive the annual poker run proceeds. This year they chose the Ronald McDonald House because Rebob's family stayed&nbsp; there when his granddaughter had heart surgery, and also because the organization supports Soldiers and their Families while their children are receiving lifesaving medical in a nearby hospital.&nbsp;

Funds were raised through donations of riders, a silent auction, and sponsorships from local businesses, including The Spot and Dining Car in Herington, RnR Construction and Remodeling in Riley, and Briggs Auto Group in Manhattan. Other AGMC Chapters completed similar rides and sent their event proceeds to them, stated Jerry Hoeffner. KS34A presented Topeka's Ronald McDonald House a check for $4,020, which will support 160 nights stay for one or more families.

The AGMC is a public safety organization. Members of Kansas Chapter 34A include Retired Military, Veterans and First Responders.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689085046787.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Chapter 34A of the Americas Guardians Motorcycle Club (AGMC) 3rd annual Rebob Legacy Ride on Saturday, June 10th had approximately 50 motorcyclists and vehicles participate in the ride.&nbsp; The event was held to honor the memory of the club's former Vice President Bob Bartholic (road nameRebob) and raised funds for the nonprofit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Kansas (RMHC). "Rebob died in a motorcycle accident on June 13, 2020"&nbsp; said Jerry Hoeffner (the current Vice-President).&nbsp; Each year AGMC KS 34A chapter selects a charity to receive the annual poker run proceeds. This year they chose the Ronald McDonald House because Rebob's family stayed&nbsp; there when his granddaughter had heart surgery, and also because the organization supports Soldiers and their Families while their children are receiving lifesaving medical in a nearby hospital.&nbsp; Funds were raised through donations of riders, a silent auction, and sponsorships from local businesses, including The Spot and Dining Car in Herington, RnR Construction and Remodeling in Riley, and Briggs Auto Group in Manhattan. Other AGMC Chapters completed similar rides and sent their event proceeds to them, stated Jerry Hoeffner. KS34A presented Topeka's Ronald McDonald House a check for $4,020, which will support 160 nights stay for one or more families. The AGMC is a public safety organization. Members of Kansas Chapter 34A include Retired Military, Veterans and First Responders.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ride raises funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities

MANHATTAN —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged criminal damage to property in Manhattan.

Just after 7:30a.m. Monday, officers filed a report for criminal damage to property in the 1600 block of Colorado Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

The City of Manhattan Parks and Recreation reported an unknown suspect graffitied the bathrooms at Longs Park. 

The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $550. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers.</a>&nbsp;Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689086463342.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged criminal damage to property in Manhattan.Just after 7:30a.m. Monday, officers filed a report for criminal damage to property in the 1600 block of Colorado Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.The City of Manhattan Parks and Recreation reported an unknown suspect graffitied the bathrooms at Longs Park. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $550. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers.</a>&nbsp;Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

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