Motown and rock'n roll music are among the highlights for day four of Freedom Fest in Downtown Junction City.&nbsp;

The evening concert lineup includes Platinum Express at 5:30 p.m., Foreigner Experience tribute&nbsp; band 7:30 p.m. and Shooting Star at 9:30 p.m.

Afternoon activities range from Kids Celebration Family Game Show - at 1:30 and 3 p.m. to the Flying Pages at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

The festival continues on Tuesday with a parade, carnival concerts and fireworks downtown.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688387538732.jpeg" alt="Community members attended the Geary County Ministerial Alliance worship service during Freedom Fest." />
 <figcaption>Community members attended the Geary County Ministerial Alliance worship service during Freedom Fest.</figcaption>
 </figure>Motown and rock'n roll music are among the highlights for day four of Freedom Fest in Downtown Junction City.&nbsp;The evening concert lineup includes Platinum Express at 5:30 p.m., Foreigner Experience tribute&nbsp; band 7:30 p.m. and Shooting Star at 9:30 p.m.Afternoon activities range from Kids Celebration Family Game Show - at 1:30 and 3 p.m. to the Flying Pages at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.The festival continues on Tuesday with a parade, carnival concerts and fireworks downtown.

Freedom Fest returns to downtown Junction City

By Maddy Rohr, K-State Research and Extension news service&nbsp;

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Fourth of July is full of food, fun and fireworks. As family and friends attend gatherings and events, Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee says food safety should be a top priority during festivities. &nbsp;

The top four tips Blakeslee encourages include:&nbsp;

-Always wash your hands before handling food and eating. Wash them after handling raw meats. &nbsp; - Keep raw foods away from ready-to-eat foods to prevent cross contamination. Consumer research has shown that 32% of consumers had contaminated plates and cutting boards. And don’t forget spice containers, Blakeslee said. Of those surveyed, 12% had contaminated spice bottles.

&nbsp;- Keep hot foods above 140 degrees Fahrenheit during serving. If outside on hot days above 90°F, store leftovers within one hour.

- Keep cold foods below 40 F. Marinate meats in the refrigerator. Toss the used marinade or boil it to use as a dip. Refrigerate leftovers within one hour on hot days.&nbsp;

Blakeslee, who is also coordinator of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/">K-State’s Rapid Response Center for Food Science</a>, recommends using a food thermometer when cooking meats. Look for 145 F for steaks and chops, 160 F for ground beef, pork, lamb, and 165 F for all poultry. Hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled foods and barbecue are among the most common foods served at large gatherings. "Keep it simple. Use ice chests with ice or ice packs to keep foods cold. If using the grill, be sure someone is managing the grill for overall safety,” Blakeslee said. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688146313045.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Maddy Rohr, K-State Research and Extension news service&nbsp;MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Fourth of July is full of food, fun and fireworks. As family and friends attend gatherings and events, Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee says food safety should be a top priority during festivities. &nbsp;The top four tips Blakeslee encourages include:&nbsp;-Always wash your hands before handling food and eating. Wash them after handling raw meats. &nbsp; - Keep raw foods away from ready-to-eat foods to prevent cross contamination. Consumer research has shown that 32% of consumers had contaminated plates and cutting boards. And don’t forget spice containers, Blakeslee said. Of those surveyed, 12% had contaminated spice bottles.&nbsp;- Keep hot foods above 140 degrees Fahrenheit during serving. If outside on hot days above 90°F, store leftovers within one hour.- Keep cold foods below 40 F. Marinate meats in the refrigerator. Toss the used marinade or boil it to use as a dip. Refrigerate leftovers within one hour on hot days.&nbsp;Blakeslee, who is also coordinator of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/">K-State’s Rapid Response Center for Food Science</a>, recommends using a food thermometer when cooking meats. Look for 145 F for steaks and chops, 160 F for ground beef, pork, lamb, and 165 F for all poultry. Hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled foods and barbecue are among the most common foods served at large gatherings. "Keep it simple. Use ice chests with ice or ice packs to keep foods cold. If using the grill, be sure someone is managing the grill for overall safety,” Blakeslee said. &nbsp;

Preparing food for the Fourth of July 

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/2023/7/1688311616519.jpeg" alt="Joseph Donald Bauer Junior, Probation Violation, Arrested 07/01/2023" />
 <figcaption>Joseph Donald Bauer Junior, Probation Violation, Arrested 07/01/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688311683377.jpeg" alt="Adam Leroy Goss, Failure to appear; Arrested 07/01/2023" />
 <figcaption>Adam Leroy Goss, Failure to appear; Arrested 07/01/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688311734242.jpeg" alt="Curtiss Deodrae Jackson, Probation Violation; Arrested 06/30/2023" />
 <figcaption>Curtiss Deodrae Jackson, Probation Violation; Arrested 06/30/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688311791535.jpeg" alt="Kasey Aaron Nations, Probation Violation, Arrested 06/30/2023" />
 <figcaption>Kasey Aaron Nations, Probation Violation, Arrested 06/30/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688311850344.jpeg" alt="Adriane Clarice Young, Violation of a protective order; Arrested 06/30/2023" />
 <figcaption>Adriane Clarice Young, Violation of a protective order; Arrested 06/30/2023</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 1

by BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

MANHATTAN - According to a Kansas State University veterinarian, many pets experience fear and anxiety while many people are enjoying the fun and noise of Independence Day celebrations.

K-State Clinical Professor, Dr. Susan Nelson, says one the best solutions for keeping your pet safe over the Fourth of July holiday weekend is to keep your pet indoors as much as possible, and keep them secured with a lease when they need to be outside.

"The sound of fireworks can make some pets run off in an attempt to get away from the noise," Nelson said. "This is the time of year with the highest incidences of runaway pets, so be sure to keep them secure!"

Other concerns for pet safety, if they become lost, is the risk of the pet being hit by a car, as they become less observant in their fear of the fireworks as they attempt to distance themselves from the noise.

Dr. Nelson recommends updating your pet's microchip or have a tag on their collar with updated contact information, in case the pet gets lost.

Other ways to help pets cope with the loud noise that comes with the holiday includes:&nbsp;

• Play soothing music or turn on the TV or white noise machine to attempt to block out the noise. • Distract from the noise and commotion with food puzzles and stuffed Kongs.&nbsp;

•&nbsp;Try&nbsp;an anxiety wrap specially made for pets to&nbsp;help&nbsp;calm those with mild anxiety, or&nbsp;use&nbsp;the wrap&nbsp;in addition to medications&nbsp;for&nbsp;those with moderate to severe noise phobias. • Use&nbsp;over-the-counter supplements made for anxious pets&nbsp;to&nbsp;benefit those with mild to moderate noise anxiety. Note that some of these&nbsp;treatments&nbsp;need to be started several days&nbsp;ahead&nbsp;of the holiday for best effectiveness. • Consider temporarily relocating your pet to a quieter place, such as a friend&nbsp;or&nbsp;relative's house or kennel, during this time. • Talk to your veterinarian about prescription anti-anxiety medications if your pet has a moderate to severe noise phobia.&nbsp;Several&nbsp;medications&nbsp;are&nbsp;available to help treat anxiety&nbsp;from&nbsp;loud noises. Have the medication ready to give on the first day that fireworks are allowed to begin in your community. It is best to speak to your veterinarian now about medication options as offices may be closed early for the holiday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688153291845.jpg" alt="Fireworks, image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Fireworks, image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>by BECKY GOFF Little Apple PostMANHATTAN - According to a Kansas State University veterinarian, many pets experience fear and anxiety while many people are enjoying the fun and noise of Independence Day celebrations.K-State Clinical Professor, Dr. Susan Nelson, says one the best solutions for keeping your pet safe over the Fourth of July holiday weekend is to keep your pet indoors as much as possible, and keep them secured with a lease when they need to be outside."The sound of fireworks can make some pets run off in an attempt to get away from the noise," Nelson said. "This is the time of year with the highest incidences of runaway pets, so be sure to keep them secure!"Other concerns for pet safety, if they become lost, is the risk of the pet being hit by a car, as they become less observant in their fear of the fireworks as they attempt to distance themselves from the noise.Dr. Nelson recommends updating your pet's microchip or have a tag on their collar with updated contact information, in case the pet gets lost.Other ways to help pets cope with the loud noise that comes with the holiday includes:&nbsp;• Play soothing music or turn on the TV or white noise machine to attempt to block out the noise. • Distract from the noise and commotion with food puzzles and stuffed Kongs.&nbsp;•&nbsp;Try&nbsp;an anxiety wrap specially made for pets to&nbsp;help&nbsp;calm those with mild anxiety, or&nbsp;use&nbsp;the wrap&nbsp;in addition to medications&nbsp;for&nbsp;those with moderate to severe noise phobias. • Use&nbsp;over-the-counter supplements made for anxious pets&nbsp;to&nbsp;benefit those with mild to moderate noise anxiety. Note that some of these&nbsp;treatments&nbsp;need to be started several days&nbsp;ahead&nbsp;of the holiday for best effectiveness. • Consider temporarily relocating your pet to a quieter place, such as a friend&nbsp;or&nbsp;relative's house or kennel, during this time. • Talk to your veterinarian about prescription anti-anxiety medications if your pet has a moderate to severe noise phobia.&nbsp;Several&nbsp;medications&nbsp;are&nbsp;available to help treat anxiety&nbsp;from&nbsp;loud noises. Have the medication ready to give on the first day that fireworks are allowed to begin in your community. It is best to speak to your veterinarian now about medication options as offices may be closed early for the holiday.

K-State: Veterinarian offers pet safety tips for Fourth of July

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/2023/6/1688152628678.jpeg" alt="Antwaan Dwayne Williams, Flee or attempt to elude; five or more moving violations; Maximum speed limits; Unsafe turning or stopping; Failure to give proper signal; Official traffic control devices; Required obedience; Failure to stop at railroad crossing stop sign; Arrested 06/29/2023" />
 <figcaption>Antwaan Dwayne Williams, Flee or attempt to elude; five or more moving violations; Maximum speed limits; Unsafe turning or stopping; Failure to give proper signal; Official traffic control devices; Required obedience; Failure to stop at railroad crossing stop sign; Arrested 06/29/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688152838285.jpeg" alt="Reese Dekota Williston, Probation Violation; Arrested 06/30/2023" />
 <figcaption>Reese Dekota Williston, Probation Violation; Arrested 06/30/2023</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 June 30

Geary County Clerk&nbsp; Courtney Gilbert announces all County Offices will be closed on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023, in observance of the Independence Day Holiday. Regular hours will resume Wednesday, July 05, 2023.

Geary County Clerk&nbsp; Courtney Gilbert announces all County Offices will be closed on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023, in observance of the Independence Day Holiday. Regular hours will resume Wednesday, July 05, 2023.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674068304399.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

County Offices closed the 4th of July

JUNCTION CITY, KS - Deb Andres, Geary County K-State Research &amp; Extension Family &amp; Consumer Sciences Agent, was inaugurated as President of the <a href="https://www.aafcs.org/home">American Association of Family &amp; Consumer Sciences</a> (AAFCS) in Baltimore, Maryland June 26 at the organizations national conference.&nbsp; As President of AAFCS, she will preside over bi-weekly Board of Directors meetings, advance the work of the Association through presentations and advocacy, support the implementation of the association’s strategic plan, maintain existing and future partnerships with organizations that share the Family and Consumer Science common core values, and chair the 2024 National AAFCS Meeting being held in Minneapolis, Minnesota next Jun

The American Association of Family &amp; Consumer Sciences is the only professional association dedicated to family and consumer sciences students and professionals from multiple practice settings and content areas. As a broad-based 501 (c)(3) membership organization, AAFCS connects FCS professionals to share knowledge, research, programming, and experience.

AAFCS facilitates connections among FCS professionals across multiple practice settings and content areas including human development and family studies, foods and nutrition, health and well-being, personal family finance, financial management, housing, interior design, textiles, apparel, consumer issues and more. AAFCS helps its members grow and accomplish more, both personally and professionally, by offering leadership support and opportunities for professional development and collaboration. The organization understands today’s complex social and economic issues and helps members make an impact on the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. The AAFCS mission further clarifies its work: “AAFCS elevates the profession by inspiring research, leadership, and service to empower individuals, families and communities.”

AAFCS works alongside many partner organizations including: Association of Career and Technical Education; Alliance for Family &amp; Consumer Science; Aramark; American Heart Association; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Forrest T. Jones &amp; Company; Goodheart-Wilcox Publisher; Home Baking Association; MyPlate.gov; Kappa Omicron Nu, Human Science Honor Society; LifeSmarts; JumpStart; National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science, USDA: NIFA; USDA: FNS; Pearson Publishing, and Wiley Publishers.

Following her tenure as President, Deb will serve an additional year on the AAFCS Board of Directors as Past-President and assume the role of Chair of the organization’s Past President Unit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688145926801.jpeg" alt="Deb Andres&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Deb Andres&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>JUNCTION CITY, KS - Deb Andres, Geary County K-State Research &amp; Extension Family &amp; Consumer Sciences Agent, was inaugurated as President of the <a href="https://www.aafcs.org/home">American Association of Family &amp; Consumer Sciences</a> (AAFCS) in Baltimore, Maryland June 26 at the organizations national conference.&nbsp; As President of AAFCS, she will preside over bi-weekly Board of Directors meetings, advance the work of the Association through presentations and advocacy, support the implementation of the association’s strategic plan, maintain existing and future partnerships with organizations that share the Family and Consumer Science common core values, and chair the 2024 National AAFCS Meeting being held in Minneapolis, Minnesota next JunThe American Association of Family &amp; Consumer Sciences is the only professional association dedicated to family and consumer sciences students and professionals from multiple practice settings and content areas. As a broad-based 501 (c)(3) membership organization, AAFCS connects FCS professionals to share knowledge, research, programming, and experience.AAFCS facilitates connections among FCS professionals across multiple practice settings and content areas including human development and family studies, foods and nutrition, health and well-being, personal family finance, financial management, housing, interior design, textiles, apparel, consumer issues and more. AAFCS helps its members grow and accomplish more, both personally and professionally, by offering leadership support and opportunities for professional development and collaboration. The organization understands today’s complex social and economic issues and helps members make an impact on the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. The AAFCS mission further clarifies its work: “AAFCS elevates the profession by inspiring research, leadership, and service to empower individuals, families and communities.”AAFCS works alongside many partner organizations including: Association of Career and Technical Education; Alliance for Family &amp; Consumer Science; Aramark; American Heart Association; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Forrest T. Jones &amp; Company; Goodheart-Wilcox Publisher; Home Baking Association; MyPlate.gov; Kappa Omicron Nu, Human Science Honor Society; LifeSmarts; JumpStart; National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science, USDA: NIFA; USDA: FNS; Pearson Publishing, and Wiley Publishers.Following her tenure as President, Deb will serve an additional year on the AAFCS Board of Directors as Past-President and assume the role of Chair of the organization’s Past President Unit.

Deb Andres inaugurated as AAFCS President

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Rep. Ken Rahjes about letters containing white powder to Kansas legislators.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wyU3tLpLHIM" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Kansas Rep. Ken Rahjes about letters containing white powder to Kansas legislators.

Forward Ever: Kan. Rep. 110 Ken Rahjes discusses white powder mailed to legislators

On the Paradox Coffee and Bistro "Coffee Talk" program today we focus on Junction City Brigade Baseball.  GM Cecil Aska and Brigade Manager Garrett Francis are the guests. Aska reflects back on the recent past of the Brigade program including player development, the formation and sustainment of the Mid-Plains League, the host family program and work of the JC Baseball Association.  Francis talks about his history with the Brigade, player recruitment, team philosophy and the current 2023 season.  It's all about Brigade baseball on "Coffee Talk"...the collegiate team that makes its home at Junction City's historic Rathert Fiel

<div><iframe title="Paradox Coffee and Bistro ”Coffee Talk" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=b9da2-1445f87-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=60a0c8"></iframe></div>HOSTED BY JERRY BRECHEISEN:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685644308663.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On the Paradox Coffee and Bistro "Coffee Talk" program today we focus on Junction City Brigade Baseball. GM Cecil Aska and Brigade Manager Garrett Francis are the guests. Aska reflects back on the recent past of the Brigade program including player development, the formation and sustainment of the Mid-Plains League, the host family program and work of the JC Baseball Association. Francis talks about his history with the Brigade, player recruitment, team philosophy and the current 2023 season. It's all about Brigade baseball on "Coffee Talk"...the collegiate team that makes its home at Junction City's historic Rathert Fiel<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687519431790.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🎙: Paradox Coffee and Bistro "Coffee  Talk" - JC Brigade

For audio file, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0019c2U-Y3J836rJO0qyQMZh64LRPJ87NNRtL0h27A4a_Ns0WmuGd1uXlw7hiRwp_oBVfMoWZ1a-uLZhfcNzeMciee6cW566tHrQIcmi3VlFS_-gTd25YzF5tKvOBSk-yhIlHdEUkate8EObAIVpIkU9w==&amp;c=f8s9neCRrHD-dbzoWDZqbxz6cZutlzhBmFOxbrSEl4VaDNuC1Lw8RQ==&amp;ch=OHpZ8fkr_Bey6wKB9LocqoLKxsRe359dPZ_h47Ub8uwRajpKwR9lRw==" target="_blank">kswheat.com</a>.

This is day 7 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.

Triple-digit temperatures mean it certainly feels like the right weather to harvest wheat, but producers and elevators alike are feeling behind schedule. Wheat harvest has shifted west, moving into areas with more extreme drought conditions and more abandoned acres. The wheat acres that remain are coming in below average, but slightly better than expected, while producers adjust their harvesting to address pressure from late-growing weeds.&nbsp;

At the Nebraska border, Neil Bekemeyer started harvest on Monday, June 26, and expects to finish up in the next few days. In Washington County and up into Nebraska, Bekemeyer had hail&nbsp;on Wednesday night, which did not break the hollow wheat stems, but did have a bit of shatter. Wheat fared better than corn, much of which was blown over in the wind.&nbsp;

Bekemeyer was surprised at the yields he was seeing, especially considering the moderate amount of weeds below the canopy. Outstanding varieties included AgriPro Bigfoot and LCS Valiant - with test weights coming in between 58 and 60 pounds per bushel.

In Riley County, Kansas Wheat Commission board member, Nathan Larson has mixed feelings about this year’s wheat crop. He recalled how difficult it was to get his crop in last fall because there was too much moisture to even get into fields. He still thinks there was moisture in the ground to help the wheat grow, but his stands did not fill out with tillers like he had hoped, and he had more weed pressure.&nbsp;

Larson has been delivering Syngenta Monument crop to the local elevator in Leonardville, where test weights have not been great at an average of 58 pounds per bushel. Overall, his crop is averaging 30 bushels per acre.&nbsp;

“It’s a disappointing year, but when you think about southwest Kansas, it’s not a BAD year,” Larson shared.

Back in central Kansas, Del Adcock of Bartlett Grain in Great Bend reported the area is about 10 days to two weeks behind normal. So far, they’ve taken in about 20 percent of the wheat they expect to receive. Test weights are good, averaging 60 pounds per bushel and above, with higher-than-average protein.&nbsp;

Adcock said yields are averaging in the high 20s to low 30s with a range from the teens to 50 bushels per acre. Weeds are everywhere, due to thin stands and the crop maturing later than normal.&nbsp;

Bartlett Grain has a six-county draw radius and Adcock expects to receive about half the wheat of an average year. Sitting on a short line rail line, the facility will send wheat to their core business in Mexico as well as company-owned flour mills in Coffeyville, Kansas, and North Carolina.&nbsp;

There’s little excitement about this year’s crop, as approximately 40 percent of acres were abandoned and yields on the remaining wheat are much lower than average.&nbsp;

“Everybody’s ready to have harvest done and out of the way,” Adcock said.

In the northern part of Barton County, Dean Stoskopf reported even higher abandonment, estimating up to 90 percent of local acres would not be harvested due to extreme drought conditions. Some of Stoskopf’s fields went a year without an inch (or some even a half inch) of moisture. The majority of the county finally moved out of D4 (exceptional) drought, thanks to rains in the past two weeks, but more rain is needed to keep that status at bay.

“If it doesn't rain, we’ll be right back in exceptional drought,” Stoskopf said.&nbsp;

Stoskopf abandoned 80 percent of planted acres and chose not to spray the remaining 200 acres. As a result, he decided to use only a conventional combine, which handles the ever-growing weeds better than his other rotary head. He noted 100-degree weather also helps chop weeds a little bit easier.&nbsp;

Stoskopf cut his first field on Wednesday with final results coming in just above crop insurance estimates at 23 bushels per acre, acceptable 12 percent moisture, excellent test weight at 60 pounds per bushel and good protein at 12.8 percent. The only surviving variety on his operation is PlainsGold Whistler, which benefitted from last-minute moisture as a late-maturing variety.&nbsp;

“What survived isn’t doing too bad, but there aren’t many acres of it,” Stoskopf said. “There just is not a whole lot of wheat coming in.”&nbsp;

Summertime temperatures will continue to advance the pace of wheat harvest in the coming days ahead of the&nbsp;July 4th&nbsp;holiday and a cold front next week. Stay tuned as the Kansas Wheat crew continues to share results from the field with the next report scheduled for Jully 5.

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=0019c2U-Y3J836rJO0qyQMZh64LRPJ87NNRtL0h27A4a_Ns0WmuGd1uXqa8Th2TjT0zFjw2EIbhzWBZM-QWdsAGzloc7w35GcXgcDGOUGFqzNiJu08HtcvW32hbe5Ro4S9dIZPRtpMLLJPJANGqSQepLu_F2w4xGlvL&amp;c=f8s9neCRrHD-dbzoWDZqbxz6cZutlzhBmFOxbrSEl4VaDNuC1Lw8RQ==&amp;ch=OHpZ8fkr_Bey6wKB9LocqoLKxsRe359dPZ_h47Ub8uwRajpKwR9lRw==" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0019c2U-Y3J836rJO0qyQMZh64LRPJ87NNRtL0h27A4a_Ns0WmuGd1uXldZ_vAGD9DaN0flNwKlLnQmr011RetAiQw9M4rr4Bg80CLAVhCNziZ7mCigcGzTVA5tvxn2lylgqVHBs9OljYlm9XHHpPDraL3vfkENGTIi&amp;c=f8s9neCRrHD-dbzoWDZqbxz6cZutlzhBmFOxbrSEl4VaDNuC1Lw8RQ==&amp;ch=OHpZ8fkr_Bey6wKB9LocqoLKxsRe359dPZ_h47Ub8uwRajpKwR9lRw==" target="_blank">Instagram</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0019c2U-Y3J836rJO0qyQMZh64LRPJ87NNRtL0h27A4a_Ns0WmuGd1uXj3bI__Yrvp0bEkaJleuOawgBJkaQvKBIkYWvhojJIMibquNcB_pLPzQQMPJLmwxeCnAONcpqRuwRnKs2l6MzlSiIiKMdRsHULptl6vUc_pg&amp;c=f8s9neCRrHD-dbzoWDZqbxz6cZutlzhBmFOxbrSEl4VaDNuC1Lw8RQ==&amp;ch=OHpZ8fkr_Bey6wKB9LocqoLKxsRe359dPZ_h47Ub8uwRajpKwR9lRw==" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688090528981.png" alt="Image Courtesy Kansas Wheat " />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy Kansas Wheat </figcaption>
 </figure> BY Julia DebesKansas Wheat For audio file, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0019c2U-Y3J836rJO0qyQMZh64LRPJ87NNRtL0h27A4a_Ns0WmuGd1uXlw7hiRwp_oBVfMoWZ1a-uLZhfcNzeMciee6cW566tHrQIcmi3VlFS_-gTd25YzF5tKvOBSk-yhIlHdEUkate8EObAIVpIkU9w==&amp;c=f8s9neCRrHD-dbzoWDZqbxz6cZutlzhBmFOxbrSEl4VaDNuC1Lw8RQ==&amp;ch=OHpZ8fkr_Bey6wKB9LocqoLKxsRe359dPZ_h47Ub8uwRajpKwR9lRw==" target="_blank">kswheat.com</a>.This is day 7 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.Triple-digit temperatures mean it certainly feels like the right weather to harvest wheat, but producers and elevators alike are feeling behind schedule. Wheat harvest has shifted west, moving into areas with more extreme drought conditions and more abandoned acres. The wheat acres that remain are coming in below average, but slightly better than expected, while producers adjust their harvesting to address pressure from late-growing weeds.&nbsp;At the Nebraska border, Neil Bekemeyer started harvest on Monday, June 26, and expects to finish up in the next few days. In Washington County and up into Nebraska, Bekemeyer had hail&nbsp;on Wednesday night, which did not break the hollow wheat stems, but did have a bit of shatter. Wheat fared better than corn, much of which was blown over in the wind.&nbsp;Bekemeyer was surprised at the yields he was seeing, especially considering the moderate amount of weeds below the canopy. Outstanding varieties included AgriPro Bigfoot and LCS Valiant - with test weights coming in between 58 and 60 pounds per bushel.In Riley County, Kansas Wheat Commission board member, Nathan Larson has mixed feelings about this year’s wheat crop. He recalled how difficult it was to get his crop in last fall because there was too much moisture to even get into fields. He still thinks there was moisture in the ground to help the wheat grow, but his stands did not fill out with tillers like he had hoped, and he had more weed pressure.&nbsp;Larson has been delivering Syngenta Monument crop to the local elevator in Leonardville, where test weights have not been great at an average of 58 pounds per bushel. Overall, his crop is averaging 30 bushels per acre.&nbsp;“It’s a disappointing year, but when you think about southwest Kansas, it’s not a BAD year,” Larson shared.Back in central Kansas, Del Adcock of Bartlett Grain in Great Bend reported the area is about 10 days to two weeks behind normal. So far, they’ve taken in about 20 percent of the wheat they expect to receive. Test weights are good, averaging 60 pounds per bushel and above, with higher-than-average protein.&nbsp;Adcock said yields are averaging in the high 20s to low 30s with a range from the teens to 50 bushels per acre. Weeds are everywhere, due to thin stands and the crop maturing later than normal.&nbsp;Bartlett Grain has a six-county draw radius and Adcock expects to receive about half the wheat of an average year. Sitting on a short line rail line, the facility will send wheat to their core business in Mexico as well as company-owned flour mills in Coffeyville, Kansas, and North Carolina.&nbsp;There’s little excitement about this year’s crop, as approximately 40 percent of acres were abandoned and yields on the remaining wheat are much lower than average.&nbsp;“Everybody’s ready to have harvest done and out of the way,” Adcock said.In the northern part of Barton County, Dean Stoskopf reported even higher abandonment, estimating up to 90 percent of local acres would not be harvested due to extreme drought conditions. Some of Stoskopf’s fields went a year without an inch (or some even a half inch) of moisture. The majority of the county finally moved out of D4 (exceptional) drought, thanks to rains in the past two weeks, but more rain is needed to keep that status at bay.“If it doesn't rain, we’ll be right back in exceptional drought,” Stoskopf said.&nbsp;Stoskopf abandoned 80 percent of planted acres and chose not to spray the remaining 200 acres. As a result, he decided to use only a conventional combine, which handles the ever-growing weeds better than his other rotary head. He noted 100-degree weather also helps chop weeds a little bit easier.&nbsp;Stoskopf cut his first field on Wednesday with final results coming in just above crop insurance estimates at 23 bushels per acre, acceptable 12 percent moisture, excellent test weight at 60 pounds per bushel and good protein at 12.8 percent. The only surviving variety on his operation is PlainsGold Whistler, which benefitted from last-minute moisture as a late-maturing variety.&nbsp;“What survived isn’t doing too bad, but there aren’t many acres of it,” Stoskopf said. “There just is not a whole lot of wheat coming in.”&nbsp;Summertime temperatures will continue to advance the pace of wheat harvest in the coming days ahead of the&nbsp;July 4th&nbsp;holiday and a cold front next week. Stay tuned as the Kansas Wheat crew continues to share results from the field with the next report scheduled for Jully 5.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=0019c2U-Y3J836rJO0qyQMZh64LRPJ87NNRtL0h27A4a_Ns0WmuGd1uXqa8Th2TjT0zFjw2EIbhzWBZM-QWdsAGzloc7w35GcXgcDGOUGFqzNiJu08HtcvW32hbe5Ro4S9dIZPRtpMLLJPJANGqSQepLu_F2w4xGlvL&amp;c=f8s9neCRrHD-dbzoWDZqbxz6cZutlzhBmFOxbrSEl4VaDNuC1Lw8RQ==&amp;ch=OHpZ8fkr_Bey6wKB9LocqoLKxsRe359dPZ_h47Ub8uwRajpKwR9lRw==" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0019c2U-Y3J836rJO0qyQMZh64LRPJ87NNRtL0h27A4a_Ns0WmuGd1uXldZ_vAGD9DaN0flNwKlLnQmr011RetAiQw9M4rr4Bg80CLAVhCNziZ7mCigcGzTVA5tvxn2lylgqVHBs9OljYlm9XHHpPDraL3vfkENGTIi&amp;c=f8s9neCRrHD-dbzoWDZqbxz6cZutlzhBmFOxbrSEl4VaDNuC1Lw8RQ==&amp;ch=OHpZ8fkr_Bey6wKB9LocqoLKxsRe359dPZ_h47Ub8uwRajpKwR9lRw==" target="_blank">Instagram</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0019c2U-Y3J836rJO0qyQMZh64LRPJ87NNRtL0h27A4a_Ns0WmuGd1uXj3bI__Yrvp0bEkaJleuOawgBJkaQvKBIkYWvhojJIMibquNcB_pLPzQQMPJLmwxeCnAONcpqRuwRnKs2l6MzlSiIiKMdRsHULptl6vUc_pg&amp;c=f8s9neCRrHD-dbzoWDZqbxz6cZutlzhBmFOxbrSEl4VaDNuC1Lw8RQ==&amp;ch=OHpZ8fkr_Bey6wKB9LocqoLKxsRe359dPZ_h47Ub8uwRajpKwR9lRw==" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

Day 7, Kansas Wheat Harvest Report

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/2023/6/1688068383252.jpeg" alt="Nicklos Ryan Bancroft, Domestic Battery; Arrested 06/28/2023" />
 <figcaption>Nicklos Ryan Bancroft, Domestic Battery; Arrested 06/28/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688068725524.jpeg" alt="Noelle Jeanloy Langston, Theft-All Other; Arrested 06/28/2023" />
 <figcaption>Noelle Jeanloy Langston, Theft-All Other; Arrested 06/28/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688068934009.jpeg" alt="Matthew Albert May, Probation Violation; Arrested 06/28/2023" />
 <figcaption>Matthew Albert May, Probation Violation; Arrested 06/28/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688069087924.jpeg" alt="Harman Troy Pearson, Aggravated sexual battery; Force or fear; Arrested 06/29/2023" />
 <figcaption>Harman Troy Pearson, Aggravated sexual battery; Force or fear; Arrested 06/29/2023</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 June 29

By Maddy RohrK-State Research and Extension

While they may be a more common pest in garbage, raccoons also target the home garden. It seems as though racoons harvest sweet corn right before it is to be picked, so Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham recommends fencing as a prevention method.

“The only effective control measure I have had success with is fencing; either electric or kennel fencing,” Upham said.

To install electric fencing, use two or more wires, the first about five inches above the ground and the second four inches above the first (or nine inches above ground). Raccoons must not be able to crawl under, go between or go over the wires without being shocked.

Fence posts and insulators used for electric fences work well for this application.

“It is much easier to use the woven electric wire with strands of wire embedded than to use a solid metal wire. The woven wire is easier to bend around corners and to roll up when done for the year,” Upham said.

Upham suggests using battery operated fencing rather than plug-ins.

“Start the charger before the corn is close to being ripe. Once raccoons get a taste of the corn, they are more difficult to discourage,” Upham said.

He encourages weed control around the wire to prevent them from intercepting the voltage.

Kennel fencing can also be an alternative protection from raccoons.

“Make sure that the panels are tied together well enough that raccoons can’t squeeze through corners,” Upham said.

A covering over the top may be needed if the raccoons figure out how to climb the panels.

Welded garden fence can work well for this.

Upham and his colleagues in K-State's Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html">Horticulture Newsletter</a>&nbsp;with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens. The newsletter is available to view online or can be delivered by email each week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688040158326.jpeg" alt="Raccoons love sweet corn just as much as humans do. K-State horticulture expert Ward Upham says installing fencing may be the best way to keep them out of the garden. KSRE Photo" />
 <figcaption>Raccoons love sweet corn just as much as humans do. K-State horticulture expert Ward Upham says installing fencing may be the best way to keep them out of the garden. KSRE Photo</figcaption>
 </figure> By Maddy RohrK-State Research and ExtensionWhile they may be a more common pest in garbage, raccoons also target the home garden. It seems as though racoons harvest sweet corn right before it is to be picked, so Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham recommends fencing as a prevention method.“The only effective control measure I have had success with is fencing; either electric or kennel fencing,” Upham said.Electric Fencing&nbsp;To install electric fencing, use two or more wires, the first about five inches above the ground and the second four inches above the first (or nine inches above ground). Raccoons must not be able to crawl under, go between or go over the wires without being shocked.Fence posts and insulators used for electric fences work well for this application.“It is much easier to use the woven electric wire with strands of wire embedded than to use a solid metal wire. The woven wire is easier to bend around corners and to roll up when done for the year,” Upham said.Upham suggests using battery operated fencing rather than plug-ins.“Start the charger before the corn is close to being ripe. Once raccoons get a taste of the corn, they are more difficult to discourage,” Upham said.He encourages weed control around the wire to prevent them from intercepting the voltage.Kennel FencingKennel fencing can also be an alternative protection from raccoons.“Make sure that the panels are tied together well enough that raccoons can’t squeeze through corners,” Upham said.A covering over the top may be needed if the raccoons figure out how to climb the panels.Welded garden fence can work well for this.Upham and his colleagues in K-State's Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html">Horticulture Newsletter</a>&nbsp;with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens. The newsletter is available to view online or can be delivered by email each week.

Tips for how to protect sweet corn from raccoons

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged aggravated assault.

Just before 7p.m. Wednesday, officers filed a report for aggravated assault in the 700 block of Allen Rd. in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Two juvenile girls reported a juvenile boy known to them threatened them with a knife. Police arrested the boy on a requested charge of aggravated assault and he was processed through juvenile intake.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged aggravated assault.Just before 7p.m. Wednesday, officers filed a report for aggravated assault in the 700 block of Allen Rd. in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.Two juvenile girls reported a juvenile boy known to them threatened them with a knife. Police arrested the boy on a requested charge of aggravated assault and he was processed through juvenile intake.The RCPD released no additional details.

RCPD: Boy allegedly threatened girls with a knife

RILEY COUNTY - The Riley County Police Department has arrested four people in connection with three suspected fentanyl-related overdose cases.

Riley County District Court warrants were issued for Ronald Ince, Nathan Reeves, Caziah Self and Daron Jones, all of Manhattan.

Fifty-nine year old, Ronald Ince, was arrested for requested charges of distribution of a controlled substance causing death, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, and use of a communication facility for a drug transaction. He remains confined in the Riley County Jail with a total bond of $500,000.

Thirty-seven year old, Nathan Reeves, was arrested for requested charges of&nbsp;distribution of a controlled substance causing death, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, and use of a communication facility for a drug transaction. Reeves remains confined in the Riley County Jail with a total bond of $500,000. Reeves’s and Ince’s arrests stem from an investigation into the death of a 36-year-old woman in August 2021.

Twenty-one year old, Caziah Self was arrested for requested charges of&nbsp;distribution of a controlled substance causing great bodily harm, aggravated battery, and use of a communication facility for a drug transaction stemming from an investigation into the overdose of a 31-year-old man in August of 2022. Self was issued a total bond of $250,000 for this charge.&nbsp;

Self was also arrested on two&nbsp;arrested on two Manhattan Municipal Court warrants for failure to appear and theft.&nbsp;

Self was also found to be in possession of two guns and a large number of pills suspected to contain fentanyl at the time of his arrest adding additional charges of drug possession with the intent to distribute, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon by a felon. These additional charges hold a bond of $500,000. Self remains confined in the Riley County Jail with a total bond of $751,750.

Twenty-one year old, Daron Jones was arrested on requested charges two counts each of distribution of a controlled substance causing great bodily harm, aggravated battery, and use of a communication facility for a drug transaction stemming from an investigation into two separate overdoses of the same 21-year-old man in August and October of 2022. Jones remains confined in the Riley County Jail with a total bond of $250,000.

“We will continue to work to identify the source of these drugs in our community through ongoing investigations with our state and federal partners,” Director Brian Peete said. “I commend our Special Investigations Unit (SIU) on these arrests that are the culmination of years of investigation in conjunction with the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).”

The main function of the RCPD Special Investigations Unit(SIU) is to initiate and investigate narcotic activities related to cases the affect the community.&nbsp;

The SIU partners with local, state and federal agents for joint operations to identify and arrest individuals who use, sell and manufacture illegal narcotics. The unit also handles high-risk searches and serves arrest warrants on locations and suspects, as well as, assisting with interviews and follow-up investigations.

If you have any information about the distribution of fentanyl you can submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (785) 539-7777 or contact RCPD at (785) 537-2112 and ask to speak with the SIU.

by BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687989115219.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY - The Riley County Police Department has arrested four people in connection with three suspected fentanyl-related overdose cases.Riley County District Court warrants were issued for Ronald Ince, Nathan Reeves, Caziah Self and Daron Jones, all of Manhattan.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FRileyCountyPD%2Fvideos%2F969835354344866%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Fifty-nine year old, Ronald Ince, was arrested for requested charges of distribution of a controlled substance causing death, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, and use of a communication facility for a drug transaction. He remains confined in the Riley County Jail with a total bond of $500,000.Thirty-seven year old, Nathan Reeves, was arrested for requested charges of&nbsp;distribution of a controlled substance causing death, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, and use of a communication facility for a drug transaction. Reeves remains confined in the Riley County Jail with a total bond of $500,000. Reeves’s and Ince’s arrests stem from an investigation into the death of a 36-year-old woman in August 2021.Twenty-one year old, Caziah Self was arrested for requested charges of&nbsp;distribution of a controlled substance causing great bodily harm, aggravated battery, and use of a communication facility for a drug transaction stemming from an investigation into the overdose of a 31-year-old man in August of 2022. Self was issued a total bond of $250,000 for this charge.&nbsp;Self was also arrested on two&nbsp;arrested on two Manhattan Municipal Court warrants for failure to appear and theft.&nbsp;Self was also found to be in possession of two guns and a large number of pills suspected to contain fentanyl at the time of his arrest adding additional charges of drug possession with the intent to distribute, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon by a felon. These additional charges hold a bond of $500,000. Self remains confined in the Riley County Jail with a total bond of $751,750.Twenty-one year old, Daron Jones was arrested on requested charges two counts each of distribution of a controlled substance causing great bodily harm, aggravated battery, and use of a communication facility for a drug transaction stemming from an investigation into two separate overdoses of the same 21-year-old man in August and October of 2022. Jones remains confined in the Riley County Jail with a total bond of $250,000.“We will continue to work to identify the source of these drugs in our community through ongoing investigations with our state and federal partners,” Director Brian Peete said. “I commend our Special Investigations Unit (SIU) on these arrests that are the culmination of years of investigation in conjunction with the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).”The main function of the RCPD Special Investigations Unit(SIU) is to initiate and investigate narcotic activities related to cases the affect the community.&nbsp;The SIU partners with local, state and federal agents for joint operations to identify and arrest individuals who use, sell and manufacture illegal narcotics. The unit also handles high-risk searches and serves arrest warrants on locations and suspects, as well as, assisting with interviews and follow-up investigations.If you have any information about the distribution of fentanyl you can submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (785) 539-7777 or contact RCPD at (785) 537-2112 and ask to speak with the SIU.

🎥: Four arrested in connection with fentanyl related overdose cases

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/2023/6/1687987914450.jpeg" alt="Randall James Williams, Probation Violation, Arrested 06/27/2023" />
 <figcaption>Randall James Williams, Probation Violation, Arrested 06/27/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687987990651.jpeg" alt="Adriane Clarice Young, Violation of a protective order; Arrested 06/28/2023" />
 <figcaption>Adriane Clarice Young, Violation of a protective order; Arrested 06/28/2023</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 June 28

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged altercation that included a gun.

Just before 10p.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report for aggravated assault, battery, and disorderly conduct in the 1400 block of Chase Pl. in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

&nbsp;A 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were listed as both the victims and suspects when it was reported the man threw the woman in a pool and the woman punched him after getting out of the pool.

 It was also reported after this altercation, a separate 22-year-old man pulled out a handgun and threatened the woman with it.

Police reported no additional details and have not reported an arrest.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged altercation that included a gun.Just before 10p.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report for aggravated assault, battery, and disorderly conduct in the 1400 block of Chase Pl. in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp;A 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were listed as both the victims and suspects when it was reported the man threw the woman in a pool and the woman punched him after getting out of the pool. It was also reported after this altercation, a separate 22-year-old man pulled out a handgun and threatened the woman with it.Police reported no additional details and have not reported an arrest.

RCPD: Man threatened woman with gun after fight at pool

<a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.0252&amp;lon=-96.833#.WkYrVt-nHIU">The National Weather Service </a>has issued a Heat Advisory is in effect today across much of the area, where
heat indices will peak around 105 this afternoon.



A few strong to severe storms will be possible this evening and
tonight, mainly north of Interstate 70. Large hail and damaging
winds would be possible with any storm that can develop.

.

Heat indices above 100 are likely again Thursday and Friday.


Another Heat Advisory is in effect across east-central Kansas
Thursday where heat indices are most likely to peak around 105.

A few strong to severe thunderstorms will also be possible
Thursday through Friday night, most likely along and north of
Interstate 70. Large hail and damaging winds would again be the
main hazards.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592752482558.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.0252&amp;lon=-96.833#.WkYrVt-nHIU">The National Weather Service </a>has issued a Heat Advisory is in effect today across much of the area, where
heat indices will peak around 105 this afternoon.

A few strong to severe storms will be possible this evening and
tonight, mainly north of Interstate 70. Large hail and damaging
winds would be possible with any storm that can develop.

.Heat indices above 100 are likely again Thursday and Friday.
Another Heat Advisory is in effect across east-central Kansas
Thursday where heat indices are most likely to peak around 105.

A few strong to severe thunderstorms will also be possible
Thursday through Friday night, most likely along and north of
Interstate 70. Large hail and damaging winds would again be the
main hazards.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Heat advisory posted for our region

This&nbsp;Soft Red Winter Special Edition of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

Soft red winter (SRW) wheat has been a bright spot in Kansas’ otherwise challenging wheat harvest this year. According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service in the 2023 Wheat Varieties Report, SRW makes up only about 4% of the state’s wheat acreage, with hard red winter making up the majority of the balance.

In pockets of far southeastern Kansas and parts of northeast Kansas, wheat farmers plant soft red winter wheat, as those areas have climate conditions annually more suitable for SRW than HRW.&nbsp;

SRW typically yields higher than HRW but has lower protein content (8.5% to 10.5%), soft endosperm and weak gluten, making it targeted for different end products than HRW, universally known as the bread wheat.&nbsp;SRW is commonly used for specialty products such as sponge cakes, cookies, crackers and other confectionary products.&nbsp;

CoMark Equity Alliance (CEA), headquartered in Cheney, Kansas, and Enid, Oklahoma, has several locations in the southeastern part of Kansas, extreme south central Kansas and north central Oklahoma, that handle both soft red winter and hard red winter wheat.&nbsp;

Troy Presley of CEA discussed the importance of keeping the two classes of wheat segregated.

“I feel it’s especially important this year for all segments of the industry to work together to protect the integrity of both the hard red winter and soft red winter markets,” he said. “End users rely on us to provide wheat with the characteristics they need, and we don’t want to jeopardize that. It’s important to know your customers and work with your FSA office to get an idea on the percentage of each class of wheat grown in the area.”

Presley said they’ve been sending some samples to Kansas Grain Inspection Service for hardness tests, so “wheat can be labeled correctly, and we can tell our domestic and international markets, ‘this is as advertised.’”

Jay Armstrong is one of those eastern Kansas wheat farmers who plants SRW. He has finished his wheat harvest near Muscotah in Atchison County, where it’s normally too wet for high wheat yields, but this year was the exception.&nbsp;

Armstrong put on 160 pounds of nitrogen, fungicide and seed treatments on his SRW crop. Combined with a near-perfect growing season — he’s one of the few producers in the state that would call it so this year — Armstrong said this was “the best wheat we have ever planted.” His Pioneer 25R74 averaged 94 bushels per acre for a farm-wide yield with test weights between 60 and 61 pounds per bushel.&nbsp;

Armstrong binned the bumper crop for later delivery to mills near Kansas City that are looking for SRW this year. Despite the successful wheat crop, no moisture is now to be found and the soybeans going in behind the combine are being planted into dust.&nbsp;

In Montgomery County, where Richard Felts farms with his brother Larry, the SRW wheat — which makes up 80 percent of their operation — looked good all winter long. But, the area also suffered from a long stretch without rain.&nbsp;

“When it quit raining this time last year, that was the end of it until this spring,” Larry Felts said. “That’s why we needed a decent wheat crop — because we didn’t have anything for fall crops. From here you don’t have to go very far before you run into some bad stuff.”&nbsp;

Richard has farmed in partnership with Larry since they came back from college to partner with their father. Now, Rich’s son and son-in-law are involved in the operation and Larry’s grandson is running the grain cart — the fourth generation on the family operation.&nbsp;

The beginning of wheat harvest was delayed for the Felts family due to rain, finally starting around June 15. The SRW is averaging 85 bushels per acre with test weights averaging right at 60 pounds per bushel. That wheat is being delivered to the elevator in Coffeyville, which has to switch between hard and soft wheat deliveries, a tricky undertaking when both classes look similar but have very different quality characteristics… and different prices on the board.&nbsp;

“We’re trusting that all our neighbors are being honest, and elevators are pulling a sample on every load,” Richard Felts said. “We all want to protect the integrity of hard red winter wheat.”&nbsp;

The last wheat they will cut will be their HRW, but attention is already shifting to the next crop that could use some moisture as the son-in-law has started planting soybeans.&nbsp;

Harvest should wrap up by the end of this week in Franklin County, according to Clark Wenger, general manager/CEO of Ottawa Coop. The area planted twice as many wheat acres this year and combined with an uncommon set of great growing conditions, the harvest is better than expected.

Both HRW and SRW are planted in this area, about 30 percent soft to 70 percent hard. Ottawa Coop has taken in both classes of wheat for several years without issue because their elevator crew could visually distinguish between HRW and SRW. This year, however, certain HRW varieties started to look more like SRW. As a result, Wenger said they submitted samples to the state for grading and talked with farmers to make sure they were segregating the two classes.&nbsp;

Segregation between HRW and SRW is important for elevators as they market that wheat to different end-users.&nbsp;

“They either want soft wheat or hard wheat, they don’t want a mix,” Wenger said. “If it is a mix, then it causes problems and we’re left to market that mix into a feed market that isn’t as profitable. So, we have to make sure that what we take in is what it’s supposed to be.”

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=001GadJqjVbWXSRuAbAppJw3raax9NGtkfAV37LTxo6aHQtf3PTBZPeudOqfga_ibJNnXM4g2qH_BD_NZvtRyjhTIWwzf36SePd67M9-DW2Z0TM-Ix6kTW-PJI_Z3Ebz61L4tq0tKC4N0z2N_TFj0VtAnWa-_egoh8U&amp;c=KmW2EW-6qu2VLsFdrfcVEObrLuscGqa3Zmy8umJE4PutHKywHusBoA==&amp;ch=dHU4LKc1WYejgvnfYGvpJ7bRwOLbE5Ko-B_tiSGIMEtKk70gXQxAEg==" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001GadJqjVbWXSRuAbAppJw3raax9NGtkfAV37LTxo6aHQtf3PTBZPeuTSY9Kk5uwtEFQBxDwwwjiZZdUNufgb8GBQPaVe6xe55fky8hdgL9SLM3AbHUzll3tJs0mK-M-cM7Xzv3CI-ZlwtsDiayvRNaJJM-ECLicLn&amp;c=KmW2EW-6qu2VLsFdrfcVEObrLuscGqa3Zmy8umJE4PutHKywHusBoA==&amp;ch=dHU4LKc1WYejgvnfYGvpJ7bRwOLbE5Ko-B_tiSGIMEtKk70gXQxAEg==" target="_blank">Instagram</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001GadJqjVbWXSRuAbAppJw3raax9NGtkfAV37LTxo6aHQtf3PTBZPeufDED4w9HJxw2JyS6kGXw2IkUIUHOgdhy4oZAhAaYeSOrRCGg7gZi998pSeFIcD8SYCCP_1LFpua6r4xnXEcibMfkqNEe3XFqeTORd5Z655e&amp;c=KmW2EW-6qu2VLsFdrfcVEObrLuscGqa3Zmy8umJE4PutHKywHusBoA==&amp;ch=dHU4LKc1WYejgvnfYGvpJ7bRwOLbE5Ko-B_tiSGIMEtKk70gXQxAEg==" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687917118375.png" alt="2023 Soft Red Winter Wheat Harvest Report. Image Courtesy Kansas Wheat" />
 <figcaption>2023 Soft Red Winter Wheat Harvest Report. Image Courtesy Kansas Wheat</figcaption>
 </figure> Kansas Wheat This&nbsp;Soft Red Winter Special Edition of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.Soft red winter (SRW) wheat has been a bright spot in Kansas’ otherwise challenging wheat harvest this year. According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service in the 2023 Wheat Varieties Report, SRW makes up only about 4% of the state’s wheat acreage, with hard red winter making up the majority of the balance.In pockets of far southeastern Kansas and parts of northeast Kansas, wheat farmers plant soft red winter wheat, as those areas have climate conditions annually more suitable for SRW than HRW.&nbsp;SRW typically yields higher than HRW but has lower protein content (8.5% to 10.5%), soft endosperm and weak gluten, making it targeted for different end products than HRW, universally known as the bread wheat.&nbsp;SRW is commonly used for specialty products such as sponge cakes, cookies, crackers and other confectionary products.&nbsp;CoMark Equity Alliance (CEA), headquartered in Cheney, Kansas, and Enid, Oklahoma, has several locations in the southeastern part of Kansas, extreme south central Kansas and north central Oklahoma, that handle both soft red winter and hard red winter wheat.&nbsp;Troy Presley of CEA discussed the importance of keeping the two classes of wheat segregated.“I feel it’s especially important this year for all segments of the industry to work together to protect the integrity of both the hard red winter and soft red winter markets,” he said. “End users rely on us to provide wheat with the characteristics they need, and we don’t want to jeopardize that. It’s important to know your customers and work with your FSA office to get an idea on the percentage of each class of wheat grown in the area.”Presley said they’ve been sending some samples to Kansas Grain Inspection Service for hardness tests, so “wheat can be labeled correctly, and we can tell our domestic and international markets, ‘this is as advertised.’”Jay Armstrong is one of those eastern Kansas wheat farmers who plants SRW. He has finished his wheat harvest near Muscotah in Atchison County, where it’s normally too wet for high wheat yields, but this year was the exception.&nbsp;Armstrong put on 160 pounds of nitrogen, fungicide and seed treatments on his SRW crop. Combined with a near-perfect growing season — he’s one of the few producers in the state that would call it so this year — Armstrong said this was “the best wheat we have ever planted.” His Pioneer 25R74 averaged 94 bushels per acre for a farm-wide yield with test weights between 60 and 61 pounds per bushel.&nbsp;Armstrong binned the bumper crop for later delivery to mills near Kansas City that are looking for SRW this year. Despite the successful wheat crop, no moisture is now to be found and the soybeans going in behind the combine are being planted into dust.&nbsp;In Montgomery County, where Richard Felts farms with his brother Larry, the SRW wheat — which makes up 80 percent of their operation — looked good all winter long. But, the area also suffered from a long stretch without rain.&nbsp;“When it quit raining this time last year, that was the end of it until this spring,” Larry Felts said. “That’s why we needed a decent wheat crop — because we didn’t have anything for fall crops. From here you don’t have to go very far before you run into some bad stuff.”&nbsp;Richard has farmed in partnership with Larry since they came back from college to partner with their father. Now, Rich’s son and son-in-law are involved in the operation and Larry’s grandson is running the grain cart — the fourth generation on the family operation.&nbsp;The beginning of wheat harvest was delayed for the Felts family due to rain, finally starting around June 15. The SRW is averaging 85 bushels per acre with test weights averaging right at 60 pounds per bushel. That wheat is being delivered to the elevator in Coffeyville, which has to switch between hard and soft wheat deliveries, a tricky undertaking when both classes look similar but have very different quality characteristics… and different prices on the board.&nbsp;“We’re trusting that all our neighbors are being honest, and elevators are pulling a sample on every load,” Richard Felts said. “We all want to protect the integrity of hard red winter wheat.”&nbsp;The last wheat they will cut will be their HRW, but attention is already shifting to the next crop that could use some moisture as the son-in-law has started planting soybeans.&nbsp;Harvest should wrap up by the end of this week in Franklin County, according to Clark Wenger, general manager/CEO of Ottawa Coop. The area planted twice as many wheat acres this year and combined with an uncommon set of great growing conditions, the harvest is better than expected.Both HRW and SRW are planted in this area, about 30 percent soft to 70 percent hard. Ottawa Coop has taken in both classes of wheat for several years without issue because their elevator crew could visually distinguish between HRW and SRW. This year, however, certain HRW varieties started to look more like SRW. As a result, Wenger said they submitted samples to the state for grading and talked with farmers to make sure they were segregating the two classes.&nbsp;Segregation between HRW and SRW is important for elevators as they market that wheat to different end-users.&nbsp;“They either want soft wheat or hard wheat, they don’t want a mix,” Wenger said. “If it is a mix, then it causes problems and we’re left to market that mix into a feed market that isn’t as profitable. So, we have to make sure that what we take in is what it’s supposed to be.”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=001GadJqjVbWXSRuAbAppJw3raax9NGtkfAV37LTxo6aHQtf3PTBZPeudOqfga_ibJNnXM4g2qH_BD_NZvtRyjhTIWwzf36SePd67M9-DW2Z0TM-Ix6kTW-PJI_Z3Ebz61L4tq0tKC4N0z2N_TFj0VtAnWa-_egoh8U&amp;c=KmW2EW-6qu2VLsFdrfcVEObrLuscGqa3Zmy8umJE4PutHKywHusBoA==&amp;ch=dHU4LKc1WYejgvnfYGvpJ7bRwOLbE5Ko-B_tiSGIMEtKk70gXQxAEg==" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001GadJqjVbWXSRuAbAppJw3raax9NGtkfAV37LTxo6aHQtf3PTBZPeuTSY9Kk5uwtEFQBxDwwwjiZZdUNufgb8GBQPaVe6xe55fky8hdgL9SLM3AbHUzll3tJs0mK-M-cM7Xzv3CI-ZlwtsDiayvRNaJJM-ECLicLn&amp;c=KmW2EW-6qu2VLsFdrfcVEObrLuscGqa3Zmy8umJE4PutHKywHusBoA==&amp;ch=dHU4LKc1WYejgvnfYGvpJ7bRwOLbE5Ko-B_tiSGIMEtKk70gXQxAEg==" target="_blank">Instagram</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001GadJqjVbWXSRuAbAppJw3raax9NGtkfAV37LTxo6aHQtf3PTBZPeufDED4w9HJxw2JyS6kGXw2IkUIUHOgdhy4oZAhAaYeSOrRCGg7gZi998pSeFIcD8SYCCP_1LFpua6r4xnXEcibMfkqNEe3XFqeTORd5Z655e&amp;c=KmW2EW-6qu2VLsFdrfcVEObrLuscGqa3Zmy8umJE4PutHKywHusBoA==&amp;ch=dHU4LKc1WYejgvnfYGvpJ7bRwOLbE5Ko-B_tiSGIMEtKk70gXQxAEg==" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

Soft Red Winter Special Edition Harvest Report 2023

GEARY COUNTY - The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin the first of three phases for a pavement replacement project on I-70 in Geary County on Monday, July 10th.

Pavement will be replaced in a four mile stretch of I-70 between Exit 296 at Washington Street and Exit 300 at K-57 Highway.

Eastbound traffic on I-70 will be reduced to one lane at a reduced speed as the roadway receives a temporary overlay as part of the first phase of the project.

During the second part of phase one of the project, eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane for about one mile to allow for median crossovers which will carry westbound traffic through the construction in a head-to-head configuration in the eastbound lanes.

Ramp closures will occur to allow for ramp reconstruction. Local traffic will be directed to find alternate routes.

Wildcat Construction Co. Inc. and Subsidiaries, of Wichita, is the prime contractor and has scheduled phase one of this $30 million project to be completed by December 2023. All three phases of the project to be completed by December 2025, weather permitting.

by BECKY GOFF JC Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687894827541.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY - The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin the first of three phases for a pavement replacement project on I-70 in Geary County on Monday, July 10th.Pavement will be replaced in a four mile stretch of I-70 between Exit 296 at Washington Street and Exit 300 at K-57 Highway.Eastbound traffic on I-70 will be reduced to one lane at a reduced speed as the roadway receives a temporary overlay as part of the first phase of the project.During the second part of phase one of the project, eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane for about one mile to allow for median crossovers which will carry westbound traffic through the construction in a head-to-head configuration in the eastbound lanes.Ramp closures will occur to allow for ramp reconstruction. Local traffic will be directed to find alternate routes.Wildcat Construction Co. Inc. and Subsidiaries, of Wichita, is the prime contractor and has scheduled phase one of this $30 million project to be completed by December 2023. All three phases of the project to be completed by December 2025, weather permitting.

KDOT: I-70 pavement replacement project to begin July 10

By NATE KING&nbsp; JC Post

Freedom Fest JC is back and bigger than ever before. Earlier this month I spoke with Junction City City Commissioner, Bob Story and State Representative Nate Butler to hear what makes this year's five day Fourth of July celebration a must attend event, the whole family will enjoy.&nbsp;

The festival will take place at Heritage Park, 101-199 W. 6th Street,&nbsp; in Junction City. Butler said WEEE Entertainment Carnival will set up their rides and attractions on Thursday.

"The carnival will line up on Jefferson Street and on Sixth Street, all of that area for about two, maybe three blocks," Butler said. "They have a large carnival this year. They've told us they're going to increase the number of rides by one. So we're excited about that."

The Freedom Fest event started two years ago replacing the Sundown Salute that had been held in the city for a number of years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the event had to moved out of town.

"The downtown businesses and Junction City Main Street, wanted something back in downtown Junction City like we've had in the past. So we brought it back to life," Story said. "This is our second year for Freedom Fest JC and it's just a huge five day festival, carnival downtown crafters, vendors, great food and something new this year, there's going to be trapeze performers on Washington Street."

In addition to the carnival rides, trapeze performers, and craft vendors, Freedom Fest organizers told JC Post that the line up of musicians and bands will provide all event attendees with a wide variety of music to listen to, dance to and enjoy.

Friday, June 30 8:00 p.m.- The Flying Pages trapeze Act 8:30 p.m.-Paramount (80’s rock tribute band)

Saturday, July 1 6:30 p.m.- The Shaky Ground Band (Classic Rock) 7:30 p.m.- The Flying Pages trapeze Act 8:30 p.m.- The Frontmen (Country)

Sunday, July 2 8:00 p.m.-Consumed by Fire (Christian)

Monday, July 3 5:30 p.m.-Platinum Express (Motown, Soul, Funk, and Classic Rock) 7:30 p.m.-Foreigner Experience (Double Vision) Foreigner Tribute Band 9:00 p.m.-The Flying Pages trapeze Act 9:30 PM-Shooting Star&nbsp;(Nationally recognized Rock Band)

Tuesday, July 4 5:00 PM- Jay Hill Road Band (local musician) 6:30 PM-Burning Pianos&nbsp;(A Tribute to Keyboard Legends) 7:30 PM-The Flying Pages trapeze Act 8:30 PM-Hotel California&nbsp;(Eagles Tribute Band)

Butler said there will be many returning food trucks and vendors, with one notable new food option.&nbsp;

"We have a new vendor who's going to bring alligator on the stick to Freedom Fest 2023, which we are really excited about," Butler said. "We've got some of the them [food vendors] coming back from last year. The boba tea guy, the slushy guy, we've got the chicken and rice guy, we've got the lemon lady. So we've got a large variety of food vendors that they can come through and enjoy."

How can you have a Fourth of July celebration without fireworks? The Freedom Fest Fireworks Extravaganza will take place on Tuesday evening at 10 p.m. Story said due to the construction on the E. Sixth Street viaduct, the fireworks will be set off from near where the bridge is missing.&nbsp;

"We're gonna have to move that back a little bit. A little bit off of East Sixth Street, just where the bridge is missing from," Story said. "But we're going to shoot a little bit bigger shells. So they should go higher and be bigger."

Story, former Junction City Police Chief, said event organizers have been, and continue to work with local law enforcement to ensure a safe environment for the approximately 50,ooo+ event attendees.&nbsp;

"We coordinate with the police department, sheriff's office and we have spoken to the Kansas Highway Patrol and the fire department, all these people we deal with, they know everything that we're doing," Story said. "We block off the streets the best we can to where you don't have something accidentally happen, let alone on purpose. As always we keep a close eye on who's in the park, what's going on. In today's world, you got to do that."&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Freedom Fest 2023: Bob Story and Nate Butler" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=ktg56-141f711-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=1b1b1b&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>By NATE KING&nbsp; JC PostFreedom Fest JC is back and bigger than ever before. Earlier this month I spoke with Junction City City Commissioner, Bob Story and State Representative Nate Butler to hear what makes this year's five day Fourth of July celebration a must attend event, the whole family will enjoy.&nbsp;The festival will take place at Heritage Park, 101-199 W. 6th Street,&nbsp; in Junction City. Butler said WEEE Entertainment Carnival will set up their rides and attractions on Thursday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685456059291.png" alt="Freedom Fest 2023 Event Schedule" />
 <figcaption>Freedom Fest 2023 Event Schedule</figcaption>
 </figure>"The carnival will line up on Jefferson Street and on Sixth Street, all of that area for about two, maybe three blocks," Butler said. "They have a large carnival this year. They've told us they're going to increase the number of rides by one. So we're excited about that."The Freedom Fest event started two years ago replacing the Sundown Salute that had been held in the city for a number of years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the event had to moved out of town."The downtown businesses and Junction City Main Street, wanted something back in downtown Junction City like we've had in the past. So we brought it back to life," Story said. "This is our second year for Freedom Fest JC and it's just a huge five day festival, carnival downtown crafters, vendors, great food and something new this year, there's going to be trapeze performers on Washington Street."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1656872509906.jpeg" alt="Photo from last year's Freedom Fest.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo from last year's Freedom Fest.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>In addition to the carnival rides, trapeze performers, and craft vendors, Freedom Fest organizers told JC Post that the line up of musicians and bands will provide all event attendees with a wide variety of music to listen to, dance to and enjoy.<h2>Music entertainment lineup</h2>Friday, June 30 8:00 p.m.- The Flying Pages trapeze Act 8:30 p.m.-Paramount (80’s rock tribute band)Saturday, July 1 6:30 p.m.- The Shaky Ground Band (Classic Rock) 7:30 p.m.- The Flying Pages trapeze Act 8:30 p.m.- The Frontmen (Country)Sunday, July 2 8:00 p.m.-Consumed by Fire (Christian)Monday, July 3 5:30 p.m.-Platinum Express (Motown, Soul, Funk, and Classic Rock) 7:30 p.m.-Foreigner Experience (Double Vision) Foreigner Tribute Band 9:00 p.m.-The Flying Pages trapeze Act 9:30 PM-Shooting Star&nbsp;(Nationally recognized Rock Band)Tuesday, July 4 5:00 PM- Jay Hill Road Band (local musician) 6:30 PM-Burning Pianos&nbsp;(A Tribute to Keyboard Legends) 7:30 PM-The Flying Pages trapeze Act 8:30 PM-Hotel California&nbsp;(Eagles Tribute Band)<h2>Food trucks</h2>Butler said there will be many returning food trucks and vendors, with one notable new food option.&nbsp;"We have a new vendor who's going to bring alligator on the stick to Freedom Fest 2023, which we are really excited about," Butler said. "We've got some of the them [food vendors] coming back from last year. The boba tea guy, the slushy guy, we've got the chicken and rice guy, we've got the lemon lady. So we've got a large variety of food vendors that they can come through and enjoy."<h2>Fireworks</h2>How can you have a Fourth of July celebration without fireworks? The Freedom Fest Fireworks Extravaganza will take place on Tuesday evening at 10 p.m. Story said due to the construction on the E. Sixth Street viaduct, the fireworks will be set off from near where the bridge is missing.&nbsp;"We're gonna have to move that back a little bit. A little bit off of East Sixth Street, just where the bridge is missing from," Story said. "But we're going to shoot a little bit bigger shells. So they should go higher and be bigger."Story, former Junction City Police Chief, said event organizers have been, and continue to work with local law enforcement to ensure a safe environment for the approximately 50,ooo+ event attendees.&nbsp;"We coordinate with the police department, sheriff's office and we have spoken to the Kansas Highway Patrol and the fire department, all these people we deal with, they know everything that we're doing," Story said. "We block off the streets the best we can to where you don't have something accidentally happen, let alone on purpose. As always we keep a close eye on who's in the park, what's going on. In today's world, you got to do that."&nbsp;

🎙King in the Community: 2023 Freedom Fest JC

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged accidental shooting.

Just after 10p.m. Monday, officers responded to a report of an accidental shooting in the 7100 block of Anderson Avenue, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

First responders found a 36-year-old woman suffering from ricochet shrapnel wounds to the head and face that occurred while a 39-year-old man she was with was shooting at raccoons. 

The woman was transported to Via Christi for treatment of her non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional details.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged accidental shooting.Just after 10p.m. Monday, officers responded to a report of an accidental shooting in the 7100 block of Anderson Avenue, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.First responders found a 36-year-old woman suffering from ricochet shrapnel wounds to the head and face that occurred while a 39-year-old man she was with was shooting at raccoons. The woman was transported to Via Christi for treatment of her non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional details.

RCPD: Woman injured during shooting at raccoons

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/2023/6/1687882987003.jpeg" alt="Herbert Brown Junior, Failure to appear x2; Arrested 06/26/2023" />
 <figcaption>Herbert Brown Junior, Failure to appear x2; Arrested 06/26/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687883028875.jpeg" alt="Bryce Lynn Gamache, Failure to appear; Arrested 06/26/2023" />
 <figcaption>Bryce Lynn Gamache, Failure to appear; Arrested 06/26/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687883135850.jpeg" alt="Joshua Shane Linville, Forgery; making or altering a written instrument, unknown conviction; Giving a worthless check; Value &lt; $1,000; Make false statement to defraud offer/sale/purchase of security; Loss &lt;$25K; Possession of controlled substance; unknown substance; Arrested 06/26/2023" />
 <figcaption>Joshua Shane Linville, Forgery; making or altering a written instrument, unknown conviction; Giving a worthless check; Value &lt; $1,000; Make false statement to defraud offer/sale/purchase of security; Loss &lt;$25K; Possession of controlled substance; unknown substance; Arrested 06/26/2023</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687882603149.jpeg" alt="Kelsie Birdie Spees, Failure to appear; Arrested 06/26/2023" />
 <figcaption>Kelsie Birdie Spees, Failure to appear; Arrested 06/26/2023</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 June 27

By BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

MANHATTAN —One person was injured in an accident just before 11a.m. Monday in Riley County.

The Riley County Police Department reported a United States Postal Service vehicle driven by Tina Kufahl, 51, Manhattan, was northbound on Tuttle Creek Blvd. A vehicle making a right turn off McCall Road struck the USPS vehicle.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The impact caused the USPS vehicle to flip over and hit a third vehicle. EMS transported Kufahl to Via Christi for treatment. Police cited the driver of the vehicle that hit the USPS vehicle.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687800907420.jpeg" alt="Monday crash at Tuttle Creek and McCall" />
 <figcaption>Monday crash at Tuttle Creek and McCall</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY GOFF Little Apple PostMANHATTAN —One person was injured in an accident just before 11a.m. Monday in Riley County.The Riley County Police Department reported a United States Postal Service vehicle driven by Tina Kufahl, 51, Manhattan, was northbound on Tuttle Creek Blvd. A vehicle making a right turn off McCall Road struck the USPS vehicle.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687884449682.jpeg" alt="US Postal Service vehicle on its side following crash" />
 <figcaption>US Postal Service vehicle on its side following crash</figcaption>
 </figure>The impact caused the USPS vehicle to flip over and hit a third vehicle. EMS transported Kufahl to Via Christi for treatment. Police cited the driver of the vehicle that hit the USPS vehicle.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional details.

One injured after crash into Postal Service vehicle

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Relefctor</a> TOPEKA — A western Kansas conservation deal in the works that earmarks thousands of acres for the lesser prairie chicken could pave the way for future conservation.

The lesser prairie chicken, known for its colorful spring mating dance, has been embroiled in a tug-of-war between environmental advocates and oil and gas industry opponents for years.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/17/federal-wildlife-officials-list-lesser-prairie-chicken-as-threatened-in-kansas/">listed the lesser prairie chicken as threatened</a>&nbsp;in Kansas in late 2022, saying the agency would determine areas of critical habitat for the bird. At the time of the listing, the organization estimated 90 percent of the bird’s habitat — unbroken tracts of native grasses — had vanished, leaving an estimated 32,000 lesser prairie chickens left.

Since the listing, multiple efforts have been made by Republicans on a local and national level to overturn protections. Lawmakers and public officials say ranchers, as well as the oil and gas industry, would be hurt.

Others have tried to walk a middle ground, compensating ranchers for sharing their land with the birds.

Wayne Walker, principal of Common Ground Capital, has put forward conservation banking as a solution to the feud between ranchers and birds. Conservation banking functions as an agreement among USFWS, landowners and developers. Landowners who preserve their land are given mitigation credits to sell to developers and businesses.

Common Ground Capital pays landowners who preserve their land through a system of conservation banking, selling mitigation credits to mainly energy industries. CGC partnered with Gardiner Angus Ranch last year and is currently finalizing a deal for almost 3,000 acres of preservation in Scott City with the Hoeme family. The deal is likely to be the&nbsp;largest conservation bank easement in Kansas.

“This is the last of the last of the great prairie ecosystem and Western legacy heritage that we have,” Walker said. “And the reason the prairie chickens are there is because they are still in a native state, and they’ve been well taken care of by generations and landowners.”

Walker said political rhetoric sometimes got in the way of reaching agreements, especially with politicians ramping up campaigns against bird protections in recent months.

“The playbook of these associations is that federal overreach is bad, ESA is bad and there’s just not enough people around that have seen a win-win sort of thing like we offer because it wasn’t even there until a few years ago,” Walker said.

“It was a challenge before the chicken was super politically kryptonite,” Walker added.

In April, Kansas joined Texas and Oklahoma in a lawsuit to block the listing. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said the federal ruling would interfere with the rights of landowners in the state and make oil drilling almost impossible in the western part of the state. He is one of several Republicans to argue that rainfall affects the bird populations and that when the state’s current drought ends, lesser prairie chicken numbers will bounce back.

“It will have devastating impacts on Kansas ranchers, Kansas oil producers and even Kansas wind farms. And on top of that, it’s illegal,” Kobach said at the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://administration/">time of the lawsuit announcement</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668724822944.png" alt="&nbsp;A western Kansas conservation deal in the works earmarks thousands of acres for the lesser prairie chicken. (Greg Kramos/USFWS) " />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;A western Kansas conservation deal in the works earmarks thousands of acres for the lesser prairie chicken. (Greg Kramos/USFWS) </figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Relefctor</a> TOPEKA — A western Kansas conservation deal in the works that earmarks thousands of acres for the lesser prairie chicken could pave the way for future conservation.The lesser prairie chicken, known for its colorful spring mating dance, has been embroiled in a tug-of-war between environmental advocates and oil and gas industry opponents for years.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/17/federal-wildlife-officials-list-lesser-prairie-chicken-as-threatened-in-kansas/">listed the lesser prairie chicken as threatened</a>&nbsp;in Kansas in late 2022, saying the agency would determine areas of critical habitat for the bird. At the time of the listing, the organization estimated 90 percent of the bird’s habitat — unbroken tracts of native grasses — had vanished, leaving an estimated 32,000 lesser prairie chickens left.Since the listing, multiple efforts have been made by Republicans on a local and national level to overturn protections. Lawmakers and public officials say ranchers, as well as the oil and gas industry, would be hurt.Others have tried to walk a middle ground, compensating ranchers for sharing their land with the birds.Wayne Walker, principal of Common Ground Capital, has put forward conservation banking as a solution to the feud between ranchers and birds. Conservation banking functions as an agreement among USFWS, landowners and developers. Landowners who preserve their land are given mitigation credits to sell to developers and businesses.Common Ground Capital pays landowners who preserve their land through a system of conservation banking, selling mitigation credits to mainly energy industries. CGC partnered with Gardiner Angus Ranch last year and is currently finalizing a deal for almost 3,000 acres of preservation in Scott City with the Hoeme family. The deal is likely to be the&nbsp;largest conservation bank easement in Kansas.“This is the last of the last of the great prairie ecosystem and Western legacy heritage that we have,” Walker said. “And the reason the prairie chickens are there is because they are still in a native state, and they’ve been well taken care of by generations and landowners.”Walker said political rhetoric sometimes got in the way of reaching agreements, especially with politicians ramping up campaigns against bird protections in recent months.“The playbook of these associations is that federal overreach is bad, ESA is bad and there’s just not enough people around that have seen a win-win sort of thing like we offer because it wasn’t even there until a few years ago,” Walker said.“It was a challenge before the chicken was super politically kryptonite,” Walker added.In April, Kansas joined Texas and Oklahoma in a lawsuit to block the listing. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said the federal ruling would interfere with the rights of landowners in the state and make oil drilling almost impossible in the western part of the state. He is one of several Republicans to argue that rainfall affects the bird populations and that when the state’s current drought ends, lesser prairie chicken numbers will bounce back.“It will have devastating impacts on Kansas ranchers, Kansas oil producers and even Kansas wind farms. And on top of that, it’s illegal,” Kobach said at the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://administration/">time of the lawsuit announcement</a>.Earlier this month, Congress began efforts to overturn the listing through a Congressional Review Act&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/9/text?s=1&amp;r=1&amp;q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22S.J.Res.9%22%5D%7D">resolution</a>, carried by Kansas Republican Sen. Roger Marshall. The Senate approved the resolution, but President Joe Biden’s administration has vowed to veto the resolution if it passes.Walker said starting easement efforts for the prairie chicken could help open the door to wider preservation of Kansas’ prairie grasslands.“You hear a lot of people talking about how we’re going to save the prairie grasslands in Kansas and southern plains, and this one thing alone won’t do it,” Walker said. “But what this will do is it will force the conversation outside of the prairie chicken so that people can see you’re gonna want to save this stuff.”