Tornado safety and impacts were the focus of a public training session at the Geary County 4-H / Senior Center Monday evening.

Meteorologist Chad Omit said Kansas annually ranks second in the nation in the number of tornadoes. The 30-year average is 80 with the count totaling 76 in 2024. The state has had 47 EF-2 tornadoes in the past 10 years.

Tornadoes can occur any time but the worst months are May and June. The National Weather Service emphasizes that bicycle helmets are important for protection in a tornado. If you live in a mobile home have a plan to leave and seek shelter elsewhere.

Tornadoes can often occur in organized supercells with low level precipitation.

Attendance at the meeting was estimated at approximately 70 people.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741105699927.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Tornado safety and impacts were the focus of a public training session at the Geary County 4-H / Senior Center Monday evening.Meteorologist Chad Omit said Kansas annually ranks second in the nation in the number of tornadoes. The 30-year average is 80 with the count totaling 76 in 2024. The state has had 47 EF-2 tornadoes in the past 10 years.Tornadoes can occur any time but the worst months are May and June. The National Weather Service emphasizes that bicycle helmets are important for protection in a tornado. If you live in a mobile home have a plan to leave and seek shelter elsewhere.Tornadoes can often occur in organized supercells with low level precipitation.Attendance at the meeting was estimated at approximately 70 people.

Preparations begin for spring and summer severe weather

The National Weather Service is canceling the scheduled tornado drill on Wednesday for their service area due to expected impacts from the long duration high winds and wet snow overnight into Wednesday morning.&nbsp; &nbsp;

They expect much of northeast Kansas to endure a prolonged&nbsp;period of damaging wind gusts of 55 to 70 mph tonight.&nbsp; There will also be an area of heavy wet snow that will fall across parts of northeast Kansas which could exacerbate&nbsp;any impacts of the wind gusts on power lines, tree limbs, etc.

The National Weather Service is canceling the scheduled tornado drill on Wednesday for their service area due to expected impacts from the long duration high winds and wet snow overnight into Wednesday morning.&nbsp; &nbsp;They expect much of northeast Kansas to endure a prolonged&nbsp;period of damaging wind gusts of 55 to 70 mph tonight.&nbsp; There will also be an area of heavy wet snow that will fall across parts of northeast Kansas which could exacerbate&nbsp;any impacts of the wind gusts on power lines, tree limbs, etc.

NWS cancels statewide tornado drill

TREGO COUNTY —If you’re driving through Trego County Tuesday, you are going to encounter blowing dust, according to a social media report from KHP Trooper Tod Heilman. 

Slow down and turn your headlights on. Kansas law requires headlights if the visibility is less than 1,000 ft.&nbsp;

TREGO COUNTY —If you’re driving through Trego County Tuesday, you are going to encounter blowing dust, according to a social media report from KHP Trooper Tod Heilman. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">If you’re driving through Trego County this morning, you’re going to encounter blowing dust. Slow down and turn your headlights on. KS law requires headlights if the visibility is less than 1,000 ft. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KSwx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KSwx</a> <a href="https://t.co/N3jDCS1US8">pic.twitter.com/N3jDCS1US8</a>&mdash; Trooper Tod (@TrooperTodKHP) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrooperTodKHP/status/1896951067822404016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Slow down and turn your headlights on. Kansas law requires headlights if the visibility is less than 1,000 ft.&nbsp;

KHP: Drivers encounter blowing dust in northwest Kansas

The 8-week healthy lifestyle challenge called Walk Kansas will be celebrating 25 years of existence from March 30 - May 24. You can register from now through April 7.

Yu can register a team of six or go solo this year. Register online at WalkKansas.org or by contacting your local K-State Research and Extension office.

This program is intended to inspire a healthier life by being more active, making better nutrition choices and learning positive ways to deal with stress.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostThe 8-week healthy lifestyle challenge called Walk Kansas will be celebrating 25 years of existence from March 30 - May 24. You can register from now through April 7.Yu can register a team of six or go solo this year. Register online at WalkKansas.org or by contacting your local K-State Research and Extension office.This program is intended to inspire a healthier life by being more active, making better nutrition choices and learning positive ways to deal with stress.Anyone can participate.

Walk Kansas will celebrate 25 years

Geary USD 475 announced that they will host their State of Education Year-End Celebration in the Junction City High School auditorium on Thursday April 24, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Geary USD 475 announced that they will host their State of Education Year-End Celebration in the Junction City High School auditorium on Thursday April 24, beginning at 5:30 p.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741099248167.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>

USD 475 schedules State of Education Celebration

The National Weather Service said a highly impactful storm system is beginning to affect the entire forecast area Tuesday.

Potentially severe thunderstorms could occur this afternoon, very strong non-thunderstorm winds increase this evening as rain changes to snow.

● Blizzard or near-blizzard conditions are expected area-wide with the combination of strong winds and falling snow tonight/early Wednesday morning.


<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741098269495.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The National Weather Service said a highly impactful storm system is beginning to affect the entire forecast area Tuesday.Potentially severe thunderstorms could occur this afternoon, very strong non-thunderstorm winds increase this evening as rain changes to snow.● Blizzard or near-blizzard conditions are expected area-wide with the combination of strong winds and falling snow tonight/early Wednesday morning.

Storm system is expected to impact the region

There have been preliminary talks about a possible multi-use sports complex. It could include pickleball facilities plus baseball and softball diamonds and green space for potemtial soccer fields.

Gear County CVB Markeitng Specialisr Rick Dykstra reported to the county commission that he has talked with state park officials but there was not any interest. He noted the Corps of Engineers was contacted and while recreation may fit their model any complex would be a long and timely process and there is not any infrastructure nearby.

Dykstra plans to check with the city for discussion later this month.

There has not been any final action taken on this idea at this time.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostThere have been preliminary talks about a possible multi-use sports complex. It could include pickleball facilities plus baseball and softball diamonds and green space for potemtial soccer fields.Gear County CVB Markeitng Specialisr Rick Dykstra reported to the county commission that he has talked with state park officials but there was not any interest. He noted the Corps of Engineers was contacted and while recreation may fit their model any complex would be a long and timely process and there is not any infrastructure nearby.Dykstra plans to check with the city for discussion later this month.There has not been any final action taken on this idea at this time.

Potential sports complex idea begins to receive discussion

Geary County Clerk Courtney Gilbert has confirmed that Marvin T. Edison has filed for election to mayor in Grandview Plaza. He will join Rick Geike in that race. 

The filing deadline is at noon on June 2.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostGeary County Clerk Courtney Gilbert has confirmed that Marvin T. Edison has filed for election to mayor in Grandview Plaza. He will join Rick Geike in that race. Geike filed for election earlier.The filing deadline is at noon on June 2.

Candidate filing in Grandview Plaza

The National Weather Service said a strong and impactful storm system is set to affect the area tonight into Wednesday.

● Multiple hazards are expected during this timeframe, including potentially severe thunderstorms, strong non-thunderstorm winds and accumulating snow.

● Blizzard or near-blizzard conditions could occur with the combination of strong winds and falling snow Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning

&nbsp; Geary County Emergency Management passed along information from the National Weather Service.

A strong system is set to impact the area Monday night through Wednesday. A round of thunderstorms is expected Monday night into early Tuesday. A few more storms could develop Tuesday afternoon. Hail and damaging winds are the main concerns.

 Winds then increase, with gusts to 50 and 60 mph Tuesday night and Wednesday. Rain changes to snow Tuesday evening and night. Blizzard conditions will be possible north of I-70 due to the strong winds. Snow ends by sunrise Wednesday with generally around one inch of accumulation.

UPDATE:The National Weather Service said a strong and impactful storm system is set to affect the area tonight into Wednesday.● Multiple hazards are expected during this timeframe, including potentially severe thunderstorms, strong non-thunderstorm winds and accumulating snow.● Blizzard or near-blizzard conditions could occur with the combination of strong winds and falling snow Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning----&nbsp; Geary County Emergency Management passed along information from the National Weather Service.A strong system is set to impact the area Monday night through Wednesday. A round of thunderstorms is expected Monday night into early Tuesday. A few more storms could develop Tuesday afternoon. Hail and damaging winds are the main concerns. Winds then increase, with gusts to 50 and 60 mph Tuesday night and Wednesday. Rain changes to snow Tuesday evening and night. Blizzard conditions will be possible north of I-70 due to the strong winds. Snow ends by sunrise Wednesday with generally around one inch of accumulation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741011425128.jpeg" alt="( National Weather Service )" />
 <figcaption>( National Weather Service )</figcaption>
 </figure>

Weather could get rough this week

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/USD475?__cft__[0]=AZVcRRrUR0BvSNH7n9BaEVwarm1aCQFeLBODssGUQKnjO17WjcgsKSDIzlb8znA_f3O87ouD9KmqvhZM2SL_NJRufmxBWvejNWI3EDa-CazPUW6lWQJl_bDr4k85CsSQHslHu62T_hiayIqaF8DH9qYD4dHBv-dCOMoMQaCxYtkXx6JiioWCssmVF5stfRT8K70&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Geary County Schools USD 475</a> was honored last week in Topeka as Lincoln Elementary school principal Daniel Dinkel, Junction City High School freshman Linden Pickler, and the Blue Jays cross country coaching staff were honored at the Kansas State Capital.

Pickler and the JCHS coaching staff were recognized for claiming the 2024 Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 6A Girls Cross Country Championship. Pickler is the first girl in school history to be crowned a state champion in cross country.

&nbsp;Dinkel received a special plaque, which highlighted Lincoln being named a 2024 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/nationalblueribbonschools?__cft__[0]=AZVcRRrUR0BvSNH7n9BaEVwarm1aCQFeLBODssGUQKnjO17WjcgsKSDIzlb8znA_f3O87ouD9KmqvhZM2SL_NJRufmxBWvejNWI3EDa-CazPUW6lWQJl_bDr4k85CsSQHslHu62T_hiayIqaF8DH9qYD4dHBv-dCOMoMQaCxYtkXx6JiioWCssmVF5stfRT8K70&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">National Blue Ribbon Schools Program</a> by the U.S. Department of Education. In total, USD 475 has now received a total of 12 National Blue Ribbon School accolades in its history.

Finally, USD 475 closed out the day in Topeka in style as Dr. Reginald Eggleston, USD 475 Superintendent of Schools, and Dinkel were able to meet with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741039113251.jpeg" alt="68th District Representative Nate Butler and 65th District Representative Shawn Chauncey host members of Geary County Schools USD 475 at the Capital in Topeka. (Photo courtesy of the USD 475 - Geary County Schools Facebook page).&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>68th District Representative Nate Butler and 65th District Representative Shawn Chauncey host members of Geary County Schools USD 475 at the Capital in Topeka. (Photo courtesy of the USD 475 - Geary County Schools Facebook page).&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/USD475?__cft__[0]=AZVcRRrUR0BvSNH7n9BaEVwarm1aCQFeLBODssGUQKnjO17WjcgsKSDIzlb8znA_f3O87ouD9KmqvhZM2SL_NJRufmxBWvejNWI3EDa-CazPUW6lWQJl_bDr4k85CsSQHslHu62T_hiayIqaF8DH9qYD4dHBv-dCOMoMQaCxYtkXx6JiioWCssmVF5stfRT8K70&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Geary County Schools USD 475</a> was honored last week in Topeka as Lincoln Elementary school principal Daniel Dinkel, Junction City High School freshman Linden Pickler, and the Blue Jays cross country coaching staff were honored at the Kansas State Capital. Pickler and the JCHS coaching staff were recognized for claiming the 2024 Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 6A Girls Cross Country Championship. Pickler is the first girl in school history to be crowned a state champion in cross country.&nbsp;Dinkel received a special plaque, which highlighted Lincoln being named a 2024 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/nationalblueribbonschools?__cft__[0]=AZVcRRrUR0BvSNH7n9BaEVwarm1aCQFeLBODssGUQKnjO17WjcgsKSDIzlb8znA_f3O87ouD9KmqvhZM2SL_NJRufmxBWvejNWI3EDa-CazPUW6lWQJl_bDr4k85CsSQHslHu62T_hiayIqaF8DH9qYD4dHBv-dCOMoMQaCxYtkXx6JiioWCssmVF5stfRT8K70&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">National Blue Ribbon Schools Program</a> by the U.S. Department of Education. In total, USD 475 has now received a total of 12 National Blue Ribbon School accolades in its history.Finally, USD 475 closed out the day in Topeka in style as Dr. Reginald Eggleston, USD 475 Superintendent of Schools, and Dinkel were able to meet with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly.

State Representatives Butler and Chauncey honor members of USD 475 at Kansas Capital

Division of Communications and Marketing&nbsp;&nbsp;

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University has been identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/fda-organization/center-veterinary-medicine">Center for Veterinary Medicine</a>&nbsp;as one of four&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-announces-animal-and-veterinary-innovation-centers-partnerships">Animal and Veterinary Innovation Centers</a>&nbsp;that will receive funding for work advancing regulatory science and further developing innovative products and approaches to better support animal health and veterinary interventions.While there are three areas of concentration for the innovation centers, K-State’s center was identified for its efforts to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/2025/02/coetzee-bortoluzzi-receive-usda-nifa-grant-agricultural-animal-welfare.html">develop models that reliably and consistently evaluate the efficacy of analgesics</a>in food animals in support of new drug approvals. This work specifically supports pain relief in pigs, goats and cattle for painful diseases or surgical pain.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/academics/clinical-sciences/faculty-staff/faculty/apley/">Mike Apley</a>, professor of clinical pharmacology and interim head of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/academics/anatomy-physiology/">Department of Anatomy and Physiology</a>, is one of the principal investigators and project leaders at K-State. He is joined by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/academics/anatomy-physiology/faculty-staff/faculty/bortoluzzi/bortoluzzi.html">Eduarda Bortoluzzi</a>, assistant professor of animal welfare.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/academics/anatomy-physiology/faculty-staff/faculty/coetzee/">Hans Coetzee</a>, K-State's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/research/about/profile/">interim vice president of research</a>, is a collaborator due to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/2025-02/hans-coetzee-awarded-national-academy-prize-food-agriculture-science/">his expertise in animal welfare and pain reliefs studies</a>.Co-investigators include&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/academics/clinical-sciences/faculty-staff/faculty/amachawadi/">Raghavendra Amachawadi</a>, associate professor of food animal therapeutics, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/academics/clinical-sciences/faculty-staff/faculty/reppert/">Emily Reppert</a>, associate professor of large animal medicine.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/">College of Veterinary Medicine</a>&nbsp;staff members Misty Bear and Mikaela Weeder were also instrumental in putting the grant together.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741012692712.jpeg" alt="Mike Apley and Eduarda Bortoluzzi, researchers in Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, are leading a new, FDA-sponsored Animal and Veterinary Innovation Center to develop approaches to better support animal health and veterinary interventions." />
 <figcaption>Mike Apley and Eduarda Bortoluzzi, researchers in Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, are leading a new, FDA-sponsored Animal and Veterinary Innovation Center to develop approaches to better support animal health and veterinary interventions.</figcaption>
 </figure>By Joe MontgomeryDivision of Communications and Marketing&nbsp;&nbsp;MANHATTAN — Kansas State University has been identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/fda-organization/center-veterinary-medicine">Center for Veterinary Medicine</a>&nbsp;as one of four&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-announces-animal-and-veterinary-innovation-centers-partnerships">Animal and Veterinary Innovation Centers</a>&nbsp;that will receive funding for work advancing regulatory science and further developing innovative products and approaches to better support animal health and veterinary interventions.While there are three areas of concentration for the innovation centers, K-State’s center was identified for its efforts to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/2025/02/coetzee-bortoluzzi-receive-usda-nifa-grant-agricultural-animal-welfare.html">develop models that reliably and consistently evaluate the efficacy of analgesics</a>in food animals in support of new drug approvals. This work specifically supports pain relief in pigs, goats and cattle for painful diseases or surgical pain.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/academics/clinical-sciences/faculty-staff/faculty/apley/">Mike Apley</a>, professor of clinical pharmacology and interim head of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/academics/anatomy-physiology/">Department of Anatomy and Physiology</a>, is one of the principal investigators and project leaders at K-State. He is joined by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/academics/anatomy-physiology/faculty-staff/faculty/bortoluzzi/bortoluzzi.html">Eduarda Bortoluzzi</a>, assistant professor of animal welfare.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/academics/anatomy-physiology/faculty-staff/faculty/coetzee/">Hans Coetzee</a>, K-State's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/research/about/profile/">interim vice president of research</a>, is a collaborator due to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/2025-02/hans-coetzee-awarded-national-academy-prize-food-agriculture-science/">his expertise in animal welfare and pain reliefs studies</a>.Co-investigators include&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/academics/clinical-sciences/faculty-staff/faculty/amachawadi/">Raghavendra Amachawadi</a>, associate professor of food animal therapeutics, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/academics/clinical-sciences/faculty-staff/faculty/reppert/">Emily Reppert</a>, associate professor of large animal medicine.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/">College of Veterinary Medicine</a>&nbsp;staff members Misty Bear and Mikaela Weeder were also instrumental in putting the grant together.

K-State selected to house Animal and Veterinary Innovation Center 

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged online scam.

Just before 5pm. Saturday, officers filed a theft by deception report in the 1100 block of Bakers Way, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. 

A 22-year-old woman reported she had money stolen in an internet scam. Total loss associated with this report is $1,200. &nbsp;

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

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged online scam.Just before 5pm. Saturday, officers filed a theft by deception report in the 1100 block of Bakers Way, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. A 22-year-old woman reported she had money stolen in an internet scam. Total loss associated with this report is $1,200. &nbsp;Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://ks-rileycountypolice.civicplus.com/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RCPD: woman lost $1,200 in alleged online scam

The Junction City Blue Jays are the six seed in the Class 6A West bracket for sub state boys basketball. Junction City will host a familiar foe in the first round of postseason play.&nbsp;

The Blue Jays will host the 11 seed on Tuesday night, which just so happens to be their rival, the Manhattan High Indians.&nbsp;

Tipoff will be at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday night at Blue Jay Event Center.&nbsp;

The winner of this game will play either the three seed Washburn Rural, or the 14 seed, Wichita West on Friday night.&nbsp;

You can view the full 6A West bracket<a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/ScoreCenter/Brackets/Basketball/6ASub-State.cfm?Activity=2&amp;Class=1&amp;WeekID=6023"> here</a>.&nbsp;

By Anthony GorgesJC PostThe Junction City Blue Jays are the six seed in the Class 6A West bracket for sub state boys basketball. Junction City will host a familiar foe in the first round of postseason play.&nbsp;The Blue Jays will host the 11 seed on Tuesday night, which just so happens to be their rival, the Manhattan High Indians.&nbsp;Tipoff will be at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday night at Blue Jay Event Center.&nbsp;The winner of this game will play either the three seed Washburn Rural, or the 14 seed, Wichita West on Friday night.&nbsp;You can view the full 6A West bracket<a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/Public/ScoreCenter/Brackets/Basketball/6ASub-State.cfm?Activity=2&amp;Class=1&amp;WeekID=6023"> here</a>.&nbsp;

Blue Jays will host Manhattan High in first round of Sub State Basketball

At the Kansas District Optimist Club's meeting held in Manhattan on March 1, the JC Breakfast Optimist Club was recognized by Optimist International as an Honor Club for the second time in three years.&nbsp; There are 3,000 Optimist clubs throughout the world and 36 clubs in Kansas.&nbsp; 

Junction City's Optimist Club was the only&nbsp;club in Kansas recognized for their work during the 2023-24 fiscal year.&nbsp; The local club is also the only club in Kansas to have two Junior Optimist International (JOI) clubs with one each at St. Xavier's Catholic Schools and Junction City High School.&nbsp;

Judy Morris, Kansas District Governor presented Nita Miller, JC Breakfast Optimist Club President; Ron Johnson, Treasurer (unable to attend) and Ferrell Miller, Secretary/Programs Chairperson with the Honor Club Citation "for having successfully guided the Club in its internal and community-serving&nbsp;activities, making a significant contribution to&nbsp; the annual, aggregate accomplishments&nbsp;of all Optimist clubs and having attained standards of administration established by Optimist International.

By Dr. Ferrell MillerJC Breakfast Optimist ClubAt the Kansas District Optimist Club's meeting held in Manhattan on March 1, the JC Breakfast Optimist Club was recognized by Optimist International as an Honor Club for the second time in three years.&nbsp; There are 3,000 Optimist clubs throughout the world and 36 clubs in Kansas.&nbsp; Junction City's Optimist Club was the only&nbsp;club in Kansas recognized for their work during the 2023-24 fiscal year.&nbsp; The local club is also the only club in Kansas to have two Junior Optimist International (JOI) clubs with one each at St. Xavier's Catholic Schools and Junction City High School.&nbsp;Judy Morris, Kansas District Governor presented Nita Miller, JC Breakfast Optimist Club President; Ron Johnson, Treasurer (unable to attend) and Ferrell Miller, Secretary/Programs Chairperson with the Honor Club Citation "for having successfully guided the Club in its internal and community-serving&nbsp;activities, making a significant contribution to&nbsp; the annual, aggregate accomplishments&nbsp;of all Optimist clubs and having attained standards of administration established by Optimist International.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741011970168.jpeg" alt=""Pictured left to right: Judy Morris, Kansas District Optimist Clubs Governor; Ricardo Gutierrez, member and co-facilitator of the JOI Clubs in Junction City; Mike Taylor, local club member; Nita Miller, JC Breakfast Optimist Club President; Ferrell Miller, Secretary/Programs Chairperson; Morgan Nabus, JCHS JOI Club President; Bianca Neth, JCHS JOI Club member. Not pictured, but present was Amy Johnson.&nbsp; &nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>"Pictured left to right: Judy Morris, Kansas District Optimist Clubs Governor; Ricardo Gutierrez, member and co-facilitator of the JOI Clubs in Junction City; Mike Taylor, local club member; Nita Miller, JC Breakfast Optimist Club President; Ferrell Miller, Secretary/Programs Chairperson; Morgan Nabus, JCHS JOI Club President; Bianca Neth, JCHS JOI Club member. Not pictured, but present was Amy Johnson.&nbsp; &nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>

JC Breakfast Optimist Club Recognized By Optimist International

Fire danger is high on Monday so Geary and Riley County both have implemented outdoor burning bans.

Fire danger is high on Monday so Geary and Riley County both have implemented outdoor burning bans.

No burning on Monday

Although some days it may not seem like it, spring is on its way and with it the prospect of severe weather, including thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, and floods.

To remind Kansans to be prepared for such weather,&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;signed a proclamation on Feb. 28 designating March 3-7, 2025, as Severe Weather/Flood Preparedness Week in Kansas.

“Preparedness is key to staying safe during Kansas’ severe weather events,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;said. “I urge all Kansans to ensure they are prepared in case severe weather hits comes their way and to remain vigilant during the coming months.”

Being prepared includes being aware of weather conditions and having a family emergency kit and emergency plan. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management advises everyone to prepare a home emergency kit with supplies to sustain every family member for a minimum of seven days. Kits should include nonperishable foods, a gallon of water per person per day, blankets, flashlights and batteries, a weather radio, extra clothing, necessary medications, and other survival items. Kits should also be prepared for household pets.

As part of the week’s activities, Kansans are urged to take part in the statewide tornado safety drill on Wednesday, March 5, at 10 a.m. The far eastern tier of counties (Doniphan, Atchison, Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Johnson, Miami, and Linn) will do their test at 11 a.m.

To avoid any confusion to the public, a live tornado warning will not be sent out on the NOAA Weather Radio. Instead, there will be a Routine Weekly Test message asking people to practice sheltering. County emergency management offices may also sound alert sirens at that time.

Information on emergency preparedness and building a home disaster kit can be found online at <a href="http://www.ready.gov">www.ready.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727295768279.png" alt="Kansas Division of Emergency Management" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Division of Emergency Management</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedAlthough some days it may not seem like it, spring is on its way and with it the prospect of severe weather, including thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, and floods.To remind Kansans to be prepared for such weather,&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;signed a proclamation on Feb. 28 designating March 3-7, 2025, as Severe Weather/Flood Preparedness Week in Kansas.“Preparedness is key to staying safe during Kansas’ severe weather events,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp;said. “I urge all Kansans to ensure they are prepared in case severe weather hits comes their way and to remain vigilant during the coming months.”Being prepared includes being aware of weather conditions and having a family emergency kit and emergency plan. The Kansas Division of Emergency Management advises everyone to prepare a home emergency kit with supplies to sustain every family member for a minimum of seven days. Kits should include nonperishable foods, a gallon of water per person per day, blankets, flashlights and batteries, a weather radio, extra clothing, necessary medications, and other survival items. Kits should also be prepared for household pets.As part of the week’s activities, Kansans are urged to take part in the statewide tornado safety drill on Wednesday, March 5, at 10 a.m. The far eastern tier of counties (Doniphan, Atchison, Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Johnson, Miami, and Linn) will do their test at 11 a.m.To avoid any confusion to the public, a live tornado warning will not be sent out on the NOAA Weather Radio. Instead, there will be a Routine Weekly Test message asking people to practice sheltering. County emergency management offices may also sound alert sirens at that time.Information on emergency preparedness and building a home disaster kit can be found online at <a href="http://www.ready.gov">www.ready.gov</a>.

Governor Kelly signs proclamation for Severe Weather/Flood Preparedness Week

By&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/author/blaise-mesa/">BLAISE MESA</a> <a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/02/25/kansas-property-tax-where-do-tax-cuts-stand-so-far/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=Free%20stories%20from%20The%20Beacon&amp;utm_campaign=Republishing%20email%2022525">The Beacon</a>

Debbie Detmer has a lot of memories in her house. She’s lived there 40 years and raised three children in it.&nbsp;

Detmer is retired now and lives on a fixed income in Johnson County. She hasn’t done any work on her house, yet she pays more in property taxes each year. The bill is rising so much it’s becoming too much to manage.&nbsp;

Last year, she paid $100 more a month and this year she is paying $50 more a month in property taxes. That’s before her homeowner’s insurance goes up because a more expensive house means more expensive insurance.&nbsp;

Her property taxes are making her choose between paying for taxes or other essentials — compromising her retirement.&nbsp;

“You keep turning the heat down. You keep (it) hotter in the summer,” she said. “You just got to cut back.”&nbsp;

Lawmakers have multiple tax proposals&nbsp;

Kansas lawmakers are trying to ease the property tax burden, but&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/02/21/new-kansas-laws-lawmakers-advance-dozens-of-bills/">halfway through the session</a>&nbsp;it doesn’t look like there’s consensus on how to do so.&nbsp;

Constitutional amendments on property taxes have headlined the tax cut debate so far.

The Senate passed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1603/">3% cap on valuation increases</a>. Property taxes could increase more than 3% in a year, but the appraised value of a home would be capped at 3% unless it was renovated or qualifies for other exemptions.

The House has a similar proposal that would use a rolling average of a home’s value, likely a six-year rolling average.

Both ideas would need to be approved by voters.&nbsp;

The Senate’s proposal passed with more than a two-thirds majority. But the House hasn’t acted on its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hcr5011/">valuation cap proposal</a>.&nbsp;

House Committee on Taxation chair Rep. Adam Smith, a Weskan Republican, said these constitutional amendments are gimmicks that don’t provide real relief. He isn’t alone. Some Senate Republicans voted against the 3% cap and almost every Senate Democrat opposed it.&nbsp;

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said this is California tax policy that shouldn’t come to Kansas.&nbsp;

Senate Democrats have instead proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb217/">increasing property tax exemptions</a>&nbsp;from $75,000 to $125,000. Democrats will also get a hearing on a bill expanding “<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb215/">the property tax rebate program</a>&nbsp;for seniors and disabled veterans by excluding Social Security payments from the definition of household income and increasing the household income and appraised value thresholds for eligibility related to increased property tax homestead claims.”&nbsp;

Sen. Stephen Owens, a Hesston Republican, has another idea. He tried to amend the 3% cap during an early February floor debate to tie tax increases with inflation. Property taxes could only rise with the rate of inflation. Taxing bodies could still raise taxes higher than inflation, but that would require voters to approve of the increase.&nbsp;Owens’ amendment failed.&nbsp;

“We certainly cannot predict the actions of the other chamber,” Owens said during the Senate debate. “It is generally assumed that (<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1603/">this constitutional amendment</a>) is not the final product. If this is not the final product, we want to go in with the strongest position possible on truly giving our taxpayers a tax break.”&nbsp;

Concern about a 3% cap is simple. Capping the appraised value doesn’t stop governing bodies from just raising property taxes anyway. Agricultural associations and business lobbyists also worry that capping residential valuations would then shift more tax burden to farms and businesses.&nbsp;

Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican, is the chair of the Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation. She is leading the push to pass the constitutional amendment. She disagrees that her 3% cap does nothing. She’s looked back at decades of tax rates and has seen valuations jump. Had the cap been in place, those valuations would not have jumped as high and those homeowners would pay less in property taxes.&nbsp;

The property tax cap also would start based on 2022 home values. That would cap property tax increases before a recent surge in valuations.

Tyson said she’s seen someone’s property tax rise even though they did no work on their house. The price jumped because their neighbor renovated their home. The current system doesn’t work, she said.&nbsp;

“We are not inventing the wheel here,” Tyson said at a past debate. “We have looked to other states to see what to model after.”

For Detmer, the homeowner on a fixed income, property tax relief needs to come soon. She might have to move, and depending where she buys, that could mean moving farther away from her grandchildren.&nbsp;

Property taxes mean cutting back, Detmer said. But she’s annoyed that the county government doesn’t cut back as hard as she does.&nbsp;

“When I bought it, I had no intention of moving,” Detmer said. “I raised my family here. I have no intentions of going anywhere unless (taxes) force me out.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740674495312.jpeg" alt="Lawmakers may be hashing out how to provide tax relief, but there is bipartisan consensus on the need to address property taxes. Photo by Niko Schmidt / The Beacon" />
 <figcaption>Lawmakers may be hashing out how to provide tax relief, but there is bipartisan consensus on the need to address property taxes. Photo by Niko Schmidt / The Beacon</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/author/blaise-mesa/">BLAISE MESA</a> <a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/02/25/kansas-property-tax-where-do-tax-cuts-stand-so-far/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=Free%20stories%20from%20The%20Beacon&amp;utm_campaign=Republishing%20email%2022525">The Beacon</a>Debbie Detmer has a lot of memories in her house. She’s lived there 40 years and raised three children in it.&nbsp;Detmer is retired now and lives on a fixed income in Johnson County. She hasn’t done any work on her house, yet she pays more in property taxes each year. The bill is rising so much it’s becoming too much to manage.&nbsp;Last year, she paid $100 more a month and this year she is paying $50 more a month in property taxes. That’s before her homeowner’s insurance goes up because a more expensive house means more expensive insurance.&nbsp;Her property taxes are making her choose between paying for taxes or other essentials — compromising her retirement.&nbsp;“You keep turning the heat down. You keep (it) hotter in the summer,” she said. “You just got to cut back.”&nbsp;<h2>Lawmakers have multiple tax proposals&nbsp;</h2>Kansas lawmakers are trying to ease the property tax burden, but&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/02/21/new-kansas-laws-lawmakers-advance-dozens-of-bills/">halfway through the session</a>&nbsp;it doesn’t look like there’s consensus on how to do so.&nbsp;Constitutional amendments on property taxes have headlined the tax cut debate so far.The Senate passed a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1603/">3% cap on valuation increases</a>. Property taxes could increase more than 3% in a year, but the appraised value of a home would be capped at 3% unless it was renovated or qualifies for other exemptions.The House has a similar proposal that would use a rolling average of a home’s value, likely a six-year rolling average.Both ideas would need to be approved by voters.&nbsp;The Senate’s proposal passed with more than a two-thirds majority. But the House hasn’t acted on its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hcr5011/">valuation cap proposal</a>.&nbsp;House Committee on Taxation chair Rep. Adam Smith, a Weskan Republican, said these constitutional amendments are gimmicks that don’t provide real relief. He isn’t alone. Some Senate Republicans voted against the 3% cap and almost every Senate Democrat opposed it.&nbsp;Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said this is California tax policy that shouldn’t come to Kansas.&nbsp;Senate Democrats have instead proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb217/">increasing property tax exemptions</a>&nbsp;from $75,000 to $125,000. Democrats will also get a hearing on a bill expanding “<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb215/">the property tax rebate program</a>&nbsp;for seniors and disabled veterans by excluding Social Security payments from the definition of household income and increasing the household income and appraised value thresholds for eligibility related to increased property tax homestead claims.”&nbsp;Sen. Stephen Owens, a Hesston Republican, has another idea. He tried to amend the 3% cap during an early February floor debate to tie tax increases with inflation. Property taxes could only rise with the rate of inflation. Taxing bodies could still raise taxes higher than inflation, but that would require voters to approve of the increase.&nbsp;Owens’ amendment failed.&nbsp;“We certainly cannot predict the actions of the other chamber,” Owens said during the Senate debate. “It is generally assumed that (<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1603/">this constitutional amendment</a>) is not the final product. If this is not the final product, we want to go in with the strongest position possible on truly giving our taxpayers a tax break.”&nbsp;<h2>Debate over passed plans</h2>Concern about a 3% cap is simple. Capping the appraised value doesn’t stop governing bodies from just raising property taxes anyway. Agricultural associations and business lobbyists also worry that capping residential valuations would then shift more tax burden to farms and businesses.&nbsp;Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican, is the chair of the Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation. She is leading the push to pass the constitutional amendment. She disagrees that her 3% cap does nothing. She’s looked back at decades of tax rates and has seen valuations jump. Had the cap been in place, those valuations would not have jumped as high and those homeowners would pay less in property taxes.&nbsp;The property tax cap also would start based on 2022 home values. That would cap property tax increases before a recent surge in valuations.Tyson said she’s seen someone’s property tax rise even though they did no work on their house. The price jumped because their neighbor renovated their home. The current system doesn’t work, she said.&nbsp;“We are not inventing the wheel here,” Tyson said at a past debate. “We have looked to other states to see what to model after.”For Detmer, the homeowner on a fixed income, property tax relief needs to come soon. She might have to move, and depending where she buys, that could mean moving farther away from her grandchildren.&nbsp;Property taxes mean cutting back, Detmer said. But she’s annoyed that the county government doesn’t cut back as hard as she does.&nbsp;“When I bought it, I had no intention of moving,” Detmer said. “I raised my family here. I have no intentions of going anywhere unless (taxes) force me out.”

Kansas lawmakers offer dueling ideas on property tax relief

The dynamic duo of Jaidyn Alvarado and Juliana (Bri) Villanueva claimed state championship honors on Saturday to lead <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/JCHSUSD475?__cft__[0]=AZVKWkkpeqXkAMEBkUInNHVPWn-aarhit5GSOYWRJpwT-ur3ECDrFn0j455VXyNtL6aVnm9GQ1-Ww_PfQ76G7N6JnR-OZJik2UElJL-tIliw7AhHjr_uFcoXJh-oG-wjz5BVrL_NfpffXctHG2H-GizEiUqvyGTsynSkD85-jGajER3W6wrzIohw9RXD21L6eME&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Junction City High School USD 475</a> at the 2025 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/KSHSAA?__cft__[0]=AZVKWkkpeqXkAMEBkUInNHVPWn-aarhit5GSOYWRJpwT-ur3ECDrFn0j455VXyNtL6aVnm9GQ1-Ww_PfQ76G7N6JnR-OZJik2UElJL-tIliw7AhHjr_uFcoXJh-oG-wjz5BVrL_NfpffXctHG2H-GizEiUqvyGTsynSkD85-jGajER3W6wrzIohw9RXD21L6eME&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas State High School Activities Association</a> State Wrestling Championships in Overland Park.

In the finals, Alvarado won by tech fall over 2024 state champion Madalyn Riedinger of Gardner Edgerton inside The AdventHealth Sports Park. With her decisive win at 100 pounds, the senior closed out a dominating season, finishing the year 33-1 overall.

Villanueva captured her second state championship as a Blue Jay by winning by fall over Garden City’s Marina Loera. With her state championship performance at 115 pounds, the junior has now claimed two state championships and a runner-up showing at state during her storied career. For the year, Villanueva posted an impressive 32-1 overall record.

Other highlights on the day included Elaina Twitty claiming fifth place overall with a victory by fall over Manhattan’s Evelyn Thornburg at 125 pounds, while Shalina Hicks also made the podium at 190 pounds, closing out competition No. 5 overall. Elizabeth Edgerton-Diaz rounded out the JCHS notables, placing sixth at 130 pounds.

On the boy’s side, senior Josh Brookshire placed fifth overall, winning by fall over Dodge City’s Jayden Amaro. Brookshire went 36-9 on the year.

As a team, the Blue Jays wrapped up competition in 20th place in the final team standings with 26 points, while the Lady Jays finished No. 6 overall with 115 points.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740968081050.jpeg" alt="Jaidyn Alvarado (left) and Bri Villanueva (right) hold up their brackets after winning a State Title on Saturday in Overland Park. (Photo courtesy of USD 475 - Geary County Schools Facebook Page).&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Jaidyn Alvarado (left) and Bri Villanueva (right) hold up their brackets after winning a State Title on Saturday in Overland Park. (Photo courtesy of USD 475 - Geary County Schools Facebook Page).&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>USD 475 release&nbsp;--The dynamic duo of Jaidyn Alvarado and Juliana (Bri) Villanueva claimed state championship honors on Saturday to lead <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/JCHSUSD475?__cft__[0]=AZVKWkkpeqXkAMEBkUInNHVPWn-aarhit5GSOYWRJpwT-ur3ECDrFn0j455VXyNtL6aVnm9GQ1-Ww_PfQ76G7N6JnR-OZJik2UElJL-tIliw7AhHjr_uFcoXJh-oG-wjz5BVrL_NfpffXctHG2H-GizEiUqvyGTsynSkD85-jGajER3W6wrzIohw9RXD21L6eME&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Junction City High School USD 475</a> at the 2025 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/KSHSAA?__cft__[0]=AZVKWkkpeqXkAMEBkUInNHVPWn-aarhit5GSOYWRJpwT-ur3ECDrFn0j455VXyNtL6aVnm9GQ1-Ww_PfQ76G7N6JnR-OZJik2UElJL-tIliw7AhHjr_uFcoXJh-oG-wjz5BVrL_NfpffXctHG2H-GizEiUqvyGTsynSkD85-jGajER3W6wrzIohw9RXD21L6eME&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas State High School Activities Association</a> State Wrestling Championships in Overland Park.In the finals, Alvarado won by tech fall over 2024 state champion Madalyn Riedinger of Gardner Edgerton inside The AdventHealth Sports Park. With her decisive win at 100 pounds, the senior closed out a dominating season, finishing the year 33-1 overall.Villanueva captured her second state championship as a Blue Jay by winning by fall over Garden City’s Marina Loera. With her state championship performance at 115 pounds, the junior has now claimed two state championships and a runner-up showing at state during her storied career. For the year, Villanueva posted an impressive 32-1 overall record.Other highlights on the day included Elaina Twitty claiming fifth place overall with a victory by fall over Manhattan’s Evelyn Thornburg at 125 pounds, while Shalina Hicks also made the podium at 190 pounds, closing out competition No. 5 overall. Elizabeth Edgerton-Diaz rounded out the JCHS notables, placing sixth at 130 pounds.On the boy’s side, senior Josh Brookshire placed fifth overall, winning by fall over Dodge City’s Jayden Amaro. Brookshire went 36-9 on the year.As a team, the Blue Jays wrapped up competition in 20th place in the final team standings with 26 points, while the Lady Jays finished No. 6 overall with 115 points.

Two Lady Jay wrestlers win a State Title 

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The most extensive database on Vietnam War causalities was the passion of a man from Hays.

The late Richard Coffelt, a longtime Hays attorney, spent years and his own money researching and amassing the <a href="https://www.coffeltdatabase.org/">Coffelt Database</a>, which is now available for free through the National Archives.

Although others contributed to the database and Coffelt wanted the record source named something more accessible, the database was named in honor of him.

Jo Ann Jennings, Coffelt's wife, recounted information about the database during a lecture at the Hays VFW on Feb. 16.

Coffelt was a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean War. He had no connection with the Vietnam War.

However, in 1980, he became acquainted with the mother of&nbsp;Gary Lee Binder of Hays. Gary Binder, who served with the Navy, was killed in action in 1967 in Vietnam, and Coffelt wanted to learn more about the circumstances of Binder's death.

Jennings explained this was before the rise of personal computing and Google, which meant hours spent at libraries, especially the&nbsp;Presidential Library of Lyndon Baines Johnson in Austin, Texas. She said she spent many vacations accompanying Richard on research trips, sometimes at his side in study rooms.

Johnson sent a letter of condolence to every family of a service member killed in Vietnam during his administration. Those letters included the unit numbers of the service members, which made them valuable in Coffelt's research.

Jennings said Richard spent countless hours taking notes on yellow legal pads.

Coffelt saw the need to connect soldiers with other soldiers. The men who served wanted to know what had happened to their buddies.

Jennings said Coffelt was interested in working on the research because the federal government didn't keep track of the units the men who were killed in action were from.

He said having a unit designation was the most important thing to know if you wanted to know what happened to your friend.

“I felt that if I just looked long enough, hard enough, I would hit the mother lode,” Coffelt was quoted as saying in a story published in the February 2012 edition of the VVA Veteran magazine. 

“I still felt that there had to be some government source that would have all this information. It became kind of a game to try and locate the information in some government repository somewhere.”

In 1993-94, after PCs had become commonplace, Tom Holloway (Emory University, Atlanta) changed the landscape by obtaining the Department of Defense's casualty database and the Army Adjutant General's database in digital form, according to the database's website.

"Using the university's mainframe computers to read the reel-to-reel computer tapes,&nbsp;Holloway integrated the two databases and converted the information into a commonly used small-computer format. The "Holloway Database" effectively became the public's sole source of information regarding all American Vietnam dead," the database website said.

The database website said that in the late 1990s, others joined Coffelt's effort, contributing information and collating the collected material into digital form using the Holloway database as a baseline, the database said.

"The additional resources allowed the project's scope to expand to include units of assignment information for all service branches," according to the database's website. "In 2002, an early version of the Coffelt Database was deeded to the National Archives, which made it available online as a searchable database," the database said.

Jennings said Coffelt amassed a library that filled a room floor to ceiling with more than 300 books on Vietnam. She said her husband had read every book.

She said her husband had an almost photographic memory of the information. She recalled a person from Australia writing Coffelt, asking him if he might know what happened to his uncle.&nbsp;

Without the need to look at any source, Coffelt was able to write him a page of the entire account of the battle in which the man's uncle was killed and what happened in that battle.

"He had super-detailed information just from his remembrance," Jennings said.

A Vietnam veteran who worked on the database with Coffelt spoke at his funeral and said, "Richard knew more about what happened in Vietnam than any soldier that was there, and he wasn't there."

Today, the database contains more than 60,000 names and more than 1 million pieces of information. Gary L. Noller, Co. B, 1/46th Infantry, Vietnam 1970-71, called the database a gift to and for Vietnam veterans and their families.

He said in a letter on the database, often, the child or grandchild of a Vietnam casualty wishes to contact a veteran who served with their deceased family member.

Prior to the Coffelt Database, a search of this kind was often overwhelming. The official record listed casualties by unit at the division or brigade level,&nbsp;Noller said in his letter.

Coffelt's research expanded the casualty database to list the company and battalion-level casualties, Noller said.

"This effectively reduced the search for a veteran from a magnitude of 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 100. It can be said that the Coffelt Database made the search at least 100 times easier to conduct,"&nbsp;Noller said.

Vietnam veteran Dick Arnold worked on the database with Coffelt.&nbsp;

In a 2011 letter published on the database's website, he said, "I consider my participation in the creation and continued improvement of The Coffelt Database to be one of the proudest parts of my life. I also consider it a singular honor to have known and worked with Richard these last few years. All of us Vietnam veterans owe him a huge debt ..."

Although Coffelt and the others who contributed to the database were offered money to privatize the data, Coffelt and his fellow researchers insisted the database remain a free, open-source of information, Jennings said.

By 2009, Coffelt developed Lewy body dementia. He died on Jan. 25, 2012.

Hays VVA Chapter 939&nbsp;dedicated a plaque at the Hays Regional Airport to honor Coffelt's work in creating the database.

Not only is the Coffelt database still available and in use today. But a story on the database sparked an unlikely friendship between Jennings and a WWII veteran who read a story on the database in a veterans magazine.

Frank Malizia, who was 92 at the time, read that story and recognized Hays as a familiar place. He had been stationed in Great Bend during the war and was familiar with Hays and Ellis County. This led him to contact Jennings.

Read more on Malizia and Jennings' long friendship and correspondents at&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/74f5a4c8-b37b-458a-b1a8-ddb7a744b869">NWester: WWII soldier laid to rest next to 'love of his life' in Antonino</a>.

You can access the Coffelt Database online for free. <a href="https://www.coffeltdatabase.org/">Click here for a link</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740765066874.png" alt="Richard Coffelt Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Richard Coffelt Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post The most extensive database on Vietnam War causalities was the passion of a man from Hays.The late Richard Coffelt, a longtime Hays attorney, spent years and his own money researching and amassing the <a href="https://www.coffeltdatabase.org/">Coffelt Database</a>, which is now available for free through the National Archives.Although others contributed to the database and Coffelt wanted the record source named something more accessible, the database was named in honor of him.Jo Ann Jennings, Coffelt's wife, recounted information about the database during a lecture at the Hays VFW on Feb. 16.Coffelt was a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean War. He had no connection with the Vietnam War.However, in 1980, he became acquainted with the mother of&nbsp;Gary Lee Binder of Hays. Gary Binder, who served with the Navy, was killed in action in 1967 in Vietnam, and Coffelt wanted to learn more about the circumstances of Binder's death.Jennings explained this was before the rise of personal computing and Google, which meant hours spent at libraries, especially the&nbsp;Presidential Library of Lyndon Baines Johnson in Austin, Texas. She said she spent many vacations accompanying Richard on research trips, sometimes at his side in study rooms.Johnson sent a letter of condolence to every family of a service member killed in Vietnam during his administration. Those letters included the unit numbers of the service members, which made them valuable in Coffelt's research.Jennings said Richard spent countless hours taking notes on yellow legal pads.Coffelt saw the need to connect soldiers with other soldiers. The men who served wanted to know what had happened to their buddies.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740519068072.png" alt="Richard Coffelt when he was in the service. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Richard Coffelt when he was in the service. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Jennings said Coffelt was interested in working on the research because the federal government didn't keep track of the units the men who were killed in action were from.He said having a unit designation was the most important thing to know if you wanted to know what happened to your friend.“I felt that if I just looked long enough, hard enough, I would hit the mother lode,” Coffelt was quoted as saying in a story published in the February 2012 edition of the VVA Veteran magazine. “I still felt that there had to be some government source that would have all this information. It became kind of a game to try and locate the information in some government repository somewhere.”In 1993-94, after PCs had become commonplace, Tom Holloway (Emory University, Atlanta) changed the landscape by obtaining the Department of Defense's casualty database and the Army Adjutant General's database in digital form, according to the database's website."Using the university's mainframe computers to read the reel-to-reel computer tapes,&nbsp;Holloway integrated the two databases and converted the information into a commonly used small-computer format. The "Holloway Database" effectively became the public's sole source of information regarding all American Vietnam dead," the database website said.The database website said that in the late 1990s, others joined Coffelt's effort, contributing information and collating the collected material into digital form using the Holloway database as a baseline, the database said."The additional resources allowed the project's scope to expand to include units of assignment information for all service branches," according to the database's website. "In 2002, an early version of the Coffelt Database was deeded to the National Archives, which made it available online as a searchable database," the database said.Jennings said Coffelt amassed a library that filled a room floor to ceiling with more than 300 books on Vietnam. She said her husband had read every book.She said her husband had an almost photographic memory of the information. She recalled a person from Australia writing Coffelt, asking him if he might know what happened to his uncle.&nbsp;Without the need to look at any source, Coffelt was able to write him a page of the entire account of the battle in which the man's uncle was killed and what happened in that battle."He had super-detailed information just from his remembrance," Jennings said.A Vietnam veteran who worked on the database with Coffelt spoke at his funeral and said, "Richard knew more about what happened in Vietnam than any soldier that was there, and he wasn't there."Today, the database contains more than 60,000 names and more than 1 million pieces of information. Gary L. Noller, Co. B, 1/46th Infantry, Vietnam 1970-71, called the database a gift to and for Vietnam veterans and their families.He said in a letter on the database, often, the child or grandchild of a Vietnam casualty wishes to contact a veteran who served with their deceased family member.Prior to the Coffelt Database, a search of this kind was often overwhelming. The official record listed casualties by unit at the division or brigade level,&nbsp;Noller said in his letter.Coffelt's research expanded the casualty database to list the company and battalion-level casualties, Noller said."This effectively reduced the search for a veteran from a magnitude of 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 100. It can be said that the Coffelt Database made the search at least 100 times easier to conduct,"&nbsp;Noller said.Vietnam veteran Dick Arnold worked on the database with Coffelt.&nbsp;In a 2011 letter published on the database's website, he said, "I consider my participation in the creation and continued improvement of The Coffelt Database to be one of the proudest parts of my life. I also consider it a singular honor to have known and worked with Richard these last few years. All of us Vietnam veterans owe him a huge debt ..."Although Coffelt and the others who contributed to the database were offered money to privatize the data, Coffelt and his fellow researchers insisted the database remain a free, open-source of information, Jennings said.By 2009, Coffelt developed Lewy body dementia. He died on Jan. 25, 2012.Hays VVA Chapter 939&nbsp;dedicated a plaque at the Hays Regional Airport to honor Coffelt's work in creating the database.Not only is the Coffelt database still available and in use today. But a story on the database sparked an unlikely friendship between Jennings and a WWII veteran who read a story on the database in a veterans magazine.Frank Malizia, who was 92 at the time, read that story and recognized Hays as a familiar place. He had been stationed in Great Bend during the war and was familiar with Hays and Ellis County. This led him to contact Jennings.Read more on Malizia and Jennings' long friendship and correspondents at&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/74f5a4c8-b37b-458a-b1a8-ddb7a744b869">NWester: WWII soldier laid to rest next to 'love of his life' in Antonino</a>.You can access the Coffelt Database online for free. <a href="https://www.coffeltdatabase.org/">Click here for a link</a>.

Coffelt Database on Americans killed in Vietnam was passion of Kan. attorney

In a must-win game for the Junction City Lady Jays, they played like it early. The first quarter was back-and-forth, with JC leading 12-11 with 1:45 to play in the first. Emporia went on a run to end the quarter and led 16-12 after one. 

Despite the Lady Jays' strong start their offense was stale the rest of the night. Emporia began flexing its muscles in the second quarter and led 26-15 at the half. 

In the third quarter, neither team scored much, combining for eight points, but the Lady Spartans led by 15. In the fourth quarter, things got out of hand, and Emporia pulled away, winning 45-20. 

Junction City finishes the regular season 1-19, with their only win from December over Lawrence Free State. The Lady Jays finished 17th in 6A West and did not make it into the Sub State bracket. 

The first matchup between the Blue Jays and Spartans was an overtime thriller. Friday night's matchup started very similar, but this time a defensive battle, tied at six at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter was much of the same, with neither team taking care of the basketball, and both teams stingy on defense. Junction City led 14-12 at halftime. 

In the second half, shots for the Blue Jays began to fall, as they scored 15 points in the third quarter, compared to just 14 in the first two quarters combined. JC led 29-22 at the end of three. The Emporia Spartans began the fourth quarter on a 7-2 run, and cut the deficit to two, at 31-29. Junction City pulled away late, hitting free throws and continuing their strong defensive performance. The Blue Jays won 46-32 and swept Emporia on the season. 

Junction City finished the regular season 13-7, and second in the Centennial League. The Blue Jays will host the first round of Sub State on Tuesday night at Blue Jay Event Center. 

The official bracket will be released by KSHSAA later this weekend. 

By Anthony Gorges&nbsp;JC PostGirls recapIn a must-win game for the Junction City Lady Jays, they played like it early. The first quarter was back-and-forth, with JC leading 12-11 with 1:45 to play in the first. Emporia went on a run to end the quarter and led 16-12 after one. Despite the Lady Jays' strong start their offense was stale the rest of the night. Emporia began flexing its muscles in the second quarter and led 26-15 at the half. In the third quarter, neither team scored much, combining for eight points, but the Lady Spartans led by 15. In the fourth quarter, things got out of hand, and Emporia pulled away, winning 45-20. Junction City finishes the regular season 1-19, with their only win from December over Lawrence Free State. The Lady Jays finished 17th in 6A West and did not make it into the Sub State bracket. Boys recapThe first matchup between the Blue Jays and Spartans was an overtime thriller. Friday night's matchup started very similar, but this time a defensive battle, tied at six at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter was much of the same, with neither team taking care of the basketball, and both teams stingy on defense. Junction City led 14-12 at halftime. In the second half, shots for the Blue Jays began to fall, as they scored 15 points in the third quarter, compared to just 14 in the first two quarters combined. JC led 29-22 at the end of three. The Emporia Spartans began the fourth quarter on a 7-2 run, and cut the deficit to two, at 31-29. Junction City pulled away late, hitting free throws and continuing their strong defensive performance. The Blue Jays won 46-32 and swept Emporia on the season. Junction City finished the regular season 13-7, and second in the Centennial League. The Blue Jays will host the first round of Sub State on Tuesday night at Blue Jay Event Center. The official bracket will be released by KSHSAA later this weekend.

JC and Emporia split to end the regular season

15 Junction City High School wrestlers competed Friday on Day One of the Kansas State High School Activities Association State Wrestling Tournament in Overland Park. After day one, 12 will be compete for a medal on day two.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Jaidyn Alvarado (100) and Bree Villanueva (115) will wrestle for a state title on Saturday.&nbsp;

Other girls that will wrestle on the consolation side of the bracket include: Jordis Serrano (110), Elaina Twitty (125), Elizabeth Edgerton-Diaz (130), Shalina Hicks (190), and Ka'Ori Herring (235).

Five of the seven that qualified for state will wrestle on Saturday. All five are on the consolation side of the bracket.&nbsp;

Jayden Melton (113), Billy Dee (157), Josh Brookshire (175), Chris Coy (215), and Avery Florence (285).&nbsp;

* Photo courtesy of USD 475 Facebook Page.

By Anthony GorgesJC Post15 Junction City High School wrestlers competed Friday on Day One of the Kansas State High School Activities Association State Wrestling Tournament in Overland Park. After day one, 12 will be compete for a medal on day two.&nbsp;JCHS Girls results&nbsp;Jaidyn Alvarado (100) and Bree Villanueva (115) will wrestle for a state title on Saturday.&nbsp;Other girls that will wrestle on the consolation side of the bracket include: Jordis Serrano (110), Elaina Twitty (125), Elizabeth Edgerton-Diaz (130), Shalina Hicks (190), and Ka'Ori Herring (235).JCHS Boys resultsFive of the seven that qualified for state will wrestle on Saturday. All five are on the consolation side of the bracket.&nbsp;Jayden Melton (113), Billy Dee (157), Josh Brookshire (175), Chris Coy (215), and Avery Florence (285).&nbsp;* Photo courtesy of USD 475 Facebook Page.

JCHS State Wrestling results Day 1

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. –&nbsp;Geary County Schools&nbsp;USD&nbsp;475 announced a district record 2,808 students from throughout the district have earned the&nbsp;Thrive&nbsp;Award for their work during the first semester of the 2024-25 school year.

“I am incredibly proud of all of our students who were able to receive this honor for their hard work in the classroom this fall. It is truly a testament to how hard our teachers and staff have been working this school year to make a difference,” said Dr. Reginald Eggleston,&nbsp;USD&nbsp;475&nbsp;Superintendent of Schools.

Overall,&nbsp;USD&nbsp;475&nbsp;had 1,853 students receive the&nbsp;Thrive&nbsp;Award at its elementary schools, while 955 students were honored at the secondary level.

To receive this honor, students had to meet requirements in attendance and discipline referrals. Grades will be factored into the award following the second semester of this school year.

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. –&nbsp;Geary County Schools&nbsp;USD&nbsp;475 announced a district record 2,808 students from throughout the district have earned the&nbsp;Thrive&nbsp;Award for their work during the first semester of the 2024-25 school year.“I am incredibly proud of all of our students who were able to receive this honor for their hard work in the classroom this fall. It is truly a testament to how hard our teachers and staff have been working this school year to make a difference,” said Dr. Reginald Eggleston,&nbsp;USD&nbsp;475&nbsp;Superintendent of Schools.Overall,&nbsp;USD&nbsp;475&nbsp;had 1,853 students receive the&nbsp;Thrive&nbsp;Award at its elementary schools, while 955 students were honored at the secondary level.To receive this honor, students had to meet requirements in attendance and discipline referrals. Grades will be factored into the award following the second semester of this school year.

Students earn the Thrive Award

The Geary County Sheriff's Department ures motorists to be mindful of the upcoming Kansas Department of Transportation improvements and repairs to I-70, I-70/K-18 bypass interchange, and I-70/J-Hill Road bridge starting on or around March 3rd. 

 The Geary County Sheriff's Office in collaboration with other local law enforcement agencies will be providing extra traffic enforcement in hopes to increase the safety and awareness of the motoring public and crews working to improve the roadway.

The Geary County Sheriff's Department ures motorists to be mindful of the upcoming Kansas Department of Transportation improvements and repairs to I-70, I-70/K-18 bypass interchange, and I-70/J-Hill Road bridge starting on or around March 3rd. The Geary County Sheriff's Office in collaboration with other local law enforcement agencies will be providing extra traffic enforcement in hopes to increase the safety and awareness of the motoring public and crews working to improve the roadway.

Safey reminder from Geary County Sheriff's Department

By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/02/26/kansas-republicans-want-to-elect-state-supreme-court-justices/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=Free%20stories%20from%20The%20Beacon&amp;utm_campaign=Republishing%20email%2022825">The Beacon</a>

Robert Edmunds won three judicial elections in his home state of North Carolina. He was elected to the state Court of Appeals before serving two terms on the state’s Supreme Court.&nbsp;

Edmunds said he never would have risen through the ranks without elections. He didn’t have any political connections to the governor. He didn’t run any big-city law firm. Edmunds won his races because he proved to voters he was the most qualified.&nbsp;

“Elections tap into the biggest talent pool,” Edmunds told Kansas lawmakers. “Any lawyer in good standing who has ambitions to serve on the bench can take a shot at it.”

Kansas lawmakers are now debating that question. Should voters elect justices to the Kansas Supreme Court? Or should the state keep its merit-based nominating process?

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1611/">The proposal</a>&nbsp;is a “colossal sea change” from the state’s current system, said Fred Logan with the Kansas Bar Association, and it would require the Kansas Constitution to be amended. A majority of voters would need to approve the change.&nbsp;

Supporters of the change, which include the state attorney general’s office and Americans for Prosperity, say a direct election of justices is needed so everyday Kansans have a voice in the judicial system. But opponents say this proposal demolishes an already effective system and pours dark money into the courts.&nbsp;

The Kansas Supreme Court’s current system

Kansas does not use the federal system for picking justices. The governor alone does not pick someone and there is no Senate confirmation.&nbsp;

The current system has a nominating commission that includes four lawyers and four nonlawyers. Each congressional district must have a lawyer and nonlawyer appointed to the commission.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740770429634.jpeg" alt="State justices are appointed through a nominating commission, unlike the federal process. (Courtesy/The Kansas Supreme Court)" />
 <figcaption>State justices are appointed through a nominating commission, unlike the federal process. (Courtesy/The Kansas Supreme Court)</figcaption>
 </figure>By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2025/02/26/kansas-republicans-want-to-elect-state-supreme-court-justices/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=Free%20stories%20from%20The%20Beacon&amp;utm_campaign=Republishing%20email%2022825">The Beacon</a>Robert Edmunds won three judicial elections in his home state of North Carolina. He was elected to the state Court of Appeals before serving two terms on the state’s Supreme Court.&nbsp;Edmunds said he never would have risen through the ranks without elections. He didn’t have any political connections to the governor. He didn’t run any big-city law firm. Edmunds won his races because he proved to voters he was the most qualified.&nbsp;“Elections tap into the biggest talent pool,” Edmunds told Kansas lawmakers. “Any lawyer in good standing who has ambitions to serve on the bench can take a shot at it.”Kansas lawmakers are now debating that question. Should voters elect justices to the Kansas Supreme Court? Or should the state keep its merit-based nominating process?<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1611/">The proposal</a>&nbsp;is a “colossal sea change” from the state’s current system, said Fred Logan with the Kansas Bar Association, and it would require the Kansas Constitution to be amended. A majority of voters would need to approve the change.&nbsp;Supporters of the change, which include the state attorney general’s office and Americans for Prosperity, say a direct election of justices is needed so everyday Kansans have a voice in the judicial system. But opponents say this proposal demolishes an already effective system and pours dark money into the courts.&nbsp;<h2>The Kansas Supreme Court’s current system</h2>Kansas does not use the federal system for picking justices. The governor alone does not pick someone and there is no Senate confirmation.&nbsp;The current system has a nominating commission that includes four lawyers and four nonlawyers. Each congressional district must have a lawyer and nonlawyer appointed to the commission.&nbsp;Nonlawyers are appointed by the governor and lawyers are elected by other lawyers in their congressional district. A ninth member — a lawyer and chair of the commission — is elected by a statewide pool of lawyers.The commission questions candidates in public interviews then selects three names and the governor makes the final decision from there. This system was approved by voters in 1958 after a controversial selection to the state Supreme Court.&nbsp;In 1956, then-Gov. Fred Hall lost reelection during the primary. Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court Bill Smith was also sick and considering retirement but worried the incoming Democratic governor would appoint a liberal to the Supreme Court. Hall, Smith and Lt. Gov. John McCuish hatched a plan.&nbsp;Smith retired from the Supreme Court. Hall resigned as governor and was replaced by McCuish. McCuish was governor for 11 days and appointed Hall to the state Supreme Court. That infuriated Kansas voters, who reformed the system and created the merit-based process we have today.&nbsp;<h2>The desire for change</h2>Rashane Hamby, director of policy and research at the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, said the current system works well and there’s no reason to change it.&nbsp;Supporters of the bill who want to change the law acknowledged that elected judges and appointed judges are of the same quality. Those supporters also said the system needs to be overhauled to give voters more say in the state’s highest court. Kansans already vote on justices through retention elections where voters can kick justices off the bench if they want.&nbsp;The current system lets the governor and the nominating commission grill candidates about their qualifications for the job, and that’s how the decision is made. Elections require candidates playing politics, Hamby said. Candidates aren’t always chosen based on qualifications but on money and donations from political groups that might have cases before the court.&nbsp;“The Supreme Court should not be for sale to the highest bidder,” she said.&nbsp;Almost two dozen states elect their judges. In Wisconsin, Hamby said, $51 million was spent on the 2023 Supreme Court race. The state’s race later this year is expected to top that spending and become&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-supreme-court-musk-trump-spending-4d95c11f76be495cc5acadaf9981a42b">the most expensive Supreme Court race</a>.&nbsp;Logan, with the Kansas Bar Association, said politics, fundraising and campaigning are all fine for the governor’s office or state officials. Not for the courts. Logan said the current system is free from politics and it should stay that way.&nbsp;But Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, doesn’t agree that the current process is free from politics.&nbsp;He said the process of getting selected by the commission has political jostling. Holding elections gives everyone a chance to have their voice heard, not just a small group of people.&nbsp;“Elections are how we govern from the bottom up,” Masterson said.Masterson and other Republicans say they support changing the system so people have a voice. Supporters of the change also said that Supreme Court justices can time their resignations based on what political party holds the governor’s office. Allowing a regular vote would remove the possibility of selections being timed in a partisan manner, supporters say.&nbsp;Kansas lawmakers have tried to change how Supreme Court justices are picked before. These debates are more than a decade old, but the Kansas Supreme Court’s decision to&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2022/07/28/kansas-vote-on-abortion/">uphold abortion rights</a>&nbsp;has raised the stakes on this debate.&nbsp;“I would just comment that I would ask committee members and others to go out and read some of the justices’ opinions,” said Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican, during the debate.&nbsp;“I have,” said Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican, “and there’s concern in there.”

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