Hard choices are going to have to be made by USD 383 in the coming months, due to major budget shortfalls plaguing the state of Kansas. The Board of Education met last night to discuss proposals to save money, which included anything from reducing overtime to not allowing school buses to idle. However, one item stole the show: the possible removal of USD 383’s Autism Coordinator position. When public comments were opened to the floor, many came forward to speak in defense of Autism Coordinator Helen Miller. Some of the pleas became very emotional. The Board of Education took no official votes, and no major action was taken. The next Board of Education meeting will be next Wednesday, April 7th at 6:30 pm.

The Junction City Police department is circulating photos of a shovel found at the scene where a baby’s body was found earlier this month. The shovel is a common one that can be purchased from multiple vendors in the area, but JCPD Chief Tim Brown indicates his office is hoping someone may recognize it who lives in the area, which includes the 900 block of Windwood, the Greenhills Addition, the 900 through 1200 blocks of Caroline Avenue, and the 1500 through 1600 blocks of West Ash. Anyone who may recognize the shovel or not even realize it’s missing should call JCPD at 762-5912 or Crime Stoppers 762-TIPS. The infant was discovered the afternoon of March 13th. Junction City Police responded to a call that Saturday at about 5:00 pm in the 900 block of Windwood Drive, and discovered the body of what appeared to be a full term Caucasian infant believed to have been recently delivered.

Junction City Police are investigating the death of a 50-year-old woman, found dead in the bathroom of her home at 801 West 11th. JCPD and fire units responded to that area of 11th and Calhoun late Monday night after a report of smoke in the area. The units were at first unable to determine the source of the smoke, but returned to the 801 West 11th address to check the welfare of the 50 year old woman who had not shown up for work. Traces of soot were found around the front door of the woman’s home and units forced entry. While the living room area appeared to have been damaged by fire, much of the rest of the apartment had not suffered any damage other than smoke damage. Again, the woman was found in a bathroom, and the exact cause of death is unknown at this time. An autopsy is scheduled and the identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of relatives. The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the matter.

Fire that apparently started at Fort Riley is impacting Riley County firefighters this (Wednesday) morning. County Fire Chief Pat Collins tells KMAN his firefighters were called out at about 3:30 a.m. and remain on the scene of a pasture fire at 8357 Anderson Avenue west of Manhattan. The pasture belongs to Jeff Shirley. 23 firefighters have been called out for Riley County, with Fort Riley firefighters also out on their side of the impacted area. No information was available from Fort Riley early this (Wednesday) morning. Collins speculates the fire might have started from ammunition training. No injuries have been reported and no structures have been impacted.

The K-State Foundation has had a new president for about 7 weeks, and new president/CEO Fred Cholick has settled into his new job nicely. Cholick addressed a wide variety of topics, ranging from his duties at his new job, his philosophies on what the Foundation does, and the results of the recent annual Telefund. According to Cholick, Telefund brought in 1.2 million dollars this year, with 2,000 students volunteering their time to help out. Cholick also says there was an increase in first time donors.

The monthly sales tax numbers released by Manhattan Finance Director Bernie Hayen report most big box stores in the community are down approximately three percent, including stores in Manhattan Town Center. The March report, which reflects January sales, shows $840,687 collected with an $792,077 adjusted rate. That is a $3,796 reduction from 2009. The budgeted amount was $825,000. Despite lagging numbers and the state of the economy, Hayen said he is not worried and said he believes the economy will pick up with spring approaching.

Monday morning a Manhattan High School senior was enjoying a snack in the library when he began to choke. School resource officer, Brian Swearingen performed the Heimlich Manuever on the student while school faculty, staff and students worked to keep the surrounding situation under control. Manhattan High Principal Terry McCarty called the incident one of the most severe he has ever seen. McCarty credits the positive outcome of the situation to the quick and efficient actions of assisting individuals.

An extreme fire danger alert has been issued, and Riley County Assistant Fire chief Doug Messer tells KMAN there is a reason for that. Fires will start quickly, spread furiously and burn intensely due to temperatures approaching 80 degrees and south winds gusting as high as 35 miles per hour. Messer says not to be deceived by recent high moisture conditions in the area. He says while it might seem like it’s been a moist spring, the winds and low humidity can play a huge factor in fire possibilities. Again no open burning in Riley county today (Tuesday) due to an extreme fire danger alert.

We’ve all heard about the budget crisis with the State of Kansas, and the cutbacks through furloughs in the District Court System. At Monday’s Riley County Commission Press Conference, Court Administrator Lanna Nichols gave an update on where things are today. According to Nichols, the employees of the Judicial Branch are State of Kansas employees, but the County funds the rest of the Judicial budget.

According to Nichols, the State of Kansas Judicial Budget is 98% salaries and benefits. In December of 2008, a hiring freeze was implemented resulting in at least 100 current vacancies. They have eliminated temporary part-time hours, causing the layoff of 193 employees statewide. There have been restrictions on travel, the reduction of the use of retired judges, and the implementation of an emergency surcharge in certain case filings of $10.

Earlier this month, Governor Parkinson signed a bill that included a $5 million supplemental appropriation to the judicial branch, however the budget is still short of monies.

Recently, the House Appropriations Committee in its budget recommendations, included $800,000 in supplemental funding for the Judicial Branch to avoid the upcoming furloughs. However, the House will not be working on its version of the budget until the end of April. Consequently, the furloughs are still planned.

The furlough dates have been set for non-judicial employees resulting in Kansas Courts statewide being closed on four consecutive Fridays: April 9, 16, 23 and May 7, 2010.

Although the Courthouse will be locked on the furlough days, the Judges are not furloughed and will only perform critical functions. The Riley County Police Department will have the Judges’ chamber phone numbers to contact them if there are emergency proceedings such as protection from abuse or stalking needed on furlough days. Pleasings will still be accepted by fax, but will not be processed until the next business day.

At Monday’s Riley County Commission Press Conference, Jami Ramesy, Executive Director for Riley County Seniors Service Center gave out information on an upcoming workshop.

During the month of April, the Seniors’ Center is bringing together resources to help seniors look at the complex decision of how to maintain independence in different lifestyle settings. Some of the questions the series will address are:

• What are the current costs of retirement living situations?
• What factors go into the decisions of moving or remodeling?
• How do I get services in my home?
• What services are available and who do I contact?
• What products are available to make living at home easier?
• How do I find a reputable remodeler?
• How do I sell my home?
• What do I do with all my stuff?
• What can I do to smooth my transition to a new home?

The Seniors’ Center is hosting a four-part series of seminars on Thursday afternoons in April focused on how to make the best decision regarding living arrangements in later life.

April 8, 1:00 to 3 p.m. Controlling the decisions
April 15, 1:00 to 3 p.m. Living in Manhattan
April 21, 1:00 to 3 p.m. Putting your Plan in Place
April 29, 1:00 to 3 p.m. How Flexible is my Plan?

Registration is required. The cost is $2.00 per session or $6.00 for the series, and you can attend any or all of them. The Registration deadline for any of the workshops or the series is Monday, April 5th.

For questions, you can contact the Riley County Seniors’ Service Center, 412 Leavenworth at 785-537-4040 or by e-mail at rcseniors@sbcglobal.net.