TOPEKA — An investigation by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach revealed the Junction City Commission violated the Kansas Open Meetings Act by convening a closed-door meeting to discuss an economic development project that included a livestock slaughter facility on the outskirts of the city.

Public opposition to the once-confidential project, which could have forced sale of farmland for construction of roads and a traffic exit from Interstate 70, appears to have derailed the meatpacking project that was to have been built by Foote Cattle Co.

During debate on the proposal, landowner Michelle Munson filed a two-part complaint in July 2023 with the attorney general containing allegations against the city commission.

Munson, part of the Munson Angus Farms family, said the commission didn’t take steps during a public meeting nearly three years ago to approve expenditure of $5,000 used to secure a right of first refusal for the option to buy 150 acres of real estate for the project. That land on the west side of Junction City was bought by Foote Cattle, but the city had their eyes on adjacent land owned by the Munsons.

In addition, Munson asserted the commission broke the open meetings law two years ago by failing to precisely describe the subject to be discussed in an executive session. That closed session was also about the meatpacking facility project.

Amber Smith, first assistant attorney general in Kobach’s office, issued a letter to Munson’s attorney that said the “preponderance of the evidence” indicated the commission didn’t violate KOMA while considering the $5,000 option.

However, the attorney general’s office found the commission failed to follow the law in the later meeting by trying to limit public knowledge about the project.

“We have determined the commission failed to comply with the statutory requirements for recessing into executive session because its motion did not adequately describe the subject to be discussed,” Smith aid.

She said the city attorney would be informed of the investigation’s result and the commission would be urged to take remedial action to comply with KOMA.

Munson, part of a six-generation farm family in Geary County, said the process of contesting the city’s plan to convert farmland into a manufacturing hub that included an animal slaughter facility had been time consuming and difficult.

“We’re very pleased to see that the attorney general has upheld the Kansas law in terms of transparency and sunshine on the issue,” Munson said.

Allen Dinkel, city manager for Junction City, didn’t return a call Tuesday for comment about the attorney general’s response to Munson’s complaints. In previous interviews, Dinkel said the commission’s objective was to broaden the city’s tax base by creating manufacturing and trade jobs through development of land west of the city.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Every home run scored this baseball season will have more of an impact than just on the scoreboard thanks to a new partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC).

Each time a Monarchs player hits a homer, the local health insurance company will donate $50 to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM), as part of a new partnership with the reigning American Association champions.

Blue KC will also sponsor the Monarchs’ championship flag giveaway on May 24th. The flag celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Kansas City Monarchs’ winning the inaugural Negro Leagues World Series. The NLBM recently announced plans for city-wide events to take place recognizing and celebrating that baseball milestone.

“Blue KC has always been committed to supporting local organizations, and we’re proud to call them a partner for the upcoming season,” Monarchs owner Mark Brandmeyer said. “We’re looking forward to supporting the museum’s mission with every home run our club hits!”

“We place the utmost priority on supporting our local community, including the preservation of celebrating our rich history of African American baseball and its impact on the social advancement of our country,” said Christina Lively, Blue KC Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “We are so excited to partner with the American Association Kansas City Monarchs and show our commitment to this instrumental piece of our City and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.”

“Thanks to Blue KC and the American Association Kansas City Monarchs for creating a fun and exciting way to celebrate the crowning achievement of the Kansas City Monarchs winning the inaugural Negro Leagues World Series a century ago while generating valuable support for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum,” said Bob Kendrick, museum president. “The Museum is the place where history touches home and needless to say, we will be cheering even more than usual every time the Monarchs hit one out of the park.”

Fans can buy tickets to the flag giveaway night at tickets.monarchsbaseball.com. The American Association Kansas City Monarchs’ home schedule starts on May 16 from Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN ASSOICATION KANSAS CITY MONARCHS:
The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. 2024 will be their 21st season at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2020, the team partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and changed their name from the T-Bones to the Monarchs in honor of the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965. This year, the Monarchs and the museum are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first Negro League World Series, won by the Monarchs in 1924.

ABOUT BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF KANSAS CITY:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, the largest not-for-profit health insurer in Missouri and the only not-for-profit commercial health insurer in Kansas City, has been part of the Kansas City community since 1938. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City provides health coverage services to more than one million residents in the greater Kansas City area, including Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas and 30 counties in Northwest Missouri. Our mission: to provide affordable access to healthcare and to improve the health of our members. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information on the company, visit its website at BlueKC.com.

ABOUT THE NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL MUSEUM:
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) is the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of African American baseball and its impact on the social advancement of America. The privately funded, 501 c3, not-for-profit organization was established in 1990 and is in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri’s Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. The NLBM operates two blocks from the Paseo YMCA where Andrew “Rube” Foster established the Negro National League in 1920. To learn more about the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, please visit nlbm.com.

MANHATTAN — No one who observed Cooper Beebe during his Kansas State football career would accuse him of being a one-trick pony.

A more fitting adjective for the Wildcats’ All-America offensive lineman would be jack-of-all-trades. Not only was he versatile, but versatile at an elite level.

No doubt that was one trait that attracted the Dallas Cowboys to the 6-foot-3, 322-pound Beebe when they snagged him in the third round of the NFL Draft on Friday with the No. 73 overall pick. During his five years in Manhattan — 2019 as a redshirt and the next four as a starter — he played every position on the line except center.

“I’m coming in to do whatever the team needs to win,” Beebe said in an online interview on the Cowboys’ website. “If they need me to play center, then that’s something I’m going to do. Whatever I need to do for the Cowboys to win, I’m going to do it.”

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Yes, Beebe could very well wind up at center, the one place he didn’t play in college.

Most draft experts had Beebe pegged as a guard in the NFL, mainly because of his build. Still, he was a first team Big 12 all-conference selection at left tackle as a sophomore at K-State before claiming offensive lineman of the year honors at left guard in 2022 and ’23.

The problem is, the Cowboys a pair of established starters at guard in 2022 first-round draft pick Tyler Smith on the left side and 11-year pro Zack Martin on the right. He could be groomed to take Martin’s place, but in the short term, center might be the best option.

Beebe was not sure yet what the Cowboys’ plans are for him.

“I think it’s just different,” he said. “Somewhere in the interior is kind of the feel I got. Whatever I need to do and whatever they need me to do, I’m going to do it.

“If that involves playing center, I’m going to do it. If that involves filling in at guard somewhere, that’s what I’m going to do.”

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Beebe is looking forward to spending time with Martin, a perennial All-Pro.

“That’s one of the best ever to do it, and just to be able to learn from him is going to be so huge,” Beebe said. “Just what it takes to be successful. I’m going to make sure I shadow him and get my routine and learn as much as I can.

“I’ll kind of attach to him and hopefully I can have the career he has.”

Martin already has served as a role model of sorts for Beebe, who while affable off the field plays with a mean streak.

“I honestly think nasty is how I kind of describe myself,” Beebe said. “Throughout the years, I’ve watched Zack Martin and I’ve incorporated a lot of his stuff into my game.

“I think it’s just my mindset of trying to dirt dudes. I go out there and I’m just trying to put people in the dirt, and that’s what I like to play with. I like to try to make dudes quit, and that’s kind of where that mentality comes from.”

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Regardless, Beebe was thrilled to learn he was going to the Cowboys. The wait was a little longer than he had anticipated, with most mock drafts slotting him late for mid-to-late second round.

“When I got that call from (Cowboys owner) Jerry Jones, man that’s just a life-changing event and I’m so excited I can’t even put into words,” Beebe said.

Beebe also see a familiar face in the locker room when he joins the Cowboys, reuniting with former K-State All-America running back Deuce Vaughn.

“Me and Deuce are best buddies,” Beebe said. “It’s funny. When I was down in Frisco training, I actually talked to Deuce and he talked about having a K-State reunion in Dallas, and then here we are.”

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.