The two day blues and barbecue festival called “jammin in J.C.” is Friday and Saturday, September 22 and 23 in downtown Junction City.
The lineup of performers includes for Friday:
–5 p.m. Norman Jackson Band
–6:35 p.m. Heather Newman Band
–8:15 p.m. Amanda Fish Band
For Saturday the lineup includes:
1 p.m. KALO
2:35 Wayne Goins
3:55 The results of the BBQ Contest will be announced
4:25 Hector Anchondo Band
6:15 Vince Johnson
8:05 The Delgado Brothers
The announcement that Geary Community Hospital and Salina Regional Health Center will explore the potential of a strategic alliance was made this past week. During the next few months both facilities will work together to review options of how that partnership might look.
Geary Community Hospital is a county-owned facility. The chairman of the Geary County Commission, Ben Bennett, stated that Salina Regional Health Center has working relationships with hospitals in Lindsborg and Concordia. “And they’re looking at strengthening the spokes of a wheel with them being the hub. It could be a very good move for us, it could be a move that is not something that we can work with. But we don’t know without going into some observation.”
The news release on the partnership exploratory phase said the two hospitals had agreed to enter into a period of discovery to examine the potential of a strategic alliance to better serve the patients and families of their communities plus central and north central Kansas.
Bennett said there was a desire to have information on this process revealed. “And the Board of Trustees ( GCH Trustees ) felt if they were going to be doing this, it should be at least acknowledged to the public for questions and things going around. ” Bennett also commented, “It doesn’t mean that we’re going to sell the boat. It means that we’re looking at hopefully strengthening the boat, and being a partner with a stronger group of other hospitals who are having similar struggles.”
The estimate of the time of due diligence for the exploratory phase for the two hospitals was four to five months.
The 1st Infantry Division Review Friday on Fort Riley touched on the history of the historic U.S. Army division.
Major General Joseph Martin told an audience at the Cavalry Parade Field that the division’s history includes many firsts for the nation. “The Big Red One was the first to fight in France as the First Expeditionary Division during the first World War. The division was the first to land in Africa, Sicily, on Omaha Beach on D-Day during the second World War. Our division was the first to enter the Vietnam War. We led the way in Desert Storm, piercing the Iraqi Army defenses as the vanguard to the Seventh Mobile Armored Corp.”
The Division Review included an inspection of the troops by Martin and Retired General, Gordon Sullivan, who was the 32nd U.S. Army Chief of Staff, and 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley Commanding General. They rode in a 1942 Willies jeep commonly used in World War II.
Sullivan also spoke during the event, acknowledging the sacrifice made by military families for their support of soldiers through the “never-ending wars in Afghanistan and the Balkans.” Sullivan referred to the families and children of the soldiers. “You standing in front of me know that I am ever mindful of the sacrifices that your spouses have made so that can you serve your country,and that includes by the way your children. There are many children who were born at the beginning of this journey we’re on after nine – eleven, and they are probably going off to college pretty soon. ” Sullivan stated, “In their own way they have paid in some cases a big price for what has been done.” Lengthy and frequent deployments overseas have often troops and their families apart.
The Division Review concluded with a Pass in Review by the troops in front of their leaders, and the traditional Cavalry Charge. The event brought an end to Victory Week activities at Fort Riley.
The possibility of a future partnership between Geary Community Hospital and Salina Regional Health Center has been raised.
Geary Community Hospital officials issued a news release Thursday afternoon stating the two hospitals have agreed to enter into a period of discovery to examine the potential of a strategic alliance to better serve the patients and families of their respective communities, plus central and northeastern Kansas. It is anticipated that this time of due diligence will last approximately 4 to 5 months.
“This fact finding phase is simply an exploratory time for both GCH and SRHC to analyze the possibility of a long-term strategic partnership,” said Joe Stratton Geary Community Hospital Executive Officer. The continuing turbulent times in the healthcare industry has given plenty of reason for the GCH Board of Trustees and Strategic Planning Committee to study potential long-term partners for a better future. Stratton added, “When the Kansas legislature last spring decided not to expand Medicaid, which would have meant some $1.8 million annually to GCH, this became a pivotal decision point for us in our strategy.”
Over the next several months both facilities will be working together to review options of how this partnership might look.
“The goal of this agreement is to explore improved patient care in the region and the potential of better coordination of services between our two hospitals. It also helps both organizations to determine the possibilities of long-term strategic partnerships to meet the needs and challenges of modern healthcare,” said Michael Terry, Chief Executive Officer for Salina Regional Health Center.
Salina Regional Health Center has affiliations with Cloud County Health Center in Concordia and Lindsborg Community Hospital.
Vietnam veterans received a big welcome home at Marshall Army Airfield Wednesday afternoon.
Major General Joseph Martin said it was an honor to be in the presence of so many from the region who sacrificed for the nation. He stated those who have served in recent conflicts owe the service members from the Vietnam generation a great debt of gratitude. “You’ve continued to fight to attract attention to veterans issues. As a result our nation has learned a valuable lesson. “You’ve greatly improved how we treat our veterans returning from overseas conflicts.”
Martin stated when the Vietnam veterans didn’t return home to parades or celebrations in their honor. “”Many of you were treated with, frankly, open hostility as you arrived back in the United States. I want to personally welcome you home from serving your nation in combat.” Martin’s remarks were followed by long applause by the soldiers, family members and friends gathered to welcome home the veterans.
The 1st Infantry Division commanding general said in spite of all the Vietnam veterans after what they have been through they’re the “most patriotic cohort in this country.” Martin added they’re always out at memorials and patriotic celebrations.
This was the third welcome home ceremony for Vietnam veterans at Fort Riley. It was one of the numerous activities on post as the 100th anniversary of the 1st Infantry Division is celebrated this week.
The 1st Infantry Division spent five years in Vietnam from 1965 to 1970.
The Convention and Visitor’s Bureau will be pulled out of the consolidated Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce at the end of the year.
That decision was made clear during a Chamber board of directors meeting on Wednesday.
Board member Rich Jankovich noted it was apparent with county action that the county wants to terminate the master agreement, and through other discussions it has been solidified that at the end of the year the CVB will no longer be under the chamber umbrella. He added that the Chamber needs to renegotiate with the county and city on the remaining pieces of consolidation. Right now the consolidated agency also includes the Economic Development Commission, Military Affairs Council and the Membership Enhancement Division.
The Chamber Executive Council has been authorized to negotiate with both the city and county on a new master agreement for the entities not impacted by the county removal from the master agreement.
The Chairman of the Chamber Board, Stan Hambright, responded to a question from JCPost about why the CVB is pulling out. “It started out as a financial issues and then we’ve tried to provide information where the Chamber stands on that. Right now that’s what we’ve been working on.”
JCPost.com talked with Junction City Commissioner and Chamber board member, Mick McCallister, about the apparent departure of the CVB from the consolidated organization. He called it a “very big disappointment. What we’ve done over the course of the last several years to try and bring everything together, there’s been some conflicts, there’s been some personality conflicts, we can’t seem to get over that.” McCallister discussed his biggest disappointment. “Every time we head in a direction that we think we need to, both community, county and city, we shoot ourselves in the foot and I look at it that way right now.” We’ve looked at the financials, we’ve looked at everything, it’s still a good idea, consolidation is still good for the community.”
McCallister stated the Chamber has to move in a different direction and take the high road. “I’m disappointed publicly, and I’ve told a lot of people this is not the right thing for this community. Hopefully we can come together and through these negotiations we can come out with a compromise and move forward for both community, city and county.” He indicated the three remaining agencies would remain housed together and the CVB would be split out, “whether it’s in this location or another location there’s still a separation and that’s disappointing.”
The new interim director of the Chamber Mickey Fornaro-Dean feels the departure of the CVB from the Chamber is unfortunate, and indicated that there has been a good partnership. “I still think that the Board and myself need to look at what that means to us and how we go forward as an organization with three divisions as opposed to four. They’re a part of our community and we have to figure out the best way to work with them whether they’re under our umbrella or not.” Fornaro-Dean feels there will probably be some funding impact with the CVB departure from the Chamber, but added she needs to have some time with the Executive Board to fill out that impact.
The CVB is funded by transient guest tax revenues which have been lagging in recent months and that has been a public concern for County officials since they oversee those revenues. The transient guest tax is paid by users of motels and hotels in Geary County.
Voters in Dickinson County have voted no on the use of revenue bonds to finance a new justice center.
A petition drive resulted in the proposal going before voters in a mail-in ballot election, where the votes were counted on Tuesday. A successful petition drive had forced the election instead of the Public Building Commission issuing revenue bonds to pay for a new facility in Abilene.
According to the Dickinson County Clerk’s Office the count from the election totaled 2,641 no and 2,333 yes. The votes will be canvassed on Monday.
The proposed justice center has a cost estimate of $17.735 million.
There was a recent problem described as a “hiccup” on the Children’s Mercy pediatric clinic project at Geary Community Hospital.
Pediatric clinic space will be built in the basement of GCH for this project, but CEO Joe Stratton explained there was a recent snag. “The contractors and the blueprint didn’t marry up very well. About a week and a half ago they hit an electric line so we had to go on a generator for a couple of days. So they pulled new line through there, we’re all up and running.”
Only a portion of the hospital was temporarily impacted by the power outage. “Actually our O-R had to be put on generator and it happened early enough in the morning that we didn’t have any cases scheduled so we were able to work around that. We have a generator here at the hospital but that’s for only real emergency situations to run the building and so we had to bring in a second big monster generator and set that up.”
The concrete work for the pediatric clinics has been completed and now the work to begin putting up walls has begun.
MANHATTAN — Philanthropic gifts and commitments to Kansas State University given through the Kansas State University Foundation totaled $152,680,585 for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2017. This year’s fundraising results mark fiscal year 2017 as the second most successful year in the university’s history.
“2017 was an outstanding year for philanthropy for K-State, and we thank our generous donors for their commitment to K-State’s future,” said Greg Willems, president and CEO of KSU Foundation. “As K-State’s strategic partner for philanthropy, the KSU Foundation inspires and guides philanthropy toward university priorities to boldly advance K-State. We are proud of what the K-State family has achieved through giving and the enormous impact it will have on the university.”
Of the $152.6 million raised in fiscal year 2017, donors gave 41 percent — $61.8 million — through endowed gifts, pledges and deferred gifts, which will ensure the long-term prosperity of the institution. In addition, fiscal year 2017was punctuated by another important first: The value of the endowment pool surpassed $500 million in assets for the first time. As of June 30, 2017, the university’s endowment was valued at $506 million. Endowment growth is key to becoming a Top 50 public research university by the year 2025.
“We are so thankful to our generous donors and their commitment to K-State and our 2025 vision,” said Richard B. Myers, university president. “Gifts that support K-State’s endowment are essential to our continued ability to support students, faculty and research as a land-grant institution.”
Fiscal year 2017 was also noteworthy for the progress made in the Innovation and Inspiration Campaign for Kansas State University. Total multiyear gifts and commitments for the campaign reached $1.03 billion. The campaign surpassed its original $1 billion fundraising goal in March — one year ahead of schedule — and was extended in April with a new goal of $1.4 billion by the year 2020.
Other key philanthropic achievements for the 2017 fiscal year included:
• Thirty-one gifts and commitments of $1 million or more, the most $1-million gifts recorded in one year in KSU Foundation history.
• Gift commitments through estate planning, including wills, trusts and annuities, reached an all-time high of $57 million, up from $53.9 million in fiscal year 2016.
• Endowed gifts and commitments totaled $61.8 million, up from $56.6 million in fiscal year 2016. Endowed giftscreate a legacy for the donor by providing long-term funding for the purpose they support, such as student scholarships, faculty chairs and professorships.
• Total giving to Kansas State University through the KSU Foundation — since its founding in 1944 — surpassed the $2 billion milestone in fiscal year 2017. The organization hit the $1 billion milestone just a decade ago, in 2007.
“The extraordinary philanthropic momentum we’ve experienced in the last decade says volumes about the K-State family’s commitment to the university’s future,” said Rand Berney, chairman of the KSU Foundation board of directors. “Fiscal year 2017 continued this trend of tremendous generosity, and we are grateful for donors who are the driving force behind the Innovation and Inspiration Campaign and K-State’s 2025 vision.”
“From raising private funds for the university and managing K-State’s endowment, to collaborating with the Manhattan community on economic development and strategic real estate opportunities, the KSU Foundation is proud to be a progressive and highly effective partner to K-State,” Willems said.
Giving totals for Kansas counties fiscal year 2017, including county, number of donors and amount:
Allen, 80, $72,630
Anderson, 53, $118,375
Atchison, 119, $144,995
Barber, 50, $19,977
Barton, 321, $1,314,641
Bourbon, 57, $275,682
Brown,160, $190,661
Butler, 545, $1,448,743
Chase, 47, $7,915
Chautauqua, 14, $1,315
Cherokee, 35, $527,977
Cheyenne, 33, $8,200
Clark, 40, $128,333
Clay, 284, $155,569
Cloud, 146, $154,773
Coffey, 96, $108,957
Comanche, 19, $3,780
Cowley, 183, $112,372
Crawford, 108, $40,584
Decatur, 45, $20,525
Dickinson, 383, $414,568
Doniphan, 90, $83,945
Douglas, 555, $2,905,011
Edwards, 38, $24,830
Elk, 13, $3,600
Ellis, 249, $134,188
Ellsworth, 88, $60,876
Finney, 355, $1,271,981
Ford, 228, $338,832
Franklin, 185, $46,867
Geary, 355, $220,196
Gove, 50, $38,695
Graham, 16, $13,635
Grant, 57, $12,375
Gray, 86, $94,615
Greeley, 25, $17,914
Greenwood, 80, $30,621
Hamilton, 18, $28,915
Harper, 44, $11,402
Harvey, 336, $350,699
Haskell, 49, $23,820
Hodgeman, 35, $13,619
Jackson, 156, $55,988
Jefferson, 161, $76,829
Jewell, 66, $43,455
Johnson, 6,376, $25,252,731
Kearny, 27, $76,975
Kingman, 73, $42,166
Kiowa, 31, $38,641
Labette, 71, $43,945
Lane, 30, $22,660
Leavenworth, 396, $134,629
Lincoln, 66, $20,950
Linn, 28, $3,904
Logan, 31, $57,670
Lyon, 206, $243,320
Marion, 118, $46,803
Marshall, 274, $667,480
McPherson, 440, $478,853
Meade, 46, $6,710
Miami, 265, $132,532
Mitchell, 181, $298,719
Montgomery, 157, $54,184
Morris, 147, $116,045
Morton, 10, $725
Nemaha, 238, $303,759
Neosho, 85, $141,595
Ness, 49, $151,848
Norton, 46, $58,668
Osage, 139, $204,857
Osborne, 58, $8,250,355
Ottawa, 109, $97,918
Pawnee, 85, $86,274
Phillips, 89, $95,270
Pottawatomie, 1,031, $1,133,051
Pratt, 142, $460,714
Rawlins, 40, $5,570
Reno, 510, $286,459
Republic, 129, $112,456
Rice, 109, $72,322
Riley, 6,404, $17,543,898
Rooks, 40, $7,331
Rush, 29, $8,082
Russell, 81, $39,190
Saline, 1,034, $1,284,259
Scott, 94, $184,074
Sedgwick, 3,017, $7,693,548
Seward, 63, $52,119
Shawnee, 2,052, $2,103,303
Sheridan, 28, $24,500
Sherman, 63, $20,920
Smith, 45, $9,200
Stafford, 83, $23,340
Stanton, 29, $34,295
Stevens, 35, $2,850
Sumner, 153, $102,028
Thomas, 118, $122,356
Trego, 30, $7,547
Wabaunsee, 186, $64,858
Wallace, 36, $4,415
Washington, 150, $138,110
Wichita, 41, $5,373
Wilson, 44, $33,033
Woodson, 21, $11,663
Wyandotte, 351, $194,437
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Cloud cover has obscured much of the solar eclipse in Geary County Monday afternoon.
Many were hoping to view the eclipse of the sun, project to be at about a 98% rate in the Junction City area. The skies did become darker, but the sun was not visible.
