USD 475 staff outlined the possible new or renovated Junction City High School project for city and county commissioners on Monday.

They touched on subjects ranging from location for a school to the cost estimates in the $75 million to $105 million range, depending on the option selected for the project.

JC Post sampled reaction from Geary County Commissioner Ben Bennett, who said he has studied the project closely. “You’re moving into uncharted territory and you’re looking to a future that nobody can project. Hindsight’s always 20-20, and that’s what we’re hoping to avoid in this particular situation.” Bennett added he really does not have a projection on this project. “I know a new high school at some point in time is probably going to be necessary if this community grows.”

Bennett noted that’s what local officials are working on….doing something for economic development. New industry would cause growth.

City Commissioner Phyllis Fitzgerald said it was important information that was reported, and it’s important for all the citizens to be informed. She did not take a stance on the project, indicating she is not opposed to a new school or renovated facility. “Just going to have to wait and see how it all falls out as more information becomes available.”

City Commissioner Mike Ryan expressed concern state funding that could be used to fund 48% of the project could collapse, and noted that scares him. If voters approve a bond issue for the project that would qualify it for 48% state funding.

Whether they’re emotionally disturbed or just flat out evil – the frequency of mass shooting incidents is becoming a greater cause for concern in recent years.

The tragedy that occurred at Columbine High School in Colorado was one of the first of it’s kind – since then, the incidents of crazed, or disturbed gunmen have gone wild.

Monday, November 28th, fresh off of the Thanksgiving Holiday a suspect allegedly went on a rampage on the campus of Ohio State University injuring seven.  Initial reports were that it was a gunman, later reports state that a perpetrator stabbed and injured victims with a vehicle.

Nonetheless, the fright, hysteria, the unknown fear of ‘what if that happens here’ haunts many from day to day.

Lonnie Clark, 65th District House of Representatives, said that he believes “we are going to see more and more of the same that we saw at Ohio State today.”

“I don’t really advocate everybody going out and buying a gun and trying to defend themselves and everybody else and not knowing what they’re doing; I do think that people need to be cautious and they need to take steps to prepare themselves for these type of events because I just think they’re going to keep coming,” said Clark.

Not to be misconstrued, Clark said he is a supporter of the 2nd Amendment – the right to bear arms – however, he says it may not be the right thing for everybody  to do. “There’s as many bad things that can happen when you carry a gun as there are good things, so it’s not the end all to all just because you’re carrying a gun…[people] need the right training and they need to be cautious.”

Ohio State University is a gun free campus – had there been a responsible gun owner, would there be a lessened victim toll? Kansas State University will allow campus-wide concealed carry as early as July 2017.

“It’s really difficult to tell a person that they can’t protect themselves with a firearm when they’re on a college campus; it’s their right to be able to protect themselves,” said Clark. “I’m not really for students carrying guns at the high school even if they are 18 and they have the right, but I think it’s a different situation in a college campus as oppose to the other educational situations.”

Kansas State revised a draft weapons policy that was submitted to the Kansas Board of Regents on October 19, 2016 which can be accessed here.

It reads, in part…

“Beginning July 1, 2017, any individual who is 21 years of age or older and who is lawfully eligible to carry a concealed handgun in Kansas shall not be precluded from doing so on campus except in buildings and areas of buildings for which adequate security measures are provided, and except as otherwise prohibited by law…Open carry of firearms and possession of weapons other than concealed handguns shall be prohibited on campus, while concealed carry of handguns is permitted on campus, subject to the rules stated in this policy….There are no University locations that have been designated as prohibiting concealed carry with permanent adequate security measures. The University may from time to time designate a specific location as temporarily prohibiting concealed carry and use temporary adequate security measures as defined and required by law….”

***feature photo courtesy:  Andy Jacobsohn/Courtesy Dallas Morning News

The 21st Annual Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade kicked off the holiday season in Junction City.

Temperatures were cool, but calm winds and large crowds warmed the chilly holiday evening.

The parade began at 5:30 pm at Junction City High School on Eisenhower Street and turned down Sixth street toward Heritage Park. Santa Claus’ much anticipated arrival was at the conclusion of the parade where they “lit up” the park with Christmas spirit.

Also in Heritage Park was the Christmas Market sponsored by the Junction City Arts Council. Director Michael Gray estimated 500 people had attended the market that began at 10:00 am.  By the parade’s start, Gray estimated 1000 people had visited the market.

Watch the entire Parade Video HERE!

The Community Servants free Thanksgiving Day breakfast showed the true heart of Junction City.

Kevin and Anygi Summers are founders of the nonprofit Community Servants and coordinated and organized the breakfast held in the Municipal Building Gymnasium in Junction City.

The Summers’ were looking for approximately 50 volunteers and were pleasantly surprised by the official volunteer totals.

“All of our volunteers have just exceeded our expectations…it’s so encouraging that everybody wants to come out and serve the community and we’re looking forward to using these volunteers for future events,” said A. Summers.

There were 127 volunteers amongst 131 attendees for the community wide free breakfast.

Menu items included turkey, ham, sausage, eggs, pancakes, donuts, cinnamon rolls, hash browns, grits, biscuits and gravy and fruit.

Food was donated from Hyvee, Walmart, Dillons, Daylight Donuts, Da Joint, Hildebrand Farms, Starbucks, and N’orleans BBQ – to name a few.

“We are overwhelmed by the turnout, especially the people who come out wanting to serve other people…that’s amazing,” said K. Summers.

One hundred years as a division, and an eternity of tradition – paying homage to the First Infantry Division’s 100th Anniversary, the Cantigny Dining Facility celebrated Thanksgiving today with the customary holiday meal.

Staying true to tradition, officers and senior non-commissioned officers served the meal to soldiers, families, and civilians.

Brigadier General Patrick D. Frank, 1st ID and Fort Riley acting senior commander, said that soldiers often come together around their meals. “Thanksgiving is one of those very special occasions, you really see the teamwork that is involved in our units, in our formations across the Division…when you go around and see our soldiers all enjoying a Thanksgiving meal together – the same soldiers that were in Kuwait last year and potentially looking at a deployment again next year, this means a lot to them to come in here and enjoy time with their friends and their family.”

Frank said that he will spend Thanksgiving Day with his soldiers.

SPC William Bartnick said he was spending the holiday with his unit, “it takes your mind off of [not being at home]…it gets a weight off your shoulders.”

That feeling of being at home resonated with many.

“This was really beautiful, they thought about this – they put thought in to this and it made me feel like I’m home,” said PFC Shakima Windsor.

Colonel David Gardner, Commander 2nd Brigade, said that it’s heartwarming to see all of the families and community members that come enjoy the meal noting that the Food Service Specialists don’t get enough credit. “When you see what [they] can actually do on a daily basis, they don’t get enough credit for how talented they are at pastries and making cakes, and putting together a really nice spread.”

Nearly 1400 pounds of food were prepared, spanning over 17 hours.

Guests were entertained with music from the 1st ID Band, a replica of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory – chocolate river included, and some of the history of the Division.

Taking on the task of refilling sparkling cider was Command Sergeant Major Craig A. Copridge who summed up the significance of leadership not being afraid to get their hands dirty. “It goes back to army traditions…just to let [the soldiers] know how important they are to us, and how thankful we are to have them under our charge.”

Thursday’s Thanksgiving meal will be served at Demon’s Diner located at 694 Huebner Road from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm.

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran was the guest speaker at the Tuesday noon Rotary Club meeting in at the Courtyard by Marriott Convention Center Junction City.

Moran easily won re-election in the November 8th general election against Democratic challenger Patrick Weisner and Libertarian Robert Garrard.

Moran addressed several topics during the meeting:

On taking his rural perspective to the Nation’s Capital:

“I see myself as someone who has an opportunity, a responsibility to make sure that rural is not forgotten; we continue to attention to issues that in my view are very Kansas oriented.”

On healthcare:

“I have visited each and every hospital in our state to make sure that they are alive and well, that their doors remain open, that we’re able to attract physicians and other healthcare providers to our communities – because I know, that in the absence of access to healthcare, our communities will not be here in the future.”

On economic development and small business success:

“At best if our communities were holding their own, that was considered success, and what I take from that is – what government does – local, state, federal – in regard to the fixed cost of being in business, if you don’t have more people to sell more things to – when the cost of business goes up the chance of your success goes down.”

“Economic development can be whether or not there is a grocery store in town…when Greensburg was struck by the tornado, one of the most common questions we got from people who live in Greensburg is ‘is Dillon’s going to rebuild their grocery store, because that will be a significant determining factor in whether or not we decide to stay in our hometown’…and I’m not of the view that government’s role is to say that every certain number of square miles or per capita that you have to have a grocery store – this isn’t about passing a law, it’s about creating an environment in which a grocery store has a better chance of success, the fixed cost of being in business are as low as possible and therefore they can stay in business longer.”

National Debt:

“Some of my Republican colleagues and many of my Democrat colleagues have decided that debt doesn’t matter…I think we need a major discussion in this country on what do we want from the Federal Government…and once we reach that conclusion, it’s immoral for us not pay for things…and I want less (interference) from Washington, not more, I’m in part a Republican because I believe in government closest to home, you have more ability to influence your county commissioners than you do members of Congress…”

“We won’t have a strong economy if we don’t pay our way, and we won’t have a strong economy if we rely on government to do everything

Military and Department of Veterans Affairs:

“One of things that I can report is that the National Defense Authorization Bill is about to be resolved, it’s expected to be voted on this Winter before we recess and our swearing in and the President’s inauguration, and NDA is expected to increase the amount of money authorized to eliminate the need for further reductions in troop strength and that’s good news for us at Fort Riley.”

“I have a love, hate relationship with the Department of Veterans Affairs…a department that is way too much bureaucracy, way too much ingrained in leadership, way too much protecting their  posteriors, not much accountability and our Veterans deserve something significantly different than what we have.”

Sixteen students in Geary USD 475 were honored the Superintendent’s 3Rs Award Monday evening. They were recognized during the USD 475 Board of Education celebration meeting at Junction City Middle School.

The students include Jaime Villaneuva, Isabelle Waggoner, King Mason, Giovani Hernandez-Ortega, Trent Donaldson, Karley Kramer, Kailah Donnerson, Mason Herendon, Ayla Krugh, Gavin Murphy, Emma Smith, Kael Potter, Melanie Antunez, David Luerssen, June Smith, and Allyza Rucker.

One student from each elementary and middle school in the district received the honor.

The Board of Educatiuon also recognized numerous employees for accomplishments.

Jennifer Farr, fifth grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary, was one of eight finalists for Kansas Teacher of the Year. Horizon Award nominees Tresse Keplinger and Katie Duckworth of Westwood Elementary were honored. Shining Star awards went to the Executive Director of Communication for USD 475 Hugh Davis; Michael Frint, Counselor at Junction City Middle School; Molly Mosher, FLS Teacher at Junction City Middle School; Virginia Traxel, Third Grade Teacher at Fort Riley Elementary School; and Veronica Wait, Library Media Specialist at Ware Elementary School.

Tech Innovator Education Awards went to Abby Allen, Third Grade Teacher at Spring Valley Elementary School; Sheryl Pierce, Fifth Grade Teacher at Morris Hill Elementary, Andrew Proctor, Instructional Technologist at Junction City High School; and Glennrey Villamor, Earth Science and Physical Science at Junction City High School.