The 16th annual Employee Recognition Banquet for Geary Community Hospital was held recently. This year, the employees that were recognized collectively had over 500 years at GCH and approximately 1 million hours of service.
Among those recognized for the evening were Redo Purnell, Cardiopulmonary; Cornell Lawrence, Home Medical Equipment; and Marilyn Spencer, Intensive Care Unit. All had 20 years of service at GCH.
The JCHS Blue Jay Marching Band recently earned a 1 or superior rating at the Central States Marching Festival held in KSU’s Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Sat. Oct 24. The marching band was rating in 5 different captions: music, marching, general effect, percussion and flags.
Then on Monday, Oct 26, the Blue Jay Marching Band traveled to Hays for the High Plains Marching Festival. The band earned a 1 rating in all captions for the overall 1 rating.
The theme of this year’s competition show was “Blue Jays thru Time: Destination: 2015, Back to the Future” Music selections included: 1955 segment – “Johnny B Goode” & “Earth Angel”; 1985 – “The Power of Love” and the 2015 segment – “Uptown Funk.”
.The band will be appearing in the All Treats Parade, Thursday, and at the home football game Friday.
TOPEKA – Governor Sam Brownback on Wednesday issued a statement following the release of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores for K-12 schools across the nation. Results show test scores across the nation, including in Kansas, are lower than in 2013. NAEP assessments are conducted every two years using a random sample of 4th and 8th grade students in each state.
“Today’s NAEP scores reflect the need for real education reform to benefit our students. This is a complex issue with no single cause or solution and today’s results confirm a trend showing that even though education funding has increased by more than $1 billion over the past decade, NAEP scores have remained largely flat.
“During my campaign, I called for a renewed emphasis on improving student performance in science, engineering, technology and math (STEM) disciplines. Today’s results underscore the importance of those efforts. We will continue to work toward educational reform that includes the innovative programs, collaborations and strategic investments that best serve our Kansas students.
“While our Kansas schools remain above the national average, we can and should do more. We want our students to excel and have the skills they need to succeed in school and life in the 21st century. To do that, we must work to get more dollars into the classroom and into the infrastructure our teachers need to improve student performance, particularly in math. We need flexibility at the local level to address students’ needs, and we should support the great efforts of the thousands of teachers who work every day to help give our students opportunity for a brighter future.”
The City of Junction City has announced the City’s Annual Fall Leaf Collection/ Drop-off Program. StartingMonday, November 2nd and continuing as weather permits through the end of November 30th, Junction City residents may bring bags of leaves, grass clippings and bulk leaves to be dropped off at the following locations.
Leaf Drop-off Locations:
Playground Park 1000 block West 5thStreet (near the City
Pool area)
Public Works Center 2324 North Jackson Street
(near the City/ County Animal Shelter)
Residents are asked to only drop off leafs or grass clippings—NO TRASH OR TREE LIMBS ALLOWED. The drop off centers will be on the honor system relying on the public to not place trash in the collection bin areas. The drop-off center bins will be constructed of concrete barriers and signed accordingly at the locations.
The man accused in the March 15th death of Sharon Moody, 52, of Junction City, has waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Geary County District Court. That hearing had been scheduled Wednesday ( Oct. 28 ).
Geary County Attorney Steve Opat reported that Daniel E. Edwards waived his preliminary hearing, and a December 2 arraignment date was set in District Court. Opat confirmed earlier this year that he had filed charges of First Degree Murder, felony First Degree Murder, and Aggravated Robbery against Edwards.
Moody’s body was found on March 15th at her 1015 West 9th Street home in Junction City. Later that night Edwards was apprehended by authorities in Topeka, was interviewed by Junction City police detectives in connection with the case, and later arrested. He was 34 years old at the time of his arrest.
Edwards remains incarcerated in the Geary County Detention Center. His bond is one million dollars.
The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that Deputies responded to the 11400 block of Humboldt Creek Road for a two-vehicle non-injury accident.
Joseph Whitmer, Junction City, was southbound in a Ford Escape when he braked abruptly to avoid hitting a deer. Miguel Rodney, Grandview Plaza, was following in a Ford Mustang. Rodney was unable to stop in time, causing his vehicle to hit the rear end of the Whitmer vehicles. Again there were no injuries.
out around 60 today but overnight may fall below freezing in some parts of the area. The best chance for sub-freezing temperatures is northwest of a Council Grove to Holton line, with patchy frost possible over the entire area. Attention then turns to rain chances this weekend. Currently, it looks like the best chance falls between Friday afternoon and early Saturday morning, with a good chance of dry weather for the evening trick-or-treaters.Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 60s. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.
Wednesday Night: Colder. Mostly clear. Patchy frost after midnight. Lows in the lower 30s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny. Patchy frost in the morning. Highs in the mid 50s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s. Southeast winds up to 5 mph.
Friday: Rain showers likely. Highs in the upper 50s. Chance of showers 60 percent.
Friday Night: Not as cool. Rain showers likely. Lows in the upper 40s. Chance of showers 70 percent.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming mostly sunny. Slight chance of rain showers. Highs in the lower 60s.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 40s.
Sunday: Sunny. Highs around 70.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s.
Monday: Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.
Monday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s.
Tuesday: Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.
The BDS Productions of Chapman, Magnificent 7 concert is Saturday night ( Oct. 31 ) at the Chapman High School auditorium.
Roger Thompson, one of the coordinators of the show, said doors open at six o’clock, the show starts at seven.
He said the Magnificent 7 stars at the Hamner Theatre in Branson. “They do a variety show. It’s been rated the number one show in Branson. The entertainers include the Tinoco’s, which are husband and wife, and they have a 10-year old daughter named Talya.” Thompson said Talya sings and dances. “She and her dad were declared the Duet of the Year. He was the Best Male Performer, his wife was the Best Female Vocalist. ” Thompson added Talya also does a serious solo, and the show ends with a tribute to the military.
Tickets are $25 for adults, while children 12 and under are admitted free. Thompson stated there will be treats for the children.
Thompson said the show will include comedy, 200 costumes, and 75 songs in the two-hour show.
Michael Garrett of Milford has been setting up a cemetery yard display in his yard in Milford every Halloween since 2000, and this year is no different.
He explained that he adds new items to the display each year and 
he’s excited about this years.
“We have black lights, strobe lights, smoke machines, haunted music, inflatables, animated stuff, people in character and in costume,” said Garrett. “At the very end there’s a guy dressed up as Dracula who comes up out of a coffin and hands out the candy.”
Everything is free and the people can walk through the display on Halloween night only starting at 7 pm and going until 9 pm. He is located at 301 Smith Street in Milford.
Two Junction City High School seniors, Jordan Biggs and Keaton Petite, qualified for the National Honor Choir “All National Honor Ensembles” in Nashville on October 28.
During the 2014-15 school year, talented music students across the U.S. and overseas in military base schools practiced to gain a chair or part in their local, district, and state music honor ensembles. And of those moest elite high school musicians who were accepted to their district or All-State music ensembles, 673 of them – the “Best of the best” were selected for the National Association for Music Education’s 2015 All-National Honor Ensembles.
On Wednesday ( Oct. 28 ) these musicians will showcase their talent and perform a gala concert on the world-famous Grand Ole Opry House stage.