Geary Community Hospital is working with it’s new affiliate hospital Stormont Vail Healthcare to go together on an agreement to purchase medical supplies together through a larger organization. 

Dr. Joe Stratton, GCH CEO explained that they are currently working on the agreement with VHA, a large organization that offers medical supplies. He believes that there will be some almost immediate benefits if the agreement is signed.

“It’s kind of a back room, back office kind of thing that nobody will see, but it will be real positive for both hospitals,” said Stratton.

For GCH the savings could be about $50,000 a year.

“For us here at Geary Community, that’s certainly a substantial savings. The more we can save the more we can invest in medical equipment backing the patients and their families and that’s what it’s all about.”

GCH will continue piecing together the agreement with Stormont Vail Healthcare over the next couple of weeks.

The Owner and CEO of New Horizons RV in Junction City, Phil Brokenicky has been named the 2015 Kansas Small Business Person of the Year.

When selecting the Small Business Person of the year The US Small Business Administration evaluates each business on sales growth, employment, staying power, response to adversity and contributions to the community.

Wayne Bell, District Director with the US Small Business Administration said that it was Brokenicky’s story that stood out the most and in particular what he did during the recession that hit in 2008.

“To avoid laying off people, he kept his staff busy. What comes across when you learn more of his story, is how he values people. How he values his team,” said Bell. “Certainly during the recession he kept them busy where other employers obviously may have been in the situation where they didn’t keep people around.”

New Horizon’s RV Corporation came out of the recession in good shape while 19 other RV manufacturers ended up closing their operations.

“New Horizons has stayed the course, re-tooled it’s production, to become the most luxurious and best built fifth wheel RV in the world.”

Brokenicky credited his team of employees at New Horizons for the award.

“An award like this doesn’t just involve one person. It involves a team, and without the team awards don’t come,” said Brokenicky. “So I accept this on the behalf of my team, on behalf of my family, and I’m very grateful to have it.”

He was presented the award Tuesday during the Noon Rotary Club meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott Geary County Convention Center.

MANHATTAN – A Kansas man was sentenced Tuesday for a home invasion and drug robbery.

Trey Campbell, 21, Manhattan, originally pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated robbery.

A jury found him guilty for a July 2014 home invasion and marijuana robbery, while using a handgun, at a residence on Anderson Avenue in Manhattan.

He was sentenced to 66 months in prison.
A second suspect in the case, Ty Lee Anthony Suggs pleaded no contest, and was found guilty for the robbery.

His sentencing is scheduled for June 15.

A retired school teacher formerly at  Grandview Elementary School, Omar Pickett, died Sunday at his residence in Junction City. He was 96.

That information was confirmed by Curt Janke.  Pickett had been living in recent years with Kurt and Emily Janke.

Omar taught school in Grandview Plaza from 1961-1980. He was honored by former students and community members in Grandview Plaza in 2013.  And this past February Omar and his brother Delmar Pickett, celebrated their birthdays together at the Geary County 4-h and Senior Citizens Center.

The funeral for Omar Pickett has been scheduled for June 3 in Greenleaf, Kansas.

 

The unsettled weather pattern continues, with rain chances across the area into the weekend. A few of the area rivers remain in flood, and could be impacted by additional rainfall. Highs through the week are expected in the upper 70s to near 80, with possibly a cool down over the weekend.

Today: Mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms. Highs around 77. West winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms. Lows around 58. Northwest winds up to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Highs around 81. Southeast winds up to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 60s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms. Highs around 80. South winds 5 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s.

Friday: Thunderstorms likely. Highs in the upper 70s. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Friday Night: Thunderstorms likely. Lows around 60. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Saturday: Cooler. Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 60s.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Lows in the lower 50s.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers. Highs in the mid 60s.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s.

Monday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.

The Cabela’s National Team Walleye Championships are Thursday for Saturday at Milford Lake.

But the anglers who are competing have begun to arrive as they pre-fish and scout the lake for the tournament, which includes $274,000 in prize money.

According to a Geary County CVB Facebook posting anglers from 16 different states have arrived. They can tell from the license plates on the walleye boats at Milford Lake.

A combat veteran of Vietnam, State Representative Lonnie Clark, told the Memorial Day audience at the C. L. Hoover Opera House in Junction City that Memorial Day ( Monday ) was a special day for him.

“On this Memorial Day 2015 we gather here to recognize and remember the fallen heroes, and give prayers and thanks to those military who every day face preparing for and being ready to put their lives at risk for our freedoms.”

Allen Dinkel, Junction City Manager, spoke,  saying it was an honor to be part of the ceremony. “Because it brings home why I’m able to have time with my daughters today, with my granddaughters later on today, why I have the chance to be a city manager in Junction City, why I have a chance to do what I want to do. It’s because of those of you who served in the military, and those that gave the ultimate sacrifice to keep the United States free, and for me to have the opportunity to do what I want to do and live in this great land.”

The ceremony included a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps.

 

Quilts of Valor were presented to four veterans following the Memorial Day ceremony at the C.L. Hoover Opera House on Monday.

The presentations were a surprise to Joe Belardo, Jim Jensen, Steve Pringle, and Ralph Vega.

Vega told the audience he accepted the quilt on behalf of the Vietnam Vets and the Missing in Action.

The quilts were presented in order to Belardo, Jensen, Pringle, and Vega. These former soldiers do not know ahead of time about the presentation. Pringle thanked those in attendance, adding they appreciated ‘this day.”

It was an emotional presentation for the veterans, who were clearly honored and grateful for the quilts.   Quilts of Valor are made by local quilters as a way of honoring service members who have been touched by war. The Quilts are intended to help with comforting and healing.

 

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Geary, Riley, Clay, Dickinson, and Ottawa Counties until 9:51 p.m. Monday.

Memorial Day observances are planned in Junction City and at Fort Riley.

The ceremony in Junction City begins at 10 a.m. at the C. L. Hoover Opera House.  Speakers will include City Manager Allen Dinkel and State Representative Lonnie Clark.

The wreath-laying at the Fort Riley Post Cemetery will begin at 11:30 a.m. The speaker is Colonel Andrew Cole, Jr.