Prestigous awards presented every year at Junction City High School were given to three members of the class of 2019 Thursday evening.

Kody Westerhaus was the recipient of the Mike Champ Award, Aaron Hamilton the Bert McKinsey Award and Reece Boland the Kim Kilpatrick Award.

The Bert McKinsey Award goes to the senior male athlete making the greatest overall contribution to the JCHS Athletic Program during his high school years. Hamilton was a standout in multiple sports. “I’m really honored and I really appreciate them and I’m just glad I got this award.”

The Kim Kilpatrick award is named after former Lady Jay track and field standout Kim Kilpatrick ( Milleson ). It goes to the senior female athlete making the greatest overall contribution to the JCHS athletic program. the Mike Champ Award recognizes the top senior athlete with the highest overall grade point average.

Rob Smith Loyal Blue Jay Award recognition went to Javontez Brime, Jace Goheen, Aaron Hamilton, Corbin Sanner, Jacob Smith, Kody Westerhaus, Reece Boland, Delani List, Sherrie Jones, Stephany Lechuga, and Alidsha Vazquez-Centeno.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Four of Kansas’ six major public universities are seeking undergraduate tuition increases, despite a recent increase in state funding for higher education approved by the Legislature.

The proposed increases were unveiled Wednesday at a Kansas Board of Regents meeting, which frustrated some regents, who are under pressure to keep tuition flat after lawmakers approved a funding boost of $33 million for higher education next year, The Wichita Eagle reported. The board will vote on the proposals in June.

“Right now I’m not thrilled about the prospects of trying to convince the Legislature next year to give us more money when I believe they are going to feel like they were ambushed,” Regent Mark Hutton told university leaders.

Gov. Laura Kelly last week urged the board to hold the line on tuition.

“We have got to do something about rising tuition costs. We are pricing kids, families out of our higher education system. So if it’s at all possible, I would like them to address that,” Kelly said.

The University of Kansas and Wichita State University both sought a 1 percent tuition increase for Kansas residents. Emporia State University seeks a 2.5 percent increase and Kansas State requested a 3.1 percent. Pittsburg State University and Fort Hays State University did not request tuition increases.

Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod said the 1 percent increase was the smallest the university had sought since at least 1983 and Wichita State Interim President Andy Tompkins said that school’s request was the smallest in 30 years.

The requests come as the cost of attending a public university in Kansas continues to rise and tuition becomes a larger funding source than state aid. A credit load of 15 hours at the University of Kansas or Wichita State University now costs about 50 percent more than in 2009. Under the proposed rates, Kansas university students will pay a total of $732 million in tuition next year, while the state will provide $626 million in funding.

University leaders said the institutions are still trying to rebound from reductions in past years. Girod said his university reduced its budget by $20 million this year.

“We’re all pretty good at belt-tightening. We’re kind of running out of belt at this point,” he said.

Kansas State President Richard Myers said his university reduced its operating budget by $37 million over the past five years and expects another $10 million cut in the future, all while enrollment declines.

Regents chairman Dennis Mullin urged regents and university leaders to meet with lawmakers during the next month to explain the need for the increases.

“If you have an increase in your budget and you can’t share and mobilize that message to our key legislators over the next 30 days, I will be shocked if you will get that past this board,” Mullin told university leaders.

High

91°

Sunny. Highs in the lower 90s. South winds 10 to 20 mph.

By Katie Goerl

JC Post

Thanks to six new full-size windows, St. Joseph’s Historic Church is filled with natural light and fresh air for the first time in many years – and you’re invited to see it.

Next Saturday, May 25, Geary County Historical Society is holding an open house at St. Joseph’s Historic Church, located just off Lower McDowell Creek Road, to show off the new windows.

The open house is scheduled from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday to learn about the restoration efforts taking place. Events will include a talk at 10 a.m. about the church and the history of families buried in the cemetery, followed by a wildflower walk and music.

To get to St. Joseph’s Historic Church from I-70, just take exit 307 for McDowell Creek Road and drive about a mile south. The church is visible from the road on the east side.

MANHATTAN – An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has found that Belfor Property Restoration and subcontractor Custom Crushing & Company – both based in Kansas City, Missouri – failed to comply with OSHA’s asbestos removal standards while performing rehabilitation work at Kansas State University’s Hale Library in Manhattan.

According to a media release from the U.S. Department of Labor, Custom Crushing & Company faces $193,596 in proposed penalties, and Belfor Property Restoration faces proposed penalties totaling $39,780.

Custom Crushing & Company was cited for 23 serious health violations including exposing employees to asbestos, failing to provide respiratory protection, and personal protective clothing, develop a written hazard communication program, train workers on asbestos hazards, properly dispose of material and waste containing asbestos, and conduct medical surveillance for employees exposed to health hazards.

OSHA cited Belfor Property Restoration for three serious violations after determining asbestos abatement on the project did not comply with OSHA standards. Inspectors also determined that the company failed to inform the building’s owner and other employees of the location and quantity of presumed asbestos-containing material.

“Asbestos is a well-known health hazard that can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other life-threatening illnesses,” said OSHA Wichita Area Director Ryan Hodge. “Employers working in the restoration industry are required to remediate asbestos hazards to ensure workers are adequately protected.”

Both companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. See citations issued to Custom Crushing here and Belfor here.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.

The Corps of Engineers has released the latest numbers for Milford Lake.

As of Wednesday afternoon the lake elevation was at 1161.05, which is 16.65 feet high. Inflows have been decreasing and the Clay Center gauge is currently reading 1480 cubic feet per second.

The release of water from the reservoir is not scheduled to exceed the low flow level of 25 cfs between now and May 31st. The current inflow from the Republican River totals 1,500 cfs. By the 31st that inflow is expected to decrease to 639 cfs.

The retirement reception for Associate Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Beth Hudson, will be held from 3-5 p.m. Thursday at the Devin Center.

Hudson is preparing to retire at the end of June.

She has worked in the school district in positions ranging from Junction City High School bookkeeper to classroom teacher to three stints as the Interim Superinendent of Schools for USD 475. The reception is open to the public.