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Meadowlark program designed to help people with Parkinson’s Disease

 

By Dewey Terrill

JC Post

Meadowlark is bringing a program to Junction City to help people with Parkinson’s Disease.

Michelle Haub, Parkinson’s Program Coordinator at Meadowlark, said there are many people in the region affected by Parkinson’s. “We have a lot of individuals affected by Parkinson’s in this region. and coming to Manhattan is really hard. So we want to provide opportunities for individuals to learn and grow and live better qualities of life here in Junction City.”

The program will be offered at the Junction City Athletic Center, 935 East 4th Street,  beginning in May. There will be a Parkinson’s Education Group session at the center on Thursday, April 11th from 2-3:30 p.m. “This is an opportunity to come if you have the disease, if you have someone that you’re providing care for or if you just want to learn more about Parkinson’s Disease. ”

You will be able to learn how to cope or help someone else with the disease. A medical advisor and social worker will be present for the session.

In addition to medication, exercise can help in dealing with Parkinson’s. Rock Steady Boxing will be part of the program. Haub explained that’s where the Junction City Athletic Training Center factors in to the mix. Rock Steady Boxing has been done in Manhattan. Haub stated, “We’ve just seen amazing results with this boxing program. It’s geared and designed specifically those symptoms of Parkinson’s. So helping to address the stooped posture, the slow movement, the small gait, the quiet voice, all of those things are targeted in these boxing classes.  And so exercise is huge.”

The Rock Steady boxing classes will be offered once per week beginning in May at the Junction City Athletic Training Center. To participate in the program you must go through an evaluation so your medical background is, what needs to be watched or could put you at risk for doing a specific type of exercise. Once those who are interested have completed that step participants can then begin attending classes.

 

 

Update: KHP identifies victim in fatal Riley County crash

First responders on the scene of Thursday’s fatal Riley County crash -photo by Rebecca Watts WIBW TV

RILEY COUNTY — One person died in an accident just before 8a.m. Thursday in Riley County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Toyota Yaris driven by Andrew GeorgeDrysdale, 49, Coffeyville, was was north bound on Kansas 113 and failed to stop at the intersection of U.S. 24.

The vehicle hit the guardrail, traveled down the embankment, struck a tree and came to rest on its top.

Drysdale was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

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RILEY COUNTY — First responders are working a fatal, single vehicle, rollover crash at Tuttle Creek Boulevard and Seth Child Road north of Manhattan, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Authorities have released no additional information.

We will report additional details as they become available.

Lawsuit on behalf 3 KSU students challenges policy on banners at Kan. Statehouse

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A federal lawsuit has been filed on behalf of the three college students who were detained after unfurling banners at the Kansas Statehouse in support of Medicaid expansion.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas said Thursday the Kansas restrictions suppress political expression. It seeks a court order prohibiting Kansas from enforcing what ACLU contends are flawed policies.

One KSU student, Jonathan Thomas Cole, posted a video of security staff removing the banners to the Post facebook page

The litigation stems from an incident last month involving Kansas State University students who hung large banners saying Republican legislators who oppose expanding Medicaid have “blood on their hands.”

The students were initially barred from the Statehouse for a year, but have since been reinstated.

House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a conservative Republican singled out in one of the banners, says the rule is in place to prevent damage to the Statehouse.

No Time for Tea

Dave Baker

Week eleven of the 2019 Kansas Legislature is in the books, and we worked more than 50 bills. It was a hectic pace, and we labored late into the night with a strategy to weaken the resolve of one side or the other. I held firm on issues that constituents contacted me about, but some representatives changed their vote an will be rewarded with a political favor at a future date.

Bills that passed the House included an increase in registration fees for electric and hybrid cars. There were many proponents and opponents, but it passed, and the fee will increase between $50 and $150 after it goes to a conference committee. Fees for oversized and overweight vehicles will also be going up. The trucking industry worked hard to make this an amicable solution for truckers. The possibility of more toll roads in the metro areas and installing dedicated lanes to fast traffic was approved when we authorized the Transportation Secretary to change financing requirements.  With the proliferation of the new ride services, the law was changed to allow for a light to be placed in the windshield to alert those waiting for a ride.

The Real Estate Commission brought a bill to increase the fee for late renewal of a license and raised the fee for late renewal of a license and raised the requirements on graduates and their employers. There is a shortage of aeronautical engineers, and the goal is to entice them to stay in Kansas. I’m sure other industries will be lining up to get their share of credits. After a lengthy debate, we voted to authorize cannabidiol for treatment of certain medical conditions.

We heard a lively discussion about schools and worked until midnight to pass a new funding bill that contained only provisions directing how new funding should be utilized. Lobbyists for the school community made it very clear that they opposed the bill, but after more drama than a soap opera, it passed by two votes. Negotiators will have to work quickly to get a plan finalized before the April 15 deadline.

The Governor is working to get cabinet appointments confirmed,and there have been some bumps in the road. She is no stranger to politics and will respond with adjustments when necessary. My experience with the selections has been positive, but there have been no major issues to debate. of the bills passed so far, we haven’t raised taxes, only fees. Internet sales tax has not been resolved,and it is past time for implementation.

Representative Dave Baker

Munson Road agreement: A Done Deal!

Geary County Commission Chairman Charles Stimatze

By DEWEY TERRILL
JC Post 

The Geary County Commission has voted 3-0 to approve the Munson Road Maintenance Agreement.

The action by the commission during a special meeting Thursday morning means that road can be opened up for use as a haul route by contractors working on the new Junction City High School project. The Board of Education approved the agreement as well, in a special session on Wednesday.

The county had stopped Bergkamp Construction from using the road on March 24th until the maintenance agreement was finalized. Commission Chairman Charles Stimatze explained why the agreement was needed. “We have a statutory duty to protect and make sure all county roads are safe for the general public, and this is nothing new for any large project that’s going on that we don’t do.” Stimatze explained there was a similar agreement for Westar Energy, “to make sure the roads are up, safe for the other general public travel on the roads.” Westar undertook an earlier substation project in Geary County.

Signs have also been put up indicating that no tracked vehicles are allowed on Munson Road near the new school site. . Stimatze confirmed that was the case, “No tracked vehicle allowed on any county roads, especially that one there because it’s going to be around some construction equipment. ” A tracked vehicle could damage the roadway.

Stimatze also stated, “I know that if they wanted to cross the road, Cory Trumpp( ( Geary County Public Works Director )  has said that they can use steel plates, they make rubber mats, tires, whatever he agrees to that they could use to cross the road.” Tracked vehicles could also be hauled into the new school site on a trailer.

BOE approves Munson Road Maintenance Agreement

USD 475 Chief Operations Officer David Wild and the school district’s legal counsel Mark Edwards visiting with the Board of Education on Wednesday.

The Geary USD 475 Board of Education has approved the maintenance agreement that will allow Munson Road to be used as a haul route for the contractors working on the new Junction City High School project. The vote by the Board was 7-0 Wednesday afternoon at the Devin Center.

Now the agreement will go before the Geary County Commission for final consideration at 10 a.m. Thursday at the County Office Building.

The Chief Operations Officer for USD 475, David Wild, explained the school district and county will work collaboratively to determine when Munson Road might need some repair work. “Of course the district will be responsible for purchasing of supplies to make those repairs, and then the county will then effect the repairs and bill the district for those repairs.”

If approval is given by the county commission, Bergkamp Construction could begin using the road. The county blocked that action on March 24th after the road had been utilized for a short time because the agreement had not been signed. In the meantime the contractor has been able to access the school site via K-18.

Wild also reported as a good will gesture the general contractor for the project, Hutton Construction, had also put up barricades blocking off Munson Road and the county in turn as a good will gesture had spread gravel on Munson Road on Tuesday. He stated that road will be ready for use the minute it is opened back up.

Wild also touched Wednesday on the subject of having the road closed, saying it was certaining an inconvenience but had not stopped construction. Later he explained to the Board that this has been “a little awkward – a little bit of a public embarrassment.” Speaking after the Board meeting he stated, “I think it’s the awkwardness of that, was an embarrassment. Again when I spoke to Mr. Stimatze ( Geary County Commission Chairman Charles Stimatze ) if we separate ourselves from our district and our county responsibilities this is really about the community needing to see us work together, and I think we’re there now.” Wild said he felt the county and school district were on the same page.

One still unanswered question that was noted during the Board meeting dealt with signs prohibiting tracked vehicles that have recently been put up on Munson Road.  School officials will check with the county on that subject.

Fort Riley celebrates Month of the Military Child

The Department of Defense recognizes April as Month of the Military Child to honor the commitment and sacrifice made by military children, who typically experience frequent moves and parents with busy training schedules and frequent deployments. This year’s theme is “Military Kids Can!”

Fort Riley is kicking off the month with a “Kidsfest” at Riley’s Conference Center on Saturday, April 6th.”Kidsfest” runs from 1-4 p.m. This free event includes multiple crafts, activities, characters’ performances, instructional demos, information booths and free snacks. On April 10th, senior leaders at Fort Riley will sign a proclamation declaring April as the month of the Military Child.

Other events at Fort Riley during April include a family movie at Barlow Theater at 6:30 p.m. on April 12th, pancake feed at Forsyth East School Age Center from 8-10 a.m. April 13th, Month of the Military Child parade at Artillery Parade Field at 10 a.m. on the 19th, kids fishing derby at Moon Lake from 1-4 p.m. on April 20th, and on April 27th, Superhero Saturday and a free fun run at Outdoor Adventure and Travel Center from 9 a.m. to noon.

There will be activities throughout the month to celebrate the Month of the Military Child. Some events require pre-registration and some may include a fee. For more information, call parents Central, Fort Riley Child & Youth Services at ( 785 ) 239-9885 or visit https://www.facebook.com/XRileyCYS/.

Temporary museum site open at Fort Riley

Museum Complex Director Dr. Robert Smith speaking during the opening of the temporary museum on post.

A temporary museum has been opened at Fort Riley at 247 Cameron Avenue on the historic main post. It will be open during the renovation of the U.S. Cavalry Museum and 1st Infantry Division museums.

Exhibits include “Duty First: 100 years of the Big Red One” and “Patton the Sportsman,” plus many other displays. The temporary museum’s hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sundays.

A gift shop, operated by Friends of the Fort Riley Museums, is open Wednesdays and Saturdays noon to 3 p.m.

The renovations of the main museum complex began in January 2018 and are projected to be completed by the summer of 2020. The project is funded by the U.S. Army Center of Military History and has been designed to preserve and highlight the historic structure of the museum buildings.

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