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Category: Local

Pawnee Mental Health Services names new Crisis Stabilization Manager

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Bruce Johnson

Bruce Johnson, MS LCP, has been named the new Crisis Stabilization Manager for Pawnee Mental Health Services. Johnson received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Kansas and his MS in Psychology at Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri. he is a Kansas licensed clinical psychotherapist.

Johnson’s past work experience ranges from Director Psychiatric Services at St. John Hospital to Director of Therapeutic Services at HCA Research Psychiatric Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Pawnee Mental Health Services’ new Crisis Stabilization center will open in the spring of 2019 and offer 24 / 7 access for adults experiencing mental health or substance use crisis. Services offered will include triage, sobering unit, crisis observation and a crisis stabilization. The services will be provided to residents of the 10-county service area of Pawnee Mental Health Services, including Geary, Riley, Pottawatomie, Clay, Jewell, Marshall, Mitchell, Republic, Cloud and Washington.

USD 475 warns of possible scam

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USD 475 logo on abstract background
Posted by USD 475

USD 475 and Junction City High School officials are alerting the community to a possible scam linked to the promise of advertisement opportunities. Several businesses have been contacted and sent invoices for advertisements on school marketing material, by a company not associated with USD 475 or Junction City High School.

Advertisement opportunities on JCHS marketing material, athletic posters, or other material should come directly from either the USD 475 Marketing and Media Relations Department or more specifically, the Junction City High School Athletics Department or Director. The JCHS Academic Booster also provide advertisement opportunities in the Spring and Summer.

If you believe you have become the victim of a potential scam, please contact local law enforcement.

Holiday Bazaar

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The Fort Riley Spouses Club Holiday Bazaar is Thursday on post at 675 Warrior Drive from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

You can shop more than 26 vendors.

Children can take photos with Santa Claus.

Geary County ranks high in SmartAsset study

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Where you live can have a big impact on how much you can save, according to a recent study from financial technology company SmartAsset. The study measured savings account rates against household income, living expenses, and tax burdens in counties across the country to find where it pays the most to save. According to the study, Geary County ranked among the top places in Kansas.

For a look at how the top counties in Kansas stacked up, check out the table below:

Rank County Net Median Income Effective Tax Rate Average Savings Account Rate Interest Earned Savings Rate Return Savings Return Rate Index
1 Grant, KS $24,746 14.53% 0.55% $588 1.07% 37.24
2 Rawlins, KS $19,154 14.53% 0.53% $438 0.89% 30.91
3 Geary, KS $12,778 14.53% 0.50% $276 0.61% 21.20
4 Lane, KS $27,904 14.53% 0.29% $354 0.61% 21.19
5 Doniphan, KS $18,782 14.53% 0.37% $297 0.60% 20.93
6 Pottawatomie, KS $30,899 14.53% 0.28% $365 0.58% 20.32
7 Gray, KS $29,024 14.53% 0.28% $343 0.58% 20.00
8 Scott, KS $31,665 14.53% 0.25% $340 0.55% 19.11
9 Ness, KS $16,189 14.53% 0.35% $244 0.52% 17.93
10 Ford, KS $18,759 14.53% 0.29% $234 0.47% 16.37

For more information on the study, including the methodology and interactive map, check here: https://smartasset.com/checking-account/bank-cd-rates#Kansas

 

Santa’s helpers workshop

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There will be a Santa’s helpers workshop on Saturday, December 8th from 1-3 p.m. at the 12th Street Community Center in Junction City.

This will be an opportunity for children to go on a shopping spree from among small craft items at the center, and purchase a gift that will not be complete until they add some creativity to it.

The crafting items will range anywhere from $2 to $5. The children will then complete their projects and get it wrapped free before they go home. Parental supervision is recommended, but not required for those who are seven and older. One note: Many of the craft projects will involve paint. Please dress your child accordingly.

Santa Claus will be in attendance!

 

2 hospitalized after van crash into Riley Co. ambulance

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DOUGLAS COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 2a.m. Wednesday in Douglas County.

The Kansas Turnpike Authoritiy reported a 2010 Honda Odyssey driven by James A. Beck, 79, Topeka was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of the Kansas 10 exit.

The Honda collided with a Riley County ambulance driven by Scott Ten Eyck, 33, Wamego, causing it to spin and hit the barrier wall and then strike the ambulance again.

The collision forced the ambulance across all lanes of traffic and into the ditch.

Beck and a passenger Carol Beck, 78, Topeka, were transported to Stormont Vail.  Eyck was not injured.

The ambulance was returning after transporting a patient to Kansas City, according to Joshua Gering with Riley County EMS.

Eyck and the occupants of the Honda were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Milford pancake feed set for Saturday

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The Milford Lions will hold a pancake / sausage breakfast on Saturday from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. at the Milford City Building. A $5 suggested donation will go toward Milford Elementary School and community projects.

Beverly Greenwood said those attending are urged to bring used eye glasses.

 

Two arrested for drug related allegations on I-70

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The Junction City Police Department has reported the arrest of two Georgia residents on I-70 on drug related allegations.

They include Tammi Renee Kay, 43, and John Mark Kay, 43, on suspicion of Distribute Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia With Intent to Manufacture / Plant / Cultivate Controlled Substance and Taxation; Drugs. They were arrested at 9:32 a.m. Tuesday at Mile Marker 292 eastbound on I-70. That location is about two miles west of Junction City.

KPERS cost was one factor in lack of merger between hospitals

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By Dewey Terrill

JC Post

Aerial View of Geary Community Hospital

The expense of KPERS ( Kansas Public Employee Retirement System ) was one of the factors in the inability of Geary Community Hospital and Salina Regional Health Center to enter a merger. The fact that there would be no merger was announced last week.

Geary Community is a publicly owned hospital with employees earning KPERS benefits. Salina Regional is a privately owned hospital.

Joe Stratton, CEO at Geary Community, was asked about the KPERS issue and how it could be adjusted for future discussions with other healthcare entities.  Stratton noted that if GCH is in a position that they are going to have a partnership with another healthcare system and leaves the KPERS program, the only way to do it when you’re KPERS eligible is through insolvency or privatization, meaning you go into an arrangement with another organization.

Stratton stated that possibility was looked at closely and it would have a been a significant sum of money to extract GCH from KPERS from a decision that stemmed back to 1990. He confirmed that Geary Community spends about $400,000 to $500,000 extra per year to remain in the KPERS fund as a hospital.

Stratton added when partners look at you it’s something that they’re concerned about and wonder about.

Geary Community Hospital is dealing with financial challenges, like many other hospitals.

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