Construction on new orthopedic clinic space in two suites in Medical Arts Building I at Geary Community Hospital should begin in mid-October and should be completed by the end of the year. That information was reported to the Hospital Board of Trustees this week.

The recent Fall Classic golf tournament sponsored by the Geary Community Healthcare Foundation raised $33,703 to help fund the orthopedic clinic project. Funds raised by the Foundation’s Holiday Glitz will go for the same purpose.

Information was reported to the Board on multiple matters. Bad debt totals for the hospital wee $446,000 over budget for the month of August. Expenses were under budget $100,000 for that month.

A total of 35 hospital employees will be honored for years of service during a ceremony at Acorns Resort on October 16th.

The final Farmer’s Market of the year will be Thursday from 4-7 p.m. in the north parking lot. There will be a Pumpkin Patch where children decorate small pumpkins and can then take them home from the Farmer’s Market event.

The recent Fall Classic golf tournament sponsored by the Geary Community Healthcare Foundation raised

An effort to help children ages 5-16 called Camp Soar was a success this past Saturday at the Bluffs in Junction City. It was conducted in conjunction with Accord Hospice and the help of community volunteers, the Junction City Fire Department, Junction City J Steppers, Geary County 4-H and the Milford Nature Center untouchables animal show.

The camp was held for children that have suffered any kind of loss whether it be death, divorce, distance or deployment. The goal was to provide a place that children could come together and have fun with other children that may be going through similar experiences.

Organizers reported the Camp was a huge success thanks to the many sponsors and volunteers from the community. They plan to make this an annual event in Junction City.

There will soon be a vacancy in a judge’s position in the 8th Judicial District when Judge Maritza Segarra retires January 1st.

Geary County Attorney Krista Blaisdell is not sure at this time whether she will submit an application for the judge position. Speaking on JC Now on the 1420 KJCK AM, she stated, “The jury’s still out.” Blaisdell congratulated Segarra on an amazing career and said it’s been a pleasure practicing in front of her. “I’ve not made any decisions yet. I love what I am doing, I love the role that I play in this community and my ability to be involved. And I know a judgeship is an amazing opportunity but I’ve not made any final decisions regarding that.”  Blaisdell added either way she would be happy.

Blaisdell has served as Geary County Attorney for about 21 months, and before that was the prosecutor for Junction City Municipal Court.

On Wednesday the Kansas Department of Transportation will begin a mill and overlay project on U.S. 77 north from the Rucker Road intersection to the Riley County line.

Traffic will be reduced to one 12’ lane during daylight hours with flaggers and a pilot car to move traffic through the work zone. Drivers should be prepared for a delay of 15 minutes and plan extra time in their travel schedules.

Shilling Construction Co., Inc. of Manhattan is the prime contractor and have scheduled this project to be completed by the end of October, weather permitting, at a cost of $1,680,355.

The Blessing of the Animals is Saturday at 9 a.m. in Heritage Park in downtown Junction City. This is being sponsored by the Friends of Animals.

The event commemorates the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of all animals. Your pet can be blessed by local clergy and you can receive a free Saint Francis medallion for your pet’s collar.

This event is free and all friendly pets are welcome.

Immediately following the Blessing of the Animals there will be a Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial Service. Honor your pet with a remembrance ribbon and have your pet’s name included in the balloon release.

You can purchase a remembrance ribbon for $2 each per pet and sign your pet’s name to the long ribbon that will be attached to three balloons that will be released. All proceeds will go toward the care of homeless, neglected and abused animals.

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MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — A flood on Labor Day caused $1.35 million in damage in rural Riley County.

County emergency management director Pat Collins told county commissioners during their Monday meeting that 28 homes outside of Manhattan were damaged.

Officials announced earlier that the flooding caused $17.2 million inside Manhattan city limits.

The Manhattan Mercury reports Collins said the Red Cross helped 327 people in 139 homes in the region and between 15 and 30 people stayed at their two shelters each day.

Nearly 9 inches of rain fell during the Labor Day weekend, causing Wildcat Creek to overflow its banks and forcing more than 300 people to evacuate their homes