Increasing teen seatbelt usage is the goal for a new public service announcement that was produced by SAFE (Seatbelts Are For Everyone) and representatives from the United States Army at Fort Riley. The message highlighted the importance of seatbelts both on post and in communities across Kansas.

“The emphasis is on seatbelts,” Richard Hearron, safety manager at Fort Riley’s Garrison Safety Office said. “Seatbelts save lives. That’s the bottom line.”

Members from the Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office and Fort Riley’s Garrison Safety Office teamed up to create the safety message. The PSA has been distributed to the Combat Readiness Center at Fort Rucker (Alabama) and aired across the U.S. Army.

“Car crashes are the number one cause of death for teens,” Norraine Wingfield, Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office project director said. “Our hope is that by seeing an active duty soldier wearing his seatbelt it will help motivate more teens to follow suit.”

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Anthony Manfredi assisted in production of the public service announcement demonstrating usage of safety equipment in an AH-64 Apache helicopter and by wearing a seatbelt in his privately-owned vehicle.

“It’s important to spread the word and lead by example – to not only say it, but to show people we’re doing it too,” Manfredi said.

SAFE is a peer-to-peer program located in 150 schools in 64 counties. Students educate their classmates on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, impaired driving and especially encouraging one another to buckle up, every trip, every time.

Kansas State University’s Polytechnic Campus cut the ribbon on a new wind turbine and solar panels on Nov. 8.

The energy-efficient additions to campus are outside of the Student Life Center. The building will see the benefit of the alternative energy production, while the campus now has the first pieces in place for its goal to become more energy efficient and increase its sustainable energy production.

“As I look at our campus and how to prepare it for the future while reflecting technology, adding renewable energy through solar and wind power seems a natural fit,” said Verna Fitzsimmons, CEO and dean of Kansas State Polytechnic. “Faculty and staff can use the systems for education. Facilities can use the systems to monitor energy usage and integrate the findings into future energy projects. Students can witness the complex technology firsthand and use the systems to learn more about renewable energy systems, collect data, and analyze and draw conclusions. This idea fits perfectly with our programs and the polytechnic model of education.”

Integrating the wind and solar technology into the hands-on education model of the campus was a key selling point, Fitzsimmons said. The technology provides multiple opportunities for collaboration across campus, including biannual safety inspections of the turbine via drone — one area of national recognition Kansas State Polytechnic.

The addition of the wind turbine and solar panels is part of a larger energy savings program across campus. K-State Polytechnic is reducing its energy footprint by replacing all interior and exterior building lighting, sidewalk and parking lights with LED lightbulbs; updating envelope infiltration on exterior and overhead doors; replacing thermostats to more energy-efficient, Wi-Fi technology; and taking steps to reduce water intake and adjust heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

The solar and wind technology is projected to provide Kansas State Polytechnic both energy and cost savings each year. Projected electricity savings are 1,060,508 kilowatt hours, equal to approximately 1,210 100-watt lightbulbs burning continuously for one year. The reduced carbon dioxide omission is projected to save more than 18,000 trees each year. Overall annual cost savings are projected to be more than $146,000.

Installation of the wind turbine and solar panels was financed by a $2.85 million bond, to be repaid through the energy savings.

The 4th Annual JCHS JROTC Pancake Feed Fundraiser is coming up on Saturday, December 2 from 7 a.m. to noon.

All proceeds will assist the JCHS JROTC Cadets attend events and provide much needed supplies for their travels, events, and training.

The event will take place at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Aerie 830 203 E.. 10th Street in Junction City.

MSN recently released a list of the most adorable small towns in every US state. Abilene took home the honor for Kansas in 2017.

Abilene, Kansas is most famous for being the hometown of President Eisenhower, and no first-time visit would be complete without visiting his house at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum, where he is now buried. The Georgian-style Seelye Mansion is also a popular attraction. – MSN

Former Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dennis Beson has been selected as the new President and CEO for the Phenix City, Alabama/Russell County Chamber of Commerce.

Chair of the Phenix City Search Committee Melissa Gaunt said, “We had many strong candidates from throughout the county. Dennis Beson was the ideal choice. He brings a weather of experience in management and chamber operations to the chamber.”

During his tenure as President/CEO of the Junction City Chamber Beson was responsible for a consolidated Chamber which included the Economic Development, Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Military Affairs Divisions.

Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, in partnership with the Kansas Infant Death and SIDS ( KIDS ) Network, hosted their 6th Luke’s Community Baby Shower last Saturday, November 4th at the Junction City Nazarene Church.

The baby shower — named for local SIDS baby Luke Nelson — is an opportunity to educate pregnant women and their support systems on safe sleep and learn about other community resources that are available to them in Geary County. The event brought in over 60 expectant moms and their support person. The community baby shower provided each participant with a free Graco Pack ‘n’ Play portable playard, sleep sac and a swag bag full of additional items that were donated by sponsors of the event. In addition each participant won a raffle item as well.   

The local resources featured at the baby shower where: Geary County Breastfeeding Coalition, Geary County WIC, Parents as Teachers, OB Navigators, New Parent Support, Becoming a Mom, Geared Up Dads, United Health Care, Safe Sleep, Pawnee Mental Health, Konza, Amerigroup, Developmental Health, Kansas Children’s Service League, Geary County Infant Toddler Services and Geary Community Hospital.

Luke’s Community Baby Shower is funded as a part of the Healthy Start Grant that Delivering Change received along with the help of Central National Bank, JC Noon Kiwanis, Meritrust Credit Union and Kyrsten Ross with Remax Signature Properties.

All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to join together for the K-State Unity Walk to Anderson Hall lawn from 1-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14. The walk is a symbolic introduction to KSUnite, a communitywide program for diversity, inclusion and equity from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on the Anderson Hall lawn.

The Kansas State University administration has approved a rare closure of all classes and offices from 1-3 p.m. Nov. 14. All members of the community are encouraged to attend.

“This is a great opportunity for the university and the community to come together as we move forward to create a more inclusive and equitable campus,” said Jack Ayres, student body president. “All students should plan to join their campus family and be a part of this historic event.”

Faculty Senate President Brian Lindshield and University Support Staff Senate President Carrie Fink encourage all faculty, unclassified staff and university support staff to walk and be present at the KSUnite program.

There will be coordinated starting points across campus so people can walk together in unity. K-Staters are encouraged to wear purple and are asked to start walking together at 1 p.m. or when the Anderson Hall bells chime.

Ayres and Darrell Reese, president of the Black Student Union, are hosting the program. The Rev. Troy Bowers will give the invocation and President Richard Myers will provide a message of unity and outline steps that all K-Staters can take as the community moves forward.

Following KSUnite, K-Staters may share their written and spoken messages at facilitated conversations about education, reflection and action in the K-State Student Union.

The Geary USD 475 Board of Education will have a special meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13 in the library media center at Junction City Middle School. The meeting has been scheduled so the Board of Education can authorize the sale of bonds for a new high school following the election results from this past Tuesday.

Voters approved the bond issue where the State of Kansas will retire those bonds to help pay for the new school.

The other BOE session on Monday the 13th will be their quarterly district celebration meeting. It begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Junction City Middle School auditorium.