Some members of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team will be returning to Fort Riley this week.
According to the Fort Riley web site welcome home ceremonies are scheduled Monday and Wednesday evenings at 9 and 9:30 p.m., respectively, at Building 1986 at Camp Funston. The Soldiers are returning from a deployment to South Korea.
The First Infantry Division is turning 100!
Join the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council for the monthly breakfast on Thursday, June 22nd at the Geary County Convention Center in Junction City.
Mayor Phyllis Fitzgerald will honor Big Red One veterans from her “What is your Big Red One Story” series which highlighted 100 veterans that chose to make Junction City/Geary County their forever home. All of the veterans that participated in the series have been invited as special guests to the breakfast.
It is very important that you register (as you always should) for this month’s breakfast. The deadline to register for the breakfast is Friday, June 16th at 5:00 pm.
Breakfast is $12 per person; active duty military service members are $10. The fee is payable by cash or check at the door.
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A 23-year old Fort Riley soldier has drowned at Milford Lake.
Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf confirmed the victim was Xavier Joseph Harden, 23, Fort Riley. The incident occurred in a cove in the Farnum Creek area. Wolf said authorities were called about a possible drowning about 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Wolf reported, “It was in the cove along Acorn’s Resort. There was a man, a woman and a three-year child ( boy ) who were playing in the water. They were playing on some store bought flotation devices. The wind apparently got ahold of the female half and the child, and blew them a little bit farther away from the shore than what they were comfortable with.” Wolf said Harden was floating on another flotation device and was going to jump down off of his device, grab both of them and pull everyone back into the shore. “He jumped off his flotation device and struggled a few seconds and went straight down. According to the wife she advised us right away he was unable to swim and that was the reason he was unable to stay up top.”
Wolf said authorities went into a recovery mode but Harden never resurfaced. A dive team from Shawnee Mission, Kansas came into provide assistance along with Junction City Fire / EMS, Geary County Rural Fire, Geary County Sheriff’s Department, and Kansas Wildlife Parks and Tourism. The body was located about 5:15 p.m. “We have scheduled an autopsy but right now everything looks to be….it was a drowning.”
The hometown of the drowning victim is not yet known. Wolf confirmed the victim’s wife and child are being taken care of by the military.
MANHATTAN — If disaster strikes, does your emergency preparedness plan include what to do with your pets? A Kansas State University veterinarian says it should.
“You should never leave your pet at home if you need to evacuate,” said Susan Nelson, clinical professor at the university’s Veterinary Health Center, a part of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Whether you have traditional pets such as cats and dogs, or exotic pets, pocket pets, horses and livestock, creating a disaster plan for animals in your care entails similar steps taken to make your family plan.”
These steps start with knowing what disasters could happen in your area.
“The type of disaster will dictate if you can shelter at home or if you will need to leave your home and find shelter elsewhere,” Nelson said. In Kansas, disasters can include, but are not limited to, blizzards, ice storms, fires, floods, nuclear disaster, tornados, earthquakes and chemical spills.
If you do need to leave your home, Nelson said be aware that not all public shelters or hotels — or even relatives or friends — will allow pets, including cats and dogs. She suggests having several lodging alternatives.
Next, Nelson said create your disaster plan, develop a checklist and make your pet evacuation kit. Considerations should include how you will actually transport pets — on a leash, in a carrier, etc. — and where you will go, as well as alternative routes to get there as some roads may be impassible or closed.
Nelson recommends the following be in your pet evacuation kit:
• Contact numbers for hotels and boarding facilities, relatives and your veterinarian in a waterproof bag.
• Food sources such as pop-top cans or small bags of dry food, which should be rotated every few months. Rotation should also be done for bottles of water used for drinking and any medications — a minimum of one week’s worth should be in the kit.
• Copies of medical records should be placed in waterproof bags as well as pictures of you with your pet to provide proof of ownership should you become separated.
• Some type of identification — collar and tags, with or without a microchip. Remember to keep this information up to date.
Additional items include cleanup supplies, collapsible bowls, spoon, leash, litter and litter box, and small familiar items, such as toys or a blanket, which may help to reduce the stress on your pet.
“Consider using a buddy system with neighbors in case you are not home to evacuate your pet, and place a rescue sticker on your front window, which indicates how many pets you have inside in case an in-home rescue is necessary,” Nelson said.
Finally, practice your plan. Nelson recommends teaching both cats and dogs to come when called. Leave a carrier sitting out so the sight of it does not scare off a pet, especially cats. You may even want to feed pets in their carrier to teach them it is a safe place. Know where your emergency kit is for quick access and see how long it takes to get everyone together and out of the house, she said.
“Nobody wants to encounter a disaster, but being prepared will help mitigate some of the stress that can be experienced by you and your pets,” Nelson said.
More information on pet emergency preparedness is available at the following websites:
• ready.gov/
• redcross.org/prepare/location/
• aspca.org/pet-care/disaster-
• ebusiness.avma.org/files/
Thousands of people converged on the Deer Horn Ranch in southeast Geary County Saturday night for Symphony in the Flint Hills.
Following a welcome by Geary County native Virginia Moxley, the Kansas City Symphony and country music performer Michael Martin Murphy were the featured performers for the program which had a Chisholm Trail theme.” During the period from 1867 to 1871 longhorn cattle were moved from Texas up to Abilene, Kansas. Approximately two million cattle were herded up that trail, now remembered in history. Murphy told the audience, “Long may the memory of this old highway and the deeds of the men who rode it live in history, story and song.”
One board member for Symphony in the Flint Hills, Joy Davis, confirmed Symphony in the Flint Hills was a success. “We loved the site and we loved the guest artists. And the owners of the site have been very easy to work with. While it was warm, Davis noted there was a good breeze which helped offset that. In addition to the music there was an auction, education and art tents, and a large food tent where such items as beef brisket and pulled pork were served with all the fixin’s. Lines were long at that latter location.
Longhorn steers shipped in from Texas were brought up to an area just to the northeast of the concert stage during the show. The audience had an opportunity to get a close look and take pictures. And there was a dance following the concert.
If there was one area of concern it was the traffic flow going into the event before it began. There was a substantial backup stretching from K-57 onto Burley Hill Road all the way to the festival site. Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf noted as the concert was getting under way, that the traffic during the day had been frustrating, and had grown worse as the evening time neared. “I think a lot of folks thought they would wait until later to come out and that’s what causing our big backup back here on Burley Hill Road.” The sheriff pointed to the heat as a probable factor in the decision by some to arrive later. But he also stated that you could not ask for a better group of people to attend a festival of this sort, and noted there had not been any problems. “It’s been a real good day.” The sheriff estimated attendance at a little over 8,000 people, not including the support staff.
As for the traffic, there was only one way in and one way out to the festival. Davis stated people who have come over the years know it’s better to come earlier in the day because there are many activities, but this year there were a lot of new people from Geary and Riley Counties who had not experienced the event before. As a result some people were late arriving or felt rushed.
Law enforcement and EMS personnel did not report any major problems. Junction City Fire / EMS Chief Terry Johnson reported there were some small problems such as blisters and a “little bit of overheating from the sun, but other than it’s been very nice. Everybody’s taking care of themselves.” He was a surprised there were not more problems. “With this many people, yes, actually. We’re out here in the middle of a prairie, and with this many people with the activities going on some folks are not prepared to walk all day and those types of things. So actually I’m pleasantly surprised.”
HAYS, Kan. — Staff from Fort Hays State University’s Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science will host free information sessions across the state for seventh-graders through high school sophomores and their families in June and July.
The academy offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to get a head start on their college education (up to 68 credit hours). As of print date, eight rising junior spots (sophomores becoming juniors) are open for this coming year.
Students and their parents can learn about KAMS and visit with representatives from the academy. Registration can be by phone, 785-628-4719, or by visiting the registration website at https://www.fhsu.edu/kams/Info-session-registration/.
The sessions are listed chronologically.
Salina, Monday, June 12
7 to 8 p.m.
Salina Public Library, Prescott Meeting Room
301 W. Elm St.
Topeka, Monday, June 26
6 to 7 p.m.
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Marvin Auditorium 101C
1515 SW 10th Ave.
Manhattan, Thursday, July 20
6 to 7 p.m.
Manhattan Public Library, Auditorium
629 Poyntz Ave.
All information sessions are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jared Cook, coordinator for marketing and recruitment, at 785-628-4719 or visit www.fhsu.edu/kams.
Juneteenth is one of the oldest and biggest celebrations of freedom in the United States.
Two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, slaves in Texas learned of their freedom. How the message became so delayed is debatable – but some historians have said that messengers on their way to deliver the news were intentionally murdered, and others claim that slave owners intentionally withheld the news to maintain their workforce.
Flash forward 152 years, and that moment when all became free is still commemorated throughout the United States. Delilah Hamilton, Juneteeth Community Association, said that the celebration came to Junction City 24 years ago.
The celebration in Heritage Park complete with music, food trucks, vendors and “bouncy houses” was a community celebration of equality and freedom. Hamilton noted that there is a lot of black history tied to Kansas and specifically Junction City.
“Duke Ellington did a performance here in Junction City back in the ’50s, and in the ’40s – he came here more than one time,” said Hamilton. Ellington and Count Basie would perform at the Black USO in Junction City, which was located at the corner of 18th and Madison Streets.
“We celebrate being free and being emancipated and just freedom itself,” said Hamilton. “If you ever thought about the things that slaves went through, all the breakups of families and being sold away from your family – it was terrible.”
Hamilton said that for the slaves that learned of their emancipation, it was as if they were finally “able to breathe.”
TOPEKA, Kan. (June 9, 2017) As Kansas drivers prepare for the first heat wave of the season, with temperatures expected to soar into the 90s across the state over the next week, AAA Kansas is expecting an increase in emergency roadside assistance call volume as older batteries conk out, tires blow out and minor car troubles become major due to the heat.
“It may not officially be summer yet, but the heat is definitely on which means the AAA Roadside Rescue Team is gearing up for a busy weekend ahead,” says Shawn Steward, spokesperson for AAA. “AAA is encouraging drivers to prepare for the worst – just in case.”
A recent AAA survey reveals that 4 out of 10 American drivers are unprepared for emergency breakdown situations.
“In the extreme heat, having a disabled vehicle can be more than just an inconvenience, it can be dangerous, especially for children or seniors. It’s critical that drivers take every precaution to protect themselves – and their passengers” Steward says.
AAA expects to rescue 7 million drivers nationwide this summer, and many of those breakdowns will be triggered by the heat.
Plan this weekend’s commute
Given the projected high temperatures and the summer travel season, AAA is urging drivers to make sure their emergency kit is well-stocked, have their battery tested and inspect tires (including the spare) to make certain their cars are road-ready.
“Roadside breakdowns continue to rise each year,” Steward says. “AAA is ready to help when vehicle troubles leave you stranded, however, travelers can minimize their risk by planning ahead and preparing properly.”
Your Summer Emergency Kit Should Include:
Also, in an effort to remind drivers of the dangers of heatstroke and leaving children in hot cars, AAA Kansas urges drivers to “look before you lock.” Heatstroke is the number one killer of children, outside of car crashes, according to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“As outside temperatures rise, the risks of children dying from being left alone inside a hot vehicle also rises,” says Steward. “One child dies from heatstroke nearly every 10 days from being left in a hot vehicle, but what is most tragic is that these deaths could have been prevented.”
Children’s body temperatures can rise up to five times faster than that of an adult and heatstroke can occur in temperatures as low as 57 degrees. On an 80-degree day, a car can reach deadly levels in just 10 minutes.
AAA Kansas urges all parents and caregivers to do these three things:
Pets, for many of the same reasons, should also never be left in a vehicle, especially during warm weather.
MANHATTAN — To mark the next stage in development of Kansas State University’s north campus research and academic corridor, the Kansas State University Foundation broke ground and began excavation for Phase II of the K-State Office Park in a June 8 ceremony.
“We are excited to launch construction on Phase II of the K-State Office Park and continue to attract corporate partners who desire to locate to our Manhattan campus and maximize their company’s access to K-State talent and innovation,” said Richard Myers, university president. “This groundbreaking reaffirms our promise to the K-State family and partners that we are committed to offering superior student academic experiences and achieving national recognition as a Top 50 public research university by 2025.”
Construction of Phase II of the K-State Office Park will cost $15.8 million and add 59,000 square feet of on-campus, flexible, move-in ready lease space to accommodate up to 35 tenants, intentional co-working areas and the Bluestem Grill, a locally owned restaurant. Financing of this phase includes a $13.7 million private investment by the Kansas State University Foundation. No donor funds will be used to build Phase II. In addition to the KSU Foundation commitment and Federal New Markets Tax Credits, the Manhattan City Commission unanimously approved $800,000 in economic development loans and incentives toward the expansion. The city’s investment is projected to deliver $93 million in economic impact over 20 years according to data provided by city staff.
Completion of Phase II will add to the combined 56-acre world-class ecosystem of innovative research and academic growth adjacent to Kansas State University in its office and research parks.
“The city of Manhattan and K-State are not only partners, but are family and understand the solid growth of the K-State Office Park benefits our community,” said Usha Reddi, mayor of Manhattan. “With the commission’s unanimous support, we look forward to growing and strengthening our economic development relationship.”
Construction on this phase of the overall $60 million K-State Office Park will begin July 5 and be ready for occupancy by August 2018. Local general contractor McCownGordon Construction, in partnership with Hoefer Wysocki Architects, will lead the project.
“McCownGordon is proud to partner with K-State and the KSU Foundation in building the next generation of university development,” said Ramin Cherafat, chief operations officer for McCownGordon. “Our commitment to the people we serve goes beyond creating an excellent built environment; we endeavor to help move the community forward for the future of K-State and the Manhattan area.”
Phase II will expand on dedicated flexible and collaborative professional work space and — with the addition of the Bluestem Grill as a new restaurant partner — community engagement.
“In a world of intense global competition, today’s groundbreaking signifies a bold investment on behalf of the KSU Foundation that strategically advances the university,” said Greg Lohrentz, KSU Foundation senior vice president of operations and finance. “With our research and academic partnerships solidly in place and a state-of-the-art space to build upon, the K-State Office Park is where cutting-edge innovation develops and diverse industry partners benefit.”
Philanthropic contributions to Kansas State University are coordinated by the KSU Foundation. The foundation is leading Innovation and Inspiration: The Campaign for Kansas State University to raise $1.4 billion for student success, faculty development, facility enhancement and programmatic success.
