Local – Page 610

Larger aircraft to begin operating at MHK on Friday

Posted on May 2, 2017

(Manhattan, Kan.) — Manhattan Regional Airport will celebrate the arrival of larger aircraft with a customer appreciation event Friday.

ExpressJet Airlines announced earlier this year it would begin operating out of MHK with planes generally seating 65 passengers and additional amenities. The larger aircraft are expected for MHK’s three daily flights to and from Dallas-Fort Worth. Additional overhead and cargo space, more legroom and in-flight Wi-Fi are among the amenities. A customer appreciation event is planned for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the airport terminal to celebrate the first plane’s arrival.

“We’re excited to see the new planes begin service and meet our customers’ needs for more space,” said Airport Director Jesse Romo.

Daily flights to Chicago will be maintained with SkyWest’s 50-passenger planes. Manhattan Regional Airport in December fully opened an expanded terminal, which was built to accommodate expanded air travel in the Flint Hills region.

Officials eyeing reduction in staffing, amongst other options “in order to stay solvent”

Posted on May 2, 2017May 2, 2017

Geary Community Hospital CEO Dr. Joseph Stratton

The County-owned Geary Community Hospital (GCH) is operating at a fairly “even keel” at this time.

Ben Bennett, County Commissioner, reported during a weekly Commission meeting that the hospital was struggling.

“We’re going to have to make some cuts and some of our expenditures,” said Bennett. “We are looking at the fact that we may have to do a reduction in staffing – and nobody really wants that, but we may have to do it in order to stay solvent in the near future.”

JC Post contacted Geary Community Hospital CEO Dr. Joseph Stratton for his comments on the issue; while Stratton didn’t disagree with the Commissioner, he made clear that there is no formal plan to reduce staffing at this time.

“I think when we look at this year’s budget, we’re going to continue to cut costs where we can within reason and better control expenses – that could have anything to do with medical supplies, any travel and education and other supply costs; of course you have to look at the personnel side of things as well,” said Stratton. “We have no formal plan at this time to do a reduction of force or layoffs; before we’d get to that [point] we’d try to do whatever we could through attrition with employees through retirement and maybe not filling positions here and there.”

Earlier indications from the Hospital have been that there could be reductions in costs such as supplies; Stratton noted that every proposal/solution is on the table for discussion.

“Some of these things are kind of slow moving and things that we’ve been working on in terms of better controlling our supply cost and looking at our contracts that we have with the companies that are payers through insurance companies – whether it’s Aetna or Blue Cross and Blue Shield – and examining what we’re getting paid and maybe renegotiating some of those agreements,” said Stratton.

It was reported last month, that GCH was losing approximately $1 million annually due to the lack of Medicaid expansion. Bennett, has been vocal in recent months about the problems the local hospital faces.

No final actions have been taken at Geary Community Hospital at this point.

Geary County Awarded Federal Funds Under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program

Posted on May 2, 2017

Geary County has been chosen to receive $7,627 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

According to United Way Executive Director Nichole Mader the selection was made by a national board chaired FEMA and consists of representatives from multiple organizations ranging from the American Red Cross to the Salvation Army.

A local board will determine how the money will be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The board, which will be comprised of a county commissioner, plus representatives from the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, Jewish Congregation of Manhattan, Salvation Army, United Way and others is responsible for recommending agencies to receive the funds and any additional money made available under this phase of the program.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, be eligible to receive federal funds, have an accounting system, practice nondiscrimination, have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and / or shelter programs, and if they are private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board.

Geary County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with the Food Pantry, Junction City Caring Place and Open Door participating.

Sheriff’s Department Arrests Two North Carolina Men

Posted on May 2, 2017May 2, 2017

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported the arrest of two men from East Bend, North Carolina, Ezekiel Cochrane and Nathaniel Norwood III, on Interstate 70, mile marker 309 on suspicion of Possession of Narcotics and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. That location is about 11 miles east of Junction City.

The arrests were reported at 2:05 p.m. on Monday.

Jared Morris – Next Band Director at JCHS

Posted on May 2, 2017May 2, 2017

Jared Morris has been introduced to JC Post as the next band director at Junction City High School. He will succeed T. J. Taylor, who is retiring following the current school year.

Morris is originally from Utah, where he taught a high school band program at Timpanogos in Orem, Utah for seven years. The past two years he has been working on a Master’s degree in music education in Cincinnati. “And my wife has been working on a doctorate in oboe performance, also at the University of Cincinnati. She was just recently hired to be the oboe and music theory professor at Kansas State. When she got that job then I started looking for work in this area, and was thrilled to find out about the Junction City High School position.”

Morris will begin directing the JCHS Marching Band during the Sundown Salute parade in July. “We’ll do band camp and leadership camp in July. Of course when the school year starts we’ll be doing marching band.”

T.J. Taylor is retiring after 36 years in music education.

Two Arrested on I-70

Posted on May 2, 2017May 2, 2017

The Junction City Police Department has reported the arrest of two Wamego residents on I-70 westbound at mile marker 296 at 12:20 a.m. Tuesday.

According to the JCPD Jesse Cole Webber, 26, Wamego was arrested on suspicion of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Methamphetamines and Transporting Open Container. Billy James Lightfoot, 31, Wamego, was arrested on suspicion of Possession of Mehamphetamines, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Transporting an Open Container and Expired Driver’s License.

Sen. Moran Statement on Food Aid Funding

Posted on May 2, 2017May 1, 2017

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today issued the following statement applauding the inclusion of food aid funding in the FY2017 omnibus bill:

“The world is facing one of the greatest humanitarian crises in modern history. Estimates show that nearly 70 million people worldwide will need emergency food assistance this year. Fighting global hunger is not only the right thing to do, it also reduces conflict and civil unrest and promotes stability in regions important to our national interests. Utilizing food grown by American farmers and ranchers also provides an important export market for our ag producers. This will require strong American leadership, which is why the billions in food aid included in this funding bill are so critical.

“Earlier this year, I requested detailed plans from USAID and USDA on our efforts to respond to the declared famine in South Sudan and near famine conditions in Nigeria, Somalia, and Yemen – where almost 20 million people are facing starvation. These funds will provide lifesaving assistance to millions suffering from hunger and food insecurity in these nations.”

Background

Sen. Moran serves as co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus and previously chaired the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, which allocates funding for certain USAID and USDA global food programs. He remains a member of that subcommittee.
Click here to learn more about Sen. Moran’s views on the importance of food aid.
The FY2017 omnibus bill includes $1.9 billion for Food for Peace Title II funding, a USAID initiative that provides in-kind donations of American agriculture commodities to countries with critical food needs. The bill also maintains funding for McGovern-Dole Education, a program that promotes education for children by providing meals at schools located in areas most critically in need.

Enjoy the arts throughout May at Kansas State University

Posted on May 2, 2017May 1, 2017

MANHATTAN — The spring semester is drawing to a close, but there are still opportunities to catch a Broadway show, enjoy music and appreciate art at Kansas State University.

The following events, sponsored by the McCain Performance Series, Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art and School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.

• The Dance Student Spotlight will be 6 p.m. Monday, May 1, in Nichols Hall.

• Catch a performance by the K-State Brass and Wind ensembles at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 1, in All Faiths Chapel.

• Homeschool Tuesday is 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, at the Beach Museum of Art. The theme will be “Fine Art of Observation.” Homeschool families are invited to participate, with sessions for early elementary and upper elementary offered. Cost is $3 per child, $1.50 for military families. Reservations are required. Call 785-532-7718 or email klwalk@k-state.edu for reservations. Children must be accompanied by an adult. If you need to cancel your reservation let the museum know for its wait list.

• The K-State Faculty Brass Quintet will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, in All Faiths Chapel.

• It’s K-State Student Study Night at the Beach Museum of Art. Stop by the museum 4-8 p.m. Thursday, May 4, and take a break, or enjoy the museum and study.

• The Dance Senior Concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 5, in the Mark A. Chapman Theatre in Nichols Hall.

• All high school and middle school percussionists are invited to the K-State Drumline Mini Camp from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at Kansas State University. Come play along with current K-State drumline members, learn fundamentals and play the same music that the K-State line plays. This event is free but registration is requested in advance. Find out more at k-state.edu/band/thepride/drumline.html or email Jack Donovan at donovanjm@k-state.edu.

• A new production of the Broadway musical comedy classic “42nd Street” takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 8, in McCain Auditorium. This McCain Performance Series presentation includes the “We’re in the Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” “I Only Have Eyes for You” and more. Tickets are available at the McCain Auditorium box office, online at k-state.edu/mccain, or by calling 785-532-6428.

• Enjoy an illustrated talk about William Allen White and Henry J. Allen’s visit to the front during World War II with the American Red Cross when Katherine Schlageck, senior educator, presents “The Martial Adventures of Henry and Me” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11, at the Beach Museum of Art. The talk will feature a selection of original work by author/illustrator Tony Sarg that the museum has received.

• Second Saturday Selections at the Beach Museum of Art will be offered at 1 and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at the museum. Join museum staff for conservation about selections from the museum’s permanent collection.

• The McCain Performance Series will wrap up the school year with “Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway” at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 14, in McCain Auditorium. This widely acclaimed musical revue of Broadway’s most celebrated shows features five Broadway stars and an all-star band. Tickets are available at the McCain Auditorium box office, online at k-state.edu/mccain, or by calling 785-532-6428.

• At the Friends of Art panel discussion with Jessica Reichman, Rae Stamey and Charles Stroh, learn about the early years of Kansas State University’s art collection, the Friends of Art and the organization’s gift print tradition, and the efforts of faculty members to promote the idea of a university art museum. The event will be at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, at the museum.

• Once Kansas State University made the decision to build a university art museum, daunting logistics faced administrators, faculty and community supporters. Come hear their experiences at the “Early Years of the Beach Museum of Art: The Logistics,” a panel discussion with Gary Hellebust, Tom Rawson and Charles Reagan, and moderated by Linda Duke, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, at the museum. A reception will follow.

• Play golf and raise scholarship funds for the Kansas State University Marching Band at the seventh annual Marching Pride Scholars Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 20, at Colbert Hills Golf Course in Manhattan. All proceeds from this event go toward scholarships for upperclassmen in the band and Classy Cats. To register and for more information go to k-state.edu/band/specialevents/golf.html.

• The Beach Museum of Art’s monthly ArtSmart classes will be offered May 24-27. “Math/Art Connections” is this semester’s theme, with the May focus on “Perspective.” Classes will be 10:30-11 a.m. for toddlers and 2-year-olds and 4-5 p.m. for all ages on May 24; 10:30-11:30 a.m. for ages 3-5 and 4-5 p.m. for all ages on May 25; 10:30-11:30 a.m. for all ages on May 26; and 1-2 p.m. for all ages on May 27. Cost is $3 per child, $1.50 for military families. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 785-532-7718 or emailing klwalk@-state.edu. Children must be accompanied by an adult. If you need to cancel your reservation let the museum know for its wait list.

Mosty Cloudy Day Forecast for Tuesday

Posted on May 2, 2017May 2, 2017

TODAY
	High	69°	Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 60s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Teaching is the Most Honorable Profession Today

Posted on May 1, 2017May 1, 2017

Shante Moore speaking during the Celebration of Teaching Banquet

Shante Moore returned to Junction City 25 years after his high school graduation.

The U.S. State Department diplomat graduated from Junction City High School in 1992, and Monday evening served as the keynote speaker for the Celebration of Teaching banquet at the Courtyard by Marriott Convention Center.

Moore told an audience of USD 475 educators that teaching is the most honorable profession there is today. “The influence of teachers have in shaping our minds, dreams, aspirations and behavior of young people is profound and important.”

Moore credited his teachers for their efforts including the importance of grammar and writing, which is a skill he uses extensively with his job in the State Department. “And that’s been important because what I do in the State Department is we write and we write a lot. That’s part of my job. I go out, I meet with other people in other countries and I am supposed to report back to Washington about my conversations on what’s going on in the country.”

Moore remembered his days growing up in Junction City and his first paying job working at Alco where he worked from 1990 to 1996. ” If you ever had to pick up peat moss or lava rock or just remember a guy working in the garden center that was probably me.”

This was the 13th annual Celebration of Teaching Banquet hosted by the Geary Community Schools Foundation. A number of scholarships were presented to educators. They included:

–The Devin Family Memorial Teacher Scholarship to Erin Lopez

–Ron Shandy Memorial Teacher Scholarship to Tiffany Rene’ Stephens

–Geary Community Schools Foundation Teacher / Para Educator Scholarships to Sara Devine, Jennifer Farr, Erica Howard, Roseanne Mizell, Shanae Porter, Ruth Stephenson, Courtney Youngers, Kaci Wells, Emily Warren, and Heather Boland.