The Geary County Historical Society is holding a fundraiser this Tuesday, March 21st, at Cox Bros. BBQ in Junction City.
Whether you eat in or order out, from 5 – 9 p.m. Tuesday, Cox Bros. BBQ will donate a portion of all sales to the Geary County Historical Society. All proceeds will support museum programs, exhibits and events. Just two examples of many programs undertaken by the museum include the radio program, “Our Past is Present” and the Museum Musings articles in the Daily Union newspaper.
JUNCTION CITY, KAN.-Geary County Schools has selected two teachers as nominees for the 2018 Kansas Teacher of the Year Award. A committee of past USD 475 KTOY nominees chose Susan Marshall, Fort Riley Middle School 6th grade math teacher and Katie Hagenmaier, Spring Valley Elementary 4th grade teacher as the secondary and elementary nominees for the next year’s Kansas Teacher of the Year Award.
Both teachers will be recognized at a banquet on September9, 2017,where regional semi-finalists will be named.
The 2018 Kansas Teacher of the Year will be announced at the KTOY State Award Banquet on November 18, 2017. The program is sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education and recognizes excellence in teaching in elementary and secondary classrooms across Kansas.
Brig. Gen. Patrick Frank, Mayor Phyllis Fitzgerald
Phyllis Fitzgerald is a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a Big Red One Veteran, Mayor of Junction City – and friend to all.
Fitzgerald was the guest speaker for the Fort Riley Women’s History Month observance on March 15th – a role that couldn’t have been more befitting. Her speech focused on women throughout the decades in the workforce and labor movements for equality.
“For women that are in the workforce today, those pioneers [from the past] worked hard in challenging the inequalities in the workplace of lower wages, poor working conditions and limited opportunities, and they fought to make the workplace less hostile for women,” said Fitzgerald who dealt with struggles as being a female leader in a previous work position.
“I can relate to the struggles of being that only female leader, the interaction was substantially different between male and female leaders…I’m not going to tell you that it was an easy road to get where I am today,” said Fitzgerald.
Paying homage to women like Lily Ledbetter, Madeline Albright and women in the Flint Hills communities (audio below), Fitzgerald reminded those in attendance that comradary and teamwork have always been to the benefit of women throughout history.
“Our military women have done so much and have broken through so many barriers along the way, all done with great pride and determination,” said Fitzgerald.
A woman born in Nashville, Tennessee with a southern sense of friendship and community has made Junction City her forever home after retiring from the military in 1999.
“I came from a country poor family, we lived in the projects for several years; my mother had a welfare lady that wanted to take me out of the home because she had found a family that wanted to adopt a little girl – but my mother refused to let that happen,” said Fitzgerald who was the only one of her siblings to graduate high school.
After joining the military at 17, Fitzgerald was called to “be all that she could be.”
“I applied for warrant officer school and was accepted into that program and retired after 23 years as an Intelligence Warrant Officer; I deployed to Desert Storm with the First Infantry Division all while raising a family, I wanted to have a career and be an example for my son and my daughter,” said Fitzgerald.
Both of her children served in the United States Airforce; her son a Veteran, and her daughter an active duty Captain.
Throughout her speech, Fitzgerald reminded us that obstacles are placed before us all – and yes, women have had a few extra barriers to break through, but with a little courage and fight in your spirit, no dream is out of reach.
“I never look at [my own accomplishments], I look at the great things that other people are doing…somewhere along the lines growing up, I must have had someone or something that was introduced to me that really put that drive into me to make me want to be something in life – you know, do something good,” said Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald currently serves as Mayor of Junction City, and works full time at the Mission Training Complex on Fort Riley. In her spare time, she campaigns for the beautification of Junction City leading cleanup efforts on the weekends.
Geary USD 475 officials have received good news on the possible state aid funding for a proposed new Junction City High School project.
Bill Clark, Director of Business Operations for the school district, reported that the Kansas State Board of Education voted to approve their piece of the funding mechanism tied to the school district’s bond initiative, “so we can continue with that process. So that was really good news.”
The district is expected to learn soon on whether the anticipated heavy impact aid federal money that will also help fund the proposed new school project will arrive.
If that happens the main remaining hurdle for funding the project would be a May 9th bond issue election. If voters say yes in that election the school district would get 48% of the project funded by state aid. The remainder of the money would come from the heavy impact aid funding.
District officials have made it clear the local property tax levy would not be increased.
There will be some changes for the 12th Street Community Garden in its second year of operation.
Community Garden President Brian Peterson said the garden, made possible by the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program class of 2015-16, is currently accepting applications for individual or group plot owners. Last year was the first year of the garden and it was limited to community groups, organizations, and businesses. The 12th Street Community Garden board hopes to increase community participation and accessibility this year, so the garden has been opened up to individuals as well. The garden has eight total plots which are each approximately 360 square feet. A ninth plot is designated as a gathering area and there are plans for a pergola and benches to be installed there in the future.
Three plots are currently designated for individuals and groups to apply for, with the possibility of opening additional plots as demand requires. The three available plots can be split into two 180 square foot plots if an individual does not want or need the full 360 square feet. Full plots will have a $40 fee plus a $10 deposit. Half plots will have a $20 fee plus a $10 deposit. The garden is currently accepting applications for the available plots. Applications are available on the garden’s website or by visiting the 12th Street Community Center, and will be accepted until March 31st. Plots belonging to individuals and groups will be independently planted and maintained by their owners. Those owners will also have exclusive access to the produce from their plots. The garden board will encourage surplus produce to be donated to local non-profit groups.
As of April 1st, the plots which remain available will be planted by the garden board and will belong to the community. Those living in and around Junction City may take produce from the community plots in exchange for performance of necessary tasks. These tasks include weeding, watering, and general maintenance of the community plots. Any excess produce grown in the community plots will be donated to local non-profit groups.
The garden has hoses, sprayers, and various gardening tools which are available for anyone to use at the garden.
A Garden Clean Up Day is scheduled for March 19th at 1:00 p.m. and will include preparing the plots to receive plants. Another work day is scheduled for April 1st at 2:00 p.m. with the primary goal of planting the community plots. Anyone interested in volunteering to work on either of these days or to get involved with the Garden Board can visit the 12th Street Community Center or contact them by phone at 785-238-7529. Interested parties can also visit the garden’s website athttps://jccommunitygardens.wixsite.com/12thstreetgarden. The garden also has a Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/12Garden.”
Teen pick up information and talk with a representative from Child, Youth and School Services about volunteer and employment opportunities March 11 during the Youth Hiring and Education Fair at the Teen Center, 5800 Thomas Ave. Teens and young adults ages 14 to 21 were able to meet with representatives from the 14 employers and 15 educational institutions at the fair.
As snow fell through the morning into the afternoon March 11, teens and young adults ages 14 to 21 made their way to the Fort Riley Teen Center for the Youth Hiring and Education Fair hosted by Army Community Service.
The annual fair was open to the public and brought teens from across the Flint Hills Region to meet representatives from 14 employers and 15 educational institutions. Some of the employers included the Marines, National Guard, Fort Riley Pools, JC Penney, Domino’s Pizza and more.
“One of our goals is to connect some of the vendors and educational
opportunities with area youth,” said Tasha Jones, acting Employment
Readiness Program manager. “And it’s just really good for them to get out there, get the experience of interacting with employers, being interviewed, filling out applications and also seeing what their school options are.”
Fifteen-year-old Misty Warren, a visitor from Junction City, Kansas, said
she appreciated the different opportunities available at the fair as she
searched for summer work.
“I like the idea (of a youth hiring fair) because that gives people who
don’t know what do, how to go about getting a job, (it) gives them the
opportunity to get a job,” she said.
Tables were set up for attendees to fill out applications and for employers
to conduct on-the-spot interviews.
For teens too young to be employed, volunteer opportunities were also
available through ACS, the Red Cross and Child, Youth and School Services
sports programs, Jones said.
Although the Youth Hiring and Education Fair is only one day a year, family
members of service members can receive assistance in their employment and
education goals all year long through ACS, Jones said. “Army Community
Service is here every day of the year to help with employment,” she said.
Kansas State University has the best student union in Kansas and the second best in the Big 12 Conference, according to CollegeRank.net, which has ranked the top 25 student unions in the country.
The organization provides information about student life at colleges and universities throughout the U.S. For this ranking, it selected the 25 best student unions in the nation based on four criteria:
Aesthetic design and architecture.
Student offerings in campus life.
Events and traditions.
Proximity to other campus features.
The K-State Student Union’s inclusion on the top 25 list of student unions in the nation during a time of transition as the Union is undergoing a $32 million renovation.
“This recognition confirms that, even during a major renovation, we are committed to making good things happen,” said Bill Smriga, Union executive director.
The renovation is primarily funded by a student privilege fee increase of $20 per semester approved by the student body in 2013. Construction started in September 2015 and is expected to be complete in fall 2017.
Three additional dining venues will open as the renovation continues: A branch of the locally owned Radina’s Coffeehouse and Roastery is scheduled to open by April 1; Call Hall at the Union is expected to open in the summer; and a sports pub, Union Station by JP’s, which will be operated by Housing and Dining Services, is set to open in the fall. A renovation celebration is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 13.
“We look forward to officially unveiling the renovated Union at our celebration so students, faculty, administrators, alumni and guests can discover the facilities, services and activities available at the Union,” Smriga said.
The Union has remained open during the renovation, and it even increased its hours in 2016. Because the Union already employed night staff, Smriga said the increase in hours was made possible by keeping the doors unlocked and adding a few security measures.
“Keeping the Union open at night ensures that students’ work is not disrupted, so they can hunker down and keep studying in one place, all night if necessary,” Smriga said.
Smriga said the Union’s design and architecture create a welcoming first impression that synergizes with Bosco Student Plaza and the new Berney Family Welcome Center to convey the message that Kansas State University is a vibrant academic place.
The Union showcases student life throughout the building, from Lunchtime Lounge musical performances in the Union courtyard and relaxation areas to student organization offices. The Union Program Council offers hundreds of activities and events yearlong to educate, enlighten and entertain students, Smriga said.
The Union is adjacent to the parking garage; the Berney Family Welcome Center; the under-construction building of the College of Architecture, Planning and Design; and other prominent campus facilities. Inside the Union, popular dining options and lounge areas are organized to enhance social connections and provide a comfortable, warm environment.
“The Union is the place where the K-State family meets to enjoy the various facilities, study in a quiet spot or just have fun,” Smriga said.
SALINE COUNTY- A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just after 5p.m. on Tuesday in Dickinson County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Dodge Durango driven by Marci L. Beattie, 46, El Dorado, was northbound on U.S. 56 at 400 Avenue.
The vehicle drifted off to the right and started to travel down the east ditch. The driver over corrected and the vehicle re-entered the roadway went into a spin, exited the roadway into the east ditch and rolled.
Beattie was transported to the hospital in Salina.
She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
The Geary County Historical Society is holding a fundraiser this Tuesday, March 21st, at Cox Bros. BBQ in Junction City.
