Community leaders are speaking out about new healthcare facilities in the region and the impact on Geary Community Hospital.

County Commissioner Ben Bennett is the latest to voice his concerns.

“When I look up and see a dialysis center is built and the dialysis moves out of the hospital, then [they] build a MEDCOM center that’s a Fort Riley identity for retirees and family members and even active duty people outside of the community…I’m concerned,” said Bennett. “I think with the new hospital finally opening up, I think a lot of people are trying to go there if they can.”

The new Irwin Army Community Hospital on Fort Riley has generated mixed feelings amongst community members. U.S. Congressman Roger Marshall addressed that concern during a visit to Geary County in February.

“I look at your situation in Junction City and Fort Riley – I think there was some internal politics going on there and I don’t even want to know about the details of it – but it looks like there is a leakage of patients out of your community hospital to other places,” said Marshall.

Bennett also noted that there are health related activities from the private sector that are moving into the community – home health and hospice, and the new VA Clinic set to open in April.

“All of these partnerships we keep talking about really need to go both ways, we’re going to help Fort Riley when we can and we’re going to be a continually good neighbor and a good host and a good home to come to; but we need to have some reciprocation back, and every time we start looking at partnerships, it seems like somewhere along the line they get derailed either at a regional or at a ‘big Army’ stop somewhere along the line,” said Bennett.

Bennett noted that in 2005 the local community made a commitment to Fort Riley in the additions at Geary Community Hospital and building local infrastructure to meet the needs of future growth at the installation.

NOTE – Rainfall and temperature information is based on data kept at Milford Lake by the Corps of Engineers. For more information contact Chuck Otte, 238-4161.

February 2017 Weather Summary

The weather for February was just about normal…for March that is. In fact the average temperatures were even slightly above normal for March. But this was February and having these kinds of temperatures this early may lead to problems on down the road.

The average daily high for February was 56.5, 12.2 degrees above normal. The average overnight low was 33.4, 11.5 degrees above normal. This gave us a monthly mean temperature of 44.9, 11.8 degrees above normal. February 2017 will go into the records books as the second warmest February on record. Only February of 1954, with a monthly mean temperature of 46.3 was warmer. The average overnight low for February was the warmest average low for any February on record. The average daily highs on 19 of 28 days during the month were more than five degrees above average. The highest temperature for the month was 75 on the 16th. That was 30 degrees higher than the average daily high for that date. The lowest temperature in February was the morning low of 17 on the 8th. There were three temperature records set during February and two that were tied. The high of 75 on the 16th broke the old record high for that date of 70 degrees set in 2011. The overnight lows of 49 on the 21st and 52 on the 28th broke the previous record high low temperatures for those dates. The previous records, respectively, were 48 set in 2000 and 48 set in 1981. The high of 74 on the 17th tied the record high for that date, first set in 1970. The overnight low of 42 on the 16th also tied the record high low for that date, which was first set in 1961.

February is one of our drier months with average precipitation of 1.12 inches. We were below that with just 0.45 inches recorded at Milford Lake and 0.49 inches in Junction City. Because January was above average precipitation, though, year to date we are still above normal with 2.05 inches in Junction City and 2.02 inches at Milford Lake. Normal through February is 1.77 inches. January and February are historically our two snowiest months with 4.7 inches expected each month. All we could muster in February was a trace of snow. Season to date we average 14.1 inches of snowfall by the end of February. This year we have seen only 2.5 inches of snowfall.

Before we get too excited about an early spring however, we need to be aware that even with a warm February, we can still have a March that is average or below average. Average daily highs for March begin the month at 49 and end the month at 61. Overnight lows would be expected to range from 25 on the 1st to 37 on the 31st. With warmer weather we expect increased rainfall during March with an average of 2.95 inches. While I don’t know if we will get there this year, we also see long range average snowfall for the month of just over three inches. Record highs for March generally are in the 80s. The all time hottest March day was 90 degrees on March 29, 1967. But to balance that out, three years ago on March 2nd we had a morning low of minus 4 degrees!

The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Legislative Coffee Saturday at the C.L. Hoover Opera House. It begins at 9 a.m.

This is open to the public. You can hear from area state legislators and pose your questions on legislative matters to them.

State Senators Jeff Longbine and Tom Hawk plus State Representatives Lonnie Clark and Dave Baker are expected to be in attendance.

Emergency Medical Services personnel from the Fort Riley, Manhattan and
Junction City Fire Departments will take part in sports injury training
Thursday.  The training is hosted by the Fort Riley Fire Department.

The day-long course will focus on the initial treatment of sports related
injuries, specifically spinal injuries suffered by football players.

The class will be taught by athletic trainers from collegiate and high
school sports programs and health and rehabilitation facilities from around
the state of Kansas.  They are:

Dr. Phillip Vardiman, Kansas State University
Dr. David Fitzhugh, Fort Hays State University
Mr. Mark Padfield, Tonganoxie High School / Lawrence Memorial Hospital
Mr. Chris Fleming, Wichita Fire Department and Inspire Health & Performance

Trainers will provide classroom instruction in the morning and hands-on
training in the afternoon.

The Geary Community Healthcare Foundation has given more than $6.9 million in combined donations, equipment and programming back to Geary Community Hospital since 1996.

Healthcare Foundation Executive Director Jolana Montgomery – Matney made that report at the monthly Geary Community Hospital Board of Trustees meeting.

During the last year fundraisers for the Foundation raised just shy of $106,000.

The United Way of Junction City – Geary County has raised approximately $115,000 toward the current campaign – that is short of the $140,00 goal.

Nichole Mader, Executive Director, said there will be some restaurant days in the coming weeks to help with fundraising efforts.

“We would like to schedule at least another 5 or 6 and as soon as we have the confirmed dates we will post them on our Facebook page,” said Mader.

The fundraising struggle isn’t unique to this community, Mader said smaller communities across the country have had a hard time reaching their United Way fundraising goals.

“There are quite a few things that go into play, whether it’s just the economic situation that the community is in …I know some of the companies that have been with us before and have done really solid strong internal campaigns, they’re not really seeing the strength in numbers like they have in the past; so there’s quite a few different things that you could take into [account],” said Mader.

A popular fundraiser is the Saint Patty’s Potato bar which Mader said they are moving forward with again this year.

“That is something that we want to stick with, it’s always a lot of fun; Wendy’s has been gracious and agreed to work with us again this  year, so they are going to be working with us on the chili,” said Mader. “Coach’s has donated 150 potatoes so we have a lot of potatoes to get out those doors.”

The potato bar will be March 17th from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm at the Knights of Columbus building on 7th Street in Junction City.

If you would like more information on the United Way of Junction City – Geary County or to donate call 238-2117.