Back Row L to R: Brian Field, Carolyn Gaston, Kim Milleson, Tom Brungardt Front Row L to R: Anwar Khoury, Ferrell Miller, LaDonna Junghans
As School Board Recognition month comes to an end, Geary County Schools is recognizing and thanking the community leaders who volunteer to provide leadership for the public schools.
“Our board of education is comprised of seven outstanding individuals whose decisions impact the future of every child in our school and our greater school community,” said Superintendent, Dr. Corbin Witt, “They participate in training, read reports and research and attend specialized professional development to stay on top of education issues and trends, all in preparation for the many decisions they are called upon to make. And they do this all on a volunteer basis!Our district is extremely fortunate to have such dedicated, intelligent and caring leadership that is clearly student focused. I feel extremely blessed to get to serve such a wonderful Board of Education.”
School board members in Geary County Schools develop policies and make tough decisions that help shape the future of our education system. They bear responsibility and oversight for an annual budget as well as approximately 7,600students and nearly 1400 employees inside of 23 buildings.
“They are advocates for our community, our children,our public schools, and are committed to providing an excellent education for every child in our community. We are grateful to have this opportunity to formally say ‘thank you’ to each of them,” said Dr. Witt.
January 30, 2017–Following the national trend prices decreased again this week across the state. Cimarron has fallen below the $2 mark with the average of $1.97. Leavenworth is not far behind at $2.02. Topeka took a five cent decrease for the week while Salina held steady at $2.14. Of the cities we monitor closely, Emporia is the lowest average at $2.08.
Continual growth in the number of U.S. oil rigs and the increased drilling it implies are raising expectations for a climb in domestic oil production. Additionally, increased U.S. crude oil production coupled with lower driving demand has kept downward pressure on the national average price at the pump, which has fallen for 21 consecutive days. Today’s national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $2.27 per gallon, down four cents versus one week ago, five cents less than one month ago, but 47 cents more per gallon year-over-year.
Markets opened Monday morning posting steady crude oil prices as a result of increased U.S. oil production. Oil-services firm Baker Hughes reported that drillers added 15 rigs in the U.S., bringing the total crude oil rig count to 556, the highest since November 2015. The increased U.S. production continues to offset OPEC’s efforts to rebalance the global oil market. End of month surveys of OPEC production cuts are expected tomorrow and traders will be paying close attention to the cartel’s agreement compliance. Market watchers will also keep a close eye on U.S. production and the impact it has on supply and demand. At the closing of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, WTI was down 61 cents to settle at $53.17 per barrel.
today
last week
last month
last year
Change over last year
National
$2.27
$2.31
$2.32
$1.80
26%
Kansas
$2.17
$2.20
$2.18
$1.58
38%
Emporia
$2.08
$2.10
$2.13
$1.56
34%
Garden City
$2.11
$2.14
$2.15
$1.55
36%
Hays
$2.17
$2.19
$2.19
$1.63
33%
KCK
$2.18
$2.21
$2.16
$1.56
40%
Lawrence
$2.18
$2.22
$2.17
$1.57
40%
Manhattan
$2.18
$2.20
$2.17
$1.53
43%
Pittsburg
$2.20
$2.20
$2.16
$1.45
52%
Salina
$2.14
$2.14
$2.09
$1.49
44%
Topeka
$2.10
$2.15
$2.13
$1.52
38%
Wichita
$2.14
$2.15
$2.22
$1.57
36%
Bordering states and rank in lowest gas prices around the country
Motorists can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.
ABILENE, JANUARY 30 – Great Plains Theatre is ecstatic to announce the season opening show of the 2017 Main Stage Season will be Mamma Mia! The story follows young Sophie who is feeling more than a little trepidation before her wedding. She wants her father to give her away on her big day. The only problem? She’s not quite sure who that is! She does, however, know who it might be, and thus unfolds the tale of Mamma Mia! Mamma Mia features the music of ABBA molded around a story of intrigue and fun. The story tests the bonds of friendship and family as complicated lives collide on a tiny island.
Season tickets are currently available online at greatplainstheatre.com and via phone at 785-263-4574, single tickets will be available April 1. Mamma Mia will be followed by Gypsy, Ragtime, and Peter and the Starcatcher. The 23rd season of Great Plains Theatre promises to be a thrill from start to finish, and you will want to be there to see it all. Get your tickets and pick your seats!
Great Plains Theatre was thrilled to secure the rights to Mamma Mia as they just became available to professional theatres, and couldn’t be happier to be bringing such a high energy and exciting show to the Abilene area. So, get your seats today for Mamma Mia, Gypsy, Ragtime, and Peter and the Starcatcher and get Starstruck in Abilene!
There will be a ceremony recognizing longtime Geary County rural firefighter Bob Foreman Monday afternoon at the Geary County Office Building. It begins at 3:15 p.m.
Foreman retired on January 1st after serving as a volunteer firefighter for Geary County for approximately 30 years.
More than a hundred FortRiley soldiers are helping University of Kansas researchers study how intense running affects wounded soldiers with mild traumatic brain injury.
David Johnson, who is leading a two-year study, says many soldiers have significant problems with traumatic brain injuries. Many of the injuries are caused by improvised explosive devices and other blasts.
Clinical trials will assess whether intensive cardiorespiratory exercise helps wounded warriors recover from mild traumatic brain injury. Johnson’s premise is that aerobic exercise helps the brain heal itself. All the soldiers participating in the study have been exposed to major explosions.
Johnson says soldiers will run to improve their aerobic capacity, with a goal of running more miles more quickly.
The research is supported by $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Defense.
President Trump has issued an executive order temporarily banning entry to the United States for 90 days by citizens of seven countries. It would ban people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
An initial count indicates Kansas State University has 63 students and three scholars from those countries. There are likely additional students, faculty and staff who hold green cards and might also be affected.
The university reported receiving multiple inquiries concerning the consequences of the President’s executive order. KSU sent a message to all international students and scholars to make them aware of the executive order and advising them on international travels. University officials are currently reaching out to all students, faculty and staff who may be affected.
“K-State deeply values the contributions of our international family members and regrets the disruption this situation is causing in their lives,” said Richard Myers, KSU President. “As a public research university with global connections, we are concerned about the detrimental effects of this policy on those pursuing academic studies and research. Our immediate task is to explore ways to be supportive of the students and families impacted.”
The final JCHS Way Forward Town Hall meeting was held Saturday morning at Warren Settles Auditorium at the Senior High.
Over 100 community members were in attendance, many of whom spoke out in favor of a new high school project.
Retired Big Red One soldier Ronald Clasberry said that he went into the meeting with a negative perception.
“After listening to the whole brief and considering everything that was said today and listening to the community…looking at the financial seat and seeing that my mil levy wasn’t going up, and all the technology that would be coming to the school I agree with the 105 (million) as far as the expenditure, but I also think it should be phased in,” said Clasberry.
Clasberry suggests “completing the main project and phasing in the rest as you go;” his logic being that the State financial woes are so severe – it creates uncertainty. Clasberry said that he’s confident in the School District’s assertion that the funds will be there if the community acts now.
Dr. Corbin Witt, Superintendent of Schools, said that the positive affirmations toward the District and Steering Committee were uplifting.
“I think we are always optimistic that we [will] get the information out and people learn the facts and then they make good decisions, so I know this community will make the best decision based on the facts that they learn,” said Witt.
While many were growing in support of a new high school project, others stood their ground in opposition.
“We don’t have enough information right now, we don’t have a clear plan to be able to make a decision on which direction we should go,” said Phil Diestelkamp. “Where is the location, that would be a really nice start, what will the disposition of the current facilities be – the current high school, will it be demolished, will it be used for some other source – what about the current Freshman Success Academy, we spent a lot of money over there…if a building stays, we still have to maintain it…if we go build a new [high school] and still leave those facilities in place, we will still spend money to maintain them.”
Diestelkamp’s concerns were surrounding the financial woes of the State, County and City adding that despite a flat mil levy promised by the District taxes would go up.
“That would take place no matter what happens as far as this discussion…the valuation of homes and things like that, we hope continue to go up – you don’t want your house to lose in valuation; as long as the community continues to grow, your home goes up in value,” said Witt.
Growth and community were echoed throughout Saturday’s Way Forward Town Hall meeting. A JCHS teacher said that with all the education initiatives and innovation that JCHS has taken, the outdated building does not and can not support that in the way that a newer facility would afford the students.
“I know this community will make the best decision based on the facts that they learn,” said Witt.
For a recap of Saturday’s town hall meeting streamed by BlueJay Media on JC Post check out the video below. If the audio is distorted, a full audio recap is available below as well.
The Riley County Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at the Leonardville nursing home at 3:40 a.m. Saturday.
According to Assistant Fire Chief Doug Schmitt 11 firefighters responded from the Leonardville and Riley stations of four fire trucks. Firefighters were able to quickly locate an issue with one of the furnaces, isolate the problem and reset the alarm without having to displace any residents.
The extent of damage to the furnace is not known at this time.
L to R: EDC Director Mickey Dean, Chamber Board Chairman Stan Hambright, Mike Harris, Chamber CEO Dennis Beson
Acorns Resort and RV Park, The Cove Bar and Grill, and the Milford Lake Conference Center were the icing on a great year for Mike Harris.
Harris, recipient of the Eldon L. Hoyle Economic Development Award at the 2017 Chamber Annual Dinner said that in taking on the business ventures he anticipated a spike in tourism, but was pleasantly surprised with the local support.
“When it was first built, you know I thought – especially at the Cove Bar and Grill – I thought that there would be a lot of non-residents participating out there just because that’s the lake and you get so many visitors coming from all over; what I was not expecting was how many local people continue to come out there and have supported the business and that has really just been fantastic for us to see all the local people coming out and continue to come out and supporting local business,” said Harris.
Harris said that the added amenities at Milford Lake now offer a rounded tourism experience.
“I think that Milford Lake has been on the map for quite a while, but this is just like another activity that people can enjoy once they come out there; I mean, it’s always had great fishing, it’s always been great outdoors and great boating, great camping out there, but it does give more of a feeling of like an Ozark lake out there now where you can come out and enjoy some other things too,” said Harris.
Being recognized in the same respect as Eldon L. Hoyle was humbling for Harris.
“I feel very honored to win the award, Mr. Hoyle was a great member of the community so just to be recognized in that light is fantastic,” said Harris.
In the last year, five new cabins and 16 camp sites were opened at Acorns Resort in addition to the Cove Bar and Grill and the Milford Lake Conference Center.
There has been a lot of change already in 2017 – and Stan Hambright is looking forward to tackling the workforce issue in Junction City.
Hambright, Chamber Board Chairman, said that a focus on the workforce will be one of the Board’s top priorities this year.
“The main goal we have to think about is the workforce issue in our region; it’s really difficult to find help, there’s help wanted signs all over and I think we really have to look at solving the workforce issue before we move ahead,” said Hambright.
As for what that may entail, Hambright said “a lot.”
“It involves the community, Fort Riley, the school system and the workforce centers getting involved and working together,” said Hambright.
Hambright is succeeding Maureen Gustafson as the Chamber Board Chair.
