Students ate themselves through several continents on Wednesday without leaving the grounds of the Westberg Education Complex on Rucker Road.
Food prepared by volunteers allowed samplings in a progressive style serving. The result was heaping plates and bowls with plenty left over for a second helping as students, parents, staff and guests shared an extended lunch period.
The cuisine choices ranged from classic American to Ethiopian, Italian, Mexican, Asian, Puerto Rican, British and more.
“Oh I’m so full,” moaned student Deontae Baker upon returning to his studies. Deontae tried to name a favorite but his attempt collapsed into an acknowledgment that it was all good before he lumbered back to the classroom.
Christmas around the World is an Apostolic Academy school wide celebration providing relief from tests and exams as students wrap up their first semester before heading into Christmas break.
KDOT had incorrectly reported that 8th Street east of US-77 and the US-77 northbound ramps on the west side of Junction City would reopen on Thursday, December 15.
KDOT and the project contactor, Hamm, Inc., developed a schedule that allows work to progress more quickly. With the revised schedule, 8th Street and the US-77 northbound ramps will remain closed until opened in their new diamond ramp alignment. Traffic is to follow the marked detour route.
The Living Nativity event that was scheduled by the Church of the Nazarene on South Washington Street in Junction City has been cancelled due to the forecast of very cold temperatures on Sunday, Dec. 18.
Junction City firefighters responded to Screen Machine Sports in Junction City for a fire at 12:06 p.m. on Tuesday.
A check with business owner Mary Hogan confirmed this involved a belt driven dryer. Some insulation caught on fire. There was no smoke damage to the business at 115 East 7th Street, and no injuries.
Hogan estimated the cost of replacing the dryer at approximately $7,500. “All of our retail is fine and good for sales for Christmas.” She noted there were no setbacks for the retail area, but they will be one or two days behind on their printing. “But glad to say we’ll be getting a new dryer here, up and running by Friday.”
The winter vacation for Geary USD 475 is scheduled December 19th through January 1st.
In addition this Friday is an elementary plan day for educators at the elementary schools in the district, and a work day for Junction City High School and middle school educators. There will be no school for students K-12 on Friday.
A teacher work day and elementary plan day are scheduled for employees January 2nd. Classes for students resume on January 3rd.
The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported the arrest of three Wichita residents at mile marker 179 on the K-18 bypass.
Deputies arrested David Kohen, Roy Gilmore and James Houpt of Wichita on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia at 9:50 p.m. Tuesday.
—
Deputies also responded to US 77 Highway mile marker 164 for a single vehicle non-injury accident. James Jipson Jr., Wakefield, was driving his 1995 Chevrolet Silverado when a deer entered the roadway. Jipson was unable to avoid striking the animal.
TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case originating in Riley County this week in Topeka.
Tracey Jerome Toliveron spit several times on a police department detective. The issue is whether the detective can be categorized as a county correctional officer or employee to constitute felony battery, according to a media release from the office of judicial administration.
The district court found Toliver guilty. The Court of Appeals found the detective was neither a correctional officer nor correctional employee. Issues on review are whether a uniformed county law enforcement officer who is transporting a detained person into a correctional facility is a “county correctional officer or employee” and whether Toliver was a “confined person in a county jail facility.”
Toliver is currently at the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility after convictions for Criminal Threat, Aggravated Endangerment of a Child and Battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. Officials report Toliver has 17 disciplinary violations while in custody.
The court will hear the case Appeal No. 112,509/112,510: State of Kansas v. Tracey Jerome Toliveron on Thursday morning.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, this week praised the Senate’s unanimous passage of a bipartisan veterans care reform package (H.R. 6416), including the Moran-Blumenthal Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2016. These provisions prioritize studying toxic exposure and the potential connection of toxic exposure to heath conditions affecting descendants of veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their military service.
“Those who dutifully serve our country do not expect their choice to serve will negatively impact the health of their children or grandchildren,” Sen. Moran said. “Often the impacts of toxic exposure don’t appear until long after veterans have returned home. We must address these painful wounds of war for future generations by understanding the health risks and symptoms of exposure. I am pleased that toxic exposure research was prioritized in this VA reform package, and that we may now begin to address the potential health conditions in family members of veterans exposed to toxic substances.”
John Rowan, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) national president
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) National President John Rowan added: “Vietnam Veterans and their families owe a great debt of gratitude to Senator Moran and his staff for their dogged determination and dedication to our nation’s veterans—the senator came to our town hall meetings; he listened to the stories of our children and grandchildren; and he acted. Senator Moran and his staff worked tirelessly to ensure passage of this critical legislation which lays the groundwork for the research we need on the health of our children and grandchildren, whom we believe have been impacted by exposures during our military service—and in keeping with our founding principle, this legislation will ensure that our newer veterans will not have to wait 50 years for answers.”
Specifically, this legislation includes a scientific review and assessment conducted by National Academy of Medicine regarding toxicological and epidemiological research on descendants of individuals with toxic exposure. It also addresses the scope and methodology required to conduct adequate scientific research of descendants of individuals with toxic exposure. Additionally, it calls for the creation of a board to advise the VA Secretary and the research entity potentially conducting the research on toxic exposure.
Sen. Moran has been a vocal advocate for researching toxic exposure, securing the inclusion of a study on the subject during the April mark-up of the Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.
The U.S. House of Representatives previously approved H.R. 6416 by a vote of 419-0. Following its Saturday, Dec. 10, passage by the Senate, it now heads to the president’s desk for his signature.
The winter season can be a fun time of the year – holidays, snow ball fights, sledding, hot chocolate and egg nog – but this time of the year can also be very difficult financially.
Deb Andres, Geary County Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent, said that one of the main expenses that changes as the weather becomes colder is the cost of electricity. “For many people that goes up and part of the reason it goes up is because of the amount of energy it takes to heat our home, run our holiday lights, and do all of the food prep that we typically do indoors during the winter time.”
More specifically, heating your home can be a large expense – especially for low income families.
“The average low-income family spends about $482 a year on heating, but there’s some things you can do to help with those costs; turn down your thermostat, if you turn it down by five degrees, that will help you with your monthly bill considerably and also every degree you reduce your thermostat setting, you save about two percent on your monthly bill – so if you reduce the setting by five degrees you would save about $48 on the average $482 annual expense,” said Andres.
Andres adds that its important to keep up with regular maintenance on your heating systems. “It’s important that you have those checked, making sure the thermostat system is reading the temperature accurately and that the filter system is performing at its best – making sure that you have a clean filter put on.” Andres suggests hiring a professional to evaluate your heating system if you are not comfortable assessing it on your own.
Deb Andres, Geary County Extension Agent
Other winter survival tips from Deb Andres include:
filters on heat systems need to be cleaned monthly to avoid caked on dirt and lint causing the heater to work harder
check water levels on hot water or steam heat system (consult a professional if needed)
keep area around furnace clutter free to improve air flow into furnace and reduce the risk of fire in the home
check storm doors to make sure they are securely in place and if you have any leaks around the calking or edges of windows use weatherstripping or calking to ensure that leaks are stopped
replace door bottoms or thresholds
put draft guard around doors to help reduce cold draft; take an old pair of blue jeans, sew the ends shut after putting filler like dry beans or fabric inside – put this in doorway to keep air from seeping in
plan ahead when traveling; let relatives know you are about to head on a road trip so they can check on you and know when to expect you
Manhattan, KS, December 13, 2016 – Families around Manhattan are invited to ring in the New Year at the Flint Hills Discovery Center’s Second Annual New Year’s Eve Party Saturday, December 31 from 6:30-9:30 pm.
“Our Family New Year’s Eve Party is an invitation for families all over the Flint Hills to come and celebrate the coming of the New Year in a way that’s safe and unique,” said Amber Myers, Education Specialist. “We hope to see families and friends come and enjoy the music, activities and togetherness in our beautiful building.”
The evening’s super hero themed party will host a variety of fun activities, including dancing, music,superhero mask and cape crafts for children, superpower food, costume contests and a balloon drop at 9:00 pm.
“The activities are designed for children, but even adults will revel in the joy of the night,” said Myers.“The highlight of the night will be our countdown to the balloon drop, where we will fill the Flint Hills Discovery Center dome with hundreds of balloons!”
The event is $16 for youth and adult non-members, $14 for youth and adult FHDC members and free for children under the age of two. Participants must register by Thursday, December 29 at 5:00 pm and can do so by calling 785.587.2726. For more information, visit www.flinthillsdiscovery.org.
Students ate themselves through several continents on Wednesday without leaving the grounds of the Westberg Education Complex on Rucker Road.
