The 14th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on Thanksgiving Day at the First Presbyterian Church located at 113 West 5th Street in Junction City.
The free community-wide dinner is from noon to 1:30 pm on Thursday, November 24th.
Carry-out meals are available; to arrange for a carry out meal call 492-5200 no later than 5:00 pm on Wednesday, November 23rd.
Carry out meals will be distributed at 2:00 pm Thanksgiving Day.
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University will host Temple Grandin, world-renowned autism spokesperson and livestock industry expert on animal behavior, for a Landon Lecture milestone at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, in in McCain Auditorium.
“As one of the nation’s most prestigious and well-known lecture series, the 175th Landon Lecture on Public Issues with Dr. Temple Grandin should not be missed,” said Jackie Hartman, the university’s chief of staff and director of community relations. “The lecture is free and open to the public.”
Grandin, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University, will present “Successful Education of Students with Different Kinds of Minds,” which will touch on multiple areas of her expertise, including teaching.
“Dr. Grandin’s phenomenal mind has helped shaped United States’ animal welfare practices and how we think about people on the autism spectrum,” Hartman said. “She truly is a global leader in multiple fields, and it is a privilege to host her for this milestone in the Landon Lecture series.”
Grandin showed signs of autism at an early age and self-describes her unique thought process as thinking in pictures. In addition to a successful teaching career, she is an accomplished livestock equipment designer and an effective animal welfare advocate. In 2010, Grandin was among Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” in the hero category. She is one of the authors of “Emergence: Labeled Autistic” and the author “Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism,” both which inspired the 2010 HBO film “Temple Grandin” staring Claire Danes.
She is the author of several books — including the New York Times best-seller “Animals in Translation” — and gives many talks about animal welfare and the autistic brain, such as her TED talk “The world needs all kinds of minds.” She received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Franklin Pierce College, a Master of Science in animal science from Arizona State University in 1975 and a doctorate in animal science from the University of Illinois in 1989.
Since 1966, the Landon Lecture Series, named in honor of former Kansas governor and political leader Alfred M. Landon, has invited global leaders to share thoughts about national and global issues. The lecture series has hosted U.S. presidents, Supreme Court justices, national and global political leaders, and many other prominent figures.
TOPEKA, KS — As part of this fall’s “Don’t Text #JustDrive” initiative, AT&T’s “It Can Wait” virtual reality simulator will be making stops this week at Kansas State University, Manhattan, and the University of Kansas, Lawrence.
The simulator will be in the courtyard of the Kansas State University’s student union on Tuesday, November 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will then travel to the 4th floor of the University of Kansas student union on Thursday, November 17, also from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kendall Schoenekase, Miss Kansas 2016, will also be on hand at both on-campus events to spread her platform message: “Stay Alive, Don’t Text and Drive.”
The visit of the simulator coincides with the “Don’t Text #JustDrive” initiative from Kansas Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer, CPA, who challenged Kansas universities last September to see which school could get the most pledges from students, faculty, alumni and fans to stop texting and driving. The pledge contest began September 19 and runs through November 22.
The simulator is part of the “It Can Wait” movement focused on changing behaviors and educating the public about the dangers of smartphone driving distractions. It allows users to experience an immersive but safe 3-D setting to see the deadly consequences of glancing at a phone while driving.
While most people know that this behavior is dangerous and illegal, 7-in-10 people admit to engaging in smartphone activities while driving. The “It Can Wait” campaign, and the challenge from Commissioner Selzer, aim to spread this message to Kansas drivers.
To take the pledge and support the university of their choice, Kansans should text the following keyword to 50555: for the University of Kansas, text “KU;” for Kansas State University, text “Wildcat;” for Fort Hays State University, text “Tiger;” for Wichita State University, text “Shocker;” for Washburn University, text “Ichabod;” for Pittsburg State University, text “Gorilla;” and for Emporia State University, text “Hornet.”
For more information on this initiative, contact Lacey Kennett at (785) 291-3299 or lkennett@ksinsurance.org, or visit www.ksinsurance.org/justdrive.
Junction City residents will have the opportunity to help a child in need during Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse.
From November 14th to 21st, 900 empty shoeboxes will be transformed to gifts for children overseas living in extreme poverty or affected by war, disease and natural disaster.
Operation Christmas Child has a goal of reaching 12 million children through shoebox gifts, with 900 coming from Junction City in 2016.
First Christian Church, located at 1429 Saint Mary’s Rd. is the drop-off location for shoebox gift donations.
Drop-off hours are:
Suggested items to include in the shoeboxes are: school supplies, hygiene items, doll, soccer ball, and notes of encouragement.
For more information call 238-4253 or visit https://samaritanspurse.org/occ.
You can also visit the above website to give a suggested $7 donation per shoebox gift and track your box to find out where it was delivered.
The Red Cross will sponsor a Blood Drive on Wednesday, November 16th and Thursday, November 17th at the Municipal Building located at 700 N. Jefferson Street in Junction City.
The hours for donation are:
To schedule an appointment visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/ or call 1-800-REDCROSS (733-2767).
A new feature, called Rapid Pass is also available for individuals with time constraints. Visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass on the day of your appointment to complete your health screening and save even more time when donating. The site is not compatible with smartphones or iphones, you must utilize a computer to complete the health screening.
Walk-ins are always welcome.
This is the last blood drive before Christmas.
Manhattan, Kan. (Nov. 14, 2016) — The Ice Rink at the Wefald Pavilion in City Park will open for the season today.
The rink will be open from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays and 1 to 7 p.m. weekends and days USD 383 is out of school. The rink is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is $3 per person, and skate rental is $3.
Group ice skating lessons are available for youth ages 4 to 12. Teens and adults can also register for ice skating, and youth ice hockey is available. Back by popular demand, Broomball — played on the ice without skates using a stick and small ball — will return Dec. 1 and continue every Thursday through the end of the season. Visit MHKPRD.com/Register for more information.
The rink will feature a number of a special events throughout the season, including Totally 80s Teen Night from 9 to 11 p.m. Nov. 18. Entry fee for teens is one box of stuffing mix for the Flint Hills Breadbasket. The event will feature a DJ, variety of dances, snacks and prizes.
Rentals are also available at the Ice Rink during hours the facility is not open to the public. Fees are based on number of people attending.
For more information about the Ice Rink including lessons and rentals, visit MHKSkate.com, call 785-587-2754 or visit City Hall, 1101 Poyntz Ave.
A five-year grant totaling $1,065,000 has been awarded to help families in Geary County with young children. The grant from the Kansas Department of Health & Environment, is being facilitated through the University of Kansas Department of Public Research Center.
Stephanie Bogenhagen, Early Childhood Program Principal for Geary USD 475, said the purpose of the grant is to bring together collaborative local agencies that could benefit families with small children. She explained a web of agencies will be developed. “For example we have Pawnee Mental Health Services, Konza Prairie Health and Dental, Parents as Teachers, Infant Toddler Services, the Early Childhood Program. ”
If you have a child ages infant to three, anything you may need from dental to health services and development checks would be included in the web of agencies providing the assistance.
Bogenhagen noted the state will provide a facilitator to oversee the collaboration between the agencies. “Our little collaborative will come up with some problem solving strategies to help families know who to contact and who to go to if they need some extra assistance in some various areas.”
The grant application was submitted in March, and Geary County was one of two counties in Kansas named to receive the grant. The funds will be provided in five-year increments beginning in 2017. Local focus areas in Geary County will be on development of children birth to three, and on family well-being.
Collaborative partners in this grant program will include the Geary USD 475 Parents as Teachers, Junction City Commissioners, Konza Prairie Community Health and Dental Center, Pawnee Mental Health Center, Geary County USD 475 Early Child Program and Infant Toddler Service, and Delivering Change – Geary County Perinatal Coalition.
Applications are available at the Junction City Police Department for the Citizens Police Academy which is scheduled February 2 through April 20 at the JCPD at 210 East 9th Street. The time of the sessions will be 6 to 9 p.m.
You can also get applications for the academy on the City’s website at www.junctioncity-ks.org. Enrollment is limited to 20 participants. A background check will be performed prior to the acceptance.
For more information contact the Junction City Police Department Community Involvement Unit at 785-762-5912, Eliel.Borges@jcks.com
The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that Deputies worked two single vehicle-deer accidents.
–Deputies responded Saturday evening to mile marker 91 on K-177 Highway for a single vehicle vs. deer accident. Brooke Douglas, Emporia, was traveling northbound in her 2013 Chevrolet Sonic when her vehicle struck a deer, causing damage to the front of the vehicle. Douglas was not injured.
–Deputies responded Sunday morning to US 77 Highway for a car vs. deer non-injury accident, James Moffitt, Ogden, was driving his 2004 Acura northbound when a deer ran out in front of him. Moffitt swerved to miss the deer and went into the ditch, causing damage to the rear and front of his vehicle. Moffit was not injured.
Junction City police officers responded to The Bluffs Sunday afternoon for a check welfare.
Police Captain Chuck Leithoff said upon their arrival officers located a 30-year old white man deceased. His name has not yet been released.
Leithoff reported that while no foul play is suspected at this time, the case is being investigated by detectives. An autopsy is scheduled Monday ( today ).
