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Operation Santa Claus to Bring Holiday Cheer to Military Families

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santa-18It’s the time of the year for Holiday cheer and gift giving – Fort Riley celebrated the season with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Operation Santa Claus.

Garrison Commander Colonel John D. Lawrence, made a few remarks during the ceremony.

“The Holidays can be a difficult time for military children, in particular with today’s environment and with so many units we have deployed on Fort Riley; additionally, the cost of living is seemingly always going up, some families may not have enough to provide the type of Christmas they want to provide for their children,” said Lawrence.

Lawrence said that last year, Operation Santa Claus helped over 1100 children, representing over 375 families.

Christine Benne, AUSA Secretary and Program Manager for Operation Santa Claus echoed similar sentiments.

“All of our soldiers all have financial situations like anybody else…and then they have the uniqueness of having to be on 24/7, being deployed and away from their families and sometimes that’s a hardship for the soldier’s families, so Operation Santa Claus is able to help them,” said Benne.

Operation Santa Claus is accepting gifts for ages birth to 18, and Benne said that many times the teenagers receive the fewest donations – gift cards work best for that age group.

Donations can be made for all age groups in the form of toys, gift cards, and cash; for more information on donating or volunteering call 239-6944/2771.

Santa’s Workshop, Operation Santa Claus Headquarters is located at Building #261 on Fort Riley.

KHP: USD 329 school bus collides with metal trash dumpster

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KHPWABAUNSEE COUNTY – A school bus was in an accident just after 10a.m. on Wednesday in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a USD 329 school bus driven by Roberta Theel, 57, Alma, was northbound in the 900 Block of Ohio Street in Alma.

The passenger side of the bus struck a metal handle of a commercial size trash dumpster.

No students were on the bus at the time of the accident.

Theel was not injured.

The accident remains under investigation.

Firefighters Respond to El Tapitio Restaurant Fire

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fireJunction City firefighters responded to El Tapitio Mexican Restaurant 322 West 6th Street at 9:25 a.m. Wednesday.

Bill Kausler, Fire Department Battalion Chief, reported that firefighters received a call for a possible structure fire. “Upon arrival we found a light haze inside the structure. The fire was out. It was a grease fire from a buildup of grease behind the fryer itself.”

Kausler estimated the damage at approximately $2,500. But he noted the business will encounter an expense to have their system totally reworked and checked out.  Concerning the length of time the business will be closed, Kausler noted utimately that will be up to the City codes department, who was also notified. “We met with management. We found a number of write-ups, not major significant write-ups, but things they will need to take care of through the fire department, and through the codes department, and also through the agricultural department who will have to come in and do an inspection also.” Kausler added that  Kansas Gas Service also shut the gas off to the structure.

Kausler reported that the major write-up involved the restaurant’s hood system, which will need to be totally redone. The others are minor.

City Does not Approve Fee Request

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municipal buildingJunction City commissioners have let die for lack of a motion a request to waive fees for a winter farmer’s market in the Municipal Building Gymnasium.

Susie Bilderback, will Live Well Geary County, reported on a plan for a winter farmer’s market for seven months in that facility, on the second Saturday morning of each month. The governing body was informed it would still be called the Geary Community Hospital Farmer’s Market.

The fee is $25 an hour.

Members of the City Commission were concerned waiver of the fee could potentially bring similar requests from every nonprofit organization to the commission. Commissioner Jim Sands advised he would be willing to fund the fee.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas partnering with Dillons Pharmacy on Flu Shots

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shot-person

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is partnering with Dillons Pharmacy to provide no-cost flu shots to all Kansans, ages 6 and up, November 5-13.

According to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas you can visit your nearest Dillons Pharmacy during regular pharmacy hours for the shots from November 5-13.

You will need to provide basic information such as your name and date of birth, and show your insurance ID card, if you have coverage. For those who do not have coverage you will still be covered. BCBSKS will cover all Kansans, ages 6 and up, regardless of what insurance coverage they have.

United Way Restaurant Day at Tymeout Steakhouse

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united wayThere will be a United Way Restaurant Day at Tyme Out Steakhouse in Grandview Plaza on Thursday.

A portion of all sales will go to support the Junction City – Geary County United Way fundraising effort.

Tyme Out Steakhouse is open for lunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and for dinner from 4 to 10 p.m.

Kansas State University Extends Freshman Deadline, Increases Scholarships

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ksu sealMANHATTAN — High school students who want to start a path to purple pride have more time to apply.
Administrators at Kansas State University have extended the admission and scholarship priority deadline for the fall 2017 semester to Dec. 15 for incoming freshmen students.
“We have extended the priority deadline for many reasons,” said Larry Moeder, assistant vice president for student life, director of student financial assistance and director of admissions. “Many future students and families told us that more time for the application would be helpful, especially since there have been changes to the FAFSA process and several college fairs are scheduled later this year than in previous years. We want to make the college admission and scholarship application process as accommodating as possible in this transition year.”

Changes to the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, allowed families to complete the process earlier, which Moeder said is a great improvement. The FAFSA opened on Oct 1. Families are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.

“The FAFSA is not required at Kansas State for admission or scholarship decisions,” Moeder said. “The deadline extension will allow us to avoid missing any students who may have misunderstood these overlapping time lines. We want to give as many students as possible full scholarship consideration.”

The university also has increased scholarship offerings for future out-of-state freshmen. Up to $48,000 in scholarships is available. Future students are encouraged to review scholarship criteria and apply on or before the new Dec. 15 priority deadline for full consideration.

“We want to honor our land-grant roots and make a K-State education as accessible as possible for all future students,” said Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students. “We have already seen a year marked with achievements from several national ranking authorities. It’s a great time to be a Wildcat.”

Kansas State University has been named one of the safest large universities in the nation by College Choice; the best value in Kansas by SmartAsset; and ranked nationally No. 3 for best quality of life and No. 6 for happiest students by The Princeton Review.

For full scholarship consideration and to be a part of the Kansas State University family, high school students should apply on or before Dec. 15 of their senior year.

K-State News and Communications Services
Division of Communications and Marketing

Kansas man dies in van rollover accident

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MORRIS COUNTY – A Kansas man died in an accident just before 3p.m. on Tuesday in Morris County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by Jean Ecklund, 77, Herington, was eastbound on U.S. 56 a mile west of Council Grove.

The van crossed the centerline going across the westbound lane and hit a culvert. The van rolled one time and came to rest in the north ditch.

A passenger Eugene Ecklud, 79, Herington was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jean Ecklund was transported to the Morris County Hospital. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kan. group wants more people to get ‘I Like Ike’ license plates

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photo Eisenhower Library and Foundation
photo Eisenhower Library and Foundation

ABILENE, Kan. (AP) — The Eisenhower Foundation is hoping that people still like Ike enough for Kansas to continue production of “I Like Ike” specialty license plates.

The Salina Journal reports that 300 of the license plates with the slogan from the 1952 U.S. presidential campaign for former President Dwight D. Eisenhower need to be purchased by May 2017 for production to continue.

The license plates are available in all counties in Kansas. Foundation executive director Meredith Sleichter says every plate that is sold and renewed sends $50 to benefit the foundation.

Sleichter says the Kansas Legislature approved the tags and part of the statute requires that 500 plates be purchased in two years for production to continue.

Jerry Kill to Host Book Signing Saturday in Cat Town Prior to OSU Game

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Jerry Kill

MANHATTAN, Kan. – 2016 Kansas Hall of Fame inductee and current K-State Associate AD Jerry Kill will host a book signing from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Saturday, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium prior to the Wildcats’ 2:30 p.m. nationally-televised football game with Oklahoma State.

The event, which will be held just inside the main Cat Town entrance and in front of the Hy-Vee tent, highlights the release of Kill’s new book, “Chasing Dreams: Living My Life One Yard At A Time” which chronicles his football career, struggles with epilepsy and his national advocacy work for people who suffer from the disease.

All proceeds from book purchases will benefit the Chasing Dreams Coach Kill Epilepsy Fund, which Kill and his wife, Rebecca, founded through the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (EFMN).

K-State Football hosts Oklahoma State on Saturday on Fort Riley Day at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Fewer than 30 adjacent seats remain for the game against the Cowboys as tickets start at $49.75 with a Wildcat 4-Pack. To order tickets, fans can contact the K-State Athletics Ticket office online at www.k-statesports.com/tickets, by phone at 1-800-221-CATS or at the main ticket office inside Bramlage Coliseum.

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