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Swimming Pool Suggested During New JCHS Discussion

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jchs realThe Junction City High School swimming teams practice at the Family YMCA because the school does not have its own pool.

A JCHS Steering Committee studying the issue of whether or not to build a new high school or renovate the existing facility, heard Thursday evening that the swim teams can’t host their own meets.

During discussion a member of the steering committee, Vic Davis, surfaced the idea of building a pool. He felt it would be a mistake to build a new high school without a competitive facility for swimming. “I think it’s an important piece of the project.” Davis noted his daughters were competitive swimmers at JCHS and there was no facility there. ” It was a challenge to find places to have meets and to get our kids to meets and to practice. And I think it would just be a big plus for our community to have a wonderful, competitive swimming center where our kids could learn to swim, and those who wanted to swim competitively could do that at home.” Davis added JCHS could host meets, have people visit the community, and show off the facility.

During discussion JCHS Athletic Director Matt Westerhaus noted it could be a community facility.

Committee Mark Edwards observed that JCHS loses 10 to 15 students per year to Manhattan High School because of the swimming program at that school.

The JCHS Steering Committee has received multiple concepts on a possible new and renovated high school facility. They will continue their work through the fall, and could possibly make a recommendation to the Board of Education in January.

JCHS Steering Committee Tours High School

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crowded hallway
Hallways are too small for substantial number of people to pass through at one time.

The committee reviewing the need for a possible new or renovated Junction City High School saw problem areas ranging from locations where water has leaked to rickety bleachers in the Fiffe Gym when they toured the existing facility on Thursday.

Officials have pointed out the current building is in need of substantial infrastructure improvements.  Some of the issues noted on the tour include:

–A cafeteria that seats only one fourth of the students.

–Bleachers in the Fiffe Gym that are not stable, and were the original bleachers in the gym back when the school was built in 1958. Also there are no rails in the middle of the bleachers in either the Fiffe or Shenk Gyms or at the Al Simpler Stadium.

–None of the restrooms meet ADA ( Americans with Disabilities ) standards.

–A portion of the floor in the foyer area will have to be dug up later this year to repair a clog.

–Water floods into different portions of the building during big rains including the foyer, Fiffe Gym and girls locker room.

–There is no FEMA designated shelter in the building. The designated shelter is in the hallways of the school.

–The media center ( library ) is outdated and not located in a central location so it can be the hub of the building.

–The main office is cramped meaning some employees such as nurses, registrar, bookkeeper all have to be housed in the Deever Center on the south side of the high school complex.

–One classroom that is used as a combination science – english classroom was shown to the committee. That room was much smaller than science rooms at the middle school.

–The auditorium is not big enough. It can seat only 592 while a typical Class 6A school should be able to accomodate about 750.

Different concepts that could be possible for a new school or renovated facility were presented to the committee. The new school cost estimates ranged in price from $65 million to $101 million, but nothing is anywhere near final at this point in the process. The committee will continue meetings this fall and could make a recommendation to the Board of Education on a possible bond issue in January. Officials have pointed out between the heavily impacted federal military aid and state aid received by the district that could possibly be used to finance a new school.

 

 

All Treats Day 2016

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All Treats Day pulled one of the largest gatherings of costumed candy-lovers on to Washington Street in downtown Junction City Thursday evening. 19

Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Dennis Beson said that it debunks the notion that there is nothing to do in Junction City.

“The[12th Street] community center has some fun and games, the Police Department and Fire Department are putting on a movie in the park – fantastic; this is Junction City [where] people say there’s nothing to do, we have all kinds of things to do,” said Beson.

Washington Street was lined with eager trick-or-treaters and excitable children ready to march in the annual parade.

“It really makes you feel good just to see the amount of children that are out here, the parents that have come out, the grandparents, and the kids are having a great time; the parade kicked off with the [JCHS] band leading the way, and oh my goodness if you missed hearing the band, you missed a really good performance,” said Phyllis Fitzgerald, City Commissioner.

‘Small-town pride’ may be the best way to sum up the evening.

“It’s a great annual event and this year looks like it’s as big as ever, kids having fun, downtown businesses sharing candy, and this is what middle America is all about,” said Beson.

All Treats Day 2016 was Thursday, October 27th.

GCH Auxiliary Donates to Safe Sleep Program

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checkFor the second consecutive year, the Geary Community Hospital Auxiliary donated $800 to the hospital’s Take Home Sleep Sack Program, which is facilitated through Delivering Change: Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies. Through that program every newborn in the Martha K. Hoover Women’s Center at GCH goes home with a HALO Sleep Sack.

This wearable blanket is used in more than 1400 hospitals nationwide to promote safe sleep. It replaces loose blankets that can cover a baby’s face and interfere with breathing. It also helps babies sleep better because it’s a warm, cuddly blanket that baby can’t kick off.

Currently, a sleep sack is used with every newborn during their stay at the Martha K. Hoover Women’s Center. Each mother receives education on safe sleep along with the new sleep sack to take home.

“This program gives families one of the proper ‘tools’ to create a safe sleep environment for their new baby and we are so grateful to the Auxiliary for their continued support of this very important program,” said Jill Nelson, Program Director for Delivering Change.

North End of Milford Lake Remains Under Blue Green Algae Warning

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milford lake twoThe Kansas Department of Health & Environment tested Milford Lake for blue green algae again this week. The results of that test have been released by the Corps of Engineers.

The upper section of the reservoir, Zone C, has been placed in a warning. You should avoid direct contact with the water.

The middle and lower sections of the lake have been placed in a watch, meaning use caution when contacting lake water.

Boating and fishing are allowed on the entire lake.

Kansas energy company requests $17.4M rate increase

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photo Westar Energy
photo Westar Energy

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Westar Energy has filed a request to raise its prices by about $17.4 million, which would raise the average residential bill in Kansas by about $1.54 per month.

Westar spokeswoman Gina Penzig says the company filed the request with the Kansas Corporation Commission to recover costs that weren’t available when last year’s full price was conducted.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the bulk of the $17.4 million request is related to environmental upgrades at power plants, primarily in the LaCygne Generation Station, to meet federal requirements.

Other costs include $6.5 million used to make investments in the grid design for improved reliability.

Singin’ With the Big Band! – Saturday at the C.L. Hoover Opera House

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Christopher Alan Graves will bring his award-winning show to the C.L. Hoover Opera House in Junction City.christopher graves

Graves has entertained audiences across the seas on the ships of Carnival Cruise Lines paying tribute to Swing Era favorites like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin.

With a live band featuring some of Kansas City’s best musicians – including the Junction City C.L. Hoover Opera House’s very own Danny O’Brien, Graves will perform on Saturday, October 29th at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are available by calling the Box Office at 238-3906 or online at https://www.jcoperahouse.org/.

Don’t miss this unique show on Saturday, October 29th at 7:30 pm at the C.L. Hoover Opera House in Junction City located at 135 W. 7th Street.

Accident at US 77 and McFarland Road

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accident picture

UPDATE:

 

This intersection has reopened for traffic.

——

The intersection at McFarland Road and US 77 Highway is temporarily closed while authorities work a one-vehicle accident at the scene.

This involved a vehicle rollover accident reported just after 10:30 a.m.

Police confirmed there were no injuries.

New High School Discussion Continues at MAC Breakfast

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The October 27th MAC (Military Affairs Council) Breakfast featured three guest speakers in the absence of USD 475 Superintendent Dr. Corbin Witt.usd 475

Today’s topic for discussion – a new Junction City High School featuring Interim Superintendent Dr. Beth Hudson, USD 475 Director of Business Operations Bill Clark, and JCHS Principal Melissa Sharp.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Beth Hudson said that the school curriculum has changed significantly since JCHS was built in 1958 that all of the necessary educational tools to prepare students for the world aren’t easily available.

“We’re trying to prepare students to enter a world where you’re going to have to have more than your high school education…what are we doing now to get them ready for that kind of a worldd,” said Hudson.

Melissa Sharp, JCHS Principal echoed similar sentiments.

“Having separate campuses takes away from [teaching relationships], it’s really good for climate because you have a school of 470 and a school of 1250…but you don’t have the collaboration…about two-thirds of the freshman are ready for more rigorous coursework,” said Sharp.

Sharp added that the District spends about $18,000 a year on shuttling students between the Freshman Success Academy and the main high school campus.

Bill Clark addressed the infrastructure issues in the JCHS main campus building that would total $31 million to repair/renovate or replace.

Clark said that building a new high school is something the community needs to strongly consider.

“Our building is really not conducive to the education environment of today, and so to really help ourselves deliver the right curriculum to meet the needs of military students, to help keep Fort Riley viable, it’s something that we as a community need to take a look at,” said Clark.

Roughly 58% of Geary USD 475 students are tied to the military; Clark said that BRAC, Base Realignment and Closings are something that the community needs to keep in mind.

There has been public discussion tat the Department of Defense will face the challenge of BRAC after the upcoming Presidential election – Clark said that building a new high school can offset that potential in the community.

“The leadership of the army has stated that there’s certain criteria that will help to evaluate military bases, and of those that’s been articulated is the value of public education to support military families,” said Clark.

Sharp, JCHS Principal said that outdated facilities is not a unique challenge to Geary county, the state or even the nation – but this community has the opportunity to upgrade or build new facilitmac 2ies at potentially no cost to the taxpayer.

District leaders will continue work with a the JCHS Steering Committee to gain the support of the community.

 

Track and Field Great, Noted Humanitarian, Jackie Joyner-Kersee coming to Kansas State University

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MANHATTAN — Olympic track and field champion Jackie Joyner-Kersee will be the guest speaker for Kansas State University’s annual Women’s History Month Dinner and Lecture on March 16, 2017. To lead up to the event, the university’s department of gender, women, and sexuality studies is sponsoring a series of free Olympic panels featuring Kansas State University Olympians.

“We’re thrilled to bring track and field legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee to K-State,” said Angela Hubler, interim head of the gender, women, and sexuality studies department, which sponsors the Women’s History Month Lecture.

“A health advocate and humanitarian, Joyner-Kersee shares her life story and work with audiences around the country in inspirational keynotes,” Hubler said. “We’re also excited because this event raises funds for department scholarships that support some of our very deserving students.”

Tickets for Joyner-Kersee’s lecture, “Dare to Dream,” are $75 and can be reserved online atwww.found.ksu.edu/rsvp/jjk or by calling 785-532-7093. The event, at West Stadium, starts with a social and drinks from 5:30-6 p.m., followed by dinner and the lecture. A private reception for donors will be from 8-9 p.m.

Named “the greatest female athlete of the 20th century” by Sports Illustrated, Joyner-Kersee won three gold, one silver and two bronze medals over four Olympics. Today, Joyner-Kersee is known worldwide for her interest in aiding others. The recipient of the inaugural Humanitarian Athlete of the Year award, Joyner-Kersee helped build the Joyner-Kersee Youth Center Foundation in her hometown of East St. Louis, Illinois, that has raised more than $12 million. In 2007, she along with several notable athletes, founded Athletes for Hope, an organization of professional athletes who get involved in charitable causes and inspire millions of nonathletes to volunteer and support their community.

Joyner-Kersee is the author of “A Kind of Grace,” in which she recounts how she overcame her difficult years to rise to the top.

The first Olympic panel will be 5:30-6:45 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, in Town Hall at Kansas State University’s Leadership Studies Building. Titled “Being Fearless,” the panel of Wildcat Olympians will share the secrets to their success. Panelists include Erik Kynard, the 2012 Olympic silver medalist in the high jump; Thane Baker, who won a silver medal in the 200 meters at the 1952 Olympics, and a gold medal in the 4×100 meter relay, silver medal in the 100 meters and bronze medal in the 200 meters at the 1956 Olympics; Ed Broxterman, who participated in the high jump at the 1996 Olympics; and Akela Jones, who participated in the heptathlon at the 2016 Olympics. The panel will be moderated by Jill Montgomery, a former Kansas State University track and field athlete who now serves as an ESPN analyst, and Gwen Wentland-Mikinski, a member of the Kansas State University Athletic Hall of Fame and an Olympic track and field coach.

Details for the Olympic panel on Feb. 3, 2017, will be announced later. The topic will be “High-level Performance.”

Both panels are open to the public.

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