These are the latest blue-green algae results at Milford Lake for the week of October 10, 2016:
Lake users are reminded that blue green algae may appear or disappear suddenly and move as the wind shifts.
Boaters should use caution and move to a clear portion of the lake.
The United Way Business Blitz Week fundraising campaign is under way and we’re taking a look at local agencies and organizations that benefit from the generous contributions made to the Junction City -Geary County United Way.
CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, works to defend and help those that are too often left defenseless – children.
Lisa Hatt, Director of Finance for CASA of the 8th Judicial District, was a guest on the morning show JC Now on 1420 AM – The Talk of JC where spoke about how CASA benefits local children.
“We are appointed by judges to serve children that are in need of care; these children have been abused or neglected or might be victims of human trafficking,” said Hatt.
The 8th Judicial District covers the counties of Geary, Dickinson, Morris and Marion.
CASA advocates help judges and lawyers gain more perspective on the best interests of the child(ren) involved.
“Our Executive Director, Denra Riley works with the Volunteer Coordinator (Molly Jean-Jones) and they appoint a volunteer to work with that child or sibling group…and they meet with that child 2 to 3 times a month, they research school and make sure they’re doing okay, if they need mental health help [they make sure] that they’re getting their therapy sessions – they’re very hands on,” said Hatt.
Hatt said that advocates will make reports to the court and inform the judge and lawyers of their opinions on the best interest for the child – “how this child can be best served”.
For more information on CASA, please visit https://www.kansascasa.org/program/district-8.
For a list of all the agencies supported by the United Way of Junction City – Geary County please visit https://www.unitedwayjcgc.org/.
Business Blitz week concludes on October 14th. To make a donation please call 238-2117 or visit https://www.unitedwayjcgc.org/#/donate/4531203802.
NOTE – Rainfall and temperature information is based on data kept at Milford Lake by the Corps of Engineers. For more information contact Chuck Otte, 238-4161.
September 2016 Weather Summary
Once again, September brought us a month with above normal temperatures
and above normal, slightly, precipitation. This makes the third month in a row
of above normal rainfall and every month except one, in 2016, have had
above normal temperatures. As has been the case most of the year, it is the
overnight lows that are pushing the average temperatures above normal.
The average daily high during September was 81.0 degrees, 0.8 degrees
above normal. The average overnight low was 63.2, 7.2 degrees above
normal. This gave us a monthly mean temperature of 72.1, 4.0 degrees
above normal. The highest temperature for the month was 91 on the 19th
and 20th. The coolest temperature for the month was 48 the morning of the
25th. While it was a warm month it wasn´t close to being record setting. The
hottest September on record was in 1954 with a monthly mean temperature
of 78.1. The coldest September was in 1974 when we had a chilly monthly
mean temperature of 61.1. There was one temperature record set during
September and two records tied. The overnight low of 72 on the 23rd set a
new record high low temperature. The old record was 68 set in 1958. The
overnight lows of 76 on the 5th and 75 on the 20th tied the record high lows
for those dates. The old records were set in 1990 and 1948 respectively.
Rains in mid month and later in the month provided needed and timely
precipitation. Average September rainfall is 3.28 inches. For the month,
Milford Lake received 3.49 inches and Junction City received 3.43 inches
putting us slightly over normal for the month. Year to date Milford Lake has
received 33.37 inches of precipitation and Junction City 33.69 inches. Normal
through the end of September is 27.96 inches. In fact, long term average
annual rainfall is 33.15 inches so we are already above normal for the entire
year! The wettest September was in 1967 when 13.28 inches flooded the
region. The driest September was 1947 when all we could muster in the rain
gauges was 0.24 inches!
As the hours of daylight continues to dwindle, the temperatures in October
follow suit. Average daily highs in October start the month at 76 and by
Halloween are down to 63. Overnight lows drop from 50 on the 1st to 40 on
the 31st. Rainfall continues to decrease as we move towards our driest time
of the year. Average precipitation for October is 2.62 inches. Most of that is
rain as long term average October snowfall is only about one tenth of an
inch. October often brings us our first killing frost. Long term average first
freeze is October 19th with most years seeing the average first frost
occurring within 12 days of that date. In recent years we´ve seen a trend of
pushing that first frost later in the fall. Last year the first frost wasn´t until
November 6th and it has been as late as November 10th.
You can trick or treat your way through the Geary County Historical Museum, and get up close and personal with some spooky specimens before the All Treats Day parade. Admission is free.
Trick or treaters are welcome in the museum at 1 p.m. and the Unhuggables program starts at 4 p.m. Milford Nature Center will present a hands on program about Mother Nature’s less popular creatures–animals like spiders, snakes, bats and vultures–that might seem scary but have an important place in the natural world. All animals will be safely confined in the auditorium.
The museum will be open to trick or treaters all afternoon. Costumed volunteers will be available throughout the museum from 1 to 4 before the program to hand out candy.
The Unhuggables program will end at 4;45 p.m., in time for visitors to make their way downtown to the All Treats Day parade, which starts at 5:30 p.m. The Museum event is free and open to all visitors.
The hiring of an economic development director for Junction City and Geary County is close.
Chamber of Commerce CEO Dennis Beson confirmed he expects to make an announcement in the next few days. The candidate is an out-of-state applicant with ties to military communities.
The Chamber of Commerce has been searching for an EDC director since April.
The new hospital at Fort Riley represents this country’s commitment to the health of our warriors, both past and present.
Those were the sentiments of Brigadier William “Bill” Turner, the Deputy Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division, during the ribbon cutting for the new Irwin Army Community Hospital at Fort Riley on Wednesday. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support and dedication of our local, state and national leaders as well as the hard work and perservance exhibited by the engineers, contractors and hospital staff.
The long delay hospital project has finally been completed, with the facility opening to provide services next week.
Hospital Commander Colonel John Melton said, “This shapes who we are. It is what makes us an Army hospital. Ours is a solemn duty to fulfill the sacred trust, to care for those who wear and have worn the uniform and their families.”
A large audience of hospital employees, community members and elected officials including Senators Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts plus Governor Sam Brownback were in attendance for the ribbon cutting, and the five-story building was opened up to tours afterward.
Some of the building details included a four-bed triage that is expected to serve about 3,000 patients per year, labor and delivery area that will serve about 900 births per year, and the facility has more than 1,400 parking spaces including 572 for patient parking.
RILEY COUNTY – A Junction City man was injured in an accident just before 2p.m. on Wednesday in Riley County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 International semi driven by Dale Taylor, 57, was southbound on U.S. 77 a mile north of U.S. 24.
The semi crossed centerline and struck a northbound semi, left the roadway into the east ditch and came to rest at bottom of an embankment.
Taylor was transported to the hospital in Manhattan.
The other driver Daryl Langvardt, 67, Clay Center, was not injured.
Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
FORT RILEY – Congressman Tim Huelskamp proudly participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for Fort Riley’s new Irwin Hospital.
“The investment in this new facility is a strong signal to the region and entire state that Fort Riley is here to stay and possibly,” Huelskamp said. “This hospital helps fulfill our commitment to care for our soldiers and their families whose dedicated service continues to make us the greatest nation on earth.
“It is my hope Irwin Hospital will not only provide care for our military community, but also our Veterans. As a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I am committed to working with both the Army and Veterans Administration to ensure that eligible Veterans in the Big First District of Kansas can receive health care at the Fort Riley hospital.”
Congressman Tim Huelskamp is one of the authors of the Choice Program, allowing eligible Veterans the option of to choose health care in their local communities.
Congressman Huelskamp has always been in favor of this new hospital serving Veterans. You can read about that here.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the United Way of Junction City – Geary County has the following donations/pledges as part of the Business Blitz Week.
The combined total of all business donations during this week’s United Way Business Blitz has reached $6237.30.
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Tuesday’s Donations include:
–KS State Bank $600
–State Farm Ladonna Junghans $300
–Spring Valley Elementary School $595.25
–V-Wealth Management $50
–Kansas Best Real Estate $200 -Westwood Elementary School $175
– Franklin Elementary School $56.57
– Early Childhood Development $95.52
Monday:
The top pledge came from Holiday Inn Express, who pledged $1,000.
Others included:
–Coryell Insurors $450
–Drs. Reynoldson & Reynoldson $300
–J & K Contracting $100
–Upland Mutual Insurance $175
–Jones & Associates – AFLAC $75
–Glenn’s Music $50
–Cardinal Insurance $125
–Morgan Painting $100
–State Farm Karen Jameson $100
–Mathis Lueker $100
Delivering Change, Healthy Moms – Healthy Babies is one of the many agencies that are supported in part by the United Way of Junction City – Geary County.
Jill Nelson, Delivering Change Director, said that they have partnered with the United Way of Junction City – Geary County for three years now.
“I believe this is our third or our fourth year with them and each year we ask them specifically to fund a project that is not funded by another source that we are receiving; and so, this year we asked to receive money again for our ‘take home sleep sac’ program and Geary Community Hospital,” said Nelson.
The sleep sacs are given to all new mothers with babies born at Geary Community Hospital.
“[It is] a wearable blanket, and every new baby born at Geary Community Hospital goes home with one of those as their congratulations gift from the hospital,” said Nelson.
Nelson said that safe sleep practices are a top priority for Delivering Change. “We are really pushing safe sleep practices and so the wearable blanket is really encouraging in giving the parent that tool to take home and not have loose blankets in the crib with the baby.”
For more information on all of the services/platforms of Delivering Change, Healthy Moms – Healthy Babies visit https://deliveringchange.org/about-us/.
Donations made to the United Way during Business Blitz Week in support of Delivering Change or the many other agencies supported by the United Way of Junction City – Geary County will be announced on 1420 KJCK AM radio station as well as published on JC Post.
To make a donation to the United Way of Junction City – Geary County visit https://www.unitedwayjcgc.org/ or call 238-2117.
For a list of the agencies supported by the United Way visit https://www.unitedwayjcgc.org/.
