Emergency training will include the Geary County Office Building in September.
The County’s Emergency Management Director Garry Berges announced it will be an exercise in September. “We’ve got permission to shut down the County Office Building for two to three hours. We’re going to do a shooter in the workplace scenario.”
Berges added they look at real events that could happen and go in that direction with the training. He spoke about the subject on JC Now on KJCK AM, The Talk of JC.
Geary USD 475 has selected Luan Sparks as Director of Student Support Services. The position will replace the Instructional Coach Coordinator position within the Teaching and Learning department.
Sparks comes to Geary USD 475 from USD 473 Chapman. Her expertise in Title I was recognized when two schools within her district were named as 2012-2013 Title I Reward Schools.
Sparks received her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Oklahoma State University and a M.Ed. in Building Administration from Wichita State University. She holds a certificate in Special Education Coordination and Supervision from Emporia State University.
Dr. Beth Hudson, Associate Superintendent of Schools noted that in addition to responsibilities for Title I programs, Sparks will also assume leadership for At Risk programs.
A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for about 40 minutes for Geary, Dickinson, Riley, western Pottawatomie, western Morris, and eastern Clay counties Thursday evening.
The National Weather Service reported 60 mph wind gusts three miles east of Milford Lake, and a trained weather spotter reported 60 mph winds on the northwest side of Junction City.
Law enforcement authorities have not reported any major damage with the storm, which also included heavy rain.
The Corps of Engineers has released the latest Kansas Department of Health & Environment lake sample test results for blue green algae at Milford Lake.
A closure is in effect for Zone C, the north end of the lake. Boat ramps at the Clay County Parks and the Fort Riley Marina will be closed. Boasters and water related activities are not permitted in that zone which goes from Madison Creek north the Highway 82 causeway.
Zone B in the middle part of the lake is under a watch. Limited exposure to the water is encouraged.
Zone a on the south end of the lake is clear.
Lake users are reminded that blue green algae may move as the wind shifts, boaters should use caution and move to a clear portion of the lake.
The race for the Presidential election this November will be one of the most historic races in the history of our country; but why are so many young people dissatisfied with politics?
I embarked upon an investigative journey where I met three Junction City residents between 21 and 30 years of age. Two were registered voters, and one was not – but they all shared a distaste for our current political system.
I wanted to know if younger people knew about any of the candidates for the local elections, or even that the local election was days away.
“Unfortunately, I’m having to vote for the lesser of two evils,” said 30 year old Adam Ard.
Ard, a registered Libertarian says that the current Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson doesn’t represent his views.
“I can not morally vote for Hillary Clinton, so I’m somewhat forced to either write in Mr. Johnson or vote for Mr. Trump. I feel that Mr. Trump aligns with some of the values that I hold dear so unfortunately it looks like I’m probably going to have to vote for him,” said Ard.
Unlike the other two individuals I came across, Ard was aware of at least one of the candidates in the local primaries on August 2nd.
“Mr. Allbritton has kind of peaked my interest a little bit on some of his stances and issues – but the jury is still out on that vote for me, but I will be deciding before election day,” said Ard.
On the opposite end of the spectrum meet Meghan Bennett, 21, who says she is not registered to vote and does not plan to register.
“Honestly, I don’t want either of them to win,” began Bennett referring to the presidential candidates. “I don’t agree with either of them…and my opinion actually doesn’t matter, it’s the electoral college that ends up deciding it.”
I asked Bennett if she would consider voting for the 1st District Senate race or the 68th District House Race to hopefully influence decisions in the nation’s capitol; Bennett not only said no, but she didn’t know any of the candidates.
“The only way you’re going to hear about that is watching the news, and I guess most people don’t sit there and watch the news, they watch other stuff; or [they could] read the paper and I don’t think many people read the paper anymore,” said Bennett.
This begs the question – do young people watch the news anymore?
Twenty-five year old Cameron Edwards says not only does he watch the news, but he is passionate about politics.
“I’ve lived in many other states and it’s more involved with the community and stuff – voting and all that – around here, I don’t really see many young people voting which is kind of heart breaking because I am really passionate about politics,” said Edwards.
Edwards added that the local elections have failed to advertise to younger demographics, stating: “It seems like they run it themselves.”
“With people my age you really have to do your own research on the people; they don’t give you the tools to really know about the candidates or anything locally and that’s one thing that I think needs to change,” said Edwards.
While Edwards was unfamiliar with any of the local candidates for county commission or the 68th District House of Representatives for example, he did have strong feelings on the presidential race.
“It’s just corrupt. Hillary should be in prison and Trump is just there to make everything look appalling so everybody votes for Hillary…and Bernie Sanders is obviously a good candidate, but there’s no way the establishment would get behind him. It’s all money driven and everybody my ages knows it. I haven’t met one person that actually voted for Hillary, and somehow she’s the nominee,” said Edwards.
Edwards added that he doesn’t know many Trump suppporters but those he has met have been in stark contrast to his beliefs.
What is it about Hillary Clinton that has people so bothered; and could the Democratic Party’s vote to nominate her over Bernie Sanders have caused irreparable damage?
Is Donald Trump a bigot, a bad businessman – or any of the other things people have called him? Would he be a better choice than Hillary?
Do local candidates need to make more of an effort to reach a younger demographic; or will the majority of millenials remain frustrated, uneducated about the political system, and continually refuse to get involved in local politics?
I’d love to hear from you – millenials and older voters.
Sound off in the comments or send an email with your contact information for an interview to dee.mcdougald@eagleradio.net.
Vote on August 2nd in the local primaries; for your polling place and a sample ballot visit VOTE KS.
Thursday afternoon, the Brookdale Senior Living Facility honored the men of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiment – The Buffalo Soldiers.
In 1940 Albert Curley joined the army just out of 1
1th grade. Needing parental consent to join, his mother refused and Curley’s brother signed using their mother’s signature.
Curley was sworn in as part of Troop A of the 9th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Riley – the horse calvary.
The men were given the name “Buffalo Soldiers” by the Native Americans because buffalo were hard to kill as were the horse calvary soldiers.
The Buffalo Soldiers were an all African-American calvary, where some suggest the name by Native American came from the texture of their hair resembling that of the buffalo.
Retired First Sergeant Curley served 28 years in the US Army.
Curley was honored as one of the last survivors of the 9th Horse Calvary.
Other Brookdale Veterans honored at the ceremony include: Harold Buick, Harlan Henry, Daniel Vogler, and Phil Willhoite.
With the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce board meeting yesterday, more information was released on a proposed sports complex in Geary County.
Many of our readers have voiced very strong opinions objecting to the complex and the hire of a Project Manager to oversee the feasability and planning, amongst other things, of the project.
JC Post staff was contacted by a member of the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce who would like to release the following statement:
“The sports complex is funded by a percentage of transient guest tax which essentially comes from when people stay in a hotel. The sports complex is not looking to use sales, property, or income tax, but rather the goal is to raise the money through grants, private contributions, and other means of fund raising other than tax dollars. As far as restaurants and places to shop, there are several quality restaurants here and having a facility such as a sports complex has been proven to entice some of the larger chain restaurants and stores. Retail and restaurants use market reports based on sales and spending to determine if they will locate in a particular town. One of the best things you can do to help attract those kind of places is to shop local and help drive the economy up through your continued investment in the community.”
To our JC Post readers, thank you for your continued support, opinions and comments.
Roger Marshall, Republican candidate for the Kansas First District Congressional seat. said Thursday his top priority if elected will be to get a seat on the House Agriculture Committee.
Marshall visited the Junction City – Manhattan area on Thursday. “We’ve been endorsed by every major ag group in Kansas including Kansas Farm Bureau, the Kansas Livestock Association, on and on, and they will be a big proponent of helping us get back on that House Ag Committee.
Marshall is challenging incumbent Republican Tim Huelskamp,who was removed from the House Ag Committee by former House Speaker John Boehner.
The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that Deputies responded to the 6900 blockof Humboldt Creek Road for a single vehicle accident Wednesday.
Kathy Kinderknecht, Council Grove, was driving a Maroon GMC Acadia northbound when she swerved to miss an animal, causing her to swerve into the ditch. Minor injuries were reported.
Geary County is in the process of trying to become a “Breastfeeding Welcome Here” Community.
The Director of Marketing for the Geary County Perinatal Coalition, Ashley King said in order for Geary County to receive this designation business participation is needed as a “Breastfeeding Friendly Business”. All that is asked of your business is to display a “Breastfeeding Welcome Here” window decal in full view of all when entered into your business establishment. You would pledge to provide a welcoming environment where breastfeeding mothers are able to sit anywhere and enjoy a welcoming attitude from staff, management and, to the fullest extent possible, other customers while breastfeeding.
You ARE NOT required to have a private room when becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Business.
If you and your business is interested in becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Business contact Ashley King, Director of Marketing for the Geary County Perinatal Coalition.