A total of 166 people were incarcerated in the Geary County Detention Center this past Monday.

During an appearance on JC Now on the Talk of JC, KJCK AM, Whitebread said approximately 20 to 30 of those inmates need mental health assessments and medications. “And they’re cutting back at the state. We’re paying for them in the jail, and it’s costing us big money to keep those people in jail. Not only that they’re not out in society being positive citizens, which many of them could be if they had medication and were on their medication.”

Whitebread noted earlier in the week that 166 is an all time high for inmates in the county jail.

Much of the problem has been attributed to state funding cutbacks in the area of mental health.

Eagle Communications continues its track record of growth with the acquisition of Hays-based SICOIR, a residential and business technology support company.

The move will create a new service team within Eagle’s growing broadband footprint — Eagle Managed Services.

Eagle Broadband General Manager Travis Kohlrus said, “The goal of the acquisition is to strengthen the Eagle Communications residential and business support offerings. By adding nine IT experts and a host of new technology tools and solutions, Eagle now will be able to better manage and support home and business needs with one call.”

The new employees will include expertise in network configuration, security, cloud services, web design, support and troubleshooting and repair of business hardware and software. Eagle’s residential support offerings will also be expanding to include computer repair, remote desktop support, email support, data recovery and spyware and virus removal.

Kohlrus continued, “This addition to our company is an important piece to better serve our customers and to exceed their needs when it comes to technology support. It allows Eagle to be a single stop for all of their home and business needs. One call, with customizable solutions that be can scaled up or down based on need or budget, with the same great service that customers expect. Throughout the years, Eagle has an excellent history of partnering with SICOIR on different projects. It is a local company built from the same values as Eagle, and it is exciting to welcome nine new Employee-Owners to the team.”

“Just like the SICOIR name implies, ‘Simple Ideas Can Often Initiate Revolutions,’ Eagle’s merger with SICOIR will continue to revolutionize the customer experience into the future and allow us to offer more products and services and reach customers in more locations,” said Dallas Haselhorst, SICOIR co-owner. Eagle’s new Managed Services team will remain located at SICOIR’s current location, 1503 E. 27th, Hays. Eagle Managed Services will continue to support its current businesses and home users in Hays, the surrounding communities, and everywhere Eagle provides service.

“At Eagle, we are proud to be one of the fastest growing employee-owned companies and we are excited to keep our communities connected with innovative technology.” said Gary Shorman, President and CEO of Eagle Communications.  “The addition of new residential and business support products are just one more way we continue to serve our customers better — with local support, and people that are part of your community.”

Eagle Communications, Inc. is a Kansas-based Broadband Services and Media Company with more than 285 Employee-Owners. The company operates 28 radio stations in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, as well as cable TV systems in 59 Kansas, Nebraksa and Colorado communities. The company also offers e-business solutions, web hosting, telephone service, high-speed internet, and wireless internet in most service areas.

For more information, visit www.eaglecom.net.

Disclosure: Eagle Communications is the parent company of Hays Post.

Christian music rocked the stage Thursday evening at the Sundown Salute.

Sharon Glessner, Sundown Salute Director says the turnout was pretty good for the opening night.

“It looks like we really have a good turnout – I’m estimating a couple thousand,” said Glessner.

Todd Agnew and Among the Thirsty were the performing acts on the Heritage Park main stage.

Glessner’s hopes for the holiday weekend?

“I’m going to say no rain, no rain is in the forecast – that’s what’s in my mind,” lauged Glessner. “We would like to have 10,000 [people] every day, probably starting tomorrow we’d be very happy.”

An expected crowd booster is likely Sunday night’s concert with Bret Michaels.

Glesnner says bringing Michaels to Junction City has been in the works for years.

“He has been wanting to come here for about five years. The gentleman that books all the bands for me – Dave Majors – has booked many concerts for Bret all over the country, and Bret has always said ‘hey I hear about this event, and they really support the military, how can I get in to that event’ and Dave is like, ‘well, we can get that’. [In the past] it just hasn’t worked out with timing and all of that for him until this year,” said Glessner.

Glessner says the crowd size that Bret Michaels could potentially generate is “insane”.

“It could easily be 25,000, which is insane down here at this park (Heritage Park). It’s going to be side by side and really tight, but it will be an awesome concert,” said Glessner.

Bret Michaels hits the stage Sunday at 9:00 pm.

All zones at Milford Lake have been placed in a “Warning” level for blue green algae.

According to the Corps of Engineers, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment results from lake samples taken this past Monday indicate high levels of blue green algae cells in all zones ( A,B, and C ) at Milford Lake….meaning the north end, the middle, and southern portion of the lake.

Zones A, B, and C will be posted in a “Warning” level until next week’s test results are available.

Designated beaches operated by the Corps of Engineers and Milford State Park will be closed during this period.

In a warning boating and fishing are still permissable, but direct contact with the water such as swimming and tubing are discouraged.

The Corps noted as a reminder, blue green algae may be spotty and move as the wind shifts, so boaters should use caution and move to a clear portion of the lake.

During the Fourth of July weekend, Fort Riley’s secondary access control points will be closed.

Beginning tonight, these are the hours of operation:

• Grant Gate – closed from 7:00 pm Thursday, June 30 to 5 am Tuesday, July 5th
• Estes Gate – closed from 7 pm Thursday, June 30 to 5 am Tuesday, July 5th
• 12th Street Gate privately owned (personal) vehicles – closed from 7pm Thursday, June 30 to 5 am Tuesday, July 5th
• 12th Street Gate commercial vehicles – open until 7pm Thursday, June 30; open 8am to 5pm Friday, July 1; closed Sunday and Monday

Individuals with a government issued ID card or Fort Riley issued visitor’s pass or badge must enter Fort Riley this weekend through the Henry, Ogden, Trooper, or Four Corners gates.

Visitors without a government issued ID card or Fort Riley issued visitor’s pass or badge must enter through the Henry Gate visitor center, which is open 24 hours.

For more information, visit www.riley.army.mil and click on the yellow “Accessing Fort Riley” button.

LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon will let transgender individuals serve openly in the U.S. military, ending one of the last bans on service in the armed forces.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced the change Thursday. Carter says it’s the right thing to do. He says only a person’s qualifications should matter, and that there should be no other unrelated barriers to service.

Carter’s announcement comes despite concerns from senior military leaders that the department is moving too fast and that more time is needed to work through the changes.

The changes will be phased in over a year. But by October 1, transgender troops should be able to receive medical care and begin formally changing their gender identification in the Pentagon’s personnel system.

Several construction projects are underway at Kansas State University:

• College of Business Administration Building:  new 155,000 spuare feet building is expected to be move-in ready late July
• Jon Wefald Hall:  129,00 square feet for more than 500 student – the university’s newest residence hall; park of the Kramer complex on Claflin Road is expected to be move-in ready by the start of the fall 2016 semester
• West Residence Hall:  renovations to bathrooms, fire sprinklers and fire alarms expected to be complete by start of fall semester
• Bill Snyder Family Stadium Phase III B:  northeast corner of the stadium construction expected to be complete by the fall semester
• Equine Performance Testing Facility:  new addition to the Veterinary Medicine Complex; construction of the $2.8 million facility, funded by Veterinary Health Center revenue, began in June and is expected to be complete by January 2017
• K-State Student Union:  $31 million renovation, funded by a flay $20 per semester increase in a student-approved privilege fee, is on schedule for grand opening in Spring 2017; this will update the southern appearance of the building, renovate retail areas,  and add several collaborative student lounges
• Chilled Water Plant and distribution project:  new Chilled Water Plant opened in Many; workers continue to install new chilled water pipes around campus; the project’s final major phaes, creating the Mid-Campus Drive pedestrian mall and building modifications to tie into the system are expected to be complete in the fall and May 2017
• Purebread Beef Teaching Unit:  construction to improve facility begins in July and completion is April 2017
• Seaton Hall renovation and expansion:  new construction will provide 194,000 spquare feet of space with interdisciplinary design labs, an outdoor teaching amphitheater, a 300-seat auditorium, consolidated fabrication and product design labs, an atrium comms and collaborative spaces;

As Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) month comes to an end, The VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System wants to continue raising awareness about PTSD during the Fourth of July holiday.

Many Veterans living with PTSD are not fond of the “loud fanfare” that comes with the Independence Day celebrations.

Dr. Jim Sharpnack, VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System’s Staff Psychologist and PTSD Clinical Team Program Manager says, “The auditory and visual triggers of fireworks can result in Veterans experiencing a temporary increase in some PTSD symptoms, and this situation is often further complicated by fireworks being used unexpectedly during an extended period of time around the 4th of July.”

VA Eastern Kansas Health care System has some recommendations for Verterans living with PTSD to help prepare for the holiday:

• for Veterans whom like to participate in Fourth of July activities–practice being  around loud noises prior to the holiday, to decrease the impact of the noises during celebrations
• wear noise-cancelling headphones as a way to eliminate the effects of sudden, loud noises during the holiday

Dr. Sharpnack says, “Although many Veterans want to spend time with their families, they often avoid this type of exposure and seek the isolation and safety of their own homes, which can often be misunderstood, as a lack of interest in family activities.”

Tips for community members that live near Veterans from the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System:

• wait until the 4th to set off fireworks
• don’t set off fireworks at odd hours or near homes
• reach out to neighbors and find out if they are Veterans and ask them how they feel about fireworks

VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System provided a list of some triggers for Veterans:

• Fireworks, firecrackers, and loud explosives (gun Fire), which can remind Veterans of combat firefights, etc
• crowds
• family gatherings with triggering and insensitive questions like “how many people did you kill?”

Tips to help support Veterans with PTSD from the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System:

• Ensure Veterans with PTSD know how to access treatment
• give some helpful pointers to Veterans on how to cope with triggers including:
  • use coping skills – planning ahead
  • being flexible
  • exercising good self care
  • dealing with problems early
  • thinking about consequences
  • slowing response down
  • reducing anxiety leveles so that the Veteran can choose how to respond, rather than reacting
  • seeking support from friends, family members and/or professionals, as needed

Warning signs for when your Veteran needs outside help from the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System:

• family and social relationship troubles – frequent and intense conflicts, poor communication, inability to meet responsibilities
• work, school, or community issues – frequent absences, conflicts, inability to meet deadlines, poor performance
• frequent or severe depressed or angry moods – especially if there is a possibility that they are going to hurt themselves or someone else
• being regularly hyper-alert or on guard, with frquent intrusive thoughts or images of war zone experiences

The National Center for PTSD has helpful information for Veterans and their family members:  https://www.ptsd.va.gov/