Essence Carter, a Fort Riley dependent, was recently named regional military youth of the year by Boys & Girls Club. She was awarded a $40,000 scholarship and is a finalist for National Youth of the Year.
( Photo from Fort Riley )
Category: Local
Garrison Safety Day at Fort Riley Friday
Fort Riley officials have announced that the Garrison Safety Office in partnership with all directorates across the installation will host a Garrison Safety Day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Riley’s Conference Center.
Approximately 19 organizations will have booths with educational opportunities for the people of the Fort Riley community.
According to Installation safety manager Rick Hearron, the event will emphasize safety for the workforce for the summer.
This event is geared toward the civilian workforce but is open to the public. According to Hearron the event educates people in the Fort Riley community about activities that typically cause more accidents during the summer months. There will be grease fire demonstrations, hazards of alcohol and emergency preparedness information.
The event is mandatory for garrison employees.
Geary County Changing Employee Health Insurance Carriers
The Geary County Commission has decided to chance the insurance coverage for County emplpoyees, effective August 1.
Commissioner Florence Whitebread said they’ll go with Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “For one reason, the benefits, the availabilities, Blue Cross and Blue Shield is very recognized by many, many offices and we’re limited in some of the carriers for others.”
Whitebread pointed to a good deal on premiums and deductibles for the approximate 250 county employees.
For example a single policy will cost an employee $16 per month out of their pocket, while the family policy will total $507 for the approximate 250 county employees.
The County has utilized United Healthcare in the past. Whitebread confirmed the County will retain dental coverage through Delta Dental.
Many Kansas universities seeking higher tuition increases
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Many of Kansas’ state universities are asking the system’s governing board this week to approve tuition increases higher than first proposed a month ago.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports the University of Kansas wants tuition increased by 5 percent. That’s one percentage point higher than the school sought last month.
The state’s other universities propose tuition boosts ranging from 4.9 percent at Emporia State to 6 percent at Fort Hays State. Only the University of Kansas’ medical center and Wichita State did not increase their rate increase requests. They remain at 5 percent.
The revisions are in response to Gov. Sam Brownback’s signing last month of a state budget calling for additional higher education funding cuts.
The Kansas Board of Regents is to vote on the requests Wednesday.
GCH Breakfast & Open House
Geary Community Hospital will co-host with the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce a breakfast and open house at the Martha K. Hoover Women’s Center Conference room on Thursday, June 23.
The event will include a look at recent upgrades to the GCH Medical Arts I Building.
Birthline Merger
Birthline of Junction City has served the community in meeting the needs of babies and moms for the past 4 decades.
Now, they’re moving to another phase in our service to the Geary County, Junction City community. Effective Monday they have merged with the Pregnancy Service Center in Salina and have the new name of Pregnancy Service Center – JC. PSC is currently in this community twice a week with their van, providing free sonograms.
The van will still be here, but they’ve added an office location at 823 N. Washington St, and that address will be open on July 5th, with the same care and services that Birthline has offered all these years.
Zika Virus and West Nile: Prevention and Statistics
You’ve heard about it for months; you’ve seen the devastating side effects and health officials have linked it all to one singular insect – mosquitoes.
In the past few months there have been several reports of a “Zika outbreak” that is traveling from Central and South America into the United States.
As of June 8th, 2016 the Centers for Disease Control in the United States released the following information regarding the Zika virus in the United States, not including US Territories whose reported cases are much higher:
- Travel associated cases reported: 691
- Locally acquired vector-borne cases reported: 0
- Of the 691 total: 11 sexually transmitted
According to the CDC Zika virus often has no symptoms to those affected, but for some sy
mptoms can include: fever, rash, joint pain, muscle pain or headaches. People very rarely die from Zika, but the virus remains in the blood for about a week after the infection – sometimes longer.
In pregnant women, the Zika virus has been known to cause a birth defect called microcephaly.
While Kansas has yet to experience a Zika virus outbreak, Julie Hettinger, Community Health Planner of the Geary County Health Department says that “the best way we can prepare for [Zika] is as individuals protecting ourselves by wearing long clothing, using insect repellent and getting rid of the breeding places that mosquitoes lay their eggs.”
Hettinger says that some of these breeding places include “standing water that isn’t changed very often ,” which could include your dog’s water bowls.
“We don’t have the type of mosquito that transmits the Zika virus, so we want to be focused on protecting against West Nile [virus], which is what we usually have several cases of each year [that are] locally transmitted,” said Hettinger.
With the high amount of rain this year, it isn’t surprising that the mosquito population in Kansas has flourished.
In Sedgwick county, high numbers of mosquitoes known to transmit the West Nile virus have been found. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said that the rise in the number of Culex mosquitoes (responsible for West Nile) is likely to increase statewide.
“Since we have some of the same climate and environment, I would suspect that there is a chance that we [already] have those mosquitoes that carry West Nile,” said Hettinger.
Hettinger said other ways to mosquito proof your home are to make sure your screens don’t have holes in them and to use netting to help keep mosquitoes out.
West Nile virus is transmitted through mosquito bites and not from person to person.
According to the CDC, almost 80% of those affected by the virus experience no symptoms. About 1 in 5 people will experience fever, vomiting, rashes, and diarrhea; those affected in this way often make a full recovery but fatigue and loss of strength can last for weeks. Only approximately 1% of people will develop a serious neurological issue such as meningitis. This recovery can take months; about 10% of those affected with neurological illnesses will die.
There were 34 West Nile cases in Kansas last year according to KDHE , with just over half requiring hospitalization. 2012 was a record year in Kansas with 57 cases of West Nile virus.
From the Kansas Department of Health and Environment here are some tips to help combat mosquitoes:
- Empty standing water from tarps, old tires, buckets and other places where rainwater is trapped. Use larvicide in low-lying areas where water cannot be removed. Refresh water for bird baths, pet bowls and wading pools at least every three days.
- Limit outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear protective clothing when practical (long sleeves and pants).
For more information on Zika and West Nile viruses visit jcgchealthdept.org for the Geary County Health Department website or call them directly at 785-762-5788.
Boots, Chaps and Cowboy Hats
The Geary Community Healthcare Foundation held their 14th annual westernfundraising event, Boots, Chaps and Cowboy Hats on Friday, June 10th at Bob and Lynn Small’s big red country barn, and raised $15,629.49 to support Geary County Schools
USD 475 school nurses. Over 100 guests enjoyed a BBQ meal prepared by Cox Brothers BBQ and a frozen desert bar by FroYo Junction.
The silent auction raised $2,274, and the live auction raised $3,700, with a Sunset Cruise on Milford Lake for 8 donated by Milford Lake Marina, Tim Date; a Mexican
Fiesta Dinner Buffet for 8 donated by Al and Yolanda Bowyer, a two-day turkey hunt donated by Brad Roether, Grandpa Boone’s Cabins and Outfitters, and a Weber Genesis
E-310 Gas Grill donated by David and Laura Munson. After dinner, guests danced to music by Nashville recording artist, Rusty Rierson.
This event would not be possible without generous corporate sponsors: 1420 KJCK Eagle Radio; Valley View Senior Life; KS State Bank; Godfrey’s Indoor Shooting & Archery Ranges; and underwriters.
Commenting on the event, Executive Director, Jolana Montgomery-Matney said, “Even with the hot temperature, it was a very successful event! We want to thank our supporters for their continued support of our events and the healthcare needs in Geary County.”
Jolana Montgomery – Matney, Executive Director
Sharolyn Adams, Administrative Assistant
1 of 1
18-year-old first female infantry soldier in Kansas
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An 18-year-old Kansan has become the first woman in Kansas to enlist as a U.S. Army infantry soldier.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Tristan Guzman Guzman swore in on May 24 in Olathe. She said she knew she wanted to go into the military since she was 11.
Women couldn’t be infantry soldiers until the federal decision lifting gender-based restrictions from all military positions became effective in January. An infantry soldier is a land combat soldier trained in face-to-face combat and bears the brunt of warfare on the front lines.
Guzman was a three-sport athlete in high school in Allen will also receive an airborne classification. That means after she completes basic training next year at Fort Benning she’ll attend another training session to receive her airborne status.
Funding Changes May Affect Parents as Teachers Families
The Kansas Department of Education is now funding the Early Childhood Block Grant program, Parents as Teachers, through a different funding source named Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). This funding source has different PAT eligibility criteria than the previous source.
These funds may only be used to provide services to families that meet at least one of the eligibility criteria that qualifies under the federal guidelines for the TANF program. As of July 1, 2016 eligibility to receive services will have to change to meet the eligibility standards of the new funding source. Parents will be notified of these changes by PAT Educators throughout the month of June to make sure families are aware and can continue services if they qualify.
Earlier this year The Kansas Children’s Cabinet which administers the Early Childhood Block Grant notified school districts that funding would be cut by 14%. As a result of this funding cut the number of families that can be served through PAT programs state wide will have to adjust as well as the number of children PAT can serve.
USD 475 plans to serve as many families as possible that meet the new criteria. They include teen parent, child with disabilities or chronic health conditions, parents with disabilities or chronic health conditions, parent with mental illness, low educational attainment, low income, recent immigrant or refugee family, substance abuse, court-appointed legal guardians and / or foster care, homeless or unstable housing, incarcerated parent(s), very low birth weight, death in the immediate family, domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, military family, and multiple live births.
Parents as Teachers is a no-cost, early learning program for parents, grandparents and guardians whose children are birth to Kindergarten. This home-based parent education and family support program is designed to help give children the best possible start in life. PAT Educators provide research-based learning activities and information to help children meet age-appropriate developmental guidelines. Parent Educators (through weekly/monthly home visits) provide parents with:
- Information on child development
- Playgroups
- Encouragement and ideas for parent-child activities that enhance language development and intellectual growth
- Activity ideas to help a child’s social development and motor skills
Hugh Davis, Executive Director of Communications