A little over a year after first hitting the road, Kansas State University’s Shelter medicine Mobile Surgery Unit has performed thousands of surgeries, helped a dozen animal shelters save on veterinary care costs and has drawn attention to the plight of homeless animals.

The Mobile Surgery Unit took its maiden trip on May 9,2015, with the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Brad Crauer, clinical assistant professor of clinical sciences; three fourth-year veterinary students; and a veterinary technician along to spay and neuter unowned pets at an area shelter. Students spend two weeks on the mobile unit rotation, providing surgery and veterinary care at no cost to participating shelters.

The Mobile Surgery Unit spent 218 days on the road in its first year and performed approximately 3,500 surgeries. For each trip students packed and loaded the 32-foot trailer with supplies for the day. the students use the up to two hours in travel time to reach participating shelters for classes and lectures to improve their knowledge of shelter medicine, procedures and the unique aspects of working with unowned animals.

The Juneteenth celebration was held in Heritage Park in Junction City on Saturday. It was the 21st year for the celebration which is based on the time in 1865 when slaves in Texas learned about the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt wants the state Supreme Court to rescind its warning that the state’s schools may close if the Legislature doesn’t fix funding inequities.

The high court found the state’s school funding system unconstitutional in February and set a June 30 deadline for the Legislature to correct it. A special legislative session is being held this month to address the issue.

Schmidt said Friday in a statement he filed a motion with the court requesting the court modify its May 27 order and make it clear that the court will ensure Kansas schools remain open.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Alan Rupe, the attorney for the school district in the school finance lawsuit, calls Schmidt’s request premature and says the court is exercising its constitutional authority.

The Kansas Department of Transportation has awarded an I-70 bridge repair project in Geary County to King Construction Compoany Inc. and Subsidiaries of Hesston, KS for $261,144.

The bridge is located at the I-70 – K-177 junction in the westbound lanes.

The Executive Director of the Geary County Historical Society, Jamie Clark, is resigning, effective Saturday ( June 11 ). Clark has served in the position for approximately one year.

Clark confirmed she is stepping down to focus on starting a family.

The 21st annual Juneteenth celebration in Junction City is Saturday ( June 11 ) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Heritage Park.

There will be educational displays, live music including among others performances by the 1st Infantry Division Jazz Band and the Kansas City based Marching Cobras drum group. Food and speakers are all part of the event.

Juneteenth recognizes the time in 1865 when former slaves in Texas learned about the Emanciplation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, freeing all slaves.

The Geary County Historical Society will host a presentation on Saturday ( June 11 ) at 1:30 p.m.   Joe Gelroth from the Konza Prairie will present C. P. Dewey and the Dewey Ranch.

C. P. Dewey was an entrepreneur who became involved in numerous enterprises in Kansas in the late 1880’s. Parts of the Dewey property later became the Konza Prairie.  Another well known Dewey enterprise in the area was Manhattan Beach and the Eureka Lake Resort.

The program is free and open to the public.