JROTC Cadet Command corporate headquarters is inspecting the JCHS JROTC Blue Jay Battalion today. This inspection takes place every 5 years.
This is an all-day inspection filled with drilling, portfolio and program reviews. At the end of the briefing today ( Tuesday ) the Blue Jay Battalion will get their score and see where the program ranks in the nation.
The information was provided by the Executive Director of Communications for USD 475, Hugh Davis.
There will be a look ahead at the 2016 recreation season at Milford Lake when lake area stakeholders meet on May 4. The meeting is scheduled from 1-4 p.m. at the Milford Lake Conference Center at Acorns Resort.
There will be summary and discussion of 2015 blue green algae impacts, plus discussion on zebra mussel impacts clearly visible at boat ramps, and the periodic inspection and dewatering set for July 12 and 13.
Other topics to be covered include a Gathering Pond access update, seasonal camping policy, Kansas Department of Health & Environment Hazardous Algal Bloom policy, and there will be a roundtable discussion featuring multiple organizations and agencies.
The agenda also includes a lake level management public information meeting from about 2-4 p.m. where will representatives from the Kansas Water Office and Kansas City District Corps Water Management will provide information and answer questions on the management of the Milford Lake water elevation, and how multiple authorized purposes factor into those decisions. Information will be provided and there will be an interactive public meeting.
The Geary USD 475 Board of Education has recognized the schools that are leading the District in energy conservation for the past quarter. District schools were broken down into one of three categories based upon overall student population for the building, and total square footage of the building.
In the small elementary category, Sheridan Elementary School was the leader with a 17.6% reduction over the past quarter.
In the large elementary group, Ware Elementary had a 35.6% reduction.
And in the secondary category Junction City High School had an 18.1% reduction over the past quarter.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog in the morning. A 30 percent chance of rain showers in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 60s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 40s. North winds up to 5 mph shifting to the northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 60s. West winds up to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with slight chance of rain showers. Lows in the upper 40s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny with slight chance of rain showers. Highs in the lower 70s.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s.
Friday: Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.
Friday Night: Clear. Lows in the lower 50s.
Saturday: Sunny. Highs around 80.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s.
Sunday: Mostly sunny with a 30 percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 80.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 50s.
Monday: Partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s.
The Geary USD 475 Board of Education honored some of the best and brightest in the community on Monday. The occasion was the Board’s quarterly celebration meeting.
Shining Star awards went to top employees in the district. They included:
–Kim Alonzo, Para at Sheridan Elementary School
–Aaron Cox, World Geography teacher at Fort Riley Middle School
–Nancy Dettmer, Health Science instructor at Junction City High School
–and Walter Webster, Social Studies teacher at Junction City High School.
Superintendent 3Rs Award recipients:
–Shelby Osborne, Eisenhower Elementary
–Taylor Tracy, Fort Riley Elementary
–Stephanie Stanislow, Franklin Elementary
–Jaiden Simpson, Grandview Elementary
–Emeline Stevens, Jefferson Elementary
–La”Travon Grace-Sims, Lincoln Elementary
–Haley Blickhahn, Milford Elementary
–Des’Marie Rivera, Morris Hill Elementary
–Hayden Coughlin, Seitz Elementary
–Konnor Coffey, Sheridan Elementary
–Gustavo Gonzalez, Spring Valley Elementary
–Haylee Robinson, Ware Elementary
–Keaton Savath, Washington Elementary
–Emelia Sandoval, Westwood Elementary
Superintendents Award of Excellence was presented in recognition of efforts to enhance emergency preparedness in the school district. Partnering agencies that have made signification contributions to the safety of the district’s staff and students through their participation in the USD 475 programs over the past year were recognized. Their representatives at the celebration meeting included:
–Fort Riley Police Department, Shannon Wilson, Deputy Chief of Police
–Fort Riley Fire Department, Assistant Chief Vesper
–Geary Community Hospital, Howard Whittaker, Director of Facilities
–Geary County Emergency Management, Garry Berges, Director, and Curt Janke, Assistant Director
–Junction City Fire Department, Rick Rook, Acting Fire Chief
–Junction City Police Department, Chief Tim Brown.
The Saint Xavier School fundraiser auction Saturday night in Junction City raised $119,000. The total was released by the principal of the school, Shawn Augustine.
He reported that the large bid items were air conditioning for the Bradley Gym, $14,500, dinner with Father Gale Hammerschmidt, $8,000 spread between two dinners at $4,000 apiece, and $5,100 for ATV.
The auction was held in the Bradley Gym.
Jerry Moran has filed for re-election to the U.S. Senate.
Moran filed the paperwork for his re-election campaign on Monday in Topeka.
“I’ll be clear about this. We don’t do this for a title. We don’t do this about a sign on the door that says U.S. Senator, rather it’s for a belief that we can and must return America to a country different and better than it is today.”
Moran stated in a video release that Americans have been asked to jdo something with our lives that makes a difference, “To rise to a higher calling. We know this calling. It’s something we feel deep down inside of us. It is the demand that is on us as American citizens as conservatives. Can’t look the other way, to not turn it over to somebody else or to quit.”
Moran added, “So today I’m asking you to stand with me, to not quit and to redouble those efforts…not just merely to continue the fight but to win it.” He will be seeking his second six-year term in the U.S. Senate. Prior to his service in the Senate Moran served 14 years in the U.S. House.
He is the only Republican candidate to file so far for the Senate seat. Patrick Wiesner, a Lawrence attorney, and Monique Singh-Bey of Kansas City, Kansas have filed for the Democratic nomination.
The rain Sunday and Monday has brought an end to the burn ban in Geary County.
Garry Berges, Rural Fire Chief, noted the ban was supposed to expire Monday, and officials decided to let it end. It will not be reissued. Berges met with the County Commission Monday morning. “With the amount of rain we’ve received, even though it’s not enough, it’s a good start.”
The County’s year long burn permit system will remain in effect. “That has not changed. People still need to call in and request permission to burn.”
The ban was imposed after a number of controlled grass fires got out of control. The ban led to a reduction in the number of fire calls last week, but Berges noted the County is still up on the number of fire calls overall for the month…..37 since April 1.
Geary County Treasurer Kathy Tremont has reminded the public that second half real and personal property taxes are due May 10. After that date interest will accrue daily and will be added to the tax.
There are options available to make payments, but the public is encouraged to mail payments in to avoid possibly waiting in line.
–You can come to the Geary County Office Building to make a payment. The office is located at the corner of 8th and Franklin. Tax payments can be made from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A drop box is also located outside of the office if one chooses, and a receipt will be mailed when indicated. The box is located on the south side of the building.
–Payment can be mailed to the Geary County Treasurer at 200 East 8th Street, Junction City, KS 66441.
–Online payments go to www.kansastreasurers.org
LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press
BAGHDAD (AP) — U.S. officials say the U.S. will send 200 more troops and a number of Apache helicopters to Iraq to assist in the fight against the Islamic State group.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the new forces will largely be used to advise Iraqi forces closer to the front lines.
In Iraq #SecDef announces accelerants to defeat #ISIL. List includes expanding advise & assist efforts to help Iraqi forces liberate Mosul
— U.S. Dept of Defense (@DeptofDefense) April 18, 2016
The announcement comes during a push to retake the key city of Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest. The decision reflect weeks of discussions with commanders and Iraqi leaders, and a decision by President Barack Obama to increase the authorized troop level in Iraq by 217 — or from 3,870 to 4,087.
Most of the additional troops would probably be Army special forces, who have been used to advise and assist the Iraqis. The remainder would include some trainers, security forces for the advisers, and more maintenance teams for the Apaches.
The advise-and-assist teams — made up of about a dozen troops each — would embed with Iraqi brigades and battalions, putting them closer to the fight, and at greater risk from mortars and rocket fire. They would have security forces with them.