Eight new additional positive COVID-19 cases were identified on Sunday in Geary County, according to Geary County Emergency Management. They involved men ages 33, 25, 32 and 41 and women ages 42, 17, 35 and 61.

5 New cases were added to Geary County totals on Saturday. They include women ages 19 and 60 plus a man, age 64, all of whom live at the same location. Two of the cases involve men ages 36 and 29.

On Monday the stats for Geary County will be updated.

Eight new additional positive COVID-19 cases were identified on Sunday in Geary County, according to Geary County Emergency Management. They involved men ages 33, 25, 32 and 41 and women ages 42, 17, 35 and 61.5 New cases were added to Geary County totals on Saturday. They include women ages 19 and 60 plus a man, age 64, all of whom live at the same location. Two of the cases involve men ages 36 and 29.On Monday the stats for Geary County will be updated.

More positive COVID-19 cases have been identified 

Bruce Snead, President of the Discovery Center Foundation Board, has announced that William Smriga of Manhattan is the new Director of the Foundation.

Smriga was the director of the K-State for many years&nbsp; and is a volunteer at the Discovery Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;

'I am excited for this new opportunity and look forward to working with everyone, " said Smriga. "There are challenges facing the Discovery Center, but I have confidence that I can help meet these challenges through this position."

"Bill's experience in hosting major events at the Union will help us as we plan our next Friend of the Flint Hills virtual celebration on Oct. 24, when we recognize the Flint Hills Map and Education project led by Emily Connell and Anne Wilson, " said Snead. Smriga replaces V. Marie Martin who retired in March after six years of service to the Foundation.

Bruce Snead, President of the Discovery Center Foundation Board, has announced that William Smriga of Manhattan is the new Director of the Foundation.Smriga was the director of the K-State for many years&nbsp; and is a volunteer at the Discovery Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;'I am excited for this new opportunity and look forward to working with everyone, " said Smriga. "There are challenges facing the Discovery Center, but I have confidence that I can help meet these challenges through this position.""Bill's experience in hosting major events at the Union will help us as we plan our next Friend of the Flint Hills virtual celebration on Oct. 24, when we recognize the Flint Hills Map and Education project led by Emily Connell and Anne Wilson, " said Snead. Smriga replaces V. Marie Martin who retired in March after six years of service to the Foundation.

New director named for the Discovery Center Foundation

High 91°	Mostly sunny with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the northeast in the afternoon.

High 91°	Mostly sunny with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the northeast in the afternoon.

Monday weather forecast

MANHATTAN – Americans have been canning foods at home for more than 100 years. Yet still, says Kansas State University food safety specialist Karen Blakeslee, there’s always something new to learn.&nbsp;

“There are many older methods that are not safe to use,” Blakeslee said. “So, it’s important to stay up to date.”&nbsp;

“There are a variety of mistakes that can lead to serious food safety problems when preserving food at home by canning. A vast majority of canning or sealing failures are due to user error. Just because the jar is sealed, that doesn’t mean the food is safe.”&nbsp;

Some common mistakes that Blakeslee listed include:&nbsp;

●Following old and unsafe recipes, some of which may have been passed down through generations of families.

●Following recipes that have not been tested and approved, or adhere to current USDA guidelines. The Internet is full of untested and unapproved recipes.

●Storing food in an unsafe location, such as a place where it is too hot, cold or moist.

●Not adjusting processing times for altitude.&nbsp;

Blakeslee, coordinator of K-State’s Rapid Response Center for Food Safety, maintains a website,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/preservation/index.html" target="_blank">Preserve it Fresh, Preserve it Safe</a>, with current guidelines for canning.&nbsp;

“In canning, the goal is to produce a safe product and reduce risks of botulism,” Blakeslee said. “Instances of botulism occur most often in home canned foods. Before canning any food, be sure to have all equipment ready to go.”&nbsp;

Some examples of preparing for home canning include examining canning jars so that they are clean and free of cracks or chips; ensuring that you have new lids – “never re-use canning lids as they may not seal,” Blakeslee said – and if using a dial gauge pressure canner, get it tested every year.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html" target="_blank">Contact your local extension office</a>&nbsp;to ask about testing a dial gauge pressure canner. Blakeslee said local offices can test four brands: National, Presto, Magic Seal and Maid of Honor pressure canners.&nbsp;

“Be sure that canning equipment is maintained and ready to use,” Blakeslee said. “Use the correct processing method for the type of food. Water bath canning (a lower-temperature process) will safely process high acid foods, such as jelly and fruit. Pressure canning (temperatures of 240 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) must be used for plain vegetables and all meats.”&nbsp;

“Along with using the correct processing method, be sure to adjust processing for your elevation,” she added. More information can be found in the publication,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3172.pdf" target="_blank">What’s Your Elevation.</a>&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.newellbrands.com/our-brands/ball" target="_blank">According to Newell Brands, Inc.,</a>&nbsp;a parent company of Ball brands, 35.1% of Americans who can foods do so one to two times per year, while 27.3% can seven or more times per year. “Most canning occurs between June and October, and picks up again during the holiday season,” Blakeslee said.&nbsp;

“Food preservation is a great family activity and can be very rewarding,” she added. It is a great way to preserve home grown food or food from a farmers market and then share the bounty with family and friends. Be smart about home canning for success.”&nbsp;

More food safety tips are available online from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">K-State Rapid Response Center</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596803639841.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN – Americans have been canning foods at home for more than 100 years. Yet still, says Kansas State University food safety specialist Karen Blakeslee, there’s always something new to learn.&nbsp;“There are many older methods that are not safe to use,” Blakeslee said. “So, it’s important to stay up to date.”&nbsp;“There are a variety of mistakes that can lead to serious food safety problems when preserving food at home by canning. A vast majority of canning or sealing failures are due to user error. Just because the jar is sealed, that doesn’t mean the food is safe.”&nbsp;Some common mistakes that Blakeslee listed include:&nbsp;●Following old and unsafe recipes, some of which may have been passed down through generations of families.●Following recipes that have not been tested and approved, or adhere to current USDA guidelines. The Internet is full of untested and unapproved recipes.●Using an incorrect jar size.●Using improper processing methods.●Storing food in an unsafe location, such as a place where it is too hot, cold or moist.●Adjusting the band too tightly.●Not adjusting processing times for altitude.&nbsp;Blakeslee, coordinator of K-State’s Rapid Response Center for Food Safety, maintains a website,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/preservation/index.html" target="_blank">Preserve it Fresh, Preserve it Safe</a>, with current guidelines for canning.&nbsp;“In canning, the goal is to produce a safe product and reduce risks of botulism,” Blakeslee said. “Instances of botulism occur most often in home canned foods. Before canning any food, be sure to have all equipment ready to go.”&nbsp;Some examples of preparing for home canning include examining canning jars so that they are clean and free of cracks or chips; ensuring that you have new lids – “never re-use canning lids as they may not seal,” Blakeslee said – and if using a dial gauge pressure canner, get it tested every year.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html" target="_blank">Contact your local extension office</a>&nbsp;to ask about testing a dial gauge pressure canner. Blakeslee said local offices can test four brands: National, Presto, Magic Seal and Maid of Honor pressure canners.&nbsp;“Be sure that canning equipment is maintained and ready to use,” Blakeslee said. “Use the correct processing method for the type of food. Water bath canning (a lower-temperature process) will safely process high acid foods, such as jelly and fruit. Pressure canning (temperatures of 240 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) must be used for plain vegetables and all meats.”&nbsp;“Along with using the correct processing method, be sure to adjust processing for your elevation,” she added. More information can be found in the publication,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3172.pdf" target="_blank">What’s Your Elevation.</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newellbrands.com/our-brands/ball" target="_blank">According to Newell Brands, Inc.,</a>&nbsp;a parent company of Ball brands, 35.1% of Americans who can foods do so one to two times per year, while 27.3% can seven or more times per year. “Most canning occurs between June and October, and picks up again during the holiday season,” Blakeslee said.&nbsp;“Food preservation is a great family activity and can be very rewarding,” she added. It is a great way to preserve home grown food or food from a farmers market and then share the bounty with family and friends. Be smart about home canning for success.”&nbsp;More food safety tips are available online from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">K-State Rapid Response Center</a>.&nbsp;

Think safety first when canning food at home

MANHATTAN –&nbsp;Branch tip dieback, a progressive death of twigs and branches, can be worrisome to see on oak trees in summer, as these long-lived shade trees are a valued part of the Kansas landscape. But officials at the Kansas Forest Service say tip dieback is not always detrimental to the long-term health of the tree.&nbsp;

“There can be several causes for tip dieback on oaks,” said Ryan Armbrust, forest health coordinator with the Kansas Forest Service. “Drought or soil compaction can cause trees to respond with dieback at the very top of the tree, but this damage is often temporary, and can be overcome by some simple steps we can take to improve the health of the tree.” &nbsp;

Armbrust said symptoms can be eased by avoiding further soil compaction, simply waiting for regrowth when more rain arrives, or by being proactive and deep watering trees when it’s very dry. Even large, established trees benefit from supplemental water, he said.&nbsp;

Insects may also cause dieback on a number of trees, including oaks. In years with high cicada brood numbers, large numbers of branch tips may experience flagging, browning and even breaking due to cicada egg-laying behavior. Like the cicadas themselves, this is a temporary problem that will not affect long-term health of the tree, according to Armbrust.&nbsp;

Another pest, kermes scale, can cause tip dieback on oaks, especially pin oak. Armbrust said this small insect is somewhat camouflaged and looks more like a small bump or wart on the twig than a typical insect. Kermes scales suck sap out of small terminal branches, leaving behind many dead, brown branch tips across the tree’s canopy.&nbsp;

“In many cases, branch tip dieback on oaks and other shade trees may appear much more serious than it is and may not have a lasting impact on the tree’s overall health,” Armbrust said. He suggests monitoring trees for stressors and making case-by-case decisions on whether or not treatment may be needed.&nbsp;

While many infestations are minor and will cause no lasting harm to trees, Armbrust said heavy infestations may require treatment.&nbsp;

Treatment for kermes scale depends on the size of the tree, the species of the tree, and the capabilities of the applicator. For kermes on bur oak, a spring application of an insecticidal spray (such as cyfluthrin or acephate), a fine horticultural oil, or an insecticidal soap is effective at controlling kermes crawlers. &nbsp;

For pin oak kermes scale, he said, the methods are similar, but the timing for targeting scale crawlers is September. For these methods, good coverage of the tree is essential, therefore large trees may be difficult for homeowners to effectively apply treatments, and a certified arborist should be consulted.&nbsp;

Systemic control is also possible for kermes scale, with a late-fall soil drench of imidacloprid. Armbrust said care should be taken to limit uptake of this insecticide by any nearby insect-pollinated plants, as off-target impact to beneficial insects and pollinators could occur.&nbsp;

“Identifying and reducing sources of stress to trees is beneficial and can help keep your trees healthy and growing in the landscape for as long as possible,” he said.&nbsp;

More information is available online in two publications from K-State Research and Extension,&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/common-pest-problems/common-pest-problem-new/Kermes%20Oak%20Scale.pdf" target="_blank">Kermes Oak Scale</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3457.pdf" target="_blank">Scale Insect Pests.</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596932837779.jpeg" alt="This Pin Oak in McPherson County displays the effect of kermes scale through tip dieback. Photo courtesy Kansas Forest Service" />
 <figcaption>This Pin Oak in McPherson County displays the effect of kermes scale through tip dieback. Photo courtesy Kansas Forest Service</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN –&nbsp;Branch tip dieback, a progressive death of twigs and branches, can be worrisome to see on oak trees in summer, as these long-lived shade trees are a valued part of the Kansas landscape. But officials at the Kansas Forest Service say tip dieback is not always detrimental to the long-term health of the tree.&nbsp;“There can be several causes for tip dieback on oaks,” said Ryan Armbrust, forest health coordinator with the Kansas Forest Service. “Drought or soil compaction can cause trees to respond with dieback at the very top of the tree, but this damage is often temporary, and can be overcome by some simple steps we can take to improve the health of the tree.” &nbsp;Armbrust said symptoms can be eased by avoiding further soil compaction, simply waiting for regrowth when more rain arrives, or by being proactive and deep watering trees when it’s very dry. Even large, established trees benefit from supplemental water, he said.&nbsp;Insects may also cause dieback on a number of trees, including oaks. In years with high cicada brood numbers, large numbers of branch tips may experience flagging, browning and even breaking due to cicada egg-laying behavior. Like the cicadas themselves, this is a temporary problem that will not affect long-term health of the tree, according to Armbrust.&nbsp;Another pest, kermes scale, can cause tip dieback on oaks, especially pin oak. Armbrust said this small insect is somewhat camouflaged and looks more like a small bump or wart on the twig than a typical insect. Kermes scales suck sap out of small terminal branches, leaving behind many dead, brown branch tips across the tree’s canopy.&nbsp;“In many cases, branch tip dieback on oaks and other shade trees may appear much more serious than it is and may not have a lasting impact on the tree’s overall health,” Armbrust said. He suggests monitoring trees for stressors and making case-by-case decisions on whether or not treatment may be needed.&nbsp;While many infestations are minor and will cause no lasting harm to trees, Armbrust said heavy infestations may require treatment.&nbsp;Treatment for kermes scale depends on the size of the tree, the species of the tree, and the capabilities of the applicator. For kermes on bur oak, a spring application of an insecticidal spray (such as cyfluthrin or acephate), a fine horticultural oil, or an insecticidal soap is effective at controlling kermes crawlers. &nbsp;For pin oak kermes scale, he said, the methods are similar, but the timing for targeting scale crawlers is September. For these methods, good coverage of the tree is essential, therefore large trees may be difficult for homeowners to effectively apply treatments, and a certified arborist should be consulted.&nbsp;Systemic control is also possible for kermes scale, with a late-fall soil drench of imidacloprid. Armbrust said care should be taken to limit uptake of this insecticide by any nearby insect-pollinated plants, as off-target impact to beneficial insects and pollinators could occur.&nbsp;“Identifying and reducing sources of stress to trees is beneficial and can help keep your trees healthy and growing in the landscape for as long as possible,” he said.&nbsp;More information is available online in two publications from K-State Research and Extension,&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/common-pest-problems/common-pest-problem-new/Kermes%20Oak%20Scale.pdf" target="_blank">Kermes Oak Scale</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3457.pdf" target="_blank">Scale Insect Pests.</a>&nbsp;

Kan. Forest Service: Tip dieback on trees may not be permanent

My name is Eric Norris, I am the State Librarian of Kansas, and this is a response to <a href="https://www.cjonline.com/opinion/20200729/letter-to-editor-we-need-to-lean-on-libraries">Keri Strahler’s letter to the editor</a>&nbsp;printed on Thursday, July 30, in the Topeka Capital-Journal.

The State Library of Kansas, located on the third floor of the Capitol Building, is an agency of the Governor’s Office and though we are one of the oldest library organizations in the state, it is sometimes difficult to inform and educate the public about our work. Not to let a great opportunity go to waste, the following is a very brief and partial overview of a few services we provide at no cost to you, our patron.

The State Library makes available to all residents an extremely wide range of resources for work, life, and leisure. These include research databases covering a multitude of topics and disciplines through magazine, periodical and news coverage, encyclopedia and critical analysis, video, photos, statistical data, activities, and games.&nbsp;

Our skill-building collection includes language learning (non-English and ESL courses), resume, career, and job-seeking skills, literacy and reading skills, business and computer training, parenting and family information, crafts and hobbies, real estate, self-help, pet training, and much more.

The collection of digital books, in audio and ebook formats, circulated over 680,000 titles last year, and in our continued effort to meet current demand, popular and literary fiction along with timely non-fiction titles are featured and added constantly.

Since most digital books circulate from reader to reader, one check out at time, just like books off the shelf, an individual account is necessary to request and check out a title. The Kansas Library eCard is not a traditional library card. Rather it is an account that lets readers borrow from any of our digital book providers.&nbsp;

The research and skill building collections generally don't have this requirement, so for most Kansans, they are available and usable right from our website. When this doesn't work (for Kansans traveling, attending school or in military service outside the state), the eCard also lets you take your library with you, by providing alternate access to the same online materials available in-state.

During this current time of isolation and difficulty, it should be recognized that some of our content partners like Encyclopedia Britannica, EBSCO and Tumblebooks are providing all Kansans with new and expanded book and research resources at no additional cost to the State Library.&nbsp;

Another service of the State Library is the Talking Books of Kansas. Just this month, Talking Books celebrated 50 years of providing personalized support and materials specific to Kansans who are blind, have physical impairments, or are otherwise print disabled. Accessible audio and braille reading materials are available via mail at no cost to the patron or by direct download, to all qualifying Kansas residents of any age.&nbsp;

Through the pandemic, our dedicated staff have continued to engage and work with our Talking Book patrons through daily phone and email contact, providing themed reading lists and quarterly phone book discussions, and facilitating a yearlong Youth Reading Club.

Public libraries across the state are staying engaged with their communities online through so many exciting and imaginative ways – interactive story times, book clubs, trivia nights, author talks, photography clubs, writing workshops, cooking classes, genealogy groups, just to name a few that I have seen on Facebook alone. For those of us in Shawnee County, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of all that the Topeka &amp; Shawnee County Public Library has to offer by visiting <a href="https://tscpl.org/events">https://tscpl.org/events</a>.&nbsp;

Editor's Note: The Hays Public Library's activities page can be found <a href="https://hayslibrary.evanced.info/signup/Calendar">HERE</a>.

Undoubtedly, this is an unprecedented time of stress, we are unsure about almost all aspects of our lives and the immediate future. Everything feels strange, and temporary, and unstable, and frightening –but through all of this, the State Library of Kansas and your local public library have been stalwart in our dedication to serving our communities.&nbsp;

It might not look the same as it did at the beginning of the year, it might not be what you would have imagined, but every librarian in Kansas is working out how to keep providing the same access to informational, educational, and recreational materials and programs you would normally expect.

Ms. Strahler’s letter was titled “We need to lean on libraries” and I couldn’t agree more. If I have learned anything in almost 15-years of working with and for public libraries in Kansas – we are here for you and, to paraphrase the late Bill Withers, we can help you carry on.

More information about the State Library of Kansas and contact information can be found at our website,&nbsp;<a href="https://kslib.info/">https://kslib.info/</a>&nbsp;

Eric Norris is a native Kansan who received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas, MA from Fort Hays State University, and MLS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Prior to joining the State Library in 2018, he served as the Adult Department Librarian and Director of the Hays Public Library. He has also worked as a Director of Human Resources and a newspaper reporter.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596738441444.jpeg" alt="Kansas State Librarian Eric Norris is Fort Hays State University alum and former director of the Hays Public Library.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State Librarian Eric Norris is Fort Hays State University alum and former director of the Hays Public Library.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>My name is Eric Norris, I am the State Librarian of Kansas, and this is a response to <a href="https://www.cjonline.com/opinion/20200729/letter-to-editor-we-need-to-lean-on-libraries">Keri Strahler’s letter to the editor</a>&nbsp;printed on Thursday, July 30, in the Topeka Capital-Journal.The State Library of Kansas, located on the third floor of the Capitol Building, is an agency of the Governor’s Office and though we are one of the oldest library organizations in the state, it is sometimes difficult to inform and educate the public about our work. Not to let a great opportunity go to waste, the following is a very brief and partial overview of a few services we provide at no cost to you, our patron.The State Library makes available to all residents an extremely wide range of resources for work, life, and leisure. These include research databases covering a multitude of topics and disciplines through magazine, periodical and news coverage, encyclopedia and critical analysis, video, photos, statistical data, activities, and games.&nbsp;Our skill-building collection includes language learning (non-English and ESL courses), resume, career, and job-seeking skills, literacy and reading skills, business and computer training, parenting and family information, crafts and hobbies, real estate, self-help, pet training, and much more.The collection of digital books, in audio and ebook formats, circulated over 680,000 titles last year, and in our continued effort to meet current demand, popular and literary fiction along with timely non-fiction titles are featured and added constantly.Since most digital books circulate from reader to reader, one check out at time, just like books off the shelf, an individual account is necessary to request and check out a title. The Kansas Library eCard is not a traditional library card. Rather it is an account that lets readers borrow from any of our digital book providers.&nbsp;The research and skill building collections generally don't have this requirement, so for most Kansans, they are available and usable right from our website. When this doesn't work (for Kansans traveling, attending school or in military service outside the state), the eCard also lets you take your library with you, by providing alternate access to the same online materials available in-state.During this current time of isolation and difficulty, it should be recognized that some of our content partners like Encyclopedia Britannica, EBSCO and Tumblebooks are providing all Kansans with new and expanded book and research resources at no additional cost to the State Library.&nbsp;Another service of the State Library is the Talking Books of Kansas. Just this month, Talking Books celebrated 50 years of providing personalized support and materials specific to Kansans who are blind, have physical impairments, or are otherwise print disabled. Accessible audio and braille reading materials are available via mail at no cost to the patron or by direct download, to all qualifying Kansas residents of any age.&nbsp;Through the pandemic, our dedicated staff have continued to engage and work with our Talking Book patrons through daily phone and email contact, providing themed reading lists and quarterly phone book discussions, and facilitating a yearlong Youth Reading Club.Public libraries across the state are staying engaged with their communities online through so many exciting and imaginative ways – interactive story times, book clubs, trivia nights, author talks, photography clubs, writing workshops, cooking classes, genealogy groups, just to name a few that I have seen on Facebook alone. For those of us in Shawnee County, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of all that the Topeka &amp; Shawnee County Public Library has to offer by visiting <a href="https://tscpl.org/events">https://tscpl.org/events</a>.&nbsp;Editor's Note: The Hays Public Library's activities page can be found <a href="https://hayslibrary.evanced.info/signup/Calendar">HERE</a>.Undoubtedly, this is an unprecedented time of stress, we are unsure about almost all aspects of our lives and the immediate future. Everything feels strange, and temporary, and unstable, and frightening –but through all of this, the State Library of Kansas and your local public library have been stalwart in our dedication to serving our communities.&nbsp;It might not look the same as it did at the beginning of the year, it might not be what you would have imagined, but every librarian in Kansas is working out how to keep providing the same access to informational, educational, and recreational materials and programs you would normally expect.Ms. Strahler’s letter was titled “We need to lean on libraries” and I couldn’t agree more. If I have learned anything in almost 15-years of working with and for public libraries in Kansas – we are here for you and, to paraphrase the late Bill Withers, we can help you carry on.More information about the State Library of Kansas and contact information can be found at our website,&nbsp;<a href="https://kslib.info/">https://kslib.info/</a>&nbsp;Eric Norris is a native Kansan who received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas, MA from Fort Hays State University, and MLS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Prior to joining the State Library in 2018, he served as the Adult Department Librarian and Director of the Hays Public Library. He has also worked as a Director of Human Resources and a newspaper reporter.&nbsp;

NORRIS: Kansas State Library a key resource — especially now

Junction City police hosted their annual summer block party in Heritage Park Friday evening. There were activities ranging from Mumba, SWAT and Taser / Less Lethal demonstrations to free food, a dunk tank a car show&nbsp; and a movie in the park.

Police Chief John Lamb said the event gave the members of the Department to interact with the community. "It's not the call to call that the officers have to go to. It's a great opportunity to come out in a positive light for the officer to interact with the community and people who really want to come out and show their support for law enforcement."

Lamb noted that the JCPD hopes to more events of this sort, and he added that in the current pandemic JCPD is adapting. "Everybody is improving and getting better as we go so that's why we confident that we could put on this event and make sure everybody is having a good time but practicing safe measures."

Lamb participated in the dunk tank to help raise funds for the Shop With A Cop program in which needy children receive Christmas gifts and a breakfast meal during the holiday season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596901336534.jpeg" alt="Summer block party in Heritage Park" />
 <figcaption>Summer block party in Heritage Park</figcaption>
 </figure>By Dewey TerrillJC PostJunction City police hosted their annual summer block party in Heritage Park Friday evening. There were activities ranging from Mumba, SWAT and Taser / Less Lethal demonstrations to free food, a dunk tank a car show&nbsp; and a movie in the park.Police Chief John Lamb said the event gave the members of the Department to interact with the community. "It's not the call to call that the officers have to go to. It's a great opportunity to come out in a positive light for the officer to interact with the community and people who really want to come out and show their support for law enforcement."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596900978984.jpeg" alt="Car Show at the summer block party" />
 <figcaption>Car Show at the summer block party</figcaption>
 </figure>Lamb noted that the JCPD hopes to more events of this sort, and he added that in the current pandemic JCPD is adapting. "Everybody is improving and getting better as we go so that's why we confident that we could put on this event and make sure everybody is having a good time but practicing safe measures."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596900962537.jpeg" alt="Police Chief John Lamb participated in the dunk tank." />
 <figcaption>Police Chief John Lamb participated in the dunk tank.</figcaption>
 </figure>Lamb participated in the dunk tank to help raise funds for the Shop With A Cop program in which needy children receive Christmas gifts and a breakfast meal during the holiday season.

Police host a summer block party

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), has revised its list of public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae.

Since Thursday’s update, Milford Lake Zone A has moved to a warning, while Milford Lake Zones B and C have been downgraded to a watch. Additionally, Agra Lake in Phillips County has been added to the watch list.

<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kdheks.gov%2Falgae-illness%2Fdownload%2Fmilford-lake-zoned.pdf&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C7eb883cf751e467a492908d83b17a7c9%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637324320064914619&amp;sdata=yrt%2FvkTa%2BBzjbVmWdQCrzgBKU4GzpL1tG2oSF3F0evg%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Milford Lake</a>&nbsp;Zone A,&nbsp;Geary County (upgraded)

<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kdheks.gov%2Falgae-illness%2Fdownload%2Fmilford-lake-zoned.pdf&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C7eb883cf751e467a492908d83b17a7c9%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637324320064914619&amp;sdata=yrt%2FvkTa%2BBzjbVmWdQCrzgBKU4GzpL1tG2oSF3F0evg%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Milford Lake</a>&nbsp;Zone B, C, Geary County (downgraded)

Unit G Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area, Linn County

Cheney Reservoir, Reno/Kingman/Sedgwick Counties

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

●Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.

●Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.

●Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.

●If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.

●Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.

A watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water. During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

●Water may be unsafe for humans/animals.

●Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.

●Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.

●Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.

●Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.

KDHE investigates publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.

Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may float around the lake, requiring visitors to exercise their best judgment. If there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm">www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm</a>. KDHE updates the listings of advisories every Thursday but may update more frequently if needed.

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), has revised its list of public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae.Since Thursday’s update, Milford Lake Zone A has moved to a warning, while Milford Lake Zones B and C have been downgraded to a watch. Additionally, Agra Lake in Phillips County has been added to the watch list.Warning<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kdheks.gov%2Falgae-illness%2Fdownload%2Fmilford-lake-zoned.pdf&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C7eb883cf751e467a492908d83b17a7c9%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637324320064914619&amp;sdata=yrt%2FvkTa%2BBzjbVmWdQCrzgBKU4GzpL1tG2oSF3F0evg%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Milford Lake</a>&nbsp;Zone A,&nbsp;Geary County (upgraded)Gathering Pond, Geary CountyLovewell Reservoir, Jewell CountyWatchBrown State Fishing Lake, Brown CountyMission Lake, Brown CountyFord State Fishing Lake, Ford County<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kdheks.gov%2Falgae-illness%2Fdownload%2Fmilford-lake-zoned.pdf&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C7eb883cf751e467a492908d83b17a7c9%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637324320064914619&amp;sdata=yrt%2FvkTa%2BBzjbVmWdQCrzgBKU4GzpL1tG2oSF3F0evg%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Milford Lake</a>&nbsp;Zone B, C, Geary County (downgraded)South Lake, Johnson CountyUnit G Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area, Linn CountyMarion County Lake, Marion CountyMarion Reservoir, Marion CountyOverbrook City Lake, Osage CountyAgra Lake, Phillips County (new)Cheney Reservoir, Reno/Kingman/Sedgwick CountiesPlainville Township Lake, Rooks CountyWebster Reservoir, Rooks CountyWarning ProtocolsWhen a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:●Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.●Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.●Water contact should be avoided.●Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.●Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.●If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.●Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.Watch ProtocolsA watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water. During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:●Water may be unsafe for humans/animals.●Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.●Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.●Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.●Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.KDHE investigates publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may float around the lake, requiring visitors to exercise their best judgment. If there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm">www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm</a>. KDHE updates the listings of advisories every Thursday but may update more frequently if needed.<figure>
 <img src="https://rtb-use.mfadsrvr.com/sync?ssp=taboola&amp;seller_network=taboola_&amp;bid_id=9d621930-c93a-4ff7-ad2e-1134aa469422&amp;initiator=me" alt="" />
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UPDATE: KDHE revises blue-green algae warnings, watches

Geary County health authorities confirmed one new positive COVID-19 case on Friday involving a 49 year old man. No other information was released.

Geary County health authorities confirmed one new positive COVID-19 case on Friday involving a 49 year old man. No other information was released.

One new COVID-19 case reported in Geary County

Former Geary County Clerk Marjorie Davis has passed away.

Davis was born April 1, 1924. She died this past Monday.&nbsp;

Davis worked in&nbsp; the county clerk's office for 35 years, and for the last 14 years served as county clerk before retiring in January of 1989. She was a 1941 graduate of Junction City High School.&nbsp;

A graveside service is scheduled for Thursday August 13, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. John’s Cemetery at the intersection of N. Dietrich Rd. and 3300 Ave. in Junction City.

Full obituary details are on the JC Post obituary page.

Former Geary County Clerk Marjorie Davis has passed away.Davis was born April 1, 1924. She died this past Monday.&nbsp;Davis worked in&nbsp; the county clerk's office for 35 years, and for the last 14 years served as county clerk before retiring in January of 1989. She was a 1941 graduate of Junction City High School.&nbsp;A graveside service is scheduled for Thursday August 13, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. John’s Cemetery at the intersection of N. Dietrich Rd. and 3300 Ave. in Junction City.Full obituary details are on the JC Post obituary page.

Former county clerk passes away

RILEY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before noon Friday in Riley County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Buick LaCrosse driven by Sylvia A. Harden, 83, Wichita, was eastbound on the entrance ramp to Kansas 18 from Scenic Drive. 

The driver turned left in the lane of traffic of a 2013 Ford F650 driven by Brad R. Dunlap, 55, Abilene.

The Ford struck the Buick&nbsp; on the driver's side. Both vehicles came to rest on their wheels, partially on the north shoulder and the median.

Harden was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Carlson's Irvin Parkview Funeral Home. Dunlap was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

RILEY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before noon Friday in Riley County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Buick LaCrosse driven by Sylvia A. Harden, 83, Wichita, was eastbound on the entrance ramp to Kansas 18 from Scenic Drive. The driver turned left in the lane of traffic of a 2013 Ford F650 driven by Brad R. Dunlap, 55, Abilene.The Ford struck the Buick&nbsp; on the driver's side. Both vehicles came to rest on their wheels, partially on the north shoulder and the median.Harden was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Carlson's Irvin Parkview Funeral Home. Dunlap was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dies after Riley County crash

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Gene Wilson, who became the first black men’s basketball player in the Big Seven Conference when he played at Kansas State in 1950, recently passed away at the age of 89 in his hometown of Anderson, Indiana.

During his two stints as a two-sport athlete for the Wildcats from 1950-52 and 1954-56, Wilson not only became the first black basketball player in the Big Seven Conference (forerunner of the Big 12), but was also one of five to break the color barrier in track and field. His time at K-State was broken up due to being drafted into the Army in 1952, where he served 13 months in the Korean War before returning to campus in 1954.

“The coaches had to approve first, then the athletic directors and finally the university president,” Wilson said to&nbsp;Larry Weigel&nbsp;in 2013 about becoming the first black basketball player in the Big Seven Conference. “(K-State) President&nbsp;Milton Eisenhower&nbsp;took the lead and I’m grateful to him to make it happen. The approval finally came in August but if it wasn’t for Milton Eisenhower, the Big Seven would not have integrated for another few years. Eisenhower was determined it was going to happen and he suffered a little because of it.”

Wilson was one of the rare athletes to be mentored by two Naismith Hall of Fame head coaches in&nbsp;Jack Gardner&nbsp;and&nbsp;Fred “Tex” Winter, helping the Wildcats win 47 games in his two stints, including a Big Seven Championship and an NCAA West Regional Semifinal appearance as a senior in 1955-56. He also ran track for legendary Wildcat track coach&nbsp;Ward Haylett, who was later inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.

Wilson also broke barriers in his professional life, becoming the first black Director of the State of Kansas Youth Center in Topeka and just the second director of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). He was also the first black umpire for the American Legion in Topeka, where he participated in 12 regional games, four World Series Tournaments and two international series tournaments.

Wilson was inducted into the inaugural class of the Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013 due his outstanding umpiring services to the youth of Topeka for over 50 years.

Born on February 21, 1931 in Anderson, Wilson was a standout basketball player and track and field athlete at Anderson High School in his hometown. He helped the school to the final four of the state basketball tournament in 1948 and led them to a No. 1 ranking as a senior before winning the state long jump championship in 1950.

Wilson was coached in high school by&nbsp;Dobbie Lambert, who provided the pipeline to K-State for him and three of his high school teammates –&nbsp;Bob Rousy,&nbsp;Dick Peck&nbsp;and&nbsp;Danny Schuyler&nbsp;– after playing for&nbsp;Jack Gardner&nbsp;at Modesto Junior College in California. The quartet arrived on campus in the fall of 1950, where they became a part of a freshman team that held their own against a varsity squad that would go on to the NCAA Championship Game in 1951.

Wilson joined the varsity in 1951-52, playing 24 games as a sophomore and ranking sixth on the team in scoring at 5.8 points per game on 43.9 percent shooting for a Wildcat team that posted a 19-5 overall record and finished second in the Big Seven behind eventual NCAA champion Kansas. The team handed the Jayhawks their lone loss of the conference season with an 81-64 win at Ahearn Field House on January 26, 1952

After returning from the Korean War, Wilson played in 20 games for Winter and K-State in 1954-55 and 1955-56. An injury sidelined for much of his senior season in 1955-56, in which, the Wildcats posted a 17-8 overall record and won the Big Seven Championship before a trip to the NCAA West Regional Semifinals.&nbsp;

Upon leaving K-State, Wilson moved to Topeka in 1959 where he began working for the State of Kansas Youth Center. He started as a service worker for the Center, supervising youth and teaching them life skills, before becoming Unit Director, Youth Care Director, Assistant Superintendent and finally Superintendent. He later worked for the Kansas Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) until retirement.

Wilson is survived by his wife,&nbsp;Mae Wilson, and daughter&nbsp;Jeannette West&nbsp;of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, sons&nbsp;Jon Wilson&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jeffry Wilson, both of Topeka, Kansas and several stepchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death his parents (Randolph&nbsp;and&nbsp;Hazel Wilson) and siblings, including brother,&nbsp;Johnny, who played four seasons for the Harlem Globetrotters.

Online condolences can be left for the family on the Bowser-Johnson Funeral Chapel website&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bowserjohnsonfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/Gene-Paul-Wilson?obId=14896873." target="_blank">here</a>.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Wilson, please visit the Tribute Store&nbsp;<a href="https://tree.tributecenterstore.com/memorial-tree?oId=14896873&amp;source=tco_description" target="_blank">here</a>.

–www.k-statesports.com –

TOM GILBERT Director for Men’s Basketball Communications | K-State Athletics

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597018653964.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Gene Wilson, who became the first black men’s basketball player in the Big Seven Conference when he played at Kansas State in 1950, recently passed away at the age of 89 in his hometown of Anderson, Indiana.During his two stints as a two-sport athlete for the Wildcats from 1950-52 and 1954-56, Wilson not only became the first black basketball player in the Big Seven Conference (forerunner of the Big 12), but was also one of five to break the color barrier in track and field. His time at K-State was broken up due to being drafted into the Army in 1952, where he served 13 months in the Korean War before returning to campus in 1954.“The coaches had to approve first, then the athletic directors and finally the university president,” Wilson said to&nbsp;Larry Weigel&nbsp;in 2013 about becoming the first black basketball player in the Big Seven Conference. “(K-State) President&nbsp;Milton Eisenhower&nbsp;took the lead and I’m grateful to him to make it happen. The approval finally came in August but if it wasn’t for Milton Eisenhower, the Big Seven would not have integrated for another few years. Eisenhower was determined it was going to happen and he suffered a little because of it.”Wilson was one of the rare athletes to be mentored by two Naismith Hall of Fame head coaches in&nbsp;Jack Gardner&nbsp;and&nbsp;Fred “Tex” Winter, helping the Wildcats win 47 games in his two stints, including a Big Seven Championship and an NCAA West Regional Semifinal appearance as a senior in 1955-56. He also ran track for legendary Wildcat track coach&nbsp;Ward Haylett, who was later inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.Wilson also broke barriers in his professional life, becoming the first black Director of the State of Kansas Youth Center in Topeka and just the second director of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). He was also the first black umpire for the American Legion in Topeka, where he participated in 12 regional games, four World Series Tournaments and two international series tournaments.Wilson was inducted into the inaugural class of the Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013 due his outstanding umpiring services to the youth of Topeka for over 50 years.Born on February 21, 1931 in Anderson, Wilson was a standout basketball player and track and field athlete at Anderson High School in his hometown. He helped the school to the final four of the state basketball tournament in 1948 and led them to a No. 1 ranking as a senior before winning the state long jump championship in 1950.Wilson was coached in high school by&nbsp;Dobbie Lambert, who provided the pipeline to K-State for him and three of his high school teammates –&nbsp;Bob Rousy,&nbsp;Dick Peck&nbsp;and&nbsp;Danny Schuyler&nbsp;– after playing for&nbsp;Jack Gardner&nbsp;at Modesto Junior College in California. The quartet arrived on campus in the fall of 1950, where they became a part of a freshman team that held their own against a varsity squad that would go on to the NCAA Championship Game in 1951.Wilson joined the varsity in 1951-52, playing 24 games as a sophomore and ranking sixth on the team in scoring at 5.8 points per game on 43.9 percent shooting for a Wildcat team that posted a 19-5 overall record and finished second in the Big Seven behind eventual NCAA champion Kansas. The team handed the Jayhawks their lone loss of the conference season with an 81-64 win at Ahearn Field House on January 26, 1952After returning from the Korean War, Wilson played in 20 games for Winter and K-State in 1954-55 and 1955-56. An injury sidelined for much of his senior season in 1955-56, in which, the Wildcats posted a 17-8 overall record and won the Big Seven Championship before a trip to the NCAA West Regional Semifinals.&nbsp;Upon leaving K-State, Wilson moved to Topeka in 1959 where he began working for the State of Kansas Youth Center. He started as a service worker for the Center, supervising youth and teaching them life skills, before becoming Unit Director, Youth Care Director, Assistant Superintendent and finally Superintendent. He later worked for the Kansas Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) until retirement.Wilson is survived by his wife,&nbsp;Mae Wilson, and daughter&nbsp;Jeannette West&nbsp;of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, sons&nbsp;Jon Wilson&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jeffry Wilson, both of Topeka, Kansas and several stepchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death his parents (Randolph&nbsp;and&nbsp;Hazel Wilson) and siblings, including brother,&nbsp;Johnny, who played four seasons for the Harlem Globetrotters.Online condolences can be left for the family on the Bowser-Johnson Funeral Chapel website&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bowserjohnsonfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/Gene-Paul-Wilson?obId=14896873." target="_blank">here</a>.To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Wilson, please visit the Tribute Store&nbsp;<a href="https://tree.tributecenterstore.com/memorial-tree?oId=14896873&amp;source=tco_description" target="_blank">here</a>.–www.k-statesports.com –TOM GILBERT Director for Men’s Basketball Communications | K-State Athletics

K-state mourns the passing of Trailblazer Gene Wilson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ryan McBroom hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning to lift the Royals to a 3-2 victory over the Twins on Friday night. Nick Heath and Nicky Lopez also drove in runs for the Royals, who have won two straight after a six-game slide. 

Greg Holland earned the win in relief of starter Jakob Junis while Trevor Rosenthal earned his second save with a perfect ninth. Matt Wisler took the loss after serving up McBroom's homer.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Ryan McBroom hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning to lift the Royals to a 3-2 victory over the Twins on Friday night. Nick Heath and Nicky Lopez also drove in runs for the Royals, who have won two straight after a six-game slide. Greg Holland earned the win in relief of starter Jakob Junis while Trevor Rosenthal earned his second save with a perfect ninth. Matt Wisler took the loss after serving up McBroom's homer.

McBroom's homer lifts Royals to win

Nick Heath started in center field for the Kansas City Royals in their 13-2 win over the Chicago Cubs Thursday evening at Kauffman Stadium.

During the game Heath doubled and knocked in a run, drew a walk, scored a run and made the final put-out with a catch on the warning track in the ninth inning. Heath is a 2012 graduate of Junction City High School.

Whit Merrifield, Maikel Franco and Jorge Soler homered in the win. Soler and Salvador Pérez each had three hits and two RBIs, helping Brad Keller to the win in his first major league appearance in nearly a year. Keller, who opened the season on the injured list after testing positive for the coronavirus, struck out seven in five scoreless innings. Kansas City finished with a season-high 18 hits.&nbsp;

Nick Heath started in center field for the Kansas City Royals in their 13-2 win over the Chicago Cubs Thursday evening at Kauffman Stadium.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It is physically impossible to watch <a href="https://twitter.com/inheathwetrust?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@inheathwetrust</a>&#39;s celebration on his first big-league hit without smiling. Seriously, you can&#39;t do it.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AlwaysRoyal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AlwaysRoyal</a> <a href="https://t.co/TpO3dSwa7L">pic.twitter.com/TpO3dSwa7L</a>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1291531730734776321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>During the game Heath doubled and knocked in a run, drew a walk, scored a run and made the final put-out with a catch on the warning track in the ninth inning. Heath is a 2012 graduate of Junction City High School.Whit Merrifield, Maikel Franco and Jorge Soler homered in the win. Soler and Salvador Pérez each had three hits and two RBIs, helping Brad Keller to the win in his first major league appearance in nearly a year. Keller, who opened the season on the injured list after testing positive for the coronavirus, struck out seven in five scoreless innings. Kansas City finished with a season-high 18 hits.&nbsp;

🎥  Former Blue Jay Nick Heath gets his first start and major league hit

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-08-05/what-a-pending-football-game-says-about-covid-19-the-fate-small-colleges-and-college-towns">Kansas News Service</a>

STERLING —&nbsp;There’s a lot riding on a kickoff set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.

The
 Sterling College Warriors are scheduled to take on the McPherson 
College Bulldogs at home. If that familiar thud of shoe against football
 and cheer from the stands doesn’t happen, the college that keeps the 
central Kansas town’s economy humming, that gives it cultural vitality, 
and that separates Sterling from the hollowing out that defines so many 
other small Midwestern towns, might not survive.

The school, after
 133 years, could die and doom the town that takes such pride in the 
football squad and embraces the student body like family.

“If 
COVID defeats the athletic season this year, it will probably defeat a 
lot of small colleges,” said Jeb Miller, a non-traditional senior at 
Sterling College. “And, as a result, harm a lot of small towns. Badly.”

Hundreds
 of small colleges dotting the country rely on students paying tens of 
thousands of dollars a year in exchange for a distinctive, personal, 
high-touch college experience.

Many of those colleges hung on 
year-to-year even before the pandemic. Now COVID-19 threatens to cut off
 the oxygen sustaining these schools, and the sports programs that drive
 enrollment.

But the very thing small colleges need to stay afloat
 — students coming in, spending money, playing sports — also poses a 
major risk to relatively isolated little towns that, so far, have dodged
 major coronavirus outbreaks.

Only about 2,200 people live in 
Sterling out on the flat, flat plains of south-central Kansas. But this 
small city boasts an almost idyllic downtown. New office buildings. Two 
good coffee shops. A nice grocery store, a bowling alley, you name it.

Sterling
 has good schools, competitive sports teams. Locals say school plays, 
games and concerts draw big crowds. Without the college, the money, 
diversity and energy that defines life in Sterling could evaporate 
quickly.

“There is just so much overlap,” said Kyler Comley, a 
Sterling College senior who’s lived in the town all his life. “The 
community supports the college. The college supports the community. You 
know, you just see how everything’s intertwined and how people are just 
so overly giving and involved.”

Every student attending Sterling 
College gets paired with a family in town. Those families speak 
endearingly about their adopted scholars.

The students left in 
March. Most haven’t come back. Like many people here, Sterling criminal 
justice professor Mark Tremaine said that starting classes up again in 
person this month is make or break for Sterling College.

“The 
bottom line is, we’ve got to get students back to campus. If we’re going
 to survive,” he said.“We have to accept whatever the risks are and do 
it.”

And that’s the plan. Sterling doesn’t have much of a choice.

“We
 have committed to open up in the fall,” Sterling College President 
Scott Rich said. “With face to face classes, face-to-face coursework, 
dorms and activities and full swing. But we’re committed to doing it 
safely.”

Rich said the school will quarantine students coming back to the 
dorms, test them liberally, and isolate those who come down sick in 
local hotels.

Rich said the freshman class looks strong, with 
about 200 new students. But he is desperately trying to woo 50 or so 
upperclassmen who haven’t signed on this year. The school needs them 
because, like many other small institutions, Sterling College scrapes by
 from year to year.

“We’re always dependent upon enrollment, 
always dependent upon that next year, always dependent upon persistence 
or retention,” Rich said. “We have to get students to come back.”

Other small-town schools across the country, and the communities tied to their fate, face the same existential crisis.

“Some
 of the people I know are looking at hundreds of colleges going out of 
business within the next several years, if this pandemic continues and 
if the economic devastation associated with it continues,” said Scott 
Carlson with the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Small liberal arts
 colleges have been shaky for years. Enrollments have slumped, 
endowments have been drained. Many schools have piled on debt in a 
building boom fueled by competition for students.

Most offer 
courses online, but online classes don’t pay the bills. Small schools 
survive only by providing an expensive, in-person college experience. 
And Carlson said the pandemic shreds that business model, and threatens 
to trigger the higher education equivalent of a mass extinction.

“It’s
 kind of sad," he said. "These colleges are unique, little entities all 
on their own, and each one of them provides a unique spin on higher 
education.”

Sterling College, 
for instance, leans heavily on a particular interpretation of 
Christianity. Guarding the front door of the classic, old limestone 
building that anchors campus is a statue of Christ — not being tortured 
on the cross, but humbly washing the feet of a disciple. “Servant 
leadership,” as anyone here will tell you, guides the campus ethic.

But Jesus doesn’t keep the lights on here. Football does.

“We
 do have a good football team,” said Sterling’s athletic director, Scott
 Downing. “They’ve been fairly successful the last dozen years and been 
to the national playoffs, won the conference championship.”

The team helps bring the students together, but more importantly, it drives enrollment.

“With
 a football team number of about 125 to 135 student-athletes, quite a 
bit of our student body is involved in that sport,” Downing said.

That’s
 an understatement. There are only about 500 students on campus in a 
given year, one in four is on the football team. And there are 20 other 
sports.

The chance to play college sports is a major selling point
 for schools like Sterling. It drives enrollment. But in a pandemic, 
sports can be vectors for disease. And Jed Miller, who’s finishing his 
degree at Sterling online next year, says that’s another vulnerability.

“If
 COVID defeats the athletic season this year, it will probably defeat a 
lot of small colleges,” he said. “And as a result, hurt a lot of small 
towns ... badly.”

So, the same colleges that keep some small towns vibrant now pose a particular threat to public health.

“The
 college probably is the most dangerous element for us in terms of 
COVID,” said Kristina Darnauer, a family practice doctor in Sterling. 
“It potentially brings back students from all over the US who have 
variable levels of exposure.”

Darnauer is torn. She loves 
Sterling, loves the college, and fully appreciates how important it is 
to the school and the town that college ramp almost as normal this fall.

But
 she’s got patients to care for. And she said this county, with only one
 hospital and no intensive care unit is not ready for a cluster of 
coronavirus cases.

“If we have a huge outbreak,” Darnauer said, “we’re going to be out of resources very quickly.”

Small colleges and college towns across much of the country face the same worries.

But
 some analysts say that a pruning of universities may prove inevitable, 
and that the coronavirus has only sped up the thinning of the higher 
education herd.

“I actually see the future of higher education, 
broadly speaking, as entering a new golden age,” said Richard Price, a 
research fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute. It’s a think tank 
that presses for dramatic change in institutions.

Price said the 
pandemic may hasten the evolution to better online classes, and a public
 education system that’s much more accessible and equitable.

“The 
traditional model, it was originally for the landed elite and it wasn’t 
for all genders,” Price said. “It wasn’t for all races. And that is 
slowly getting phased out along with some older business models that 
aren’t pivoting well.”

And Price thinks many little colleges will 
adapt. Lots of them have cheated death before. But he said there’s 
little doubt that this time next year the United States will have many 
fewer colleges. Folks in Sterling, Kansas, hope and, yes, pray, that 
Sterling College is among the survivors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596722865321.png" alt="A local gospel quintet entertains Sterling residents on a recent Tuesday evening. Frank Morris photo" />
 <figcaption>A local gospel quintet entertains Sterling residents on a recent Tuesday evening. Frank Morris photo</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-08-05/what-a-pending-football-game-says-about-covid-19-the-fate-small-colleges-and-college-towns">Kansas News Service</a>STERLING —&nbsp;There’s a lot riding on a kickoff set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.The
 Sterling College Warriors are scheduled to take on the McPherson 
College Bulldogs at home. If that familiar thud of shoe against football
 and cheer from the stands doesn’t happen, the college that keeps the 
central Kansas town’s economy humming, that gives it cultural vitality, 
and that separates Sterling from the hollowing out that defines so many 
other small Midwestern towns, might not survive.The school, after
 133 years, could die and doom the town that takes such pride in the 
football squad and embraces the student body like family.“If 
COVID defeats the athletic season this year, it will probably defeat a 
lot of small colleges,” said Jeb Miller, a non-traditional senior at 
Sterling College. “And, as a result, harm a lot of small towns. Badly.”<h2>Small town institutions</h2>Hundreds
 of small colleges dotting the country rely on students paying tens of 
thousands of dollars a year in exchange for a distinctive, personal, 
high-touch college experience.Many of those colleges hung on 
year-to-year even before the pandemic. Now COVID-19 threatens to cut off
 the oxygen sustaining these schools, and the sports programs that drive
 enrollment.But the very thing small colleges need to stay afloat
 — students coming in, spending money, playing sports — also poses a 
major risk to relatively isolated little towns that, so far, have dodged
 major coronavirus outbreaks.Only about 2,200 people live in 
Sterling out on the flat, flat plains of south-central Kansas. But this 
small city boasts an almost idyllic downtown. New office buildings. Two 
good coffee shops. A nice grocery store, a bowling alley, you name it.Sterling
 has good schools, competitive sports teams. Locals say school plays, 
games and concerts draw big crowds. Without the college, the money, 
diversity and energy that defines life in Sterling could evaporate 
quickly.“There is just so much overlap,” said Kyler Comley, a 
Sterling College senior who’s lived in the town all his life. “The 
community supports the college. The college supports the community. You 
know, you just see how everything’s intertwined and how people are just 
so overly giving and involved.”Every student attending Sterling 
College gets paired with a family in town. Those families speak 
endearingly about their adopted scholars.The students left in 
March. Most haven’t come back. Like many people here, Sterling criminal 
justice professor Mark Tremaine said that starting classes up again in 
person this month is make or break for Sterling College.“The 
bottom line is, we’ve got to get students back to campus. If we’re going
 to survive,” he said.“We have to accept whatever the risks are and do 
it.”And that’s the plan. Sterling doesn’t have much of a choice.<h2>Staying alive</h2>“We
 have committed to open up in the fall,” Sterling College President 
Scott Rich said. “With face to face classes, face-to-face coursework, 
dorms and activities and full swing. But we’re committed to doing it 
safely.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596722974216.png" alt="Sterling College President Scot Rich. Frank Morris photo" />
 <figcaption>Sterling College President Scot Rich. Frank Morris photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Rich said the school will quarantine students coming back to the 
dorms, test them liberally, and isolate those who come down sick in 
local hotels.Rich said the freshman class looks strong, with 
about 200 new students. But he is desperately trying to woo 50 or so 
upperclassmen who haven’t signed on this year. The school needs them 
because, like many other small institutions, Sterling College scrapes by
 from year to year.“We’re always dependent upon enrollment, 
always dependent upon that next year, always dependent upon persistence 
or retention,” Rich said. “We have to get students to come back.”Other small-town schools across the country, and the communities tied to their fate, face the same existential crisis.“Some
 of the people I know are looking at hundreds of colleges going out of 
business within the next several years, if this pandemic continues and 
if the economic devastation associated with it continues,” said Scott 
Carlson with the Chronicle of Higher Education.Small liberal arts
 colleges have been shaky for years. Enrollments have slumped, 
endowments have been drained. Many schools have piled on debt in a 
building boom fueled by competition for students.Most offer 
courses online, but online classes don’t pay the bills. Small schools 
survive only by providing an expensive, in-person college experience. 
And Carlson said the pandemic shreds that business model, and threatens 
to trigger the higher education equivalent of a mass extinction.“It’s
 kind of sad," he said. "These colleges are unique, little entities all 
on their own, and each one of them provides a unique spin on higher 
education.”<h2>‘Servant leadership’</h2>Sterling College, 
for instance, leans heavily on a particular interpretation of 
Christianity. Guarding the front door of the classic, old limestone 
building that anchors campus is a statue of Christ — not being tortured 
on the cross, but humbly washing the feet of a disciple. “Servant 
leadership,” as anyone here will tell you, guides the campus ethic.But Jesus doesn’t keep the lights on here. Football does.“We
 do have a good football team,” said Sterling’s athletic director, Scott
 Downing. “They’ve been fairly successful the last dozen years and been 
to the national playoffs, won the conference championship.”The team helps bring the students together, but more importantly, it drives enrollment.“With
 a football team number of about 125 to 135 student-athletes, quite a 
bit of our student body is involved in that sport,” Downing said.That’s
 an understatement. There are only about 500 students on campus in a 
given year, one in four is on the football team. And there are 20 other 
sports.The chance to play college sports is a major selling point
 for schools like Sterling. It drives enrollment. But in a pandemic, 
sports can be vectors for disease. And Jed Miller, who’s finishing his 
degree at Sterling online next year, says that’s another vulnerability.“If
 COVID defeats the athletic season this year, it will probably defeat a 
lot of small colleges,” he said. “And as a result, hurt a lot of small 
towns ... badly.”So, the same colleges that keep some small towns vibrant now pose a particular threat to public health.“The
 college probably is the most dangerous element for us in terms of 
COVID,” said Kristina Darnauer, a family practice doctor in Sterling. 
“It potentially brings back students from all over the US who have 
variable levels of exposure.”Darnauer is torn. She loves 
Sterling, loves the college, and fully appreciates how important it is 
to the school and the town that college ramp almost as normal this fall.But
 she’s got patients to care for. And she said this county, with only one
 hospital and no intensive care unit is not ready for a cluster of 
coronavirus cases.“If we have a huge outbreak,” Darnauer said, “we’re going to be out of resources very quickly.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596723019769.png" alt="An aging note on a door at the University of Missouri Kansas City promises a speedy reopening. Frank Morris photo" />
 <figcaption>An aging note on a door at the University of Missouri Kansas City promises a speedy reopening. Frank Morris photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A new era</h2>Small colleges and college towns across much of the country face the same worries.But
 some analysts say that a pruning of universities may prove inevitable, 
and that the coronavirus has only sped up the thinning of the higher 
education herd.“I actually see the future of higher education, 
broadly speaking, as entering a new golden age,” said Richard Price, a 
research fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute. It’s a think tank 
that presses for dramatic change in institutions.Price said the 
pandemic may hasten the evolution to better online classes, and a public
 education system that’s much more accessible and equitable.“The 
traditional model, it was originally for the landed elite and it wasn’t 
for all genders,” Price said. “It wasn’t for all races. And that is 
slowly getting phased out along with some older business models that 
aren’t pivoting well.”And Price thinks many little colleges will 
adapt. Lots of them have cheated death before. But he said there’s 
little doubt that this time next year the United States will have many 
fewer colleges. Folks in Sterling, Kansas, hope and, yes, pray, that 
Sterling College is among the survivors.

What a football game says about COVID-19, fate of small colleges

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Yu Darvish pitched seven sharp innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the skidding Kansas City Royals 6-1 on Wednesday night for their sixth straight victory. 

Javier Báez drove in two runs for the Cubs, who handed Kansas City its sixth consecutive defeat. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo each had two hits and scored twice. Darvish was in midseason form for the second straight outing. He gave up five hits, struck out four and walked one.&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Yu Darvish pitched seven sharp innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the skidding Kansas City Royals 6-1 on Wednesday night for their sixth straight victory. Javier Báez drove in two runs for the Cubs, who handed Kansas City its sixth consecutive defeat. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo each had two hits and scored twice. Darvish was in midseason form for the second straight outing. He gave up five hits, struck out four and walked one.&nbsp;

Royals drop sixth straight game

Junction City High School Athletic Director Matt Westerhause has provided information needed to complete registration online, find out information related to the each sport offered in the fall and contact information link for head coaches.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As we prepare for fall sports which are scheduled to begin the 17th of August,&nbsp;we ask you to please look through the information&nbsp;below&nbsp;regarding registration, specific sports program information and contact information for coaches and athletic department personnel at Junction City High School.

For further information regarding middle school athletic programs, please follow these links:

Junction City Middle School -&nbsp;<a href="http://jcms.usd475.org/athletics/" target="_blank">http://jcms.usd475.org/athletics/&nbsp;</a>

Fort Riley Middle School -&nbsp;<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffrms.usd475.org%2Fathletics%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CMatthewWesterhaus%40usd475.org%7Ce1430b3838f34290067b08d839701178%7Ccd7093da2b134da2b5f7c6503f488db3%7C1%7C0%7C637322500777048764&amp;sdata=pHjYP1kacQ0PD2Te87ypSgPiuKmaKFU5qY%2BVLQsf3lo%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://frms.usd475.org/athletics/</a>

<a href="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sportshub2-uploads-prod/files/sites/299/2020/08/05132114/IMG_0295.mov" target="_blank">Welcome back greeting - Athletic Directors</a>

Information related to Junction City High School

Prior to any activity that a student participates in we ask the family/student to ask these questions for screening prior to attending school, practice or competition.

If the answer is&nbsp;YES&nbsp;to any of these questions, then please&nbsp;do not&nbsp;attend the activity and put others at risk.

Athletic Department - PROCESS AND PROCEDURES (these procedures may be added to/changed as we progress through the 2020-21 school year and subject to change at any time.)

Junction City High School Athletic Director Matt Westerhause has provided information needed to complete registration online, find out information related to the each sport offered in the fall and contact information link for head coaches.&nbsp;&nbsp;Families of USD 475,As we prepare for fall sports which are scheduled to begin the 17th of August,&nbsp;we ask you to please look through the information&nbsp;below&nbsp;regarding registration, specific sports program information and contact information for coaches and athletic department personnel at Junction City High School.For further information regarding middle school athletic programs, please follow these links:Junction City Middle School -&nbsp;<a href="http://jcms.usd475.org/athletics/" target="_blank">http://jcms.usd475.org/athletics/&nbsp;</a>Fort Riley Middle School -&nbsp;<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffrms.usd475.org%2Fathletics%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CMatthewWesterhaus%40usd475.org%7Ce1430b3838f34290067b08d839701178%7Ccd7093da2b134da2b5f7c6503f488db3%7C1%7C0%7C637322500777048764&amp;sdata=pHjYP1kacQ0PD2Te87ypSgPiuKmaKFU5qY%2BVLQsf3lo%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://frms.usd475.org/athletics/</a><a href="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sportshub2-uploads-prod/files/sites/299/2020/08/05132114/IMG_0295.mov" target="_blank">Welcome back greeting - Athletic Directors</a>Information related to Junction City High School<ul>
 <li>If you have a student who is interested in participating in a fall sports program at Junction City High School, we ask you to please register your student for participation through our online registration process.&nbsp; A direct link to that process is:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fregistermyathlete.com%2Flogin%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CMatthewWesterhaus%40usd475.org%7C9e68e7c6760e476918bc08d8394e11a1%7Ccd7093da2b134da2b5f7c6503f488db3%7C1%7C0%7C637322355831477825&amp;sdata=xjx3zKas5Ae3aX4HRCyJyixRV%2FcUBdh%2BEPq%2FUIMkYU8%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://registermyathlete.com/login/</a>&nbsp; Directions for completing the online registration process are:&nbsp;<a href="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sportshub2-uploads-prod/files/sites/299/2020/08/05145430/Parent_Guardian-Instructions-Student-Athlete-Online-Registration-7-28-20.pdf" target="_blank">Parent_Guardian Instructions - Student-Athlete Online Registration 7-28-20</a>&nbsp;;&nbsp;<a href="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sportshub2-uploads-prod/files/sites/299/2020/08/05145434/Spanish-Translation-Parent_Guardian-Instructions-Student-Athlete-Online-Registration_-USD-475.pdf" target="_blank">Spanish Translation - Parent_Guardian-Instructions-Student-Athlete-Online-Registration_-USD-475</a></li><li>Fall sports offered at Junction City High School are: &nbsp;Cheer, Dance, Boys Soccer, Girls Tennis, Volleyball, B/G Cross Country, Girls Golf, Football.&nbsp; &nbsp;Links to find information regarding those specific sports programs are included:&nbsp;<a href="https://bluejayathletics.org/2020/08/05/2020-cross-country-information-for-jchs-jcms-frms/" target="_blank">B/G Cross Country information</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluejayathletics.org/2020/08/05/2020-boys-soccer-tryout-information/" target="_blank">Boys Soccer tryout information</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluejayathletics.org/2020/08/04/2020-junction-city-football-information-packet-and-beginning-schedule/" target="_blank">Football Information</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluejayathletics.org/2020/08/05/2020-jchs-girls-golf-information/" target="_blank">Girls Golf Information</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluejayathletics.org/2020/08/05/lady-jays-volleyball-tryout-info/" target="_blank">Volleyball information</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluejayathletics.org/2020/08/05/lady-jay-tennis-team-2020-tryout-and-season-information-2/" target="_blank">Girls Tennis information</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://bluejayathletics.org/2020/08/04/cheer-tryout-information-for-new-students/" target="_blank">Cheer tryout info for new students</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluejayathletics.org/2020/08/05/dance-team-tryout-information-for-new-students/" target="_blank">Dance tryout info for new students</a>.</li><li>As part of the online registration process, you will need to upload a new sports physical&nbsp;<a href="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sportshub2-uploads-prod/files/sites/299/2020/05/04161252/FORM-PPE_Spring-2020-Update.pdf" target="_blank">FORM-PPE_Spring 2020 Update</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sportshub2-uploads-prod/files/sites/299/2020/05/05141634/FORM-PPE_Spring-2020-Update_Spanish.pdf" target="_blank">FORM-PPE_Spring 2020 Update_Spanish</a>&nbsp;and the KSHSAA covid questionnaire -<a href="https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sportshub2-uploads-prod/files/sites/299/2020/08/05164901/KSHSAA-Covid-19-Pre-Part-Questionnaire-fillable-both-pages1.pdf" target="_blank">KSHSAA-Covid-19-Pre-Part-Questionnaire-fillable-both-pages1</a>&nbsp; Physicals must be dated after May 1, 2020.&nbsp; Please schedule physicals as soon as you possibly can.</li><li>Students/Families who have made the decision to choose remote learning as a platform for education during this school year will be eligible to participate in KSHSAA athletic programs.&nbsp; Transportation to and from school will be the responsibility of the student/family.&nbsp; Additional guidance regarding expectations for eligibility and co-curricular programs will be provided in the near future.</li><li>Contact information link for our head coaches is located at:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbluejayathletics.org%2Fathletic-dept-info%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7CMatthewWesterhaus%40usd475.org%7C9e68e7c6760e476918bc08d8394e11a1%7Ccd7093da2b134da2b5f7c6503f488db3%7C1%7C0%7C637322355831477825&amp;sdata=1DiR%2BxtwFOysrvTwElQoVEOGD0srmRU0JJarZa0j9bY%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://bluejayathletics.org/athletic-dept-info/</a></li><li>As always….if you have questions or concerns please contact us at 785-717-4214 via phone or email -&nbsp;<a href="mailto:debralumb@usd475.org" target="_blank">debralumb@usd475.org</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;- Mrs. Deb Lumb is our administrative assistant in the athletic department.</li><li>Reminders regarding process put in place during COVID-19 (see below)</li>
 </ul>Prior to any activity that a student participates in we ask the family/student to ask these questions for screening prior to attending school, practice or competition.<ol>
 <li>Today or in the past 24 hours have you had any of the following symptoms:</li><li>Fever (temperature greater than 100.4)</li><li>New or worsening cough</li><li>Shortness of breath or trouble breathing</li><li>Sore throat, different than your seasonal allergies</li><li>New loss of smell and/or taste</li><li>Diarrhea or vomiting</li><li>Do you have a household or close contact who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 2 weeks?</li><li>Temperature check with a thermometer is recommended but not required (greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is considered a fever).</li><li>Forehead thermometer/touchless thermometer is preferable.</li>
 </ol>If the answer is&nbsp;YES&nbsp;to any of these questions, then please&nbsp;do not&nbsp;attend the activity and put others at risk.Athletic Department - PROCESS AND PROCEDURES (these procedures may be added to/changed as we progress through the 2020-21 school year and subject to change at any time.)<ul>
 <li>Local, State, District and KSHSAA&nbsp; guidelines will be followed regarding practice and competition and will be communicated prior to August 17th.</li><li>Sport specific procedures will be shared by head coaches of each program with families/students.</li><li>Attendance will be taken daily.</li><li>Students will enter and exit areas at designated locations for school, practices, competitions.</li><li>Students will be asked to leave if feeling sick or ill.</li><li>Sanitizing procedures will be in place.</li><li>Staff will clean and inspect equipment regularly.</li><li>Students will be asked to provide their own water bottles and properly label.</li><li>Students will be asked to&nbsp;wash/sanitize hands frequently throughout the day/practice/competition.</li><li>Students&nbsp;will be asked&nbsp; to follow all procedures that are established for safety of self and others.</li>
 </ul>

USD 475 releases Fall Sports information

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs overcame another shaky outing by closer Craig Kimbrel to beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Tuesday night for their fifth straight win.Kimbrel took over to begin the ninth inning with a 5-2 lead, but struggled and allowed two runs and two hits while getting only one out. Kyle Ryan closed it out for his first save, getting Bubba Starling to ground out with a runner on third to end it. 

CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs overcame another shaky outing by closer Craig Kimbrel to beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Tuesday night for their fifth straight win.Kimbrel took over to begin the ninth inning with a 5-2 lead, but struggled and allowed two runs and two hits while getting only one out. Kyle Ryan closed it out for his first save, getting Bubba Starling to ground out with a runner on third to end it. In the ninth inning former Junction City Blue Jay, Nick Heath, playing for the Royals stole two bases and was left on third base at the end of the game.