Central National Bank has presented a check for $26,094 to the United Way of Junction City - Geary County in support of their 2023 Campaign. Central National Bank staff spent the month of October raising funds for United Way.

2022 marks the sixteenth year in a row that Central National Bank has been named a Platinum Pacesetter, a designation given to organizations who raise over $15,000 in funds for the campaign.

“As a community bank, we recognize the importance of giving back to our community,” said Lindsey Snider, Central National Bank, Junction City President. “Each year the staff does a tremendous job with the United Way Campaign here at Central National Bank Junction City. This year’s campaign total of $26,094 was a huge team effort; our staff did an amazing job! Much work happens behind the scenes – whether it be dish washing, cooking treats or writing contest rules, the staff consistently goes above and beyond. While the bank itself makes a corporate donation, most of the total funds raised is directly attributable to the efforts and generosity of our staff, either from their personal contributions through our staff payroll deduction program, or from the special activities and events held during our internal United Way Campaign.”

“As a business that has been in Junction City and Geary County for the past 137 years, we want to assist with programs that improve this community and help its citizens. The United Way of Junction City – Geary County provides a tremendous service to this community; Central National Bank is very pleased to be one of the pacesetter organizations with regard to the United Way’s fundraising efforts in this community.”

“On behalf of Central National Bank, I would like to thank the campaign team who organized our internal fundraising campaign, and all of our staff who supported it in such a great way;” added Snider.

The team who led the bank efforts this year consisted of: Danielle Christensen, Pam Diekmann, Lacy Osbourn, April Josserand, Lindsey Snider, Scott Rock, Joel Poole, Lindsay Felix and Amanda Rolfs.

By Amanda RolfsCentral National BankCentral National Bank has presented a check for $26,094 to the United Way of Junction City - Geary County in support of their 2023 Campaign. Central National Bank staff spent the month of October raising funds for United Way.2022 marks the sixteenth year in a row that Central National Bank has been named a Platinum Pacesetter, a designation given to organizations who raise over $15,000 in funds for the campaign.“As a community bank, we recognize the importance of giving back to our community,” said Lindsey Snider, Central National Bank, Junction City President. “Each year the staff does a tremendous job with the United Way Campaign here at Central National Bank Junction City. This year’s campaign total of $26,094 was a huge team effort; our staff did an amazing job! Much work happens behind the scenes – whether it be dish washing, cooking treats or writing contest rules, the staff consistently goes above and beyond. While the bank itself makes a corporate donation, most of the total funds raised is directly attributable to the efforts and generosity of our staff, either from their personal contributions through our staff payroll deduction program, or from the special activities and events held during our internal United Way Campaign.”“As a business that has been in Junction City and Geary County for the past 137 years, we want to assist with programs that improve this community and help its citizens. The United Way of Junction City – Geary County provides a tremendous service to this community; Central National Bank is very pleased to be one of the pacesetter organizations with regard to the United Way’s fundraising efforts in this community.”“On behalf of Central National Bank, I would like to thank the campaign team who organized our internal fundraising campaign, and all of our staff who supported it in such a great way;” added Snider.The team who led the bank efforts this year consisted of: Danielle Christensen, Pam Diekmann, Lacy Osbourn, April Josserand, Lindsey Snider, Scott Rock, Joel Poole, Lindsay Felix and Amanda Rolfs.

Central National Bank – Junction City Employees raise over $26,000 to benefit United Way

Mark calendars for next Monday night, December 12th, 6:00 p.m. at Sportsman’s Acres for the Geary County Fish &amp; Game Association annual Chili Feed and Contest, and Election of Officers and Board Members for 2023. Members don’t have to bring chili for the contest but do bring some type of dessert to round out the meal.&nbsp;

Memberships run on the calendar year so for most it is time to renew for 2023.&nbsp; Exceptions are those who have joined on or after National Hunting and Fishing Day on 24 September…that membership is already good thru 2023, and, of course, Life Members don’t need to be concerned with that. Print and complete the form and return with your payment following instructions on the form, or just bring it on out to the Chili&nbsp; Feed on Monday.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostMark calendars for next Monday night, December 12th, 6:00 p.m. at Sportsman’s Acres for the Geary County Fish &amp; Game Association annual Chili Feed and Contest, and Election of Officers and Board Members for 2023. Members don’t have to bring chili for the contest but do bring some type of dessert to round out the meal.&nbsp;Memberships run on the calendar year so for most it is time to renew for 2023.&nbsp; Exceptions are those who have joined on or after National Hunting and Fishing Day on 24 September…that membership is already good thru 2023, and, of course, Life Members don’t need to be concerned with that. Print and complete the form and return with your payment following instructions on the form, or just bring it on out to the Chili&nbsp; Feed on Monday.

Geary County Fish & Game Association schedules annual Chili Feed

Three new members have been appointed to the Geary County Convention &amp; VIsitors Bureau Advisory Committee by the county commission.

Craig Bender, Leslie Goodwin and Michaela Joyce were introduced at the CVB Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostThree new members have been appointed to the Geary County Convention &amp; VIsitors Bureau Advisory Committee by the county commission.Craig Bender, Leslie Goodwin and Michaela Joyce were introduced at the CVB Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday.

Geary County Commission approves CVB appointments

Geary County Public Works Department along with the Board of County Commissioners have reduced the posted speed limit on Ritter Rd from the intersection of Hwy K-18 south to the intersection of Ritter Rd and Liberty Hall Rd.&nbsp; Both north and south bound posted speed limits have been reduced from 45 to 40mph.

If you have any questions, please call the Geary County Public Works Department at: 785-238-3612. M-F 8:00AM to 4:30PM. 

By Dewey TerrillJC PostGeary County Public Works Department along with the Board of County Commissioners have reduced the posted speed limit on Ritter Rd from the intersection of Hwy K-18 south to the intersection of Ritter Rd and Liberty Hall Rd.&nbsp; Both north and south bound posted speed limits have been reduced from 45 to 40mph.If you have any questions, please call the Geary County Public Works Department at: 785-238-3612. M-F 8:00AM to 4:30PM.

Speed limit change is made on portion of Ritter Road

Junction City Commissioner Nathan Butler will step down, effective Jan. 2. The city commission accepted his resignation during their meeting Tuesday night.

Commissioners approved a motion by Pat Landes to appoint Bob Story to fill the vacancy for the remaining one year of the term, effective Jan. 3.&nbsp; The vote was 4-1 with Ronna Larson casting the lone no vote. She supported opening the position up to the possibility of more diverse candidates.

Story is a former Junction City police chief, and is currently a co-chair with Butler of the Freedom Fest JC committee.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670439273546.jpeg" alt="Nathan Butler" />
 <figcaption>Nathan Butler</figcaption>
 </figure>By Dewey TerrillJC PostJunction City Commissioner Nathan Butler will step down, effective Jan. 2. The city commission accepted his resignation during their meeting Tuesday night.Commissioners approved a motion by Pat Landes to appoint Bob Story to fill the vacancy for the remaining one year of the term, effective Jan. 3.&nbsp; The vote was 4-1 with Ronna Larson casting the lone no vote. She supported opening the position up to the possibility of more diverse candidates.Story is a former Junction City police chief, and is currently a co-chair with Butler of the Freedom Fest JC committee.

There will be a change on the Junction City Commission

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/06/kansas-towns-library-lease-renewed-after-months-of-debate-about-lgbtq-content/">Kansas Reflector</a>

ST. MARYS — The Pottawatomie 
Wabaunsee Regional Library’s lease is safe for another year, following 
community uproar and legal pressure from the American Civil Liberties 
Union of Kansas.

The Saint Marys City Commission voted to extend the lease, without restrictions, during a meeting Tuesday night. The
 lease renewal was up for debate because the library had refused to 
accept a renewal clause asking for the removal of all LGBTQ and socially
 divisive books from the shelves.

Judith Cremer, the
 library director, said she was relieved by the renewal, though she 
didn’t understand some of the claims made by commissioners at earlier 
meetings, referencing their claims that many parents were angry at the 
library. Cremer said community response to the library has always been 
positive.

“They don’t know us, so they need to 
come and visit and we need to get to know each other, because we’re both
 in the same job, we’re doing the same job. So hopefully we can get them
 to understand this a little better,” Cremer said.

The commissioners have been discussing whether to renew the lease — which ends Dec. 31 — for the past few months.

A lease proposed by Commissioner 
Matthew Childs stipulated the library not “supply, distribute, loan, 
encourage, or coerce acceptance of or approval of explicit sexual or 
racially or socially divisive material, or events (such as ‘drag queen 
story hours’) that support the LGBTQ+ or critical theory ideology or 
practice.”

Commissioners said the outpouring of 
public support for the library informed their decision to extend the 
lease by one year. The four members who were present for Tuesday’s 
meeting all voted in favor of the one-year renewal.

Childs, who was elected mayor by the 
other commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting, said the issue now was 
discussing how to keep the library in line with community standards, 
though he didn’t clarify what these standards would look like, and 
refused to give clarification or comments on the situation to the Kansas
 Reflector.

“It was very clear from that meeting 
that citizens want the library to remain open,” Childs said. “Everyone 
agreed on that. So there’s really no question about that. The question 
is, how do we assure the safety of the community and that the community 
is getting what they want in the library? And that’s kind of up to the 
community.”

All members of the commission are 
members of Society of St. Pius X, or SSPX, an extreme Catholic religious
 sect. At a previous commission meeting, Commissioner Richard Binsfeld said their religion had an impact on their views of the library.

“We do go to the church, yes, all five of us,” Binsfeld said. “I
 think it has an influence on our decisions because we make decisions on
 our faith and morals, so certainly we’re going to be influenced by 
that. It’s definitely going to have a bearing on that certainly, without
 question.”&nbsp;

Gerard Kleinsmith was elected to the position of vice mayor at the meeting, replacing Francis Awerkamp, a Republican who serves in the Kansas House.

Kleinsmith said he didn’t want his 
tax dollars paying for books he didn’t approve of, saying the library 
didn’t reflect the interests of people in the county.

“If you do a search of the Potawatomi
 library and look for actual books on their shelves, there are six books
 authored by Secretary Clinton on the shelves in Pottawattamie County 
Library,” Kleinsmith said. “There are none authored by President Trump. 
Not even ‘The Art of the Deal,’ that he wrote long before he was 
President. That’s just one example.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670423277908.png" alt="Judith Cremer, library director, said she’s optimistic about the future of the library with the lease renewal. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Judith Cremer, library director, said she’s optimistic about the future of the library with the lease renewal. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/06/kansas-towns-library-lease-renewed-after-months-of-debate-about-lgbtq-content/">Kansas Reflector</a>ST. MARYS — The Pottawatomie 
Wabaunsee Regional Library’s lease is safe for another year, following 
community uproar and legal pressure from the American Civil Liberties 
Union of Kansas.The Saint Marys City Commission voted to extend the lease, without restrictions, during a meeting Tuesday night. The
 lease renewal was up for debate because the library had refused to 
accept a renewal clause asking for the removal of all LGBTQ and socially
 divisive books from the shelves.Judith Cremer, the
 library director, said she was relieved by the renewal, though she 
didn’t understand some of the claims made by commissioners at earlier 
meetings, referencing their claims that many parents were angry at the 
library. Cremer said community response to the library has always been 
positive.“They don’t know us, so they need to 
come and visit and we need to get to know each other, because we’re both
 in the same job, we’re doing the same job. So hopefully we can get them
 to understand this a little better,” Cremer said.The commissioners have been discussing whether to renew the lease — which ends Dec. 31 — for the past few months.A lease proposed by Commissioner 
Matthew Childs stipulated the library not “supply, distribute, loan, 
encourage, or coerce acceptance of or approval of explicit sexual or 
racially or socially divisive material, or events (such as ‘drag queen 
story hours’) that support the LGBTQ+ or critical theory ideology or 
practice.”Commissioners said the outpouring of 
public support for the library informed their decision to extend the 
lease by one year. The four members who were present for Tuesday’s 
meeting all voted in favor of the one-year renewal.Childs, who was elected mayor by the 
other commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting, said the issue now was 
discussing how to keep the library in line with community standards, 
though he didn’t clarify what these standards would look like, and 
refused to give clarification or comments on the situation to the Kansas
 Reflector.“It was very clear from that meeting 
that citizens want the library to remain open,” Childs said. “Everyone 
agreed on that. So there’s really no question about that. The question 
is, how do we assure the safety of the community and that the community 
is getting what they want in the library? And that’s kind of up to the 
community.”All members of the commission are 
members of Society of St. Pius X, or SSPX, an extreme Catholic religious
 sect. At a previous commission meeting, Commissioner Richard Binsfeld said their religion had an impact on their views of the library.“We do go to the church, yes, all five of us,” Binsfeld said. “I
 think it has an influence on our decisions because we make decisions on
 our faith and morals, so certainly we’re going to be influenced by 
that. It’s definitely going to have a bearing on that certainly, without
 question.”&nbsp;Gerard Kleinsmith was elected to the position of vice mayor at the meeting, replacing Francis Awerkamp, a Republican who serves in the Kansas House.Kleinsmith said he didn’t want his 
tax dollars paying for books he didn’t approve of, saying the library 
didn’t reflect the interests of people in the county.“If you do a search of the Potawatomi
 library and look for actual books on their shelves, there are six books
 authored by Secretary Clinton on the shelves in Pottawattamie County 
Library,” Kleinsmith said. “There are none authored by President Trump. 
Not even ‘The Art of the Deal,’ that he wrote long before he was 
President. That’s just one example.”

Library lease renewed after months of debate

By DEWEY TERRILL JC Post

Justin
 Aaron, Junction City, reached the semifinal round of "The Voice" competition on NBC but was unable to advance to the finals. Following 
singing performances on Tuesday night, voters reduced the field of eight 
down to five.&nbsp;Aaron was among those who did not move on.

The 
Junction City resident had a strong run through "The Voice" competition 
and received national attention for his singing.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670424659400.jpeg" alt="Justin Aaron" />
 <figcaption>Justin Aaron</figcaption>
 </figure>By DEWEY TERRILL JC PostJustin
 Aaron, Junction City, reached the semifinal round of "The Voice" competition on NBC but was unable to advance to the finals. Following 
singing performances on Tuesday night, voters reduced the field of eight 
down to five.&nbsp;Aaron was among those who did not move on.The 
Junction City resident had a strong run through "The Voice" competition 
and received national attention for his singing.&nbsp;

Justin Aaron does not advance to the finals of 'The Voice'

Junction City Blue Jays Basketball vs Salina South Cougars Live Stream

Congratulations to Parker Erickson of Ramona, the Week 13 winner in Salina Pain Clinic's Gridiron Glory contest!

Parker, who scored 13 of 14 points, wins $100.

Although the season is underway, you still have time to win!

<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/6457a6fe-ce1b-48df-a651-5d8582b478f7?contestid=3#registration/login">Sign up today</a>&nbsp;to make your picks for a chance to win great weekly prizes, including cash,&nbsp;gift cards, concert tickets, and Chiefs tickets.&nbsp;If you pick well, you'll also be in the running for the local season prize of $1,000 and a national season prize of a trip to Hawaii!

Don't miss out on the state's best pro football pick'em contest!&nbsp;

<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/6457a6fe-ce1b-48df-a651-5d8582b478f7?contestid=3#registration/login">Click here to register for Gridiron Glory</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662062091203.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Congratulations to Parker Erickson of Ramona, the Week 13 winner in Salina Pain Clinic's Gridiron Glory contest!Parker, who scored 13 of 14 points, wins $100.Although the season is underway, you still have time to win!<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/6457a6fe-ce1b-48df-a651-5d8582b478f7?contestid=3#registration/login">Sign up today</a>&nbsp;to make your picks for a chance to win great weekly prizes, including cash,&nbsp;gift cards, concert tickets, and Chiefs tickets.&nbsp;If you pick well, you'll also be in the running for the local season prize of $1,000 and a national season prize of a trip to Hawaii!Don't miss out on the state's best pro football pick'em contest!&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/6457a6fe-ce1b-48df-a651-5d8582b478f7?contestid=3#registration/login">Click here to register for Gridiron Glory</a>

Gridiron Glory: Congratulations Parker Erickson!

Junction City residents had an opportunity to cheer for their hometown singer, Justin Aaron, Monday evening at the C. L. Hoover Opera House. Fans and supporters gathered to watch Justin perform on 'The Voice" on NBC, where he is among eight semifinalists in the program.

'The Voice continues Tuesday night from 7-9 p.m. on NBC. There will be another&nbsp; free watch party at the C.L. Hoover Opera House in Junction City.

Junction City residents had an opportunity to cheer for their hometown singer, Justin Aaron, Monday evening at the C. L. Hoover Opera House. Fans and supporters gathered to watch Justin perform on 'The Voice" on NBC, where he is among eight semifinalists in the program.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670348578560.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Santa Claus was there to enjoy the show.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670348711839.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>'The Voice continues Tuesday night from 7-9 p.m. on NBC. There will be another&nbsp; free watch party at the C.L. Hoover Opera House in Junction City.

Junction City fans enjoy Justin Aaron

Rev. John Fries has been installed as Pastor of the SPR Partnership. The SPR Partnership is a ministry agreement between St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Alta Vista, St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Clarks Creek Road and Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Mission at Lake Wabaunsee.

Rev. Fries attended the University of Iowa and Mankato State University, from which he graduated. He attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and the third year of seminary education at St. Paul's in Alta Vista, mentored by Rev. Robert Grimm.

Sunday worship services will be held at Redeemer at 8 a.m., St. Paul's Alta Vista at 9:30 and St. Paul's Clarks Creek at 11 a.m. beginning this Sunday.

Rev. Fries was installed as Pastor of the SPR Partnership this past Sunday. Rev. Larry Boye, Interim Pastor, officiated at the worship service held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Rev. Robert Grimm gave the sermon.

Rev. John Fries has been installed as Pastor of the SPR Partnership. The SPR Partnership is a ministry agreement between St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Alta Vista, St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Clarks Creek Road and Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Mission at Lake Wabaunsee.Rev. Fries attended the University of Iowa and Mankato State University, from which he graduated. He attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and the third year of seminary education at St. Paul's in Alta Vista, mentored by Rev. Robert Grimm.Sunday worship services will be held at Redeemer at 8 a.m., St. Paul's Alta Vista at 9:30 and St. Paul's Clarks Creek at 11 a.m. beginning this Sunday.Rev. Fries was installed as Pastor of the SPR Partnership this past Sunday. Rev. Larry Boye, Interim Pastor, officiated at the worship service held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Rev. Robert Grimm gave the sermon.

Rev. John Fries will be Pastor of the SPR Partnership

MANHATTAN —&nbsp;Nearly 400 Farm Bureau members of Kansas on Monday wrapped up business for their farm organization during Kansas Farm Bureau’s (KFB) 104th annual meeting. The policies adopted will now become the organization’s road map for the 2023 legislative session. Topics of discussion included&nbsp;water, medical marijuana and energy production. Wilson County farmer Joe Newland was elected president. Others elected to the board of directors include:

Outgoing KFB President Rich Felts was honored at Sunday’s banquet, including remarks from Sen. Jerry Moran. Other activities included a host of agriculture-related workshops and speakers, including a keynote from Gregg Doud, former Chief Agricultural Negotiator with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Sen. Roger Marshall and Rep. Tracey Mann spoke during a policy update, which also included briefings from Kansas Farm Bureau staff on issues important to agriculture. County Farm Bureaus and volunteers were recognized for their 2022 achievements. Nearly $5,600 was raised through a silent auction sponsored by the Women’s Leadership Committee for the End Hunger campaign. KFB Foundations’ Fundraiser “Let the Good Times Roll” raised more than $25,000, which also benefits the End Hunger campaign.

MANHATTAN —&nbsp;Nearly 400 Farm Bureau members of Kansas on Monday wrapped up business for their farm organization during Kansas Farm Bureau’s (KFB) 104th annual meeting. The policies adopted will now become the organization’s road map for the 2023 legislative session. Topics of discussion included&nbsp;water, medical marijuana and energy production. Wilson County farmer Joe Newland was elected president. Others elected to the board of directors include:<ul>
 <li>George Pretz, Miami County</li><li>Steve McCloud, Harvey County</li><li>Doug Zillinger, Phillips County</li><li>Joe Jury, Gray County</li><li>Craig Cooper, Sheridan County</li>
 </ul>Outgoing KFB President Rich Felts was honored at Sunday’s banquet, including remarks from Sen. Jerry Moran. Other activities included a host of agriculture-related workshops and speakers, including a keynote from Gregg Doud, former Chief Agricultural Negotiator with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Sen. Roger Marshall and Rep. Tracey Mann spoke during a policy update, which also included briefings from Kansas Farm Bureau staff on issues important to agriculture. County Farm Bureaus and volunteers were recognized for their 2022 achievements. Nearly $5,600 was raised through a silent auction sponsored by the Women’s Leadership Committee for the End Hunger campaign. KFB Foundations’ Fundraiser “Let the Good Times Roll” raised more than $25,000, which also benefits the End Hunger campaign.

Farmers and ranchers elect president, complete business at 104th annual meeting

Pilot Club of Junction City has donated $150 to "Shop with a Cop". The Shop with a Cop program has Supported the Community for many years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The pilot club also adopted kids from the Salvation Army " Angel Tree". There is still time to adopt an "Angel". Locations to find the Angel tree Christmas tree are: the Library, Dillons, Walmart and the 12 street Community center.&nbsp;

By Dewey TerrillJC PostPilot Club of Junction City has donated $150 to "Shop with a Cop". The Shop with a Cop program has Supported the Community for many years.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670344484808.jpeg" alt="Pictured from left: Officer Cathey, with Pilot club members Sharon Strain, Ina Kane, Karen Jameson and Sue Penn." />
 <figcaption>Pictured from left: Officer Cathey, with Pilot club members Sharon Strain, Ina Kane, Karen Jameson and Sue Penn.</figcaption>
 </figure>The pilot club also adopted kids from the Salvation Army " Angel Tree". There is still time to adopt an "Angel". Locations to find the Angel tree Christmas tree are: the Library, Dillons, Walmart and the 12 street Community center.&nbsp;

Pilot Club supports Shop with a Cop

USD 475 Communications Coordinator

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. – Geary County Unified School District 475, in collaboration with the Junction City Education Association, has nominated Melissa Hall for the 2023 Kansas Master Teacher Award. Hall teaches a variety of STEM—science, technology, engineering and math—classes at Fort Riley Middle School. She will be recognized at the district’s Board of Education meeting Dec. 8.

The Kansas Master Teacher Award program, presented annually by Emporia State University, recognizes exemplary professional educators in Kansas. Nominations are provided by district teacher associations and faculties, and winners are selected by a committee representing educational organizations across the state.

Hall has been at Fort Riley Middle School since 1998, most of her career. She has a bachelor’s degree in education from Emporia State University and a master’s degree in special education from Kansas State University. She is also working toward certification in English as a Second Language.

According to her nominators, Hall has strong personal relationships with students and collaborates with them to personalize their learning opportunities. She has structured the school’s STEM elective classes so that students can explore a variety of STEM fields. Additionally, she sponsors multiple clubs based on student interest, coordinates the Food4Kids program, and is a leader among her colleagues.

“Mrs. Hall intentionally plans her classes so that students have opportunities that are based in real-life, authentic experiences,” said Kathleen Brennan, Principal at Fort Riley Middle School. “Students select personalized pathways, set goals, and use hands-on and collaborative learning to meet these goals.”

By Marcia LockeUSD 475 Communications CoordinatorJUNCTION CITY, Kan. – Geary County Unified School District 475, in collaboration with the Junction City Education Association, has nominated Melissa Hall for the 2023 Kansas Master Teacher Award. Hall teaches a variety of STEM—science, technology, engineering and math—classes at Fort Riley Middle School. She will be recognized at the district’s Board of Education meeting Dec. 8.The Kansas Master Teacher Award program, presented annually by Emporia State University, recognizes exemplary professional educators in Kansas. Nominations are provided by district teacher associations and faculties, and winners are selected by a committee representing educational organizations across the state.Hall has been at Fort Riley Middle School since 1998, most of her career. She has a bachelor’s degree in education from Emporia State University and a master’s degree in special education from Kansas State University. She is also working toward certification in English as a Second Language.According to her nominators, Hall has strong personal relationships with students and collaborates with them to personalize their learning opportunities. She has structured the school’s STEM elective classes so that students can explore a variety of STEM fields. Additionally, she sponsors multiple clubs based on student interest, coordinates the Food4Kids program, and is a leader among her colleagues.“Mrs. Hall intentionally plans her classes so that students have opportunities that are based in real-life, authentic experiences,” said Kathleen Brennan, Principal at Fort Riley Middle School. “Students select personalized pathways, set goals, and use hands-on and collaborative learning to meet these goals.”

Fort Riley Middle School teacher nominated for Kansas Master Teacher Award

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/02/troubling-and-authoritarian-kansas-aclu-warns-st-marys-officials-that-closing-town-library-is-unconstitutional/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas has advised St. Marys city commissioners to renew <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/14/future-of-kansas-towns-library-in-jeopardy-over-refusal-to-remove-divisive-books/">the imperiled lease of their local public library</a>, saying the officials are violating the Constitution in a “dangerous exercise of power.”

The Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library’s lease
 is under threat after the library refused to accept a renewal lease 
clause asking them to remove all LGBTQ and socially divisive books from 
the shelves.

The lease stipulated that the library
 not “supply, distribute, loan, encourage, or coerce acceptance of or 
approval of explicit sexual or racially or socially divisive material, 
or events (such as ‘drag queen story hours’) that support the LGBTQ+ or 
critical theory ideology or practice.”

The lease clause was discussed after a parent was outraged by “Melissa,” <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/18/alex-gino-author-of-book-that-sparked-effort-to-close-kansas-towns-library-speaks-out/">a book by Alex Gino</a>
 about a transgender middle-schooler. But the parent himself spoke in 
support of the library during a city debate of the library’s lease.

Officials have been debating whether or not to renew the lease — which ends Dec. 31 — for the past few months. At <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/16/future-of-kansas-towns-library-uncertain-after-outpouring-of-support-at-commission-meeting/">the latest commission meeting</a>,
 commissioners discussed allowing the library to have a short-term lease
 while they decided if the library met their “moral standards.” The 
deciding vote is expected to be held Dec. 6.&nbsp;

Many St. Marys residents are in favor
 of keeping the local library, and a petition in support of the library 
has more than 1,000 signatures.

The library has been housed in its 
current location since the 1980s, operating on an annual lease with the 
city. The St. Mary’s branch is the headquarters for eight locations, 
including Alma, Alta Vista, Eskridge, Harveyville, Olsburg, Onaga, St. 
Marys and Westmoreland, with county residents funding the library 
through taxes.

The ACLU urged the commissioners to 
drop their attempts at censoring the library in a letter sent to the 
commissioners Thursday, saying banning the proposed materials violated 
freedom of expression rights.&nbsp;

“Banning books on the grounds that 
they include racial, sexual, or LGBTQ+ content is not only antithetical 
to a library’s mission, it is patently unconstitutional,” the letter 
read. “And threatening to not renew Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional 
Library’s lease solely because the library declined to violate the 
constitution and engage in viewpoint-based censorship is a troubling and
 authoritarian step for the Commission to take.”&nbsp;

ACLU officials say they will decide what action to take pending the results of the Dec. 6 vote. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670080648771.png" alt="A Christmas village display is set up inside the Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>A Christmas village display is set up inside the Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/02/troubling-and-authoritarian-kansas-aclu-warns-st-marys-officials-that-closing-town-library-is-unconstitutional/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas has advised St. Marys city commissioners to renew <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/14/future-of-kansas-towns-library-in-jeopardy-over-refusal-to-remove-divisive-books/">the imperiled lease of their local public library</a>, saying the officials are violating the Constitution in a “dangerous exercise of power.”The Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional Library’s lease
 is under threat after the library refused to accept a renewal lease 
clause asking them to remove all LGBTQ and socially divisive books from 
the shelves.The lease stipulated that the library
 not “supply, distribute, loan, encourage, or coerce acceptance of or 
approval of explicit sexual or racially or socially divisive material, 
or events (such as ‘drag queen story hours’) that support the LGBTQ+ or 
critical theory ideology or practice.”The lease clause was discussed after a parent was outraged by “Melissa,” <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/18/alex-gino-author-of-book-that-sparked-effort-to-close-kansas-towns-library-speaks-out/">a book by Alex Gino</a>
 about a transgender middle-schooler. But the parent himself spoke in 
support of the library during a city debate of the library’s lease.Officials have been debating whether or not to renew the lease — which ends Dec. 31 — for the past few months. At <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/16/future-of-kansas-towns-library-uncertain-after-outpouring-of-support-at-commission-meeting/">the latest commission meeting</a>,
 commissioners discussed allowing the library to have a short-term lease
 while they decided if the library met their “moral standards.” The 
deciding vote is expected to be held Dec. 6.&nbsp;Many St. Marys residents are in favor
 of keeping the local library, and a petition in support of the library 
has more than 1,000 signatures.The library has been housed in its 
current location since the 1980s, operating on an annual lease with the 
city. The St. Mary’s branch is the headquarters for eight locations, 
including Alma, Alta Vista, Eskridge, Harveyville, Olsburg, Onaga, St. 
Marys and Westmoreland, with county residents funding the library 
through taxes.The ACLU urged the commissioners to 
drop their attempts at censoring the library in a letter sent to the 
commissioners Thursday, saying banning the proposed materials violated 
freedom of expression rights.&nbsp;“Banning books on the grounds that 
they include racial, sexual, or LGBTQ+ content is not only antithetical 
to a library’s mission, it is patently unconstitutional,” the letter 
read. “And threatening to not renew Pottawatomie Wabaunsee Regional 
Library’s lease solely because the library declined to violate the 
constitution and engage in viewpoint-based censorship is a troubling and
 authoritarian step for the Commission to take.”&nbsp;ACLU officials say they will decide what action to take pending the results of the Dec. 6 vote.

'Troubling': ACLU issues warning ahead of library vote

Members of the Geary County Historical Society and the community had the opportunity to bid for Christmas decor items in a silent auction conducted by the Geary County Historical Society.

Heather Hagedorn said it was fun to see what people would create and spend their money on. She had some favorite entries. "There were a couple of really beautiful wreaths that were done. I think one of the favorites overall was one done by Noel Park's staff members." Hagedorn also enjoyed one that was done by DEL Motors. She called all the entries beautiful.

Hagedorn estimated the fundraiser would generate approximately $3,000 for the Historical Society.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670263880382.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Members of the Geary County Historical Society and the community had the opportunity to bid for Christmas decor items in a silent auction conducted by the Geary County Historical Society.Heather Hagedorn said it was fun to see what people would create and spend their money on. She had some favorite entries. "There were a couple of really beautiful wreaths that were done. I think one of the favorites overall was one done by Noel Park's staff members." Hagedorn also enjoyed one that was done by DEL Motors. She called all the entries beautiful.Hagedorn estimated the fundraiser would generate approximately $3,000 for the Historical Society.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670264283645.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Festival of Trees raises funds for the Geary County Historical Society

By GREG ECHLIN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/sports/2022-12-02/from-ghana-to-aggieville-ekow-boye-does-unlikely-journey-to-kansas-state-football">Kansas News Service</a>

When Kofi Boye-Doe and his family emigrated from Ghana to the United 
States in 2003, there were two connections he would’ve never imagined 
making in his new country: American football and the Kansas State 
Wildcats.

But 19 years later, his youngest son, born in a country 
where soccer is practically a religion, has excelled on the gridiron. 
After being raised in Lawrence, on the University of Kansas doorstep, 
Ekow Boye-Doe is doing it in Manhattan.

Plus, the starting senior 
cornerback for the Wildcats is enjoying the best stretch of football in 
his life. One week after the Wildcats’ victory over the Jayhawks, their 
biggest rivals, K-State is playing a 12-0 team from Texas Christian 
University Saturday in the Big 12 Football Championship.

“In high 
school I went to the playoffs, first-round, and lost,” said Boye-Doe, a 
Lawrence High School graduate who was born in Accra, Ghana’s capital 
city. Boye-Doe was 3 years old when his family settled in Kansas.

“That was the closest to a championship I’ve ever gotten,” he said.

Since then, he has distinguished himself with blazing speed.

"I mean, he's fast," senior defensive nose guard Eli Huggins said.

“You
 know what type of mindset and work ethic he’s going to show up with 
every day,” said Huggins. “It’s nice to have a veteran guy like that you
 know you can count on back there.”

Boye-Doe’s consistent defensive play has earned him a <a href="https://big12sports.com/news/2022/11/30/2022-all-big-12-football-awards-announced.aspx" target="_blank">2022 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention</a>.

Kofi
 Boye-Doe said his son’s speed comes from his mother, Valentina, who was
 a high school middle-distance runner in Ghana. But neither track nor 
soccer caught on with Ekow.

“I’m not a fan of just running for fun, and the workouts honestly,” said Boye-Doe with a laugh. “Football was my best option. I can run really fast.”

Boye-Doe
 remembers playing soccer after learning to walk and run in Ghana, but 
he got attached to football after moving to the USA. In Lawrence, his 
best friend’s dad convinced the speedy youngster to play youth football.

“I stuck with it. I loved it,” he said.

At
 Lawrence High School, Boye-Doe hardly left the field, playing wide 
receiver on offense, and defensive back the rest of the time.

Kofi
 admits he wasn’t crazy at first about his son deviating from the path 
to KU, where Ekow’s older twin brothers graduated. Both became 
successful in their own fields, one as a resident doctor in Chicago and 
the other as an accountant.

“Sports wasn’t my first love,” Kofi 
said, recalling his hopes for his youngest son. “Go get some sociology 
or something, then go to law school — do something.”

“I wasn’t so 
much into that kind of sport,” said Kofi, who shied away from attending 
some of Ekow’s games early on because of how rough the gameplay was.

“Of course,” laughed Kofi, who retired from the Johnson County, 
Kansas, Department of Corrections this year. He still teaches criminal 
justice at Johnson County Community College, and is a daily services 
coordinator for GoodLife Innovations, which provides residential and 
home care services for people with disabilities.

“During my 
childhood, growing up, my parents taught me to appreciate life and 
always support your children,” he said. “Initially, I didn’t like the 
sport, but I have no choice but to support him.”

“I’m a criminologist — I study crimes for a living. If you say you want him to be a (pro) cornerback, so be it,” said Kofi.

Ekow earned his social studies degree last spring, but he said he’d like to get a shot at playing in the NFL.

“I’ve also had dreams and aspirations of working in the real estate business,” he said.

One other thing that’s changed is Kofi’s allegiance–from KU’s crimson and blue to K-State’s royal purple.

KU did offer a football scholarship to his son, but only after the Wildcats had already done so. By then it was too late.

“It’s still a mind-boggling thing,” said Kofi, looking back on KU’s whiff.

The
 Jayhawks’ loss back then was K-State’s gain, and it has helped the 
Wildcats reach their first conference title game since 2003 — a pretty 
significant year for the Boye-Doe family, too.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670261570732.png" alt="Ekow Boye-Doe is playing the best football of his career as a Kansas State Wildcat, something his father would never have imagined for his son. Sophie Osborn / Kansas State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Ekow Boye-Doe is playing the best football of his career as a Kansas State Wildcat, something his father would never have imagined for his son. Sophie Osborn / Kansas State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG ECHLIN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/sports/2022-12-02/from-ghana-to-aggieville-ekow-boye-does-unlikely-journey-to-kansas-state-football">Kansas News Service</a>When Kofi Boye-Doe and his family emigrated from Ghana to the United 
States in 2003, there were two connections he would’ve never imagined 
making in his new country: American football and the Kansas State 
Wildcats.But 19 years later, his youngest son, born in a country 
where soccer is practically a religion, has excelled on the gridiron. 
After being raised in Lawrence, on the University of Kansas doorstep, 
Ekow Boye-Doe is doing it in Manhattan.Plus, the starting senior 
cornerback for the Wildcats is enjoying the best stretch of football in 
his life. One week after the Wildcats’ victory over the Jayhawks, their 
biggest rivals, K-State is playing a 12-0 team from Texas Christian 
University Saturday in the Big 12 Football Championship.“In high 
school I went to the playoffs, first-round, and lost,” said Boye-Doe, a 
Lawrence High School graduate who was born in Accra, Ghana’s capital 
city. Boye-Doe was 3 years old when his family settled in Kansas.“That was the closest to a championship I’ve ever gotten,” he said.Since then, he has distinguished himself with blazing speed."I mean, he's fast," senior defensive nose guard Eli Huggins said.“You
 know what type of mindset and work ethic he’s going to show up with 
every day,” said Huggins. “It’s nice to have a veteran guy like that you
 know you can count on back there.”Boye-Doe’s consistent defensive play has earned him a <a href="https://big12sports.com/news/2022/11/30/2022-all-big-12-football-awards-announced.aspx" target="_blank">2022 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention</a>.<h2>‘I can run really fast’</h2>Kofi
 Boye-Doe said his son’s speed comes from his mother, Valentina, who was
 a high school middle-distance runner in Ghana. But neither track nor 
soccer caught on with Ekow.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670261700536.png" alt="Kofi Boye-Doe and his family emigrated from Ghana to the U.S. in 2003. Greg Echlin / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption>Kofi Boye-Doe and his family emigrated from Ghana to the U.S. in 2003. Greg Echlin / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>“I’m not a fan of just running for fun, and the workouts honestly,” said Boye-Doe with a laugh. “Football was my best option. I can run really fast.”Boye-Doe
 remembers playing soccer after learning to walk and run in Ghana, but 
he got attached to football after moving to the USA. In Lawrence, his 
best friend’s dad convinced the speedy youngster to play youth football.“I stuck with it. I loved it,” he said.At
 Lawrence High School, Boye-Doe hardly left the field, playing wide 
receiver on offense, and defensive back the rest of the time.Kofi
 admits he wasn’t crazy at first about his son deviating from the path 
to KU, where Ekow’s older twin brothers graduated. Both became 
successful in their own fields, one as a resident doctor in Chicago and 
the other as an accountant.“Sports wasn’t my first love,” Kofi 
said, recalling his hopes for his youngest son. “Go get some sociology 
or something, then go to law school — do something.”“I wasn’t so 
much into that kind of sport,” said Kofi, who shied away from attending 
some of Ekow’s games early on because of how rough the gameplay was.But all of that has changed.“Of course,” laughed Kofi, who retired from the Johnson County, 
Kansas, Department of Corrections this year. He still teaches criminal 
justice at Johnson County Community College, and is a daily services 
coordinator for GoodLife Innovations, which provides residential and 
home care services for people with disabilities.“During my 
childhood, growing up, my parents taught me to appreciate life and 
always support your children,” he said. “Initially, I didn’t like the 
sport, but I have no choice but to support him.”“I’m a criminologist — I study crimes for a living. If you say you want him to be a (pro) cornerback, so be it,” said Kofi.Ekow earned his social studies degree last spring, but he said he’d like to get a shot at playing in the NFL.“I’ve also had dreams and aspirations of working in the real estate business,” he said.<h2>‘A mind-boggling thing’</h2>One other thing that’s changed is Kofi’s allegiance–from KU’s crimson and blue to K-State’s royal purple.“I bleed purple,” he said.KU did offer a football scholarship to his son, but only after the Wildcats had already done so. By then it was too late.“It’s still a mind-boggling thing,” said Kofi, looking back on KU’s whiff.The
 Jayhawks’ loss back then was K-State’s gain, and it has helped the 
Wildcats reach their first conference title game since 2003 — a pretty 
significant year for the Boye-Doe family, too.

From Ghana to Aggieville: An unlikely journey to K-State football

K-State extension specialist talks about the importance of community well-being following a pandemic&nbsp;

By Lisa Moser, K-State Research and Extension news service&nbsp;

MANHATTAN, Kan. — When disaster strikes, people who are most directly impacted turn to the helpers to begin the recovery process. Often, recovery takes years.&nbsp;

In terms of disaster, the COVID-19 pandemic created a ripple effect that many people are continuing to process, said Elaine Johannes, the Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health at Kansas State University.&nbsp;

“This disaster didn’t hit everyone the same way,” she said, “and the ripple effects are different depending on how well prepared our community was at addressing large scale health issues.” &nbsp;

One of the effects is mental health, Johannes said.&nbsp;

“Mental health is fluid and changes over a lifespan, and the trauma from a disaster will be experienced differently by the families and individuals in a community,” Johannes said. &nbsp;

Often when talking about resiliency, Johannes said people think about the individual, but she believes it is important to look at the well-being of the whole community.&nbsp;

“A resilient community isn’t necessarily a city, county or township, but it can be a community of friends, a community of workplaces and a community of faith,” she said. &nbsp;

“A healthy community requires the same kinds of characteristics that you or I as individuals need, and that is to be adaptable and be aware of our own mental and physical state.” &nbsp;

She said it is important for community members to “check-in” with one another, and that local extension personnel are part of the resources for a community.&nbsp;

“Extension professionals are embedded in our communities, and we have well-trained experts across the state who can offer mental health first aid,” Johannes said. &nbsp;

She believes there are key people in each community that help build resiliency.&nbsp;

“It takes those key informants in the community -- such as those who work in extension, education, public health, faith and local businesses -- to notice a friend or colleague in need and reach out and ask, ‘How are you doing?’,” Johannes said.&nbsp;

“And be ready for the answer,” she adds, “because it may be different than what we think but at least we’ll be there and be willing to help.”&nbsp;

A longer discussion with Johannes is available on the weekly radio program,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/radio-network/sound-living.html" target="_blank">Sound Living</a>, produced by K-State Research and Extension. More information on healthy living is also available from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html" target="_blank">local extension offices in Kansas</a>. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://attachments.office.net/owa/dewey.terrill%40eagleradio.net/service.svc/s/GetAttachmentThumbnail?id=AAMkADI3M2ZjOTI3LTM1MjMtNGQ5Ni1iNTMxLThmNzI0NjYxNDVmYQBGAAAAAADNGzEi%2BibjSJuX7%2FGSC%2BhABwA79%2FCb%2FOpaSb5wXlL7ja5QAAAAAAEMAAA79%2FCb%2FOpaSb5wXlL7ja5QAAK0GInNAAABEgAQAE8L2n90xk9DugZhkkkf1%2BM%3D&amp;thumbnailType=2&amp;token=eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsImtpZCI6IkQ4OThGN0RDMjk2ODQ1MDk1RUUwREZGQ0MzODBBOTM5NjUwNDNFNjQiLCJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJ4NXQiOiIySmozM0Nsb1JRbGU0Tl84dzRDcE9XVUVQbVEifQ.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.Cbmj6Sv1sPrEljnTndRJjsXqQ8JuBqXO04Drkd9iSkFvTE43mj5xvISIh1yllZfwOOBAMrZnkmisnmO5XNoiEaKuftTOFumi2-z8yR3pZc1ik2i960IhfHhdMvJWwB_ijwEvLs6RQot2JKVCUbO1s65wSlypBPFv3IoS7Qk_RNxcJpFtUOiSLTwPomT2ToCYQ33suov1xrvDjPfEFqC_FsyG0pMD3jHWNPV3RyzShE9eWI-uVxovz9R4exB5ZTYRxAMkSPpC2tjhVt0aGLVUVjzeWG4CCMjZowENAHPlDYxDtojzh1Cjp5_35VzceyWdv1c525LDJ4z4ZsUIGzxRjg&amp;X-OWA-CANARY=O2SZucG8dUux_-XSbC4CACAWWCvd1toYOn1JiLiw3jihIZN52GGPpZAMEnXH01IRlPv9Bo6M9bA.&amp;owa=outlook.office.com&amp;scriptVer=20221124007.08&amp;animation=true" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>K-State extension specialist talks about the importance of community well-being following a pandemic&nbsp;By Lisa Moser, K-State Research and Extension news service&nbsp;MANHATTAN, Kan. — When disaster strikes, people who are most directly impacted turn to the helpers to begin the recovery process. Often, recovery takes years.&nbsp;In terms of disaster, the COVID-19 pandemic created a ripple effect that many people are continuing to process, said Elaine Johannes, the Kansas Health Foundation’s Distinguished Professor of Community Health at Kansas State University.&nbsp;“This disaster didn’t hit everyone the same way,” she said, “and the ripple effects are different depending on how well prepared our community was at addressing large scale health issues.” &nbsp;One of the effects is mental health, Johannes said.&nbsp;“Mental health is fluid and changes over a lifespan, and the trauma from a disaster will be experienced differently by the families and individuals in a community,” Johannes said. &nbsp;Often when talking about resiliency, Johannes said people think about the individual, but she believes it is important to look at the well-being of the whole community.&nbsp;“A resilient community isn’t necessarily a city, county or township, but it can be a community of friends, a community of workplaces and a community of faith,” she said. &nbsp;“A healthy community requires the same kinds of characteristics that you or I as individuals need, and that is to be adaptable and be aware of our own mental and physical state.” &nbsp;She said it is important for community members to “check-in” with one another, and that local extension personnel are part of the resources for a community.&nbsp;“Extension professionals are embedded in our communities, and we have well-trained experts across the state who can offer mental health first aid,” Johannes said. &nbsp;She believes there are key people in each community that help build resiliency.&nbsp;“It takes those key informants in the community -- such as those who work in extension, education, public health, faith and local businesses -- to notice a friend or colleague in need and reach out and ask, ‘How are you doing?’,” Johannes said.&nbsp;“And be ready for the answer,” she adds, “because it may be different than what we think but at least we’ll be there and be willing to help.”&nbsp;A longer discussion with Johannes is available on the weekly radio program,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/radio-network/sound-living.html" target="_blank">Sound Living</a>, produced by K-State Research and Extension. More information on healthy living is also available from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html" target="_blank">local extension offices in Kansas</a>. &nbsp;

Building resilience in a community 

MANHATTAN —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a theft in Manhattan.&nbsp;

Just after 4p.m. Sunday, officers filed a report for theft in the 3600 block of Claflin Road in Manhattan according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

 Manhattan Cross Country Club reported their 2013 white enclosed 5 x 10 trailer containing race equipment was stolen from their parking lot. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $13,900.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=353#">Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers</a>. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

MANHATTAN —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a theft in Manhattan.&nbsp;Just after 4p.m. Sunday, officers filed a report for theft in the 3600 block of Claflin Road in Manhattan according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. Manhattan Cross Country Club reported their 2013 white enclosed 5 x 10 trailer containing race equipment was stolen from their parking lot. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $13,900.&nbsp;&nbsp;Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=353#">Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers</a>. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RCPD: Manhattan Cross Country Club trailer, equipment stolen

Kim Baldwin, McPherson County farmer and rancher The rush is on as the hustle and bustle of the holiday season ramps up! It seems like there’s never enough hours in the days, or days in the weeks leading up to Christmas. &nbsp; As a parent, small business owner, community member and farmer, there’s just a lot to accomplish immediately after washing the dishes from our Thanksgiving meal. &nbsp; As a parent, keeping track of the Christmas parties and holiday-themed school days for my two young children requires organization and focus.&nbsp; &nbsp; Throughout the year, I keep track of the "normal" school things needed to be done like the minutes we read nightly, the weekly spelling words needing attention at home, and making sure the kids have their library books read and ready to return on their assigned library days.&nbsp; &nbsp; But this month I’m hyper alert to knowing when “Ugly Christmas Sweater Day”&nbsp;is compared to when “Santa’s Ho-Ho-Hoedown Day”&nbsp;is to ensure my kids participate in at least some of their school’s countdown to Christmas Break spirit days – 15 themed spirit days in all.&nbsp; &nbsp; One of my greatest fears this month has become the thought of sending the kids to school wearing their pajamas for “Dream a Little Dream Day”&nbsp;when they should be wearing a scarf for “Deck Your Neck Day” or forgetting to dig out Hawaiian shirts for “Christmas Vacation Day”.&nbsp; &nbsp; I’ve concluded that if there are prizes for most spirited this month at school, the Baldwin kids probably won’t make the cut. I’ll consider it a win if I remember to send lunch money on the day the school serves their Christmas ham meal later this month! &nbsp; On the farm, there’s a list of things we try to get done every December. Currently, that list has us trying to get fields fertilized before any potential snow falls. This responsibility mainly falls on my husband as I dedicate my days fulfilling holiday orders and making multiple trips to the post office for our small business.&nbsp; &nbsp; There are parties and practices and community events and performances and games and top-secret shopping trips also on my December calendar. &nbsp; My December started out with an incredibly busy day, which transitioned into an equally busy evening consisting of shuttling kids from school to basketball practice and then home for showers and food, only to drive them back to town to practice their church Christmas program. I was able to briefly catch my breath after handing the kids off to my husband before making my way to choir practice.&nbsp; &nbsp; Getting home shortly before 9 that night, I collapsed on the couch ready to unwind from a busy, busy day. However, I got a phone call from my father-in-law instead.&nbsp; &nbsp; It turned out my day was not done just yet. Instead, I put on my coveralls and headed out to the barn to watch over a ewe who had just lambed.&nbsp; &nbsp; Peeking into the lambing pen that was now occupied by the ewe with her tiny, wet lamb with wobbly legs brought me a calm I had not experienced that day.&nbsp; &nbsp; Under a clear, dark December sky with stars shining bright above us, a new mother with her newborn lying in a bed of straw reminded me of the true spirit of this season. And all was calm. &nbsp; May you have at least one moment this month which causes you to pause amongst the holiday hustle and bustle in order to experience the true spirit of the season.

Kim Baldwin, McPherson County farmer and rancher The rush is on as the hustle and bustle of the holiday season ramps up! It seems like there’s never enough hours in the days, or days in the weeks leading up to Christmas. &nbsp; As a parent, small business owner, community member and farmer, there’s just a lot to accomplish immediately after washing the dishes from our Thanksgiving meal. &nbsp; As a parent, keeping track of the Christmas parties and holiday-themed school days for my two young children requires organization and focus.&nbsp; &nbsp; Throughout the year, I keep track of the "normal" school things needed to be done like the minutes we read nightly, the weekly spelling words needing attention at home, and making sure the kids have their library books read and ready to return on their assigned library days.&nbsp; &nbsp; But this month I’m hyper alert to knowing when “Ugly Christmas Sweater Day”&nbsp;is compared to when “Santa’s Ho-Ho-Hoedown Day”&nbsp;is to ensure my kids participate in at least some of their school’s countdown to Christmas Break spirit days – 15 themed spirit days in all.&nbsp; &nbsp; One of my greatest fears this month has become the thought of sending the kids to school wearing their pajamas for “Dream a Little Dream Day”&nbsp;when they should be wearing a scarf for “Deck Your Neck Day” or forgetting to dig out Hawaiian shirts for “Christmas Vacation Day”.&nbsp; &nbsp; I’ve concluded that if there are prizes for most spirited this month at school, the Baldwin kids probably won’t make the cut. I’ll consider it a win if I remember to send lunch money on the day the school serves their Christmas ham meal later this month! &nbsp; On the farm, there’s a list of things we try to get done every December. Currently, that list has us trying to get fields fertilized before any potential snow falls. This responsibility mainly falls on my husband as I dedicate my days fulfilling holiday orders and making multiple trips to the post office for our small business.&nbsp; &nbsp; There are parties and practices and community events and performances and games and top-secret shopping trips also on my December calendar. &nbsp; My December started out with an incredibly busy day, which transitioned into an equally busy evening consisting of shuttling kids from school to basketball practice and then home for showers and food, only to drive them back to town to practice their church Christmas program. I was able to briefly catch my breath after handing the kids off to my husband before making my way to choir practice.&nbsp; &nbsp; Getting home shortly before 9 that night, I collapsed on the couch ready to unwind from a busy, busy day. However, I got a phone call from my father-in-law instead.&nbsp; &nbsp; It turned out my day was not done just yet. Instead, I put on my coveralls and headed out to the barn to watch over a ewe who had just lambed.&nbsp; &nbsp; Peeking into the lambing pen that was now occupied by the ewe with her tiny, wet lamb with wobbly legs brought me a calm I had not experienced that day.&nbsp; &nbsp; Under a clear, dark December sky with stars shining bright above us, a new mother with her newborn lying in a bed of straw reminded me of the true spirit of this season. And all was calm. &nbsp; May you have at least one moment this month which causes you to pause amongst the holiday hustle and bustle in order to experience the true spirit of the season.

The Spirit of the Season

Two longtime Geary County rural firefighters are retiring. Cliff White and Mike Asbury were honored during the annual appreciation banquet for rural fighters.

Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges noted that White is retiring after 35 years and Asbury after 22 years.

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 </figure>By Dewey TerrillJC PostTwo longtime Geary County rural firefighters are retiring. Cliff White and Mike Asbury were honored during the annual appreciation banquet for rural fighters.Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges noted that White is retiring after 35 years and Asbury after 22 years.

Two Longtime rural firefighters are honored

Junction City celebrated a Hometown Christmas Saturday evening downtown.

There were numerous activities as the 10 Days of Christmas neared an end.&nbsp; ( Photos - Phyllis FItzgerald )

Junction City celebrated a Hometown Christmas Saturday evening downtown.There were numerous activities as the 10 Days of Christmas neared an end.&nbsp; ( Photos - Phyllis FItzgerald )<figure>
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Junction City celebrates a Hometown Christmas

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Ty Zentner kicked a 31-yard field goal in overtime as 13th-ranked Kansas State beat No. 3 TCU 31-28 in the Big 12 championship game Saturday, leaving the Horned Frogs to wait another day to find out if they had already done enough to get into the four-team College Football Playoff.

The Wildcats set up&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=35173166">the winning field goal</a>&nbsp;after TCU had the opening possession of overtime and Kendre Miller was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=35173151">stopped short</a>&nbsp;on consecutive plays from inside the 1.

Deuce Vaughn ran for 130 yards and a touchdown and Will Howard threw two TDs for the Wildcats (10-3, No. 10 CFP), who six weeks earlier had jumped out to a 28-10 lead early in the second quarter before TCU scored the game’s last 28 points.

That was one of five games the Horned Frogs (12-1, No. 3 CFP) won when trailing after halftime. But they couldn’t do it again with the chance to guarantee being the first Big 12 team other than Oklahoma to make the playoff.

“We got beat today and now it’s out of our hands. That’s something that we wanted to do is be in control,” TCU quarterback Max Duggan said. “All we can do is kind of watch."

TCU, the first Big 12 team to complete a regular season undefeated since Texas in 2009, could still get into the playoff. While their case was helped when fourth-ranked Southern California (11-2) lost 47-24 to Utah in the Pac-12 championship game Friday night, the Frogs now have to wait until the final CFP rankings come out Sunday.

“I think we’re certainly deserving. I think the league is one of the best leagues in the country to go through, undefeated in the league, certainly we ought to get in," first-year TCU coach Sonny Dykes said. “And I don’t think we should be punished for coming to the Big 12 championship game.”

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said before the game that TCU, with first-year coach Sonny Dykes, already deserved to be in the playoff.

“You look at their strength of schedule. You think about how they’ve performed all year long,” Yormark said. “I think regardless, they should be in, for sure.”

Kansas State coach Chris Klieman agreed after his team reached 10 wins for the first time since 2012, when the Wildcats won the Big 12 title when there was no championship game.

“TCU should be in the in the CFP, they’re one of the best four teams,” Klieman said. "We went toe to toe with them. I thought we could go toe to toe with them and find a way to win. It was an exceptional football game.”

Max Duggan, who went from losing his job as TCU's starting quarterback going into the season to now being a potential Heisman Trophy finalist, threw for 251 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for 110 yards with an&nbsp;<a href="http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=35172923">8-yard score with 1:51 remaining in regulation</a>.

Duggan was stopped just short when stretching for another touchdown when TCU had the ball in regulation, dropping his helmet face-first into the turf when looking up and not seeing a touchdown signaled. The spot was upheld after a replay review, and two plays later the quarterback was standing alone well behind the play with his hands on his helmet when Miller, who had a 6-yard TD earlier, was stopped short to give the ball to K-State.

Vaughn’s 44-yard touchdown, including an open-field move that led to a defensive back falling down yards from him, made it 28-17 and capped a drive set up after Julius Brent intercepted a pass by Duggan in the end zone on the first play of the fourth quarter.

But TCU scored the last 11 points of regulation, including Griffin Kell’s 42-yard field goal with 7 1/2 minute left. The kick ended a drive that Duggan kept alive with a 16-yard pass to Taye Barber on fourth-and-10.

Duggan went to his knees in the end zone, clearly exhausted, after his 8-yard TD run late in regulation. That came right after his 40-yard sprint down the left sideline after scrambling away from pressure on the previous play, though he still had to get up and throw a tying 2-point conversion to tight end Jared Wiley.

He also had runs of 15, 13 and 19 yards on the drive, the longest of those three converting a fourth-and-2 from near midfield. He appeared to throw a 38-yard TD pass after that, but Jordan Hudson was called for offensive pass interference for pushing off to make the catch.

TCU went 92 yards in 13 plays on its opening drive of the game, going ahead 7-0 on Duggan’s 1-yard pass to Barber, but scored only three points its next six drives before halftime.

Kell missed a 55-yard field goal attempt on the Frogs' next drive, and K-State capitalized on Howard's 6-yard TD to Ben Sinnott, never to trail again. Howard made it 14-7 with a 1-yard TD run in the second quarter.

Just like 2014, the inaugural season of the four-team playoff, TCU&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-texas-ohio-state-buckeyes-d365a4f4912f69472562eb0cc0d99cf1?">went into its last game before the final rankings</a>&nbsp;at No. 3, with Ohio State fifth.

TCU got left out that time, even after a seven-TD win over Iowa State in its regular-season finale before the Buckeyes beat Wisconsin 59-0 in the Big Ten title game later that day to make the playoff and win the national title. But this year, the Buckeyes (11-1) missed their conference title game after a loss last week to Michigan.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Ty Zentner kicked a 31-yard field goal in overtime as 13th-ranked Kansas State beat No. 3 TCU 31-28 in the Big 12 championship game Saturday, leaving the Horned Frogs to wait another day to find out if they had already done enough to get into the four-team College Football Playoff.The Wildcats set up&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=35173166">the winning field goal</a>&nbsp;after TCU had the opening possession of overtime and Kendre Miller was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=35173151">stopped short</a>&nbsp;on consecutive plays from inside the 1.Deuce Vaughn ran for 130 yards and a touchdown and Will Howard threw two TDs for the Wildcats (10-3, No. 10 CFP), who six weeks earlier had jumped out to a 28-10 lead early in the second quarter before TCU scored the game’s last 28 points.That was one of five games the Horned Frogs (12-1, No. 3 CFP) won when trailing after halftime. But they couldn’t do it again with the chance to guarantee being the first Big 12 team other than Oklahoma to make the playoff.“We got beat today and now it’s out of our hands. That’s something that we wanted to do is be in control,” TCU quarterback Max Duggan said. “All we can do is kind of watch."TCU, the first Big 12 team to complete a regular season undefeated since Texas in 2009, could still get into the playoff. While their case was helped when fourth-ranked Southern California (11-2) lost 47-24 to Utah in the Pac-12 championship game Friday night, the Frogs now have to wait until the final CFP rankings come out Sunday.“I think we’re certainly deserving. I think the league is one of the best leagues in the country to go through, undefeated in the league, certainly we ought to get in," first-year TCU coach Sonny Dykes said. “And I don’t think we should be punished for coming to the Big 12 championship game.”Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said before the game that TCU, with first-year coach Sonny Dykes, already deserved to be in the playoff.“You look at their strength of schedule. You think about how they’ve performed all year long,” Yormark said. “I think regardless, they should be in, for sure.”Kansas State coach Chris Klieman agreed after his team reached 10 wins for the first time since 2012, when the Wildcats won the Big 12 title when there was no championship game.“TCU should be in the in the CFP, they’re one of the best four teams,” Klieman said. "We went toe to toe with them. I thought we could go toe to toe with them and find a way to win. It was an exceptional football game.”Max Duggan, who went from losing his job as TCU's starting quarterback going into the season to now being a potential Heisman Trophy finalist, threw for 251 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for 110 yards with an&nbsp;<a href="http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=35172923">8-yard score with 1:51 remaining in regulation</a>.Duggan was stopped just short when stretching for another touchdown when TCU had the ball in regulation, dropping his helmet face-first into the turf when looking up and not seeing a touchdown signaled. The spot was upheld after a replay review, and two plays later the quarterback was standing alone well behind the play with his hands on his helmet when Miller, who had a 6-yard TD earlier, was stopped short to give the ball to K-State.Vaughn’s 44-yard touchdown, including an open-field move that led to a defensive back falling down yards from him, made it 28-17 and capped a drive set up after Julius Brent intercepted a pass by Duggan in the end zone on the first play of the fourth quarter.But TCU scored the last 11 points of regulation, including Griffin Kell’s 42-yard field goal with 7 1/2 minute left. The kick ended a drive that Duggan kept alive with a 16-yard pass to Taye Barber on fourth-and-10.Duggan went to his knees in the end zone, clearly exhausted, after his 8-yard TD run late in regulation. That came right after his 40-yard sprint down the left sideline after scrambling away from pressure on the previous play, though he still had to get up and throw a tying 2-point conversion to tight end Jared Wiley.He also had runs of 15, 13 and 19 yards on the drive, the longest of those three converting a fourth-and-2 from near midfield. He appeared to throw a 38-yard TD pass after that, but Jordan Hudson was called for offensive pass interference for pushing off to make the catch.TCU went 92 yards in 13 plays on its opening drive of the game, going ahead 7-0 on Duggan’s 1-yard pass to Barber, but scored only three points its next six drives before halftime.Kell missed a 55-yard field goal attempt on the Frogs' next drive, and K-State capitalized on Howard's 6-yard TD to Ben Sinnott, never to trail again. Howard made it 14-7 with a 1-yard TD run in the second quarter.Just like 2014, the inaugural season of the four-team playoff, TCU&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-texas-ohio-state-buckeyes-d365a4f4912f69472562eb0cc0d99cf1?">went into its last game before the final rankings</a>&nbsp;at No. 3, with Ohio State fifth.TCU got left out that time, even after a seven-TD win over Iowa State in its regular-season finale before the Buckeyes beat Wisconsin 59-0 in the Big Ten title game later that day to make the playoff and win the national title. But this year, the Buckeyes (11-1) missed their conference title game after a loss last week to Michigan.

Kansas State wins the Big 12 football championship

Geary County Sheriff's Deputies responded to I-70, mile marker 310 for a single vehicle rollover accident just after 5 a.m. Saturday. According to the Sheriff's Department, Jonathan Shelley, Grantsville, Maryland was westbound in a Ford F-150 when the vehicle left the roadway and rolled twice before&nbsp; coming to rest in the median.

 Shelley initially did not report any injuries but late complained of wrist and other injuries. He was evaluated at Geary Community Hospital. The vehicle was removed by a wrecker service.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostGeary County Sheriff's Deputies responded to I-70, mile marker 310 for a single vehicle rollover accident just after 5 a.m. Saturday. According to the Sheriff's Department, Jonathan Shelley, Grantsville, Maryland was westbound in a Ford F-150 when the vehicle left the roadway and rolled twice before&nbsp; coming to rest in the median. Shelley initially did not report any injuries but late complained of wrist and other injuries. He was evaluated at Geary Community Hospital. The vehicle was removed by a wrecker service.

Deputies work a rollover accident in Geary County

Todd Godfrey, Junction City, is coordinating a Santa Claus JC program where you can schedule Santa Claus to visit with children on Christmas morning. He has opened a Santa Claus JC page on Facebook and Instagram.&nbsp;

Todd is continuing a tradition that goes back to his own childhood. "My dad had set up so parents could contact him prior to Christmas with gifts that Santa Claus was giving their children for Christmas and provide a phone number. And then those&nbsp; children were actually given a phone call Christmas morning from Santa Claus." Godfrey saw the good impact of those calls on the children.

"We would prefer that if you want a phone call from Santa Claus on Christmas morning that you actually message that page ( Santa Claus JC ) with the child's name, probably their age and then how to interact with them a little bit better. " Include information on the gifts being provided by Santa Claus and a telephone number to call so the message can be relayed to Santa Claus so he can talk with the&nbsp; children on Christmas morning.

Godfrey has also received help from Geared Up Dads on this program.

By Dewey TerrillJC PostTodd Godfrey, Junction City, is coordinating a Santa Claus JC program where you can schedule Santa Claus to visit with children on Christmas morning. He has opened a Santa Claus JC page on Facebook and Instagram.&nbsp;Todd is continuing a tradition that goes back to his own childhood. "My dad had set up so parents could contact him prior to Christmas with gifts that Santa Claus was giving their children for Christmas and provide a phone number. And then those&nbsp; children were actually given a phone call Christmas morning from Santa Claus." Godfrey saw the good impact of those calls on the children."We would prefer that if you want a phone call from Santa Claus on Christmas morning that you actually message that page ( Santa Claus JC ) with the child's name, probably their age and then how to interact with them a little bit better. " Include information on the gifts being provided by Santa Claus and a telephone number to call so the message can be relayed to Santa Claus so he can talk with the&nbsp; children on Christmas morning.Godfrey has also received help from Geared Up Dads on this program.

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