The Anderson County Area Community News

11/01/2018

Clinic In A Can and Ameri-Cares is Respond to Hurricane Michael with Clinics on Solar

Local Clinic In A Canand AmeriCares based in Stamford Connecticut are jointly responding to Hurricane Michael with relocatable containerized clinics.
We are preparing our first shipment of four Clinic In A Can units for deployment in the Panama City, Florida area. The clinics will be set up for primary care and will be solar powered. We are partnering with Americares and they will be staffing the clinics with medical personne.
“The greatest need currently for those affected by Hurricane Michael in Panama City, Florida is providing primary healthcare to families affected by Hurricane Michael and volunteers assisting with cleanup. Most of the local clinics have been impacted by this natural disaster either due to the loss of electricity or damaged buildings. Through our joint partnership, Clinic In A Can will provide the medical space through our containerized clinics and AmeriCares will provide the licensed medical staff,” said Clinic In A Can CEO Michael Wawrzewski. “The solar powered Clinic In A Can is a practical and innovative solution not only for the immediate healthcare needs but also the long-term healthcare needs that communities face until the recovery phase is complete.”
The public and media are invited to tour the solar powered Clinic In A Can units before being scheduled for shipment on Friday, October 19th. The units will be staged for deployment at 3545 N. Santa Fe in Wichita, Kan. For questions or more information contact the Clinic In A Can office at 316-262-0953 or visit www.clinicinacan.org
Clinic In A Can is a medical relief organization based in Wichita, Kansas that specializes in making self-contained medical clinics built inside a shipping containers. Clinic In A Can is an innovative approach to improving health care in underserved areas. By building and customizing container clinics, we seek to enable organizations/communities to provide sustainable medical services in underdeveloped regions and disaster areas. To learn more about Clinic In A Can, visit www.clinicinacan.org.
Clinic In A Can is available to the news media 24/7 at 316-262-0953 or 316-204-4677
www.twitter.com/clinicinacan
www.facebook.com/clinicinacan
Editor’s Note: Michael Wawrzewski is a native of Anderson County and his parents reside here.

Clinic In A Can 20 foot Trauma Unit

11/01/2018

Bud Fraker is named as Grand Marshal for Christmas Parade

The 48th annual Christmas Parade & Lighting Ceremony, sponsored by the Garnett Area Chamber of Commerce, is set for November 24.
The Garnett Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors have chosen Bud Fraker as Grand Marshal of the 2018 Christmas Parade. He is being honored for his dedication and love for the community that Fraker has displayed over the years. He is a WWII veteran, who proudly served in the Navy. He is a Charter Member of the VFW and has been a member of the American Legion for 72 years.
He owned Fraker Clothing for 44 years, and was married to Elsie, the love of his life, for 66 years. They were blessed with two children and a lifetime of memories.
“This community has everything a person could want-lakes, hunting, golf, restaurants, and more. It’s perfect,” he said.
When asked about how he felt about Garnett, Bud replied, “You don’t know how lucky you are to live here until you have spent time somewhere else.” When asked about being chosen as Grand Marshal, he said “I never dreamed I would be chosen. It might not mean much to somebody else, but to me, it is an honor.”

11/01/2018

Garnett Voters Get Their Say On Commission Size

Garnett voters will get to say Nov. 6 if they want to expand the number of city commissioners from three to five.
City commissioners finalized an explanation of the proposal that will go on the city’s website during their meeting Tuesday.
Earlier this year, Commissioner Brigette Brecheisen-Huss persuaded her fellow commissioners Jody Cole and Greg Gwin to put the question on the ballot for the general election. She did most of the work on the explanation to voters during Tuesday’s meeting.
Technically, the election is an advisory election but if voters agree that they want a larger commission, commissioners would most likely proceed with the work needed to do so.
They would; however, have to figure out how to structure the terms, how to structure the overall commission and how to add the two new commissioners to the governing body. Presently, with a three-member commission, one commissioner seat goes up for election each year.
Most nearby city councils have two-year terms with every seat up for election. Most represent the city at large.
Ottawa has five commissioners, with three seats up for election every two years – with the top two vote-getters receiving four-terms and the third-place winner getting a two-year term. Ottawa city commissioners represent the city at large.
However, Osawatomie and Paola commissions have staggered four-year terms, with half of the commission seats up for election every two years. Osawatomie and Paola have commission districts.
Brecheisen-Huss says increasing the size of the commission would increase representation and offer a wider range of ideas and opinions among commissioners.
Cole and Gwin have been more skeptical but have said they would accept the verdict of voters. However, they have said they would resist any proposal of establishing commission districts.
Garnett city commissioners are paid for their service. Adding two more commissioners would add approximately $14,000 per year.

10/24/2018

Some folks had a fun time at the Donkey Ball games last weekend in the gym as Donkey Ball was held as a fund-raiser for the Anderson County After Prom Committee. It was fun, but the top picture shows on rider having a lot of fun as a fellow rider hit the floor off his donkey.
Photos by Sheri Hopkins

10/24/2018

Garnett Recreation Center To Begin Having 24-Hour Member Access

The City of Garnett will be issuing key cards to members at the Garnett Recreation Center/Goppert Wellness Center as of Thursday, November 1. This will provide members accessibility to the Rec Center at any time day or night. Staff will be on duty during regular business hours and as necessary.
As of Tuesday, October 23, members can streamline the process of card activation by going online and creating their account. Accounts can be created for the entire family during this process; however, registration or online sign-up for participation in a recreation program will not be available until after November 1. The key cards will be available for pick up at the Garnett Recreation Center on November 1. City staff encourage you to visit: www.garnettcreation.recdesk.com to create your account. For instructions on how this process will work, please view the online video: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLceacIfS91mOtbiuK Qnc8GY7BrQhucEA
Buttons to these links can also be found on the city website, www.simplygarnett.com.
New Members: Individuals wanting to join the Garnett Recreation Center to participate in the 24-hour membership access can also create their account online or visit the Rec Center on or after November 1. A special registration station will be available in the Rec Center Office so that staff can help patrons with the online account process if needed.
Persons with questions about membership or the new 24-hour access to the Rec Center can call 448-5496, Option 2 and talk to Phil Bures, Director of Parks and Recreation.
The new 24-hour member access to the Rec Center and online RecDesk registration has been made possible through the support of the Goppert Foundation and the Garnett Community Foundation.

10/24/2018

Hearing Set For Plant Loan

A public hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 27 on accepting a special low-interest 20-year loan from the Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment for a new water treatment plant.
Garnett city commissioners endorsed the hearing during their regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 9.
The city plans to build a new $13 million plant that would have a larger capacity than than the present water plant. The present plant, much of which is older than 60 years, has the capacity to treat 1 million gallons of water a day. The new plant would have the capacity to treat 1.5 million gallons a day, with the ability to expand in later years.
The city’s consultant, Professional Engineering Consultants, is doing the design work for the new plant, said city manager Christopher Weiner.
PEC plans to have the plant ready for bids in approximately nine months, he said.
“Hopefully, we can get some work started before the end of the summer or the fall,” Weiner said.
The hearing is largely a formality.
Garnett citizens are already paying for the new water plant.
Garnett residents saw the first of a series of rate increases for the new water treatment plant in May.
The minimum base and the use rates will increase each year over the next two years.
In other matters, the commissioners:
- Changed the days that the Lake Garnett road will be closed for the Lake Garnett Grand Prix Revival to Nov. 10-11.
Organizers of the event postponed it from its original date in October to November.
The lake road will be closed 12 hours each day as sports car drivers take high-speed laps around the road, which was used for the original Lake Garnett Grand Prix sports car races.
- Approved an agreement with the county for an impound lot on city property near the shops. The city will provide the land and the electricity. The county will build the building and fencing around the lot.
“This agreement works well for the city,” said Mayor Jody Cole.
The deal “came together nicely and I think everybody wins,” said city attorney Terry Solander.
- Also approved an agreement that allows the county to install radio antennas on the city’s water tower.
- Heard from Weiner that a steering committee is meeting and working on a grant application for a new airport master plan.
The grant would be $185,000, with the Federal Aviation Administration paying for 90 percent of the total. A new master plan would be one of the steps needed to extend the main runway, according to Weiner.
The committee will talk to Garnett area residents who have planes but don’t use the Garnett airport and invite them to join the committee and use the airport, he said.
- Discussed some of the ideas they heard presented during a recent conference hosted by the Kansas League of Municipalities.
Cole said she’d like the commission to work on a strategic plan.
“Cities our size and even smaller have achieved an impressive list of accomplishments by having a vision for the future,” she said. “… They’re doing great things but they have strategic plans.”
Some cities are keeping their brightest graduates by offering them community internships to perform technical tasks while they’re in college, she said.
Commissioner Greg Gwin said he learned about several grant programs and loan-interest foregiveness offers that he has forwarded to Weiner for investigation.
They also noted that the conference recognized Solander for 45 years of service to the city.
- Noted that the new owners of the historic house at 404 W. Fourth St., Rob Garcia and Justin Spurrier, received a temporary permit from the city to offer a Halloween-themed ghost tour of the house.
The house was the city’s first hotel and has been used for a wide variety of uses such as a hospital and doctor’s clinic. They bought the building, which is in need of renovation, with an eye to history tourism.
- Heard as Gwin thanked county commissioners and the county road department for doing the chip-and-seal work on two city streets.
Chip and seal is a light paving process in which gravel is layered over heavy asphaltic oil.
He said city residents aren’t used to the process, which involves some dust and sprayed oil before the seal sets.
“But I think it was a great thing and kudos to the county,” Gwin said.

10/18/2018

Central Heights Homecoming candidates are (left to right) Matthew Cubit, Katie Janes, Joshua Born, Emily Hermreck, Damon Higbie, Charlize Robertson, Danny Kirkland (missing from photo and inset at bottom right) and Megan Speaks. The Viking Homecoming is at 6:30 p.m. Friday before the Homecoming game.

10/18/2018

East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging is the new senior congregate meal provider in area now

The East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging will be the new provider for the senior congregate and home-delivered nutrition program as of October 1, 2018 in Anderson, Coffey, Franklin, Linn, Miami and Osage Counties. All senior meals will now be prepared and served through the East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging Nutrition Program. The area agency on aging was excited to be able to continue to serve meals out of the central kitchen in Ottawa. ECKAAA was able to purchase the central kitchen in Ottawa with the help of a generous donation by the Goppert former program will now be employees of ECKAAANP and are key to helping ensure meals will continue to be served at congregate sites and through home- delivered meals without interruption.
For information or questions please call ECKAAA at 785-242-7200 or 1-800-633-5621, Monday-Friday, 8:00-5:00PM.

10/18/2018

Centerville woman hurt in Linn crash
A Centerville resident was hurt in a traffic accident On September 25 in Linn County.
A vehicle driven by Leonard Frank Fycock, age 89, of Prescott was headed south on Tucker Road and failed to stop at K52 Highway, hitting a vehicle driven by Stephanie Jo Walrod, age 46, of Centerville.
Both drivers were taken to Overland Park Regional Hospital for their injuries.

09/26/2018

AC Class Has Building For Sale

The Construction students at Anderson County High School is selling last year’s project.
They have available for sale 1 wood frame steel sided shed that is 8 feet by 8 feet with an additional 2 foot front porch. This would make a great addition to a garden or as a hunting cabin.
The purchase will provide funding for the Anderson County High School Skills USA organization to attend fall conferences and summer competitions.
They are asking a purchase price of $2000.00,
You may contact Joshua Furnish at the High School at 785-448-3115.

09/26/2018

Kincaid Fair Set For This Week

The 2018 Kincaid Free Fair has it’s run this week.
It starts on Thursday when food products are entered for open class judging, along with other items, as well as other entries, like quilts and photos.
The Lions Club will have their concession stand open as well and Thursday night, there are children’s games, enertainment and the election of the Fair Queen.
On Friday, the judging takes place and in the evening, the Mary Jane Holloway Pie Baking contest is held followed by BINGO at City Hall.
The Lions booth will be open again. The year, they have also added a BBQ Smokeoff.
On Saturday, the agenda is full.
The day starts with a 5K race, there is the carnival, and the parade.
The parade is set for 1:30 p.m.
The parade marshals this year are Randal and Marsha Beckmon. They have been a part of the Kincaid Fair Association since 1976.
Randal took over the superintendent of concession and entertainment from the late Orville Rogers and the public address from the late Lawrence Gilliland. Randal is also a member of the Lions Club and helps in the Lions Club stand throughout the fair.
Marsha has held various duties, responsible for the preparation of the Kincaid Fair Book, fair entries, helped in the sale of ride tickets at the Kincaid Bank, and helped with the children’s races.
Randal and Marsha both graduated from Crest High School and have been married 43 years. There is also a lunch at the Slema/Kincaid Methodist Church.
In the afternoon, there are adult games and an antique tractor show as well as arts and crafts

09/26/2018

Viking Boys Cross Country Team Wins at PV

“It is said that the strongest steel is forged in the hottest fire. Today, at the Prairie View meet, was definitely a test for our team with a heat index hovering just below 110 degrees.” Central Heights cross country coach Troy Prosser said. “While we had a handful of runners out with illness and injury, others made their marks and handled the challenge quite well,” he added.
7th grader Emma Cubit led the middle school girls with a 3rd place finish, closely followed by 6th graders Melaney Chrisjohn, Kaylee Holstine, and Layla Roll in 4th, 5th, and 12th places respectively. Not to be outdone, 6th graders Connor Burkdoll, Owen Miller, and Jotham Meyer came in 2nd, 6th, and 15th, while 7th grader Dakota Burnett was 13th overall.
“It’s very fun to watch these younger kids grow as the season progresses and how motivated they are to one day fill the shoes of their high school counterparts,” Prosser said.
Once again, the varsity girl trio of Lily Meyer (2nd), Madison Bridges (6th), and Taryn Compton (9th) ran very well with top ten finishes. “I’m very proud of drive that these girls have and it shows with big personal bests week after week.” Prosser said.
“The varsity boys have also continued becoming a very competitive squad with all seven boys placing in the top 10 and the team finishing first with 24 points. In the past few years, having our top runner finish in the top five, 10, or 15 was considered a good day. Alex Cannady (1st) and Tyler Stevenson (2nd) are now regularly finding themselves in contention for individual championships. Meanwhile, the rest of the boys continue to improve; having David and Luke moving from junior varsity to the top 10 of a varsity meet is fantastic. There will be some very difficult challenges as we host our invitational this coming Thursday, but, if anything, this team seems to like a challenge,” Prosser added.
Varsity Boys - Team 1st
1st - Alex Cannady (17:20) - JR
2nd - Tyler Stevenson (17:39) - JR
6th - Caleb Meyer (18:34) - SR
7th - Bryce Sommer (18:53) - SR
8th - Jarod Crawford (19:01) - SO
10th - David Craft (19:08) - SO
9th - Luke Cotter (19:06) - SO
Varsity Girls
2nd - Lily Meyer (20:50) - FR
6th - Madison Bridges (22:17) - JR
9th - Taryn Compton (23:30) - FR
7th Grade Boys
2nd - Connor Burkdoll (14:11) - 6th
6th - Owen Miller (15:04) - 6th
13th - Dakota Burnett (15:57) - 7th
15th - Jotham Meyer (16:21) - 6th
7th Grade Girls
3rd - Emma Cubit (15:54) - 7th
Coming to the meet at Central Heights this week are: Eureka, Fredonia, Humboldt, Iola, Jayhawk-Linn, Lyndon, Marmaton Valley, Osawatomie, Paola (MS), Pleasanton, Prairie View, Wellsville, and West Franklin. The first race is due to start at 3:50 p.m. with the 7th grade boys/girls 2 mile combined followed by the 8th grade boys/girls 2 mile combined; the JV boys/girls 5 K combined; the varsity girls5K, and the varsity boys 5K.