JUNCTION CITY -The Kansas Governor’s Council on Fitness hosted the 4th annual Kansas Obesity Summit in Junction City Tuesday.

Approximately 200 people from across the state and region attended the summit that highlighted initiatives being done throughout the state to fight obesity. It offered the opportunity for different communities to collaborate and learn about the different initiatives which is one benefit of the summit according to Dr. Susan Mosier, Secretary, Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

“You’ve got great things going on in different communities, but not everyone knows what else is going on,” said Mosier. “Plus we’ve got Dr. Terry O’Toole here from the CDC, so he’s also bringing things from other states and other ideas. So it’s really that cross-fertilization of ideas that people can take back to their communities and start different initiatives there.”

One of the initiatives that was highlighted during one of the afternoon break out sessions involved a local initiative being undertaken by Geary Community Hospital, the Farmers Market.

Nikki Davies, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at GCH went over how the hospital has increased access to healthy foods and wellness opportunities through the Farmers Market and other projects during the session.

The summit also included a walk audit of the neighborhoods surrounding the convention center to learn how conducive the city is to active transportation (biking, walking), physical activity, and other aspects of wellness.

During the audit concerns about the condition of certain sidewalks and the ADA Accessibility of different sidewalks were discussed. City Commissioners Jim Sands and Mike Ryan attended the summit and participated in the walk.

“Sidewalks are rated from 1-10, and we’re a little biased, but we’ll probably give it anywhere between a six and a seven,”said Sands. “Because we do have lights in a lot of areas that we walked today.”

The sidewalk issue is something that both Sands and Ryan would like to look further into in the future.

 

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced a Senate resolution today to recognize the contributions of American entrepreneurs and officially establish National Entrepreneurs’ Day as a federally recognized observance day. The Moran-Booker Senate resolution aims to have Congress identify the third Tuesday of every November as National Entrepreneurs’ Day.

“National Entrepreneurs’ Day celebrates the individuals who are the foundation of our country and strength of our economy,” Sen. Moran said. “We recognize that innovative new businesses are critical components of economic growth, and devoting one day a year to celebrating startups is a small step toward securing future economic success and a better tomorrow.”

“Today and every day of the year, entrepreneurs deserve to be honored and celebrated for their contributions,” Sen. Booker said. “National Entrepreneurs’ Day recognizes the role these innovative individuals play in fueling our economy and expanding opportunity in New Jersey and communities across the country. Now more than ever, we need their entrepreneurial energy to inspire the next generation of business leaders.”‎

This year, National Entrepreneurs’ Day is celebrated today, Nov. 17, 2015. National Entrepreneurs’ Day was established in 2010 by David Hauser and Siamak Taghaddos, co-founders of Grasshopper, an organization that helps entrepreneurs to establish a phone system for their businesses, and Amir Tehrani, entrepreneur and co-founder of The Legacy Foundation, a nonpartisan educational organization that promotes free enterprise. The group successfully petitioned President Obama to proclaim National Entrepreneurs’ Day as a holiday in 2010.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are pressing Attorney General Loretta Lynch on the Obama administration’s plan to allow thousands more Syrian war refugees into the country following the Paris attacks.

 

AG @LorettaLynch’s Remarks at @HouseJudiciary Committee @TheJusticeDept Oversight Hearing https://t.co/M9hXXGuwvD pic.twitter.com/CQtYCTfYjZ

— Justice Department (@TheJusticeDept) November 17, 2015

Lynch appeared Tuesday before the House Judiciary Committee for the first time since taking office in April. She said protecting the U.S. from the threat of the Islamic State and other terrorist groups is the Justice Department’s top priority. She said more than 70 people have been charged in the last two years for alleged conduct related to foreign-fighter activity and homegrown violent extremism.

In response to a question about the risk of terrorists posing as refugees, Lynch said the “robust” screening process for those considered for immigration to the United States is more stringent than that in place in Europe.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — University of Kansas student leaders who are facing an attempt to oust them have outlined proposals for increasing diversity within student government.

Student Body President Jessie Pringle, Vice President Zach George and Chief of Staff Adam Moon issued a joint statement Monday night outlining 11 proposals.

A student government committee is pushing for their resignations or impeachment, based in part on what members see as an inadequate response to demands to the university from a campus protest group called Rock Chalk Invisible Hawk.

Their proposals include increasing the number of student senators from the current 86 to increase the Senate’s diversity, and creating an election fund to help students who want to run for office. The measures also include raising a student fee to increase diversity programs.

A top official at the University of Kansas says it is creating a team to address demands from student protesters and expects to release an “action plan” by mid-January.

Provost Jeffrey Vitter released a statement Tuesday in response to demands made last week by the Rock Chalk Invisible Hawk group. They include increasing faculty diversity, forming a team of counselors for students of color and requiring “inclusion and belonging” training for all students and staff.

Vitter said messages from across the university have expressed solidarity with the group’s aims.

He said the team would include faculty, students, staff and administrators. He said its action plan would include mandatory education for students and staff.

Leaders of the student group did not immediately respond to cell phone and email messages seeking comment.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita man is sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for his role in the death of his girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter.

The Wichita Eagle reports Evan Schuessler was sentenced to 165 months for second-degree intentional murder and 34 months for child abuse, the maximum he could have received.

Sedgwick County District Judge Steve Ternes rejected recommendations from state and defense attorneys for the two terms to run concurrently, saying the murder of a child deserves the maximum penalty allowed by law.

Emma Krueger was taken to Wesley Medical Center unresponsive and covered in bruises on June 2, 2014. She was pronounced two days later after being removed from life support.

Police have said Emma suffered beatings for perhaps a month before she was taken to the hospital.

RILEY COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities in Riley County are investigating a report of alleged arson.

Police in a media release reported officers responded just before 11a.m. on Monday to a domestic incident in the 100 block of 8th Street in Ogden.

Investigation revealed multiple damaged items and at one point one of the persons involved apparently attempted to light a small fire.

Tanasha Dupree, 23, of Ogden was placed under arrest for Attempted Aggravated Arson and Theft. Bond was listed as $5,000.00

NEW YORK (AP) — Tyson Foods Inc. is recalling more than 52,000 pounds of chicken wings after customers complained that they had a bad odor.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture also says that some customers reported falling ill after eating the wings.

The recall is for its 28-ounce bags of fully-cooked Tyson Any’tizers Hot Wings prepared last month in a Buffalo style coated with a tangy sauce. The bags have “Best If Used By” dates of Oct. 24, 2016 and Oct. 25, 2016. They were sold nationwide.

The USDA says customers should throw out the recalled products or bring it back to where it was purchased.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas legislative committee’s chairman has raised questions about whether gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve as foster parents for abused and neglected children.

Sen. Forrest Knox had the Special Committee on Foster Care Adequacy hear testimony Monday on “family structure considerations” in placing children in foster care.

The Altoona Republican said he scheduled the testimony because family environments influence how well children do in school and life.

Equality Kansas Executive Director Tom Witt called the hearing “reprehensible.”

The study committee heard conflicting testimony on whether children of same-sex parents are at a disadvantage.

A Catholic priest and sociology professor said a study shows the children are at a disadvantage, while an official from the American Psychological Association said they are not.