By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Not everyone owns a golf cart, but twice in the past two years,
the Great Bend City Council has voted on whether or not to allow the
vehicles on city streets and how to regulate them. Monday night, the council revised its 2024 update
with a new set of rules. City Clerk Shawna Schafer recapped the biggest changes
to the resolution.

“The motion that (City Attorney Allen Glendenning) is
requesting is the golf cart ordinance for sunset to sunrise no golf carts, valid
driver’s and 18 years old, one-time inspection if it’s the same golf cart, and
annual renewal with a fee of $50,” Schafer recapped.

City Administrator Logan Burns laid out the revisions,
including on which streets the golf carts would be allowed. Golf carts are prohibited
on state or federal highways, or specified arterial streets in the city.

“This would include Broadway east of Patton, 24th
Street east of McKinley, Harrison south of 24th, Washington and
Patton north of 10th Street,” Burns said. “Operation would be
permitted only on streets with posted speed limits of 30&nbsp; miles an hour or less. Golf carts would, however,
be allowed to cross those restricted roadways at designated intersections.”

Legal golf carts will be registered with the Great Bend
Police Department annually and include seat belts for rear-facing seats, headlights, brake
lights, and liability insurance. Police
Chief Steve Haulmark did not oppose the ordinance as presented. 

“My main concern with that was just that it be an individual
with a valid license,” said Haulmark. “I didn’t want to see anyone with a farm license
or permit, or anything like that. I feel like if somebody has a valid license,
I’m satisfied with that, however, that’s entirely up to you guys. That shows me
that person has been through driver training or, at least, taken the driver
exam, so they know the rules of the road.”

Haulmark added part of the registration process will include
handing the registrant a copy of the ordinance so there can be no doubt about knowledge
of the rules.

Council Member Gary Parr took exception to the proposed $30
registration fee, suggesting it be raised to at least $100, with a portion of
the registration fee and any golf cart-related fines being donated to a local children-related
charity.

Glendenning said fees, by statute, may not be used for that
purpose, but if a driver accused on an infraction went through the city’s diversion
program, funds could be used for charity purposes.

Council Member Davis Jimenez asked for a yearly inspection
upon registration of a cart. Mayor Alan Moeder said he felt that was unnecessary
if the cart had been previously registered.

“I think driving a golf cart in the city is asking a lot from
the community; slowing traffic down, the increase of safety issues,” Jimenez said.
“The least is a yearly inspection.”

The final issue was the age of the cart driver. Council
Member Jay Luerman suggested, and other council members agreed, they would not
vote on an ordinance that allowed cart drivers to be 16.

“Obviously, a vehicle has more safety features than a golf
cart, so I don’t think it’s comparing apples to apples,” Luerman said of driving
a car. 

The council voted 7-1 in favor of the revised ordinance,
including the increased fee and restriction of the driver being at least 18
years of age. Jimenez was the lone vote against the revision.

Great Bend City Council approves revisions to golf cart ordinance

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BY DALE HOGG Hogg Strategies &amp; Stories

The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has honored Mark Calcara with the 2025 Legacy Award, recognizing a lifetime of service that left an indelible mark on the community.

He stood with Business of the Year Stueder Contractors Inc., Citizen of the Year Nancy Sundahl and NextGen Leader of the Year Cody Harris as an honoree during the chamber’s 104th annual awards banquet Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Great Bend Events Center.

The Legacy Award is a discretionary honor selected by the chamber board, reserved for individuals whose influence spans decades. It was first established to honor the legacy of JanSport founder and Great Bend native Skip Yowell.

Calcara’s influence on the local business landscape was significant, including his service as the chamber’s board chair in 1986. His professional work and civic involvement helped set the standard for leadership in the region.

"The Legacy Award honors those who have made a lasting impact on the fabric of our community," the chamber stated. Calcara’s dedication to Great Bend continues to be felt through the businesses he supported and the community leaders he mentored over his years of service.

A lifelong resident, Calcara’s roots in Barton County run deep. A graduate of Great Bend High School, he is a fourth-generation farmer who still lives on his childhood homestead. His professional legal career began in 1980 when he opened a private practice before partnering with Earl Watkins in 1983; that firm has since grown to include nine attorneys and 11 staff members.

Calcara’s civic resume includes serving as chamber board chairman in 1986 and being named Citizen of the Year in 2000. He was instrumental in founding the Golden Belt Community Foundation and has served on boards for the Great Bend Co-op, American State Bank, and the University of Kansas Health System.

His leadership extended to regional infrastructure as well, serving 15 years as general counsel for Sunflower Electric Power Corp. Locally, he contributed to the Downtown Streetscape Project and chaired the Great Bend Economic Development board.

He is a member of the First United Methodist Church and is an active supporter of USD 428, where three of his grandchildren are currently enrolled.

Calcara earned his business degree from Kansas State University and his law degree from Washburn University in Topeka.

“Originally, he was not planning on coming to Great Bend,” his wife of 46 years Melanie, said.

After graduating from KSU, he joined the Air Force for three years. He planned to serve his country then attend law school and go out on his own.

But while at Washburn, his father passed away. “He has five siblings (two sisters and two brothers) and none of them were interested in coming back to run the family farm,” she said.

“He felt the responsibility to come back,” his wife said. So, during the summers while in law school, he came home and farmed.

After graduation, he moved back to stay. “He did farm for the first 20 years of our marriage,” she said.

“He’s from here and he knew a lot of people,” she said. So, he threw himself into the community, meeting more people and getting even more involved.

“I couldn’t understand this at first,” Melanie said. She thought he was spreading himself too thin.

“I didn’t understand the importance of community,” she said. But Calcara did and “eventually, he won me over.”

Today, both are integral components of Great Bend.

They have two sons: Taylor, his wife Kelly and three children of Great Bend; and Chris, his wife Vanessa and three children of Lenexa. “We are blessed with six grandchildren,” Melanie said.

Taylor is continuing the family’s legal legacy. He joined his father’s law firm.

Melanie noted his deep devotion to the city. "Most people will say that he ‘bleeds purple,’" she said. "While this may be true, I’ve always said he has a great big ‘GB’ branded on his heart."

Legacy Award: Calcara bleeds KSU purple, but loves Great Bend

Due to the absence of a quorum, the March 16, 2026, Great Bend City Council meeting has been canceled. No makeup date will be rescheduled.

The next city council meeting will be held on April 6, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers. In the time being, citizens can reach out to their ward representatives or the City of Great Bend at (620) 793-4111 for questions regarding city matters.

The agenda for the April 6, 2026, meeting will be posted the Wednesday prior on April 1, 2026. Past agendas and minutes are available to view on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.greatbendks.net/agendacenter">city’s website</a>.

Great Bend City Council cancels March 16 meeting

A national championship in 2024. Renovations at the Kirkman
Center. Eleven wins in the last 12 games. Things are looking good for the
Barton Community College men’s basketball team. Whether the Cougars are still playing or not in mid-March, that’s why
the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference has selected Barton as the site
for its Region 6 Final Four games in March. Barton Athletic Director Trevor
Rolfs hopes there will be some local representation.

“It was voted on that Barton will host the Region Final Four
on March 13-14,” he said. “We certainly want both of our teams playing, but in
the end, at least one of them playing in that Final Four we are set to host in
March.”

Opening round playoff games begin on Saturday, March 7, with
the higher seeds hosting bracket games. Quarterfinals are set for Tuesday,
March 10, again at the higher seed, and the semifinal and finals will be played
at the Kirkman Center.

As of March 1, the Barton men stood atop the Region 6
rankings with a 21-8 record, meaning the Cougars would host the playoffs throughout.
The Cougar women were sitting at No. 6 in the region as of March 1. If the
Cougars can maintain a top eight seed, they too would host a round-one playoff
game.

Barton Community College ready to host Region 6 Final Four games in March

Rosewood Miracle Workers AKTION Club is hosting the 10th Annual “Hippity Hop Easter Basket Workshop” on March 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rosewood Activity Center, 1607 Main Street, Great Bend, adjacent to Rosewood Gallery.

During the workshop, children can create their own Easter baskets, decorate Easter eggs, and participate in other fun activities, like coloring Easter pages. The Easter Bunny will make a special appearance, and children can take photos with him. Families have the option of taking free cell phone photos, or pay $3 to receive a printed photo with the Easter Bunny.

Beyond an exciting meet-up with the Easter Bunny, Rosewood AKTION Club members are working on an extra surprise for children to add to the already-fun event.

There is a donation request of $5 per basket for participants, which helps cover the cost of materials for the workshop. Any other proceeds raised from the workshop go toward Rosewood AKTION Club efforts in organizing future community projects.

“Easter Basket Workshop comes early this year, so we want to be sure to put the event on the community’s radar,” said Rosewood AKTION Club sponsor Frankie Pelster. “The workshop is always a fun time for the children who attend, especially getting to spend time with Easter Bunny, and our AKTION Club members like bringing this event to them every year.”

Rosewood AKTION Club is an affiliate of the national Kiwanis organization that promotes service in action for people with developmental disabilities. The area club allows Rosewood clients to be actively involved in the community and to positively impact the lives of others.

Find out more about Rosewood Services online,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://rosewoodservices.com/">rosewoodservices.com</a>Follow us at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/RosewoodServices">facebook.com/RosewoodServices</a>

Rosewood AKTION Club hosting Easter Basket Workshop on March 28

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansans receiving food assistance can’t buy soda or candy with those dollars beginning in 2027, Gov. Laura Kelly said Wednesday.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.fns.usda.gov%2Fsnap%2Fwaivers%2Ffoodrestriction/1/0101019cbab54047-08a03f0a-e32d-46c2-9b36-524fa331e2bb-000000/0T9ZyQ1ireBQHHUS257jy1tmZiFh3-HIbXcpR_BLOjY=447" target="_blank">approved a waiver</a>&nbsp;for the Kansas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The state joins 21 other states in restricting candy and soda purchases with SNAP dollars, Kelly said in a news release. The Legislature passed a law last year requiring the administration to seek the waiver. Kelly vetoed the law but was overridden by GOP supermajorities in the House and Senate.

While the governor said she supports policies that incentivize healthy eating, Kelly encouraged the USDA to develop a strategy to implement such waivers that reduce “confusion and uncertainty” for retailers and recipients.

Kelly referred to confusion across the country about which products are considered candy and soda. Products people think of as candy may not meet the definition under the law, which has caused problems for retailers and recipients in other states. In Louisiana, for instance, soda made with&nbsp;<a href="https://lailluminator.com/2026/02/26/what-foods-are-forbidden-under-louisianas-new-snap-rules-take-our-quiz/" target="_blank">cane sugar is OK to purchase</a>, the Louisiana Illuminator reported.

The Kansas waiver goes into effect Feb. 15, 2027. Kelly’s news release said the state will use candy and soda definitions that are already set in the state’s food and sales tax laws:

Instituting the waiver requires four elements, including communication to retailers and recipients, as well as detailed evaluation, monitoring and compliance. The Kansas Department for Families and Children is seeking a contractor to help with implementation.

“Kansas is now a part of the MAHA (Make American Healthy Again) movement,” said Senate President Ty Masterson in a news release.

MAHA is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/maha/index.html" target="_blank">a movement</a>&nbsp;led by U.S. Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to address the chronic disease epidemic and healthy eating habits.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins said the waiver approval was a “significant step toward ensuring taxpayer-funded food assistance programs prioritize nutrition and align with the original intent of the program.”

“I’m glad to see this waiver finally moving forward,” he said. “I’m all for helping someone who’s down on their luck but if taxpayer dollars are going toward food assistance, it only makes sense they should support real nutrition, not pop and candy.”

Kansans on food assistance can’t buy candy, soda beginning in February 2027

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran will visit Barton Community College on Friday morning to formally announce federal funding supporting several of the college’s workforce training programs.

The announcement is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Barton’s Agriculture and Transportation Complex. The funding, awarded through Congressional Delegated Spending, will support the college’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Top Tech and agriculture programs.

Barton Community College President Dr. Marcus Garstecki will open the event with brief remarks, followed by Barton Community College Board Chairman Mike Johnson. Moran will then speak about the funding and its impact on the college’s programs.

Following the remarks, Moran and attendees will take a short tour of the facility.

Sen. Moran to Visit Barton Community College for Funding Announcement

Released Mcbride, Karie on Barton County District Court case #25-1207 for Aggravated Battery, Barton County District Court Warrants #BT2024CR0374 for Contempt of Court, and #BT2019CR0026 for Probation Violation. Released to Kansas Department of Corrections.

Booked Dechant, Murdock J. on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant #20260092 for Failure to Appear. Bond set at $500.00 Cash or Surety.

Released Dechant, Murdock J. on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant #20260092 for Failure to Appear by posting a $500.00 Surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

Booked Thimesch, Richard II on Barton County District Court Warrant #BT2023CR300016 for Failure to appear. Bond set at No Bond.

Released Lang, Ryan D. on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2026CR0063 for Interference with Law Enforcement, Theft, Criminal Trespass, Criminal Damage to Property, and No Valid Driver's License by posting a $2,500.00 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

Booked Dixon, Cierra C. on Great Bend Municipal Court case #26-316 for Driving While Revoked; bond set at $1,000.00 cash or Surety or 48 Hour O.R.

Released Dixon, Cierra C. on Great Bend Municipal Court case #26-316 for Driving While Revoked by posting a $1,000.00 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

Released Dominguez, Virdiana on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2026TR0004 for Failure to Appear with Time Served; and Great Bend Municipal Court warrant #202500658 for Contempt of Court; Indirect, released by Order of the Court.

Barton County Sheriff's Office Booking activity (3/4)

Thursday Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 6 to 11 mph increasing to 18 to 23 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Thursday Night Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 18 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Breezy, with a south wind 18 to 22 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph. Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Saturday Sunny, with a high near 57. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 34.

Sunday Sunny, with a high near 70.

Thursday's weather

High school seniors interested in auditioning for vocal ensembles or instrumental ensembles and learning about scholarship opportunities in music for the 2026–2027 season are encouraged to sign up for one of Barton’s “Music Scholarship Days” on March 7 or April 18, or contact music faculty to schedule an appointment audition on a different date.

Scholarships are available for music majors and non-music majors, instrumental and vocal ensembles, guitar ensemble, and piano instruction and accompaniment. Awards range from $250 to $1,500 per year. Scholarships for music majors can be up to $3,000 per year and can be combined with other academic and activity awards.

Students may earn multiple music scholarships based on their level of involvement, and these awards can be stacked. Participation in more than one ensemble, such as concert band, jazz band, pep band, or Hilltop Singers, can increase a student’s overall scholarship total, as each ensemble has its own specific scholarship award. For more information and to schedule an audition, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=jzFwT5Y5jEGhyumzq5b4FOLg0_Am1mpJkmu38uzHilxUOTc4WktTOUJMUko1SFhQNk0zRzkwSEFOOC4u&amp;route=shorturl" target="_blank">music.bartonccc.edu</a>.&nbsp;

Barton Music Department to host scholarship auditions

Now is the time to recognize those who go above and beyond! You can nominate a School Hero! On the fourth Tuesday of each month, Eagle Media will select a Hero to recognize! The winner will also receive $500! Nominate a School Hero is presented by: <a href="https://opikan.com/">OPI</a> (Office Products Incorporated) &amp; Golden Belt Printing.&nbsp;

Any adult who works at a school in Barton County is eligible to be nominated. Admin, Teachers, Para's, Coaches, Maintenance, Cafeteria, etc.

Nominate a School Hero! Presented by: OPI & Golden Belt Printing

Big Bend Custom Engraving, Freedom Claims Management, Great Bend Redi Mix, Francis Financial, Medial Park Pharmacy, R&amp;R Roofing, Allstaff Chartered, Miller Plastics, Rosencrants Bemis Water Well Service, Great Bend Rec, Jimlo Glass Center, Haz Mat Response

Make a Difference Contest 

- Carson DuBose, head coach of Barton CC Softball

- Jeremy Coombs, head coach of Barton CC Men's Basketball

Thursday on Sports Day(Watch)

Jayhawk Conference Men's Standings Team&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; CONF&nbsp; &nbsp;ALL *Barton&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;17-7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 22-8 Butler&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 17-7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 21-9 Dodge City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;16-8&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;20-10 Coffeyville&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;15-9&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 21-9 Cowley&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;13-11&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;18-12 Seward County&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 13-11&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;18-12 Independence&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 13-11&nbsp; &nbsp; 15-15 Garden City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;12-12&nbsp; &nbsp; 17-13 Cloud County&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 12-12&nbsp; &nbsp;17-13 Fort Hays Tech&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;10-14&nbsp; 15-15 Hutchinson&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;9-15&nbsp; &nbsp;14-16 Colby&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;5-19&nbsp; &nbsp; 7-23 Pratt&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 4-20&nbsp; &nbsp;7-22 * Barton wins tie-breaker and is the No. 1 seed in Region 6 Tourney Monday, March 2 Coffeyville 74, Garden City 73 Wednesday, March 4 Barton 85, Cowley 79 Independence 84,&nbsp;Cloud County 78 Butler 82,&nbsp;Colby 65 Dodge City 75, Seward County 74 Fort Hays Tech 75,&nbsp;Hutchinson 74 END OF REGULAR SEASON &nbsp;

Jayhawk Men's Standings, Scores, Schedule

The No. 17 Barton men's basketball team completed its regular season mission Wednesday evening, earning an 85-79 road victory at Cowley College to clinch its second Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference title in the last three years.

Closing the regular season on a ten-game heater, Barton finishes tied atop the standings with No. 19 Butler Community College at 17-7 in conference play while improving to 22-8 overall. Cowley concludes its season at 18-12 overall and tied for fifth in the Jayhawk standings at 13-11.

By virtue of tiebreakers, including a 5-1 record against the other top-four teams in the standings, Barton claims the top seed in the Region 6 playoffs and earns a first-round bye. The Cougars will next take the floor Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. inside Fleske Fieldhouse against the winner of the Cloud County–Garden City first-round matchup. Quarterfinal winners advance to Great Bend as Barton hosts both the semifinal and championship rounds beginning Friday, March 13.

Trailing for more than fifteen minutes of the opening half, including by as many as nine at the break, Barton erased a 44-37 halftime deficit by outscoring the host Tigers by fifteen points over the final twenty minutes.

The Cougars quickly chipped into the margin coming out of the locker room with six straight points before taking their first lead of the second half five minutes later on baskets from&nbsp;Noah Williams&nbsp;and&nbsp;Aris Rodriguez.

Rodriguez flipped the lead for good with an and-one finish at the 11:24 mark as Barton controlled the advantage the rest of the way. The Cougars still held just a one-point edge with 3:48 remaining before&nbsp;Blake Rucker&nbsp;ignited the decisive run, converting an old-fashioned three-point play across the 3:24 media timeout to spark a 9-0 Barton surge over the next two minutes, stretching the lead to its largest margin of the night at ten with 2:08 to play.

Cowley answered with the next seven points to tighten the margin inside the final minute, but Barton broke the Tigers' full-court pressure and sealed the outcome when&nbsp;Sebastian Muchitsch's big man finish through contact, converting the three-point play with 18.8 seconds remaining to secure the six-point victory.

Rodriguez led all players with 28 points, seventeen coming in second half action, with Williams adding 15 points, four rebounds, and two blocks. The duo combined for 20-of-23 free throw shooting, leading the squad's overall 38-of-46 from the stripe (82.6%).

Rucker provided a key spark off the bench with 14 points and five rebounds, knocking down 2-of-3 from beyond the arc including the catalyst bucket during Barton's late run, while Muchitsch finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Four Tigers also finished in double digit scoring, Marcus Smith leading with a stat stuffing 22 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a pair of steals. CJ Majors added 13 points, Leslie Owens, Jr. finished 11 points, and Jordan Smith chipped in 10 points off the bench.

Barton men clinch 2nd KJCCC title in three seasons, No. 17 Cougars win 85-79 at Cowley

The Barton Community College women's basketball team closed out the regular season Wednesday night on the road, falling 75-59 at Cowley College inside the William S. Scott Auditorium.

Trailing 34-29 at halftime, Barton remained within reach into the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to four midway through the final frame before a decisive 16-4 Cowley run over the final six minutes proved to be the difference.

The results conclude the Cougars regular season tied for sixth in the Jayhawk standings at 12-12 and 14-16 overall, while the Tigers finish tied for eighth in league play at 11-13 and 15-15 on the season. Due to tiebreaking scenarios, Barton will enter as the seventh seed in the Region 6 Basketball Tournament set to begin Saturday with the Cougars hosting 10th seeded Cloud County Community College in a 5:30 p.m. tip-off with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals Tuesday, March 10 at second-seed No. 9 Dodge City Community College.

Barton held its only leads of the nigh early at 2-0 and 5-4 behind&nbsp;Mary Akinde's opening basket and one of&nbsp;Regina Donanu's season-high four three-pointers before Cowley gradually built a 20-18 edge by the end of the first quarter.

Staying within two possessions over the opening five-minutes, a personal 4-0 run by Akinde pulled the Cougars even for the second and final time of the night at 27-27 before the Tigers closed the half on a 7-2 stretch to take a 34-29 halftime lead.

Cowley pushed the margin to double figures midway through the third quarter before Barton responded with a 9-2 run highlighted by three-pointers from Donanu and&nbsp;Kodi Greer&nbsp;along with a&nbsp;Keyona Hall&nbsp;three-point play, trimming the deficit to 45-41 with 3:21 remaining. The Tigers answered late in the period to stretch the margin back to 53-46, heading into the fourth quarter.

The Cougars trimmed the deficit to four midway through the fourth quarter behind Akinde's inside bucket and later&nbsp;Mersadie Spray's pair at the free-throw line to make it 59-55 with 4:57 to play, but Cowley pulled away down the stretch closing the contest on a 16-4 run to complete the season sweep.

Barton shot 32.3% from the field (20-of-62) and 8-of-23 from beyond the arc while converting 11-of-19 at the free throw line. The Cougars held a 16-2 advantage in second-chance points behind 16 offensive rebounds but were hurt by 18 Cowley points off turnovers. The Tigers shot 43.1% overall and used a 28-4 edge in points in the paint.

Akinde led two Cougars in double figures, recording her 13th double-double of the season with 18 points and 19 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass, helping Barton to a slim edge on the boards. Donanu added 17 points behind a 4-of-6 performance from beyond the arc while also grabbing four rebounds.

Cowley placed four starters in double figures led by Aniyah Burney's 22 points and 12 rebounds. Mallory Jackson added 20 points and six rebounds, while Saliyah Henderson-Johnson and Yatzel Renteria chipped in 11 and 10 points respectively.

Barton drops regular season finale at Cowley 75-59; host first round game Saturday evening

Carly Erpelding&nbsp;of the Barton Community College softball team has been named the Week 5 Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) Division I Player of the Week.

Erpelding powered Barton to a pair of splits with a scorching .692 batting average while blasting two home runs and two doubles in addition to driving in six runs and scoring six more. The freshman catcher posted a 1.308 slugging percentage and .688 on-base percentage, reaching base in 11 of 16 plate appearances, and was flawless defensively with 21 putouts and four assists without an error.

Erpelding opened the week against Rose State College by batting .714 across the twin bill, collecting five hits with two extra-base knocks, including a home run, while driving five of Barton's nine runs. She followed with four more hits in six at-bats against Northeastern Junior College, adding two more extra-base hits, including her second home run of the week and another four RBI.

The honor is the second for the Cougars this season, joining&nbsp;Charley Wheeler's week three pitching distinction.

Most recently, Erpelding was nearly flawless in Monday's sweep of Division II, then No. 18 ranked Cowley College, finishing 4-for-5 with four RBI while homering in both games, including a game one tying blast leading to the victory, giving the Owasso, Oklahoma, native a team-leading five home runs on the season.

Now 8-8 on the season, Erpelding and the Cougars now turn focus to conference play beginning Thursday at Fort Hays Tech Northwest before traveling to Pratt Community College on Saturday. First pitch for both doubleheaders is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Barton's Erpelding named Week 5 KJCCC Division I Player of the Week

Lou Holtz, the College Football Hall of Fame coach who led Notre Dame to a national championship and won 249 games over 33 seasons at six schools, has died. He was 89. Notre Dame announced on Wednesday that Holtz died in Orlando, Florida, surrounded by his family. Spokeswoman Katy Lonergan said a cause of death was not provided by the family. Holtz became the first and so far only coach to lead six different teams to bowl games during a career in which he compiled a record of 249-132-7. At Notre Dame, he went 100-30-2 in 11 seasons.

The New England Patriots have informed wide receiver Stefon Diggs that he’ll be released when the new league year begins next week, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced its intention. Diggs posted a goodbye on social media, thanking the Patriots for the season. Diggs led the team with 85 receptions and 1,013 yards receiving with four touchdowns in his only season in New England, helping the Patriots reach the Super Bowl.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Chiefs and the Rams have agreed on a trade to send star cornerback Trent McDuffie to Los Angeles in exchange for several draft picks, three people with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade has not been finalized. Kansas City is expected to get the 29th overall pick in the upcoming draft, and the Rams will also send fifth-round and sixth-round picks this spring along with a third-round pick next year. The deal would fill the Rams’ biggest roster need by adding an elite cornerback to their mediocre secondary.

Aaron Judge will captain a loaded U.S. roster at the World Baseball Classic. The Americans are chasing their first title since 2017. The tournament opens Thursday at the Tokyo Dome, then moves into games in Houston, Miami, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The U.S. plans to lean on stronger pitching, with Logan Webb, Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, and Nolan McLean lined up to start. Japan, led by Shohei Ohtani. enters as defending champion with Yoshinobu Yamamoto starting Friday. The Dominican Republic brings a star-heavy lineup. Australia debuts top amateur draft pick Travis Bazzana.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Aston Martin has predicted it is unlikely to finish Formula 1’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix without its drivers risking permanent nerve damage. Adrian Newey is the F1 car design great who’s heading into his first race as Aston Martin’s team principal. He says on Thursday the team’s Honda power unit causes vibrations which could damage the hands of drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. Newey adds neither can tolerate even half of the 58-lap race distance. Aston Martin had a poor preseason and was often slower even than new team Cadillac. Aston Martin logged the fewest laps of all 11 teams.

DALLAS (AP) — Miami coach Jai Lucas likes the confidence and belief that the No. 22 Hurricanes have brought into March of his first season with them. Lucas says the 24-6 Hurricanes are rounding into form. They have won seven of eight games since the beginning of February, and in their first game of March won 77-69 at SMU on Wednesday night. That ensured a double-bye into the quarterfinals of next week’s ACC tournament. Miami has matched the school record for regular-season wins, and its 17-win improvement over last season is the largest turnaround in Division I

MEDLEY, Fla. (AP) — Breanna Stewart leads Mist to an Unrivaled championship, adding another title to a packed resume and the league she co-founded. The win comes Wednesday night, as Mist beats Phantom 80-74 in the season-two final. Stewart scores 32 and opens the second half with Mist’s first 12 points. Mist flips the script after going 0-2 against Phantom in the regular season. The finish turns messy when a foul on Stewart gets changed on review, giving her the winning free throw. Kelsey Plum scores 40 for Phantom. The game also lands as WNBA labor talks drag on.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Rory McIlroy says the European deal for LIV Golf players is generous and it's a shame Jon Rahm doesn't feel the same way. Rahm has rejected the deal in which he would have to pay previous fines, drop appeals and add two tournaments to the minimum four required for European tour membership. McIlroy says it's a better deal than the PGA Tour offered Brooks Koepka to return. Rahm's refusal to sign could put his Ryder Cup eligibility on the line. McIlroy says there's a reason eight of the nine LIV players from Europe have signed the agreement.

NEW YORK (AP) — A joke from Hilary Knight on “Saturday Night Live” and a couple of fist-bumps with Jack and Quinn Hughes on “The Tonight Show” capped a whirlwind victory lap celebrating the twin Olympic golds won by the U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams. The good humor helped reset the national narrative around the teams that had gone sideways into politics and sexism after a comment by President Donald Trump. Dozens of people at multiple agencies, leagues and networks spent time coordinating a series of television appearances that put the focus back on their accomplishments in Milan.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s hopes of World Cup qualification are being impacted by the Iran war because players cannot get visas for the playoff tournament in Mexico and the team’s coach is stranded in the United Arab Emirates. The Iraqi soccer federation says, “Because of airspace closures, our head coach, Graham Arnold, is unable to leave the United Arab Emirates. In addition, several embassies remain closed at the present time, preventing several professional players, technical and medical staff members from obtaining entry visas to Mexico.” Iraq is scheduled to play either Bolivia or Suriname in Mexico on March 31 for one of the last two qualification places for the World Cup.

Finals INTERLEAGUE Final	Arizona	3	Athletics	1	 Final	San Francisco	9	Seattle	4	 Final	Atlanta	9	Colombia	1	 Final	Canada	5	Philadelphia	3	 Final	Nicaragua	2	St. Louis	1	 Final	N.Y. Mets	5	Israel	2	 Final	Cincinnati	19	Cuba	2	 Final	L.A. Dodgers	7	Mexico	5	 Final	Great Britain	2	San Diego	2	 Final	United States	14	Colorado	4	 Final	Washington	5	Venezuela	1

AMERICAN LEAGUE Final	Houston	4	Baltimore	2	 Final	N.Y. Yankees	4	Boston	0	 Final	Detroit	2	Panama	1	 Final	Minnesota	6	Puerto Rico	3	 Final	Netherlands	11	Tampa Bay	8	 Final	Detroit	4	Dominican Republic	4	 Final	Texas	13	Brazil	2	 Final	L.A. Angels	4	Italy	3

NATIONAL LEAGUE Final	Chicago Cubs	4	Milwaukee	1

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Final SO	New Jersey	4	Toronto	3	 Final OT	Vegas	4	Detroit	3	 Final	Anaheim	5	N-Y Islanders	1	 Final	St. Louis	3	Seattle	2	 Final	Carolina	6	Vancouver	4

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL Final	(7)Houston	77	Baylor	64	 Final	(15)Purdue	70	Northwestern	66	 Final	(20)Arkansas	105	Texas	85	 Final	(22)Miami (FL)	77	SMU	69	 Final	(25)Saint Louis	79	Loyola Chicago	65

Thursday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Jayhawk Conference Women's Standings Team&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; CONF&nbsp; &nbsp; ALL *Butler&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 23-1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;29-1 Dodge City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 20-4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;25-4 Hutchinson&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;20-4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;25-5 Coffeyville&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;16-8&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 22-8 Seward County&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 14-10&nbsp; &nbsp; 20-10 Barton&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;12-12&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 14-16 Colby&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 12-12&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 15-15 Garden City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;11-13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 16-13 Cowley&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 11-13&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 15-15 Cloud County&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;10-14&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;14-15 Pratt&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 3-21&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 7-22 Fort Hays Tech&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;2-22&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;2-28 Independence&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;2-22&nbsp; &nbsp; 5-25 * Regular Season Champion Monday, March 2 Coffeyville 73, Garden City 53 Wednesday, March 4 Cowley 75,&nbsp;Barton 59 Cloud County 72, Independence 60 Butler 79, Colby 57 Dodge City 67, Seward County 62 Hutchinson 76, Fort Hays Tech 50 END OF REGULAR SEASON &nbsp;

Jayhawk Women's Standings, Scores, Schedule

Boys Sub-State Class 5A West Sub-State 3 Tuesday, March 3 Maize South 80,&nbsp;Andover Central 46 Emporia 61, Great Bend 41 Friday, March 6 (Highest Seed hosts) 6:00 Emporia (17-7) @ Maize South (20-4) Class 3A Boys Larned Sub-State - Sub-State 1 Thursday, February 26 #1 Beloit 79,&nbsp;#16 Nickerson 37 #8 Phillipsburg 61,&nbsp;#9 Russell 47 #4 Hoisington 40,&nbsp;#13 Ellsworth 34 #5 Scott City 56,&nbsp;#12 Lyons 48 Tuesday, March 3 (Higher seed hosts) Beloit 63,&nbsp;Phillipsburg 31 Scott City 51, Hoisington 35 Friday, March 6 @ Larned 6:00 Scott City vs Beloit Class 3A Boys Larned Sub-State - Sub-State 2 Thursday, February 26 #2 Holcomb 73, #15 Cimarron 31 #7 Colby 67,&nbsp;#10 Norton 54 #3 Lakin 88,&nbsp;#14 Larned 33 #6 Southwestern Heights 79,&nbsp;#11 Goodland 68 Tuesday, March 3 (Higher seed hosts) Holcomb 73,&nbsp;Colby 56 Lakin 73,&nbsp;Southwestern Heights 63 Friday, March 6 @ Larned 7:30 Holcomb vs Lakin Class 2A Boys Smith Center Sub-State - Sub-State 2 Friday, February 27 #2 Stanton County 46,&nbsp;#15 Hutch-Trinity 43 #7 Medicine Lodge 40,&nbsp;#10 Syracuse 37 #3 TMP 60,&nbsp;#14 Smith Center 46 #6 Plainville 61,&nbsp;#11 Ellinwood 45 Wednesday, March 4 (Higher seed hosts) Stanton County 48,&nbsp;Medicine Lodge 44 TMP 52,&nbsp;Plainville 48 Saturday, March 7 @ Smith Center T5:00 TMP vs Stanton County&nbsp; -------------------------------------------------------------- Girls Sub-State Class 3A Girls Larned Sub-State - Sub-State 1 Friday, February 27 #1 Holcomb 74,&nbsp;#16 Nickerson 23 #9 Colby 45, #8 Hoisington 23 #4 Southwestern Heights 52,&nbsp;#13 Russell 36 #5 Goodland 40, Norton 25 Wednesday, March 4(Higher seed hosts) Holcomb 51,&nbsp;Colby 34 Goodland 52, Southwestern Heights 20 Saturday, March 7 @ Larned 5:00 Holcomb vs Goodland&nbsp; Class 3A Girls Larned Sub-State - Sub-State 2 Friday, February 27 #2 Lakin 68,&nbsp;#15 Lyons 23 #7 Ellsworth 49,&nbsp;#10 Phillipsburg 36 #3 Beloit 67,&nbsp;#14 Cimarron 18 Larned 45, Scott City 40 Wednesday, March 4(Higher seed hosts) Ellsworth 48, Lakin 42 Beloit 61,&nbsp;Larned 48 Saturday, March 7 @ Larned 6:30 Ellsworth vs Beloit Class 2A Girls Smith Center Sub-State - Sub-State 1 Thursday, February 26 #1 Ellinwood 64,&nbsp;#16 Hutch-Trinity 25 #8 Smith Center 45,&nbsp;#9 Rawlins County 28 #4 Medicine Lodge 55,&nbsp;#13 Plainville 17 #5 TMP 56,&nbsp;#12 Sterling 33 Tuesday, March 3 (Higher seed hosts) Ellinwood 54,&nbsp;Smith Center 31 TMP 57, Medicine Lodge 33 Friday, March 6 @ Smith Center 7:30 Ellinwood vs TMP&nbsp;

Area 5A/3A/2A Sub-State basketball Scores and Schedule

BOYS SUB-STATE PAIRINGS&nbsp; 1A DI Osborne Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Mon. 2/23) #1 Central Plains Bye #9 Ellis 58, #8 Hill City 53 #4 Sylvan Lucas 67,&nbsp;#13 Stockton&nbsp; 39 &nbsp;#5 Decatur Community 66, #12 St. Francis 44 Semi-Finals Saturday 2/28&nbsp;(Higher seed hosts) Central Plains 62, Ellis 45 Sylvan-Lucas 52, Decatur Community 44 Championship Friday March 6 @ Osborne&nbsp; 7:30 Central Plains vs Sylvan-Lucas 1A DI Spearville Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Mon. 2/23)&nbsp; #1 Meade Bye #8 Hodgeman County 54, #9 LaCrosse 46 #4 South Gray 94,&nbsp;#13 Macksville 32 #5 Kiowa County 64,&nbsp;#12 Elkhart 29 Semi-Finals 2/28 (Higher seed hosts) Meade 55, Hodgeman 46 Kiowa County 61, South Gray 53 Championship Friday March 6 @ Spearville&nbsp; 6:00 Meade vs Kiowa County 1A DI Spearville Sub-State 2 (1st Round Games Mon. 2/23)&nbsp; #2 Spearville Bye #7 Greeley County 65,&nbsp;#10 Ness City 63 #6 St. John 62,&nbsp;#11 Kinsley 36 #3 South Central Bye Semi-Finals 2/28 (Higher seed hosts) Spearville 58,&nbsp;Greeley County 33 South Central 38,&nbsp;St. John 29 Championship Friday March 6 @ Spearville&nbsp; 7:30 Spearville vs South Central 1A DII Colby Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Mon. 2/23)&nbsp; #1 Wallace County Bye #8 Cheylin 38,&nbsp;#9 Golden Plains 32 #13 #4 Victoria 64,&nbsp;Winona-Tri-plains 34 #5 Otis-Bison 57,&nbsp;#12 Pawnee Heights 23 Semi-Finals 2/28 (Higher seed hosts) Wallace County 68,&nbsp;Cheylin 29 Victoria&nbsp; 43,&nbsp;Otis-Bison 42 Championship Friday March 6 @ Colby&nbsp; 6:00 Wallace County vs Victoria 1A DII Wakefield Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Mon. 2/23)&nbsp; #2 Hanover Bye #10 Stafford 52, #7 Centre 47 #6 Blue Valley Randolph 62,&nbsp;#11 Chase 15 #3 Tescott Bye Semi-Finals 2/28 (Higher seed hosts) Hanover 88, Stafford 29 Blue Valley Randolph 64, Tescott 46 Championship Friday March 6 @ Wakefield&nbsp; 7:30 Blue Valley Randolph vs Hanover ------------------------------------------------------------- GIRLS SUB-STATE PAIRINGS&nbsp; 1A DI Osborne Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/14) #1 Quinter Bye #9 Victoria 36, #8 Lincoln 28 #4 Decatur Community 61,&nbsp;#13 Ellis 27 #5 Osborne 63,&nbsp;#12 Lakeside 13 Semi-Finals Monday 3/2&nbsp;(Higher seed hosts) Quinter 71,&nbsp;Victoria 43 Osborne 61, Decatur Community 55 Championship Saturday March 7 @ Osborne&nbsp; 6:30 Quinter vs Osborne 1A DI Osborne Sub-State 2 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/24)&nbsp; #2 Rock Hills Bye #7 Sylvan-Lucas 51,&nbsp;#10 Hill City 26 #6 Central Plains 58,&nbsp;#11 St. Francis 14 #3 St. John's Beloit Bye Semi-Finals 3/2 (Higher seed hosts) Rock Hills 51,&nbsp;Sylvan-Lucas 50 Central Plains 28, St. John's Beloit 24 Championship Friday March 6 @ Spearville&nbsp; 5:00 Central Plains vs Rock Hills 1A DI Spearville Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/14) #1 South Gray Bye #8 Meade 50,&nbsp;#9 Kinsley 16 #4 South Central 67,&nbsp;#13 Ness City 16 #5 St. John 61,&nbsp;#12 Elkhart 36 Semi-Finals Monday 3/2&nbsp;(Higher seed hosts) South Gray 50,&nbsp;Meade 42 South Central 49, St. John 41 Championship Saturday March 7 @ Spearville&nbsp; 5:00 South Gray vs South Central 1A DI Spearville Sub-State 2 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/24)&nbsp; #2 Hodgeman County Bye #7 Greeley County 54,&nbsp;#10 Kiowa County 34 #6 LaCrosse 45,&nbsp;#11 Macksville 26 #3 Spearville Bye Semi-Finals 3/2 (Higher seed hosts) Hodgeman County 53,&nbsp; Greeley County 29 Spearville 39,&nbsp;LaCrosse 32 Championship Friday March 6 @ Spearville&nbsp; 6:30 Hodgeman County vs Spearville 1A DII Colby Sub-State 1 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/14) #1 Dighton Bye #9 Pawnee Heights 58, #8 Weskan 51 #5 Golden Plains 57,&nbsp;#13 Winona/Tri-Plains 20 #4 Grainfield-Wheatland Bye Semi-Finals Monday 3/2&nbsp;(Higher seed hosts) Dighton 57,&nbsp;Pawnee Heights 33 Grainfield Wheatland 47,&nbsp;Golden Plains 34 Championship Saturday March 7 @ Colby&nbsp; 5:00 Grainfield-Wheatland vs Dighton 1A DII Colby Sub-State 2 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/24)&nbsp; #2 Western Plains Bye #7 Wallace County 77,&nbsp;#10 Otis-Bison 29 #6 Northern Valley 46,&nbsp;#11 Logan-Palco 40 #3 Cheylin Bye Semi-Finals 3/2 (Higher seed hosts) Wallace County 51, Western Plains 45 Cheylin 40,&nbsp;Northern Valley 31 Championship Friday March 6 @ Colby&nbsp; 6:30 Cheylin vs Wallace County 1A DII Wakefield Sub-State 2 (1st Round Games Tues. 2/24)&nbsp; #2 Linn Bye #7 Tescott 39,&nbsp;#10 Thunder Ridge 34 #6 Stafford 52,&nbsp;#11 Wakefield 14 #3 Blue Valley-Randolph Bye Semi-Finals 3/2 (Higher seed hosts) Linn 67,&nbsp;Tescott 10 Blue Valley Randolph 50,&nbsp;Stafford 22 Championship Friday March 6 @ Wakefield&nbsp; 6:30 Linn vs Blue Valley Randolph

Area Sub-State 1A DI/1A DII Scores and Schedule

Thursday, March 5 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day Friday, March 6 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day Saturday, March 7 12:30PM Hits 106.9- Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas St. @ Kansas 5:15PM B104 - Region 6 Playoffs - Cloud County @ Barton Women&nbsp; 7:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Basketball - Golden State @ Oklahoma City Sunday, March 8 3:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City vs Chicago White Sox Monday, March 9 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 3:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City vs Cleveland Tuesday, March 10 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day TBA B104 - Region 6 Playoffs - TBA vs Barton Women&nbsp; TBA B104 - Region 6 Playoffs - Cloud County or Garden City vs Barton Men&nbsp; &nbsp;Wednesday, March 11 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day &nbsp;

Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting PBP Schedule

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a>McConnell Air Force Base’s aircraft are departing today, moving away from the waves of&nbsp;</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/weatherstory">severe weather</a>&nbsp;which is forecasted for the Wichita area Thursday night and then again Friday night, according to a statement from the base.

That forecast calls for a slight to enhanced risk of severe storms with potential for severe winds, hail and the possibility of tornadoes.

Air Force active duty and reserve aircrews from the 22nd&nbsp;and 931st&nbsp;Air Refueling Wings are relocating the base’s KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft to several other military bases across the country. This will ensure the aircraft maintain full readiness as they continue to support tasked missions and be available for future taskings, while also avoiding any potential damage from the upcoming weather.

All remaining aircraft, undergoing various phases of maintenance, along with a range of flightline vehicles and equipment, are being stored in hangars as the base readies for the full range of potential weather outcomes.

Kan. Air Force base to relocate aircraft ahead of severe weather

&nbsp;Senate Republicans voted down an effort Wednesday to halt President Trump’s war against Iran, demonstrating early support for a conflict that has rapidly spread across the Middle East.

The legislation, known as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-war-powers-trump-iran-constitution-37ec6685d9ded1d467a719f91e537487">war powers resolution</a>, failed on a 47-53 vote tally. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted against the resolution.

On social media, Kansas senior U.S. Senator Jerry Moran explained his vote against the resolution. "The Iranian government has terrorized its own people, funded terror networks, threatened the security of our allies and called for the destruction of the U.S. Iran’s ambition to enrich uranium and acquire long-range missiles threatens the U.S. and the stability of the region.

Iran’s continued attacks on American troops, our embassies and consulates, and the bombardment of Israel, require vigilance and ongoing military action in the Middle East. Support for this resolution as written would constrain ongoing operations and potentially put American service members at greater risk. Congress must remain fully engaged through oversight and deliberation, and we must do so in a way that supports, not jeopardizes as this resolution would do, the men &amp; women carrying out their current mission. If military engagements become sustained or expanded, Congress must debate and authorize further use of force on behalf of the American people

On his social media account, Senator Marshall explained his no vote against the resolution. "I voted against the Democrats’ War Powers Resolution—a political ploy to undermine our military operations." 

"Our military’s strike against the Iranian regime was bold, necessary, and long overdue. Iran has spent decades killing Americans and pursuing a nuclear weapon. Praying for our troops and their families—and for a swift end to this conflict."

The vote on Thursday afternoon gave lawmakers an opportunity to demand congressional approval before any further attacks are carried out. The vote forced them to take a stand on a war shaping the fate of U.S. military members, countless other lives and the future of the region.

-The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Kansas U.S. Senators explain their vote on War Powers Resolution

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday fired his embattled Homeland Security Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kristi-noem">Kristi Noem</a>, after mounting criticism over her leadership of the department, including the handling of the administration’s immigration crackdown and disaster response.

Trump, who said he would nominate in her place Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin, made the announcement on social media on Thursday, two days after Noem faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-noem-immigration-trump-ice-b6cb7b575b01cd5325f1a3bd658b605a">a grilling on Capitol Hill</a>&nbsp;from GOP members as well as Democrats.

Trump says he’ll make Noem a "Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” a new security initiative that he said would focus on the Western Hemisphere.

Noem, took the stage to address a Department of Homeland Security event moments after Trump’s announcement but made no immediate mention of her ouster. Instead, she read from prepared remarks, including reinforcing Trump’s message from the State of the Union last month.

Noem is the first Cabinet secretary to leave during Trump’s second term. Noem’s departure caps a tumultuous tenure overseeing immigration enforcement tactics that have been met with protests and lawsuits.

Noem’s tenure looked increasingly short-lived after hearings in Congress this week where she faced rare but blistering criticism from Republican lawmakers. One particular point of scrutiny was a $220 million ad campaign featuring Noem that encouraged people in the country illegally to leave voluntarily.

Noem told lawmakers that Trump was aware of the campaign in advance, but Trump disputed that in an interview Thursday with Reuters, saying he did not sign off on the ad campaign.

Her department, DHS, has also been shut down for 20 days, although many of the employees are continuing to work, often without pay.

Noem has faced waves of criticism as she’s overseen Trump’s immigration crackdown, especially since the shooting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-4d1499fc5962ab880f3816259e04bdbf">deaths of two protesters</a>&nbsp;in Minneapolis at the hands of immigration enforcement officers. The former South Dakota governor was also criticized over the way her department has spent billions of dollars allocated to it by Congress.

Frustrations over Noem’s execution of the Republican president’s hard-line immigration agenda — particularly her leadership after the shooting deaths — as well as her handling of disaster response, paved the way for her downfall. She faced blistering criticism from Democrats, and some Republicans, in the Congress hearings this week.

Aside from immigration, Noem also faced criticism — including from Republicans — over the pace of emergency funding approved through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and for the Trump administration’s response to disasters.

Mullin would need to be confirmed by the Senate, but under a federal law governing executive branch vacancies, he would be allowed to serve as an acting Homeland Security secretary as long as his nomination is formally pending.

Who President Trump named to replace fired DHS Secretary Noem

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas felon wounded by police following a domestic violence call to a home in Wichita will return to court Thursday.

Daniel James Gabor, 31, will attend a sentencing hearing in Judge Kevin Smith's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; In June, Gabor&nbsp;pleaded no contest to aggravated robbery, aggravated domestic battery and violating a protection order, according to the district attorney's office.

Just before 4:30 a.m., June 20, the Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a 911 call with a woman screaming in the background. The open-line call was traced to a moving location, and Wichita police officers were dispatched to what sounded like an active disturbance without a specific location.

By 4:30 a.m., the phone’s signal stopped in the 4600 block of West 37th Street South, where officers responded.

Officers found a vehicle stopped along the side of the street and saw a man later identified as 31-year-old Daniel James Gabor assaulting a woman in the front seat. During the encounter, an officer fired two rounds, striking&nbsp; Gabor in the upper arm. Gabor then drove off with the woman still inside the vehicle.

He later crashed in a construction area near K-42 highway and West Street. Officers responded, provided medical aid, and Sedgwick County EMS transported Gaabor to a Wichita hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officers also assisted the woman, who sustained minor injuries but declined transport to a medical facility by EMS.

Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division investigated both the officer-involved shooting and the original disturbance. Investigators are treating the two incidents as separate but related cases.

Detectives confirmed that Gabor and the woman were in a domestic relationship. Gabor has a 2024 conviction for two counts of domestic battery and one count of criminal restraint through Harvey County District Court.

Following his release from the hospital, detectives booked Gabor into the Sedgwick County Jail where he is being held on a $300,000 in bonds, according to online jail records.

Sentencing day for Kan. felon injured in officer involved shooting

<a href="https://www.businesswire.com/" target="_blank">BUSINESS WIRE</a>

KANSAS CITY—-EPR Properties announced Thursday that it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire a portfolio of seven regional parks from Six Flags Entertainment Corporation for a gross transactional value of $342 million, of which the Company provided approximately $315 million and our operating tenants provided the balance, including funds for working capital and capital improvements. This transaction significantly expands the Company's attractions portfolio and represents its largest acquisition since 2017.

<a href="https://www.sixflags.com/blog/looking-forward-a-new-chapter-for-six-flags?fbclid=IwY2xjawQWihBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFsYzZtakF3WTVuRkxQZXZac3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkaAETJ4zMV0das0yoP6MkXkVMOgW3h5bzqF6ejIleo_FtIJzLiF41qZtpNt_aem_so5pEBI0IvQUgjNyUMGUwA">Click here for more detail</a>s on what the sale means for park guests

The seven parks comprise over 1,600 acres, featuring 418 attractions across five states and Canada, and drawing approximately 4.5 million annual attendees. The six regional parks that are located throughout the U.S. will be leased to and operated by Enchanted Parks (formerly Innovative Attraction Management) pursuant to a long-term master lease, and the one park located in Canada will be leased to and operated by La Ronde Operations, Inc. following the completion of the transaction. Both entities are proven operators with which the Company has an existing relationship.

"This strategic acquisition represents a compelling opportunity to expand our attractions portfolio with high-quality experiential real estate assets in established regional markets," said Gregory K. Silvers, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EPR Properties. "These properties embody the essential characteristics we seek: delivering stable, long-term cash flows, strong drive-to accessibility, multi-generational appeal, and significant underlying land value. This transaction aligns with our disciplined investment criteria and accelerates our strategic expansion into experiential properties that create enduring value for our shareholders.”

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