Great Bend Alive, the downtown arm of Great Bend Economic Development (GBED),&nbsp; announced the Fridays on Forest season opener on April 25. The kickoff event will take place on Forest Avenue, from Williams to Main Street.

Lee Ann June, GBED Communications Director, shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming season:

"Fridays on Forest continues to create a space for both locals and visitors to unwind, connect, and enjoy the lively downtown atmosphere with live music, great food, and refreshing beverages. We’re thrilled to launch the fifth season of this beloved community tradition in downtown GBK.”

The kickoff event will feature live music from Tim Anthony &amp; the Anamals and a lineup of food vendors, including Lumpy’s, Los Dos Portillo’s, Brand 17 BBQ, Lana’s Catering &amp; Goodies, and Flatlanders Stone-fired Pizzas behind Dry Lake Brewing. Gambino’s is joining the festivities this year, offering a pizza buffet from 5-7 p.m. on Fridays on Forest nights.

With the addition of The Landing, located at the corner of Williams and Forest, attendees can grab a fresh coffee from the Avast Ye Java Coffee trailer or indulge in a Freaking Delicious Cheesecake. Alcohol will be available from licensed vendors, including Los Dos Portillo’s, Lumpy’s, Charlie’s Place, and Dry Lake Brewing.

Ribbon Cutting &amp; Event Sponsorship

This year’s first sponsor, SOFTwarfare, is a new member of the Great Bend business community and will support the Fridays on Forest season.&nbsp;

To celebrate the start of the new season, join Great Bend Alive, SOFTwarfare, and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. at the corner of Williams and Forest.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Alcohol can be purchased within the district but may not be brought in from outside or taken outside the designated area.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fridays on Forest is a family-friendly event—bring the whole crew.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Security will be on-site to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Restrooms will be available—so no need to worry.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No smoking or pets are allowed within the district.

Great Bend Alive is excited to bring another season of Fridays on Forest, featuring new additions alongside the amenities and traditions the community has come to love. Mark your calendar for the last Friday of each month from April through October for all Fridays on Forest events.&nbsp;Find a list of all the Fridays on Forest dates online&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.gbedinc.com/downtownevents">www.gbedinc.com/downtownevents</a>.

Sponsorship &amp; Partnership Opportunities

Many sponsorships and partnerships are already in place, but if you, your business, or your organization would like to get involved, please reach out to GBED staff at 620-796-2407 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:marketing@gbedinc.com">marketing@gbedinc.com</a>. Another way to stay informed is to follow Great Bend Economic Development and Great Bend Alive on social media.

Fridays on Forest in Great Bend returns in April

Daily Registration Locations:&nbsp; - Ehler Chevrolet - INA Alert - Equity Bank - Kelly's Garden Sense - Reborn Renovations &amp; Disaster Services - Jimlo Glass - Center for Counseling - T&amp;L Fireworks - GB Tires - Fireworks for Less (Windshields for Less)&nbsp; - Boone's&nbsp; - Eldridge Fencing - Westside Market/ UPS Store - Nex-Tech Wireless - Cornerstone Automotive - Straub's Powersports - Great Bend Appliance Furniture and Sleep Source - Nex-Tech - Hoisington Vet Hospital

LIMIT ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PER DAY PER SPONSOR LOCATION

1. Complete entry in full. Please Print. Must Be Present To Enter.

2. The “Reef Blue Summer” promotion is open to all Kansas residents at least 21 years of age except employees of Eagle Communication, Hull Broadcasting, I.N.A. Alert, Equity Bank, Kelly's Garden Sense, and Ehler Chevrolet and their spouse/companion. Employees of other participating businesses and their families may enter; however, they may not register at their place of employment.

3. Listen to Eagle Radio Stations KVGB FM - “B104.3 The Point”...KHOK FM “100.7 Eagle Country”...KVGB “1590 AM/95.5FM”...and Hull Broadcasting Station KBGL FM “Hits 106.9” for details. Find the latest contest information and appearance calendar at GreatBendPost.com

4. Finalists for this promotion will be qualified from in-store registrations...and during special “Reef Blue Summer” Instant Finalist Days. Only one finalist per household may qualify. No purchase necessary to win.

5. Prize in non-transferable. Winner is responsible for all applicable taxes.

6. Signing this entry form allows Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting to use your name, likeness, image, character or voice for promotional purposes.

7. No sponsor or their affiliates assume any liability in connection with this giveaway.

8. Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting reserve the right to disqualify any entry for violation of contest rules. The decision of Eagle Radio of Great Bend and Hull Broadcasting is final.

Reef Blue Summer

Medical Park Pharmacy, Mayo Money Management, Hazmat Response, Protective Equipment Testing Lab, R&amp;R Roofing, Freedom Claims Management, Inc., Rosencrantz-Bemis Water Well Company, Stone Sand Company/Stone Waste Management, Miller Plastics/Miller Warehouse, Nex-Tech Wireless, USD #431 Hoisington, Great Bend Redi Mix, Heavy Duty Diesel &amp; Auto, USD #428 Great Bend

Make a Difference Contest 

Smoky Hills PBS announced the return of Cottonwood Connections for its 6th Season, premiering Sunday, April 6, at 6 p.m. This season brings fresh, in-depth documentaries exploring the rich history and culture of Kansas and the Great Plains.

Kicking off the season is an episode on Buffalo Bill Cody, a legendary figure of the American West. Throughout the season, viewers will also experience engaging stories on:

Buffalo Bill Cody – April 6 The Kansas Renaissance – April 13 Kansas and the Cold War: Part 1 – April 20 Kansas and the Cold War: Part 2 – April 27 Orphan Train – May 4 The Fick’s and Their Fossil Museum – May 11 Cowtowns – May 18 Oil Boom – May 25 Packing Iron – June 1 Car Culture – June 8 Trappers and Trade – June 15 Petroglyphs – June 22

New episodes will air Sundays at 6 p.m., with rebroadcasts available on Fridays at 1:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 6 p.m., ensuring multiple opportunities for viewers to tune in.

“Cottonwood Connections continues to bring the fascinating stories of Kansas to life, and we are excited to share this season’s incredible lineup with our viewers,” said Audrey Parsons, Programming Director of Smoky Hills PBS. “From legendary figures to historical events that shaped the state, Season 6 offers something for everyone who loves history and storytelling.”

Cottonwood Connections is a docu-series produced and directed by Ed Lowry, featuring Don Rowlison. It is presented by The Friends of Cottonwood Ranch, an organization that supports the work of the historic site, Cottonwood Ranch, and has the mission of encouraging historical education about the plains.&nbsp;

Smoky Hills PBS premieres season 6 of Cottonwood Connections

Innovative Livestock Services (ILS) is sponsoring its annual compost day on Saturday, April 5, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Great Bend Feeding, 355 NW 30th Avenue (Great Bend) and Ward Feed Yard, 1190 100th Avenue (Larned).&nbsp; In case of bad weather will be moved to April 12.

Free compost day in Great Bend and Larned

Crabgrass preventers are another name for preemergence herbicides that prevent crabgrass seeds from developing into mature plants. Many people have a somewhat foggy idea of how they work and assume they kill the weed seed.&nbsp; Such is not the case. They do not kill the seed or even keep the seed from germinating but rather kill the young plant after it germinates.&nbsp; Therefore, they do not prevent germination but prevent emergence.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Crabgrass preventers are just that – preventers. With few exceptions they have no effect on existing crabgrass plants, so they must be applied before germination. Additionally, preventers do not last forever once applied to the soil.&nbsp; Microorganisms and natural processes begin to gradually break them down soon after they are applied. If some products are applied too early, they may have lost much of their strength by the time they are needed. Most crabgrass preventers are fairly ineffective after about 60 days, but there is considerable variation among products.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

For most of Kansas, crabgrass typically begins to germinate around May 1 or a little later. April 15 is normally a good target date for applying preventer because it gives active ingredients time to evenly disperse in the soil before crabgrass germination starts.&nbsp; Even better, base timing on the bloom of ornamental plants. The Eastern Redbud tree is a good choice for this purpose. When the trees in your area approach full bloom, apply crabgrass preventer. A follow-up application will be needed about 8 weeks later unless you are using Dimension or Barricade.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Dimension and Barricade are the only two products that give season-long control of crabgrass from a single application. In fact, they can be applied earlier than April 15 and still have sufficient residual strength to last the season. Barricade can even be applied in late fall for crabgrass control the next season.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Dimension can be applied as early as March 1. Because of the added flexibility in timing, these products are favorites of lawn care companies who have many customers to service in the spring. Though Dimension is usually not applied as early as Barricade, it is the herbicide of choice if it must be applied later than recommended. It is the exception to the rule that preemergence herbicides do not kill existing weeds. Dimension can kill crabgrass as long as it is young (two- to three-leaf stage). Dimension is also the best choice if treating a lawn that was planted late last fall. Normally a preemergence herbicide is not recommended unless the lawn has been mowed two to four times. But Dimension is kind to young tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass seedlings and some formulations can be applied as early as two weeks after the first sign of germination. However, read the label of the specific product you wish to use to ensure that this use is allowed. Lawns established in the fall can be safely treated with Dimension the following spring even if they have not been mowed.

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Crabgrass preventers

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

In a partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment
and Wichita State University, the “Foundations of Public Health” training
program was launched to give participants the knowledge, skills and connections
needed to excel as public health professionals in Kansas. 

Misty Trudeau, Barton
County Health Department Financial Officer, completed the program and was recognized
at the recent Governor’s Conference.


"I am passionate about saving the taxpayer money but still doing the work," said Trudeau. "I really like helping people. As a financial officer, my patients are the people, our employees and businesses in the county."

The training program lasts a year and requires participants to finish homework
prior to each session and complete a final project. Trudeau said there are a
lot of great ideas and initiatives with public health, but there is still a
funding requirement for which she actively pursues ways to secure grants.


"I don't like to be told no when it comes to obtaining grants and funding," said Trudeau. "I don't like community members to be told no, but I also don't want them to have to pay for it. If I can find a way to get that funding to help people...that's where my heart is."

The Barton County Commission thanked and recognized Trudeau at Tuesday’s
meeting for being the first member of Barton County to complete the training.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Extra training for Barton Co. Health’s Misty Trudeau

The City of Hoisington and numerous partners are working together to
organize a mock-accident, #ArriveAlive,
event to remind young people of the dangers of alcohol use. The mock prom drill
will take place at Bicentennial Park in Hoisington on Wednesday (4/2) morning and will involve
numerous first responders and emergency agencies. The event will take place in
front of a large group of students from area schools. 


The City is grateful to all of the partners that are helping to organize the
event. The presentation of this event is intended to be very realistic and will
involve some disturbing content. Please know that this event is only a drill.


If you have any questions about the event, you can contact Megan Elmore at
620-653-4150.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Mock-accident drill to take place in Hoisington Wednesday

BOOKED: Jason A. Loss on Great Bend Municipal Court case for
driving under the influence, illegal transportation of liquor and prohibited
parking, bond set at $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Michael T. Shives on Barton County District Court
warrant for serve sentence, no bond.

BOOKED: Takowa Pettijohn on Barton County District warrant
for battery and criminal damage with a bond of $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Gavin M. Metzinger on Barton County District Court
case for criminal threat and battery with bond set at $5,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Neil W. Avery on Barton County District Court case
for aggravated burglary, domestic battery with a bond set at $20,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Andrew M. Delgadillo on Great Bend Municipal Court
case for failure to appear by order of the court authorized by the Honorable
Judge Pike. Great Bend Police Department case for domestic battery, causing
bodily harm and cruelty to animals.

RELEASED: Takowa Pettijohn on BCDC warrant for battery and
criminal damage, posted surety bond of $1,000 through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Raymond Chapman on BCDC serve sentence for time
served.

RELEASED: Rhonda Justice on GBMC case for domestic battery,
released on 48-hour OR.

Barton County Sheriff's booking activity (3/31)

Eagle Media in Great Bend produces the Great Bend Post Podcast, available wherever you consume your podcasts. Hear past shows, interviews and meetings from local guests in the Barton County area. Make sure to follow the Post Podcast to receive notifications of new episodes.

View Great Bend Post Podcast on Apple Podcasts <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/great-bend-post-podcast/id1693657426">HERE</a>. View Great Bend Post Podcast on Spotify <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4E0Vv03Pfyf9n37kFV4n5b">HERE</a>.

🎙Follow the Great Bend Post Podcast

Jobs for America’s Graduates – Kansas was created to offer an elective
class that provides academic and other positive supports to ensure students earn
their diploma. The program has been offered at Great Bend High School and for
the third year the Great Bend Middle School has provided the class.


The 2024-2025 school year marks the second year that Brenna Thompson has taught
the JAG-K class at Great Bend Middle School. The class is open to both seventh
and eighth graders.


"I love seeing the growth from the beginning of the year to now," said Thompson. "I've looked back at some of the projects we have done and just seeing how much they change in a year. It's crazy."

There are currently 54 students enrolled in the JAG-K course at the middle
school. The course also explores career opportunities and practices soft
skills, preparing students to successfully transition to post-secondary
education, military service or into the workforce.


"The cool thing about this program is that once students are in it, they're in it the rest of their academic career," said Thompson. "We even follow through a year after they graduate. It allows us to check in to see if they're on the right path in whatever they chose whether that be college, military, work or a trade school. We're there another year so they have that support."

Great Bend JAG-K students are preparing the Career Development Competition
(CDC) in Hutchinson on April 9. All of the students will compete
in at least one event.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Great Bend JAG-K program impacting middle school students

The Barton County Health Department announced a new partnership with Barton Community College aimed at expanding access to essential health services for students. This collaboration enhances the existing health resources available on campus, ensuring that students have access to affordable, preventive, and confidential healthcare.

Through this partnership, students will benefit from a variety of health services, including:

· Wellness Screenings &amp; Preventive Care

· Access to Low-Cost &amp; Free Health Resources

By bringing these resources directly to campus, this initiative aims to reduce barriers to healthcare, promote student well-being, and support academic success. The Barton County Health Department remains committed to fostering a healthier community by ensuring that all students, regardless of insurance status, have access to the care they need.

Barton Health Dept. and college announce partnership to expand services

Tuesday Patchy blowing dust after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Windy, with a south southeast wind 23 to 28 mph increasing to 31 to 36 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 49 mph.

Tuesday Night A 50 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms before 1am. Some of the storms could be severe. Patchy blowing dust before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Breezy, with a south wind 24 to 29 mph becoming west 13 to 18 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.

Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 67. West wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. West wind 6 to 10 mph becoming east northeast after midnight.

Thursday A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.

Thursday Night A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Friday A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.

Friday Night Rain likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Breezy.

Saturday Night A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.

Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 27.

Monday Sunny, with a high near 60.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tuesday's weather

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A decision on the future of the tush push has been pushed until next month.

NFL team owners had been set to vote Tuesday on Green Bay’s proposal to ban the play that’s helped the Philadelphia Eagles win one Super Bowl and reach another, but it was tabled until May.

Team owners approved modifying the kickoff rule, expanding replay assist, revising overtime rules, along with other changes.

Postponing the tush push vote means the debate will continue while teams gather more information. Proponents of the play and those who oppose it presented strong arguments while the league's medical experts expressed safety concerns.

NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay stressed the issues surrounding the play extend beyond safety because there's not enough data to indicate it's dangerous. The league already has said no injuries have been reported on a tush push.

“There are definitely some people that have health and safety concerns, but there’s just as many people that have football concerns,” McKay said. “So I wouldn’t say it was because of one particular health and safety video or discussion. It was much more about the play, the aesthetics of the play, is it part of what football has been traditionally, or is it more of a rugby play? All those types of discussions. Health and safety is still there because of potential but I wouldn’t go beyond that.”

The league prohibited pushing or pulling a player before a rule change in 2004. McKay said the Packers asked to pull the proposal so they could reintroduce the previous language, study it, and bring it up for discussion for a vote at the May meetings.

It takes 24 of 32 votes to approve rule changes.

“It went to many different directions beyond health and safety,” McKay said of the 30 to 40-minute conversation. “Just the traditional-ness of the play, the idea that you could push another player, the idea that we prohibit pushing on the defense but we don’t prohibit it on the offense. It went in all those directions.”

As for changes that did pass, regular-season overtime rules now will match those in the playoffs and both teams will have a chance to get a possession even if the offense scores a touchdown on the opening drive. The proposal was amended to make overtime 10 minutes, not 15 minutes.

Owners also approved a proposal from the NFL Competition Committee to allow replay assist to consult on-field officials to overrule objective calls such as facemask penalties, whether there was forcible contact to the head or neck area, horse-collar tackles or tripping if there was “clear and obvious” evidence that a foul didn’t occur. Replay also would be able to overturn a roughing-the-kicker or running-into-the-kicker penalty if video showed the defender made contact with the ball.

Replay assist could wipe out a foul only if it was incorrectly called, but it will not be used to throw a flag if a penalty wasn't called.

The dynamic kickoff rule becomes permanent, with touchbacks moving to the 35-yard line instead of the 30.

Pittsburgh's proposal to allow teams to have one video or phone call with no more than five prospective unrestricted free agents during the two-day negotiation period was approved. Teams now can make travel arrangements with such players upon agreeing to terms.

Also, owners approved a rule to permit clubs to prepare kicking footballs (“K-Balls”) before game day, similar to the process permitted for game footballs.

Detroit's proposal for playoff seeding to be based on winning percentage was also tabled for May. The proposal to stop automatic first downs from being awarded on defensive holding and illegal contact penalties didn't pass.

Philadelphia’s version of the quarterback sneak sparked the most intense discussions.

Bills coach Sean McDermott was among those leading the push to get rid of it, even though Buffalo used it more than any team other than the Eagles.

“I feel where I’m most concerned is, even though there is not significant data out there to this point, my biggest concern is the health and safety of the players, first and foremost,” McDermott said Monday. “It’s two things. It’s force, added force, No. 1, and then the posture of the players, being asked to execute that type of play, that’s where my concern comes in. ... I’m not a doctor. I’m not going to get too deep into that situation there, in terms of how much data, how much sample. I don’t think that’s really always the best way to go. There is other data out there that suggests when you’re in a posture like we’re talking about, that can lead to serious injury. I think being responsible and proactive in that regard is the right way to go.”

The Eagles began using the play in short-yardage situations in 2022. Two or three players line up behind quarterback Jalen Hurts and push him forward. Several other teams including the Bills began using it, but no team has matched Philadelphia’s success rate.

“Tough play to stop but then you’re listening to that and the medical side and you probably could go either way with it,” said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, whose team lost 40-22 to the Eagles in the Super Bowl. “But I would say if it’s putting a player in a bad position, then you probably have to do something about it. But if it’s not, it’s a heck of a play.”

NFL postpones a decision on the tush push but passes other rule changes

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — When a drone suddenly appeared near the left-field wall at Sutter Health Park on Monday night, veteran Athletics bat boy Stewart Thalblum decided to help thwart it.

The drone tried to lift him off the grass but Thalblum used a bat and brought it down, careful not to cut himself with the spinning blades.

Once the device had been corralled, Thalblum handed it off to a security guard.

The drone appeared with Seth Brown batting for the Athletics in the seventh inning of the Chicago Cubs' 18-3 rout and it delayed the game for a few minutes.

“I think for me I didn't want to cut my fingers off. I always see that on the news, people hurt themselves when it's hovering or whatever and their hand gets caught in it,” said the 22-year-old Thalblum, a sixth-year bat boy. "I tried to catch it by the bottom and it was there for me so I just grabbed it and then I just started whacking the wings of it basically with the bat just to snap them off so it wouldn't fly away from me because I was going to take it behind the wall. We couldn't figure out what to do with it and it was trying to fly away from me."

Thalblum is the son of longtime A’s visiting clubhouse manager Mikey Thalblum.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell was impressed. When the drone was spotted by some Chicago players, Counsell alerted plate umpire Adrian Johnson, who hadn't seen it.

“I guess that's the world we're in right now,” Counsell said. “But it was funny because it looked like the drone was trying to fly away, it was trying to fly Mikey's son away, too. It's life in 2025.”

Stewart Thalblum had noticed the drone the previous at-bat, a first for him, and then saw Johnson stop play — so he went to work.

“Everybody was just looking at it for a little while and I've never had something like that happen,” Thalblum said. “I was asking around, everybody's looking and nobody from security or anything had gone out there so I was like, I don’t know whose responsibility it is, so I was like, OK, maybe it’s mine.”

Dad was plenty proud of his son — again.

“I'm proud of him for a lot of other reasons more so than getting a drone, just for being a good kid,” the father said, chuckling and not surprised at the fast thinking. “He's a good clubbie.”

Athletics bat boy Stewart Thalblum takes down drone in left field

Smoky Hills PBS will produce a special production, Remembering Bob Davis, dedicated to honoring the life and career of the legendary broadcaster Bob Davis during the month of April

For decades, Bob Davis was the voice behind some of the most iconic moments in Kansas sports history. He was a sportscaster for the Kansas Jayhawks, Fort Hays State University, and the Kansas City Royals. His passion, storytelling, and deep connection with fans made him a beloved figure in broadcasting. This special program will reflect on the conversation we had with Bob back in 2021, as well as his induction speech into the 2016 Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.

Remembering Bob Davis will air on Monday, April 7 at 8 p.m. exclusively on Smoky Hills PBS. Viewers can also watch this special again on Thursday, April 10 at 2 p.m. and Saturday, April 12 at 8 p.m.

For more information, visit <a href="http://SmokyHillsPBS.org">SmokyHillsPBS.org</a>.

Smoky Hills PBS to present special show dedicated to Bob Davis

- Barton softball coach Carson Dubose joins the show for an update on the Lady Cougar softball season.

- Great Bend Tribune Sports Editor Jim Misunas

- The "Voice of the Tigers" Gerard Wellbrock joins us to talk about everything Fort Hays State, Bob Davis and more.

Tuesday on Sports Day(Watch)

LIBERAL, Kan. – Seward County Community College has named Austin Downing its new Head Men's Basketball&nbsp;Coach.&nbsp;

Downing joins from Barton Community College, where in three years as an assistant coach he has coached in two national tournaments, including a National Championship for the 2023-2024 season. Downing as assistant coach with the Cougars had an overall record of 86-19 and a 59-15 mark in the Jayhawk conference.&nbsp;

Downing, from Atchison, Kan., started his playing career at Neosho Community College, finishing in the Top 20 on the all-time scoring list. From Neosho, he would go on to play at Quincy University and finish his college career back in Kansas with Emporia State University, earning All-MIAA honors.

The Saints are excited to welcome Austin Downing and his family to Liberal and Seward County.

Barton's Austin Downing named head coach for Seward Co.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Kansas City’s Jonathan India showed no signs of fear after getting hit by a 98.9-mph pitch.

He requested – demanded, really – to get in the Royals’ starting lineup the next day. He then went 3 for 5 with two runs and a pair of RBIs as Kansas City trounced the Milwaukee Brewers 11-1 on Monday afternoon.

“I’m a gamer,” India said. “I want to play every day. That’s who I am.”

India’s response amazed his teammates, who saw how frightening a scene it was Sunday when a pitch from Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase hit India’s batting helmet on the left side of his face during the ninth inning of the Royals’ 6-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.

After a CT scan showed no lingering damage, India calmly lined a single to left to open Monday’s game. He got a base hit again in the sixth inning and added a two-run single in the seventh.

“Unbelievable,” Royals catcher Salvador Perez said. “It’s something that I’ve never seen in my career. … He’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever met in my life.”

India acknowledged it was a scary moment when the pitch from Clase hit him, causing him to leave Sunday’s game and hit the locker room. He also felt some anger over what happened.

But once India realized he felt fine and was showing no signs of any head injury, he just wanted to get back on the field as soon as possible.

“I’ve been hit in the head before,” India said. “It’s just part of baseball. Pitchers when they throw high and in like that, I think they should get reprimanded for it, but it’s part of baseball, I guess.”

Perez said Clase reached out to him to express regret over the incident. Perez said Clase explained that the ball just flipped out of his hand in the cold weather. Perez was confident Clase didn’t intend any harm.

“I’ve known Clase for a little bit,” Perez said. “I don’t think he’s that type of guy.”

India left no doubt that he wanted to play Monday, so Royals manager Matt Quatraro had him leading off and playing third base.

“He was adamant,” Quatraro said. “I probably would have leaned the other way, but as tough as he is, and he wanted to be in there, I wasn’t going to stop him from doing that. He had a heck of a game.”

India left the game in the ninth inning with the Royals comfortably ahead, but Quatraro said that move wasn't injury related.

The Royals acquired India and outfielder Joey Wiemer from Cincinnati in an offseason trade that sent right-handed pitcher Brady Singer to the Reds. India, the 2021 NL rookie of the year, batted .248 with a .357 on-base percentage, 15 homers, 58 RBIs and 13 steals in 151 games last season.

India's performance Monday a day after getting hit in the face made quite the impression on his new team.

“I think he's a warrior," infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia said. ”To receive a fastball in the face yesterday, and come today and play the way he played today, it's unbelievable."

The injury news wasn’t entirely positive for the Royals.

Kansas City placed outfielder/pinch-runner Dairon Blanco on the injured list because of tendinopathy in his right Achilles tendon. Blanco made only one plate appearance in the Royals’ first three games, but he stole two bases and scored two runs.

“It’s a bone spur essentially that’s on his Achilles,” Quatraro said before the game. “When it flares up, it flares up, and it’s painful.”

The Royals filled his spot on the roster by calling up utilityman Tyler Tolbert from Triple-A Omaha.

Royals' Jonathan India has big performance one day after a pitch hit him in the face

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Longtime manager Peter Vermes is out at Sporting Kansas City.

The MLS club announced Monday that it “mutually agreed to part ways” with Vermes after nearly two decades and with Sporting KC chasing its first win since mid-September of last season.

Kerry Zavagnin was appointed interim head coach.

Vermes became the club's technical director in 2006 before being elevated to head coach in 2009. The member of the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame ranks third on the all-time MLS list with 203 regular-season wins.

He is the only person to win the MLS Cup as a player and a coach with the same team — he led Kansas City to the 2000 title as a central defender, then coached the team to the 2013 championship.

“It would be hard to list all of the people I want to thank after 20 seasons in managerial positions at Sporting Kansas City,” Vermes said in a statement. “I am thankful to everyone, especially ownership for giving me the opportunity of being a steward of this club for the past two decades. I wish the club nothing but the best in the future.”

Vermes led the club to 11 playoff appearances and four first-place finishes in the regular season. The club also won U.S. Open Cup titles in 2012, 2015 and 2017. Last season, the team reached the U.S. Open Cup Final but finished with an 8-19-7 record for its third straight losing campaign.

Peter Vermes is out as Sporting Kansas City manager after 16 years

ST. LOUIS (AP) —
Kyren Paris hit a tying triple in the seventh inning, Nolan Schanuel
gave Los Angeles its first lead with a grounder in the 10th and the
Angels held off the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4. Mike Trout had two RBIs
for the Angels, who scored three runs on sacrifice flies and finally
went ahead in the 10th without a hit. Ryan Johnson earned his first
career save in his second major league appearance. Lars Nootbaar hit
a leadoff homer and Brendan Donovan also went deep for the Cardinals.
Nolan Arenado had an RBI single.

MILWAUKEE (AP) —
Kris Bubic struck out eight in six shutout innings in his first start
in nearly two years, and the Kansas City Royals spoiled Milwaukee’s
home opener with an 11-1 victory over the winless Brewers. Maikel
Garcia and Salvador Perez homered for the Royals. Jonathan India had
three hits and drove in two runs one day after he was struck on the
left side of his face by a 98.9-mph pitch from Cleveland’s Emmanuel
Clase. Bubic allowed three hits and walked two in his first start
since April 15, 2023. The 27-year-old left-hander had Tommy John
surgery later that month, and he pitched as a reliever last season.

MILWAUKEE (AP) —
Kansas City’s Jonathan India showed no signs of fear after getting
hit by a 98.9-mph pitch. First he requested to get in the Royals’
starting lineup the next day. He then went 3 for 5 with two runs and
a pair of RBIs as Kansas City trounced the Milwaukee Brewers 11-1 on
Monday afternoon. India’s response amazed his teammates. They saw
how frightening a scene it was Sunday when a pitch from Cleveland’s
Emmanuel Clase hit India’s batting helmet on the left side of his
face during the ninth inning of the Royals’ 6-2 loss to the
Cleveland Guardians.

LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80
games without pay for performance-enhancing drug use. Major League
Baseball announced that Profar tested positive for Chorionic
Gonadotrophin (hCG). The suspension of Profar is effective
immediately. Barring postponed games, Profar would be eligible to
return June 29 against Philadelphia and would lose $5,806,440 of his
$12 million salary. He is also ineligible for the postseason. Profar
apologized in a statement and said he would never knowingly take a
banned substance. He calls it “the most difficult day” of his
career. Profar was an All-Star last season with San Diego.

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP)
— Paige Bueckers carried UConn to its record 24th Final Four of the
women’s NCAA Tournament, scoring 31 points Monday night in a 78-64
victory over Southern California, which couldn’t overcome the loss
of injured star JuJu Watkins. UConn heads to Tampa, Florida, to face
overall No. 1 seed UCLA on Friday. Freshman Sarah Strong added 22
points and 17 rebounds for the second-seeded Huskies, who have won a
record 11 NCAA titles, all under coach Geno Auriemma. Their most
recent championship was in 2016, the last of a run of four straight.
Rayah Marshall scored 23 points for top-seeded USC.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.
(AP) — Madison Booker scored 18 points and No. 1 seed Texas used
its stifling defense to reach the Final Four of the women’s NCAA
Tournament for the first time since 2003, beating well-traveled point
guard Hailey Van Lith and second-seeded TCU 58-47. The Longhorns will
face defending champion South Carolina on Friday night in Tampa,
Florida, for a spot in the national title game. Texas won a regional
final for the first time under coach Vic Schaefer, who previously
made two Final Four trips with Mississippi State. The Longhorns’ 35
wins are one more than its only national title-winning squad had in
1986 under Jody Conradt, who was in the stands Monday night.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.
(AP) — The women’s Final Four is full of star players, top seeds
and historic programs. There will be no Cinderellas in Tampa,
Florida, this week with No. 1 seeds South Carolina, UCLA and Texas in
the national semifinals. They are joined by the betting favorite to
win it all, second-seeded UConn, which has been playing the best of
any team over the past month and knocked off a top-seeded Southern
California team that was missing its best player. Coach Dawn Staley
and the defending champion Gamecocks are making their fifth straight
trip to the Final Four. UConn has been there a record 24 times.

UNDATED (AP) —
Fittingly for an NCAA Tournament in which big schools from big
conferences took record numbers of spots in the first week, then
hogged them all for the second week, the Final Four will bring four
teams seeded No. 1 to the sport’s biggest stage to play for the
title. When Florida meets Auburn in an all-Southeastern Conference
clash and Duke faces Houston in a meeting between the Atlantic Coast
and Big 12 conferences, it will mark only the second time since
seeding began in 1979 that all four No. 1s have made it to the final
weekend.

UNDATED (AP) —
Duke, Houston, Florida and Auburn have posted elite efficiency
numbers in making it a rare Final Four featuring only 1-seeds. Those
four teams head to San Antonio this week. Duke, Houston and Auburn
ranked in the top 5 of KenPom's daily rankings all season. Throw in
Florida, and the four teams have ranked atop those KenPom rankings
since the first half of February. Additionally, all four teams have
KenPom net-efficiency marks of +35 or better going into the week. By
comparison, only six teams have done that in data going back to the
1996-97 season.

KANSAS CITY, Kan.
(AP) — Longtime manager Peter Vermes is out at Sporting Kansas
City. The MLS club announced Monday that it “mutually agreed to
part ways” with Vermes after nearly two decades and with Sporting
KC chasing its first win since mid-September of last season. Vermes
became the club’s technical director in 2006 before being elevated
to head coach in 2009. The member of the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame
ranks third on the all-time MLS list with 203 regular-season wins. He
is the only person to win the MLS Cup as a player and a coach with
the same team. Sporting KC lost five of its first six games of the
2025 season. Kerry Zavagnin was appointed interim head coach.

PALM BEACH, Fla.
(AP) — The “tush push” is the hottest topic at the NFL’s
annual meetings this week. Team owners, coaches and general managers
have gathered at a posh resort to discuss several potential rule
changes, including the Green Bay Packers’ proposal to eliminate a
play that’s become a short-yardage staple for the Super Bowl
champion Philadelphia Eagles. The Packers cited player safety and
pace of play as reasons for banning the tush push. NFL executive Troy
Vincent said last month there have been zero injuries reported as a
result of the play. Any rule change must be approved by 24 out of 32
team owners. Tampa Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles made it clear last
month he wouldn’t support a ban.

WEST SACRAMENTO,
Calif. (AP) — When a drone suddenly appeared near the left-field
wall at Sutter Health Park, Athletics bat boy Stewart Thalblum
decided to help thwart it. The drone tried to lift him off the grass
but Thalblum used a bat and brought it down, careful not to cut
himself with the spinning blades. Once the device had been corralled,
Thalblum handed it off to a security guard. The drone appeared with
Seth Brown batting for the Athletics in the seventh inning of the
Chicago Cubs’ 18-3 rout and it delayed the game for a few minutes.

Tuesday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Kris Bubic struck out eight in six shutout innings in his first start in nearly two years, and the Kansas City Royals spoiled Milwaukee's home opener with an 11-1 victory over the winless Brewers on Monday.

Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez homered for the Royals. Jonathan India had three hits and drove in two runs one day after he was struck on the left side of his face by a 98.9-mph pitch from Cleveland's Emmanuel Clase.

Bubic (1-0) allowed three hits and walked two in his first start since April 15, 2023. The 27-year-old left-hander had Tommy John surgery later that month, and he filled a relief role in all 27 of his appearances last season, going 1-1 with a 2.67 ERA.

The two-time defending NL Central champion Brewers are 0-4 for the first time since 2015, when they finished 68-94.

Garcia connected for a 428-foot drive to center on a 2-1 fastball from Elvin Rodriguez (0-1) in the second. Perez went deep on a 2-2 slider from Elvis Peguero in the seventh, sending a 418-foot drive just inside the left-field foul pole.

Brewers associate manager Rickie Weeks was ejected from the game by home plate umpire Brennan Miller after arguing a ball-strike call from the dugout in the seventh.

After India and Bobby Witt opened the game with back-to-back singles, Rodríguez retired the next two batters and seemed on the verge of getting out of the inning until Michael Massey ripped a 1-1 fastball that bounced over the left-field wall for a ground-rule RBI double. Hunter Renfroe followed with a two-run single.

The Brewers have been outscored 47-15 through their first four games. They opened their season by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/torpedo-bats-yankees-6ac6c797ea935941ed1c0d0e51a7d870">getting swept</a>&nbsp;in a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.

Royals trounce Brewers 11-1

Tuesday, April 1 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 6:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ Milwaukee Wednesday, April 2 11:30AM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ Milwaukee

Local

Region

Sports

Contests