In preparation for paving activities at the drag strip, the city of Great Bend is restricting public access to the Expo complex for approximately one month. Entrances at G Ave., SW 50 Ave. and SW 60 Ave. will be blocked and gated with only authorized personnel allowed into the complex.

These measures are necessary to limit traffic in the area and prevent disturbances during the paving process. Updates from the city of Great Bend will be provided when the entrances are re-opened.

The Sunflower Rod and Custom Association (SRCA) Drag Strip has been a herald national venue for drag racing, hosting the first National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Nationals in 1955 before being recognized as a Kansas Historical Site in 1994.

The latest information, photographs and videos about the SRCA Drag Strip project can be found by following SRCA and City of Great Bend pages on Facebook.

For questions related to the temporary closure of the Expo complex, please contact the city at (620) 793-4111.

Expo Complex west of Great Bend to be closed for drag strip paving activities

PAWNEE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 2a.m. Saturday in Pawnee County&nbsp;

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Chrysler 300 driven by Jon Myles Woelk&nbsp; Blakely, 36, Rozell, was westbound on K156 Highway three miles west of the U.S. 183 Junction.

The car traveled off the roadway to the left and the driver corrected.&nbsp; The vehicle returned to the road and rolled into the ditch.

&nbsp;Blakely was pronoumced dead at the scene and was transported to Beckwith Mortuary. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Pawnee Co. man dies after rollover accident

Scholar's Bowl season is underway at Holy Family School. The team traveled to Chase on Feb. 9&nbsp; for a preseason competition and gained valuable experience.&nbsp; 

HFS will host a Scholars' Bowl on Monday, Feb. 23, beginning at 3 p.m.&nbsp; Teams who will participate in this 5th and 6th grade meet will be from Jefferson, Riley, Eisenhower, Lincoln, Park, CKCA, St. Joseph from Ellinwood, and Holy Family.&nbsp; The competition will be Round Robin with eight&nbsp;teams playing each other for a total of seven rounds. Questions will be from the areas of Social Studies, ELA, Math, Science, Fine Arts, Miscellaneous, Sports and Current Events.&nbsp; 

The public is invited to attend and decide for themselves if they are smarter than a 5th or 6th grader!

Great Bend's Holy Family School hosting Scholars' Bowl on Feb. 23

Saturday Showers, mainly before 3pm. High near 54. North wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Saturday Night Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. North northwest wind 6 to 9 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. South wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

President's Day Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Tuesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Breezy.

Saturday's weather

High school seniors and current Kansas college students have until Friday, March 13, 2026, to apply for one of two $1,000 scholarships from Kansas Wheat honoring industry leaders Herb Clutter and David Radenberg. The scholarships - each worth $1,000 - continue a proud tradition of supporting the future of the Kansas wheat industry.&nbsp;

“Inspired by the enduring legacies of Herb Clutter and David Radenberg, Kansas Wheat is proud to help empower the next generation of the Kansas wheat industry,” said Justin Gilpin, CEO of Kansas Wheat. “Through these scholarships, we honor the passion of these industry leaders and help to provide opportunities for future leaders in agriculture.”

Administered by the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers (KAWG), the Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship will award one $1,000 scholarship per year to a college or university-bound incoming freshman from Kansas pursuing a career in the field of agriculture. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must plan to be a full-time student at any two or four-year Kansas college or university.&nbsp;

Recipients will be selected based on academic achievement, leadership qualities and career objectives focused around the field of agriculture. The scholarship will be toward tuition for the student’s college or university education. The scholarship is non-renewable.

The Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship was established in 2009 to honor Herb Clutter’s influential role in organizing leadership groups on behalf of Kansas wheat producers, and is supported by the generosity of the Herb Clutter family. Herbert W. Clutter was a farmer from Holcomb and the first president of the National Association of Wheat Growers, which was established in 1948. Clutter encouraged Kansas wheat farmers to organize as a strong, unified voice, which led to the formation of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers in 1952. He encouraged research in education and industrial uses of wheat, improved variety development and methods to produce the best product at the lowest cost. Clutter’s efforts led to the formation of the Kansas Wheat Commission by the Kansas legislature in 1957.

Apply for the Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship by completing the scholarship application at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ltmgbu9PHUVJQLcHc1FbyQobf4rIxWNtKTkmHSTXU0RiEQUj5kB4klbnzn9s6fysqDqU8ZMsm0JgJlU0SVfmNNa_7mGUm2wnKBFc_c-u7o53WTlZHNnMyPa86sYB0orRDR43Sdm5YaRMWTpaRYAmCKVZy3jcRmfL&amp;c=owdcjLTH5zgrKv6gYOzUkpwsrFqoGnOoq_SiDdrN4vg_jFd7YRCVYA==&amp;ch=xUmKekgMH454hYN-SCF-72Fw0S-bU3W0bGNcKhhZlnmvURRFMXU0gQ==">kswheat.com/clutter</a><a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ltmgbu9PHUVJQLcHc1FbyQobf4rIxWNtKTkmHSTXU0RiEQUj5kB4klbnzn9s6fysqDqU8ZMsm0JgJlU0SVfmNNa_7mGUm2wnKBFc_c-u7o53WTlZHNnMyPa86sYB0orRDR43Sdm5YaRMWTpaRYAmCPbTGCZnoXo3&amp;c=owdcjLTH5zgrKv6gYOzUkpwsrFqoGnOoq_SiDdrN4vg_jFd7YRCVYA==&amp;ch=xUmKekgMH454hYN-SCF-72Fw0S-bU3W0bGNcKhhZlnmvURRFMXU0gQ==">.</a>&nbsp;The application includes a 400-500 word essay discussing why the applicant has chosen to pursue a career in agriculture. The selection committee will use this essay, along with the student’s application, in determining the scholarship winner.&nbsp;

The David Radenberg Memorial Scholarship will award one $1,000 scholarship to a current undergraduate or graduate student from Kansas who is pursuing a career in the field of agriculture. Preference will be given to students pursuing a career related to the improvement of wheat, including but not limited to wheat genetics, wheat agronomics, wheat breeding, plant pathology, Extension and bioinformatics.&nbsp;

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student at any two- or four-year college or university in Kansas. Incoming freshmen or transfers are not eligible.&nbsp;

David Radenberg was a lifelong wheat farmer in Claflin, Kansas, where his family has farmed for more than 100 years. He represented central Kansas on the Kansas Wheat Commission from April 2011 to March 2020, including serving as chairman from August 2018 to May 2019. Radenberg was also a founding board member of the Kansas Wheat Commission Research Foundation.

During his tenure as a commissioner, he supported wheat research and international marketing efforts, including attending the 31st annual Latin American Millers Conference in Lima, Peru, in 2013. At the time, he expressed how he enjoyed sharing with millers, bakers and merchandisers about the research investments Kansas farmers are making to provide a better-quality product.&nbsp;

In 2013, Radenberg also visited multiple Pacific Rim countries to promote U.S. wheat. The contrast between third-world poverty he saw in thriving modern cities left an impression on him and reinforced his support of wheat research to help feed a hungry world.

Apply for the David Radenberg Memorial Scholarship by completing the scholarship application at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ltmgbu9PHUVJQLcHc1FbyQobf4rIxWNtKTkmHSTXU0RiEQUj5kB4ksKzjcNSeaPwUPMrsrE-qfnfqUF2eeYSDGSzP-EZ_lBq98mLtzMm4vmaI9zKDTVsMUKUqYkbavL0rXttLh15XMJ3G85_n26wa6WKulTI0CHS&amp;c=owdcjLTH5zgrKv6gYOzUkpwsrFqoGnOoq_SiDdrN4vg_jFd7YRCVYA==&amp;ch=xUmKekgMH454hYN-SCF-72Fw0S-bU3W0bGNcKhhZlnmvURRFMXU0gQ==">kswheat.com/radenberg</a>. The application includes a 400-500 word essay discussing why the applicant has chosen to pursue a career in agriculture. The selection committee will use this essay, along with the student’s application and a statement of financial need, in determining the scholarship winner.

For both scholarships, the application and associated documents must be submitted to Kansas Wheat at 1990 Kimball Ave, Manhattan, KS 66502, by Friday, March 13, 2026. Learn more or download the scholarship applications at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sfdzp7cab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ltmgbu9PHUVJQLcHc1FbyQobf4rIxWNtKTkmHSTXU0RiEQUj5kB4ksKzjcNSeaPwb62cDzdCEYCU7ESNfN7JWcumY5V-fntPC-mNswGXC4TwON7Ys8o6XFNXopfqmQ79V18KU6IN3hO5T7URAeOTG3sZUcLbn5r8sy1AfVvrQys=&amp;c=owdcjLTH5zgrKv6gYOzUkpwsrFqoGnOoq_SiDdrN4vg_jFd7YRCVYA==&amp;ch=xUmKekgMH454hYN-SCF-72Fw0S-bU3W0bGNcKhhZlnmvURRFMXU0gQ==">https://kswheat.com/growers/outreach/</a>. More information is also available by contacting 785-539-0255 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kawg@kswheat.com">kawg@kswheat.com</a>.

Applications open for Kansas Wheat scholarships honoring industry leaders

Panther Sports Powered by:&nbsp;Equity Bank. Sponsored in part by:&nbsp;GB Tarp Company, Advance Truck &amp; Diesel, Keller Real Estate &amp; Insurance, Innovative Livestock Services, The Fieldhouse, Marmie Auto Group, Magna Dry Cleaning Services, Freedom Claims Management, Great Bend Rec, Rosenberg Family Dentistry, Chris Ramsey - Shelter Insurance, Mitch Haney &amp; Associates, Farmer's Bank &amp; Trust, Scott's Welding Service, Kern Floor Service, Nex-Tech, Comfort Pro, The University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus, People's Bank &amp; Trust, Sutherlands, The 10th Street Eyecare Center, Stone Sand Company and Stone Waste Management, Advanced Therapy &amp; Sports Medicine, Damm Pipe Testing, Great Bend Redi Mix, Insurance Planning, Edward Jones, Delgado's Mexican Restaurant, Mpire Realty, American Plains Coop, Cody Crook - Red Cedar Land Company, GB Tires, Animal Medical Center, Barton Community College, Dr. Chad Ohnmacht DDS, &amp; Watkins Calcara Chartered.

Additional Information: Great Bend Panther fans have a new way to follow their teams this year.&nbsp; The service features a live video stream of every home and away game, complete with the familiar B1043 The Point radio play-by-play patched in. Fans will be able to watch the action live from anywhere or go back and re-watch games at their convenience.

Cost: Fans may purchase access for $10 per game or buy a $100 season pass for the entire school year. A portion of the proceeds from the video stream will be donated back to USD 428, helping support Panther students and programs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

WATCH: Panther Basketball vs Garden City TONIGHT

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman talks with Krista Schneider of the Olmitz Park Project.

🎥  Forward Ever: Olmitz Park Project

By TISA MASON FHSU president

In the quiet hours before the Kansas sun touches the horizon, Gabrielle Davis is already immersed in her studies. It’s 5 a.m., and while most of the neighborhood is still asleep, Gabrielle is navigating the complex anatomy and pharmacology content she must master in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. 

Across the state line in Arapahoe, Nebraska, Janine Van Niekerk, serving as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in a rural nursing home,&nbsp;is balancing a similarly delicate act.

Janine and Gabrielle are pioneers. As members of the inaugural BSN hybrid (combined on-campus and online) program cohort at Fort Hays State University, they represent a shift in nursing education—one built for people with a deep connection to their hometowns and families, coupled with a purposeful commitment to ensure their rural communities have access to highly trained, compassionate nursing care.

For both women, nursing is a profound calling rooted in an ethic of care. 

Gabrielle, an LPN at the HaysMed walk-in clinic, represents the deep roots of Kansas healthcare. A third-generation nurse, she was inspired by her grandmother, mother, and an uncle, a physician. “I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a nurse,” Gabrielle says. “Especially watching my mom. She is the nurse that I aspire to be.”

Gabrielle’s resilience was forged during the COVID-19 pandemic. While still in high school, she completed her courses via Zoom and then worked until 10 p.m. at a nursing home in Atwood to help cover staffing shortages. She continues to work there one weekend a month because of the deep bond she shares with the residents. “I don’t want to give up my residents,” she says. “A lot of them I call grandparents. They consider me their grandchild.”

This same dedication drives Janine Van Niekerk. Originally from South Africa, the 45-year-old mother of six now lives in a rural area of Nebraska. 

For her, the FHSU hybrid program provided a way forward that seemed almost tailored to her life. She began her general education courses while still living abroad and was moved by the university's support during her transition back to the States. “Everyone was so helpful in helping me register, so patient in going through my credits,” Janine recalls. “I knew FHSU was the right choice.”

The stories of Janine and Gabrielle are individual threads in a much larger tapestry. Fort Hays State University serves as a primary engine for the Kansas nursing workforce with a simple priority: getting nurses to rural Kansas. The university doesn’t just graduate students; it delivers them where the need is most acute.

Currently, approximately 70% of FHSU BSN graduates and more than 90% of family nurse practitioners go straight to work in rural communities. With 80% of total nursing graduates staying in Kansas, FHSU is a proven, high-yield investment in our state’s future. 

Beyond the classroom, FHSU serves as a regional hub for healthcare excellence, providing guaranteed&nbsp;admission to Kansas community college students and serving as a vital training ground for HaysMed, EagleMed, and 25 critical access hospitals.

The hybrid BSN program is the latest tool in this mission, combining the convenience of online learning with the rigor of on-campus clinical clusters. For Janine, whose husband travels for work, this flexibility is a necessity. “For me, time is vital,” she says. “The hybrid gives me more flexibility with my schedule and everything I’m responsible for.”

Janine’s passion is fueled by a desire to rectify disparities she sees in rural healthcare. “I’m very disappointed in the healthcare system, the more I learn, especially in rural areas,” she explains, noting the high costs of basic lab tests and clinic fees. “Ultimately, what I’ve decided now to do is look into being a legal nurse consultant, so that I can help rectify the wrongs that are so very evident in healthcare.”

Gabrielle similarly integrates her clinical training into the margins of a busy life, studying between serving patients and after shifts. She finds a spiritual anchor in her daily routine. “Before I go to work, I pray about my day,” she says. “I pray for good patient outcomes. I pray that all my patients are safe and healthy. That helps me, or else I get very burned out.”

As the first BSN cohort to navigate this hybrid path, Janine and Gabrielle are doing more than just earning a degree; they are helping FHSU refine the program for future generations. 

Gabrielle is already looking toward the finish line in May 2027 with plans to eventually teach. “It opens up a whole new universe of opportunities,” she says. “We are helping them (the FHSU Hybrid BSN Program) figure out their trials and errors for the future of the program.”

For Tanya Smith, BSN Coordinator and Professor of Nursing, the pride in her first Hybrid BSN cohort is apparent.

“The students are very dedicated to the program and have shown resilience despite growth challenges along the way,” she said. “Each student has had becoming a BSN-prepared RN as a personal goal.”

FHSU’s Hybrid pathway has been the route to achieving this goal.

“The students have expressed many thanks to the Department of Nursing for creating this learning path for the BSN degree,” Tanya shared. “As we continue to grow the Hybrid BSN cohort, we are excited to partner with community hospitals across the state to ensure students are receiving clinical experiences close to home.”

The journey of these program pioneers reflects the heart of the FHSU mission. Through grit and a commitment to innovation, they are preparing to meet their communities' healthcare needs with expertise and empathy. Their progress is a testament to the power of a program designed&nbsp;with people, place, and purpose at its core.

Life and death difference: Fuller team trains for first aid response

Released Streiner, Dennis J. on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2025CR0333 for Counterfeiting Currency and Theft by Deception after being given a $50,000.00 OR bond by Judge Burgess.

Booked Ray, Mark Ellis County District Court warrant #E12025CR0321 for Failure to Appear. Bond set at No Bond.

Booked Stevenson, Laura J. on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant #202401080 for Contempt of Court. Bond set at $602.50 Cash Only.

Booked in Jones, Charles D. on Barton County District warrant #BT2025CR0054 for Murder in the Second Degree,&nbsp;Leaving the scene of a fatality accident, Interference with Law Enforcement

 bond set at $500,000.00 cash or surety.

Booked Castillo, Gerardo on Great Bend Municipal Court Case # 26-214 for Pedestrian Under The Influence. Bond set at $250.00. Booked on Great Bend Municipal Court Case #26-215 for Domestic Battery. Bond set at $1,000.00.

Released Castillo, Gerardo on Great Bend Municipal Court Case # 26-214 for Pedestrian Under The Influence with a $250.00 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds. Booked on Great Bend Municipal Court Case #26-215 for Domestic Battery. With a $1,000.00 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds

Barton County Sheriff's Office Booking activity (2/12)

The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce recently sponsored two local young professionals and Chamber Ambassadors to attend Kansas Young Professionals (YP) Day at the Capitol, an annual statewide event designed to connect emerging leaders with elected officials and elevate the voices of the next generation shaping Kansas’ future.

Melissa Doll of Buchanan &amp; Associates LLC – American Family Insurance and Callie Miller of Housing Opportunities attended on behalf of Great Bend, joining young professionals from across the state for a day of learning, networking, and civic engagement. The event included legislative insights, issue-focused discussions, opportunities to meet with lawmakers, and conversations centered on building a competitive, innovative, and welcoming Kansas.

“Being involved as a young professional means showing up and taking ownership of the future we want to live and work in,” Doll said. “Events like YP Day remind us that our perspectives matter and that local voices can influence statewide decisions.”

Miller echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of representation. “Kansas needs to hear from young leaders who are committed to their communities,” she said. “Participating in YP Day was a powerful reminder that investing in talent and leadership development is essential for long-term economic and community growth.”

Chamber President Megan Barfield said the investment directly supports the Chamber’s advocacy priorities within the Elevate GBK strategic plan.

“Elevate GBK calls us to strengthen leadership development and ensure Great Bend has a voice in conversations that shape policy and economic growth,” Barfield said. “Sponsoring young professionals to engage at the Capitol is part of our commitment to advocacy and to cultivating the next generation of leaders who will help move our community forward.”

The Chamber’s sponsorship reflects its continued focus on developing talent, strengthening civic engagement, and advancing policies that support a competitive, innovative, and prosperous Kansas.

Learn more about the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce’s strategic plan at greatbend.org/elevategbk.

Great Bend Chamber sponsors young leaders at Kansas YP Day

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 

Friday Boys scores from the Associated Press

Ell-Saline 61, Wichita Central Christian 33

Hiawatha 62, Saint Mary's Academy &amp; College 48

Friday Statewide Scores

Thursday, February 12 (Consolation Bracket @ Offerle) Kinsley 43, Macksville 37 Ellinwood Boys 63,&nbsp; Kinsley 38 Victoria Girls 50, Otis-Bison 31 Otis-Bison 62, Ness City 54 Thursday, February 12 (Championship Bracket @ Kinsley) Ellinwood Girls 47, Lacrosse 40 Central Plains Boys 71, Victoria 38 Central Plains Girls 42, St. John 22 St. John Boys 66, LaCrosse 52 Friday, February 13&nbsp;(Consolation Bracket @ Offerle) 3:00 Girls 7th Place Game - Macksville 49, Otis-Bison 22 4:30 Boys 7th Place Game - Kinsley vs Ness City 6:00 Girls 5th Place Game - Ness City 50, Kinsley 27 7:30 Boys 5th Place Game - Ellinwood 55, Otis-Bison 50 Friday, February 13&nbsp;(Championship Bracket @ Kinsley) 3:00 Girls 3rd Place Game - LaCrosse 40, St. John 28 4:30 Boys 3rd Place Game - Victoria 62, LaCrosse 61 6:00 Girls Championship - Ellinwood 35, Central Plains 22 7:30 Boys Championship - Central Plains 59, St. John 44

Central Prairie League Tournament Scores & Schedule

Landon Haines&nbsp;of the Barton Community College baseball team has been named the Week 2 KJCCC West Division Pitcher of the Week.

Haines turned in an impressive season-opening performance on the mound, making his first collegiate start with four shutout innings and a career-high seven strikeouts in a no-decision effort. The Wichita sophomore allowed just two hits, issued one walk, and did not surrender an extra-base hit.

Most recently, Haines recorded a no-decision in Thursday's victory over Allen Community College as the Cougars improved to 8-0 following the four-game sweep over the Red Devils.

Barton continues its season-long nine-game homestand next Saturday with a twinbill against Northeast Community College before concluding the weekend Sunday with a doubleheader against Highland Community College. First pitch for both days is slated for 1:00 p.m. from Jimmy Lawson-Danny Biggs Field.

Barton’s Haines named KJCCC Pitcher of the Week 

The Barton Community College softball team continued its early-season progress Friday afternoon, returning from Seminole, Oklahoma, with a hard-earned split at No. 18 ranked Seminole State College.

After watching timely hits slip away in recent outings, the Cougars delivered in key moments this time around.&nbsp;Karter Alvord's two-out home run in the seventh lifted Barton to a 4-3 victory in the opener, while the nightcap featured more late drama. Down to its final out, Barton received a bases-loaded, two-run gap shot from&nbsp;Hailey Horton&nbsp;to tie the contest before Seminole answered with a walk-off single in the home half to escape with a split.

The results leave Barton at 4-3 on the season, while Seminole moves to 4-2. The Cougars now have a week off before returning to action in Iola, Kansas, taking on host Allen Community College in a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader Friday, followed by Saturday's 2:00 p.m. twinbill against Iowa Western Community College.

Alvord and&nbsp;Laney Wood&nbsp;paced Barton's 16-hit afternoon with three hits apiece. Alvord delivered two in the opener, including her 11th career home run, while Wood collected two in the nightcap, including a seventh-inning knock that helped spark Barton's rally.

In the circle,&nbsp;Charley Wheeler&nbsp;earned the Game 1 victory, tossing a two-hitter to improve to 2-2 on the season.&nbsp;Peyton McCormick&nbsp;was nearly as sharp in the nightcap, scattering five hits and allowing just one earned run in taking the tough-luck loss, slipping to 1-3.

Game 1 RecapSeminole capitalized on the first of three Barton errors in the game to grab an early lead in its opening at-bat, but the Cougars responded with power in the third. After&nbsp;Mollie Steiner&nbsp;was hit by a pitch, Carlie Erpelding launched a drive to straightaway center for her first collegiate home run, also marking Barton's first long ball of the season, to put the Cougars in front.

Steiner's two-out double in the fourth pushed the advantage to two, but the Trojans answered in the bottom half with a pair of singles and an RBI groundout to trim the deficit to 3-2.

Wheeler, who had issued just one walk through five innings, worked around traffic before Seminole used two free passes and a fielder's choice to knot the score entering the seventh.

That set the stage for Alvord's heroics. With two outs, she turned on a pitch and sent it soaring over the left-field wall for the decisive blow. Wheeler then navigated a tense bottom half, overcoming a two-out miscue and inducing a groundout to seal the 4-3 victory.

Game 2 RecapThe nightcap unfolded as a pitcher's duel through five scoreless frames before Seminole broke through in the sixth. A leadoff double and walk set the table, with Barton's first of two errors helping plate a run before a sacrifice fly made it 2-0.

Down to their final strike in the seventh, the Cougars refused to fade.&nbsp;Chalyn Boone&nbsp;delivered a single to ignite the rally, Wood followed with her second hit of the game, and Erpelding drew a two-out walk to load the bases. Facing a 1-2 count, Horton ripped a drive into the gap to score two and tie the contest at 2-2, swinging the momentum squarely back to the Cougars.

Seminole answered quickly in the bottom half. Back-to-back singles and a fielder's choice loaded the bases before an out later, a drive to center brought home the winning run for the Trojans' 3-2 walk-off victory.

Barton Softball earns split at No. 18 Seminole behind late-inning heroics

The Barton Community College baseball team closed out its second straight four-game series sweep Friday afternoon, defeating Allen County Community College 6-1 and 15-5 in seven innings at Jimmy Lawson-Danny Biggs Field.

Behind&nbsp;Brian Justice's dominate six shutout innings allowing just one hit and&nbsp;Micah McGavern's pair of home runs, including an inside-the-park shot, the Cougars cruised to a 6-1 win to clinch the series. Barton then erupted for five runs in the first inning of the nightcap and paired timely hitting with 14 walks to secure the 15-5 run rule victory and complete the sweep.

Following the four-game sweep, the Cougars remain unbeaten at 8-0 on the year, while the Red Devils fall to 0-6. Barton continues its season-long nine-game homestand next Saturday with a twinbill against Northeast Community College before concluding the weekend Sunday with a doubleheader against Highland Community College. First pitch for both days is slated for 1:00 p.m. from Jimmy Lawson-Danny Biggs Field.&nbsp;

Justice headlined the pitching effort with six shutout innings, allowing just one hit while striking out a career high eight. Offensively, McGavern's pair of solo home runs paced the Cougars, accounting for two of the team's four fence clearers on the day.

Kyle Walker&nbsp;went 3-for-4 with five RBIs across the pair of contests and reached base six times after drawing three walks, while&nbsp;Kyle Graves&nbsp;led the team with four walks. The Cougars hit .400, drawing 17 walks and recorded eight extra-base hits among their 20 total hits in the sweep.

Game 1 RecapJustice set the tone from the start, improving to 2-0 on the season after tossing six shutout frames. The freshman retired the first 11 Red Devils he faced and did not allow a hit until a two-out double in the fourth. His final baserunner came on a two-out hit-by-pitch in the sixth, as Justice struck out a career high eight on just 74 pitches.

McGavern recorded the first two hits of his collegiate career in memorable fashion, launching a solo home run to left in the second inning to open the scoring before circling the bases with an inside the park home run in the fourth to extend Barton's lead. McGavern was one of three Cougars to drive in two runs in the contest, joined by&nbsp;Kyler Horsman&nbsp;and Walker, as Barton scored in four of the game's six plate appearances to maintain control and secure the Cougars 6-1 series clinching victory.

Game 2 RecapAfter Allen County struck for two runs in the top of the first, Barton answered immediately with five runs in the bottom half and never relinquished control in a 15-5 run rule victory in seven innings.

The Cougars built a 6-2 advantage through two innings behind a pair of home runs, as&nbsp;Carter Helm&nbsp;launched a two run shot in the opening frame for his first of the year and&nbsp;JJ Spafford&nbsp;followed with his second home run of the season to open the second. Barton continued to apply pressure through the middle innings, combining 11 hits with 14 walks and placing seven different players in the RBI column as the lead steadily expanded.

Austin Young&nbsp;worked the opening three innings in the no-decision effort before Horsman earned his second victory in relief to improve to 2-0.&nbsp;Landon Ritchey&nbsp;and&nbsp;Drew Koch&nbsp;handled the final frames as Barton closed out its second straight four game sweep.

Barton Baseball remains unbeaten with four game sweep of Allen County

BORMIO, Italy (AP) — Brazilian ski racer Lucas Pinheiro Braathen turned in a powerful final run to win the Olympic giant slalom Saturday and earn South America’s first medal at a Winter Games. The race isn’t official yet, though, with dozens of lower-tier racers still to take the course. But he’s the leader after the top 30 fastest from the first run. With snow falling and fog settling in, the 25-year-old Pinheiro Braathen remained cool and relaxed as he navigated his way through the technical Stelvio course. After seeing his place — No. 1 — he fell to the snow before starting to scream. He finished in a two-run combined time of 2 minutes, 25 seconds. He beat Swiss racer Marco Odermatt, the defending Olympic champion, by 0.58 seconds. Odermatt’s teammate, Loic Meillard, earned bronze position.

MILAN (AP) — Ilia Malinin was trying to figure out what had happened in a disastrous Olympic free skate Friday night while already turning his attention to what might come next. He could take inspiration from Nathan Chen. His fellow American similarly struggled during his short program at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, but he came back four years later to win gold in Beijing. Malinin was the heavy favorite to make it back-to-back golds for the U.S., but he fell twice and struggled throughout the rest of his free skate, falling all the way off the podium. Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan wound up winning the surprising gold medal.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan pulled off a stunner in men's figure skating at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Shaidorov soared to gold after the free skate, helped in part by a collapse from U.S. star and two-time world champion Ilia Malinin. The 21-year-old nicknamed the “Quad God” fell twice during his program, slipping all the way to eighth. Elsewhere in the Games, Yuto Totsuka held off five-time Olympian Scotty James of Australia for gold in the men's snowboard halfpipe.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Jimmie Johnson plans to end his illustrious Cup Series career at the 2027 Daytona 500. The seven-time NASCAR champion who starts 31st in the season opener Sunday says he will enter one additional Daytona 500 before calling it a career. He wants to continue racing in other series, maybe even in other NASCAR events, but won’t return to stock car’s premier level again. He has won the Daytona 500 twice and finished third last year. The 50-year-old Johnson is the majority owner of Legacy Motor Club, which fields full-time Cup rides for Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek.

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Akshay Bhatia and Ryo Hisatsune share the lead at the AT&amp;T Pebble Beach Pro-Am after two days of low scoring. Bhatia is bogey-free and shot 64 at Spyglass Hill that included a chip-in for eagle. Hisatsune followed his 62 at Pebble Beach with a 67. Rickie Fowler and Sam Burns are one shot behind. They all were at Spyglass Hill and far away from the speculation at Pebble Beach over whether Taylor Swift would show up to watch fiancé Travis Kelce play at Pebble Beach. There was a big buzz and a big crowd. There was no Swift.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — For two solid decades, LeBron James was a main attraction at every NBA All-Star weekend. He was a 20-year-old starter in his All-Star debut back in 2005, and he became the youngest MVP of the game just one year later. Never begging off due to injury or exhaustion while his less-accomplished teammates enjoyed their breaks from the season’s grind, James dutifully appeared in every midseason showcase until 2025. Now 41, James will be back this weekend for the All-Star Game at Intuit Dome south of central Los Angeles, spending another Sunday in February under the spotlight while extending his records for the most All-Star selections and All-Star appearances.

Chris Paul has announced he is retiring from the NBA after a 21-season career that stacks up as Hall of Fame worthy. He shared the news Friday during All-Star weekend at the Clippers’ arena in Inglewood. Paul finished the year in a strange way. The Clippers sent him home in December. They traded him to Toronto earlier this month, even though he never planned to play there. Paul said he wants to “show up for others.” He leaves as a 12-time All-Star and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. He also ranks near the top in assists and steals.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — William Byron chases an unprecedented third straight Daytona 500 win Sunday when he attempts to make NASCAR history. He'll be trying to win NASCAR's season opener for the third consecutive year in a backup car after he damaged his primary in a qualifying race. He starts near the back in 39th, but he says that does not scare him. Byron has won here with a backup before. He has also won by staying patient and avoiding trouble, not by leading lots of laps. The field also has big storylines. Kyle Busch starts on the pole while stuck in a long winless skid and Brad Keselowski races while recovering from a broken leg.

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — American skiing great Mikaela Shiffrin will try to bounce back from a fourth-place finish in the women's combined when she takes the hill for the giant slalom during Day 9 of the Milan Cortina Olympics. Shiffrin is riding a seven-race medal-less streak while competing under the Olympic rings. Norway cross-country star Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo can make history if Team Norway earns gold in the men's 4 x 7.5 kilometer race. A gold by the Norwegians would give Klaebo a record nine golds in his Olympic career. On the ice, teammates Jutta Leerdam and Femke Kok of the Netherlands renew their rivalry in the 500 meters after going 1-2 in the 1000 meters earlier in the Games.

Final	Wisconsin	92	(10)Michigan State	71	

Final	(18)Saint Louis	86	Loyola Chicago	59	

Saturday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Saturday, February 14 11:30AM Hits 106.9 - Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas @ Iowa St.&nbsp;(KU Network) 11:30AM 1590/95.5FM - College Basketball - Kansas @ Iowa State (ESPN) 1:45PM KHOK -&nbsp;H.S. Basketball - Ellsworth G&amp;B @ Hoisington 1:45PM B104 - Cougar Basketball - Barton W&amp;M @ Garden City 4:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA All Star Saturday Night Sunday, February 15 3:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA All Star Game Monday, February 16 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day Tuesday, February 17 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:45PM B104- H.S. Basketball - Liberal G&amp;B @ Great Bend 5:45PM KHOK - H.S. Basketball - Hillsboro G&amp;B @ Hoisington 5:45PM Hits 106.9 - H.S. Basketball - Haven G&amp;B @ Larned&nbsp;&nbsp; Wednesday, February 18 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:15PM B104 - Cougar Basketball - Barton W&amp;M @ Butler 7:30PM Hits 106.9 - Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas @ Oklahoma St.&nbsp; Thursday, February 19 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day Friday, February 20 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:45PM B104- H.S. Basketball - Great Bend G&amp;B @ Dodge City 5:45PM KHOK - H.S. Basketball - Larned G&amp;B @ Hoisington 5:45PM Hits 106.9 - H.S. Basketball - Larned G&amp;B @ Hoisington Saturday, February 21 11:30AM Hits 106.9 - Jayhawk Basketball - Cincinnati @ Kansas 1:45PM B104 - Cougar Basketball - Independence W&amp;M @ Barton 7:00PM&nbsp;1590/95.5FM - NBA Basketball - Houston @ NY Knicks Sunday, February 22 2:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Basketball - Denver @ Golden State Monday, February 23 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 7:30PM Hits 106.9 - Jayhawk Basketball - Houston @ Kansas Tuesday, February 24 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:45PM KHOK - H.S. Basketball - Hoisington G&amp;B @ Halstead 5:45PM Hits 106.9 - H.S. Basketball - Larned G&amp;B @ Smoky Valley Wednesday, February 25 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:15PM B104 - Cougar Basketball - Seward County W&amp;M @ Barton

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Great Bend Boys 71 Garden City 56; Garden City Girls 71 Great Bend 57

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Hoisington Boys 55 Nickerson 35; Hoisington Girls 56 Nickerson 24

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Pratt Boys 75 Larned 25; Larned Girls 56 Pratt 31

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An Arizona sheriff's department got more than 4,000 calls within 24 hours after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-arizona-b765fed6b9669441383b75860263ac99">release of videos</a>&nbsp;of a masked person on Nancy Guthrie's porch. Many tips will be worthless. Others could have merit. Experts say one thing's certain: They can't be ignored.

Tips can solve crimes — big or small — and eerie images of a mysterious male covered head to toe have been the most significant clues shared with the public during Guthrie's nearly 2-week-old disappearance in the Tucson area.

“It's a tremendous amount of work,” said Roberto Villaseñor, a former Tucson police chief.

“In a situation like this, you really cannot do what's been done without tips and public input,” he said. “They have processed the scene. But once that’s done and exhausted, it's hard to move forward without additional information coming in.”

The Pima County sheriff and the FBI announced&nbsp;<a href="https://pimasheriff.org/">phone numbers</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/home">website</a>&nbsp;to offer tips about the apparent kidnapping of Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” co-anchor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie</a>. Several hundred detectives and agents have been assigned to the case, the sheriff's department said.

The FBI said it has collected more than 13,000 tips since Feb. 1, the day Guthrie was reported missing. The sheriff's department, meanwhile, said it has taken at least 18,000 calls.

"Every tip is reviewed for credibility, relevance, and information that can be acted upon by law enforcement," the FBI said Thursday on X, adding that the effort is a 24-hour operation. It said it won't comment on the tips received.

Meanwhile, many people stopped Friday at KVOA-TV in Tucson, an NBC affiliate, to sign a large outdoor banner with a photo of Nancy Guthrie and the message “Bring her home.”

“They're like family, you know,” said Sandy Bryant, referring to her yearslong enjoyment of the “Today” show and the Guthrie family's local ties. “It's painful. It's scary, very scary.”

Major U.S. crimes for years have been cracked with a tip. In 1995, the brother and sister-in-law of Ted Kaczynski recognized certain tones in an anonymous, widely published anti-technology manifesto. Known by the FBI as the “Unabomber,” Kaczynski was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ted-kaczynski-unabomber-dies-federal-prison-95fdd4f398fbfe20aaadf5d53a91dc26">found living in a shack</a>&nbsp;in Montana and subsequently admitted to committing 16 bombings over 17 years, killing three people.

The 1989 murders of an Ohio woman and two teen daughters in Florida were solved three years later when St. Petersburg police asked the public if they recognized handwriting found in the victims' car. A former neighbor led investigators to Oba Chandler.

Retired Detroit homicide investigator Ira Todd recalled how images from a gas station camera solved the disappearance and death of a 3-month-old baby — and stopped authorities from pursuing the wrong person in 2001. “A niece of this guy saw it on TV and says, ‘That’s my uncle,’” he said.

The murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022 generated nearly 40,000 tips to state and federal authorities. None had a direct role in the capture of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bryan-kohberger">Bryan Kohberger</a>, but the public's involvement nonetheless was “absolutely” important, said Lt. Darren Gilbertson of the Idaho State Police.

“That's one of the things that kept us going for weeks,” he said, while authorities awaited DNA and other evidence.

Gilbertson said much of the early vetting in the Idaho murders was done by the FBI. He said agents and analysts who were screening tips had a good grasp of what information could be spiked and what should be handed up to key investigators. Some tips arrived by regular mail.

“Aliens to bears to crazy conspiratorial ideas — don't even pass that along,” Gilbertson said.

Nancy Guthrie was last seen Jan. 31 and was reported missing the following day. Hours before her family knew she was gone, a porch camera recorded video of a person with a backpack who was wearing a ski mask, long pants, jacket and gloves — images that were released by the FBI along with a public plea for help.

The FBI on Thursday said the person, now a suspect, is a man about 5 feet, 9 inches tall with a medium build. The agency also named the brand and model of the backpack.

Neighborhood resident Laura Gargano said she's tried to be helpful. She recommended that authorities look at an underground tank at Guthrie’s home, which was checked last weekend. She also told them that a rental house, not typical for the neighborhood, had recently been vacated.

“I noticed the cars were gone,” she told The Associated Press. “It could have been nothing, it could have been coincidental, but it was a change.”

The sheriff's department has not said whether any tips from the videos have advanced the investigation.

“I'm hopeful,” said Villaseñor, the former Tucson chief. “I have seen cases where simpler and less detailed information has helped bring somebody about. Maybe someone recognizes clothing, maybe the bag. You never know what someone will key on.”

Anyone with information: (800) 225-5324; (520) 351-4900;&nbsp;<a href="https://t.co/8PjMoU17mh">http://tips.fbi.gov</a>

Sorting through tips in cases like the Nancy Guthrie mystery

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/alex-veiga">ALEX VEIGA</a> Associated Press

Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell sharply in January as higher home prices and possibly harsh winter weather kept many prospective homebuyers on the sidelines despite easing mortgage rates.

Existing home sales sank 8.4% last month from December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.91 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. That’s the biggest monthly decline in nearly four years and the slowest annualized sales pace in more than two years.

Sales fell 4.4% compared with January last year. The latest sales figure fell short of the 4.105 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet.

“The decrease in sales is disappointing,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “The below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation this January make it harder than usual to assess the underlying driver of the decrease and determine if this month’s numbers are an aberration.”

Home sales slowed sharply across the Northeast, Midwest, South and West. But sales had their biggest annual and monthly drop in the West, which wasn’t as affected by last month’s winter storm as the other regions of the country. Plus, there’s usually a month or two lag between a contract signing and when the sale is finalized, so many of January’s sales reflect contracts signed late last year.

Despite the sharp drop in sales, home prices continued to climb last month. The national median sales price increased 0.9% in January from a year earlier to $396,800. Home prices have risen on an annual basis for 31 months in a row.

The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump dating back to 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. The combination of higher mortgage rates, years of skyrocketing home prices and a chronic shortage of homes nationally following more than a decade of below-average home construction have left many aspiring homeowners priced out of the market.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/housing-home-sales-real-estate-home-prices-d14d4f80bb90d6031292d1f0c377d708">Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes remained stuck last year at 30-year lows.</a>

Sales have been hovering close to a 4-million annual pace now going back to 2023. That’s well short of the 5.2-million annual pace that’s historically been the norm.

Still, mortgage rates have been trending lower for months, which helped give home sales a boost in December and brightened the outlook for the upcoming spring home-buying season — at least for home shoppers who can afford to buy at current rates.

Many of the homes purchased last month likely went under contract in November and December, when mortgage rates eased to their lowest levels of the year.

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage briefly dropped last month to 6.06%, the lowest level since September 2022, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. It has since inched higher, remaining this week at just&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-8078c72e225e45b9298e0bf3e0d2236f">above 6%</a>, but close to a percentage point lower than a year ago.

Even so, affordability remains a challenge for many aspiring homeowners, especially first-time buyers who don’t have equity from an existing home to put toward a new home purchase. They accounted for 31% of homes sales last month. Historically, they made up 40% of home sales.

“Today we have minimal foreclosures, housing wealth continues to build out, it’s just that renters who want to become homeowners are finding difficulty,” Yun said.

Uncertainty over the job market is also likely keeping many would-be buyers on the sidelines.

While the economy has been registering solid growth, the labor market has been sluggish for months.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-labor-economy-ai-layoffs-1304701fb238015de750a931c4175579">U.S. job openings fell in December</a>&nbsp;to the lowest level in more than five years. And while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-unemployment-labor-c760d3f86988833bc9ccb3936d44d61b">hiring by U.S. employers was surprisingly strong in January,</a>&nbsp;government revisions reduced the number of jobs created last year to the weakest total since 2020, when the pandemic began.

The sales slowdown means more homes are staying on the market longer.

There were 1.22 million unsold homes at the end of January, down 0.8% from December and up 3.4% from January last year, NAR said. That’s still well short of the roughly 2 million homes for sale that was typical before the COVID-19 pandemic.

January’s month-end inventory translates to a 3.7-month supply at the current sales pace. Traditionally, a 5- to 6-month supply is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers.

More homes traditionally go on the market ahead of the spring home-buying season, which could give prospective buyers a wider selection.

“Buyers will find a more favorable market as we head into spring,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS. “More inventory, lower rates and slower price growth will give buyers more room for negotiation.”

Why US homes sales fell sharply in January

Five individuals were federally indicted this week for their roles in an alleged $220 million nationwide fraud scheme involving purported cattle purchase contracts, according to United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.

Those indicted by a Fort Worth federal grand jury on February 11, 2026, were:

“Thousands of unwitting investors, ranchers, and others in the cattle industry nationwide were drawn in and victimized by the defendants’ multi-million dollar scheme alleged in this indictment,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould.&nbsp; “My office, in concert with our law enforcement partners, will hold these defendants accountable and pursue justice on behalf of the victims.”

“The defendants allegedly used false promises to lure prospective clients into their scheme and then misappropriated client funds to enrich themselves. One individual, Joshua Robert Link, remains a fugitive. We are asking the public to contact the FBI if they have any information regarding Link’s location,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.

As alleged in the indictment, each of the defendants were associated with Agridime LLC, a business headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas that offered cattle sales and meat processing and retail services to the public.&nbsp; Jed Wood served as the Operations Director.&nbsp; Joshua Link served as the Executive Director.&nbsp; Tia Link served as the Marketing Director.&nbsp; Taylor Bang served as a cattle broker, and Royana Thomas served as the financial controller.

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