By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

The cost of the new police station in Great Bend has gone up more than
$1 million in the span of just over three months. The Great Bend City Council
voted 6-2 Monday to move forward with the inflation expenses for a facility now
projected to cost more than $9.1 million. 
In early February, the city council approved a conceptual design and budget
estimate for the new police station to be built at the southwest corner of the
12th Street and Baker Avenue intersection. At that time, the cost was more than
$383,000 above budget at $8,083,387. 
Due to rising costs of materials, construction and architect officials told the
city council the estimated price has increased again. Paul Michell, Managing
Vice President with GLMV Architecture, presented options to reduce 3,400 square
feet of the facility. 
"Reducing the quality of things like carpet, paint, ceilings and the outside of the building moves the needle on the cost, but not to the degree of square footage on the project. That's where you're really going to save dollars." 
The proposed 20,100 square-foot police station includes a new municipal courtroom.
Michell presented a plan to eliminate the court room from the design, saving
the city $1.2 million. This would force the courtroom to remain in its current
location, attached to the police station on Williams Street. The council voted
in favor of keeping the new courtroom as part of the construction. 
"We as designers, feel there is a lot of synergy to keeping the police and court together," said Michell. "In the event that there's an incident at the court, the police station is right there for an easy response." 
Citizens voted in favor of a .10% sales tax increase last November to go
towards bond debt for the police station. The city anticipates more than $5.6
million from the bond proceeds over the 20-year sunset. The city will find
savings to make up the difference.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Very early estimates from last September projected a cost of $5.8 million for the project. The new $9,114,833 figure includes a 2% contingency cost of $178,722.

Cost of new GB police station increases by $1 million 

National Beef Month Sweepstakes Presented by Ellinwood Packing 

Instant Finalist Days (Subject to Change)&nbsp;

Blazin’ Hot Summer Giveaway 

Eagle Radio and Custom Rebath and My Kitchens is giving you a chance to win a New Wall system Enter Now!&nbsp;

April Showers Presented by Custom Rebath and My Kitchens 

As you can see, Huey can be evil. If you look you can see his 2 horns on top of his head. He also has to wear a collar for when he gets too close to our backyard fence. Gives him a buzz if too close to freedom and exploration. Great dog but has an ornery side. Only 3 but a lover as well as a pain in my backside. Would not trade him for the world.

The RedBarn Pet Products Puppy Photo Contest Winner-Evil Huey 

Pizza Hut &nbsp;Ca$hville is coming March 28th. Listen to&nbsp;Win your share of $9000. $100&nbsp;at a time Tune in for the codeword to Text Starting March 28th at 9:10AM Ca$hville is a multi-market cash contest that increases the cash payouts for you... For contest rules and questions please click on <a href="https://cashville.radio/">cashville.radio</a>&nbsp; #ca$hville&nbsp;#codeword&nbsp;#comingsoon #nooneoutpizzasthehut

Pizza Hut Cashville Coming March 28th 

If you are a Grade School age Kid in the Barton County Area we want to know how you make a difference! You could win a "I Make A Difference" T-shirt and be qualified to win T-shirts for you entire Class! Tune into "Mornings with Shannon" on 100.7 Eagle Country at 7:20 A.M. Monday Morning to hear the lasted T-shirt winners!

100.7 Eagle Country I Make a Difference Contest 

Barton recognizes Student Ambassadors of the Year Barton Community College has announced its 2021-22 Brant J. Ballhorst Student Ambassadors of the Year. 

Named in memory of Brant J. Ballhorst, the award recognizes two outstanding Student Ambassadors each year. The winners this year were Haley Troyer and Wittney Hammeke of Ellinwood. This year marked the 18th anniversary of the award. 

The Admissions office also named Abigail Hodges of Bennington as the recipient of this year’s “The Rock” award, which is presented to students who go above and beyond the call of duty in assisting the Admissions office. The award recipients were chosen by their peers and Barton’s Admissions staff.

Ambassador of the Year: Wittney Hammeke Hammeke will graduate this year after one year at Barton. She will attend Kansas State University next year where she will study secondary education with an emphasis in English. She has been involved in student ambassadors, PTK, CSO/SPARK and BCCAE. She is the daughter of Clint and Karrie Hammeke.

Ambassador of the Year: Haley Troyer Troyer has been involved in Hilltop Singers, Concert Choir and student ambassadors. She will attend Barton in the fall and then transfer to Kansas State University where she will continue to study elementary education. She is the daughter of Matt and Tammy Troyer.

The Rock Award: Abigail Hodges Hodges is a sophomore and is involved in student ambassadors, CSO/Spark, PTK and BCCAE. She plans to attend the Emporia State University next year. She is the daughter of Jeff and Sara Hodges.

About Brant J. Ballhorst and the award From Smith Center, Ballhorst was a 2002 Barton graduate and former Student Ambassador. Despite health concerns throughout his time at Barton, he was the model Ambassador. He balanced a challenging course schedule and golf team commitment while remaining dedicated to his role as a Student Ambassador. Ballhorst was a respected peer and cherished friend of many on campus, especially the Admissions Office. His determination and dedication touched the lives of everyone he met.

He graduated from Barton with a degree in pre-pharmacy and attended the School of Pharmacy at the University of Kansas. He was a student at KU until his death on Aug. 5, 2004. He always had a good attitude about his illness and joked that it was good education for his major. He was the son of John and Gayle Ballhorst of Smith Center.

Barton will continue to honor Ballhorst’s achievements, character, personality and work ethic by awarding future Ambassadors of the Year in his memory. A permanent plaque dedicated in his honor is displayed in the corridor of the Kirkman Activity Center on Barton’s campus. For more information, contact Director of Admissions Tana Cooper at coopert@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9241.

Barton recognizes Student Ambassadors of the Year

Hear this week's Pages in Time show with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and former Great Bend City Attorney Bob Suelter that aired May 16, 2022. Suelter will revisit the city's historic past.

Pages in Time program airs every Monday at 11:05 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM. with either new or encore episodes.&nbsp;

🎤Pages in Time show with Bob Suelter

It is your chance to win! View the Contests page on Great Bend Post to see what contests/giveaways are currently being promoted. View the page by clicking <a href="https://greatbendpost.com/category/contests">HERE</a>!

Eagle Radio CONTESTS

Hoisington Public Library will host “The Harvey Girls: Women’s Roles in Railroads, Kansas, and US History,” a presentation and discussion by Dr. Michaeline Chance-Reay at 10 a.m. June 4 at the library. Members of the community are invited to attend the free program. Refreshments will be served. The program is made possible by Humanities Kansas.

The mythology of the Harvey Girl looms large in Kansas history and across the western U. S. The Fred Harvey Company, concessionaire along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, offered young women employment opportunities as waitresses and tour guides. These women played a role in the economic and cultural history of Kansas and the American Southwest. This talk includes stories of women employed by the company as well as its founder, Fred Harvey, who lived in Leavenworth and opened his first lunchroom depot along the line in Topeka.

Dr. Chance-Reay is Professor Emeritus of Women Studies and Education at Kansas State University.

“Women in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries who wanted jobs or careers outside of the home had few choices,” Chance-Reay said. “But the Harvey Company offered unique opportunities. It was demanding work but it provided a decent salary in a protected environment, in addition to travel and adventure.”

“The Harvey Girls: Women’s Roles in Railroads, Kansas, and US History” is part of Humanities Kansas's Speakers Bureau, featuring humanities-based presentations designed to share stories that inspire, spark conversations that inform, and generate insights that strengthen civic engagement.

“Hoisington is very lucky to have a speaker of this caliber coming here,” Karen La Pierre, director of Hoisington Public Library. “We received a grant to pay for this from Humanities Kansas and are very grateful that they offer this opportunity to rural residents.” Humanities Kansas

Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.

Hoisington Public Library: Presentation over famous Harvey girls

In recent months, U.S. grain rail shipping has faced a host of service-related challenges ranging from delayed cars to metered traffic and dramatic spot freight market increases. Those service problems reached such elevated levels that the U.S. rail regulatory body, the Surface Transportation Board (STB), stepped in.

The STB will now require the four largest rail carriers to submit a host of documents and conduct biweekly check-ins with the agency until service levels are restored.

The U.S. wheat industry depends heavily on rail shipping to move the crop from farms and local elevators to domestic customers and to export elevators. And USDA reports that railroads ship 25% of all U.S. grains. That is why U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and its Transportation Working Group have coordinated with other organizations to highlight the challenges rail shipping has faced.

New RequirementsThe move by the STB shows the agency is taking rail shipping concerns seriously. Carriers now must develop service recovery plans and submit regular progress reports. The regulator will also require all Class I railroads to report on customer-centric performance metrics and employment data for a six-month period. 

According to their published decision, the STB’s actions are “to promote industry-wide transparency, accountability, and improvements in rail service.”

The challenges with rail service are clear. The American Farm Bureau Federation put together an&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001T2KBQjfBBfThJ0t7cCGGuaOZEjfLprS4F_qVkbbqhkDvvtOcuqCchXkv2GWp5K5TmsozqGxtrI96PbWrG4Pe8lKro6M3pAMmR9Qf3feAvi5eYxvUEfwb3XARjlP9NupGFYsHPbs4j46FCK3bBqMAlWuSLR18kShUBoeLqL82Xfd6JtKWbV2mBgcsxFoJo682c8oxr9b9-NgEO6PTcg49nYapWu0NwcaH3yihBeVY6ZjMHNM_ElRKeQ==&amp;c=3QB--cUnqSffbuINbLoZcMQlmCtc7u0oLX25i5KIP4VL7iexMyboFQ==&amp;ch=BL6U0QhdTFVnyAqRSzFq0Wsb1_ldddIj2dw0KMsPQwVZ34hqXSz50w==" target="_blank">extensive report</a>&nbsp;showing the severity of the shipping disruptions. For example, in the year after the first quarter of 2021, unfilled grain car orders went up 47%. The number of grain cars that were at least 11 days overdue went up 107%. Rates in the secondary rail market increased, and rail delivery speeds declined during the same period.

Threats of Service CutsIn mid-April, the Union Pacific (UP) Railroad announced that it would start metering traffic if shippers did not voluntarily reduce their freight-car inventories. 

In a statement, UP said it had “experienced some setbacks – including numerous service interruptions, crew shortages…and delays to our network.” UP added that “additional inventory has led to more congestion in yards, an imbalance of our resources, and further slowdown of our operational performance.”

In response, CF Industries, a major fertilizer producer, said such&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001T2KBQjfBBfThJ0t7cCGGuaOZEjfLprS4F_qVkbbqhkDvvtOcuqCchXkv2GWp5K5TALU-nEpvg-5Ej6CBjrDqxx2a9z44W162K9y_C0u36MZ0OzYvYgSa9RnPlfMrPZnMwB66OYuD1tP3_Joa_6KvsU4kJORRZMNr3FTEYnoitAmikFpaJg4g2YLtRXCoMLzzEP-CiZEJn0ZV051ODTRsyklOMSxEbazMKakaBsKIpU7oZ_VB8KP4_Nj-8OWypgJNZXP9X_qsIPOdx6MKFpj6MMITRc5Uhcla&amp;c=3QB--cUnqSffbuINbLoZcMQlmCtc7u0oLX25i5KIP4VL7iexMyboFQ==&amp;ch=BL6U0QhdTFVnyAqRSzFq0Wsb1_ldddIj2dw0KMsPQwVZ34hqXSz50w==" target="_blank">actions</a>&nbsp;by the railroads would put crops at risk by curtailing fertilizer shipments ahead of the spring planting season. Addressing the Negative ImpactIn March 2022, the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) urged the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001T2KBQjfBBfThJ0t7cCGGuaOZEjfLprS4F_qVkbbqhkDvvtOcuqCchXkv2GWp5K5Th021uJ34TBRf4Cdo9ElJ0K6Aq_rAn28ChFwDtEuWcRsY0qjdMA6lmurXVia4XxbS-nlxn7to_qQK1g4GPaWAqYupclv-abrQxphkP3bEogrhElhjthqrOdAr6kTkP4aCXy1TK6iByY4LpfbhCQdMxV5Oyu4UQbFSiDiLgyp6Cmm1PUnQOXIlUU8Xuh3wjMO7&amp;c=3QB--cUnqSffbuINbLoZcMQlmCtc7u0oLX25i5KIP4VL7iexMyboFQ==&amp;ch=BL6U0QhdTFVnyAqRSzFq0Wsb1_ldddIj2dw0KMsPQwVZ34hqXSz50w==" target="_blank">address</a>&nbsp;“significant rail service disruptions,” which have negatively impacted the nation’s supply chains. Following that letter, the STB was quick to react and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001T2KBQjfBBfThJ0t7cCGGuaOZEjfLprS4F_qVkbbqhkDvvtOcuqCchXkv2GWp5K5TsLyWuM3cn3SBQj8gLcjDwK34Nl6XmYRwZg_6-AKWpkMMNzstf7X8vl3DToGuFSfOJlHkz9yCJa7Iwb0NoJ-ZqWbRPObI9hEBo-_YQdGD-VYu4gxcDqYCetDSovysszxEGwJxr68Cj-I=&amp;c=3QB--cUnqSffbuINbLoZcMQlmCtc7u0oLX25i5KIP4VL7iexMyboFQ==&amp;ch=BL6U0QhdTFVnyAqRSzFq0Wsb1_ldddIj2dw0KMsPQwVZ34hqXSz50w==" target="_blank">scheduled</a>&nbsp;public hearings held in late April. Those hearings featured shippers, rail labor unions and rail company executives.

The Agricultural Transportation Working Group (ATWG), a representative body made up of agriculture-oriented trade groups, including USW, sent a<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001T2KBQjfBBfThJ0t7cCGGuaOZEjfLprS4F_qVkbbqhkDvvtOcuqCchXkv2GWp5K5TuwyGAj2QSJyZ5yNM_byRCCGXa9jxEoYpzx2AvdjfolGWDRxflW8ccN1QR-M5a-auDU3ipMCarMmcWjYqKC8PudbRKaxn4l71cUPP_ydLmxcWz_iqrvlFAyvsWtdg26q1ct_LBjT9BhLUBACMcoYc8tnXLEc2QFT-QJaFtJuBta8=&amp;c=3QB--cUnqSffbuINbLoZcMQlmCtc7u0oLX25i5KIP4VL7iexMyboFQ==&amp;ch=BL6U0QhdTFVnyAqRSzFq0Wsb1_ldddIj2dw0KMsPQwVZ34hqXSz50w==" target="_blank">&nbsp;letter</a>&nbsp;to the STB on April 21 and urged an immediate resolution to the “current nationwide freight rail service challenges.” The group urged the STB to take appropriate measures that would “deter, and hopefully prevent future service failures,” which include the establishment of&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001T2KBQjfBBfThJ0t7cCGGuaOZEjfLprS4F_qVkbbqhkDvvtOcuqCchXkv2GWp5K5TR4EELtACj-q6GBTuTB_YIjT8kfz6Sh6dAuQRkvoFLa0PONBnIemBRjfHdAXawx9LlRaTQ1ZRmJPmZzh5vlZMaGBzZe1di9LV75TYC_sMh8HDGl44uMdxOp6zLneJtDS9tbyBKTrXctol8mFmN2Bkyc9bJ5bsZJWBzAnNCSqwa6E7rn9P5vo6nA==&amp;c=3QB--cUnqSffbuINbLoZcMQlmCtc7u0oLX25i5KIP4VL7iexMyboFQ==&amp;ch=BL6U0QhdTFVnyAqRSzFq0Wsb1_ldddIj2dw0KMsPQwVZ34hqXSz50w==" target="_blank">reciprocal switching rules</a>.

Additionally, USW filed&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001T2KBQjfBBfThJ0t7cCGGuaOZEjfLprS4F_qVkbbqhkDvvtOcuqCchXkv2GWp5K5TTJ0zEwq_CZn_XYpGSMptTW-IquDp80YWL06mapHn9KWLmaFDrnwja1v5P1vMht0ygxx_sJyQK-W1fVGLyCyjJhsCEurs5xwMc31rTWQMxE0c7D33Cc_0HFaI6R3twlT1&amp;c=3QB--cUnqSffbuINbLoZcMQlmCtc7u0oLX25i5KIP4VL7iexMyboFQ==&amp;ch=BL6U0QhdTFVnyAqRSzFq0Wsb1_ldddIj2dw0KMsPQwVZ34hqXSz50w==" target="_blank">joint&nbsp;comments</a>&nbsp;to the STB hearing with the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and the North American Millers’ Association (NAMA). The USW Transportation Working Group, led by North Dakota Wheat Commission Policy and Marketing Director Jim Peterson, also met with each member of the STB to share concerns regarding the current railroad challenges and to point out the benefits that competition-inducing policies provide, such as reciprocal switching. A Welcome SignThe orders issued by the Board last week are a welcome sign that rail customers like wheat farmers are being heard. U.S. Wheat Associates commends the STB’s initial steps and fast action and encourages further measures to improve rail logistics and hold railroads accountable to their customers.

Written By Michael Anderson, USW Market Analyst.&nbsp;

Wheat Scoop: Wheat industry helps build awareness of rail shipping challenges

By KEN CARPENTER Great Bend Post

Kansas State Representative Tory Arnberger-Blew has filed for re-election to represent State House District 112 which includes Great Bend and the northern part of Barton County. Her name will appear on the ballot this year as Tory Marie Blew following her marriage to Justin Blew in 2020.&nbsp;

She was first elected to the state legislature in 2016. Blew is campaigning on her support for 2nd Amendment rights, mental health reform, and limited government. If re-elected, she says she hopes to serve in the State House with Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt in the governor's mansion.&nbsp;

“This past four years have been a different ballgame with Republicans being in charge of the House and the Senate but then having a Democratic governor,” Blew commented. “I think that if Derek Schmidt is elected, we’re going to have some great policies coming through with a Republican governor.”&nbsp;

Blew currently serves on the State House Federal and State Affairs Committee and was elected to a State House leadership position this year as Deputy Majority Whip for the 2022 legislative session.&nbsp;

State Rep. Blew: Could have great policies with a Republican governor

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/category/obituaries" target="_blank">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

Great Bend Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos at no cost to families.

﻿Funeral homes and families can send notices to <a href="mailto:cole.reif@eagleradio.net">cole.reif@eagleradio.net</a>.

Recent Obituaries 

The Great Bend High School forensics team placed fifth earlier this month in the 5A Kansas State High School Activities Association Championship Tournament in Salina. &nbsp;

Junior Eave Taylor and sophomore Thomas Henrikson were named 5A state champions in Duo Interpretation. Senior Malachi Wasson placed 2nd in Humorous Interpretation, and freshman Darcy Feist took home a 4th place medal in Prose.&nbsp;

Kim Heath, the High School's forensics coach, explained some of the reasons she believed the team was so successful this year.&nbsp;

“They support each other,” Heath said. “They strive personally to improve, but the success is fed off of each other. They see their peers do something; they want to try that or work as hard as them. They just really are a joy to work with.”&nbsp;

The state tournament in Salina was the end of the regular season for the Panthers. However, the team will be represented by Isaiah Smith, Malachi Wasson, Alondra Alvarez, Milena Carbajal and Darcy Feist at the National Speech and Debate Association national tournament in Louisville, Kentucky next month.&nbsp;

GBHS forensics team 'a joy to work with'

Below are the stations and game times for Eagle Communications' broadcasts of Regional baseball and softball games for Monday, May 16, 2022. All games are also streamed online at greatbendpost.com.

SOFTBALL Game: Plainville @ Hoisington Time: 5 p.m. Station: 1590 AM / 95.5 FM

SOFTBALL Game: Larned @ Beloit Time: 6 p.m. Station: 104.3 FM

BASEBALL Game: Hoisington @ Beloit Time: 5 p.m. Station: 100.7 FM

BASEBALL Game: Russell @ Larned Time: 5 p.m. Station: 106.9 FM

Broadcast schedule for Hoisington & Larned softball/baseball Monday

On Friday, May 13 at approximately 11 a.m., officers with the Great Bend Police Department received a report of a sex offense involving two juvenile females occurring at a residence in Great Bend. 

Officers and detectives began compiling details and evidence of the report alleging multiple sex offenses that had begun within Kansas back in 2015 and 2016. It was reported that the suspect involved in this investigation had left his residence in a black 2013 Dodge Ram pickup, with most of his belongings, in an unknown direction of travel. 

During the course of the investigation, detectives requested a ping of his location using the suspect's cellular phone. A number of locations were checked and the suspect, Joseph Cruse, age 41, was located a short time later by officers in a motel parking lot in the 700 block of 10th Street in Great Bend.

Cruse was arrested without further incident and transported to the Barton County Detention Center where he was booked on charges of rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated criminal sodomy. 

Cruse remains incarcerated at the detention center in lieu of a $1,000,000 bond.  

This investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with any information in reference to this case is urged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300.

Man arrested in Great Bend for rape, indecent liberties with a child

Tuesday, May 17 10AM - (6) Cloud County (37-16) vs (47-10) (3) Kansas City KS 1PM - (10) Hutchinson (36-21) vs (41-16) (2) Barton 4PM - (8) Butler (34-22) vs (46-9) (1) Cowley 7PM - (5) Johnson County (43-15) vs (37-19) (4) Colby

Wednesday, May 18 Gm5- 10AM - Kansas City KS/Cloud County Loser vs Hutchinson/Barton Loser Gm6 - 1PM - Butler/Cowley Loser vs Johnson County/Colby Loser Gm7 - 4PM - Kansas City KS/Cloud County Winner vs Hutchinson/Barton Winner Gm8 - 7PM - Butler/Cowley Winner vs Johnson County/Colby Winner

Thursday, May 19 Gm9- 10AM - Gm10 - 1PM - Gm11 - 4PM - Gm12 - 7PM -

Friday, May 20 Gm13- 1PM - Gm14 - 4PM - Championship

Saturday, May 21 Gm15 - 1pm- (If Needed)

Winner Advances to JUCO World Series

NJCAA Plains District (Region VI) Championship Pairings

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals fired hitting coach Terry Bradshaw and promoted Alex Zumwalt to fill his role Monday in a shakeup of the coaching staff that they hope will wake up one of the worst offenses in the majors this season.

The Royals have scored 118 runs through their first 32 games, better only than the Tigers, Orioles and White Sox, and their 21 home runs trail only the Tigers and Red Sox for the worst total in the big leagues.

The Royals began the day 12-20 and 6 1/2 games behind the Twins in the AL Central.

“Baseball is constantly shifting and we have to continue to self-evaluate and make sure we’re giving our players everything they need to be successful at the highest levels,” Royals general manager JJ Picollo said in a statement. “Our results so far haven’t matched what we’re capable of, and we all share accountability in that.”

Zumwalt was hired as a scout in 2011 but more recently has spearheaded a shift in hitting development within the Royals’ minor league program. The results last season were evident in Bobby Witt Jr. earning the Minor League Player of the Year award from Baseball American and MJ Melendez taking the Joe Bauman Award as the minor league home run champ.

Both of those players are with the big league club this season.

Keoni DeRenne will remain the assistant hitting coach and Mike Tosar the special assignment hitting coach.

“Changes like this are never easy and I’m grateful to Terry for his friendship and all he’s done for me personally and for our team,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said before opening a four-day, five-game set against the White Sox. “We can all do better, and that includes me. I’m confident that better days are ahead, and that Alec, Keoni and Mike will help us get there.”

Bradshaw had been with the Royals system since 2000 and helped to usher to the majors Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer, two of the cornerstones of their 2015 championship team. He also helped Whit Merrifield lead the American League in hits twice and Jorge Soler break the club’s single-season home run record, which Salvador Perez matched last year.

“Terry is one of the finest men I’ve known in baseball,” Royals president Dayton Moore said. “The Royals are a better franchise with and because of men like Terry. We thank him and his family for all they’ve done.”

Royals fire hitting coach Bradshaw, promote Zumwalt to job

Baseball Playoffs: Larned 12, Russell 5

Class 3A Regional - 1st Round - Hoisington 16, Plainville 0

Softball Playoffs - Hoisington 16, Plainville 0

Softball Playoffs: Beloit 10, Larned 0

Baseball Playoffs - Beloit 4, Hoisington 1

Baseball Playoffs: Beloit 4, Hoisington 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Luis Robert hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning after Johnny Cueto’s impressive Chicago debut, and the White Sox defeated the Kansas City Royals 5-3 on Monday night in the opener of a five-game series.

Yasmani Grandal also had a two-run shot for the White Sox, who squandered a 3-0 lead in the eighth.

“It was an important win for us,” manager Tony La Russa said.

Robert connected off Scott Barlow (2-1) with two outs, scoring the automatic runner as well.

“I was just looking to make good contact and drive in that run,” Robert said. “The first pitch he threw me was a breaking ball. I was prepared for a fastball, but he threw me a breaking ball. I just hit it hard.”

The 36-year-old Cueto pitched six shutout innings in his first major league start this season after getting promoted from Triple-A Charlotte. He allowed just two hits and two walks, striking out seven. Only one runner reached second base against him.

“That’s the Johnny Cueto you’ve seen,” La Russa said. “He’s so deceptive. His fastball plays harder. He spots it. He’s down with a soft one and then he throws one by you. That shows you his talent. The number one thing we needed from him was to give us a chance to win. To go six shutout innings is more than you can (hope for). But you can’t be surprised. That’s what he has been his whole career.”

Cueto, a two-time All-Star, made his first appearance on the Kauffman Stadium mound since throwing a two-hitter for Kansas City against the New York Mets to win Game 2 of the 2015 World Series. He was acquired from Cincinnati just before the trade deadline that year and played a key role in the Royals’ championship.

“Throughout my career I have always put special emphasis on my first start of the season,” Cueto said. “I did it today. I was excited. I was facing a young team, a team that I used to play with. I knew this was a good team, too.”

Ryan Burr (1-1) worked a scoreless ninth and Liam Hendriks earned his 10th save in 13 tries.

Barlow got five outs without giving up a hit until Robert went deep.

Brad Keller also was solid for Kansas City. He allowed three runs and eight hits in seven innings — with many of the hits coming on soft contact.

The White Sox got their first run on a sacrifice fly by Andrew Vaughn in the third. Adam Engel led off with a fly ball that dropped between left fielder Andrew Benintendi and center fielder Michael A. Taylor. Engel then stole second and scored on Vaughn’s fly to right.

Grandal made it 3-0 when he lined an 0-2 pitch into the right-field bullpen. He drove in Robert, who extended his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games with an infield single.

The Royals tied it in the eighth against Kendall Graveman. Whit Merrifield lined a two-run double off the wall in left-center. He went to third on the throw home and scored on a single by Benintendi.

Chicago selected Cueto’s contract and optioned INF Danny Mendick to Charlotte. Cueto agreed to a minor league deal with the White Sox in April. His contract includes a $4 million salary in the majors and a $210,000 salary in the minors. He went 0-1 with a 5.17 ERA in four starts with Charlotte.

Cueto spent the past six seasons with San Francisco, going 7-7 with a 4.08 ERA in 22 games, 21 starts, for the Giants last year.

The teams play a scheduled split doubleheader Tuesday.

The White Sox will send RHP Dylan Cease (3-1, 3.55 ERA) to the mound in the opener and wait until after that game to determine who gets the ball for the nightcap. La Russa said it’s possible RHP Lucas Giolito (2-1, 2.70) could return from the COVID-19 injured list.

The Royals will have Jonathan Heasley (0-1, 2.70 ERA) pitch one game and Brady Singer (0-0, 6.35) the other. Kansas City manager Mike Matheny had not announced the order.

Robert powers White Sox past Royals in 10 after Cueto’s gem

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Luis Robert hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning after Johnny Cueto’s impressive Chicago debut, and the White Sox defeated the Kansas City Royals 5-3 in the opener of a five-game series. Yasmani Grandal also had a two-run shot for the White Sox, who squandered a 3-0 lead in the eighth. Robert connected off Scott Barlow with two outs, scoring the automatic runner as well. The 36-year-old Cueto pitched six shutout innings in his first major league start this season after getting promoted from Triple-A Charlotte. The two-time All-Star allowed just two hits and two walks, striking out seven. Only one runner reached second base against him.

NEW YORK (AP) — The game between the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets scheduled for Monday night has been postponed because of rain in the forecast and will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader Tuesday at Citi Field. The first game will begin at 3:10 p.m., with the nightcap to follow 30-40 minutes after the opener ends. The teams are set to play a four-game series — their first meeting since getting into a bench-clearing scuffle last month in St. Louis. With severe thunderstorms in the evening forecast, the game was postponed a little more than 3 1/2 hours before it was supposed to begin.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals have fired hitting coach Terry Bradshaw and promoted Alex Zumwalt in a shakeup of the coaching staff that they hope will wake up one of the worst offenses in the majors. The Royals have scored 118 runs through their first 32 games, better only than the Tigers, Orioles and White Sox. Their 21 home runs trail only the Tigers and Red Sox for the worst total in the big leagues. Keoni DeRenne will remain the assistant hitting coach and Mike Tosar the special assignment hitting coach.

CLEVELAND (AP) — NFL officials will meet this week with Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson as the league continues to investigate whether he violated its personal conduct policy. A person familiar with the plans spoke with The Associated Press on Monday. Watson is facing 22 civil lawsuits from massage therapists accusing him of sexual misconduct. He's scheduled to speak with the league’s representatives in Texas.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin founded 23XI Racing with a vision that extended far beyond the race track. They wanted to expand diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in auto racing. All of which is a whole lot easier to accomplish after days like Sunday. Kurt Busch won a thriller at Kansas Speedway in the No. 45 car decked out in Jordan Brand-themed graphics. It gave the team a second Cup Series triumph. Bubba Wallace won last year at Talladega.

St. Louis	at	N-Y Mets	6:40 p.m.	(Postponed)

Tuesday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Monday May 16 5:00PM&nbsp;1590/95.5FM - Regional Softball - Plainville @ Hoisington 5:00PM KHOK - Regional Baseball - Hoisington @ Beloit 5:00PM KBGL- Regional Baseball - Russell @ Larned 6:00PM B104- Regional Softball- Larned @ Beloit 6:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Chicago White Sox @ Kansas City Royals Tuesday May 17 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Chicago White Sox @ Kansas City Royals GM 1&nbsp; 5:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Chicago White Sox @ Kansas City Royals GM 2 Wednesday May 18 3:30PM TBA- Regional Softball - Great Bend vs Bishop Carroll 5:00PM TBA- Regional Softball (if Great Bend beats Carroll) 6:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Chicago White Sox @ Kansas City Royals Thursday May 19 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Chicago White Sox @ Kansas City Royals 2:00PM B104 - Regional Baseball - Great Bend vs Kapaun Mt. Carmel 6:00PM B104 - Regional Baseball (if Great Bend beats Kapaun) 7:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Eastern Conference Finals - Game 2 Friday May 20 6:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Minnesota Twins @ Kansas City Royals Saturday May 21 12:00PM&nbsp;1590/95.5FM - MLB- Chicago White Sox @ New York Yankees 6:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Minnesota Twins @ Kansas City Royals Sunday May 22 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Minnesota Twins @ Kansas City Royals 5:00PM 1590/95.5FM - MLB- Chicago White Sox @ New York Yankees Monday May 23 8:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Kansas City Royals @ Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday May 24 8:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Kansas City Royals @ Arizona Diamondbacks&nbsp;&nbsp; Wednesday May 25 7:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Eastern Conference Finals - Game 5

Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting PBP Schedule

DENVER (AP) — Salvador Perez hit a go-ahead, two-run single in the ninth inning and the Kansas City Royals recovered from blowing a six-run lead to beat the Colorado Rockies 8-7 on Sunday.

Bobby Witt Jr., Whit Merrifield and Emmanuel Rivera homered for the Royals, who took two of three from the Rockies.

Colorado overcame a 6-0 deficit by scoring seven times in the seventh.

Andrew Benintendi drew a leadoff walk from Rockies closer Daniel Bard (1-1) in the ninth and Ryan O’Hearn singled. A wild pitch and a one-out walk to Michael A. Taylor loaded the bases for Perez, who laced a single to left field.

“He’s got that clutch gene factor,” Witt said of Perez. “You kind of had a feeling he’s going to do something. Bases loaded, he just always stays calm, always same guy and just went up there did his job.”

Josh Staumont (1-0) pitched the eighth inning and Scott Barlow got three outs for his fourth save.

“Sum it up, I’d say it’s the best win of the year,” manager Mike Matheny said. “It could have been the worst loss of the year when you have a start like that.”

Colorado’s Yonathan Daza continued his hot stretch with two hits and sparked the seventh-inning rally. He has an eight-game hitting streak that has raised his average 28 points to .383.

Kansas City starter Daniel Lynch tossed 5 1/3 shutout innings and left with a comfortable lead.

“I felt like I had to try to mix really well because if they can get a comfortable swing off then there’s a better chance of damage happening,” Lynch said. “I didn’t really feel like I had great stuff today but I just tried to do my best to mix and try to keep them off balance.”

Rivera’s first homer of the season put Kansas City ahead 2-0 and Merrifield led off the sixth with his second of the season against Rockies starter Austin Gomber.

Gomber allowed three runs on four hits in six innings before giving way to Jhoulys Chacín to start the seventh. Witt greeted him with his third homer.

Rivera had an RBI double and then scored on a sacrifice fly to make it 6-0.

The lead was wiped out by Colorado’s big seventh inning against three relievers. Daza knocked in the first two with a single, C.J. Cron drove in another with a single and an error allowed a fourth run to score.

Randal Grichuk tied it with a single and Elías Díaz, who started the inning with a hit, put the Rockies ahead 7-6 with a sacrifice fly.

“You’ve just got to move on and try to win the next inning,” Witt said. “That inning’s over whenever the third out is made and so we kind of moved on from there.”

The Royals came into Denver looking to get their offense going after being shut out twice and held to one run two other times in the first half of May.

Kansas City put up 26 runs in the three-game series.

“We came on this road trip anticipating that we were going get some things going,” Matheny said. “One of the things was the offense. We saw the offense start to put some things together and some guys walking out of here with some confidence.”

Rockies: OF Kris Bryant (back) is scheduled to play two rehab games with Triple-A Albuquerque this week and then be reevaluated with the hope he can return for the weekend series against the New York Mets. Bryant has not played since April 25 at Philadelphia.

Royals: RHP Brad Keller (1-3, 2.70) will open a rare five-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Monday. The teams play a split doubleheader Tuesday to make up the April 4 game postponed due to the lockout.

Rockies: RHP Antonio Senzatela (2-2, 4.48) will make his second consecutive start against San Francisco on Monday. Senzatela took the loss at the Giants on Tuesday.

Perez hits 2-run single in 9th, Royals overtake Rockies 8-7

JACKSON COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple drug charges following an investigation.

Just after 10:30a.m. Saturday, a&nbsp;Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a 2020 Hyundai Elantra for allegedly failing to display a license plate on the vehicle, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 During the traffic stop, the deputy found hallucinogenic drugs in the vehicle. A subsequent search was conducted by deputies of a room at the Red Roof Inn located in Holton where the driver was believed to be staying. 

 A substance believed to be cocaine was seized with drug paraphernalia. 

The driver, 29-year-old Jeanata Larae Valentine of Holton was arrested and transported to the Jackson County Jail and booked on requested charges that include possession of cocaine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and trafficking contraband into a correctional facility.

Sheriff: Investigators found cocaine in Kansas motel room

FINNEY COUNTY —Authorities investigating a fatal Sunday accident in Finney County have identified the victim as 41-year-old&nbsp; Amanda Robyn Wurtz, of Plains.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported Wurtz was northbound&nbsp; on Pierceville Road at Plymell Road in a 2013 Ford Edge and hit a deer.

The vehicle traveled off the road to the right, rolled and come to rest on its top.

She was pronounced dead at St. Catherines Hospital. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

FINNEY COUNTY—Authorities are investigating a fatal accident that occurred just before 10p.m. Sunday in Finney County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a vehicle was northbound on Pierceville Road at Plymell Road and hit a deer. 

The vehicle traveled off the road to the right, rolled and come to rest on its top. The KHP has not released name of the victim or other details.

KHP IDs Kansas woman who died after car struck a deer

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged assault in Manhattan.

Just after 10a.m. Saturday, officers filed a report for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and felony interference with a law enforcement officer in the 400 block of South 5th Street in Manhattan,&nbsp;according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. An RCPD officer was listed as the victim. 

Officers arrested 43-year-old Joseph Stepney of Manhattan in connection with the incident.

 Stepney was issued a total bond of $14,000 and remains in custody, according to the RCPD.&nbsp;

Stepney has a previous first-degree sexual abuse conviction in Alabama, according the KBI Offender Registry. In January, police in Manhattan arrested him for a violation of the offender registration act, according to RCPD booking records.

Sex offender jailed for alleged assault on a Kansas officer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A top&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;government attorney argued Monday that congressional redistricting is naturally political and that the Kansas Supreme Court shouldn't try to decide when partisanship goes too far, only to be chastised by one of the justices for making a “boys will be boys” argument.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in the state's appeal of a lower court ruling that represented the first time that a Kansas court declared that partisan gerrymandering violates the state constitution. The lower court ruling struck down a Republican congressional redistricting law that would make it harder for the only Democrat in the state's congressional delegation to win reelection this year. The GOP-controlled Legislature enacted it over Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's veto.

Federal judges — not the Kansas courts — have typically reviewed congressional boundaries, but the U.S. Supreme Court declared in 2019 that complaints about partisan gerrymandering are political issues and not for the federal courts to resolve.

Kansas Solicitor General Brant Laue argued that Kansas' top court should take the same position. The Kansas Constitution mentions only legislative redistricting and does not contain any specific provisions prohibiting gerrymandering.

“Congressional redistricting is political by design," Laue said. “The Legislature, and not the state judiciary, is designed and equipped to make the political determinations that cannot be avoided.”

The Supreme Court did not say when it would rule, though both sides are hoping it will be within days, with the state's June 1 candidate filing deadline a little more than two weeks away. Also, the Legislature set to reconvene next week for a day or two of work if the justices reject the new congressional map or new boundaries for legislative districts that the court also reviewed Monday.

During Monday's hearing, the seven-member court wrestled with how to determine when improper political gerrymandering has occurred. Justice Caleb Stegall questioned whether the term can be clearly defined.

“I need to know what my standards are,” added Justice Evelyn Wilson.

Lawsuits over new congressional-district lines have proliferated across the U.S., with Republicans looking to recapture a U.S. House majority in this year’s midterm elections. State courts have issued decisions favoring Democrats in&nbsp;North Carolina,&nbsp;Ohio&nbsp;and&nbsp;Pennsylvania, and a new GOP map in&nbsp;Florida&nbsp;has been invalidated by a state court judge.&nbsp;New York’s highest court recently declared that that state's new districts were gerrymandered to favor Democrats.

In Kansas, 20 Democratic voters and a voting-rights group, Loud Light, filed three lawsuits against the new congressional map. District Judge Bill Klapper in Wyandotte County in the Kansas City area agreed with them that the new lines were too partisan and diluted minority voters' political clout. He ordered lawmakers to draw a new map.

Justice Dan Biles told Laue that he is asking the state Supreme Court to accept that “boys will be boys” when legislators target specific colleagues.

“How is partisan gerrymandering ever a legitimate government interest?” Biles asked.

Laue told Biles that politics is part of the process of drawing new maps and, “It can’t be distilled from the process.”

Republican legislative leaders argued that based on 2020 results, Davids still can win her new district. They said their map was a fair way to rebalance the population in each of the state’s congressional districts to make them as equal as possible after 10 years of demographic shifts. Republicans rejected the argument that they improperly diluted minority voters' clout.

The new Kansas map moved the northern part of Kansas City, Kansas, out of the 3rd District represented by Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids and into the larger 2nd District of eastern Kansas represented by Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner. Kansas City, Kansas, is among the few Democratic strongholds in the GOP-leaning state. Davids lost territory where she performs well, while the new map added several rural, heavily Republican counties to her district.

The map also moved the liberal northeastern Kansas city of Lawrence — another Democratic stronghold and home to the main University of Kansas campus — out of the 2nd District. The city of 95,000 is now in the already sprawling 1st District of central and western Kansas with small conservative communities, some six hours away by car.

Klapper relied heavily on the testimony of a University of&nbsp;Michigan&nbsp;political scientist who used a computer algorithm to produce 1,000 alternative redistricting plans to conclude that the new districts “are extreme pro-Republican partisan outliers."

“Each individual should not have their votes relegated to not matter simply because of who they vote for,” said Sharon Brett, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas.

Kansas court wrestles with barring political gerrymandering

HARVEY COUNTY—The driver of a maintenance vehicle injured in an accident on May 9 in Harvey County has died. William Fairbrother 54, of Newton died the following day, according to the Harvey County Sheriff's Office.

The maintenance vehicle turned over on East First Street between Oliver and Woodlawn roads, according to a social media report from the Harvey Sheriff's Department.&nbsp; Fairbrother was found, pinned inside the truck in critical condition.&nbsp; Crews worked diligently for just over an hour to free him cutting away parts of the cab and using hydraulic spreaders and rams to gain access, according to Newton Fire and EMS.

Eagle Med air-lifted him to Wesley Medical Center.

First Street was closed between Oliver and Woodlawn for several hours as maintenance crews worked to get the vehicle upright and cleaning up spilled diesel fuel.

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