By ELLE HUTCHINSON Barton County Media Consultant

During Tuesday's Barton County Commission meeting, Sheriff Brian Bellendir shared a meaningful piece of local history and a personal goal that reflects the County’s deep roots and longstanding traditions of service.

Bellendir spoke about George Moses, the first sheriff of Barton County. Moses was appointed to the position in the early days of the county’s formation, during a time when railroads were pushing west and communities across Kansas were just beginning to take shape. Before serving as sheriff, Moses worked as a guide along the expanding rail lines and later became involved with the town company that helped establish the city of Great Bend.

The Moses family played an important role in Barton County’s early development, contributing to local industry and community life. Sheriff Moses himself was also a Civil War veteran, carrying with him the experiences and responsibilities of a nation in transition into the challenges of building a new community on the frontier.

As part of preserving that legacy, Bellendir shared that he is working to bring Sheriff Moses’s original Colt revolver back to Barton County to place it on public display in the courthouse so residents and visitors can experience this piece of local history firsthand.

Bellendir noted that artifacts connected to Sheriff Moses and his service represent more than individual history—they tell the story of Barton County’s earliest days, its leadership, and the people who helped lay its foundation. Preserving those pieces of history helps connect current residents to the generations who came before them.

As he reflected on his time in office, Bellendir shared that honoring the legacy of those who served before him is an important part of Barton County’s story and something he hopes future generations can continue to learn from and appreciate.

The discussion served as a reminder that Barton County’s history is not only found in books and records, but also in the people, stories, and legacies that continue to shape the community today.

Preserving Barton County history: Remembering the legacy of Sheriff George Moses

The Russell Community Impact Award Committee is pleased to announce Dannie’ll as the distinguished recipient of the January 2026 Russell Community Impact Award. This award recognizes individuals, businesses, or organizations whose exceptional contributions have significantly enriched the fabric of the Russell community.

Dannie'll brings the Russell community together every year for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner. She leads and organizes this event and has turned it into the success it is today, last year feeding nearly 1,000 members of our community. Her dedication is unmatched. The amount of time she gives to planning and executing this event demonstrates her selflessness and dedication to service. Because of this event, many in our community are provided an opportunity for fellowship and engagement that they may not otherwise experience on the holiday. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Dannie'll's nomination describes that she does all of this with nothing to gain; the only payment she receives for her time and dedication is a thank you or a smile, showing her great sense of community and giving spirit. &nbsp;The altruistic nature of Dannie'll makes her a perfect candidate for this award. Thank you, Dannie'll, for your contributions to our community! &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

As the winner of the Russell Community Impact Award, Dannie’ll received a $250 donation to the non-profit of her choice. Dannie’ll chose the Russell Community Thanksgiving Dinner as the recipient. Mayor Jim Cross and KRSL/KZRS Russell Radio Manager Mike McKenna presented Dannie’ll with a $250 check at the February 17, 2026, city council meeting.&nbsp;

If you know of someone like Dannie’ll who is making a positive impact on Russell, you can nominate them for the Russell Community Impact Awards. By participating in this initiative, you play a vital role in recognizing and honoring those who contribute to the community's growth and well-being.

Nominations for the Russell Community Impact Awards can be submitted online at www.russellcity.org or downloaded from www.russellcity.org or www.krsl.com. Additionally, nomination forms are available for pickup at the City Building, 133 W. 8th Street, or KRSL/KZRS Russell Radio, 1984 N. Main Street.&nbsp;

Let's come together to celebrate individuals like Dannie’ll who embody the spirit of Russell and make our community a better place for all.

For more information about the Russell Community Impact Awards, please get in touch with Kayla at 785.483.6311. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Heaton selected as the Russell Community Impact Award winner for January 

On Feb. 19, shortly after 10 a.m., officers from the Great Bend Police Department responded to a residence in the 300 block of Frey St., Great Bend, in reference to an ongoing investigation involving drug trafficking. 

Upon arrival, officers apprehended Erasmo Ortiz-Chavez, 70, inside the residence. During a search of the residence, officers located quantities of cocaine consistent with distribution, firearms, and drug paraphernalia. Ortiz- Chavez was transported and booked into the Barton County Jail on requested charges of Distribution of Cocaine, Criminal use of Weapons, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and No Drug Tax Stamp, in lieu of bail.

Anyone with information regarding this or any other case is encouraged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or the Barton County Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300 or online at p3tips.com.

Great Bend police make arrest related to drug distribution

By MIKE COURSON
 Great Bend Post

Progress continues on the construction of a new hotel and
restaurant on 10th Street in Great Bend. Tuesday night, the Great
Bend City Council approved a final plat for property located at 3017 10th
Street, adjacent to the Events Center. City Administrator Logan Burns said the
initial public hearing before the planning commission was held on Jan. 26.

“At that meeting, the planning commission heard from
representatives of the ownership group regarding proposed site improvements,
and reviewed discussion related to the drainage study for the property,” Burns
said. “Following the public hearing, the planning commission voted to recommend
approval of the final plat to the city council.”

<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/3a69fab1-e961-4dc1-9089-c4f6b170182e">READ MORE: New Great Bend hotel expected to open in 2027</a>

Proposed improvements include relocation of the existing sanitary
sewer line further south on the property and extending it east to create a
larger developable plot for a restaurant, with a hotel located toward the rear
of the site. Darrin Hall, land surveyor with EBH &amp; Associates, detailed the
plans further.

“I can tell you the land use does not change, the zoning
does not change,” he said. “The storm water runoff will actually decrease
because there will be more green space than there was prior to this
development.”

Hall did not elaborate further on the plans. The council
approved a $60,000 letter of credit from the ownership group to ensure the
installation of a new sanitary sewer line and removal of the old line in a
timely manner.

Great Bend Council approves final plat for development next to Events Center

Barton Community College is one of six community colleges statewide selected to participate in a new initiative preparing Kansans for high-demand careers in cybersecurity through a partnership between Kansas community colleges and the Kansas National Guard, announced by U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall.&nbsp;

The initiative reflects a growing focus on developing skilled professionals to meet critical cybersecurity needs across industry, government, and national defense. Marshall emphasized the importance of expanding cybersecurity talent pipelines, noting that Kansas community colleges, combined with the Guard’s technical expertise, provide a strong foundation for workforce development.&nbsp;

“Kansas is ready to lead the nation in cybersecurity, and this partnership makes it possible,” he said. “By connecting our community colleges with the Kansas National Guard, we are creating real pathways for Kansans to gain the skills our state and country need while building careers in one of the fastest-growing and most critical fields in America.”

Representatives from participating institutions, including Barton, joined Guard leadership and state partners for a formal memorandum of understanding signing Feb. 11 at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka. The agreement marks a shared commitment to expanding educational opportunities and workforce pathways in cybersecurity.

Through the partnership, community colleges will collaborate with the Kansas National Guard’s 184th Intelligence Wing to expand and adapt cybersecurity curriculum, develop stackable credentials and competency-based learning pathways, and broaden access to training opportunities for learners across the state.

Barton’s participation in the statewide collaboration underscores the College’s commitment to student success and regional economic growth. As demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to increase nationwide, initiatives like this help ensure Kansans have access to industry-relevant training and credentialing opportunities.

At Barton, the initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to support workforce-driven education and respond to employer demand throughout central and western Kansas. Under the leadership of Barton President Marcus Garstecki, the college has continued to strengthen strategic partnerships and innovative programming that connect students with in-demand technical skills.

“Partnerships like this allow us to provide students with relevant training and clear pathways to career opportunities in cybersecurity,” he said. “By aligning educational programming with evolving industry needs and state partners, Barton is helping prepare the next generation of professionals for success in this critical field.”

The full text of the proclamation is available online.

BCC joins statewide partnership to strengthen cybersecurity workforce

Released Stevenson, Laura J. on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant #202401080 for Contempt of Court; Indirect after being granted a $602.50 O.R. bond through Great Bend Municipal Court.

Booked Thomasson, Harley Ray on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2025CR0307 for return for court.

Released Bentley, Jeramiah J. on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2026CR0007 for Violation of the Kansas Offender Registration Act after being granted a $40,000.00 O.R. bond through the Barton County District Court.

Released Boyer, Jordan T. on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2026CR0020 for Vehicular Burglary after being granted a $50,000.00 O.R. bond through the Barton County District Court.

Released Tisdale, Joshua L. on Barton County District Court warrant #8T2025CR0503 for Aggravated Battery, and Aggravated Domestic battery after being granted a $75,000.00 O.R. bond through the Barton County District Court.

Released Clampit, Mathew W. on a Barton County District Court warrant #BT2025CR0345 for Contempt of Court; Indirect after posting a $1,000.00 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

Booked Manning, Justice A. on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2024TR0180 for Failure to Appear; bond set at $1,100.00 cash only.

Booked in Ortiz-Chavez, Erasmo on Barton County District Court case #26-248 for Distribution of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal use of Weapon and No Drug Tax Stamp. Bond set at $50,000.00 cash or surety.

Booked Marley, Derek S. on Barton County District Court case #26-162 for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving While Suspended. Bond set at $10,000.00 cash or Surety.

Barton County Sheriff's Office Booking activity (2/19)

A World War II bomber base with concrete runways, open
skies, and lots of wind. That’s how the Sunflower Rod and Custom Association
(SRCA) Dragstrip west of Great Bend was described in a promotional video during
the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) West Central Div. 5 High &amp; Mighty
Hall of Fame Induction ceremony on Jan. 24 in Kansas City.

Tuesday night, the Great Bend City Council recognized the
SCRA’s recent induction. The SRCA was formed on Jan. 19, 1954, as a club named
for its home state and driven by volunteers, hot rods, and a belief in the new
sport of drag racing.

“A year later, they made a decision that would change the
sport of drag racing forever,” the narrator said. “Working through the Great
Bend Chamber of Commerce, the club reached out to a man named Wally Parks with
a simple but bold invitation: come to Kansas, bring the NHRA with you, and let
Great Bend host the first NHRA National Championship Drag Races. Wally Parks
said yes, and the rest is drag racing history.”

The first Nationals featured more than 200 cars and 15,000
spectators. A new speed record for American drag racing was set at 151 miles
per hour. 

“Those races, on that former bomber strip, established the
first official NHRA acceleration records from a standing start over 1,320 feet,”
the video said. “So Sunflower Custom and Rod Association didn’t just hold a
race, they helped define what a national event was, and what it would be.”

Over the next several decades, SRCA continued to carry the
torch for drag racing in Central Kansas with a museum, and by hosting events
like Hot Rod Magazine Drag Week and Rocky Mountain Race Week. The SRCA
ultimately disbanded before reforming in 1993. Most recently, the club survived
a shutdown of the track, which is currently being rebuilt with plans to reopen
for the 2026 race season.

“Tonight,” said the narrator, “we honor the club that turned
a bomber base into a dragstrip, a dusty runway into a national stage, and a
local club into a cornerstone of NHRA history.”

SRCA inducted into NHRA's Div. 5 High & Mighty Hall of Fame

Friday A 30 percent chance of snow after 3pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 38. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east southeast in the afternoon. Friday Night A 40 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. East wind 6 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.

Saturday Sunny, with a high near 46. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 20. Northwest wind around 6 mph.

Sunday Sunny, with a high near 46. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 22.

Monday Sunny, with a high near 51.

Friday's weather

The Clara Barton Hospital Foundation is currently seeking applicants for its 2026 healthcare career scholarships. Each year, the foundation awards several scholarships to students pursuing a career in the healthcare field. Scholarship amounts vary depending on the merits of the application and funds available from the endowments. The four scholarships to be awarded this year are the Jonathan Witt Scholarship, the Sadie Stalcup Scholarship, the Verda Lane Nursing Scholarship, and the Dr. Robert Moore Scholarship. The application deadline for all scholarships is April 1, 2026.

Both the Jonathan Witt and Sadie Stalcup scholarships are limited to applicants accepted into, currently enrolled in, or planning to pursue a healthcare career. Applicants must be current residents or high school graduates in the Clara Barton service area.

The Verda Lane Nursing Scholarship was established at the request of her family to assist students in their academic pursuit to become an LPN, RN, or BSN. Applicants must be admitted to a nursing program and have a current GPA of 3.0 or higher. The scholarship cannot be awarded to pre-nursing students.

Established by his family in honor of his dedicated service to the patients of Clara Barton Medical Center, the Dr. Robert Moore Scholarship assists employees of Clara Barton in continuing their education. Only current employees are eligible, and if interested, can call the foundation office to learn more about this scholarship. This specific scholarship application will be accepted year-round until funds are distributed.

Last year’s scholarship recipients were Bryce Steffan, Chandra Ehler, Emilee Hall, Erin Babcock, Khloe Schneweis, Liza Fuentes (Ward), Madelynn Gregg, Morgan Beckwith, Shaylee Leiker, and Jennah Hoopingarner. This year’s scholarship recipients will be awarded by the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee. Individuals interested in contributing to a scholarship fund or who wish to receive an application may call 620-292-0184, email foundation@cbhks.com, or write to Clara Barton Foundation, P.O. Box 25, Hoisington, KS 67544. All applications are also available under the foundation tab at clarabartonhospital.com.

Clara Barton Hospital Foundation seeking applicants for 2026 healthcare scholarships

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) continues to monitor air quality across the state due to the recent wildland fires in western Kansas that began on Feb. 17, due to high winds and dry conditions. Updates will be provided as Air Quality Index (AQI) results are made available.

Wildfires can&nbsp;release large amounts of particulate matter and other pollutants that can form ground-level ozone. Particulate matter and ozone can cause health problems, even in healthy individuals. Common health problems include burning eyes, runny nose, coughing, and illnesses such as bronchitis. People with respiratory conditions and cardiovascular diseases, as well as children and elderly, are more vulnerable to experience symptoms.

Steps to protect your health on days when smoke is present in your community include:

For current air monitoring data in Kansas, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2F300%2FAir-Monitoring-Data%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019c733bbd79-c6cb2bc8-4712-400f-91ca-1f45ef2e5504-000000/6K5IP5KnAC_hL9jZezCoh8TP-HIgqFYPuB3r0ul2c3k=445">Air Monitoring Data | KDHE, KS</a>.

Monitoring data and fire and smoke information can be accessed at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Ffire.airnow.gov%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery%236%2F41%2F-98/1/0100019c733bbd79-c6cb2bc8-4712-400f-91ca-1f45ef2e5504-000000/iAQqSg8xEcmeWPrfeCGWbQy0MRdD-rN0ciLPt9TR3U0=445">AirNow Fire and Smoke Map</a>.

KDHE monitoring air quality after recent wildland fires across Kansas

The Great Bend Housing Authority (GBHA) will host an informational meeting for local landlords with rental properties located within the city of Great Bend to discuss updates to its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and introduce a new policy aimed at incentivizing participation and supporting property owners.

The meeting will take place Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. at the Great Bend Event Center, located at 3111 10th Street. The meeting is open to all city of Great Bend landlords, including those currently participating in the Section 8 program and those interested in learning more. Light refreshments will be provided, and the meeting is expected to last approximately one hour.

GBHA Executive Director Lynn Fleming will share an overview of the Section 8 program, discuss current housing needs in the community, and outline recent policy updates designed to reduce risk and improve the landlord experience. GBHA currently receives 112 vouchers each month, with approximately 80 in use, leaving additional capacity for new landlord participation.

New incentives include a $500 signing bonus for new landlords, as well as funding that may help reimburse for unpaid rent, property damages, and loss of rent. GBHA also offers direct-deposit rent payments issued on the first day of each month.

“Section 8 plays a critical role in Great Bend by helping seniors, individuals with disabilities, and working families maintain safe, secure, and sanitary housing. At the same time, we recognize that landlords often have concerns about reliability and risk,” said Lynn Fleming, Executive Director for GBHA. “This new policy is designed to address those concerns by reducing uncertainty and creating a more supportive, predictable experience for property owners.”

The meeting will also feature experienced Section 8 landlords who will share their perspectives, along with time for questions and discussion. GBHA will review what landlords can expect when working with the organization, including program requirements, tenant screening processes, utility allowances provided to tenants, and ongoing support. “We wanted this meeting to be informative and practical,” Fleming said. “It’s an opportunity for landlords to ask questions, hear directly from others who have participated in the program, and walk away with a clear understanding of how the process works and how GBHA supports them.”

GBHA recently launched a new Facebook page and encourages landlords and community members to follow for updates, event information, and ongoing program announcements. More information about the Section 8 program and the upcoming meeting is available at www.gbhaks.com. For questions or to learn more about participating, contact GBHA at 620-793-7761. The GBHA office is located inside the High Rise at 1101 Kansas Avenue and is open five days per week.

GB Housing Authority to host landlord meeting on Section 8 updates on Wednesday

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 

The Barton Community College softball team split a Friday trip to Iola, Kansas, claiming a 9-6 opener before host Allen Community College salvaged the doubleheader with a timely, darkened shortened walk-off 6-5 sixth inning victory.

The split leaves Barton at 4-6 on the season, while Allen's game two win improved the Red Devils to 1-7. The Cougars will now turn their attention to Tuesday's 1:00 p.m. home opener, welcoming No. 21 Rose State College for a doubleheader.

It took five innings for Barton's offense to find full rhythm in the opener, but once it did, the bats arrived in a hurry.&nbsp;Mollie Steiner&nbsp;ignited the surge with a fourth inning two-run shot for her first collegiate home run. The Cougars then broke the game open with a five-run sixth inning fueled by four doubles, capped by Steiner's RBI single.

Charley Wheeler&nbsp;kept Allen largely contained, improving to 3-2 behind a career-high 10 strikeouts. The Red Devils mounted a three-run rally in the home half of the seventh, prompting relief help from&nbsp;Ellie Crawford.&nbsp;After issuing a walk to her first batter, Crawford settled in and stranded the tying runs at the plate by striking out the final two hitters.

Steiner's two-hit effort was matched by&nbsp;Laney Wood, whose third inning double gave Barton a 3-1 edge at the time.&nbsp;Peyton McCormick&nbsp;went 3-for-5 on the day, collecting two of those hits in the opener, including a sixth inning double that helped spark the decisive frame.

Barton carried that momentum into the nightcap, jumping ahead 2-0 behind Steiner's RBI double and&nbsp;Morgan Thatcher's run-scoring fielder's choice.

Allen answered in the bottom half, stringing together four consecutive hits before a three-run home run flipped the scoreboard to a 5-2 Red Devils advantage.

The Cougars chipped away in the fourth. Wood delivered a two-out RBI single scoring&nbsp;Karter Alvord's leadoff base hit. Steiner then extended the inning with a walk, setting the stage for&nbsp;Chalyn Boone's first collegiate RBI on a single to left field.

An inning later, Thatcher's double plated McCormick's leadoff hit to knot the contest at five.

As the sixth inning unfolded under fading light, Barton's offense came up empty, and Allen seized its opportunity in the home half. A leadoff single and two-out hit put runners at second and third. On the first pitch of the next at-bat, a ground ball up the middle eluded the infield just long enough, with the throw to first arriving a step late to seal the walk-off victory, the Red Devils' first of the season.

McCormick was charged with the loss, falling to 1-4 on the year.

Steiner once again paced the Cougars offensively, finishing 4-for-8 across the twin bill to complete a .500 afternoon at the plate.

Career day in circle and at plate leads to Cougar split in Iola

Bill Mazeroski, the Hall of Fame second baseman who won eight Gold Glove awards for his steady work in the field and the hearts of countless Pittsburgh Pirates fans for his historic walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, has died at the age of 89. The Pirates announced his death on Saturday. Pirates owner Bob Nutting said Mazeroski, who died Friday, “was one of a kind, a true Pirates legend.” The Pirates retired Mazeroski's No. 9 in 1987. The club had a statue of him erected on Bill Mazeroski Way in 2010.

LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — The U.S. team won its record-breaking 11th gold medal of the Winter Olympics when the trio of Kaila Kuhn, Connor Curran and Chris Lillis took the title in mixed aerials. The 11th gold breaks a record set at the last Olympics on U.S. soil — in Salt Lake City in 2002, an Olympics that has long stood out as a turning point for a Winter-sports program that had struggled for decades. The medal lifted the U.S. to 30 overall for the Olympics. That’s second to Norway, which a day earlier won its 17th gold medal to set a Winter Games record.

TESERO, Italy (AP) — Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo completed his historic gold medal sweep of the men’s cross-country skiing events on Saturday by winning his sixth race and set the record for the most golds by one athlete in a single Winter Olympics. Klaebo’s victory in the 50-kilometer mass start race shattered the nearly 50-year record set by American speed skater Eric Heiden, who won five golds in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics.

Less than three months removed from its first MLS Cup championship, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami shows no signs of a letdown. The Herons have assembled perhaps the strongest roster in Major League Soccer history heading into a season that begins this weekend and bookends around the biggest event of them all, the World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Messi is coming off his second straight MVP award, the first player in MLS history to accomplish that feat. But he’s hardly going it alone in Miami, which pulled off an impressive reload.

LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — The two best bets to win the gold medal in women’s halfpipe skiing at the Winter Olympics were born in the United States. Zoe Atkin competes for Britain and hardly anyone raises a fuss about it. Eileen Gu competes for China and never hears the end of it. Athletes in freeskiing and snowboarding — two lifestyle sports that champion individuality — spend most of their time traveling the globe caring very little about countries or anthems.

MILAN (AP) — The U.S. men's hockey team will play for gold against Canada and it has honored Johnny Gaudreau’s memory along the way. Gaudreau and his brother Matthew died on Aug. 29, 2024, when an SUV hit them as they rode bikes in New Jersey. Team officials say Johnny would have been on this roster. A blue No. 13 jersey hangs in the locker room beside Matthew’s No. 21. Teammates say it keeps them close.

PRAGUE (AP) — The storied hockey career of Jaromir Jagr might be coming to an end. The former NHL great is currently in his 38th professional season, with his hometown Kladno Knights in the Czech league, and strongly indicated fans might not get to see him on the ice any more. “Probably not,” Jagr said in an interview on Instagram. It wasn’t clear if Jagr will play again this season. The 54-year-old winger has played just six games in the league for Kladno this season. His last game was on December 21. Jagr made his debut for Kladno at 16 and returned to the club in 2018 when the Calgary Flames released him. Jagr praised the “great” hockey at the Milan Cortina Games.

LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Team officials say U.S. freeskier Nick Goepper checked out of the hospital with only a knee sprain and a bad shin bruise after a scary fall in the halfpipe finals at the Winter Olympics. The 31-year-old Goepper went flying above the halfpipe and came down on his back before bouncing to the bottom. He stood up and walked gingerly and holding his back. Goepper finished fourth. Gold medalist Alex Ferreira was in awe of the attempt, saying it took real guts for Goepper to try it.

CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) — World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul has birdied her final three holes for a 6-under 66 and a two-stroke lead going into the final round of her home LPGA Thailand tournament. Thitikul made a 15-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th to break away from a four-way tie for the lead Saturday, then saw her eagle chip just slide past the hole on 18 before tapping in for a birdie. Thitikul had a 54-hole total of 20-under 196 at the Siam Country Club Old Course.

Just over half the ball/strike challenges were successful on the first day of spring training games as Major League Baseball prepared for the first regular-season use of the automated ball-strike system — the so-called robot umpires. Thirteen of 23 calls were overturned during the five games, MLB said, which came to 56.5%. There were an average of 4.6 challenges per game and 2.6 overturned calls per game. Seven challenges were made of plate umpire Alex MacKay’s calls during Arizona’s 3-2 win against Colorado, and six were successful. The Diamondbacks had four of five decisions reversed and the Rockies were 2 for 2 in challenges.

Saturday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Western Athletic Conference Boys Team&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Conf.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;All Hays&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;6-0&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 16-4 Great Bend&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 5-1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 12-8 Garden City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 3-4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;10-11 Dodge City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1-4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;10-10 Liberal&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 0-5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2-17 Thursday, February 19 Hays 64, Garden City 45 Guymon OK 77, Liberal 70 OT Friday, February 20 Great Bend 64, Dodge City 57 Liberal 72,&nbsp;Southwestern Heights 62&nbsp; Monday, February 23 Liberal @ Great Bend Tuesday, February 24 Dodge City @ Hays Liberal @ Garden City Thursday, February 26 Liberal @ Dodge City Friday, February 27 Hays @ Great Bend Garden City @ Wichita Southeast END OF REGULAR SEASON

WAC Boys Scores, Standings, Schedule

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals agreed to a minor league deal with catcher Elias Díaz on Friday and said the 11-year veteran will join the big league camp next week.

Díaz spent last season with the San Diego Padres, hitting .204 with nine homers and 29 RBIs in 106 games. It was Díaz's lowest career average when getting at least 250 at-bats.

Díaz spent his first five seasons in Pittsburgh and the next four in Colorado before the Rockies traded him to the Padres during the 2024 season. The 35-year-old Venezuelan was an All-Star with Colorado in 2023.

Salvador Perez, a nine-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner, has been Kansas City's starting catcher since 2013. Top prospect Carter Jensen, still a rookie after making his debut and playing 20 games last season, is expected to the backup.

Royals agree to minor league deal with veteran catcher Elias Díaz

Western Athletic Conference Girls Team&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Conf.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;All Hays&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;6-0&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;19-1 Liberal&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;3-2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;14-3 Garden City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 4-3&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;13-8 Dodge City&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;1-5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 8-13 Great Bend&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1-5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 4-16 Thursday, February 19 Hays 50, Garden City 36 Friday, February 20 Great Bend 51, Dodge City 49 Liberal 62,&nbsp;Southwestern Heights 56 Monday, February 23 Liberal @ Great Bend Tuesday, February 24 Dodge City @ Hays Liberal @ Garden City Thursday, February 26 Liberal @ Dodge City Friday, February 27 Hays @ Great Bend Garden City @ Wichita Southeast END OF REGULAR SEASON

WAC Girls Scores, Standings, Schedule

Friday Boys scores from the Associated Press

Central Heights 66, Northern Heights 60, OT

Kansas City Christian 45, KC Bishop Ward 32

Kapaun Mount Carmel 68, Wichita Northwest 53

Friday Statewide Scores

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 4:15PM B104 - H.S. Basketball - Liberal G&amp;B @ Great Bend 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 Thursday, February 26 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day TBA KHOK - 3A Boys Sub-State - Hoisington vs TBA TBA Hits 106.9- 3A Boys Sub-State - Hoisington vs TBA Friday, February 27 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:45PM B104 - High School Basketball - Hays @ Great Bend TBA KHOK - 3A Girls Sub-State - Hoisington vs TBA TBA Hits 106.9- 3A Girls Sub-State - Hoisington vs TBA&nbsp; Saturday, February 28 3:00PM Hits 106.9 - Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas @ Arizona 7:00PM&nbsp;1590/95.5FM - NBA Basketball - Houston @ NY Knicks Sunday, March 1 2:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Basketball - Golden State @ Oklahoma City Monday,&nbsp;March 2 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day Tuesday,&nbsp;March 3 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day TBA B104- 5A Boys Sub-State Semi's - Great Bend vs TBA TBA KHOK - 3A Boys Sub-State Semi's - Hoisington vs TBA TBA Hits 106.9- 3A Boys Sub-State Semi's - Larned vs TBA 7:30 PM TBA -&nbsp;Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas @ Arizona State Wednesday,&nbsp;March 4 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day TBA B104- 5A Girls Sub-State Semi's - Great Bend vs TBA TBA KHOK - 3A Girls Sub-State Semi's - Hoisington vs TBA TBA Hits 106.9- 3A Girls Sub-State Semi's - Larned vs TBA&nbsp;&nbsp;

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The Great Bend boys moved to 12-8 overall with a 64-57 win at Dodge City Friday night. At 5-1 in the Western Athletic Conference, the Panthers are still in the hunt for a conference title with a home game against Liberal on Monday, and the big finale against WAC-leading Hays next Friday.

But perhaps the bigger news out of Friday's game was a record-setting night from Jacob Hall. The senior scored 43 points, breaking the previous single-game scoring record at GBHS, set by Anthony Guliford in the 1990-1991 season.

Great Bend's Hall breaks single-game scoring record with 43 points at Dodge City

Great Bend Boys 64 Dodge City 57; Great Bend Girls 51 Dodge City 49

GREAT BEND SPORTS ON B104.3 THE POINT SPONSORED BY... GB TARP COMPANY, ADVANCE TRUCK &amp; DIESEL, KELLER REAL ESTATE &amp; INSURANCE, EQUITY BANK, 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, PEOPLE'S BANK &amp; TRUST, KERNS FLOOR SERVICE, NEX-TECH, COMFORT PRO, THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HEATH SYSTEM - GREAT BEND CAMPUS, SUTHERLANDS, AND THE 10TH STREEET 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, DELGADOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT, MPIRE REALTY, AMERICAN PLAINS COOP, AND CODY CROOK RED CEDAR LAND COMPANY. GB TIRES, THE ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER, BARTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE, DR CHAD OHNMACHT DDS, AND WATKINS CALCARA CHARTERED.

Hoisington Boys 57 Larned 24; Larned Girls 47 Hoisington 30

LARNED SPORTS ON HITS 106.9 BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY... EQUITY BANK, INNOVATIVE LIVESTOCK SERVICES, SMITH DENTAL CLINIC, CLOCK REALTY &amp; INSURANCE, ROSENBERG FAMILY DENTISTRY, PROGRESSIVE THERAPY &amp; SPORTS MEDICINE, DOERR'S ACE HARDWARE, FARM BUREAU FINANCIAL SERVICES - LEIGH ANN SEEMAN, PAWNEE PLAZA, HEART OF KANSAS FAMILY HEALTH, COMFORT PRO, EAKIN ENTERPRISES, FRICK VETERINARY, USD #495 LARNED, CARR AUCTION &amp; REAL ESTATE, AG SYSTEMS, FUSION BANK, PICKET FENCE REAL ESTATE, AND BARTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

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

Complex legislation two years in the making addresses market dominance of PBMs

TOPEKA — A bipartisan majority in the Kansas Senate passed a complex bill increasing state oversight of prescription drug middlemen companies accused of manipulating lax regulations to promote anti-competitive practices, monopolize the market for maximum profit, undermine local pharmacies and raise costs for consumers.

Thirty-five states have taken legislative steps to intensify regulation of pharmacy benefit managers that were created to work with drug manufacturers to lower costs for health insurance plans, pharmacies and customers. Advocates of reform asserted PBMs — CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and OptumRx control 80% of the U.S. market — stepped away from this fiduciary role and took command of the prescription drug market by negotiating mostly on their own behalf.

Under&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/supp_note_sb360_02_0000.pdf" target="_blank">Senate Bill 360</a>, which advocates spent two years writing, the state insurance commissioner would have more tools to regulate PBMs in Kansas.

The bill would require transparency from PBMs in terms of pharmacy reimbursement and drug pricing. It would deal with PBMs giving their own retailers better deals by requiring all Kansas pharmacies to be reimbursed at or above the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost. A pharmacy dispensing fee would be implemented to better cover costs incurred by local or independent pharmacies, especially in rural communities.

Sen. Brenda Dietrich, a Topeka Republican who carried the bill on the Senate floor, said the time had come for Kansas to answer persistent complaints about pharmacy benefit companies operating in Kansas.

“I feel like this is a bit of a David versus Goliath situation with hometown pharmacies versus billion-dollar PBMs,” Dietrich said. “We’ve just got to stop feeding the beast. The imbalance of power and wealth is inherently unfair and frightening. SB 360 is about saving local pharmacies, fairness and transparency.”

Dietrich highlighted the harm of “spread pricing” in which PBMs charged health plans or insurers more for prescription drugs than PBMs paid a dispensing pharmacy. The PBMs simply retained the difference as profit, she said. The senator referred to spread pricing as “a big black box used by the PBMs to siphon millions from plans and patients with no actual benefit to the plan or patients.”

The bill addressed another state regulatory failing — PBMs have gotten away with auditing pharmacies but refused to allow auditing of their operations, Dietrich said.

“The PBMs are watching out for their exorbitant profit margins,” she said. “They are overcharging our health plans with hidden fees and costs through price spreading, keeping rebates and not reimbursing your local hometown pharmacies as much as they reimburse their own brick-and-mortar pharmacies or their mail-order pharmacies.”

Dietrich said Kansas was so far behind the PBM reform movement that even the federal government approved changes to the industry that would take effect in 2028 and 2029.

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, said she welcomed the state Senate legislation because&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/10/kansas-pharmacists-fight-for-better-oversight-of-pharmacy-middleman-companies/">Kansas pharmacies are struggling</a>&nbsp;to keep their doors open and patients are unable to afford high prices for medications.

“Gigantic insurance monopolies are controlling every aspect of our health care system and they’re using their power to increase costs and eliminate competition,” she said.

The Senate bill was backed by pharmacies in Hoisington, Wichita, Downs, El Dorado, Galena, Winfield, Hesston, Hillsboro, Humboldt, Lawrence, Junction City, Coldwater, Mankato, Holton, Basehor, Phillipsburg, Mulvane, Oakley, Scott City and Baxter Springs. It was endorsed by Hy-Vee, Walgreens, the Independent Pharmacy Association of Kansas, the Kansas Hospital Association as well as individual pharmacists, pharmacy students and consumers.

The bill was derided by PBMs, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, as well as the Kansas Bankers Association and the Kansas Chamber because it could drive up the cost of health insurance.

“I fear this bill doesn’t consider the full potential cost shifting that will happen,” said Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee.

He echoed the message of BCBS of Kansas lobbyist Sarah Fertig, who said the bill incorrectly assumed business issues confronting Kansas pharmacies were the fault of PBMs. She said the bill would increase drug prices for Kansas consumers, but that assertion was criticized by the bill’s proponents.

“The reality is that making Kansans pay more for prescription drugs will not guarantee that all independent pharmacies can stay afloat,” she said. “Consumer choice, population shifts and other players in the drug distribution chain are more impactful to a pharmacy’s success.”

The legislation was approved Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/vote_view/je_20260218181550_042722/" target="_blank">on a vote of 32-8</a>&nbsp;and sent to the Kansas House. The Senate rejected amendments beneficial to PBMs. The measure included an amendment from Sen. Kellie Warren, R-Leawood, to forbid sharing protected, personal health information with the state insurance commissioner.

Sen. Beverly Gossage, the Eudora Republican, said PBM reform was the responsibility of Congress rather than state legislatures. She offered an amendment to remove a requirement that pharmacies receive a $10.50 prescription processing fee. Currently, local pharmacies were paid a fraction of the actual cost of handling prescriptions through PBMs.

Dietrich, the Topeka Republican, said about 20 states had a comparable fee to balance those business transactions.

Gossage’s amendment was blocked by the bipartisan majority, but the concept was supported by Sen. Jeff Klemp, R-Lansing, and Sen. TJ Rose, R-Olathe. It was Rose who said he supported the idea of deleting the “pill tax” fee, while Klemp said the Legislature needed to err on the side of fiscal responsibility when regulating PBMs.

“The government has no role in ensuring one private industry profits over another,” Klemp said. “The key to this is no other Kansas statute requires a business to pay another a fixed fee. We’re moving into uncharted waters.”

Klemp and others seeking to weaken the PBM bill found themselves facing a tidal wave of opposition from their Republican and Democratic brethren.

“Personally, my own pharmacy was closed because of PBMs and I’m sick of it,” said Sen. Bill Clifford, a Garden City Republican with 138 small pharmacies in his Senate district.

GOP Sen. Michael Murphy of Sylvia said he considered attempts to diminish the bill nothing more than a “PBM enrichment amendment.”

“It’s time to stop out-of-state middlemen companies and corporations from starving our pharmacists, especially our Main Street pharmacists,” said Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker.

Sen. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston, said the Senate bill should be placed in law despite the instinct to avoid government intrusion into the economy. He said PBMs operating in Kansas were “playing favorites” and placed local pharmacies at a heavy disadvantage.

“When the free market is no longer free, we as a government have got to step in,” Owens said.

He said Gossage was wrong to expect the federal government to promptly address the long list of shortcomings in the PBM-dominated drug market.

“If we’ve learned anything, it is we cannot have faith in our federal government to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done,” Owens said.

Sen. Scott Hill, R-Abilene, piled on. He said the rise of PBMs was destroying local pharmacies that were more to communities than places to pick up a prescription. He said anyone embracing the PBM model was naive.

“This is about price fixing,” he said. “This is about charging me, for my cancer drugs, $14,000 for a drug that costs $750. This is about gouging and increasing prices.”

He said more than 250 years ago colonists in America objected to a British company’s monopoly on tea.

“Pharmaceuticals have become the tea of our generation,” Hill said. “We have much to do on pharmacy reform as well as health care reform in general. This bill is a start, not an end.”

The bill was expected to receive a committee hearing in the House, but passage could be complicated given House Speaker Dan Hawkins of Wichita is a GOP candidate for state insurance commissioner.

Sen. Tim Shallenburger, a Baxter Springs Republican who worked for two years on drafting the bill, said the Legislature needed to push back against PBMs, including the PBM operated by BCBS of Kansas.

“This a terrible system we have,” Shallenburger said. “It’s not just transparency. We’re looking for equity. There is no reason a PBM should direct my benefit to an out-of-state pharmacy, pay them more money than they’re paying the Walker Pharmacy at home. It’s just not fair.”

He praised Senate President Ty Masterson and Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi, both Republicans, for allowing the bill to come to the Senate floor for debate. Masterson and Blasi were among the eight GOP senators voting against the measure.

“Many times in this building good ideas don’t have a chance of a hearing. If they do have a hearing, they don’t have a vote,” Shallenburger said. “I hope the body across the rotunda takes the opportunity to have a hearing and a vote on this bill.”

Kansas Senate plunges ahead with bipartisan bill targeting prescription drug middlemen

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/michelle-l-price">MICHELLE L. PRICE</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Saturday that he was raising the global tariff he wants to impose to 15%, up from 10% he had announced a day earlier.

Trump said in a social media post that he was making the decision “Based on a thorough, detailed, and complete review of the ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American decision on Tariffs issued yesterday,” by the U.S. Supreme Court.

After the court ruled he didn’t have the emergency power to impost many sweeping tariffs, Trump signed an executive order on Friday night that enabled him to bypass Congress and impose a 10% tax on imports from around the world. The catch is that those tariffs would be limited to just 150 days, unless they are extended legislatively.

Trump’s post significantly ratcheting up a global tax on imports to the U.S. yet again was the latest sign that despite the court’s check, the Republican president was intent on continuing to wield in an unpredictable manner his favorite tool to for the economy and to apply global pressure. Trump’s shifting announcements over the last year that he was raising and sometimes lowering tariffs with little notice jolted markets and rattled nations.

Under the order Trump signed Friday night, the 10% tariff was scheduled to take effect starting Feb. 24. The White House did not immediately respond to a message inquiring when the president would sign an updated order.

In addition to the temporary tariffs that Trump wants to set at 15%, the president said Friday that he was also pursuing tariffs through other sections of federal law which require an investigation by the Commerce Department.

President Trump to impose 15% tariff, up from 10% he announced after Supreme Court decision

Authorities trying to solve the disappearance of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Nancy Guthrie</a>&nbsp;say they might tap DNA genealogy databases, the same step that police took to unravel a decades-old series of murders in California and the fatal stabbings of four college students in Idaho.

The strategy could be fruitful: If unidentified DNA evidence can be connected to someone — even a distant relative — in a common genealogy database, it would give investigators more information and possibly lead to a suspect in Guthrie’s kidnapping in Arizona.

“It’s a fantastic tool,” said Ruth Ballard, a geneticist in California who specializes in DNA and has testified in hundreds of court cases. “If it’s a good quality sample and they’re able to get a profile, they could find a hit on that fairly quickly.”

The sheriff's department in Pima County, Arizona, said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nancy-guthrie-missing-savannah-guthrie-aadbb20a613491c10373f55ba33d1831">DNA collected so far</a>&nbsp;in the investigation has not turned up any matches in a national criminal justice database known as CODIS, which has DNA profiles from convicted criminals and, in some states, people arrested for certain crimes.

“Investigators are currently looking into additional investigative genetic genealogy options for DNA evidence to check for matches. CODIS is one option of many databases that are available,” the sheriff's department said Tuesday.

The department said Wednesday that biological evidence from Guthrie's Tucson-area home was being examined and that DNA profiles were at a lab for analysis.

Guthrie, the mother of NBC “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has been missing from her home since Feb. 1. The FBI said gloves found about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) away appeared to match those worn by a masked suspect who was recorded on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nancy-guthrie-nest-camera-footage-kidnapper-bd5f1d886543e23f2d105535031c9445">porch camera</a>.

Genealogy sites Ancestry, 23andMe and MyHeritage say they can be asked to comply with court orders seeking information. Another site, GEDmatch, said its policy is to ask users if they want to opt in to allow police to look at their data. The Associated Press e-mailed the companies, asking if they have a role in the Guthrie investigation.

GEDmatch has been credited with helping solve the case of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-ca-state-wire-us-news-08a241b485d1d7be03f62293e2da3277">so-called Golden State Killer</a>. Police used DNA from crime scenes to find a distant relative and build a family tree that led to Joseph DeAngelo Jr. In 2020, he pleaded guilty to 13 killings and dozens of rapes in California in the 1970s and '80s. He is serving life in prison without possibility of parole.

Barbara Rae-Venter, an expert genealogist who worked on the DeAngelo case, said patience often is needed in high-tech sleuthing.

“I’ve solved cases in less than eight hours where people shared a lot of DNA with the suspect. Other cases, you’re still working on them two years later. This could take awhile,” Rae-Venter told CNN, referring to the Guthrie effort.

In Idaho, DNA from a knife sheath helped point to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/bryan-kohberger-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-without-parole-for-murdering-4-idaho-students-a5e895b16155474ea89d258bf450a84d">Bryan Kohberger</a>&nbsp;in the killings of four University of Idaho students in 2022. Investigators used genealogy sites to build a family tree and pulled trash from the Pennsylvania home of Kohberger's parents to make a connection. Kohberger pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.

Ballard said the source and quality of the DNA evidence held by police can be factors when trying to find matches on genealogy sites.

“It does require a much better sample than CODIS searching does,” she said.

“There are a lot of unknowns when you go into these databases,” Ballard said. “The databases are not equal in terms of ethnic distribution. It’s comparatively easier to find a Caucasian because more have uploaded their data and there are more family trees to mine.”

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