United Way of Central Kansas (UWCK) is proud to announce the awarding of five Impact Grants totaling $2,250 to support programs and projects aimed at strengthening communities across Barton and Pawnee Counties.

The May 2025 Impact Grant recipients are:

"Impact Grants were designed to help our partners across Barton and Pawnee County launch new ideas and strengthen programs that serve our communities in meaningful ways,” said Charell Owings, Executive Director of United Way of Central Kansas. “We are proud to be a part of the work that they are doing and look forward to seeing the impact these great organizations make in our community.”

To learn more about UWCK’s mission and the programs it supports, visit www.uwck.org.

United Way of Central Kansas Awards Impact Grants to Five Local Organizations

100.7 Eagle Country, B104.3 The Point, Hits 106.9, 1590 KVGB AM/95.5 FM and Eldridge Fencing present the Eldridge Fencing Jingle Showdown!

Each week, listeners will hear two different Eldridge Fencing commercials—one featuring Billy and one featuring Wally—each trying to sing the best jingle.

The goal? Bragging rights.
The winner? That’s up to YOU.

The grand prize winner will be announced Monday, July 28th at 7 PM

So who’s got your vote—Wally or Billy?
Cast your vote in-store!&nbsp;

Eldridge Fencing - 80 E. 10th St., Great Bend

Eldridge Fencing Jingle Showdown 

Daily Registration Locations:&nbsp; - Ehler Chevrolet - INA Alert - Equity Bank - Kelly's Garden Sense - Reborn Renovations &amp; Disaster Services - Jimlo Glass - Center for Counseling - T&amp;L Fireworks - GB Tires - Fireworks for Less (Windshields for Less)&nbsp; - Boone's Maytag - Eldridge Fencing - Westside Market/ UPS Store - Nex-Tech Wireless - Cornerstone Automotive - Straub's Powersports - Great Bend Appliance Furniture and Sleep Source - Nex-Tech - Hoisington Veterinary Hospital - Z's Liquormart - Odin Store - Memorial Art Company - Big Bend Custom Engraving (Inside Magna Dry)&nbsp; - GB Car Care - Farley Machine Works - Barton County Health Department

LIMIT ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PER DAY PER SPONSOR LOCATION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reef Blue Summer

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

Make a Difference Contest 

TOPEKA — The Kansas Board of Regents on Thursday approved tuition and fee rates for the upcoming fiscal year at the state’s six public universities, emphasizing a continued focus on affordability and student success.

“The Regents’ strategic plan emphasizes affordability for Kansas families and success for students in our institutions,” said KBOR Chair Carl Ice in a statement. “These tuition rates balance those priorities by keeping costs as low as possible while ensuring that state universities can continue to help students succeed in the classroom and in their careers after graduation.”

The decision aligns with the Board’s strategic plan, Building a Future, which aims to improve student outcomes while expanding access to financial aid. According to KBOR, on-time graduation rates at state universities have increased by 10.2 percentage points over the last five years. Entry-level wages for graduates have risen more than 15% since 2020, and the total amount of need-based aid, grants, and scholarships has grown by 28%.

Individual tuition rate changes for each university are expected to be posted on the Board’s website.

The six state universities governed by KBOR include the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University, Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University and Pittsburg State University.

You can view the&nbsp;c<a href="https://www.kansasregents.gov/resources/University_Tuition_Proposals_to_KBOR_05142025.pdf">omprehensive tables of approved tuition and fees&nbsp;at this link.&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

Kansas Board of Regents approve tuition, fee rates; FHSU up 4%

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Recent obituaries 

From Barton Community College: Story and photo by Joe Vinduska

With multiple people in her family being teachers, including her parents, Barton Alum Courtney Cook of Ellinwood always knew she wanted to be a teacher, and getting to do that in her hometown has made accomplishing her goal even sweeter.

“I love to see the students grow,” she said. “I love to see their excitement and creativity grow. I had some great teachers growing up. I admit I was not the best student to all my teachers, but those teachers never gave up on me. I admire those teachers the most, and I want to be like them. I want to be that teacher who never gives up on a student and comes to school every day for them.”

While her job is to impart knowledge and teach a curriculum, Cook said building bonds with her students is one of the most rewarding parts.

“I have truly enjoyed teaching concepts and skills and making relationships with the students,” she said. “I learn so much from the students. At the young age of first grade, the first graders love to be at school and love to learn. We celebrate everything. At the end of the day, I hope the students remember me as their teacher and cheerleader. Always supporting them no matter what.”&nbsp;

Cook said Barton did an amazing job preparing her to transfer to a four-year university.

“Barton built a strong foundation for me,” she said. “When I got to Fort Hays State University, I was very well prepared when it came to background knowledge in my career path.”

Affordability was also a key element of why she chose Barton. Still, she also enjoyed the one-on-one attention she experienced, that it was close to home, and how diverse the student population was.

“I loved that the class sizes were smaller,” she said. “I enjoyed getting to know each of the instructors, and the instructors made an effort to get to know the students. Barton was and still is very reasonable in their tuition.&nbsp;I lived at home to save money and because of the convenience. Additionally, I had no clue Barton Community College had all the culture and different opportunities when they were just down the road. It was really an eye-opener. I met people from all over the world. I met people of different backgrounds, races, and cultures and saw people on different journeys in life. I met some of my best friends there. Just go, you won’t regret it.”

She graduated from Barton in 2022 and will graduate from Fort Hays State University in December of 2025.

For students who are interested in the field of education, Barton also offers the Kansas Board of Regents’ Systemwide Elementary Education Transfer associate degree and the Kansas Department of Education's Registered Teaching Apprenticeship Model, so there are multiple ways to pursue teaching with a focus on transferability and mentorship. &nbsp;&nbsp;

For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://landing.gobarton.com/education" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">education.bartonccc.edu</a>.

Barton alum returns to hometown to teach at Ellinwood Grade School

On 06/11/2025 at 6:14 P.M. an Officer with the Great Bend Police Department contacted a bicyclist following a traffic infraction at 9th and Heizer. During the stop the Officer asked for and received consent to search the subject's backpack. During the search, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located. SHON ROME W/M/49 YOA was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and No Drug Tax Stamp. ROME was transported to the Barton County Jail where he was booked and confined in lieu of bond.

Great Bend Police Arrest Bicyclist for Meth Possession Following Traffic Stop

Longtime Great Bend photographer, Dale Riggs, will give a history of his life and how he came to photograph the “Man on the Street” series, at the Barton County Historical Society, at 7 p.m. Monday, June 23. The program is $5 for those over age 16 and free for those under 16 and society members.&nbsp;

Riggs will also present a review of the history of photographers and their work photographing the common man. He will also share examples of early photographers and their work, as well as examples of his subjects who did not make it into print.&nbsp;&nbsp;Additionally, Riggs will include some of his environmental portraits around the Great Bend area.

The “Man on the Street” series of photographs includes nearly 20 black and white photographs Riggs compiled in the 1980s of various individuals from the area, including postman H. J. Baxter, music teacher P. E. Tilley, cattleman Tom Taylor, painter Jim Queen, and his grandmother, Emma Riggs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Riggs recently donated the series of photographs to the museum.

The Barton County Historical Society is located at 85 S. Hwy. 281, Great Bend just south of the river bridge.&nbsp;&nbsp;Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.&nbsp;&nbsp;Memberships may be purchased the evening of the program.

Riggs to Talk Portrait Photography at Historical Society

Everfull has&nbsp; informed employees, participants, and volunteers that the South-Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SCKAAA) is in the process of terminating its contract with Everfull. 

Effective July 18,000 meals per month will no longer be provided to seniors at 22 locations in Chautauqua, Cowley, Elk, Greenwood, Harper, Kingman, McPherson, Sumner, Reno, and Rice counties by Everfull. 

SCKAAA is a contractor of the state of Kansas for the federal Older Americans Act Title III C1 (congregate “Friendship Meals”) and C2 (home-delivered meals “Meals on Wheels”). Everfull is a nonprofit organization that has provided these meals for SCKAAA as their subcontractor since 1974. 

Since March 2025, Everfull has been working with SCKAAA to avoid disruption of critical senior nutrition programs known as Friendship Meals and Meals on Wheels in the ten counties. After three months of attempting to work through complex financial issues, SCKAAA made the decision on June 3 to begin termination of Everfull’s contract to provide services in the ten counties effective June 30, 2025. 

While details of this contract cancellation continue to be determined, Everfull must make plans to wind down operations in these ten counties to guarantee the survival of these necessary services in the other counties served. Everfull meal services in Butler, Harvey, and Sedgwick counties are funded by the Central Plains Area Agency on Aging (CPAAA) and will continue to operate as normal and without interruption. 

“We are surprised and saddened at this decision by SCKAAA,” Charles Johnston, Executive Director stated. “In their verbal contract termination, SCKAAA stated that they are planning to provide meal services on July 1, 2025, which leads us to believe they have identified funding to make that possible, but we have no information.”  

“Everfull remains ready to re-establish an equitable collaboration and partnership should the SCKAAA Board of Directors desire to reverse course,” Johnston affirmed. “Limited time remains for Everfull to be able to wait for this decision to be reversed by the SCKAAA Board. Our employees, participants, volunteers, and communities deserve clarity, even if it is not the outcome anyone hoped for.

Everfull grieves the loss of our Friendship Meals and Meals on Wheels programs in Chautauqua, Cowley, Elk, Greenwood, Harper, Kingman, McPherson, Sumner, Reno, and Rice counties. If these communities desire Friendship Meals or Meals on Wheels provided by Everfull to continue, Everfull recommends three courses of action:

1. Contact SCKAAA to express your interest in the Board reversing its decision.

2. Donate to Everfull to close the budget gap.

3. Counties or communities contact Everfull to establish a local meal program outside of SCKAAA and state/federal funding mechanisms.

President of the Board of Director of Everfull, Lucy Heller, ended saying, “We are disappointed but determined to move forward with anyone willing to collaborate, acknowledge financial realities, and support the provision of the highest quality services for the lowest expense, yielding excellent return on investment of taxpayer dollars and donations.” 

Everfull ending meals program in 10 Kansas counties

STAFFORD COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Wednesday in Stafford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Mazda 3 driven by Brittany L.&nbsp;Hayden, 38, Hutchinson, was westbound on NE 40th Street at NE 120th Avenue. The driver failed to yield to a southbound 2016 Chevy Silverado driven by Willem A. Vanderwalt, 42, St. John. The vehicles collided.

EMS transported Hayden to the Stafford County Hospital. Vanderwalt and a 10-year-old in the Mazda were not injured. The occupants of the Mazda were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman hospitalized after car, pickup crash

A clean stock tank with high-quality water promotes healthy livestock. Nursing calves have a nine percent higher weight gain when drinking water from a trough rather than from a pond. Poor tasting water can influence forage intake. Drinking more water can mean more efficient forage consumption. Viruses, parasites, and bacteria thrive in tanks that are not properly cleaned.&nbsp;Keeping your stock tank clean can be a challenge in the summer. Warm summer temperatures, abundant sunlight, and nutrients mix together to create ideal conditions for algae growth. Nutrients from slobber, excrement, leaves, or other debris can stimulate harmful algae growth. Algae changes the taste of water, and some types are even toxic, like blue-green algae, which is toxic to livestock. Using fencing or other barriers to limit livestock access to ponds can mitigate nutrient introduction. Barriers should be low enough that critters won’t slip underneath.

Most tanks should be drained and cleaned once or twice a year. Add one part of household chlorine bleach for 32 parts of water. Let the water sit for 15 minutes. Drain and scrub the tank well. Keep livestock away from the tank for at least 30 minutes after cleaning. Getting the tank empty can be difficult unless the tank has a built-in drain. In the case of no drain, turn the water off and let the livestock drink the water down to a point where it can be managed.

Once the tank is cleaned, there are a few ways to keep it clean. First, keep debris (leaves, dead plants) out of the tank. Two ounces of household chlorine bleach to fifty gallons of water weekly will help regulate algae growth. Or copper sulfate, an eighth of a teaspoon per hundred gallons.

Goldfish are also an option for algae control. Add four to six goldfish per 100 gallons of tank capacity. Goldfish survive best when the temperature is at least sixty degrees, they need bricks, rocks, or some structure to hide from predators like birds or raccoons. Fish kills are a concern if the water level gets too low and there is not enough oxygen or in the winter when it’s too cold.&nbsp;Keeping the troughs out of direct sunlight can also help minimize algae growth. Freeze-proof troughs, such as floating ball top waterers, work well in cold weather and work to keep water cool in the summer.

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating.

BOOR: Cleaning stock tanks – priority?

A PLANNING HORIZON OF 10 YEARS —OR MORE — CAN HELP REACH GOALS

Preparing to transition a&nbsp;<a href="https://familybusinessmagazine.com/" target="_blank">family business</a>&nbsp;to the next owner — whether it be a family member or third-party buyer — is a process that requires taking the long view. The business owner who decides to retire one year from now without having made any preparations is about 10 years too late. The owner will be able to sell, but may have to make concessions on price, deal structure and tax consequences that would not have been necessary if the proper long-range planning had been done.&nbsp;

While every business is different, it is also true that every business is the same. That is, every business owner needs to look at the distant horizon, questioning basic assumptions about the business, assessing the talents and wishes of family members who may someday become owners, and innovating in ways that keep the company at the top of its game in order to maximize value. All of this takes time and careful planning, preferably with the help of trusted advisors along the way.&nbsp;

Business owners and family farm owners who follow certain steps in planning for exit are more likely to reach the goals they set for a successful transition.&nbsp;&nbsp;

When it comes to setting goals for a business transition, your first thought may be,&nbsp;“Well, my goal is to sell the business.”&nbsp;But there’s so much more to think about.&nbsp;

Are there family members who may want to own the business, or whom you have been grooming to take over? Or are there key employees whom you have trained and entrusted with the company’s growth and operations over the years?&nbsp;You may think of them as family, too, and they may be candidates for ownership.&nbsp;

Additionally, you should consider what you are going to do in retirement. You may want to step away from the business altogether, or keep a hand in it as a consultant for a few years. Either way, you probably expect some type of retirement cash flow stream.&nbsp;

If you haven’t thought about your post-transition role, now is the time to think about it. And if you are not going to continue being active in the business, what will you do with your time? It’s important to envision your retirement life before you get there. Retirement isn’t just about selling your business and handing over the keys. It’s about having a life afterward, and if you are confident in what that life will look like, it will make it easier for you to do the planning and preparation that your business deserves.&nbsp;

Step 2 — Identify your successor

For owners of family businesses and farms, this can be the most emotional factor in transition planning. Perhaps the farm has been in your family for three generations, it is a thriving entity and your son or daughter is eager to take it over. Congratulations — you’re golden. But for many owners, the succession picture is more complicated.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Maybe you are now 60 years old and you have decided you’ll work till age 70, which gives you 10 years for planning and preparation to transition your company or farm. But when you reach age 70, your children will likely be at least in their mid-40s. If they aren’t already working with you in the business or farm, they may have established careers elsewhere and will be in their prime earning years when you’re ready for them to take over.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This reality adds another wrinkle to the planning picture for family business and farm owners. If your long-range goal is for the next generation of your family to take over the business, planning must start while they are fairly young — high school is not too early — so they can gain a college education and work experience that will benefit them and prepare them for ownership.&nbsp;

Communication is one of the most critical factors in preparing for transition of a family entity. If you want and expect your children to take over the family business, it must be discussed at a time when the children can decide whether they want to succeed you and, if so, plan how to prepare themselves. Among&nbsp;<a href="https://www.adamsbrowncpa.com/industries/agribusiness/">family farms,</a>&nbsp;the majority of transitions involve succession to family members, and it is more common for the younger generation to be involved in the business and to have gotten the education and training needed to run the farm.&nbsp;

In some families, the parents are reluctant to share much information with their children even when the children reach adulthood. But you can’t expect an adult to plan his or her life around taking over a family business if they aren’t privy to critical information that can help them decide, particularly if it could involve taking on a substantial debt. Business transactions can unravel over poor communication, even among family members. When that happens, the owner should have a Plan B, such as selling to a key employee or finding an outside buyer.&nbsp;

Another key point of communication is educating the successor as to the roles you have filled in the operation. Have you, like many owners, acted as the CEO, COO, CMO and HR director? When you transition the business, the next owner — whether it’s a family member or outside buyer — needs to understand all the roles involved and have job descriptions that will guide the hiring of new managers to help run the operation.&nbsp;

Step 3 — Identify your company's value&nbsp;

Often, business owners have an idea of what they think their business is worth, but it’s based more on emotion than hard data. Once planning for a transition starts, obtaining an independent business valuation is an essential step to set a benchmark.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Typically, the initial valuation is not used to determine an asking price, since the actual transaction is still years in the future. But the report from an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.adamsbrowncpa.com/services/advisory-consulting/business-valuations/">independent valuation professional</a>&nbsp;will reveal the value drivers in your business and help formulate a multi-year improvement plan that will increase the value. This is particularly important if the entity will be sold to an outside buyer or private equity group.&nbsp;

The value of a business helps determine the path toward transition. A $50 million business requires different transition strategies and tax planning than a $5 million business does. If partial gifting of an entity to a family member is part of the plan, the value of the business helps determine the size of the gifted portion, as well as financing and tax planning strategies for the rest.&nbsp;

Step 4 — Consider a buy-sell agreement

Buy-sell agreements are essential for any business that has more than one owner. This includes unrelated owners as well as extended family members who own a family business together. A buy-sell agreement stipulates how an owner’s share of a business may be transferred upon their death or departure. Often, these agreements are structured to prevent outsiders from gaining control of part of the business and provide a way to determine the value of each owner’s interest.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.adamsbrowncpa.com/blog/preparing-to-sell-your-business/">Once transition planning has begun in a company, it’s important to review the buy-sell agreement if there is one in place.</a>&nbsp;If there is no buy-sell agreement, now is the time to put one in place. If there is a buy-sell agreement but it is outdated, it should be updated at this time. (Generally, buy-sell agreements should be reviewed every two to three years to ensure they are current.)&nbsp;

If there is more than one owner, the transition plans — even if exit is years away — will be coordinated according to the buy-sell agreement.&nbsp;&nbsp;

But agreements on paper are only part of the process. It’s important early in the transition planning to get all owners together for a group meeting to discuss the health of the business and the transition plans. After that, individual meetings with each owner can flesh out additional information that wouldn’t be brought up in a group setting, but which provides important insights into any concerns. Trusted advisors are key facilitators for these meetings, often bridging the communication gaps and helping participants work through hard messages.&nbsp;

Taking into account the value of the business, the proportion held by the seller and other factors, the deal structure is generally designed to be as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.adamsbrowncpa.com/blog/tax-tips-when-buying-the-assets-of-a-business/">tax efficient as possible</a>. Some of the factors considered are:&nbsp;&nbsp;

Once the tax strategy is worked out and the deal structure is clear, everyone is on the same page and it’s time to start drafting the legal documents. At that point, the business transition starts to feel real.&nbsp;

One of the most important steps in planning for a business exit may also be one of the most difficult for many owners.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ask yourself,&nbsp;“Will my business still be relevant five or ten years from now?”&nbsp;

Businesses need to adjust to changing times to stay relevant and to grow their value. Just because you envision retiring in five or ten years does not mean you can stop innovating in your company. Indeed, this is the time to step up innovations and improvements that will increase the value and marketability of the entity.&nbsp;

Is there a new technology that is driving innovation in your industry?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.adamsbrowntech.com/blog/5-steps-every-business-should-take-before-investing-in-ai/">Have you invested in artificial intelligence (AI) technology to help keep your business ahead of the curve?</a>&nbsp;

Most importantly, what is the long-term outlook for your industry? Markets change, technologies change and customer needs change, and failure to adapt and capitalize on changing conditions will render your business irrelevant and lower its value.&nbsp;

This is a lot to think about, but fortunately you have time — IF you are starting the transition process early enough. Moreover, you have a roadmap with clear steps to take.&nbsp;

If you would like to start the long-range process of family business planning succession,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.adamsbrowncpa.com/contact/">contact an Adams Brown advisor.</a>

Barton County Sheriff's booking activity (6/10)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Every time Indiana has lost a game in the last three months, it simply has come back to win the next one.

Even in the NBA Finals — against a huge favorite who the Pacers now have in some trouble.

Bennedict Mathurin scored 27 points off the bench, Tyrese Haliburton finished with 22 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, and the Pacers retook the lead in the NBA Finals by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-107 in Game 3 on Wednesday night.

“This is the kind of team that we are,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “We need everybody to be ready. It’s not always going to be exactly the same guys that are stepping up with scoring and stuff like that. But this is how we’ve got to do it.”

Pascal Siakam scored 21 for Indiana, which enjoyed a whopping 49-18 edge in bench points. The Pacers, who lost Game 2 in Oklahoma City, improved to 10-0 since mid-March in the game immediately following a loss.

“So many different guys chipped in,” Haliburton said.

Jalen Williams scored 26 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 24 and Chet Holmgren had 20 for the Thunder, who led by five going into the fourth.

Game 4 is back in Indiana on Friday night.

“We had a lot of good stretches of the game,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “But they had more good stretches than we did — and outplayed us over the course of 48 minutes.”

History says the Pacers are in control now; in the 41 previous NBA Finals that were tied at a game apiece, the Game 3 winner went on to hoist the trophy 33 times — an 80.5% clip.

It was back-and-forth much of the way. There were 15 ties; to put that in perspective, there were 13 ties in the five-game entirety of last year’s finals between Boston and Dallas. The last time there was a finals game with more ties: Game 1 between Cleveland in Golden State in 2018, which was knotted 17 times.

TJ McConnell finished with 10 points, five assists and five steals for Indiana; since all those stats started being charted, nobody had ever come off the bench and done all that in an NBA Finals game.

“We just had guys make plays after plays,” Haliburton said. “Our bench was amazing.”

The Thunder were 61-2 when leading going into the fourth quarter in the regular season. They’re 1-2 when leading going into the fourth quarter in this series. Indiana — at home in an NBA Finals game for the first time in 25 years,&nbsp;with Caitlin Clark, Reggie Miller, Oscar Robertson&nbsp;and many other stars in the crowd — simply owned the final 12 minutes.

Indiana outscored OKC 32-18 in the fourth, holding the Thunder to 35% shooting with the game and control of the series on the line.

“There’s a lot of areas we can clean up,” Holmgren said. “Everybody who stepped out there can be better.”

Game 3: Pacers rally in the 4th, beat Thunder 116-107 to take 2-1 lead in NBA Finals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Aaron Judge homered for the third consecutive game, Clarke Schmidt allowed just two hits over six innings, and the New York Yankees cruised to a 6-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night.

Paul Goldschmidt added a pair of RBIs during a five-run second inning for New York, which improved to 5-0 against the Royals this season. The Yankees are are 12-3 against them since the start of last season, including their playoff series win.

Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer during a three-run ninth for Kansas City.

Schmidt (3-3) allowed one runner to reach second base, and that was courtesy of his own balk that advanced Maikel Garcia in the first inning. He also struck out seven to remain unbeaten in six regular-season appearances against the Royals. Devin Williams got the final two outs for his eighth save.

Kris Bubic (5-4) looked like he might be in for a duel with Schmidt after a perfect first inning. But he proceeded to allow five runs on four hits and two walks during the second, and ultimately six hits and four walks in just 4 1/3 innings.

Judge's homer off Steven Cruz came on the heels of a two-homer game Sunday against Boston and a 469-foot shot in the series opener against Kansas City on Tuesday night. The two-time MVP has eight RBIs over the three-game span.

Until Perez's homer, the biggest highlight for the Royals came in the fifth inning, when the Yankees loaded the bases with one out. DJ LeMahieu hit a sharp grounder to third base, where Garcia fielded it while falling to his rump. He threw to second from his back side, and a relay by Jonathan India to first base resulted in an inning-ending double play.

Jazz Chisholm, who later left the game with left groin tightness, drew a walk in the second inning after plate umpire Lance Barrett called what would have been the third strike a questionable ball. The Yankees capitalized on their fortunes, sending 10 batters to the plate in what became the decisive inning.

The Royals (34-34) are 10-18 after going on a 16-2 run in April and May.

Yankees RHP Will Warren (4-3, 5.34) starts the series finale Thursday night. RHP Seth Lugo (3-5, 3.46) goes for Kansas City.

Aaron Judge homers in third straight game, Clarke Schmidt dazzles as Yankees beat the Royals, 6-3

Pending approval from the Barton Community College Board of Trustees at their meeting later this month, Jim Cartisser is expected to become the volleyball program's next head coach.

Cartisser comes to Great Bend after spending 18 seasons at the College of Southern Idaho including the last six seasons as head coach leading the Golden Eagles to a 118-61 overall record.

"Jim comes to Barton a proven winner!" remarked Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs. "His background and resume in collegiate volleyball speaks for itself. We look forward to Coach Cartisser arriving in Great Bend to guide Barton Volleyball to NJCAA prominence."

Serving the first twelve seasons as an assistant, the last eight assisting his late wife Heidi, the duo led the Golden Eagles to a trio of NJCAA national titles and a national runner-up finish.

During his tenure as the Head Coach, the Golden Eagles claimed another NJCAA Championship in 2018 as Cartisser was named both the AVCA and NJCAA Coach of the Year.

A native of Oregon, the love of volleyball started on the sand courts carrying onto the hard court collegiately competing for Portland State University's club team.

Entering the collegiate coaching ranks in 1994, Cartisser has served as either a head or assistant coach throughout his career, along with coaching multiple club team programs.

Cartisser inherits an expected reloaded Cougar squad assembled by Megan Besecker prior to her departure taking over the reigns of NCAA Division II Pittsburg State University.

The 2024 Cougars captured their second straight KJCCC title on the way to their 24th NJCAA National Tournament appearance, finishing 4th in the nation at 33-4 overall.

Cartisser set to take over Barton Volleyball program

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — The toughest test in golf is underway at the course reputed to be the toughest in America. Matt Vogt has hit the opening shot at Oakmont to start the 125th edition of the U.S Open. It was a fitting start for the Indiana dentist who once caddied at Oakmont. Vogt is among 16 players who paid an entry fee and made it through 54 holes of qualifying. And his tee shot found the notorious rough at Oakmont. That's been on everyone's mind this week. Scottie Scheffler goes after his second straight major. Bryson DeChambeau is the defending champion.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Bennedict Mathurin scored 27 off the bench, Tyrese Haliburton scored 22 and the Indiana Pacers reclaimed the lead in the NBA Finals by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-107 in Game 3 on Wednesday night. Haliburton also had 11 assists and nine rebounds for the Pacers, who got 21 points from Pascal Siakam and enjoyed a whopping 49-18 edge in bench points on their way to a 2-1 lead in the series. The Pacers, who lost Game 2 in Oklahoma City, improved to 10-0 in mid-March in the game immediately following a loss. Jalen Williams scored 26 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 and Chet Holmgren had 20 for the Thunder, who led by five going into the fourth.

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — The star of this U.S. Open is Oakmont. Rory McIlroy had a peaceful start to his final day of practice with the sun rising on the horizon. The chaos begins when the score starts to count in the opening round Thursday. Oakmont is reputed to be the toughest course in the land. The U.S. Open prides itself on being the toughest test in golf. Scottie Scheffler is the favorite. He's coming off three wins in his last four starts. That includes the PGA Championship. U.S. Open official says they don't try to protect par. Oakmont usually does that for them.

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — On the 25-year anniversary of Woods’ historic dismantling of Pebble Beach in the U.S. Open — a milestone win that some thought might puncture golf’s stereotype as a sport for rich, white men — Chase Johnson is the only player of Black heritage in the 156-man field at Oakmont. The last man to qualify for this year's Open, Johnson says he's trying to build his profile so maybe he can inspire young players the way Woods once inspired him.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Rick Carlisle used the line after the Indiana Pacers won the Eastern Conference title earlier this month, the one that is the official motto for the state’s basketball Hall of Fame and surely has been uttered for generations. “In 49 other states, it’s just basketball,” Carlisle said. “But this is Indiana.” It’s true: Basketball never loses importance here. But these days, the state — and Indianapolis especially — probably feels like the center of the basketball universe.

Just weeks after winning the Champions League for the first time in its history, Paris Saint-Germain’s eyes are now on FIFA’s shiny new Club World Cup. The newly-crowned European champion can add the world title to a trophy haul that also included a French league and cup double this season. But it must come through an exacting test against some of the best teams in the world from Europe, Latin America, Asia and beyond - as well as a Lionel Messi-inspired Inter Miami.

Eight female athletes have filed an appeal of a landmark NCAA antitrust settlement. They argue that women would not receive their fair share of $2.7 billion in back pay for athletes who were barred from making money off their name, image and likeness. U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken approved the settlement last week. The athletes who appealed the settlement Wednesday competed in soccer, volleyball and track. An attorney representing the women says the settlement violates Title IX, the federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in education. The attorney says female athletes are being deprived of $1.1 billion.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — When the 2026 World Cup begins across North America one year from this week, sports figures from across Los Angeles are hoping the global soccer community will find the U.S. both inspiring and welcoming. The Fox network marked the one-year milestone Wednesday night with a big party at its studio lot in Century City. The attendees all expressed excitement about the return of the world’s premier soccer tournament to the U.S. while acknowledging the uncertainty of whether the nation’s fraught political climate could present challenges to the teams, the World Cup organizers and the network that will broadcast the tournament domestically.

DENVER (AP) — Deion Sanders posted on social media that “everything is OKAY” after not being able to attend football camps in Boulder, Colorado, so far this spring. The Colorado coach’s health has come into question because of his extended absence. Sanders thanked al the well wishers on X for all their thoughts and prayers. He added that once he arrives back in Boulder he will give updates. The 57-year-old Sanders has dealt with issues surrounding his left foot since having two toes amputated in 2021 because of blood clot issues while at Jackson State.

BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox rookie Hunter Dobbins made some headlines prior to his first career start against the Yankees last week when he said he’d rather retire than pitch for New York. Now he’s explaining why the claims he made about his father once playing in the minors for Boston’s longtime rival aren’t the intentional fabrication that a New York newspaper report says. Dobbins says the references he made stemmed from stories passed along from his father when he was a kid and nothing more. He says he understands the fervor his comments created and says his focus now is on his upcoming matchup with the Yankees this weekend.

INTERLEAGUE Final Cleveland 11 Cincinnati 2 Final Toronto 5 St. Louis 2 Final Arizona 5Seattle 2

AMERICAN LEAGUE Final L.A. Angels 6Athletics 5 Final Baltimore 10 Detroit 1 Final Boston 4 Tampa Bay 3 Final Minnesota 6 Texas 2 Final N.Y. Yankees 6 Kansas City 3 Final Houston 10 Chicago White Sox 2

NATIONAL LEAGUE Final Pittsburgh 5 Miami 2 Final Philadelphia 7 Chicago Cubs 2 Final Atlanta 6 Milwaukee 2 Final L.A. Dodgers 5 San Diego 2 Final N.Y. Mets 5 Washington 0 Final San Francisco 10 Colorado 7

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS Final Indiana 116 Oklahoma City 107

Thursday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Friday, June 13 6:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Athletics @ Kansas City Saturday, June 14 2:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Athletics @ Kansas City 6:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Major League Baseball - San Diego @ Arizona Sunday, June 15 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Athletics @ Kansas City 5:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Major League Baseball - San Francisco @ LA Dodgers Monday, June 16 6:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Finals Game 5 Tuesday, June 17 6:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ Texas Wednesday, June 18 6:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ Texas Thursday, June 19 1:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ Texas 6:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Finals Game 6 Friday, June 20 8:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ San Diego Saturday, June 21 5:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ San Diego Sunday, June 22 2:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ San Diego 6:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Finals Game 7 Tuesday, June 24 6:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Tampa Bay @ Kansas City Wednesday, June 25 6:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Tampa Bay @ Kansas City

Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting PBP Schedule

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;On the heels of one of the finest seasons in Kansas baseball history, including a program record 42 regular season wins, Director of Athletics&nbsp;Travis Goff&nbsp;announced Tuesday that 2025 Big 12 Coach of the Year&nbsp;Dan Fitzgerald&nbsp;has signed an amended six-year contract with the Jayhawks.

Fitzgerald led Kansas to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014 this past season, while overseeing a truly historic season in Lawrence. The Jayhawks set program records in Big 12 wins (20), conference wins (20), conference series wins (seven), conference series sweeps (five), road wins (20), come-from-behind wins (26) and home runs (104)."This contract is a reflection of&nbsp;Dan Fitzgerald's remarkable impact during his time in Lawrence," Goff said. "The program's progression on the field is well documented and certainly unprecedented. And this extension demonstrates our belief that we can compete for conference championships and CWS appearances under his leadership. Dan is an elite leader and mentor for the student-athletes in his program, creating a culture of accountability, holistic excellence and strong character."

"Fitz and his wonderful family have been an ideal fit for our department and the community, and we are excited for the future of Kansas Baseball under one of the very best leaders in the country.

"The investment in the coaching staff for KU baseball is part of a broader investment in the sport of baseball at Kansas. An increase in scholarships, plans to implement revenue sharing for student-athletes in the program, and the prioritization of facility investment present an opportunity for Kansas baseball to be a leader in the Big 12 and nationally.

Prior to the 2025 season, Hoglund Ballpark saw several upgrades, including a new field surface installed by Mammoth Sports Construction. Kansas Athletics and Mammoth Sports Construction are continuing to evaluate and analyze future facility investments at Hoglund Ballpark.

"Kelly and I would like to thank Chancellor Girod,&nbsp;Travis Goff,&nbsp;Sean Lester&nbsp;and the entire administration for the opportunity to continue to build Kansas Baseball," Fitzgerald said. "I am so appreciative to my staff who have worked relentlessly to recruit and develop the right student-athletes. This past season was a major step forward – one that gives us a great road map for the journey ahead.

"Fitzgerald was introduced as the Kansas coach in June of 2022 and wasted no time turning around a team that finished last in the Big 12 the season before his arrival. He and his coaching staff of&nbsp;Brandon Scott,&nbsp;Tyler Hancock&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jon Coyne&nbsp;quickly overhauled the roster, announcing the addition of a transfer class that was ranked in the Top 25 nationally by Baseball America and D1Baseball.

Fitzgerald, who has 99 victories over his first three seasons as the Kansas coach, won his debut in February of 2023 with a 5-1 victory over Valparaiso. Fitzgerald's fingerprints were all over KU's early success in his first season. The Jayhawks ultimately won 25 games and doubled their conference win total and improved their overall win total by five games. Kansas also tied a program record with 75 home runs, taking advantage of Fitzgerald's offensive background.

The first season under Fitzgerald also boasted a seven-game winning streak, which included a series win at No. 19 West Virginia.&nbsp;Kodey Shojinaga&nbsp;was named Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year under Fitzgerald's tutelage and the Jayhawks upset No. 1 seed and nationally ranked Texas in the opening round of the Big 12 Championship.

The Jayhawks took another positive step in Fitzgerald's second season. Landing the No. 1 junior college recruiting class for the second straight year, Kansas assembled the No. 9 overall transfer class in the country per D1Baseball and the best class in the Big 12 Conference.

Kansas finished year two of the Fitzgerald era with a 31-23 (15-15 Big 12) record and made it to the semifinals of the Big 12 Championship for the first time in 11 years. &nbsp;Fitzgerald and his staff once again produced the Big 12 Freshman of the Year in&nbsp;Dominic Voegele.

Shojinaga and Voegele won the award in back-to-back years after the Jayhawks had never had a prior winner. KU won a series against No. 3 TCU, marking the first series win against a top-five ranked opponent since 2010 and the 15 Big 12 wins tied a program record.

Following the season, Kansas produced six draft picks, which marked the most KU players selected in the top 20 rounds of an MLB Draft in program history. Two others signed professional contracts, giving KU eight players from the 2024 roster moving on to play professional baseball, marking the most players in a single year in program history.

All that set up an incredibly memorable season in Lawrence in 2025. &nbsp;The Jayhawks opened the year by winning their first eight games of the season to equal their best start to a season in 11 years. Kansas then tied an NCAA record in March when it hit five consecutive home runs at Minnesota en route to a 17-3 start—the best 20-game start in 135 seasons of Kansas baseball.

Five days after the five homers at Minnesota, Kansas was ranked No. 22 in the NCBWA Top 25 poll, marking the first national ranking for the Jayhawks since 2014. The Jayhawk faithful rewarded the team's efforts by setting a Hoglund Ballpark attendance record on March 28 against Oklahoma State with 2,660 fans. That game came in the middle of a nine-game winning streak, which is tied for the longest winning streak of the Fitzgerald era to this point. &nbsp;The Jayhawks never relented the rest of the season, winning five of their final six conference games, including a three-game sweep at No. 14 West Virginia to close the regular season and finish with a 20-10 record in the Big 12 to lead all conference teams in Big 12 victories. The sweep on the road against a ranked West Virginia team was the first sweep on the road against a Top 25 opponent since 2003 and gave Kansas 42 regular season wins, four more than its previous best. &nbsp;Fitzgerald, who was named the first Big 12 Coach of the Year in program history following the West Virginia trip, led the Jayhawks to the Big 12 Championship semifinals for the second straight year. Kansas was then selected for the Fayetteville Regional in the NCAA Tournament, making its first regional appearance in 11 years and continuing to show the rapid rise of the Jayhawks under Fitzgerald.

"Travis and I have a shared vision and excitement for the future of Jayhawk Baseball," Fitzgerald explained. "His leadership and trust have been a major foundational piece of our success.

I am very honored and blessed to be the head baseball coach at the University of Kansas and confidently look forward to the future of KU Baseball."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansas Inks Big 12 Coach of the Year Dan Fitzgerald to New 6-Year Deal

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Austin Wells hit a three-run homer and finished with five RBIs, Aaron Judge hit&nbsp;the third-longest homer&nbsp;in the majors this season, and the New York Yankees routed the Kansas City Royals 10-2 on Tuesday night.

Max Fried (9-1) bounced back from his first loss of the season, pitching seven innings of two-run ball for New York.

Wells homered on a full-count pitch from Noah Cameron (2-2) with two outs in the fourth inning, then added a two-run double in the sixth after a 10-pitch duel with Taylor Clarke. He matched his career high for RBIs in a game.

Judge's two-run homer in the first had an exit velocity of 117.9 mph and traveled 469 feet, landing on the roof of the Royals Hall of Fame in left field. Only the Angels' Mike Trout and Logan O'Hoppe have hit longer home runs this season.

Judge added a bloop RBI single in the sixth inning, when the Yankees put the game away with five more runs off the Kansas City bullpen. Cody Bellinger drove in one of them with the 1,000th hit of his career.

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