By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Cross country, track and field, and most recently, volleyball. Ellinwood High School has seen its share of success in high school athletics over the years, but the Eagle boys' basketball team have never claimed a state title. Three times, however, Ellinwood came close with runner-up finishes in 1970 and 1984, and a fourth-place finish in 1976. Last Friday, members of the 1975-76 team were present during the regular-season finale at EHS to celebrate the 50-year anniversary their fourth-place state finish. 

“We had great team scoring and team play,” said Rich Meyer,
the starting center for that team. “The starters all averaged about 10-13
points, right in that range, so nobody could really count on stopping any one
guy.”

Fifty years later, members of the team are now in their
mid-60s, scattered around the state and country, or in various states of
health. Present Friday were Meyer, Wayne DeWerff, Mike McCarty, and Frank
Feemster, who served as manager for the 1975-76 season. Meyer, who stands 6-5,
included a bit of memorabilia by wearing the blue Converse sneakers he wore in
his final prep season.

Starters that year included Meyer, who grabbed a team-high 240 rebounds and averaged 8.7 points a game. Mark Koch led the team at 13.4 points per game with 209 rebounds. Chris Urban averaged nearly 12 points a night, the late Greg Downing scored 10 points a game, and Ted Petz averaged nearly nine points a contest. Senior David Riffel averaged five points and was fourth on the team in rebounds as one of the first players off the bench. Junior Hartig, who went on to a successful football career at Fort Hays State University, averaged three points as a junior.

“In track practice, we would do a one-lap warm-up,” Meyer
recalled. “For the fun of it, I’d tell Junior I was tired that day and to carry
me. He’d put me on his shoulder and run a lap, and I was 195 pounds. It was
nothing for him.”

The Eagles were coached by Francis Flax. Just three years
later, he moved on to the junior college level as the head men’s basketball
coach and softball coach at Highland Community College from 1979-1988. After
piling up an impressive win total, he moved on to Salina, where he began the
athletic department at Brown Mackie College. Serving as athletic director from
1990-2017, he also coached men’s basketball from 1992-2016, winning six Region
VI titles in the process. In those six years at the national tournament, Flax’s
teams won two titles, and also finished third, fourth, and fifth. Francis’ son,
Bryson, stepped down at Southeast of Saline High School in 2024, after six
successful years with that program. Francis stepped in to take the reigns and
continues to coach the Trojans.

The 1975-76 Ellinwood team was not without some local inspiration. Six years earlier, the Eagles advanced all the way to the state championship game before falling to Hill City 71-58. The Ringnecks finished with just one loss that year.

“We were kids then, and that got us motivated to do the same
thing,” said Meyer, who now resides in Wichita.

The Eagles were successful from start to finish that season,
winning their first 19 games. Ellinwood won the Sterling Mid-Season Tournament even though reaching just half of their average scoring total for the season. The team suffered
its first loss of the season in a 61-54 battle against Lindsborg in the Central
Prairie League championship game. The Eagles won their first two regional
contests, then took down second-ranked Ellis in the finals. At sub-state,
Ellinwood defeated Oberlin and Greensburg to secure a spot at the Class 2A
State Tournament at Emporia’s White Auditorium.

As the No. 2 seed, Ellinwood handled Rose Hill 68-50 in
round one. The Eagles ran into Oakley in the state semifinals, falling 79-57.

“They shot 63 percent, I think, for the game, and 76 percent
in the second half,” said Meyer. “I remember balls just looking like they were
going to come off and they would fall in the hole. It was miserable.”

The Plainsmen also made 13 of their 15 free throw attempts
that night. Oakley went on to defeat Osborne 62-52 in the state championship
game, finishing the season at 25-4 overall after losses to Class 4A Topeka
Highland Park and Class 5A Kansas City Wyandotte in the Grand State Tournament
featuring teams from all classes.

Even with the loss, the Eagles had the opportunity to play
in one of the most famous venues in the state. The showcase paid off for Meyer
in ways he did not expect.

“I thought it was awesome,” he said. “All I remember is after
the game, the tight end coach for Emporia State stopped and talked to me and
recruited me to go to Emporia State. That’s where I ended up going on a
scholarship for football.”

Ellinwood could not rebound from the Oakley loss, falling to
Erie 72-65 in the 2A state consolation finals. The Eagles finished fourth at
state with a 24-3 record. Those 24 wins in a season are still the most for any
boys’ team at EHS.

The Eagles (11-12) have their work cut out for them tonight
as the No. 11 seed at No. 6 Plainville (16-7). The Lady Eagles will look to
carry the torch as the No. 1 seed with a 22-1 record.

50 years later: Ellinwood celebrates 1975-76 team during regular-season finale

The steady rhythm of wheat harvest defined much of Lee Musil’s life. Now, that lifelong commitment to agriculture will continue strengthening Kansas wheat research for generations to come.

Long-time supporters of wheat research, Lee and Carolyn Musil have made the first legacy gift realized by the Kansas Wheat Research Foundation since its creation in 2011. Through their estate plans, the Musils directed a major gift totaling nearly $1 million to support wheat research and innovation in Kansas.

“The Musil gift is the first estate gift received by the foundation. Not only is the gift significant to helping support wheat research, but hopefully it inspires others to consider the KWC Research Foundation in their estates.”&nbsp;said Aaron Harries, Kansas Wheat Vice President of Research and Operations.&nbsp;“Deferred gifts help provide long-term stability to essential wheat research programs.”

Born in Marysville and raised near Burdett, Lee Musil earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degrees in agricultural journalism from Kansas State University. While a student, he was active in Delta Upsilon and served in ROTC. He later worked as an agricultural journalist and editor before serving as agricultural assistant to First District Congressman Keith Sebelius in Washington, D.C.

Lee returned to the family farm near Burdett and married Carolyn Reich on May 3, 1980. Together, they were strongly rooted in production agriculture and community service. On the farm, Lee assisted with farming, irrigation, certified seed wheat and beef cattle operations. In Great Bend, he was active in the Rotary Club of Great Bend and Trinity United Methodist Church.

Carolyn Reich Musil was born in Beloit and graduated from Downs High School in 1965, receiving recognition as a Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow. She worked at Kansas State University and the Osborne County Extension Service before becoming a full-time farm wife and homemaker. She also served on the Pawnee County Extension Council and represented southwest Kansas on the State Extension Advisory Council.

Their legacy gift establishes the Musil Center for Sustainable Wheat Production, headquartered at the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center. The Center represents a coordinated, high-return public–private investment designed to strengthen wheat research across Kansas and the Great Plains. Established through the Musil’s nearly $1 million estate gift,&nbsp; the first legacy gift realized by the Kansas Wheat Research Foundation, the Center proposes to provide strategic oversight, facilitate collaboration with researchers and industry partners, and represent Kansas wheat research nationally and internationally.

By creating centralized research leadership, the Center intends to reduce duplication, align priorities and accelerate delivery of practical, science-based solutions to producers. Continued state investment will be essential to leverage private dollars, attract competitive federal and industry grants and ensure Kansas remains a national leader in wheat production.

Through this investment, the Musil family’s pledge to wheat will continue far beyond their own fields, strengthening research, supporting producers and molding the future of Kansas agriculture.&nbsp;

Legacy in the Field: Musil family gift advances Kansas wheat research

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman talks with Kylee Graves of the Family Crisis Center in Great Bend.

🎥 Forward Ever: Family Crisis Center in Great Bend

Heartland Farm and Heartland Center for Spirituality will host the free program, Tahtonka: Buffalo and the Plains Indians on March 8 from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Great Bend Motherhouse, 3600 Broadway. Dr. Leo Oliva, Professor Emeritus, Fort Hays State University, will explore the Plains Indians and historical buffalo culture, how technology changed it and how the hide hunters destroyed it.

In 1840, it was estimated there were 40 million buffalo on the Great Plains. Buffalo were the Plains Indians' supermarket, providing food, shelter, clothing, and tools. The robe trade with Euro-Americans provided manufactured items.

The railroads made possible widespread hunting for hides for the leather industry by 1870. Encouraged by the government and the military, who wanted the Indians placed on reservations, the hunters destroyed the buffalo and the Indians' way of life. The great slaughter of the buffalo on the Southern Plains in the 1870s and the Northern Plains in the 1880s forced the Indigenous nations to move to the reservations to survive. Warfare killed many who refused to go to the reservations, and many more died on the reservations from diseases, malnutrition, and hunger.

With a&nbsp;screening of the film,&nbsp;Tahtonka, and with context by and discussion and Q&amp;A with Dr. Oliva, attendees will examine how after the great slaughter of the buffalo, the traditional lives and culture of the Indians could not survive. The final conquest, part of the colonization inspired by the Doctrine of Discovery, came quickly when the buffalo were gone.

A freewill offering will be taken but is not required.

Heartland Farm and Heartland Center to host Tahtonka: Buffalo and the Plains Indians

Eagle Media is celebrating National FFA Week by highlighting the impact of agricultural education and recognizing the businesses that help support the next generation of leaders in rural Kansas.

National FFA Week honors students involved in the organization formerly known as Future Farmers of America and showcases the role agriculture plays in local communities. Eagle Media is partnering with area businesses to spotlight FFA members and their dedication to leadership, service and career development.

“FFA represents hard work, responsibility and the future of agriculture in our region,” Eagle Media General Manager Dakota Tucker said. “As a locally owned media company, we are committed to celebrating the students, families and businesses that keep our rural communities strong.”

This year’s FFA Week recognition is made possible by the support of local and regional businesses, including Kan Equip Great Bend; Linsner Farms; CropWorks Agent Jerry Ney; High Plains Farm Credit; Ag Systems Inc.; H&amp;B Communications; American Plains Coop; Larned Veterinary Clinic; Schreiber Angus; Ricker Seeds; Innovative Livestock Services; Mayo Money Management; Magna Dry Cleaning Services; Warren Brothers; Jacob’s Golf Carts; Nex-Tech Wireless; Rosencrantz Bemis Water Well Service; Francis Financial Services; Auto Body Repair Shop; Great Bend Industries; G&amp;H Insurance; Big Bend Custom Engraving; Sunflower Electric Supply; GB Car Care; Equity Bank; C&amp;E Doors; Clara Barton Medical Center; Keller Insurance and Real Estate; Windshields for Less; Heavy Duty Diesel &amp; Auto; Protective Equipment Testing Laboratory; Brentwood Builders; Jimlo Glass; Delgado’s Mexican Restaurant; Murphy Mini Storage; Stone Sand Company/Stone Waste Management; Barton County Health Department; Allstaff Chartered; Fuller Industries; Miller Plastics; and Freedom Claims Management.

National FFA Week runs through Saturday and is observed annually to promote agricultural education and leadership development across the country.

Celebrating National FFA Week

Good food, live music, and oh, the big awards. Those are some of the planned highlights for Saturday's 104th Annual Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Banquet at the Great Bend Events Center. Chamber CEO Megan Barfield said everything will begin with a social hour.

"The doors open at 6 p.m., and we will have a cocktail hour sponsored by our friends at Equity Bank," she said. "That first hour, as people are coming in and connecting with friends and other businesses, we'll have that cocktail hour. Dry Lake has our bar open this year. We'll have a couple of grazing tables thanks to Paxton (Rein) at Proper Boards &amp; Picnics."

Eagle Media's Shannon Towns will emcee the event, which will feature a live jazz quartet and food made on site by Alan and Gail Moeder with A &amp; G Catering. The banquet, which will culminate with several awards presentations, is presented by Spectrum Partners LLC and The University of Kansas Health System.

"We are celebrating a bunch of amazing individuals," Barfield said. "It feels like our Chamber awards, but our community awards at the same time because these are people and businesses who don't just show up for their chamber family, but they show up for the entire community."

The main program will begin around 8 p.m. The Chamber will recognize the NextGen Leader of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year, and a Legacy Award winner.

Great Bend Chamber to hand out four awards at Saturday's 104th annual banquet

Released Pierce, Robin M on Great Bend Municipal Court Warrant 202600069 for Failure to Appear.by posting a $25O.0O cash bond.

Booked Ramien-Villatoro, Moises on Great Bend N4unicipal Court case 26-280 for No Drivers License, and Improper turn. Bond set at $500.00 cash or Surety or 48 hour O.R. bond.

Booked Finnigan, Swen on Barton County District Court Warrant #BT2021CR0471 for Serve Sentence, with No Bond.

Released Hutchins-Hernandez, Christopher M. on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2026CR0019 for Unlawful Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, and No Kansas Drug Tax Stamp after being granted a $100,000.00 O.R. bond through the Barton County District Court; and Great Bend Municipal Court warrant #202600028 for Failure to Appear by posting a $1,000.00 surety bond through Above and Beyond Bail Bonds, and Reno County District Court warrant #RN2025CR0843 for Contempt of Court; Indirect by posting a $30,000.00 surety bond through Above and Beyond Bail Bonds.

Booked in Kramer, Jason on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2023CR300062 for Serve Sentence, bond set at NO BOND.

Booked Pekarek, Kevin A. Jr. on Barton County District Court warrants #BT2023CR0001 for Probation Violation, #BT2023CR0002 for Probation Violation, and #BT2025CR0273 for Probation Violation; Bonds set at NO BOND.

Barton County Sheriff's Office Booking activity (2/26)

Friday Sunny, with a high near 74. West southwest wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 40. West northwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming east in the evening.

Saturday Sunny, with a high near 68. West southwest wind 8 to 14 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph. Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Sunday A chance of freezing rain before noon, then a chance of rain and snow. Cloudy, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 21.

Monday A chance of freezing rain before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday's weather

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

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

🎙Follow the Great Bend Post Podcast - New Episodes

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reminds Kansans that March and April are when large areas of the state’s rangelands are burned, especially within the Flint Hills.

Prescribed fire is a tool used by landowners and managers to help preserve the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, control invasive species, reduce woody encroachment from species such as Eastern Red Cedar, and provide better forage for cattle. Prescribed burning also reduces the risk of wildfires and is effective in managing rangeland resources. Smoke from the burns can influence the air quality of downwind areas. The use of smoke management techniques is vital to reducing air quality and health impacts.

KDHE will activate the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fksfire.sonomatechdata.com%2Fview%2Fsummary%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019c9b1cf884-34ac1ca4-be64-4efc-a4ba-7293d3062cec-000000/f9y0U47XEA54PlmwlCsWq3DwCJQKaHSxVJMvML6cmSw=446">Kansas smoke modeling tool&nbsp;</a>on March 1, prior to widespread burning in the Flint Hills. The computer models use fire data and current weather conditions to predict the potential contribution of smoke and air quality impacts to downwind areas. There are approximately 2.1 million acres burned on average in the Flint Hills of Kansas and Oklahoma each year.

“We are entering the 16th year that we have been able to provide this important tool for the prescribed fire community,” Douglas Watson, meteorologist and KDHE Bureau of Air, said. “We continue to encourage ranchers and land managers to utilize smoke modeling resources, such as the smoke modeling tool to mitigate potential air quality impacts.”

Prescribed burns 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, cardiovascular diseases, 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 more information about the prescribed burning in the Flint Hills, the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan, April burn restrictions, and the smoke modeling tool, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.ksfire.org%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019c9b1cf884-34ac1ca4-be64-4efc-a4ba-7293d3062cec-000000/-HmDvwiPozt3cWwdgshQVGbryaR5tcLyj88iT2D5ZtQ=446">The Kansas Flint Hills Smoke Management Website.</a>

Health advisory, safety tips for prescribed fire season in Flint Hills

Eagle Media will feature more FFA Week videos along with messages across its radio stations and digital platforms.

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 

- Kyle Haxton, head coach of Hoisington Boys Basketball

- Conor Nicholl of Sunflower Sports Solutions

Friday on Sports Day

Chavez Penn&nbsp;of the 5th ranked Barton Community College men's track and field team has been named the week seven KJCCC and NJCAA Indoor Men's Field Athlete of the Week following his performances at the KJCCC/Region 6 Indoor Championships this past weekend at Pittsburg State University's Robert W. Plaster Center.

Penn delivered one of the weekend's most dominant performances, capturing Region titles in both the triple jump and high jump while adding a fourth-place finish in the long jump to earn the Region 6 Field Athlete of the Meet by scoring 25 points helping Barton finish runner-up.

He claimed the triple jump crown at 15.36m (50-04.75) before clearing a personal best 2.14m (7-00.25) in the high jump, a mark that ranks seventh-best in program history. One day earlier, Penn recorded a nationally qualifying 7.29m (23-11.00) long jump mark in his first time in the event for a five point start to his weekend.

Nationally, the freshman now ranks third in the NJCAA in the triple jump, fourth in the high jump, and seventh in the long jump figuring to be a multi-event scorer at the upcoming national championships.

Penn and his teammates, along with the 3rd ranked women's squad, now shifts focus to the NJCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships set for March 6–7 at Washburn University Indoor Facility in Topeka, Kansas.

Barton's Penn named KJCCC and NJCAA Field Athlete of the Week

Opening the home portion of its 2026 schedule Tuesday afternoon, the Barton Community College softball team split a doubleheader with Rose State College, claiming a 6-1 victory in the opener before falling 4-3 in the nightcap.

Behind another quality start from&nbsp;Charley Wheeler, who struck out seven, the Cougars generated offense in three separate innings to secure the five-run win in game one. In the second contest, Barton battled back from an early deficit but stranded seven baserunners over the final three frames in coming up just short.

The split moves Barton to 5-7 on the season, while Rose State, a national qualifier a year ago, departed Great Bend at 5-9.

Barton will remain at Cougar Field for its next two dates, beginning Saturday with a doubleheader against Northeastern Junior College followed by Monday's matchup versus Division II No. 18 Cowley College. Both twin bills are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. first pitches.

On the afternoon,&nbsp;Laney Wood&nbsp;reached base four times and scored three runs, while&nbsp;Carly Erpelding&nbsp;batted .714 across the twin bill with five hits, two extra-base knocks including her second home run of the season, and RBIs in both contests.

Game One – Barton 6, Rose State 1 Barton broke through in the third inning, manufacturing a pair of runs from the top of the order.&nbsp;Kahli Fields&nbsp;ignited the rally and scored on Wood's RBI single to center. Two batters later, Erpelding lined a run-scoring single to give the Cougars a 2-0 advantage.

Rose State trimmed the margin in the fifth on a run-scoring double, but Barton answered immediately in the bottom half.&nbsp;Peyton McCormick's RBI infield single restored a two-run cushion before&nbsp;Morgan Thatcher&nbsp;followed with a base hit to left, extending the lead to 4-1.

The Cougars added insurance in the sixth.&nbsp;Shaylee Spears&nbsp;drew a walk and came around to score on Wood's RBI double, scoring on&nbsp;Mollie Steiner&nbsp;double to right center for the final 6-1 margin.

Wheeler was steady throughout, tossing a complete-game five-hitter to improve to 4-2 on the season. The right-hander scattered three walks while striking out seven in following her previous 10 punchout performance last time on the diamond.

Barton finished with 11 hits in the opener, led by Wood's 3-for-4 performance that included two RBIs and three runs scored. Erpelding went a perfect 3-for-3 with a walk and RBI, while McCormick added two hits in the victory.

Game Two – Rose State 4, Barton 3 The nightcap featured early power swings. Rose State opened the scoring on a first-inning sacrifice fly before Erpelding answered immediately, launching a solo home run in the bottom half to even the game on her second home run of the year.

The Raiders regained the lead in the second on a two-run homer, Barton responding in the fourth when&nbsp;Hailey Horton&nbsp;delivered a two-run blast to center, her first as a Cougar, scoring Erpelding's leadoff double and knotting the contest at three.

Rose State reclaimed the lead for good in the fifth as a 2-out infield single would be the game winner on an RBI double to center.

The Cougars had chances late but could not break through. Barton stranded two runners in the fifth with one out, left the bases loaded in the sixth with one away, and put two aboard to begin the seventh before Rose State escaped the jam to secure the split.

Erpelding again paced the offense with a 2-for-4 showing, highlighted by her home run, Horton driving in two with her fourth-inning blast, while Wood,&nbsp;Karter Alvord,&nbsp;Chalyn Boone, and McCormick each added hits.

McCormick was tagged with the loss dropping to 1-5, allowing four runs over five innings of work.&nbsp;Ellie Crawford&nbsp;provided two innings of scoreless relief, keeping Barton within striking distance down the stretch.

Cougars' late rally comes up short in split home opener against Rose State

The No. 8 ranked Barton Community College women's golf team opened its spring season on Monday, competing in the two-day Thunderbird Invitational held at Rockwind Community Links in Hobbs, New Mexico.

Hosted by No. 5 New Mexico Junior College, the Cougars placed 7th in a loaded field featuring six nationally ranked programs, shooting consistent 335 and 336 rounds in finishing at 95-over par (713).

Top-ranked Odessa College captured the team title by 12 strokes at 43-over (619), followed by No. 7 Weatherford College at 55-over (631) and the host Thunderbirds in third at 58-over (634).

Chomchanok Laparojkit&nbsp;led the Cougars overall, opening with a 78 before carding an 80 on Tuesday to finish tied for 13th in the 56-player field at 14-over par (158).

Diana Alvarado&nbsp;finished tied for 27th at 24-over (168) after rounds of 85 and 83, while&nbsp;Suri Rocha Orozco&nbsp;placed 32nd at 27-over (171) on cards of 84 and 87.

Making one of the tournament's biggest moves,&nbsp;Alexandria Hunt&nbsp;climbed into a tie for 33rd after rebounding from a 93 in Monday's opening round with a team second-best 79 on Tuesday, matching her collegiate-best round to finish at 28-over (172).

Four spots behind in 37th,&nbsp;Panalee Prachavittayagon&nbsp;finished at 30-over (174) with rounds of 88 and 86, and&nbsp;Giovanna Tabanag&nbsp;rounded out the Cougar lineup in 43rd at 35-over (179) following scores of 90 and 89.

The competitive season opener provides Barton nearly a month to fine-tune before conference play begins March 30–31 at KJCCC Meet No. 1, hosted at Buffalo Dunes Golf Course in Garden City, Kansas.

Barton Scores &amp; Placings T-13th –&nbsp;Chomchanok Laparojkit&nbsp;+14, 158 (78-80) T-27th -&nbsp;Diana Alvarado&nbsp;+24, 168 (85-83) 32nd –&nbsp;Suri Rocha Orozco&nbsp;+27, 171 (84-87) T-33rd –&nbsp;Alexandria Hunt&nbsp;+28, 172 (93-79) T-37th -&nbsp;Panalee Prachavittayagon&nbsp;+30, 174 (88-86) 43rd –&nbsp;Giovanna Tabanag&nbsp;+35, 179 (90–89)

Team Scores 1st – #1 Odessa +43, 619 (307–312) 2nd – #7 Weatherford +55, 631 (308–323) 3rd – #5 New Mexico JC (A) +58, 634 (309–325) 4th – #12 Western Texas +61, 637 (313-324) 5th – New Mexico JC (B) +75, 651 (325–326) 6th – #15 Garden City +92, 668 (326-342) 7th – #8 Barton +95, 713 (335–336) 8th – Univ. of Southwest (A) +160, 736 (362–374) 9th - Univ. of Southwest (B) +185, 761 (375-386)

No. 8 Barton women's golf returns to action with steady showing at Thunderbird Invitational

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — U.S. hockey player Brady Tkachuk says a White House TikTok video falsely paints him as insulting Canadians. Tkachuk calls the clip clearly fake. He says the audio and lip movement do not match. The video uses fabricated audio that includes a bleeped slur about Canadians. Tkachuk says he would never use that language. He also denies shouting “close the northern border” during Team USA’s phone call with President Donald Trump after Sunday’s Olympic gold medal win over Canada. The team has returned from Italy and is resuming the NHL season.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jack Hughes is still riding the emotional wave from his overtime goal that won Olympic gold for the United States. The New Jersey Devils forward received a long and loud roar of approval from fans in Pittsburgh ahead of a road game against the Penguins. Hughes said he thought he might be recognized in some way, but was caught off guard by the length of ovation. The 24-year-old said he's welcoming the routine of returning to the grind of an NHL season even with the Devils slumping as the stretch run nears.

The United States women’s hockey team has a date with Flavor Flav in Las Vegas in July to celebrate its gold medal victory from the Milan Cortina Olympics. The rapper posted a note on his X account announcing he’s hosting a “She Got Game” event from July 16-19. The post says the event was being held to honor the women’s hockey team and other female athletes. A publicist for Flavor Flav confirmed the event. The women’s players accepted the invitation without input from USA Hockey, a person familiar with discussions told The Associated Press.

Eight members of Cuba’s delegation were denied visas to the United States for the World Baseball Classic, the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation said. Cuba is set to play against Puerto Rico, Colombia, Panama and Canada in San Juan, Puerto Rico, during pool play of the WBC, which is scheduled from March 5-17. Among the Cubans that were denied visas are FCBS president Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo and general secretary Carlos del Pino Muñoz. Pitching coach Pedro Luis Lazo was also denied.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts have given quarterback Anthony Richardson permission to find a trade partner, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person requested anonymity because no formal announcement is expected. Indy believed Richardson could become its long-time franchise quarterback when it drafted him with the No. 4 overall selection in 2023, but nothing has gone according to plan for the Colts — or the injury-plagued former Florida star. The news came two days after Colts general manager Chris Ballard told local reporters he still believed Richardson could succeed in Indianapolis.

A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that the New York Jets have agreed to trade pass rusher Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade cannot become official until the NFL’s new league year starts on March 11. ESPN and NFL Network first reported the deal Thursday. Johnson joins Titans coach Robert Saleh again. Saleh was the Jets coach when New York drafted Johnson in 2022. Tennessee drafted Sweat in the second round in 2024.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel has reached yet another milestone in a remarkable rookie season for the No. 4 overall pick from Duke. The Hornets swingman broke Keegan Murray’s NBA rookie record for 3-pointers, making his 207th Thursday night against the Indiana Pacers. Knueppel connected on five 3s in the first half and then broke the record in the third quarter. He finished with eight 3s on 12 attempts to get to 209 for the season as the Hornets beat the Pacers 133-109. It took Murray 80 games in 2022-23 to establish the record. Knueppel needed just 59 to surpass it.

NEW YORK (AP) — Leaders of the WNBA players’ union had a meeting with players this week and will send out a survey to their members to get feedback on the league’s latest contract proposal. That's according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. In a letter to union executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson that was obtained by the AP, 10 prominent WNBA player agents offered to help the union with the survey. The league and the players have been unable to reach a new collective bargaining agreement since the union opted out of the previous deal, which expired last year.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA football oversight committee is recommending emergency legislation to protect the transfer portal window by issuing penalties for schools and coaches who circumvent the rules. The committee on Wednesday proposed the legislation to penalize schools who add players who did not make public their interest in transferring during the January transfer portal window. The proposed legislation would become effective immediately if approved at the Division I cabinet meeting in April. The head coach who accepts a transfer who did not properly enter the January portal would be prohibited from all recruiting, on-field coaching and team meetings for six games.

SOLDEU, Andorra (AP) — Former Olympic and world downhill champion Corinne Suter has won the first World Cup race since the Milan Cortina Games. The Swiss racer's victory in Soldeu, Andorra came as the chase for Lindsey Vonn’s lead in the discipline standings started. Vonn badly injured her left leg in a frightening crash in the Olympic downhill and won’t add points to her seasonal tally. But the American standout still leads the way by 94 points with three races left. Suter beat Nina Ortlieb of Austria by 0.11 seconds for her first downhill victory in four years. Italian standout Sofia Goggia was 0.24 behind in third.

MLB SPRING TRAINING INTERLEAGUE Final	N.Y. Mets	5	Houston	0	 Final	St. Louis	9	Houston	4	 Final	N.Y. Yankees	7	Atlanta	3	 Final	Pittsburgh	6	Minnesota	4	 Final	Miami	8	Toronto	7	 Final	L.A. Dodgers	7	Chicago White Sox	6	 Final	L.A. Angels	5	Chicago Cubs	4	 Final	Milwaukee	5	Texas	1	 Final	Arizona	13	Kansas City	10

AMERICAN LEAGUE Final	Baltimore	6	Detroit	5	 Final	Boston	7	Tampa Bay	5	 Final	Athletics	7	Texas	3	 Final	Seattle	8	Cleveland	7

NATIONAL LEAGUE Final	Philadelphia	7	Washington	3	 Final	Colorado	11	San Francisco	3	 Final	Cincinnati	11	San Diego	10

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Final	Florida	5	Toronto	1	 Final	Pittsburgh	4	New Jersey	1	 Final	Carolina	5	Tampa Bay	4	 Final	Boston	4	Columbus	2	 Final OT	Detroit	2	Ottawa	1	 Final OT	N-Y Islanders	4	Montreal	3	 Final	St. Louis	5	Seattle	1	 Final	Nashville	4	Chicago	2	 Final OT	Philadelphia	3	N-Y Rangers	2	 Final	Minnesota	5	Colorado	2	 Final	Calgary	4	San Jose	1	 Final	Edmonton	8	Los Angeles	1

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL Final	(13)Michigan State	76	(8)Purdue	74

Friday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Kansas State hosts
the TCU Horned Frogs after PJ Haggerty scored 25 points in Kansas
State's 79-70 loss to the Colorado Buffaloes. Saturday's game is the
second meeting of the season between the two teams. The Horned Frogs
won the previous matchup 84-82. Kansas State is 2-13 against the Big
12, and TCU is 8-7 against conference opponents.

TCU Horned Frogs
(18-10, 8-7 Big 12) at Kansas State Wildcats (11-17, 2-13 Big 12)

BOTTOM LINE:
Kansas State hosts TCU after PJ Haggerty scored 25 points in Kansas
State's 79-70 loss to the Colorado Buffaloes.

The Wildcats are 9-7
in home games. Kansas State has a 3-4 record in games decided by less
than 4 points.

The Horned Frogs are
8-7 in Big 12 play. TCU ranks sixth in the Big 12 with 15.8 assists
per game led by Brock Harding averaging 5.9.

Kansas State
averages 9.5 made 3-pointers per game, 2.1 more made shots than the
7.4 per game TCU allows. TCU has shot at a 44.8% clip from the field
this season, 0.6 percentage points below the 45.4% shooting opponents
of Kansas State have averaged.

The teams play for
the second time in conference play this season. TCU won the last
meeting 84-82 on Feb. 7. Xavier Edmonds scored 26 points to help lead
the Horned Frogs to the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS:
Haggerty is averaging 23.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists for
the Wildcats. David Castillo is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over
the last 10 games.

David Punch is
scoring 13.9 points per game with 6.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists for
the Horned Frogs. Edmonds is averaging 16.1 points and 9.8 rebounds
while shooting 58.5% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES:
Wildcats: 2-8, averaging 69.8 points, 26.4 rebounds, 13.8
assists, 7.1 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 43.0% from
the field. Their opponents have averaged 82.4 points per game.

Horned Frogs:
7-3, averaging 75.8 points, 31.8 rebounds, 14.4 assists, 8.0 steals
and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 42.7% from the field. Their
opponents have averaged 76.4 points.

Haggerty leads Kansas State against TCU after 25-point game

No. 14 Kansas visits
the No. 2 Arizona Wildcats after Tre White scored 23 points in the
Jayhawks' 69-56 win over the Houston Cougars. Saturday's game will be
the second meeting of the season between the two teams. The Jayhawks
won the last matchup 82-78. Arizona is 13-2 against the Big 12, and
Kansas is 11-4 against conference opponents.

Kansas Jayhawks
(21-7, 11-4 Big 12) at Arizona Wildcats (26-2, 13-2 Big 12)

BOTTOM LINE:
No. 14 Kansas plays No. 2 Arizona after Tre White scored 23 points in
Kansas' 69-56 victory over the Houston Cougars.

The Wildcats are
14-1 in home games. Arizona scores 87.2 points and has outscored
opponents by 18.3 points per game.

The Jayhawks are
11-4 against conference opponents. Kansas is 19-7 against opponents
with a winning record.

Arizona makes 50.3%
of its shots from the field this season, which is 11.8 percentage
points higher than Kansas has allowed to its opponents (38.5%).
Kansas averages 7.7 more points per game (76.6) than Arizona gives up
(68.9).

The teams square off
for the second time this season in Big 12 play. Kansas won the last
meeting 82-78 on Feb. 10. Flory Bidunga scored 23 points to help lead
the Jayhawks to the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS:
Brayden Burries is averaging 15.5 points and 1.5 steals for the
Wildcats. Jaden Bradley is averaging 13.6 points over the last 10
games.

Bidunga is scoring
14.3 points per game and averaging 9.2 rebounds for the Jayhawks.
Darryn Peterson is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10
games.

LAST 10 GAMES:
Wildcats: 8-2, averaging 81.0 points, 39.4 rebounds, 15.1
assists, 7.5 steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from
the field. Their opponents have averaged 68.2 points per game.

Jayhawks:
8-2, averaging 74.2 points, 34.8 rebounds, 13.8 assists, 4.4 steals
and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their
opponents have averaged 69.4 points.

No. 14 Kansas visits No. 2 Arizona following White's 23-point game

Boys Sub-State Class 3A Boys Larned Sub-State - Sub-State 1 Thursday, February 26 #1 Beloit 79,&nbsp;#16 Nickerson 37 #8 Phillipsburg 61,&nbsp;#9 Russell 47 #4 Hoisington 40,&nbsp;#13 Ellsworth 34 #5 Scott City 56,&nbsp;#12 Lyons 48 Tuesday, March 3 (Higher seed hosts) TBA Phillipsburg @ Beloit TBA Scott City @ Hoisington Friday, March 6 @ Larned TBA - Championship Class 3A Boys Larned Sub-State - Sub-State 2 Thursday, February 26 #2 Holcomb 73, #15 Cimarron 31 #7 Colby 67,&nbsp;#10 Norton 54 #3 Lakin 88,&nbsp;#14 Larned 33 #6 Southwestern Heights 79,&nbsp;#11 Goodland 68 Tuesday, March 3 (Higher seed hosts) TBA Colby @ Holcomb TBA Southwestern Heights @ Lakin Friday, March 6 @ Larned TBA - Championship&nbsp;&nbsp; Class 2A Boys Smith Center Sub-State - Sub-State 2 Friday, February 27 6:00 #15 Hutch-Trinity @ #2 Stanton County 6:00 #10 Syracuse @ #7 Medicine Lodge 6:00 #14 Smith Center @ #3 TMP 6:00 #11 Ellinwood @ #6 Plainville Wednesday, March 4 (Higher seed hosts) TBA Trinity/Stanton winner vs Syracuse/Medicine Lodge winner TBA TMP/Smith Center winner vs Ellinwood/Plainville winner Saturday, March 7 @ Smith Center TBA - Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; -------------------------------------------------------------- Girls Sub-State Class 3A Girls Larned Sub-State - Sub-State 1 Friday, February 27 6:00 #16 Nickerson @ #1 Holcomb 6:00 #9 Colby @ #8 Hoisington 6:00 #13 Russell @ #4 Southwestern Heights 6:00 #12 Norton @ #5 Goodland Wednesday, March 4(Higher seed hosts) TBA Holcomb/Nickerson winner vs Colby/Hoisington winner TBA SW Heights/Russell winner vs Goodland/Norton winner Saturday, March 7 @ Larned TBA - Championship&nbsp;&nbsp; Class 3A Girls Larned Sub-State - Sub-State 2 Friday, February 27 6:00 #15 Lyons @ #2 Lakin 6:00 #10 Phillipsburg @ #7 Ellsworth 6:00 #14 Cimarron @ #3 Beloit 6:00 #11 Scott City @ #6 Larned Wednesday, March 4(Higher seed hosts) TBA Lakin/Lyons winner vs Ellsworth/Phillipsburg winner TBA SW Beloit/Cimarron winner vs Scott City/Larned winner Saturday, March 7 @ Larned TBA - Championship&nbsp; &nbsp; Class 2A Girls Smith Center Sub-State - Sub-State 1 Thursday, February 26 #1 Ellinwood 64,&nbsp;#16 Hutch-Trinity 25 #8 Smith Center 45,&nbsp;#9 Rawlins County 28 #4 Medicine Lodge 55,&nbsp;#13 Plainville 17 #5 TMP 56,&nbsp;#12 Sterling 33 Tuesday, March 3 (Higher seed hosts) TBA Smith Center @ Ellinwood TBA TMP @ Medicine Lodge Friday, March 6 @ Smith Center TBA - Championship&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Area 3A/2A Sub-State basketball Scores and Schedule

Friday, February 27 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:45PM B104 - High School Basketball - Hays @ Great Bend 5:45PM KHOK - 3A Girls Sub-State - Colby @ Hoisington 5:45PM Hits 106.9- 3A Girls Sub-State - Scott City @ Larned&nbsp; Saturday, February 28 3:00PM Hits 106.9 - Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas @ Arizona 7:00PM&nbsp;1590/95.5FM - NBA Basketball - LA Lakers @ Golden State Sunday, March 1 2:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Basketball - Minnesota @ Denver 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 6:00PM KHOK - 3A Boys Sub-State Semi's - Scott City @ Hoisington 7:30 PM Hits 106.9-&nbsp;Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas @ Arizona State Wednesday,&nbsp;March 4 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:15PM B104 - Cougar Basketball - Barton W&amp;M @ Cowley 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; Thursday, March 5 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day Friday, March 6 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day TBA B104- 5A Boys Sub-State Championship - Great Bend vs TBA Saturday, March 7 12:30 PM Hits 106.9- Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas St. @ Kansas TBA KHOK - 3A Girls Sub-State Championship - Hoisington vs TBA TBA Hits 106.9- 3A Girls Sub-State Championship - Larned vs TBA&nbsp; TBA B104 - Region 6 Playoffs - TBA @ Barton Women&nbsp; TBA B104 - Region 6 Playoffs - TBA @ Barton Men 7:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Basketball - Golden State @ Oklahoma City Sunday, March 8 3:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City vs Chicago White Sox Monday, March 9 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 3:00PM 1590/95.5FM - Royals Baseball - Kansas City vs Cleveland Tuesday, March 10 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day TBA B104 - Region 6 Playoffs - TBA vs Barton Women&nbsp; TBA B104 - Region 6 Playoffs - TBA vs Barton Men&nbsp; &nbsp; Wednesday, March 11 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day &nbsp;

Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting PBP Schedule

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Hoisington 40 Ellsworth 34

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Friday that her administration has secured an agreement from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that protects Kansans’ personal private data from being shared with foreign governments and complies with state and federal privacy laws related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to a media release from Kelly's office.&nbsp;

 The agreement also ensures that after the data is shared, USDA will cancel its disallowance letter, ending USDA’s efforts to disallow Kansas’ SNAP funds. &nbsp;

“The USDA’s decision to adhere to the DCF’s terms ensures that Kansans’ private, personal information, including full social security numbers, will not be shared with foreign governments,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Kansas has complied with federal and state laws throughout this entire process and all we have wanted is for the USDA to do the same. In reaching this agreement, we have successfully preserved Kansans’ privacy against the threat posed by the USDA’s initial request that amounted to federal overreach and violation of data protection laws.”

From the onset of the USDA’s far-reaching data request, Governor Kelly and her administration have remained consistent that until concerns about data protection were addressed, Kansas could not legally turn over the data. Now that these concerns have been addressed, data sharing is possible. &nbsp;

The USDA initially demanded that DCF turn over the private, legally protected, personal information of all Kansans and members of their households who have received, or applied for, SNAP benefits in the last 5 years. The USDA’s request included provisions allowing for Kansans’ personal information—which includes full Social Security numbers and dates of birth—to be shared with foreign governments.

After the USDA rejected DCF’s Corrective Action Proposal in response to the data request in September 2025, DCF swiftly filed an appeal with the USDA. The filing of that appeal immediately prevented the USDA from withholding $10.4 million in administrative funding for SNAP. The State of Kansas has not lost any SNAP administrative funding, and the program continues to operate as usual.

DCF has complied with state and federal law at every stage of this process and has maintained the confidentiality of thousands of Kansans whose personal information would be at risk. Protection of this personally identifiable information is legally required by both the Food Nutrition Act (FNA) and the Kansas Cybersecurity Act (KCA).

Governor: Agreement ends USDA withholding SNAP funds from Kansas

Former President&nbsp;Bill Clinton&nbsp;is testifying Friday before members of Congress who are investigating convicted sex offender&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein. Below is his opening statement.

Watch below, the first minutes of President Bill Clinton testifying under oath, via videotape, before a Federal Grand Jury about his relationship with former White House Intern Monica Lewinsky - before the Independent Counsel, held at White House, beginning at 1:03 pm., Monday, August 17, 1998.

🎥 Former President Bill Clinton's opening statement to House Oversight Committee

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an alleged armed carjacking in Manhattan and have made arrests.

Just after 1:30p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report of robbery near Beck Street and Casement Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 28-year-old man reported a known 67-year-old male suspect stole his 2013 Dodge Ram truck at gunpoint. The truck was later recovered. Michael Ivy, 67, of Wamego, was arrested at 7:41 p.m. in the 1000 block of S. Seth Child Road for aggravated robbery.&nbsp; Ivy is being held on a $125,000 bond&nbsp;

&nbsp;Two other arrests were made as a result of the initial report, including Otto Tisdale, 40, of St. George, who was arrested at 5:29 p.m. in the 300 block of Allen Road. He is being held in the Riley County Jail on requested charges of violating the offender registration act, possession of opiate/opium/narcotic or certain stimulant, and for the use/possession of with intent to use drug paraphernalia in the human body.&nbsp;

Bailey Collier, 23, of Louisville (Kan.), was arrested at 1:46 p.m. in the 300 block of Allen Road for parole violation. Collier is being held without bond, according to the RCPD.&nbsp;&nbsp;

67-year-old Kansas man accused of armed carjacking 

WASHINGTON (AP) —Joe Biden’s appearance in a boarding area awaiting a flight to South Carolina drew a crowd Friday morning at the the airport near downtown Washington.

The former president is spending Friday evening with Democrats in South Carolina who have organized a thank you event to commemorate his thunderous victory in the state’s 2020 Democratic presidential primary.

Other passengers were primarily deterred by the dozen Secret Service agents who surrounded Biden as he sat at the gate. But Biden took selfies with American Airlines employees, and dozens of passengers in the area filmed him on their cellphones.

Once on board awaiting takeoff, passengers passed by to shake Biden’s hand. “God bless you, sir,” one woman said.

Former President draws attention at airport en route to South Carolina

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</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>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate passed a resolution Wednesday to cap property valuation increases at 3%, the first step toward achieving a constitutional change that would need to be approved by voters.&nbsp;

An amendment to the constitution must be approved by a majority of voters after passing both legislative chambers by a two-thirds majority.&nbsp;

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1616/" target="_blank">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1616</a>, which passed the Senate 30-10, stops assessed values of real property from increasing more than 3% per year except in certain situations, such as new construction or if improvements occurred on the property.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If approved by voters, the cap would go into effect Jan. 1, 2027. Values of current homes would be set at 3% above 2022 valuations.&nbsp;

Opponents to the resolution argued that addressing one factor — in this case, the assessed valuation —- may or may not lower a homeowner’s property taxes. They expressed concern the issue may confuse taxpayers, who may vote in favor of the resolution and expect to see their property taxes decrease.&nbsp;

Sen. Pat Pettey, a Democrat who was a former commissioner in Kansas City, Kansas, said the resolution wouldn’t lower property taxes.&nbsp;

“Only mill levies can do that,” she said.

Mill levies are the assessment of $1 of tax per $1,000 of the property valuation. Local governments set mill levies based on their total valuations and the dollars needed to fund their budgets.&nbsp;

Local governments wishing to continue to provide their current level of services will immediately consider raising the mill levies, which determine property tax, Pettey said.&nbsp;

She said numerous opponents testified against the bill in committee, including the city of Mission, the city of Overland Park, the Kansas Realtors Association, the Kansas Livestock Association, the Kansas Building Industry Association and the Kansas Farm Bureau.

“So a vast, diverse group of organizations came out in opposition because they believe, and I do, that this does not reduce or limit property tax increases and could more than likely result in a shift of property tax burden across taxpayers,” Pettey said.&nbsp;

Sen. Cindy Holscher, an Overland Park Democrat who is running for governor, said her concern with the resolution is that property taxes are the primary funding for local governments.

“Essentially, we have to take into consideration that services for local police departments, local roads, those costs aren’t going to decrease or disappear,” Holscher said. “The funds have to come from somewhere else.”

Holscher also raised concerns that capping property valuations would, over time, cause automobile taxes to rise because local governments would need to replace funding.&nbsp;

“Sixty-four percent of adults typically own homes. In Kansas, 74% own vehicles,” she said. “We’re effectively switching and removing the tax burden from property owners to car owners, some of whom don’t own property. We’re squeezing the balloons, so to speak, because again, the money has to come from somewhere to pay for these services.”

Proponents of the resolution said Kansas must provide property tax relief, especially for older Kansans on fixed incomes who see their property taxes jump higher every year.&nbsp;

“Property taxes are not just numbers on a statement,” said Sen. Craig Bowser, R-Holton. “They’re grocery money. They’re car payments. They’re retirement savings, and they’re the difference between potentially staying in your home or being forced to sell.”

He said Kansans have seen their property valuations “rise sharply,” financially straining people on fixed incomes, young families and farmers and ranchers.&nbsp;

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