By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

The makeover at the two sets of tennis courts at Veterans Memorial Park
in Great Bend received another aesthetic enhancement last week. The Great Bend
Recreation Commission received the windscreens nearly three weeks ago and had
time to install them Friday, July 23. 

The windscreens wrap around the newly
installed fencing and feature a “Great Bend Tennis” imprinted logo on the south
side of the courts. 

GBRC Assistant Superintendent Chris Umphres said there is
not much left to do at the tennis courts that received new fencing, concrete
work, windscreens, tables, bleachers and shade structures. 
"We also have shade structures we need to put up on the east side to match what we did on the west side," said Umphres. "We have them but that will be a city project that they will handle in-house." 
The $10,871 purchase for the windscreens comes with a five-year warranty and
provides a 22% wind pass-through rate and a 78% shade factor.

Further to the
south, the process to install artificial turf on the infields at the five
ballfields at the Great Bend Sports Complex is underway with Hellas
Construction. 
"They did their core drilling to see what the ground was like," said Umphres. "They're doing some surveying to see how much ground they need to take off. They're planning on bringing the crews out the second week of August to get started." 
Hellas Construction has until Feb. 1, 2022 to complete the
installation but are looking to finish the job as soon as possible with the
unpredictable Kansas weather. 
The Recreation Commission along with the City of Great Bend and USD 428 collaborated
for the $1.36 million turf installation project.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627052525741.jpeg" alt="Great Bend Recreation Commission staff installed the new windscreens at the Veterans Memorial Park tennis courts Friday, July 23, 2021." />
 <figcaption>Great Bend Recreation Commission staff installed the new windscreens at the Veterans Memorial Park tennis courts Friday, July 23, 2021.</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostThe makeover at the two sets of tennis courts at Veterans Memorial Park
in Great Bend received another aesthetic enhancement last week. The Great Bend
Recreation Commission received the windscreens nearly three weeks ago and had
time to install them Friday, July 23. The windscreens wrap around the newly
installed fencing and feature a “Great Bend Tennis” imprinted logo on the south
side of the courts. GBRC Assistant Superintendent Chris Umphres said there is
not much left to do at the tennis courts that received new fencing, concrete
work, windscreens, tables, bleachers and shade structures. 
"We also have shade structures we need to put up on the east side to match what we did on the west side," said Umphres. "We have them but that will be a city project that they will handle in-house." 
The $10,871 purchase for the windscreens comes with a five-year warranty and
provides a 22% wind pass-through rate and a 78% shade factor. Further to the
south, the process to install artificial turf on the infields at the five
ballfields at the Great Bend Sports Complex is underway with Hellas
Construction. 
"They did their core drilling to see what the ground was like," said Umphres. "They're doing some surveying to see how much ground they need to take off. They're planning on bringing the crews out the second week of August to get started." 
Hellas Construction has until Feb. 1, 2022 to complete the
installation but are looking to finish the job as soon as possible with the
unpredictable Kansas weather. 
The Recreation Commission along with the City of Great Bend and USD 428 collaborated
for the $1.36 million turf installation project.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Moving along with tennis courts/turf projects in Great Bend

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Harlem Globetrotter Codeword Contest 

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B104.3 Kansas Lottery Chevy Silverado Ticket Sweepstakes

Register once per day at the following locations:&nbsp;

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ehler Chevrolet

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Farmer’s Bank and Trust

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Outer limits Liquor 

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Northview Nursery and Landscape

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Nex-Tech Wireless

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Heavy Duty Diesel and Auto

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Millers of Claflin

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Memorial Art Company 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Sutherlands

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Boone’s Maytag Home Appliance

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Heartland Collision Center

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
That New Place

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Great Bend Dairy Queen

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Magna Dry Cleaning Services

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Great Bend Appliance Furniture and Sleep Source

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Handle Bar and Grill

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Animal Medical Center

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Nex-Tech

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Woelk’s Jewelry in Russell

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Closet Boutique

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Doan’s Outdoor Store

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Eagle Tire

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Comfort Pro

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Fireworks 4 Less

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Auto Body Repair Shop

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Custom ReBath and My Kitchens

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Harper Camperland

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Center for Counseling and Consultation

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Pizza Hut 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
T &amp; L Fireworks 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Eldridge Fencing 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Satellite Pros

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Johnson Electric Motor Winding

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Great Bend Summer Street Stroll Farmer’s Market

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Odin Rodeo Grounds Prosser Arena 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618595753541.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618596904012.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?height=600&amp;wkst=1&amp;bgcolor=%23ffffff&amp;ctz=America%2FChicago&amp;src=OWdyZ2pxdmg5cGNtdGQwMGluMjQ2bjQyc2dAZ3JvdXAuY2FsZW5kYXIuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbQ&amp;color=%230B8043&amp;mode=AGENDA" style="border:solid 1px #777" width="800" height="600" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><div><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRsRWg37SMwnPXGxhEOQYaPjjDORGrsg2cMKDSJZN6eRctnswK8EXxqIxeZ_sfXRIB-Rjk63jU5wlKm/pubhtml?widget=true&amp;headers=false"></iframe></div>Register once per day at the following locations:&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ehler Chevrolet&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Farmer’s Bank and Trust&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Outer limits Liquor &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Northview Nursery and Landscape&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Nex-Tech Wireless&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Heavy Duty Diesel and Auto&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Millers of Claflin&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Memorial Art Company &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Sutherlands&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Boone’s Maytag Home Appliance&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Heartland Collision Center&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
That New Place&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Great Bend Dairy Queen&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Magna Dry Cleaning Services&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Great Bend Appliance Furniture and Sleep Source&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Handle Bar and Grill&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Animal Medical Center&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Nex-Tech&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Woelk’s Jewelry in Russell&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Closet Boutique&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Doan’s Outdoor Store&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Eagle Tire&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Comfort Pro&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Fireworks 4 Less&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Auto Body Repair Shop&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Custom ReBath and My Kitchens&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Harper Camperland&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Center for Counseling and Consultation&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Pizza Hut &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
T &amp; L Fireworks &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Eldridge Fencing &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Satellite Pros&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Johnson Electric Motor Winding&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Great Bend Summer Street Stroll Farmer’s Market&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Odin Rodeo Grounds Prosser Arena <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618596274592.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Turn It Up a Notch in a Chevy Equinox

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575388671873.png">If you are a Grade School age Kid in the Barton County Area we want to know how you make a difference! You could win a "I Make A Difference" T-shirt and be qualified to win T-shirts for you entire Class! Tune into "The Scott and Shannon Morning Show" on 100.7 Eagle Country at 7:20 A.M. Monday Morning to hear the lasted T-shirt winners! <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575409355742.png"><iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0IVis-TLfTDoyL8VK3L-w0DyPPtRGm-oNlJ9jEZEVRdPk8w/viewform?embedded=true" height="1181" width="640"></iframe>

I Make a Difference Contest 

Construction is well underway on the top floors of the High Rise in Great Bend. The old finishes are being removed to make way for modern, new, materials arriving soon. Learn more about the multi-million dollar renovation happening at the High Rise Apartments by visiting the website: <a href="http://www.gbhaks.com/?fbclid=IwAR1zEaak7271BIRo8O8ifbcxWu8BqmWjlhy3yq8TgHWTtnAakwyssOYwg-Y" target="_blank">www.gbhaks.com.</a>

You can also apply for low income senior housing if you know someone who is interested and in need. The High Rise is building their waiting list now, and will be leasing new units by the end of the year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627054947325.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Construction is well underway on the top floors of the High Rise in Great Bend. The old finishes are being removed to make way for modern, new, materials arriving soon. Learn more about the multi-million dollar renovation happening at the High Rise Apartments by visiting the website: <a href="http://www.gbhaks.com/?fbclid=IwAR1zEaak7271BIRo8O8ifbcxWu8BqmWjlhy3yq8TgHWTtnAakwyssOYwg-Y" target="_blank">www.gbhaks.com.</a> You can also apply for low income senior housing if you know someone who is interested and in need. The High Rise is building their waiting list now, and will be leasing new units by the end of the year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Removal process continues in High Rise renovation 

Download the official Great Bend Post mobile app today!

Great Bend Post is your destination for local news, sports, obituaries, opinion, announcements, and more in Great Bend, KS.

Great Bend Post is your trusted news source for local &amp; regional news in the Great Bend area. Stay up to date with everything happening around you, delivered right to your phone.

- Browse local, regional, sports, obituaries, announcements, &amp; more - Customize your experience in light mode or dark mode - Search thousands of posts - Listen to any of our radio stations online for free - Easily share important news to friends &amp; family

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619211900118.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Download the official Great Bend Post mobile app today!Great Bend Post is your destination for local news, sports, obituaries, opinion, announcements, and more in Great Bend, KS.Great Bend Post is your trusted news source for local &amp; regional news in the Great Bend area. Stay up to date with everything happening around you, delivered right to your phone.- Browse local, regional, sports, obituaries, announcements, &amp; more - Customize your experience in light mode or dark mode - Search thousands of posts - Listen to any of our radio stations online for free - Easily share important news to friends &amp; family<figure>
 <img src="https://greatbendpost.com/misc/apple-download.png" alt="Download on the App Store <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/great-bend-post-by-eagle/id1536149932">HERE</a>." />
 <figcaption>Download on the App Store <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/great-bend-post-by-eagle/id1536149932">HERE</a>.</figcaption>
 </figure>

Download the Great Bend Post mobile app

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined his colleagues in introducing the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.paul.senate.gov/sites/default/files/page-attachments/BAI21446.pdf" target="_blank">Travel Mask Mandate Repeal Act of 2021</a>, legislation to prohibit the imposition of mask mandates on public transportation.

“Unelected bureaucrats don’t make laws, Congress does. After over a year of battling COVID-19, communities and states have reopened, and our nation has finally regained a sense of normalcy,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“It’s past time for the federal government to restore Americans’ freedoms and remove these unnecessary rules.”

The Travel Mask Mandate Repeal Act of 2021 is led by Senator Rand Paul and cosponsored by Senators Marshall, Mike Braun, Tom Cotton, and Roger Wicker. You can read the Travel Mask Mandate Repeal Act of 2021 in its entirety&nbsp;<a href="https://www.paul.senate.gov/sites/default/files/page-attachments/BAI21446.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a>.

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined his colleagues in introducing the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.paul.senate.gov/sites/default/files/page-attachments/BAI21446.pdf" target="_blank">Travel Mask Mandate Repeal Act of 2021</a>, legislation to prohibit the imposition of mask mandates on public transportation.“Unelected bureaucrats don’t make laws, Congress does. After over a year of battling COVID-19, communities and states have reopened, and our nation has finally regained a sense of normalcy,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“It’s past time for the federal government to restore Americans’ freedoms and remove these unnecessary rules.”The Travel Mask Mandate Repeal Act of 2021 is led by Senator Rand Paul and cosponsored by Senators Marshall, Mike Braun, Tom Cotton, and Roger Wicker. You can read the Travel Mask Mandate Repeal Act of 2021 in its entirety&nbsp;<a href="https://www.paul.senate.gov/sites/default/files/page-attachments/BAI21446.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a>.

Sen. Marshall bill repeals mask mandates on public transportation

Tickets for the Barton Community College Foundation’s 42nd Annual Big Benefit Auction, themed “Life’s a Beach,” are on sale now through Aug. 16. 

The auction will take place on Aug. 28. Tickets (which include 2 hours of complimentary beer &amp; food) can be purchased by calling the Barton Foundation office at (620) 792-9306 or by sending an email to mccormickd@bartonccc.edu.

Tickets are $45 each or $360 per table of eight. Seating is limited. Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Great Bend Columbus Club. Auction starts at 8 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627054593057.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Tickets for the Barton Community College Foundation’s 42nd Annual Big Benefit Auction, themed “Life’s a Beach,” are on sale now through Aug. 16. The auction will take place on Aug. 28. Tickets (which include 2 hours of complimentary beer &amp; food) can be purchased by calling the Barton Foundation office at (620) 792-9306 or by sending an email to mccormickd@bartonccc.edu.Tickets are $45 each or $360 per table of eight. Seating is limited. Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Great Bend Columbus Club. Auction starts at 8 p.m.

Tickets on sale for Barton Foundation's auction

Barton County will receive $5,007,269 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The county is asking residents to participate in a brief survey to help the Barton County Commission develop an effective spending plan focused on where the funds are most needed.

The survey asks to rank the top three priorities for the need of funding. Options include 911 communications, childcare, economic development, public building improvements, law enforcement, premium pay for essential workers, payroll and covered benefits for people dedicated to COVID-19 response, technology, ventilation improvements in congregate areas and water and sewer.

A link to the survey can be reached by clicking <a href="https://forms.office.com/r/V7YvuN710T">HERE</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574705917284.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Barton County will receive $5,007,269 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.The county is asking residents to participate in a brief survey to help the Barton County Commission develop an effective spending plan focused on where the funds are most needed.The survey asks to rank the top three priorities for the need of funding. Options include 911 communications, childcare, economic development, public building improvements, law enforcement, premium pay for essential workers, payroll and covered benefits for people dedicated to COVID-19 response, technology, ventilation improvements in congregate areas and water and sewer.The survey must be completed by Aug. 15.A link to the survey can be reached by clicking <a href="https://forms.office.com/r/V7YvuN710T">HERE</a>.

Fill out survey on how Barton County should spend ARPA funding

Do you know of a good story of a person, business or organization working to make the Barton County area better or a little brighter? Maybe an unsung hero? Share your stories to the “<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/246044026597234">Tell Me Something Good! Barton County</a>” Facebook page. You can also email your ideas to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cole.reif@eagleradio.net">cole.reif@eagleradio.net</a>&nbsp;or <a href="mailto:ken.carpenter@eagleradio.net">ken.carpenter@eagleradio.net</a>. Share the positivity with Eagle Communications! Eagle Communications reserves all rights on selection of stories submitted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602683232309.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Do you know of a good story of a person, business or organization working to make the Barton County area better or a little brighter? Maybe an unsung hero? Share your stories to the “<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/246044026597234">Tell Me Something Good! Barton County</a>” Facebook page. You can also email your ideas to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cole.reif@eagleradio.net">cole.reif@eagleradio.net</a>&nbsp;or <a href="mailto:ken.carpenter@eagleradio.net">ken.carpenter@eagleradio.net</a>. Share the positivity with Eagle Communications! Eagle Communications reserves all rights on selection of stories submitted.

Tell me something good! Barton County

Sign up for Party in the Park mud volleyball tournament

By COLE REIF&nbsp; Great Bend Post

Work has been ongoing for nearly a year, and now Sunflower Diversified
Services is ready for the grand opening of their new Recycling Center drop-off
site. Last October, it was publicly announced that Sunflower purchased the old
Pro-Tint building on west 10th Street, just to the west of their
current recycling center. With a growing recycling department, Sunflower needed
more room for their services. 

Shawn Bates, Sunflower director of production,
said everyone is excited for the grand opening of the new facility at the end
of the month. 
"All of the people we serve are excited," said Bates. "We have new signage that will make it easier for people to recycle." 
The new facility will allow citizens
to easily identify where their items need to be placed. Sunflower serves
children and adults with developmental disabilities and will still have client
employees helping customers unload and sort their recycling. The drop-off site
will be located at the three south bays of the new building. The grand opening
at 5605 10th Street will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 31. 
"We have prizes we're giving away every half hour," said Bates. "We're also having a sidewalk sale at the UPS store that we didn't have earlier because of the weather. Go to the sidewalk sale, come across and get a hotdog and a bottle of water." 
Sunflower collected four million pounds of recyclables in 2020. The old
recycling facility will be used for storage for the UPS store.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626792011589.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF&nbsp; Great Bend PostWork has been ongoing for nearly a year, and now Sunflower Diversified
Services is ready for the grand opening of their new Recycling Center drop-off
site. Last October, it was publicly announced that Sunflower purchased the old
Pro-Tint building on west 10th Street, just to the west of their
current recycling center. With a growing recycling department, Sunflower needed
more room for their services. Shawn Bates, Sunflower director of production,
said everyone is excited for the grand opening of the new facility at the end
of the month. 
"All of the people we serve are excited," said Bates. "We have new signage that will make it easier for people to recycle." 
The new facility will allow citizens
to easily identify where their items need to be placed. Sunflower serves
children and adults with developmental disabilities and will still have client
employees helping customers unload and sort their recycling. The drop-off site
will be located at the three south bays of the new building. The grand opening
at 5605 10th Street will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 31. 
"We have prizes we're giving away every half hour," said Bates. "We're also having a sidewalk sale at the UPS store that we didn't have earlier because of the weather. Go to the sidewalk sale, come across and get a hotdog and a bottle of water." 
Sunflower collected four million pounds of recyclables in 2020. The old
recycling facility will be used for storage for the UPS store.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Expanding recycling in Great Bend

Hear this week's County Edition show with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Barton County Attorney Levi Morris that aired July 22, 2021.

The County Edition program airs every Thursday at 11:05 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596658271505.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hear this week's County Edition show with Eagle Radio's Steve Webster and Barton County Attorney Levi Morris that aired July 22, 2021.<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/ipbzchwi/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>The County Edition program airs every Thursday at 11:05 a.m. on 1590 KVGB &amp; 95.5 FM.&nbsp;

🎧County Edition: County Attorney Levi Morris

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596659243713.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>It is your chance to win! View the Contests page on Great Bend Post to see what contests/giveaways are currently being promoted. View the page by clicking <a href="https://greatbendpost.com/category/contests">HERE</a>!

Eagle Radio CONTESTS

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self said he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in isolation.

Self, who is fully vaccinated, said in a statement on the university’s Twitter account Friday that he was “feeling pretty good right now.” He will remain in isolation at his home in Lawrence.

The coach said he had minor symptoms on Thursday and wanted to be tested before he traveled to watch recruits at various tournaments. Two tests confirmed that he was positive for the virus, he said.

Self said he believes he would be in much worse condition if he was not vaccinated.

“If you have not, please get vaccinated so we don’t have to worry about this virus continuing to affect our communities and loved ones,” he said.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self said he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in isolation.Self, who is fully vaccinated, said in a statement on the university’s Twitter account Friday that he was “feeling pretty good right now.” He will remain in isolation at his home in Lawrence.The coach said he had minor symptoms on Thursday and wanted to be tested before he traveled to watch recruits at various tournaments. Two tests confirmed that he was positive for the virus, he said.Self said he believes he would be in much worse condition if he was not vaccinated.“If you have not, please get vaccinated so we don’t have to worry about this virus continuing to affect our communities and loved ones,” he said.

Kansas coach Bill Self has tested positive for COVID-19

Sun 7/2512:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - Detroit Tigers @ Kansas City5:00PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - MLB - Chicago White Sox @ Milwaukee BrewersMon 7/266:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - Chicago White Sox @ Kansas CityTue 7/276:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - Chicago White Sox @ Kansas CityWed 7/286:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - Chicago White Sox @ Kansas CityThur 7/2912:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - Chicago White Sox @ Kansas City6:00PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - NBA DraftFri 7/305:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ Toronto Blue JaysSat 7/311:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ Toronto Blue JaysSun 8/111AM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ Toronto Blue Jays5:00PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - MLB - Chicago White Sox @ Milwaukee BrewersTue 8/36:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ Chicago White SoxWed 8/46:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ Chicago White SoxThur 8/56:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ Chicago White SoxFri 8/66:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ St. Louis CardinalsSat 8/75:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ St. Louis CardinalsSun 8/812:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - Kansas City @ St. Louis Cardinals5:00 PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - MLB - Chicago White Sox @ Chicago CubsMon 8/96:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - New York Yankees @ Kansas CityTue 8/106:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - New York Yankees @ Kansas CityWed 8/1112:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - New York Yankees @ Kansas CityFri 8/136:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - St. Louis Cardinals @ Kansas CitySat 8/145:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - St. Louis Cardinals @ Kansas CitySun 8/1512:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - St. Louis Cardinals @ Kansas City5:00 PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - MLB - TBAMon 8/166:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - Houston Astros @ Kansas CityTue 8/176:30PM 1590/95.5 KVGB - Royals Baseball - Houston Astros @ Kansas City

Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting PBP Schedule

Sunflower
Collegiate League Standings

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624199280023.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Sunflower
Collegiate League StandingsHutchinson Monarchs 24-8316 Sluggers 23-11Great Bend Bat Cats 20-12Cheney Diamond Dawgs 21-14Derby Twins 17-17
Haysville Aviators		14-18Newton Rebels 8-24Sunflower Seeds 4-25

Sunflower Collegiate League Standings (7/24)

TOKYO (AP) — Known for their towering drives, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm won’t make it to the tee box at the Olympics.

The last two U.S. Open champions became the best-known athletes to drop out of the Tokyo Games on Sunday after testing positive for COVID-19.

DeChambeau’s positive came before he left the United States for Tokyo. The musclebound American famous for his game-changing swing speed will replaced by Patrick Reed.

“I am deeply disappointed not to be able to compete in the Olympics for Team USA,” DeChambeau said in a statement. “Representing my country means the world to me and it is was a tremendous honor to make this team.”

Rahm was flagged for COVID-19 for the second time in two months — he had a six-shot lead at the Memorial in early June when he was forced to withdraw because of a positive test. The Spaniard said he had gotten his final vaccine shot fewer than 14 days before that positive.

Both players recently became first-time major champions. DeChambeau won the U.S. Open in 2020 at Winged Foot last fall, and Rahm took this year’s title at Torrey Pines in June, two weeks after the positive test at Muirfield Village.

Several dozen Olympic athletes have tested positive either before leaving for Tokyo or after they arrived. Last week, U.S. tennis player Coco Gauff also tested positive before she left the United States.

Reed was scheduled to undergo testing Sunday and Monday to clear himself to compete in Tokyo. The the first round of the men’s tournament at the Kasumigaseki Country Club is set for Thursday. He will join Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele on the four-man U.S team.

Spain said it would not seek to replace Rahm, leaving Adri Arnaus as its only player in the men’s tournament, which starts Thursday at Kasumigaseki Country Club outside of Tokyo.

No Michael Phelps, no problem for U.S. swimming.

The powerhouse Americans collected six medals — including a gold for Chase Kalisz in the 400-meter individual medley — in the first session of finals. During Phelps’ record-setting career that spanned five Games, the U.S. never won that many medals in the first batch of events.

“A pretty good start for the U.S.,” said Kieran Smith, who in his first major international meet snagged a bronze in the men’s 400 freestyle. “We executed today. I’m really proud of us.”

Kalisz got things going with the country’s first medal in any sport, with teammate Jay Litherland making it a 1-2 finish for the U.S. by rallying on the freestyle leg to claim silver. Emma Weyant and Hali Flickinger took silver and bronze in the 400 IM, and the women’s 4x100 freestyle relay team finished third.

In the 400 free, 18-year-old Ahmed Hafnaoui of Tunisia beat a field of faster and older swimmers. He finished in 3 minutes, 43.26 seconds, punctuating his victory with loud yelling that echoed in the mostly empty 15,000-seat arena.

“I was surprised with myself,” said Hafnaoui, who joined Ous Mellouli as a gold medalist from the north African country. “I couldn’t believe it until I touched the wall and saw the 1 (on the scoreboard).”

Simone Biles and the U.S. women’s gymnastics team trailed the Russians after qualifying in the team event, the first time in a decade they’ve failed to finish atop the standings during any portion of a major international event.

Biles led the field in a bid for her fifth gold medal, but the U.S. team has work to do to repeat as Olympic champions. The ROC had a score of 171.629 through the first three subdivisions at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre, ahead of the second-place Americans’ 170.562.

Biles was the best in the gym but shaky by her standards. She stepped all the way off the mat following a tumbling pass on her floor exercise, then basically did the same on vault. She responded with a solid set on uneven bars, but a spectacular beam routine ended with her taking three major steps backward following her dismount.

Jordan Chiles had a major mistake on bars and a fall on beam. Sunisa Lee overcame a so-so performance on floor to surge into second behind Biles with an electric bar routine.

The team final is scheduled for Tuesday night.

Naomi Osaka got back on the court — and back in front of reporters’ microphones — for the first time since withdrawing from the French Open in May to take a mental health break.

The Japanese superstar who lit the Olympic cauldron defeated 52nd-ranked Zheng Saisai of China 6-1, 6-4 in her opening match.

Osaka revealed in May that she has dealt with depression and stopped talking with reporters, saying the experience gave her “huge waves of anxiety.”

“More than anything else I’m just focused on playing tennis,” Osaka said. “The Olympics has been a dream of mine since I was a kid so I feel like the break that I took was very needed. I feel definitely a little bit refreshed and I’m happy again.”

She added that she was “happy” that reporters were asking her questions, then added: “I feel a little bit out of my body right now.”

Japanese siblings Hifumi and Uta Abe each won gold medals in judo, giving the host country three golds in its beloved homegrown martial art.

Hifumi triumphed in the men’s 66-kilogram category shortly after Uta won the women’s 52-kilogram division at the Budokan.

Hifumi won all four of hits bouts Sunday, including over Georgia’s Vazha Margvelashvili by ippon in the final. Uta beat Amandine Buchard of France to win her own first Olympic gold.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627221660331.jpeg" alt="olympics.jpg" />
 <figcaption>olympics.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>TOKYO (AP) — Known for their towering drives, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm won’t make it to the tee box at the Olympics.The last two U.S. Open champions became the best-known athletes to drop out of the Tokyo Games on Sunday after testing positive for COVID-19.DeChambeau’s positive came before he left the United States for Tokyo. The musclebound American famous for his game-changing swing speed will replaced by Patrick Reed.“I am deeply disappointed not to be able to compete in the Olympics for Team USA,” DeChambeau said in a statement. “Representing my country means the world to me and it is was a tremendous honor to make this team.”Rahm was flagged for COVID-19 for the second time in two months — he had a six-shot lead at the Memorial in early June when he was forced to withdraw because of a positive test. The Spaniard said he had gotten his final vaccine shot fewer than 14 days before that positive.Both players recently became first-time major champions. DeChambeau won the U.S. Open in 2020 at Winged Foot last fall, and Rahm took this year’s title at Torrey Pines in June, two weeks after the positive test at Muirfield Village.Several dozen Olympic athletes have tested positive either before leaving for Tokyo or after they arrived. Last week, U.S. tennis player Coco Gauff also tested positive before she left the United States.Reed was scheduled to undergo testing Sunday and Monday to clear himself to compete in Tokyo. The the first round of the men’s tournament at the Kasumigaseki Country Club is set for Thursday. He will join Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele on the four-man U.S team.Spain said it would not seek to replace Rahm, leaving Adri Arnaus as its only player in the men’s tournament, which starts Thursday at Kasumigaseki Country Club outside of Tokyo.GOING SWIMMINGLYNo Michael Phelps, no problem for U.S. swimming.The powerhouse Americans collected six medals — including a gold for Chase Kalisz in the 400-meter individual medley — in the first session of finals. During Phelps’ record-setting career that spanned five Games, the U.S. never won that many medals in the first batch of events.“A pretty good start for the U.S.,” said Kieran Smith, who in his first major international meet snagged a bronze in the men’s 400 freestyle. “We executed today. I’m really proud of us.”Kalisz got things going with the country’s first medal in any sport, with teammate Jay Litherland making it a 1-2 finish for the U.S. by rallying on the freestyle leg to claim silver. Emma Weyant and Hali Flickinger took silver and bronze in the 400 IM, and the women’s 4x100 freestyle relay team finished third.In the 400 free, 18-year-old Ahmed Hafnaoui of Tunisia beat a field of faster and older swimmers. He finished in 3 minutes, 43.26 seconds, punctuating his victory with loud yelling that echoed in the mostly empty 15,000-seat arena.“I was surprised with myself,” said Hafnaoui, who joined Ous Mellouli as a gold medalist from the north African country. “I couldn’t believe it until I touched the wall and saw the 1 (on the scoreboard).”UNDER A ROCSimone Biles and the U.S. women’s gymnastics team trailed the Russians after qualifying in the team event, the first time in a decade they’ve failed to finish atop the standings during any portion of a major international event.Biles led the field in a bid for her fifth gold medal, but the U.S. team has work to do to repeat as Olympic champions. The ROC had a score of 171.629 through the first three subdivisions at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre, ahead of the second-place Americans’ 170.562.Biles was the best in the gym but shaky by her standards. She stepped all the way off the mat following a tumbling pass on her floor exercise, then basically did the same on vault. She responded with a solid set on uneven bars, but a spectacular beam routine ended with her taking three major steps backward following her dismount.Jordan Chiles had a major mistake on bars and a fall on beam. Sunisa Lee overcame a so-so performance on floor to surge into second behind Biles with an electric bar routine.The team final is scheduled for Tuesday night.OSAKA’S DEBUTNaomi Osaka got back on the court — and back in front of reporters’ microphones — for the first time since withdrawing from the French Open in May to take a mental health break.The Japanese superstar who lit the Olympic cauldron defeated 52nd-ranked Zheng Saisai of China 6-1, 6-4 in her opening match.Osaka revealed in May that she has dealt with depression and stopped talking with reporters, saying the experience gave her “huge waves of anxiety.”“More than anything else I’m just focused on playing tennis,” Osaka said. “The Olympics has been a dream of mine since I was a kid so I feel like the break that I took was very needed. I feel definitely a little bit refreshed and I’m happy again.”She added that she was “happy” that reporters were asking her questions, then added: “I feel a little bit out of my body right now.”FIGHTING FAMILYJapanese siblings Hifumi and Uta Abe each won gold medals in judo, giving the host country three golds in its beloved homegrown martial art.Hifumi triumphed in the men’s 66-kilogram category shortly after Uta won the women’s 52-kilogram division at the Budokan.Hifumi won all four of hits bouts Sunday, including over Georgia’s Vazha Margvelashvili by ippon in the final. Uta beat Amandine Buchard of France to win her own first Olympic gold.

Sunday Olympic Update


Wed 6/2	@ Sunflower Seeds - Game 1 - Won 17-2&nbsp; (1-0)

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Game 2 - Won 5-0 (2-0)

Fri 6/4 Sunflower
Seeds - Game 1 - Won 8-4 (3-0)

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;- Game 2 - Won 6-1 (4-0)

Sat 6/5	Sunflower
Seeds&nbsp; - Won 12-5 (5-0)


Sun 6/20	@ Dodge City - W 11-4 (9-3&nbsp; 8-3)


Mon 6/21 vs Hutchinson @ Wichita - Lost 5-1 (9-4&nbsp; 8-4)

Tue
6/22	Hutchinson - Won 13-0 7 inn. (10-4&nbsp; 9-4)


Wed 6/23	@ Hutchinson - Won 13-5 (11-4&nbsp; 10-4)

Fri 6/25	
Hutchinson 7:00 - PPD Rain

Sat 6/26	316
Sluggers - Lost 4-3 (11-5&nbsp; 10-5)

Sun 6/27	316
Sluggers - Lost 2-1 (11-6&nbsp; 10-6)


Mon 6/28	316 Sluggers @ Eck Stadium - Lost 8-0 (11-7&nbsp; 10-7)


Tue 6/29	@ 316 Sluggers - PPD Wet Grounds


Wed 6/30	@ 316 Sluggers - Game 1 - Lost 4-2 (11-8&nbsp; 10-8)

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;- Game 2 - Lost 8-6 (11-9&nbsp; 10-9)

Fri 7/2	Cheney - Won 9-6 (12-9&nbsp; 11-9)

Sat 7/3	Cheney
- Lost 8-4 (12-10&nbsp; 11-10)

Tue 7/6 - Hutchinson - Won 6-5 (13-10&nbsp; 12-10)


Wed 7/7 @ Cheney - Won 11-4 (14-10&nbsp; 13-10)


Thur 7/8 @ Cheney - Won 4-3 (15-10 14-10)

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Won 12-3 (16-10&nbsp; 15-10)


Sat 7/10	@ Derby - Lost 5-1 (16-11&nbsp; 15-11)

Sun 7/11	Derby - Won 6-4 (17-11 16-11)

Tue 7/13	Derby - Won 7-0 (18-11&nbsp; 17-11)

Fri 7/16 MidWest Moos - Won 12-2 (19-11 17-11)

Sun 7/18 @ Derby - Lost 6-1 (19-12&nbsp; 17-12)

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; - Won 8-2 (20-12&nbsp; 18-12)

Tue 7/20 Newton Rebels - Won 11-4 (21-12&nbsp; 18-12)

Wed 7/21 316 Sluggers - Won 7-4 (22-12&nbsp; 18-12)

Thur 7/22	Dodge
City - Won 6-4 (23-12&nbsp; 18-12)

Fri
7/23	Haysville - Won 11-1 (24-12&nbsp; 19-12)

Sat
7/24	Haysville - Won 8-3 (25-12&nbsp; 20-12)

2021 Great Bend
Bat Cats(home games in
bold)
Wed 6/2	@ Sunflower Seeds - Game 1 - Won 17-2&nbsp; (1-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Game 2 - Won 5-0 (2-0)Fri 6/4 Sunflower
Seeds - Game 1 - Won 8-4 (3-0)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;- Game 2 - Won 6-1 (4-0)Sat 6/5	Sunflower
Seeds&nbsp; - Won 12-5 (5-0)
Mon 6/7	@ Newton - Lost 8-6 (5-1)Tue 6/8	Newton - Won 7-3 (6-1)
Wed 6/9	@ Newton - Won 9-7 (7-1)
Fri 6/10 	- Won 12-1 (8-1)Sat 6/11	Newton
- Lost 11-5 (8-2)Thur 6/17 @ Liberal Canceled
Sat 6/19	@ Hutchinson - L 6-5 (8-3)
Sun 6/20	@ Dodge City - W 11-4 (9-3&nbsp; 8-3)
Mon 6/21 vs Hutchinson @ Wichita - Lost 5-1 (9-4&nbsp; 8-4)Tue
6/22	Hutchinson - Won 13-0 7 inn. (10-4&nbsp; 9-4)
Wed 6/23	@ Hutchinson - Won 13-5 (11-4&nbsp; 10-4)Fri 6/25	
Hutchinson 7:00 - PPD RainSat 6/26	316
Sluggers - Lost 4-3 (11-5&nbsp; 10-5)Sun 6/27	316
Sluggers - Lost 2-1 (11-6&nbsp; 10-6)
Mon 6/28	316 Sluggers @ Eck Stadium - Lost 8-0 (11-7&nbsp; 10-7)
Tue 6/29	@ 316 Sluggers - PPD Wet Grounds
Wed 6/30	@ 316 Sluggers - Game 1 - Lost 4-2 (11-8&nbsp; 10-8)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;- Game 2 - Lost 8-6 (11-9&nbsp; 10-9)Fri 7/2	Cheney - Won 9-6 (12-9&nbsp; 11-9)Sat 7/3	Cheney
- Lost 8-4 (12-10&nbsp; 11-10)Tue 7/6 - Hutchinson - Won 6-5 (13-10&nbsp; 12-10)
Wed 7/7 @ Cheney - Won 11-4 (14-10&nbsp; 13-10)
Thur 7/8 @ Cheney - Won 4-3 (15-10 14-10)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Won 12-3 (16-10&nbsp; 15-10)
Sat 7/10	@ Derby - Lost 5-1 (16-11&nbsp; 15-11)Sun 7/11	Derby - Won 6-4 (17-11 16-11)
Mon 7/12	Derby @ Eck Stadium PPDTue 7/13	Derby - Won 7-0 (18-11&nbsp; 17-11)
Thur 7/15	@ Derby 7:00 - PPD RAINFri 7/16 MidWest Moos - Won 12-2 (19-11 17-11)Sun 7/18 @ Derby - Lost 6-1 (19-12&nbsp; 17-12)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; - Won 8-2 (20-12&nbsp; 18-12)Tue 7/20 Newton Rebels - Won 11-4 (21-12&nbsp; 18-12)Wed 7/21 316 Sluggers - Won 7-4 (22-12&nbsp; 18-12)Thur 7/22	Dodge
City - Won 6-4 (23-12&nbsp; 18-12)Fri
7/23	Haysville - Won 11-1 (24-12&nbsp; 19-12)Sat
7/24	Haysville - Won 8-3 (25-12&nbsp; 20-12)Sun
7/25	Haysville 3:00
Mon 7/26	@ Haysville 7:00
Tue 7/27	@ Haysville 7:00

Great Bend Bat Cats Schedule and Results

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs kicked off training camp Saturday by placing veteran safety Armani Watts on the physically unable to perform list and moving rookie defensive end Malik Herring to the non-football injury list.

Watts sustained a foot fracture during offseason workouts in May and wasn’t expected to be ready to practice when veterans report to training camp on Monday. Head coach Andy Reid said Friday that Watts is progressing well in his recovery but he didn’t place a timetable on the safety’s return to action.

A 2018 fourth-round draft choice for the Chiefs, Watts has emerged as a key special teams performer, playing in all 16 regular-season games during the past two seasons. He saw action on 80.7% of the club’s special teams snaps last season and also played 101 snaps on defense while matching his career-high with 17 total tackles.

Herring, an undrafted rookie free agent, suffered a torn ACL during practice for the Senior Bowl in January and is expected to miss the season. The 22-year-old from Georgia had four sacks and 13 tackles for a loss during four seasons for the Bulldogs, playing in 52 games with 17 starts. The Chiefs anticipate Herring competing for a roster spot in 2022.

Both players will continue counting on the team’s 90-man active roster. The Chiefs still have one more roster move to make in order free space for veteran free-agent defensive Alex Okafor, who agree to terms with the club on a one-year deal earlier this week and is expected to report to camp with other veterans Monday.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs kicked off training camp Saturday by placing veteran safety Armani Watts on the physically unable to perform list and moving rookie defensive end Malik Herring to the non-football injury list.Watts sustained a foot fracture during offseason workouts in May and wasn’t expected to be ready to practice when veterans report to training camp on Monday. Head coach Andy Reid said Friday that Watts is progressing well in his recovery but he didn’t place a timetable on the safety’s return to action.A 2018 fourth-round draft choice for the Chiefs, Watts has emerged as a key special teams performer, playing in all 16 regular-season games during the past two seasons. He saw action on 80.7% of the club’s special teams snaps last season and also played 101 snaps on defense while matching his career-high with 17 total tackles.Herring, an undrafted rookie free agent, suffered a torn ACL during practice for the Senior Bowl in January and is expected to miss the season. The 22-year-old from Georgia had four sacks and 13 tackles for a loss during four seasons for the Bulldogs, playing in 52 games with 17 starts. The Chiefs anticipate Herring competing for a roster spot in 2022.Both players will continue counting on the team’s 90-man active roster. The Chiefs still have one more roster move to make in order free space for veteran free-agent defensive Alex Okafor, who agree to terms with the club on a one-year deal earlier this week and is expected to report to camp with other veterans Monday.

Chiefs open training camp, place Watts on PUP list

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez and Carlos Santana hit three-run homers in the Kansas City Royals’ 9-8 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night.

Perez hit his 23rd home run of the season to highlight a four-run fourth. Santana gave the Royals the lead with a three-run homer to right in a five-run seventh.

“I think it got lost there at the end, but we were down six runs,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “I can’t think of another team that I have been around that is as resilient as this team.”

Hanser Alberto capped the seventh with a two-run, pinch-hit triple. Nicky Lopez went 3 for 3 with an RBI and a walk from No. 9 spot to help Kansas City win its fourth straight.

“We never quit, we just competed to the last out,” Perez said. “Nobody put their head down and there was a lot of energy in the dugout.”

Jake Brentz (3-2) was the winner. Wade Davis finished for his second save of the season after Greg Holland gave up two runs in the ninth.

Kyle Funkhouser (4-1) allowed all five runs in the seventh for Detroit.

The Tigers pounced on Carlos Hernández early, backed by Jeimer Candelario and Miguel Cabrera. Hernández gave up five runs, four earned, on two hits with four walks in 2 2/3 innings with two strikeouts.

A three-run home run by Candelario in the third gave Casey Mize a comfortable lead.

Mize struck out six in 4 2/3 innings but gave up four runs on six hits with a walk.

Akil Baddoo hit a two-run homer in the ninth for the Tigers, his ninth of the season and fourth in the last 11 games.

Tarik Skubal (6-8, 4.18 ERA) will take the mound for Detroit in the series finale. Daniel Lynch (0-2, 15.75 ERA) will make his fourth career start for Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez and Carlos Santana hit three-run homers in the Kansas City Royals’ 9-8 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night.Perez hit his 23rd home run of the season to highlight a four-run fourth. Santana gave the Royals the lead with a three-run homer to right in a five-run seventh.“I think it got lost there at the end, but we were down six runs,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “I can’t think of another team that I have been around that is as resilient as this team.”Hanser Alberto capped the seventh with a two-run, pinch-hit triple. Nicky Lopez went 3 for 3 with an RBI and a walk from No. 9 spot to help Kansas City win its fourth straight.“We never quit, we just competed to the last out,” Perez said. “Nobody put their head down and there was a lot of energy in the dugout.”Jake Brentz (3-2) was the winner. Wade Davis finished for his second save of the season after Greg Holland gave up two runs in the ninth.Kyle Funkhouser (4-1) allowed all five runs in the seventh for Detroit.The Tigers pounced on Carlos Hernández early, backed by Jeimer Candelario and Miguel Cabrera. Hernández gave up five runs, four earned, on two hits with four walks in 2 2/3 innings with two strikeouts.A three-run home run by Candelario in the third gave Casey Mize a comfortable lead.Mize struck out six in 4 2/3 innings but gave up four runs on six hits with a walk.Akil Baddoo hit a two-run homer in the ninth for the Tigers, his ninth of the season and fourth in the last 11 games.UP NEXTTarik Skubal (6-8, 4.18 ERA) will take the mound for Detroit in the series finale. Daniel Lynch (0-2, 15.75 ERA) will make his fourth career start for Kansas City.

Perez, Santana homer in Royals’ 9-8 victory over Tigers

CINCINNATI (AP) — Jesse Winker homered, doubled and drove in four runs, Luis Castillo pitched seven effective innings and the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3. Joey Votto also homered to help the Reds overcome three errors and extend their winning streak against St. Louis to six games, their longest since taking six straight in May 2003. Cincinnati swept the Cardinals in a four-game series in St. Louis June 3-6. The Reds have won three of their last four games after dropping the first four of their nine-game homestand.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez and Carlos Santana hit three-run homers in the Kansas City Royals’ 9-8 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night. Perez hit his 23rd home run of the season to highlight a four-run fourth. Santana gave the Royals the lead with a three-run homer to right in a five-run seventh. Hanser Alberto rounded out a five-run seventh with a two-run, pinch-hit triple. Nicky Lopez went 3 for 3 with an RBI and a walk from No. 9 spot to help Kansas City win its fourth straight. Jake Brentz (3-2) was the winner. Wade Davis finished for his second save of the season after Greg Holland gave up two runs in the ninth. 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs kicked off training camp Saturday by placing veteran safety Armani Watts on the physically unable to perform list and moving rookie defensive end Malik Herring to the non-football injury list. Watts sustained a foot fracture during offseason workouts in May and wasn’t expected to be ready to practice when veterans report to training camp on Monday. Head coach Andy Reid said Friday that Watts is progressing well in his recovery but he didn’t place a timetable on the safety’s return to action. Herring, an undrafted rookie free agent, suffered a torn ACL during practice for the Senior Bowl in January and is expected to miss the season.

UNDATED (AP) — Golfer Bryson DeChambeau has tested positive for COVID-19 before leaving the United States and will miss the Olympics. He’ll be replaced by Patrick Reed. Last year’s U.S. Open champion becomes the highest-profile athlete to test positive for the virus.

UNDATED (AP) — The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays now share first place in the American League East. Rougned Odor (ROOG’-nehd oh-DOHR’) atoned for a pair of early errors by delivering a game-tying, two-run double and scoring the go-ahead run in a four-run eighth that sent the Yankees past the Red Sox, 4-3. Austin Meadows smacked a pair of two-run homers and Ji-Man Choi had three RBIs in an 8-2 win at Cleveland.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625823196555.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CINCINNATI (AP) — Jesse Winker homered, doubled and drove in four runs, Luis Castillo pitched seven effective innings and the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3. Joey Votto also homered to help the Reds overcome three errors and extend their winning streak against St. Louis to six games, their longest since taking six straight in May 2003. Cincinnati swept the Cardinals in a four-game series in St. Louis June 3-6. The Reds have won three of their last four games after dropping the first four of their nine-game homestand.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez and Carlos Santana hit three-run homers in the Kansas City Royals’ 9-8 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night. Perez hit his 23rd home run of the season to highlight a four-run fourth. Santana gave the Royals the lead with a three-run homer to right in a five-run seventh. Hanser Alberto rounded out a five-run seventh with a two-run, pinch-hit triple. Nicky Lopez went 3 for 3 with an RBI and a walk from No. 9 spot to help Kansas City win its fourth straight. Jake Brentz (3-2) was the winner. Wade Davis finished for his second save of the season after Greg Holland gave up two runs in the ninth. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs kicked off training camp Saturday by placing veteran safety Armani Watts on the physically unable to perform list and moving rookie defensive end Malik Herring to the non-football injury list. Watts sustained a foot fracture during offseason workouts in May and wasn’t expected to be ready to practice when veterans report to training camp on Monday. Head coach Andy Reid said Friday that Watts is progressing well in his recovery but he didn’t place a timetable on the safety’s return to action. Herring, an undrafted rookie free agent, suffered a torn ACL during practice for the Senior Bowl in January and is expected to miss the season.UNDATED (AP) — Golfer Bryson DeChambeau has tested positive for COVID-19 before leaving the United States and will miss the Olympics. He’ll be replaced by Patrick Reed. Last year’s U.S. Open champion becomes the highest-profile athlete to test positive for the virus.UNDATED (AP) — The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays now share first place in the American League East. Rougned Odor (ROOG’-nehd oh-DOHR’) atoned for a pair of early errors by delivering a game-tying, two-run double and scoring the go-ahead run in a four-run eighth that sent the Yankees past the Red Sox, 4-3. Austin Meadows smacked a pair of two-run homers and Ji-Man Choi had three RBIs in an 8-2 win at Cleveland.SATURDAY SCORESINTERLEAGUEFinal	Baltimore	5	Washington	3	Final	Milwaukee	6	Chicago White Sox	1	Final	Toronto	10	N.Y. Mets	3	AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	N.Y. Yankees	4	Boston	3	Final	L.A. Angels	2	Minnesota	1	Final	Tampa Bay	8	Cleveland	2	Final	Houston	4	Texas	1	Final	Kansas City	9	Detroit	8	Final	Seattle	5	Oakland	4	NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Arizona	7	Chicago Cubs	3	Final	Miami	3	San Diego	2	Final	Atlanta	15	Philadelphia	3	Final	Cincinnati	5	St. Louis	3	Final	L.A. Dodgers	1	Colorado	0	Final	Pittsburgh	10	San Francisco	2

Sunday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Conference realignment is back on the table in college sports just as three Power Five conferences are breaking in relatively new commissioners.

While the Big 12 is trying to keep Oklahoma and Texas from being poached by the Southeastern Conference, the Big Ten, Pac-12 and Atlantic Coast Conference could be challenged to respond should veteran SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey make a bold move.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Conference realignment is back on the table in college sports just as three Power Five conferences are breaking in relatively new commissioners.While the Big 12 is trying to keep Oklahoma and Texas from being poached by the Southeastern Conference, the Big Ten, Pac-12 and Atlantic Coast Conference could be challenged to respond should veteran SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey make a bold move.Texas and Oklahoma will reportedly inform the Big 12 in the next few days that they are leaving, though neither school has issued any statements beyond non-denial references to rumors.A 16-team SEC with the Longhorns and Sooners has the potential to make what is already the strongest conference in college football even more dominant and wealthy.Do the other conferences have to react?For now, the Big Ten — the SEC’s closest rival in quality and revenue generation —- apparently is not feeling pressured into it.“We haven’t had conversations (about expansion), we’re not overreacting, it’s not who we are,” Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said at Big Ten media days Friday. “We just have to pause, study, learn, do what’s right for us. But we haven’t had conversations about that move collectively.”Smith stressed that having a commissioner in Kevin Warren, who is still settling into college sports after a long career in the NFL, is not an issue for the league.“What’s a blessing for our league is the collective intellectual knowledge among our ADs and our presidents,” Smith said. “If we decide we need to something we’ll be in good position to do so.”Warren has been the commissioner since January 2020, but navigating the pandemic has consumed most of his time in the conference. He is still building relationships within his own league.In the ACC, former Northwestern AD Jim Phillips is in his seventh month as commissioner. Phillips is a veteran of college sports who has been active at the NCAA level. His longevity should give him credibility and relationships across the country.Phillips already has an expansion target: Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish compete in the ACC in most sports but returned to football independence after a temporary, pandemic-induced season playing in the conference last season.“That was a really beautiful and beneficial relationship to both Notre Dame and the ACC. They had a chance to play a fantastic schedule,” Phillips said this week. “They had a chance to vie for a national championship and compete in the CFP. We have a real-life example of what that could look like.”Notre Dame, however, is unfazed by the latest potential upheaval.“We like our position regardless of how that plays out (with Texas and Oklahoma),” athletic director Jack Swarbrick said.Years ago, Notre Dame was courted by the Big Ten and passed. Its current deal with the ACC assures the Fighting Irish four or five football games per season with ACC members, but still allows them to be independent and, among other things, able to strike their own TV deals.The agreement with Notre Dame and the ACC runs through 2036, concurrently with the conference’s TV contract and grant or rights that binds its full members; it says that if Notre Dame were to join a conference it would be the ACC.Of course, as conference realignment past and present has shown, everything is negotiable.If Texas and Oklahoma are off the board and heading to the SEC, the only school that could move the needle financially and competitively for another conference to add would be Notre Dame.In the Pac-12, George Kliavkoff, a former MGM executive, took over officially July 1, though he got a head start in June by attending College Football Playoff meetings on potential expansion of the postseason system.Realignment has kicked CFP expansion from four to 12 teams to the back burner in college football for now.Kliavkoff declined to speculate on how an expanded SEC might influence the Pac-12.“I consider the Pac-12 an exclusive club with high barriers to entry,” Kliavkoff said. “We’re not actively trying to poach teams from other conferences, but we are open to listen if schools reach out to us.”Geography limits the Pac-12′s possibilities if it did want to expand and a weakened Big 12 is not well positioned to lure Pac-12 schools away from a relatively stable situation.The Pac-12′s TV deal expires in 2024. The Big 12′s runs through 2025. The Big Ten’s latest deal is done after in 2023.The potential move by the Longhorns rippled to the Texas Capitol, where by Friday nearly three dozen lawmakers had signed onto a bill that would require legislative approval for a university to switch athletic conferences. But any immediate action would require Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, a University of Texas alumnus and Longhorns fan, to put the matter on the agenda of a special session – which is currently at a standstill after Democrats bolted for Washington in an effort to stop new voting measures.If the Big 12 wants to save itself by adding, it already has stacks of resumes: Just five years ago, the conference held something of a casting call and explored expansion. Much of the American Athletic Conference applied, along with schools such as Boise State and BYU.AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco did not return a message Friday, but a person with knowledge of the conference’s strategy told AP it is working on plans to be proactive and possibly add teams from the Big 12 instead of being poached. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the league’s internal discussions are private.

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