By MIKE COURSON
 Great Bend Post

A cocktail hour that lends itself a little more to
conversation. That’s how Great Bend Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Megan
Barfield described the opening hour for the upcoming 104th Annual
Chamber Awards, scheduled for Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. Registration for the event is
now open. With 400-500 people typically in attendance, Barfield said that
growth has resulted in change of venue this year.

“Simply because of growing attendance, we are coming back
into Great Bend to the Events Center,” she said. “Our numbers just keep
growing, which is good. That means we’re reaching a lot of people through our
membership and engagement.”

The event is presented by Spectrum Partners LLC and The
University of Kansas Health System, and the cocktail hour is sponsored by
Equity Bank, but plenty of other sponsorship opportunities are still available.
That Saturday’s meal will include chicken fried steak or chicken, along with a
dessert, catered by A &amp; G Catering. A grazing table will be provided by
Proper Boards &amp; Picnics.

Corporate tables that seat 10 are available for $1,000.
Chamber members can purchase individual tickets for $85, or tickets for
non-chamber members are $100.

“They can go to greatbend.org, or they can call the office
at (620) 792-2401, and probably ask for Julie (Mazouch) if you’re looking at sponsorships,” Barfield said. “Or anyone who answers can help with
tickets.”

Four awards will be handed out on the evening. Dr. Ty
Brunswig was last year’s NextGen Leader of the Year, Paul Snapp was Citizen of
the Year, and MPIRE Realty Group was Business of the Year. Sheryl Cheely earned
the Legacy Award.

Corporate sponsorships still available for 104th Great Bend Chamber awards banquet

Barton Community College kicked off Career and Technical Education Month by hosting the 11th Annual Career Fair on campus Friday.

A total of 448 students in grades 8-12 attended the event, which highlighted Barton’s career and technical education programs through hands-on activities, classroom experiences, and interaction with faculty, staff, and community partners. The event offered students an engaging look at career pathways and training opportunities available through Barton.

Barton Director of Early College Opportunities Karly Little said hosting a Career Fair for students in grades 8–12 has been a key part of Barton’s CTE Month celebration for more than a decade. Since the first event in 2016, when approximately 200 students registered, the Career Fair has grown significantly.

“Each year, we include more programs, more activities, and more volunteers,” she said.&nbsp; “We have experimented yearly to meet any challenges or changes we see in order to help the event keep evolving.&nbsp; It’s all about helping students explore careers that they may not know about in some way, shape, or form, or introduce them to something new.”

February is recognized nationally as Career and Technical Education Month, and Barton’s Workforce Training and Community Education Division celebrates throughout the month by recognizing students, team members, and advisory board partners who support career technical programs. Career and technical education at Barton focuses on preparing youth and adults with the skills and training needed for today’s workforce.

Volunteers from across campus and area communities supported the event by leading student groups and assisting throughout the day in various ways.

Little said the Career Fair allows students to explore opportunities they never even dreamed of before.

“Sometimes people see employees, in various industries, without thinking about how they arrived there, or how just one instance can set someone on a path to a rewarding occupation,” she said. “My hope is that this event opens students’ eyes, or maybe even their parents’ eyes as well, to career paths they may never have considered. It excites me to think that somewhere on campus that day, a student might pick up a hammer for the first time, count and measure medications they’d never imagined working with, or feel the thrill of climbing into an ambulance simulator and discover the spark that lights up their future.”

Instructional programs were central to the Career Fair, welcoming students into classrooms and labs for interactive learning experiences. Faculty and program leaders collaborated with industry partners to engage students across a wide range of academic and technical fields.

Students were able to explore agriculture and commercial transportation; construction and energy trades; healthcare and allied health; computer science, STEM, and aviation; public service and emergency response; education and the arts; and business and communications.

To learn more or become a part of next year’s Career Fair, reach out to Little at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:littlek@bartonccc.edu">littlek@bartonccc.edu</a>&nbsp;or (620) 792-9294.

Barton celebrates Career and Technical Education Month with 11th annual Career Fair

The USD 428 Board of Education recognized Tacoa Underwood with a R.O.S.E. (Recognizing Outstanding Support of Education) Award during its meeting Monday evening.

The R.O.S.E. Award was created as part of the Board of Education’s ongoing efforts to honor individuals or groups whose actions make a meaningful impact on the school district. Recipients exemplify exceptional dedication, awareness, and support of USD 428 students and staff.

Underwood was presented the award by Jefferson Elementary School Principal Adam Niedens, alongside Superintendent Khris Thexton, for her quick thinking and selfless actions that ensured a student’s safety.

While serving as Jefferson Elementary School's crossing guard on 24th Street after school, Underwood observed a vehicle fail to stop at a red light as students were crossing. A student had already stepped several feet into the roadway when she recognized the danger. Without hesitation, Underwood placed herself at risk and quickly moved the student to safety, preventing a potentially serious accident.

“Tacoa’s awareness and courage reflect the very best of our school community,” said Superintendent Khris Thexton. “Her actions are exactly what the R.O.S.E. Award is meant to honor.”

On behalf of our staff, parents, and community, USD 428 extends its sincere gratitude to Tacoa Underwood for going above and beyond to prioritize student safety and for her unwavering commitment to protecting students.&nbsp;

This occurrence also serves as an opportunity to remind and encourage all drivers to remain alert and exercise extra caution near schools and in school zones, helping ensure the safety of students, staff, and families.&nbsp;&nbsp;

USD 428 Board of Education honors Tacoa Underwood with R.O.S.E. Award

&nbsp;Eagle Media will not have a video stream available for tonight’s Great Bend Panther basketball game.  Fans can still follow all the action with live play-by-play on the radio and online. Brant Daughtry will handle play-by-play duties tonight, sitting in for Mike Hesher.  Radio coverage on B104.3 The Point and online audio streaming (click Listen Live below) will continue as scheduled.

Panther Sports Powered by:&nbsp;Equity Bank. Sponsored in part by:&nbsp;GB Tarp Company, Advance Truck &amp; Diesel, Keller Real Estate &amp; Insurance, Innovative Livestock Services, The Fieldhouse, Marmie Auto Group, Magna Dry Cleaning Services, Freedom Claims Management, Great Bend Rec, Rosenberg Family Dentistry, Chris Ramsey - Shelter Insurance, Mitch Haney &amp; Associates, Farmer's Bank &amp; Trust, Scott's Welding Service, Kern Floor Service, Nex-Tech, Comfort Pro, The University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus, People's Bank &amp; Trust, Sutherlands, The 10th Street Eyecare Center, Stone Sand Company and Stone Waste Management, Advanced Therapy &amp; Sports Medicine, Damm Pipe Testing, Great Bend Redi Mix, Insurance Planning, Edward Jones, Delgado's Mexican Restaurant, Mpire Realty, American Plains Coop, Cody Crook - Red Cedar Land Company, GB Tires, Animal Medical Center, Barton Community College, Dr. Chad Ohnmacht DDS, &amp; Watkins Calcara Chartered.

Panther Basketball Video Stream Unavailable Tonight

Great Bend High School will celebrate its 2026 Winter Homecoming on&nbsp;Friday, Feb. 13, with an exciting evening of Panther basketball.

Homecoming festivities will take place during the basketball match-up featuring the&nbsp;Great Bend Panthers&nbsp;against the&nbsp;Garden City Buffaloes. The Varsity Girls basketball game will tip off at 6 p.m., followed by the Varsity Boys game at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The Homecoming Court will be introduced between games, with the Homecoming King and Queen crowned on center court at approximately 7 p.m.

Students, families, and community members are invited to join Great Bend High School for a night of celebration, tradition, and Panther pride.

For more information, please contact the Great Bend High School Activities Office at 620-793-1560.

Great Bend High School announces 2026 Winter Homecoming court

Booked in Wigern, Cody M. on a Barton County District Court case #26-25 for Driving Under the Influence. Bond set at $1,000.00 or 18 Hour OR.

Released Wigern, Cody M. on Barton County District Court cnse#26-25 for Driving Under the Influence. By posting $1,000.00 Surety Bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

Released Terry, Matthew A. on Barton County District Court case #202600137 for Driving While Suspended; 2nd Offense, Speeding, and Child Restraint; by order of the Court.

Booked Muckenthaler, Rebecca on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2024CR0312 for Probation Violation. Bond set at $10,000 cash or surety.

Released Muckenthaler, Rebecca on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2024CR0312 for Probation Violation with a $10,000.00 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

Booked Davis, Blake G. on Great Bend Municipal Court case #26-195 for Domestic Battery, Criminal Damage to Property, and Possession of THC. Bond is set at $1000.00 Cash or Surety.

Barton County Sheriff's Office Booking activity (2/9)

Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 53. Breezy, with a north wind 19 to 24 mph decreasing to 11 to 16 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. North northeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Light east wind becoming south southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Thursday Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Friday A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52.

Tuesday'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

Many people receive Valentine’s Day gifts from loved ones, especially roses, but they decline shortly after Feb. 14. Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini offers guidelines to extend the life of floral arrangements and loose stems.

“For floral arrangements, keep the vase filled or floral foam soaked with warm water,” Domenghini said. “Add fresh, warm water daily and if the water turns cloudy, replace it immediately.”

Domenghini suggests recutting loose stems every time water is replaced by removing 1-2 inches with a sharp knife, under water to allow the stem to draw water instead of air.

“Keep flowers in a cool spot (65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit), away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, directly under ceiling fans, or near radiators,” Domenghini said.

For loose stems, begin by filling a clean, deep vase with water and add the flower food obtained from your florist.

“Remove leaves that will be below the waterline. Leaves in water will promote bacterial growth,” Domenghini said, “Stems should be cut immediately before putting them in water.”

If you cannot get flowers in a food solution right away, keep them cool, Domenghini added.

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus in Manhattan.K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity employer and provider. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating.

BOOR: Tips for keeping Valentine's Day floral arrangements around longer

News from the Oil Patch, Feb. 9 by John P. Tretbar

Domestic crude-oil production dropped to a 15-month low last week, down from the record setting heights achieved in the last couple of months. Last week, the US Energy Information Administration published its lowest weekly production average since November of 2024. At just over 13.2 million barrels a day, output is down nearly half a million barrels a day from last week and a quarter-million barrels a day from the same week last year. Weekly production reports from EIA have held consistently over 13.5 million barrels a day since last September. By November, average output surpassed 13.8 million in each of nine consecutive weekly reports, a streak that ended three weeks ago.

Commercial crude inventories dipped 3.5 million barrels to just over 420 million as of January 30. The Energy Information Administration reports stockpiles are four percent below the five-year average for this time of year.

The government reports another 200-thousand barrels added the strategic stockpiles stored on our behalf in some caverns in Louisiana. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve tops out slightly over 415 million barrels, up 20 million barrels or five percent from a year ago.

At 6.2 million barrels a day, crude imports are up half a million daily barrels from a week ago but down 700-thousand barrels from the same week a year ago. The four week average is down 3.2%. The government says crude exports are down more than half a million barrels, but remain above four million barrels per day.

The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes is up five gas rigs and up one oil rig for a total of 551 rigs. The breakout for horizontal rigs is up five. Texas is up six rigs.

The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service is unchanged in Western Kansas at six active rigs. The tally east of Wichita is down two at five rigs. The totals are down 21 percent from a month ago and 26% lower than a year ago. On Friday, operators were drilling or about to start on a lease in Gove County and two in Rooks County.

As of this week, operators in Kansas have drilled 39 wells from spud to completion in 2026, down from 86 during the same period last year. So far this year, 15 active operators have drilled nearly 50-thousand total feet of well bore in Kansas. Last year at this time, 40 operators were listed, drilling nearly double that total footage. Independent Oil and Gas Service reports 13 new well-completions this week, 78 so far this year, compared to 143 by this time last year. There are four new completions west of Wichita including one in Ellis County and one in Gove County.

Kansas regulators approved five new drilling locations this week, all of them in Western Kansas, including one new permit in Stafford County and one in Rooks County. That's 45 new permits this year compared to 66 last year at this time.

State geologists recently upgraded online reporting on oil and gas in Kansas, and the newest numbers reflect a continuing decline in production. Only one of the top ten counties posted an increase. Statewide output through the first three quarters of last year drops to just over 70,000 barrels a day, from just over 73,000 daily barrels for all of 2024. Ellis County production drops to just over 5,400 barrels a day, down 210 barrels from the year before. Ranked second among counties, Haskell County averaged just a few barrels shy of five thousand barrels a day, up 599 barrels for the only countywide increase. Finney County drops to 4,100 barrels a day. Barton County checks in with 3,736 barrels per day, down by 110 barrels.&nbsp; Russell County drops to just over 3,300 barrels, and Stafford County dips to just over 2,300 barrels a day.

Cleanup continued after a massive drilling rig tipped over and crashed to the tundra in Alaska's North Slope. The huge ConocoPhillips rig is known as "the Beast." &nbsp;It toppled along a frozen gravel road within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. According to the Anchorage Daily News, a third-party firm is investigating the cause of the accident and subsequent fuel spill, but only when the weather makes it safe. Temperatures rose into the 30s the day of the incident but returned to subzero conditions afterward.

The recent nationwide cold snap dubbed "Winter Storm Fern" forced a huge draw on energy in the US.&nbsp; Fern spurred the largest weekly net natural gas withdrawal in Energy Department records. The numbers reflect increased demand for both space heating and electricity generation, as well as reduced supplies due to equipment freeze-offs and shut-ins. Natural gas spot prices for the week nearly doubled in some locations. In the week ending January 25, 2026, natural gas generation in the Lower 48 states increased 14% from the previous week while generation from solar, wind, and hydropower declined. Coal-fired electricity generation increased 31% from the previous week. EIA says during the week of Winter Storm Fern, Nuclear generation was nearly unchanged.Independent Oil and Gas Service notes some familiar names in its list of the top Kansas drillers last year. 

East of Wichita that's RJ Energy, Colt Energy, C&amp;G Drilling, McGown Drilling and TDR Construction. In Western Kansas, Duke Drilling leads the list with 73 wells drilled to total depth, followed by Murfin Drilling with 52 wells. Rounding out the top five were Discovery Drilling, Pickrell Drilling, and Sterling Drilling.

News from the Oil Patch: 'Fern' freezes, 'The Beast' topples, output hard put

Released Estes, Krystal D. on Barton County District Court case #26-121 for Driving While Revoked, and No Headlights after posting a $2,500.00 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

Booked Alonzo, Lottie A. on Barton County District Court case #26-177 for Possession of Methamphetamine; bond set at $10,000.00 Cash or Surety.

Released Croslin, Michael A. Sr. on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2022CR0119 for Probation Violation, by Order of the Court.

Booked in Moore, Jason C. on Stafford County District Court warrant #SF2024CR21 for Probation Violation, bond set at NO BOND.

Booked in Hicks, Nicholas S. on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2022CR0160 for Serve Sentence. Bond set at NO 80ND.

Released Owens, Joseph R. on Barton County District Court case #26-171 for Criminal Damage to Property and Criminal Threat by posting a $5,000.00 Surety Bond through ACE Bail Bonds.

Released Alonzo, Lottie A. on Barton County District Court case #26-177 for Possession of Methamphetamine by posting $10,000.00 Surety Bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

Booked in Wornkey, Nicholos R. on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2023CR0188 for Probation Violation, bond set at NO BOND.

Booked Martinez-Cruz, Maximiliano on Great Bend Municipal Court case #26-181 for No Driver's License, and Defective Tail Lamp; bond set at $500.00 Cash or Surety or 48 Hour O.R.

Released Martinez-Cruz, Maximiliano on Great Bend Municipal Court case #26-181 for No Driver's License, and Defective Tail Lamp; after posting a $500.00 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonds.

Booked Hibbs, Melissa A. on Pottawatomie County District Court warrant #PT2024CR0159 for Contempt of Court Indirect, bond set at $824.90 CASH ONLY.

Released Hamilton, Nathan E. on Barton County District Court warrant #BT2025CR0269 for Probation Violation after serving a 30 day sanction. End of Sentence, Time Served.

Released Buck, Charles J.R. on Barton County District Court Case #BT2025CR0281 for Probation Violation. Time Served.

Released Hibbs, Melissa A. on Pottawatomie County District Court warrant #PT2024CR0159 for Contempt of Court; Indirect with a cash bond of $824.90.

Released Hicks, Nicholas S. on Barton County District Court case #BT2022CR0160 for Serve Sentence. Time Served.

Released Trevino, Tucker on Great Bend Municipal Court Warrant #202400274 for Serve Sentence with No Bond. Released on Time Served.

Booked Ortiz-Barrios, Victor on Great Bend Municipal Court case #26-186 for Driving While Suspended, No Proof of Insurance, and Expired Registration. Bond set at $1,000.00 cash or surety.

Booked Fiesterman, Tre on Barton County District Court warrant #8T2026-CR-0048 for Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond set at $10,000.00 cash or surety.

Released Ortiz-Barrios, Victor on Great Bend Municipal Court case #26-186 for Driving While Suspended, No Proof of Insurance, and Expired Registration with a Surety bond of $1,000.00 through Ace Bail Bonds.

Barton County Sheriff's Office Booking activity (2/6-2/8)

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 

Class 6A Boys 1. Shawnee Mission South 2. Olathe North 3. Wichita Heights 4. Mill Valley 5. Blue Valley Northwest 6. Blue Valley High 7. Maize 8. Derby 9. Olathe East 10. Blue Valley North Class 5A Boys 1. Kapaun Mt. Carmel 2. Maize South 3. Bonner Springs 4. Topeka West 5. KC Piper 6.&nbsp;Topeka Seaman 7. Hays 8. Emporia 9. Bishop Carroll 10. Shawnee Heights Class 4A Boys 1. Rock Creek 2. Atchison 3.&nbsp;Pratt 4. Concordia 5. Bishop Miege 6. Andale 7. Hugoton 8. Baldwin 9. Sante Fe Trail 10. Ottawa Class 3A Boys 1. Wichita Collegiate 2. Hesston 3. Holcomb 4. Burlington 5. Beloit 6. Silver Lake 7. Chaparral 8. Hiawatha 9. Riverton 10. Wichita Trinity Class 2A Boys 1. Sterling 2. Berean Academy 3. Moundridge 4. Salina Sacred Heart 5. Classical School of Wichita 6. Ell-Saline 7. Topeka - Cair Paravel Latin School 8. Thomas More Prep 9. Rossville 10. St. Mary's Class 1A-DI Boys 1. Little River 2. Olpe 3. South Central 4. Central Plains 5. Burden-Central 6. Pleasanton 7. Lawrence-Bishop Seabury Academy 8.&nbsp;Meade 9. St. John's/Tipton 10. Spearville Class 1A-DII Boys 1. Axtell 2. Hanover 3. Hartford 4. Lebo 5. Thunder Ridge 6. Wheatland/Grinnell 7. Wallace County 8. Victoria 9. Deerfield 10. Weskan -------------------------------- Class 6A Girls 1. Wichita Heights 2. Olathe South 3. Shawnee Mission South 4. Derby 5. Blue Valley North 6. Manhattan 7. Wichita East 8. Olathe North 9. Liberal 10. Washburn Rural Class 5A Girls 1. Andover 2. St. Thomas Aquinas 3.&nbsp;St. James Academy 4. Maize South 5. Hays 6. Kapaun Mt. Carmel 7. Shawnee Heights 8. KC Piper 9. Bishop Carroll 10. Goddard Eisenhower Class 4A Girls 1. Wellington 2. Eudora 3. Wamego 4. Independence 5. Bishop Miege 6. Rock Creek 7. Ottawa 8. Topeka Hayden 9. Santa Fe Trail 10. Clearwater Class 3A Girls 1. Silver Lake 2. Halstead 3. Holcomb 4. Osage City 5. Hiawatha 6. Goodland 7. Burlington 8. Southeast of Saline 9. Frontenac 10. Riverton Class 2A Girls 1. Eureka 2. Ellinwood 3. Hoxie 4. Moundridge 5. Salina Sacred Heart 6. Pitt-Colgan 7. Remington 8. Oakley 9. Hillsboro 10. Conway Springs Class 1A-DI 1. Little River 2. Centralia 3. Wabaunsee 4. Olpe 5. South Gray 6. Quinter 7. Pretty Prairie 8. St. John's-Tipton 9. Decatur Community 10. Hodgeman County Class 1A-DII 1. Hutch-Central Christian 2. Bucklin 3. Hanover 4. Linn 5. Ashland 6. Dighton 7. Marais des Cygnes Valley 8. Wheatland/Grinnell 9. Axtell 10. Lebo

KBCA High School BB Rankings (Feb. 10)

The Barton Community College softball team came up just short in a tightly contested road twinbill Monday afternoon, falling by scores of 4–3 and 1–0 at Northeastern Oklahoma A&amp;M College in Miami, Oklahoma.

The Cougars slip to 2–4 on the year heading into weekend travel to Denison, Texas, for a four-game slate at the THF Winter Blast, while NEO remained unbeaten, improving to 6–0.

Barton struck first in the opener, as&nbsp;Laney Wood&nbsp;opened her two-hit day out of the leadoff spot, followed by a single from&nbsp;Mollie Steiner&nbsp;before&nbsp;Carly Erpelding&nbsp;delivered an RBI single to put the Cougars on the board. NEO answered in the home half, taking advantage of a leadoff walk and single before pushing a run across on consecutive fielder's choices.

A pair of fourth-inning walks helped Barton regain the lead, with&nbsp;Karter Alvord&nbsp;and&nbsp;Kahli Fields&nbsp;coming around to score on Wood's second triple of the young season. The advantage was short-lived, however, as NEO responded in the bottom of the fifth. A walk and reach on a dropped third strike set the table before a pair of hits and a bases-loaded walk produced the deciding run. Barton put runners aboard in each of the final two innings but was unable to generate the tying score.

The nightcap turned into a defensive duel, as Barton was held hitless but still found ways to apply pressure by drawing walks and pushing runners into scoring position. The game's lone run crossed in the bottom of the fifth following a pair of walks, with the deciding run scoring on a passed ball. Barton mounted a final threat in the seventh, as Alvord and&nbsp;Morgan Thatcher&nbsp;reached on walks, but the Cougars could not break through in their final at-bat.

Across both games, Barton's pitching staff delivered steady performances that kept the Cougars within striking distance, while the defense answered with timely plays, including two double plays turned by Thatcher to erase potential scoring threats.&nbsp;Charley Wheeler&nbsp;logged 4.2 innings in the opener, scattering five hits and four runs, just one earned, to fall to 1–2 on the year.&nbsp;Peyton McCormick&nbsp;went the distance in game two, allowing just three hits and one unearned run, also slipping to 1–2.&nbsp;Ellie Crawford&nbsp;added an efficient 1.1 innings in the opener, striking out two without issuing a walk.

Missed chances loom large as Cougars drop pair of one-run games at NEO

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Breezy Johnson is poised to earn her second gold of the Olympics. The American skier gave the U.S. a narrow edge in the team combined event on Tuesday. The event includes a downhill and a slalom run, with times added together. Johnson finished just ahead of Austria's Ariane Raedler and Italy's Laura Pirovano. Johnson's teammate, star Mikaela Shiffrin, will compete in the slalom run later Tuesday. Shiffrin is seeking vindication after not medaling in Beijing four years ago. There were no major crashes but U.S. skier Bella Wright lost her balance and missed a gate in the same spot where Lindsey Vonn broke her left leg in the women's downhill.

LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — The Winter Olympics have become a platform for political debate in the U.S. American athletes face questions about President Donald Trump's immigration policies. Freestyle skier Hunter Hess expressed mixed emotions about representing the U.S., prompting criticism from Trump and others. On Monday, fellow athletes like Chloe Kim and Eileen Gu defended Hess, emphasizing unity. The Olympics often intersect with political issues, and recent events in the U.S. have heightened tensions. Athletes like Mikaela Shiffrin and Amber Glenn have spoken out, while others prefer to focus on their sports, avoiding political distractions.

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych will be allowed to wear a black armband in competition at the Milan Cortina Games. The International Olympic Committee announced the decision on Tuesday. However, they will not allow him to wear a helmet commemorating Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia. The IOC called this decision a compromise. Heraskevych said the IOC informed him on Monday night that the helmet violated rules against political statements. It is unclear if he will wear the armband. The IOC noted they have banned armbands before but are making an exception in this case.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A fight broke out between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets in the third quarter of Monday night’s game, and four players were ejected. Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges were tossed, along with Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. The Pistons won the game 110-104. Duren had the ball and was driving toward the basket with just over seven minutes left in the third period when he was fouled by Diabate. Duren turned around to get face-to-face with Diabate and the two appeared to butt heads. Duren then hit Diabate in the face with his open right hand, starting a confrontation that lasted more than 30 seconds. Hornets coach Charles Lee was ejected in the fourth quarter and had to be restrained from going after an official.

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool’s season has been far from perfect. Now coach Arne Slot says the remainder of the campaign will have to be near-faultless if the defending Premier League champion is to secure Champions League qualification. It says everything about Liverpool’s ever-worsening title defense that Slot is focusing on a top-four finish with 13 rounds still to play. But Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 loss to Manchester City was the Merseysiders’ eighth defeat in the league this season and left Liverpool 17 points adrift of first-place Arsenal.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry will sit out the All-Star Game in Los Angeles because of his troublesome right knee that sidelined the Golden State Warriors star for a fourth straight game against Memphis. Coach Steve Kerr announced before the game that Curry also wouldn’t play Wednesday at home against San Antonio and then would sit out the All-Star Game on Feb. 15 in hopes of a return for the Warriors after the break.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama circuit judge has denied Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako’s motion for a preliminary injunction, ending the 7-foot center’s collegiate eligibility and his season with the Crimson Tide. County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Pruet cited that Bediako “failed to demonstrate that he is entitled to the injunctive relief that he seeks,” according to court documents. Bediako was playing under a temporary restraining order that allowed the former NBA G League player to join Alabama in the middle of the season despite questions regarding his collegiate eligibility. NCAA President Charlie Baker said in a statement that he was glad the court “upheld the rules of our members.”

MILAN (AP) — U.S. figure skater Ilia Malinin has become the first person to legally land a backflip on Olympic ice. He performed the move on Sunday, marking a significant moment in figure skating history. But he's not the first to do the move. The backflip was first landed by Terry Kubicka at the 1976 Olympics but was banned for being too dangerous. Surya Bonaly famously landed it on one blade at the 1998 Nagano Games, despite losing points. The move was legalized in 2024, allowing Malinin to debut it in competition. While Malinin receives praise, many are highlighting Bonaly's legacy and the racial inequalities she faced.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas climb picked up more steam Monday night as the No. 9 Jayhawks knocked off top-ranked Arizona 82-78. Less than a month after falling out of The Associated Press Top 25, Kansas (19-5, 9-2 Big 12) has won eight in a row and clawed its way back into Big 12 title contention, trailing previously unbeaten Arizona (23-1, 10-1) by one game. Houston is currently in second, a half-game ahead of Kansas. Kansas trailed by as many as 11 points in the game and did not hold a lead until the clock read 9:32 in the second half. Four Jayhawks finished in double figures, led by Flory Bidunga and Council Jr, who scored 23 points apiece. Bidunga also grabbed 10 rebounds.

NEW YORK (AP) — Rick Pitino has reached another milestone at the expense of his son. But two of his toughest wins lately have come against his own flesh and blood and nothing could make the Hall of Fame coach more proud. Zuby Ejiofor scored six of his 25 points in overtime and No. 17 St. John’s outlasted pesky Xavier 87-82 at Madison Square Garden for its 10th consecutive victory. With his 904th career win on the court, Pitino passed Roy Williams for third place in Division I history. It was Pitino’s second comeback victory in 17 days over his son, Richard, the first-year coach of the Musketeers. In the previous meeting, the elder Pitino earned his 900th win when the Johnnies rallied from 16 down at Xavier.

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL Final	(9)Kansas	82	(1)Arizona	78	 Final	(17)St. John's	87	Xavier	82	 Final	(24)Louisville	118	North Carolina State	77

Tuesday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Flory Bidunga had a double-double and No. 9 Kansas defeated top-ranked and previously unbeaten Arizona 82-78 on Monday night.

Arizona (23-1, 10-1 Big 12) entered Allen Fieldhouse with the second-longest winning streak in Division I men’s basketball. The loss ended a 23-game run for the Wildcats, second to Miami (Ohio), which has won 24 straight.

Kansas (19-5, 9-2) played without freshman guard Darryn Peterson,&nbsp;who was a late scratch&nbsp;with flu-like symptoms. Peterson has missed 11 games with a combination of hamstring, calf and ankle issues.

Arizona held a three-point lead at halftime and led by as many as 11 before Kansas took its first lead of the game at the 9:32 mark in the second half.

Bidunga put the Jayhawks ahead with a layup, which capped a personal seven-point run. He finished with 23 points on 8-for-11 shooting and added 10 rebounds.

Arizona closed within one point with 34 seconds left in the game, but senior guard Melvin Council Jr. shot 3 of 4 from the line in the final minute and 10 of 11 in the game to help seal the victory for Kansas. He finished with 23 points. Tre White also added a pair of late free throws.

Four Kansas players scored double digits. Bryson Tiller finished with 18 points and Jamari McDowell added 10.

Freshman guard Brayden Burries led Arizona with 25 points. Motiejus Krivas scored 14 and Ivan Kharchenkov 13.

No. 9 Kansas beats top-ranked and previously undefeated Arizona 82-78

Saturday, February 7 @ Ness City Macksville Girls 47, Ness City 20 Ellinwood Boys 61, Macksville 33 Victoria Girls 2, Chase 0 FORFEIT Otis-Bison Boys 71, Chase 11 Monday, February 9 @ Ness City Girls 9th Place - Ness City 2, Chase 0 FORFEIT Boys 9th Place - Macksville 71, Chase 34 Tuesday, February 10 @ Offerle 3:00 #1 Ellinwood Girls vs Macksville 4:30 #1 Central Plains Boys vs Ellinwood 6:00 #2 Central Plains Girls&nbsp;Victoria 7:30 #3 Lacrosse Boys vs #6 Ness City Tuesday, February 10 @ Kinsley 3:00 #3 St. John Girls vs Otis-Bison 4:30 #2 St. John Boys vs&nbsp;Otis-Bison 6:00 #4 Kinsley Girls vs #5 Lacrosse 7:30 #4 Victoria Boys vs #5 Kinsley Thursday, February 12 (Consolation Bracket @ Offerle) 3:00 Ellinwood Girls/TBA loser vs Kinsley/Lacrosse loser 4:30 Central Plains Boys/TBA loser vs Victoria/Kinsley loser 6:00 Central Plains Girls/TBA loser vs St. John/Otis-Bison loser 7:30 St. John Boys/TBA loser vs LaCrosse/Ness City loser Thursday, February 12 (Championship Bracket @ Kinsley) 3:00 Ellinwood Girls/TBA winner vs Kinsley/Lacrosse winner 4:30 Central Plains Boys/TBA winner vs Victoria/Kinsley winner 6:00 Central Plains Girls/TBA winner vs St. John/Otis-Bison winner 7:30 St. John Boys/TBA winner vs LaCrosse/Ness City winner Friday, February 13&nbsp;(Consolation Bracket @ Offerle) 3:00 Girls 7th Place Game 4:30 Boys 7th Place Game 6:00 Girls 5th Place Game 7:30 Boys 5th Place Game Friday, February 13&nbsp;(Championship Bracket @ Kinsley) 3:00 Girls 3rd Place Game 4:30 Boys 3rd Place Game 6:00 Girls Championship 7:30 Boys Championship

Central Prairie League Tournament Scores & Schedule

Tuesday, February 10 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:45PM B104- H.S. Basketball - Dodge City G&amp;B @ Great Bend 5:45PM KHOK - H.S. Basketball - Haven G&amp;B @ Hoisington 5:45PM Hits 106.9 - H.S. Basketball - Larned G&amp;B @ Scott City Wednesday, February 11 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 1:45PM B104 - Cougar Basketball - Fort Hays Tech W&amp;M @ Barton Thursday, February 12 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day Friday, February 13 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:45PM B104- H.S. Basketball - Garden City G&amp;B @ Great Bend 5:45PM KHOK - H.S. Basketball - Hoisington G&amp;B @ Nickerson 5:45PM Hits 106.9 - H.S. Basketball - Pratt G&amp;B @ Larned 8:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA Rising Stars All-Star Game Saturday, February 14 11:30AM Hits 106.9 - Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas @ Iowa St.&nbsp;(KU Network) 11:30AM 1590/95.5FM - College Basketball - Kansas @ Iowa State (ESPN) 1:45PM KHOK -&nbsp;H.S. Basketball - Ellsworth G&amp;B @ Hoisington 1:45PM B104 - Cougar Basketball - Barton W&amp;M @ Garden City 4:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA All Star Saturday Night Sunday, February 15 3:00PM 1590/95.5FM - NBA All Star Game Monday, February 16 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day Tuesday, February 17 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:45PM B104- H.S. Basketball - Liberal G&amp;B @ Great Bend 5:45PM KHOK - H.S. Basketball - Hillsboro G&amp;B @ Hoisington 5:45PM Hits 106.9 - H.S. Basketball - Haven G&amp;B @ Larned&nbsp;&nbsp; Wednesday, February 18 12:30PM 1590/95.5FM - Sports Day 5:15PM B104 - Cougar Basketball - Barton W&amp;M @ Butler 7:30PM Hits 106.9 - Jayhawk Basketball - Kansas @ Oklahoma St.&nbsp;

Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting PBP Schedule

AP Cincinnati Bearcats (12-12, 4-7 Big 12) at Kansas State Wildcats (10-13, 1-9 Big 12)

BOTTOM LINE: Kansas State faces Cincinnati after PJ Haggerty scored 30 points in Kansas State's 84-82 loss to the TCU Horned Frogs.

The Wildcats have gone 8-6 in home games. Kansas State is eighth in the Big 12 scoring 81.7 points while shooting 46.3% from the field.

The Bearcats are 4-7 in Big 12 play. Cincinnati is 0-3 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

Kansas State averages 10.2 made 3-pointers per game, 2.7 more made shots than the 7.5 per game Cincinnati gives up. Cincinnati's 42.4% shooting percentage from the field this season is 3.0 percentage points lower than Kansas State has allowed to its opponents (45.4%).

The Wildcats and Bearcats face off Wednesday for the first time in conference play this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Haggerty is averaging 23.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Wildcats. David Castillo is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Day Day Thomas is shooting 40.3% from beyond the arc with 2.2 made 3-pointers per game for the Bearcats, while averaging 10.9 points and 3.7 assists. Baba is averaging 13.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Wildcats: 1-9, averaging 72.9 points, 27.4 rebounds, 16.5 assists, 6.8 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 42.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 83.9 points per game.

Bearcats: 4-6, averaging 67.4 points, 31.3 rebounds, 15.3 assists, 6.1 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 42.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.6 points.

Cincinnati visits Kansas State following Haggerty's 30-point performance

RILEY COUNTY —A member of the Kansas State University men's basketball staff is under investigation for alleged violent crimes.

Just before 1:30a.m. Monday, 29-year-old Mark Vital was booked into the Riley County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;domestic battery; knowing rude physical contact with family member or dating relationship, according to the Riley County Police Department arrest report. 

On Monday afternoon, K-State Athletics released a statement on the arrest.

"We are aware of Mark Vital's arrest on Sunday night. He has been removed from all team responsibilities until the judicial process runs its course."

Just after 3a.m. Monday, Vital met the requirement of a $2,000 bond and is no longer in custody.

He is in his first season as a graduate student manager at K-State, according to his online bio. Vital was a three-time All-Big 12 selection and a member of Baylor’s 2021 National Championship team where K-State head coach Jerome Tang was an assistant.&nbsp; Vital is working towards a master’s in counseling and student development at K-State.

K-State statement on arrest of basketball staffer

Western Athletic Conference Dodge City @ Great Bend Hays @ McPherson Liberal @ Lakin Central Kansas League Larned @ Scott City Haven @ Hoisington Halstead @ Nickerson Pratt @ Hesston Smoky Valley @ Hillsboro Central Prairie League St. John @ Otis-Bison LaCrosse @ Ness City Victoria @ Kinsley Other Area Games Stafford @ Norwich Russell @ TMP Sacred Heart @ Lyons Deerfield @ Pawnee Heights Minneapolis @ Ellsworth Attica @ Skyline Hodgeman County @ Kiowa County Canton-Galva @ Little River

Tuesday Area High School Basketball Schedule

- Water Cooler Monday with Garrett Fitzpatrick

Monday on Sports Day(Watch)

TOPEKA —On Monday, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach&nbsp; asked a Senate legislative committee to pass legislation to protect Kansas kids from AI chatbots. 

"We can't wait for Congress. I don’t have any confidence that they will act soon. And who knows how many children will be harmed as we wait."

🎥Kan. AG asks lawmakers to protect Kan. kids from AI chatbots

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Authorities investigating the disappearance of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-nancy-042abd04a6d87e14eecb22f0bc2893d1">Nancy Guthrie</a>&nbsp;released the first surveillance images Tuesday showing a masked person on her porch the night she went missing, as law enforcement and her family intensified calls for public help more than a week into the search.

Law enforcement searching for the mother of “Today” show host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie</a>&nbsp;have not identified any suspects of persons or interest, and it's unclear if she is still alive. FBI Director Kash Patel posted the images on X.

“The video was recovered from residual data located in backend systems,” Patel wrote, saying the images show “an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance.”

Video released by the FBI shows the person wearing a backpack, long sleeves and pants walk up to the door and try to conceal a camera with a glove before turning around, grabbing some plants and then putting them in front of the camera.

Investigators had been hopeful that cameras at the home would turn up some evidence about how she went missing, but the doorbell camera was disconnected early Sunday. And while software data recorded movement at the home minutes later, Nancy Guthrie didn’t have an active subscription, so none of the footage could be recovered, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos had said.

The announcement comes as heartbreaking messages made by “Today” show host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie</a>&nbsp;and her family have shifted from hopeful to desperate as they plead with the apparent kidnappers to hand over their mother.

It's also unclear if ransom notes demanding money with deadlines that have already passed were authentic, or whether the Guthrie family has had any contact with the abductors.

Guthrie and her family have posted a series of videos over the past week, each striking a different tone. The latest message from Savannah Guthrie, in which she appeared alone, was more bleak.

“We are at an hour of desperation,” she said Monday, telling the public: “We need your help.”

Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-6c7b78d17d7b647c64f71f64ecaecf8b">taken against her will</a>&nbsp;from her house just outside Tucson. She was last seen there Jan. 31 and reported missing the next day after not attending church. DNA tests showed blood on Nancy Guthrie’s front porch was a match to her, and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-nancy-adaa8af43efe04c252a52616d9037a05">doorbell camera was disconnected</a>&nbsp;in the early hours of Sunday morning, the sheriff has said.

Authorities say Nancy Guthrie needs daily medication because she is said to have high blood pressure and heart issues, including a pacemaker.

Investigators were in her neighborhood several times over the past few days and plan to keep working Tuesday as they expand the search and follow up on new leads, the sheriff’s department said.

Three days after the search began, Savannah Guthrie and her two siblings sent their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-nancy-guthrie-mom-missing-88e8731270d05e6e667730d2ed8633d3">first public appeal</a>&nbsp;to the kidnappers, telling them “we want to hear from you and we are ready to listen.”

In the recorded video, Guthrie said her family was aware of media reports about a ransom letter, but they first wanted proof their mother was alive. "Please reach out to us,” they said.

Law enforcement officials declined to say whether the letters sent to several media outlets were credible but said all tips were being investigated seriously.

The next day, Savannah Guthrie’s brother&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-nancy-guthrie-mom-missing-2765f354b498e6146b955162c3b71d4f">again told the kidnappers</a>&nbsp;to reach out "so we can move forward.”

“Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you. We haven’t heard anything directly,” Camron Guthrie said.

Then over the past weekend the family&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-92dff046a91f2c5c0093f17cd3b7ad42">posted another video</a>&nbsp;— one that was more cryptic and generated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/search-nancy-guthrie-social-media-posts-e176abcc670af3844416946fb3bb5619">even more speculation</a>&nbsp;about Nancy Guthrie's fate.

“We received your message, and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her,” said Savannah Guthrie, flanked by her siblings. “This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”

Up to that point, the family's first three videos addressed the kidnappers directly.

But just ahead of Monday's deadline spelled out in a purported note, Savannah Guthrie urged people nationwide to be on the lookout “no matter where you are, even if you’re far from Tucson, if you see anything, if you hear anything.”

Her turn to the public comes as much of the nation is closely following the dramatic twists and turns involving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/today-savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-2c0512333cfaa6cdb01a82d1992160b2">the longtime anchor</a>&nbsp;of NBC’s morning show.

The FBI this week began posting digital billboards in major cities from Texas to California.

Connor Hagan, a spokesperson for the FBI, said Monday that the agency&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-ransom-deadline-arizona-3977f842fd3d1fd66952d1d763944b9d">wasn’t aware of ongoing communication</a>&nbsp;between Guthrie’s family and the suspected kidnappers. Authorities also had not identified any suspects or persons of interest, he said.

“Someone has that one piece of information that can help us bring Nancy home,” he said.

🎥FBI: Video from Guthrie home shows masked person

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas man on drug allegations.

Just after 8p.m. Feb. 7, a Sheriffs Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Ford pickup truck on U.S. Highway 75 near 126th Road for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp; Deputies arrested the passenger, 61-year-old Daniel Lorann Hysten, of Topeka on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

The driver, Frank Newton, of Topeka, was arrested on an outstanding City of Topeka warrant.

Pickup passenger caught with meth during Kan. traffic stop

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Lindsey Vonn’s father said Monday that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/lindsey-vonn">American superstar</a>&nbsp;will no longer race if he has any influence over her decision and that she will not return to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics">Winter Olympics</a>&nbsp;after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/lindsey-vonn-downhill-winter-olympics-milan-cortina-updates">breaking her leg</a>&nbsp;in the downhill over the weekend.

“She’s 41 years old and this is the end of her career,” Alan Kildow said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “There will be no more ski races for Lindsey Vonn, as long as I have anything to say about it.”

Kildow and the rest of Vonn’s family — a brother and two sisters, too — have been with Vonn while she is being treated at a hospital in Treviso following her fall and helicopter evacuation from the course in Cortina on Sunday.

The hospital late Sunday released a statement saying Vonn had undergone surgery on her left leg and the U.S. Ski Team said she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lindsey-vonn-milan-cortina-olympics-90b10c0a145053f3bbfb573c4024653a">was in stable condition.</a>&nbsp;There have not been other updates since.

Kildow declined to comment on details of Vonn’s injuries, but he did address how she was doing emotionally.

“She’s a very strong individual,” Kildow said. “She knows physical pain and she understands the circumstances that she finds herself in. And she’s able to handle it. Better than I expected. She’s a very, very strong person. And so I think she’s handling it real well.”

Kildow — a former ski racer himself who taught his daughter to race — said he slept in his daughter’s hospital room overnight.

“She has somebody with her — or multiple people with her — at all times,” Kildow said. “We’ll have people here as long as she’s here.”

Kildow and the rest of Vonn’s family watched the crash from the finish area with all of the other spectators.

“First, the shock and the horror of the whole thing, seeing a crash like that,” Kildow said of what he felt watching the scene unfold. “It can be dramatic and traumatic. You’re just horrified at what those kinds of impacts have.

“You can go into a shock an emotional psychological shock,” he added. “Because it’s difficult to just accept what’s happened. But she’s well cared for. … And the USOC and the U.S. Ski team have a very, very top-notch doctor with her and she is being very well cared for here in Italy.”

Local

Sports

State

Contests