The Iola Register, Aug. 3, 2022

Band experiences hit right notes

By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register

Jackson Ulrich admitted to having some trepidation about spending a week in Hays as part of a rigorous band camp in advance of the Kansas Shrine Bowl football game.

The senior-to-be at Iola High School hadn’t partaken in such an environment before, enduring daylong band drills with a collection of high-schoolers he’d never met. That he was in Hays, halfway across the state, wasn’t much comfort. His father, Brek, expected

See BAND | Page A6

Trump indicted for trying to overturn election

WASHINGTON (AP) —

Donald Trump was indicted on felony charges Tuesday for working to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol, with the Justice Department acting to hold him accountable for an unprecedented effort to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power and threaten American democracy.

The four-count indictment, the third criminal case against Trump, provided deeper insight into a dark moment that has already been the subject of

Ambulance will be hard to come by

By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register

Buying a new ambulance isn’t going to be a simple process, Allen County commissioners learned this week. That’s because supply chain issues have made for a lengthy wait to receive the units, Terry Call told them. He retired as the county’s EMS and zoning director, but returned part-time to handle zoning issues. Call researched ambulance options after Michael Burnett, Iola’s EMS director, gave a report about equipment needs a couple of weeks ago. Under the terms of a new contract between the city and county, commissioners agreed to provide ambulances and associated equipment. It likely will be more than a year — maybe even well into 2026 — before the county could receive a new ambulance, even if they ordered one now, Call said.

It’s a widespread problem

See EMS | Page A6

Getting ready for school

Mom Audrey Appling talks with preschool teacher Sheri Orear during USD 257’s enrollment on Wednesday morning at Iola Elementary School. Also shown, from left, are Olivia, Ellie, Riley and Sadie (being held). Enrollment continues Thursday at IES.

REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS

Cub Scout recruiting events in the works

Youngsters interested in joining the Cub Scouts are invited to a pair of upcoming events to give them a taste of what Scouting is all about.

exhaustive federal investigations and captivating public hearings. It chronicles a months-long campaign of lies about the election results and says that, even when those falsehoods resulted in a chaotic insurrection at the Capitol, Trump sought to exploit the violence by pointing to it as a reason to further delay the counting of votes that sealed his defeat. Even in a year of rapid-succession legal reckonings for Trump, Tuesday’s indictment, with charges including conspiring to de-

See INDICTED | Page A4

A swim party and barbecue is planned for 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Iola Municipal Pool at Riverside Park.

Several Cub Scouts will be there to talk about some of their planned activities for the coming year, from day trips and camping stays, to Pinewood Derby model car race, and Raingutter Regatta.

The Cub Scouts also provide the color guard for local parades and take part in food drives and other fundraisers.

A Scouting Roundup session is planned for 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 at Iola’s Calvary Life Center, 118 W. Jackson Ave., which also serves as the regular meeting point for the Scouts. Regular meetings are from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on

Taking

a Cub Scout activity last year are, clockwise

the first, third and fourth Wednesday of each month.

The Cub Scouts also sell popcorn and host other fundraisers to help pay member-

ship dues or defray costs to attend camps.

For more information, contact Alicia Luken at (620) 363-1343.

Iola High School and Iola Middle School band instructor Brandi Holt leads her musicians through a marching exercise Wednesday morning as part of a weeklong band camp. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

Jackson Ulrich, who is entering his senior year at Iola High School, was a guest of honor at Iola’s Masonic Lodge Tuesday. Ulrich was a member of the Kansas Shriners All-Star Band and performed at the 50th annual Shrine Bowl in Hays in July. In the photo are, from left, Sheldon LaFleur, Keitch Eccles, Jerry Skidmore, Rick Horn, Gary Hoffmeier, Ulrich, Wade Parks, Joseph Senaie, Curtis Utley, Merrill Hodgden, Jay Hodgden, Danny Ware and Mike McCrate. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

part in

from left, Regan Berry, Nic Stogill, Joe Holding, Phillip Warren, Dominic Newkirk, Jackson Young and Ella Divine. COURTESY

PHOTO

Obituary

Joseph Patterson

(Steele) Patterson. He served as an Army para trooper and was a Vietnam veteran.

Joseph was preceded in death by his wife, Millie.

He is survived by his children, Tammy Splechter and Earl, David Patterson and Beth, Ben Patterson, Elizabeth George and Joshua Patterson; many grandchildren and additional family and friends.

Joseph’s family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, in The Venue at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 U.S. 54, Iola. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Oak Forest Cemetery, Bland, Mo.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Shepherd’s Pasture and left at the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.

Synagogue gunman sentenced to death

PITTSBURGH (AP)

— The gunman who stormed a synagogue in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community and killed 11 worshippers will be sentenced to death for perpetrating the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history.

Robert Bowers spewed hatred of Jews and espoused white supremacist beliefs online before methodically planning and carrying out the 2018 massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue, where members of three congregations had gathered for Sabbath worship and study. Bowers, a truck driver from suburban Baldwin, also wounded two worshippers and five responding police officers.

The same federal jury that convicted the 50-year-old Bowers on 63 criminal counts recommended Wednesday that he be put to death for an attack whose impacts continue to reverberate nearly five years later. He showed little reaction as the sentence was announced, briefly acknowledging his legal team and family as he was led from the courtroom. A judge will formally impose the sentence later.

Jurors were unanimous in finding that Bowers’ attack was motivated by his hatred of Jews, and that he chose Tree of Life for its location in one the largest and most historic Jewish communities in the U.S. so that he could “maximize the devastation, amplify the harm of his crimes, and instill fear within the local, national, and international Jewish communities.” They

Cress family gathers in Humboldt

HUMBOLDT — The Annual Cress Reunion was held July 15 at the Humboldt United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall hosted by Chris and Carol (Cress) Bauer.

Fifty family and friends dined at noon on pulled pork sandwiches, salads and chips. Dessert was a decorated cake marking the 140th year of

the William Henry and Esther (McCool) Cress family moving to Council Grove from West Milton, Ohio.

After lunch, Brenda (Allen) Hicks presented a PowerPoint program on the known history of the Cress family, from Jacob Cress’s arrival in America in 1752 by ship from Germany at Philadelphia, to the John-

nie Ahiga Cress family arriving in Humboldt in 1920.

Information came from her extensive research combined with that of previous relatives, including her mother, Gayla Jo (Cress) Allen.

A revised 2023 edition of the Cress Family Cookbook complied by Carol (Cress) Bauer was made available to this

year’s reunion attendees. “The New Cress Family Cookbook 2023” included the recipes from the 1994 edition compiled by Mary Ann (Cress) Cunningham and recently added family contributions.

Next year’s reunion will be hosted by a Ross Cress family member, at a date and place to be decided and announced later.

KDOT secretary seeks solution for labor shortage

By TIM CARPENTER Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Kansas Department of Transportation secretary

also found that Bowers lacked remorse.

The family of 97-yearold Rose Mallinger, who was killed in the attack, and her daughter, Andrea Wedner, who was shot and wounded, thanked the jurors and said “a measure of justice has been served.”

“Returning a sentence of death is not a decision that comes easy, but we must hold accountable those who wish to commit such terrible acts of antisemitism, hate, and violence,” the family said in a written statement.

The verdict came after a lengthy trial in which jurors heard in chilling detail how Bowers reloaded at least twice, stepped over the bloodied bodies of his victims to look for more people to shoot, and surrendered only when he ran out of ammunition. In the sentencing phase, grieving family members told the jury about the lives that Bowers took — a 97-year-old woman and intellectually disabled brothers among them — and the unrelenting pain of their loss. Survivors testified about their own lasting pain, both physical and emotional.

Through it all, Bowers showed little reaction to the proceeding that would decide his fate — typically looking down at papers or screens at the defense table — though he could be seen conversing at length with his legal team during breaks. He even told a psychiatrist that he thought the trial was helping to spread his antisemitic message.

Calvin Reed pointed to workforce shortages as a significant challenge to the state’s multibillion-dollar, 10-year Eisenhower transportation program.

Reed, nominated by Gov. Laura Kelly and endorsed by the Republican-led Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee, said an aging workforce in core areas of the industry were fundamental problems that government and private-sector employers had to address.

Reed highlighted one of those worrisome gaps, especially prominent in western Kansas, between demand and supply of professional land surveyors. Among the state’s nearly 3 million residents, only 258 are licensed land surveyors. The average age of this cadre of people responsible for defining boundaries of real property was 59.8 years, he said.

“That’s something that we rely on very heavily in our agency,” Reed said. “There is a real structural issue here that I consider to be a threat to us being able to deliver, not just this program, but the next program.”

He said a collaborative effort among state government, industry, and colleges and universities was necessary to create a sustainable system to train more surveyors. The state’s lone educational program for licensed surveyors was at Kansas City, Kansas Community College, which sits more than 400 miles from the Colorado border.

“We have a real drought of surveyors west of Salina,” the secretary said. “I think there needs to be a discussion about how do we push the model that’s being done at Kansas City, Kansas, Community College further west. I want to be an active part of that conversation.”

Other poignant needs Senate Majority Leader Larry Alley, a Winfield Republican supporting Reed’s nomination, said the Kansas Board of Regents as well as the state’s community colleges should be receptive to addressing the lack of surveyors.

He also expressed appreciation to Reed

for personally taking part in the KDOT response to concern among residents in Comanche County about the safety of concrete bridge guardrails on Kansas Highway 1. Unlike modern barriers that collapsed upon impact, the older concrete structures provided little flexibility in crashes.

The issue was given fresh urgency in December 2021 when Britney Marie Turley, 20, of Coldwater died when the Dodge truck she was driving struck a concrete bridge barrier on Kansas 1.

“Several fatalities on that bridge,” said Alley, with a Senate district stretching into Comanche County. “When it was reported, we asked for somebody to do something about it and I understand you were the one they sent out. I want to say thank you for doing that.”

Reed said Turley’s death brought greater scrutiny at KDOT to the structure and engineering of bridge barriers. A statewide survey identified 68 bridges in the state highway system with similar characteristics to the barrier in Comanche County.

“It really hits home any time I see a fatality that involves any of our young folks in the state

of Kansas,” Reed said. “It gave us an opportunity to programmatically look at our entire state and make sure that we’re addressing this issue statewide.”

‘Obvious choice’ Reed, raised on a farm in Osage County, was named acting KDOT secretary in December. He earned degrees in civil engineering at Kansas State University. In 2002, he was hired by KDOT to work in the bridge design unit. He recently was director of the agency’s engineering and design division. He also spent four years

at Professional Engineering Consultants in Wichita between stints at KDOT.

“Calvin Reed has long worked to ensure Kansas families and travelers can travel throughout the state safely and efficiently, making him an obvious choice to lead the agency,” Kelly said.

He still faces a confirmation vote by the full Kansas Senate during the 2024 legislative session, but bipartisan endorsement by the committee typically allowed nominees to move more easily through the process.

Reed would replace Julie Lorenz, who led KDOT from 2019 until December. Lorenz oversaw creation with the Legislature of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program. There are more than 1,000 transportation infrastructure projects in motion across the state.

In the 2023 fiscal year ending in June, KDOT issued $1.4 billion in preservation, modernization and expansion projects. That total was three times what was let in the 2019 fiscal year.

Calvin Reed, the Kansas governor’s nominee for secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation, said Kansas needs to address shortages in the transportation industry, starting with producing more land surveyors. (KANSAS REFLECTOR SCREEN CAPTURE FROM KANSAS LEGISLATURE VIDEO)

Prepare to flick off your incandescent bulbs for good

By DAVID HAMILTON The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)

— Get ready to say goodbye to the once ubiquitous incandescent light bulb, pioneered by Thomas Edison more than a century ago. You can thank — or blame — new federal energy efficiency regulations that went into full effect Tuesday. Quite possibly without you even noticing. The Energy Department rules, which date back to the Obama administration, have been whipsawed in the political process for years.

Some conservatives and Republican lawmakers long denounced them for interfering with consumer choice and placing undue burdens on business. Under former President Donald Trump, the Energy Department scrapped them in 2019; the Biden administration subsequently revived them.

Yet by the time Aug. 1 rolled around, the critics had gone quiet, possibly because companies and consumers

have already started voting for better lighting efficiency with their wallets.

Here’s what you need to know.

WHAT CHANGES UNDER THE NEW RULES?

The rules establish strict new efficiency standards for bulbs used in homes and businesses and bans the manufacture and sale

of those that don’t meet those requirements. Practical incandescent bulbs, which trace their origin to an 1880 Edison patent, can’t meet those standards. Neither can halogen bulbs. The rules also ban imports of less efficient bulbs.

But those requirements carry a bit less heft than they would have several years

back, largely because advances in LED technology and manufacturing have dramatically lowered prices and improved quality. LED stands for “light emitting diode,” a semiconductor device that converts electricity directly into light.

Between 2015 and 2020, for instance, the percentage of Ameri-

can households that reported using LED bulbs for most or all of their lighting jumped more than tenfold — from 4% to 47%, according to the Energy Information Administration, an independent federal statistics agency.

SO DO I HAVE TO THROW AWAY MY OLD INCANDESCENTS?

Fortunately not. The

rules don’t affect bulbs that you already own; they also exempt special purpose incandescents such as those used inside ovens.

But suppose you discard — or give away — your halogen and incandescent bulbs. Odds are good that replacing them with LED bulbs could save you a fair amount of money.

As the rules reinforce existing market changes, the Energy Department believes that U.S. consumers can save almost $3 billion annually on their utility bills. Similarly, it projects that the rules could cut carbon emissions by 222 million metric tons over the next 30 years.

WHY DO LED BULBS SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY?

Incandescent bulbs create illumination by running an electric current through a filament that heats it until it glows. Edison’s first practical light bulb used a carbonized cotton thread for that purpose; modern bulbs use tungsten filaments in an inert gas.

X marks the spot: Musk’s social media company sues nonprofit

WASHINGTON (AP) —

X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has sued a group of researchers — alleging their work highlighting an increase in hate speech on the platform cost the company millions of dollars of advertising revenue.

The suit, filed late Monday night in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California, accuses the nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate of violating X’s terms of service by improperly collecting a vast amount of data for its analysis. The suit also alleges, without offering evidence, that the organization is funded by foreign governments and media companies who view X as competition.

The legal fight between the tech company, which was acquired by Elon Musk last year, and the center could have significant implications for a growing number of researchers and advocacy groups that seek to help the public understand how

GETTY IMAGES FOR THE MET MUSEUM/DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/TNS

social media is shaping society and culture.

With offices in the U.S. and United Kingdom, the center regularly publishes reports on hate speech, extremism and harmful behavior on social media platforms like X, TikTok or Facebook. The organization has published several reports critical of Musk’s leadership, detailing an increase in anti-LGBTQ hate speech as well as climate misinformation since his purchase.

In its lawsuit, X alleges the center violat-

Niger evacuations begin

NIAMEY, Niger (AP)

— Foreign nationals lined up outside an airport in Niger’s capital on Wednesday morning to wait for a French military evacuation flight as defense officials of a regional bloc met to discuss how to respond to last week’s military coup in the West African nation.

France, Italy and Spain all have announced evacuations of their citizens and other Europeans in the capital, Niamey, following concerns they could become trapped after soldiers detained democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum and seized power.

The West African re-

gional bloc ECOWAS threatened Sunday to use force to restore Bazoum to power, but the military-ruled governments of two of Niger’s neighbors have sided with the coup leaders and warned that they would consider any intervention an act of war.

A two-day meeting of defense chiefs of the 15-member bloc opened Wednesday in Nigeria’s capital to discuss next steps. Abdel-Fatau Musah, the ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs, peace and stability, said the meeting would deal with how to “negotiate with the officers in the hostage situation that we find ourselves in the Repub-

ed its terms of service by automatically scraping large amounts of data from the site without the company’s permission. X also claims the center improperly accessed internal Twitter data, using log-on credentials it obtained from an employee at a separate company that has a business relationship with X.

Without naming any individuals or companies, the suit says the center receives funding from foreign governments as well as orga-

nizations with ties to “legacy media organizations” that see X as a rival. The suit claims the center’s work has cost X tens of millions of dollars in lost ad revenue.

In response to the legal action, Imran Ahmed, the center’s founder and CEO, defended its work and accused Musk of using the lawsuit to silence criticism of his leadership, as well as research into the role X plays in spreading misinformation and hate speech.

“Musk is trying to ‘shoot the messenger’ who highlights the toxic content on his platform rather than deal with the toxic environment he’s created,” Ahmed said.

The center’s 2021 tax forms show it took in $1.4 million in revenue. A review of major donors shows several large charities, including the National Philanthropic Trust in the U.S. and the Oak Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust in the U.K.

A spokesman for the group said the center re-

ceives no funding from any government entities or tech companies that could be considered competitors to X. The identities of other donors is not revealed in public documents, and the center declined to provide a list. Musk is a self-professed free speech absolutist who has welcomed back white supremacists and election deniers to the platform, which he renamed X last month. He initially had prom-

ised that he would allow any speech on his platform that wasn’t illegal. “I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means,” Musk wrote in a tweet last year. Nevertheless, the billionaire has at times proven sensitive about critical speech directed at him or his companies. Last year, he suspended the accounts of several journalists who covered his takeover of Twitter.

Incandescent light bulbs, similar in design to ones Thomas Edison came up with more than a century ago, are not equipped to meet energy efficiency regulations. PIXABAY.COM

Elon Musk attends the Met Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2022, in New York.

California fires threaten iconic Joshua trees

MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters aided by rain fought to contain a massive blaze that swept through the California desert into Nevada and are threatening the region’s famous spiky Joshua trees.

The York Fire that erupted last Friday is California’s largest wildfire this year. As of early Wednesday it had burned through more than 128 square miles of land and was 30% contained, fire officials said.

Humid monsoonal weather conditions Tuesday afternoon brought brief but heavy rain, especially on the south end of the fire, and kept its spread to a minimum, fire officials said. Similar

conditions were expected on Wednesday, with drier weather poised to return on Thursday.

“Right now, the monsoonal influence is still over the

fire,” said Marc Peebles, a spokesperson for California’s incident management team for the York Fire. “There’s always the possibility of showers that will help the effort.”

The 400 or so firefighters battling the blaze have had to balance their efforts with concerns about disrupting the fragile ecosystem in California’s Mojave National Preserve.

Crews used a “light hand on the land,” clearing and carving fire lines without the use of bulldozers in order to reduce the impact in the ecologically-sensitive region, which is home to some 200 rare plants.

“You bring a bunch of bulldozers in there, you may or may not stop the fire, but you’ll put a scar on the landscape that’ll last generations,” said Tim Chavez, an assistant chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire

Protection.

The blaze ignited near the remote Caruthers Canyon area of the vast wildland preserve, crossed the state line into Nevada on Sunday and sent smoke further east into the Las Vegas Valley. The fire started on private lands within the preserve, but the cause remains under investigation. Less than 3% of the land in the 2,500-square mile preserve is privately owned. While it’s one of the largest national parks outside of Alaska and Hawaii, the vast majority of the Mojave National Preserve’s 880,000 visitors last year were just passing through on their way between Southern California and Las Vegas.

Indicted: Trump tried to overturn election, feds say

Continued from A1

fraud the United States government that he once led, was stunning in its allegations that a former president assaulted the “bedrock function” of democracy. It’s the first time the defeated president, who is the early front-runner for next year’s Republican presidential nomination, is facing legal consequences for his frantic but ultimately failed effort to cling to power.

“The attack on our nation’s Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy,” said Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, whose office has spent months investigating Trump. “It was fueled by lies, lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government: the nation’s process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election.”

The Trump campaign called the charges “fake” and asked why it took two-and-a-half years to bring them.

Trump was the only person charged in Tuesday’s indictment. But prosecutors obliquely referenced a half-dozen co-conspirators, including lawyers inside and outside of government who they said had worked with Trump to undo the election results. They also advanced legally dubious schemes to enlist slates of fake electors in battleground states won by Democrat Joe Biden to falsely claim that Trump had actually won them.

The indictment accuses the defeated president and his allies of trying to “exploit the violence and chaos” by calling lawmakers into the evening on Jan. 6 to delay the certification of Biden’s victory.

It also cites handwritten notes from former Vice President Mike Pence that give gravitas to Trump’s relentless goading to reject the electoral votes. Pence, who is challenging Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, declined overtures from a House panel that investigated the insurrection and sought to avoid testifying before the special counsel. He appeared

only after losing a court fight, with prosecutors learning that Trump in one conversation derided him as “too honest” to stop the certification.

Trump is due in court Thursday, the first step in a legal process that will play out in a courthouse situated between the White House he once controlled and the Capitol his supporters once stormed. The case is already being dismissed by the former president and his supporters — and even some of his rivals — as just another politically motivated prosecution.

Yet the case stems from one of the most serious threats to American democracy in modern history.

The indictment centers on the turbulent two months after the November 2020 election in which Trump refused to accept his loss and spread lies that victory was stolen from him. The turmoil resulted in the riot at the Capitol, when Trump loyalists violently broke into the building, attacked

police officers and disrupted the congressional counting of electoral votes.

In between the election and the riot, Trump urged local election officials to undo voting results in their states, pressured Pence to halt the certification of electoral votes and falsely claimed that the election had been stolen — a notion repeatedly rejected by judges. Among those lies, prosecutors say, were claims that more than 10,000 dead voters had voted in Georgia along with tens of thousands of double votes in Nevada. Each claim had been rebutted by courts or state or federal officials, the indictment says.

Prosecutors say Trump knew his claims of having won the election were false but he “repeated and widely disseminated them anyway — to make his knowingly false claims appear legitimate, to create an intense national atmosphere of mistrust and anger, and to erode public faith in

the administration of the election.”

THE DOCUMENT carefully outlined arguments that Trump has been making to defend his conduct, that he had every right to challenge the results, to use the courts, even to lie about it in the process. But in stark detail, the indictment outlines how the former president instead took criminal steps to reverse the clear verdict voters had rendered.

The indictment had been expected since Trump said in mid-July that the Justice Department had informed him he was a target of its investigation. A bipartisan House committee that spent months investigating the runup to the Capitol riot also recommended prosecuting Trump on charges, including aiding an insurrection and

obstructing an official proceeding.

The indictment includes charges of conspiring to defraud the U.S., conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, obstructing an official proceeding and violating a post-Civil War Reconstruction Era civil rights statute that makes it a crime to conspire to violate rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution — in this case, the right to vote.

The mounting criminal cases are unfolding in the heat of the 2024 race. A conviction in this case, or any other, would not prevent Trump from pursuing the White House or serving as president, though Trump as president could theoretically appoint an attorney general to dismiss the charges or potentially try to pardon himself.

In New York, state prosecutors have charged Trump with falsifying business records about a hush money payoff to a porn actor before the 2016 election. The trial is set to begin in March.

In Florida, the Justice Department has brought more than three dozen felony counts, accusing him of illegally possessing classified documents after leaving the White House and concealing them from investigators. That trial begins in May.

Prosecutors in Georgia are also investigating efforts by Trump and his allies to reverse his election loss to Biden there. The district attorney of Fulton County is expected to announce charging decisions within weeks.

Smith’s team has cast a broad net as part of his

federal investigation, with his team questioning senior Trump administration officials, including Pence, before a grand jury in Washington. Prosecutors also interviewed election officials in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and other battleground states won by Biden who were pressured by the Trump team to change voting results.

Rudy Giuliani, a Trump lawyer who pursued post-election legal challenges, spoke voluntarily to prosecutors. Giuliani was not named in the indictment, but appears to match the description of one of the co-conspirators. A spokesman for Giuliani said Tuesday night that Trump had a “goodfaith basis” for the actions he took.

Attorney General Merrick Garland last year appointed Smith, an international war crimes prosecutor who also led the Justice Department’s public corruption section, as special counsel to investigate efforts to undo the election as well as Trump’s retention of classified documents at his Florida home, Mar-a-Lago. Although Trump has derided him as “deranged” and called him politically motivated, Smith’s past experience includes overseeing significant prosecutions against high-profile Democrats.

The Justice Department’s investigations began well before Smith’s appointment, proceeding alongside separate criminal probes into the rioters themselves. More than 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the insurrection, including some with seditious conspiracy.

Special counsel Jack Smith delivers remarks on a recently unsealed indictment alleging four felony counts against former U.S. President Donald Trump at the Justice Department Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Trump was indicted for his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. GETTY IMAGES/ALEX WONG/TNS

Joshua Tree National Park LOS ANGELES TIMES/ALLEN J. SCHABEN/ TNS

~ Journalism that makes a difference

Biden: Mental health is health

Mental health parity has been a political applause line for more than three decades. And it’s been federal law since 1996, when President Bill Clinton signed the Mental Health Parity Act, a statute whose obligations were reiterated, expanded and refined in the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. But it is yet to be a reality in the lives of millions of Americans, who, grappling with complex rules written by private insurers, still far too often struggle to obtain the affordable, high-quality psychological and psychiatric help they need, when they need it. Indeed, the disparities in access are only widening in recent years.

To the rescue, he hopes, comes President Joe Biden, with a proposed federal rule aimed at health insurers. It would demand health plans evaluate the real-world effects of their coverage rules to be sure that mental health and medical benefits are equivalent; demand plain-language explanations with specific examples of what health plans will and won’t cover; and close loopholes in order to ensure the federal parity law reaches another 200 health plans covering nearly 100,000 additional Americans. Assuming it all takes effect, Americans will soon enough be able to gauge for themselves whether they feel the difference in a meaningful way.

Even before then-Second Lady Tipper Gore, who went

public with her struggle with depression, equalizing access to mental health care has been an easy cause for the powerful to champion. New Yorkers remember well how then-First Lady Chirlane McCray talked up the billion-dollar ThriveNYC, which said many of the right things but did far too little to ensure people on the ground — and especially the most seriously mentally ill — get timely help, including, in some cases, court-ordered outpatient or even in-patient treatment plans.

The disconnect remains.

Not only do families need far easier access to psychologists and psychiatrists to get early and consistent help for depression or bipolar disorder or eating disorders or ADHD or whatever else they may be

struggling with, but government and medical providers need stronger tools to ensure that the most seriously mentally ill on New York City’s streets, disconnected from support networks, get treatment for the psychoses that plague them. Any mental health parity agenda that addresses one without the other is incomplete.

That’s why it’s long past time for Congress to end the “IMD exclusion,” a federal law prohibiting Medicaid payments for any “institutions of medical disease,” which means any “hospital, nursing facility or other institution of more than 16 beds that is primarily engaged in providing diagnosis, treatment or care of persons with mental diseases, including medical attention,

Judge nixes silly Arizona statute

If you physically try to stop a police officer from doing his or her job, you’re likely to be arrested. You could be preventing officers from stopping a serious crime or even saving a life. But simply filming the police as they perform their duties is an entirely different matter.

nursing care and related services.” A provision intended to stop the warehousing of people in asylums has wound up cutting off the flow of federal funds to people in the throes of crippling psychological conditions.

Ailments afflicting the mind are no less serious or worthy of care than those afflicting the body. Indeed, it may well be that authorities have even more reason to ensure treatment is provided in the former case, for all too often people suffering from serious psychological conditions are unaware that they need help. In those cases, it takes a concerted effort by friends of family members, or by the doctors and courts, to ensure that help reaches them.

— New York Daily News

One GOP congressman provides a blueprint for his party on possible Biden impeachment

The Charlotte Observer (TNS)

As the walls close in on Donald Trump and the GOP squabbles over spending, House Republicans are flirting with the idea of an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden.

At least one of them isn’t thrilled about it.

Rep. Ken Buck, a Colorado Republican, recently accused his colleagues of using impeachment to distract from their own party turmoil, calling it “impeachment theater.”

Buck isn’t a moderate — he represents one of the reddest districts in his state and is a member of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus. But he’s one of the lone Republicans in the House who is willing to publicly say impeachment isn’t a good idea.

Good. That’s the kind of principled stance we’d like to see from Republicans more often, especially in North Carolina, where our representatives tend to either wholeheartedly endorse their party’s antics or quietly fall in line.

It’s not clear what, exactly, Republicans want to impeach Biden for. In recent weeks, some far-right Republicans have pushed for Biden to be impeached for his immigration policies, while others are hung up on

unproven fantasies about a Biden crime family. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said recently that investigations into the Biden family’s business dealings are “rising to the level of impeachment inquiry,” even going so far as to compare Biden to former President Richard Nixon.

“This president has used something we have not seen since Richard Nixon: the weaponization of government to benefit his family and deny Congress the ability to have oversight,” McCarthy said on Fox News.

Support for impeaching Biden has been building for quite some time,including from officials close to home.

Former South Carolina Gov. and current GOP presidential

candidate Nikki Haley has said that Republicans “absolutely should” start the impeachment process against Biden. North Carolina’s Dan Bishop has been publicly supportive of impeaching Biden and members of his cabinet for months, and Virginia Foxx recently said in a Fox interview that there is a “rot in this administration that goes all the way to the top, and we want to root it out.”

Is there clear evidence that Joe Biden has himself done something illegal that warrants impeachment? Not yet. Does it matter? Apparently not. Republicans have their own reasons for impeachment, and they are shamefully and hollowly political. They just can’t resist the opportunity to get even after a Democrat-led House voted to impeach Trump twice, despite the fact that the reasons for impeachment were demonstrably legitimate with Trump.

It’s hard to separate the GOP’s support for impeachment from its loyalty to

Trump, who sees impeachment of Biden both as revenge as well as a distraction from his own legal woes. Buck, the Texas Congressman, has also broken with his colleagues by suggesting that the scrutiny of Trump, particularly in the classified documents probe, is warranted. Buck called the allegations of Trump “very serious” and voiced his respect for Justice Department prosecutors, a far cry from Republicans who wail about weaponization of government and a “two-tiered justice system.” GOP leaders do seem to be aware they are heading into territory that is politically fraught, though that may not stop them from forging ahead anyway. McCarthy already has taken on a less direct tone on impeachment, insisting that he merely said Republicans “could” launch an inquiry, not that they will. Other Republicans have argued that opening an impeachment inquiry against Biden is different than actually impeaching him, as if they might actually stop short of finishing the job once they’ve started.

Buck is right: this is impeachment theater. And in saying so, he’s created a blueprint for his colleagues. While many Republicans have abandoned independence for groupthink, Buck is proof that it’s possible to be a conservative without being cowing to Trump and his supporters. We’ve long asked Republicans to be true to themselves and their country instead of merely following their party. We’re glad at least one has shown how to put politics aside and just be real.

Last year, Arizona Republicans passed legislation making it a crime for bystanders to film “law enforcement activity” while too close to police. “Too close” was defined as 8 feet away. Those who refused to comply after receiving a verbal warning faced misdemeanor charges. There were exceptions, including for passengers in a car or someone in a private residence.

The proposal was met with immediate backlash from media organizations and civil rights groups. First Amendment, anyone? The arbitrary 8-foot standard was just that — plucked out of the blue in an effort to intimidate bystanders from pulling out their cameras to catch the cops in action.

Even the bill’s sponsor, state Sen. John Kavanaugh, a Republican who represents a northeast Phoenix-area district, admitted in a newspaper op-ed that he offered the proposal at the behest of Tucson police officers who were upset that a group of would-be Francis Ford Coppolas were following around local officers in an effort to document police misconduct.

A federal judge last year temporarily blocked implementation of the legislation. Last week, he tossed the law altogether. “The law prohibits or chills a substantial amount of First Amendment protected activity and is unnecessary to prevent interference with police officers given other Arizona laws in effect,” wrote U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi.

It’s worth noting that Arizona barely bothered to defend the statute — which raises the question of why lawmakers passed this inane proposal in the first place. Mr. Kavanaugh, who just happens to be a former law enforcement officer, said he was unable to find an outside group to fight for the legislation.

Whether the police like it or not, filming in a public area is a constitutionally protected activity. As the judge pointed out, laws already exist to prosecute those who prevent police officers from doing their jobs.

The law was especially ridiculous given that many police agencies now equip their officers with body cameras that document confrontations and the footage is often available to the public. And don’t forget that filming works both ways. While the camera may reveal law enforcement wrongdoing, it can also protect officers from unfounded allegations leveled by wrongdoers.

The Arizona bill was unconstitutional on its face. If law enforcement officers are afraid of being filmed, they should adjust their conduct accordingly rather than try to conceal it. Judge Tuchi hit this softball out of the park.

— Las Vegas Review-Journal

US President Joe Biden and Richele Keas, Media Coordinator for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, look on as US Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) speaks during an event on expanding access to mental health care, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 25. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES/TNS)

Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) speaks to reporters outside the House Chambers in the U.S. Capitol Building on May 31, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (ANNA MONEYMAKER/GETTY IMAGES/TNS)

EMS: Commission talks costs for ambulances, supplies

Continued from A1

and some agencies are ordering two at once simply because of the delays, he said. There is another possible option, Call said. Another county ordered two units by mistake.

Allen County could claim the other one and maybe receive it next year.

It’s not actually a fullsized ambulance but rather a smaller “transfer unit,” Call said. It’s a Ford Transit outfitted with EMS equipment and would be a good option for hospital-to-hospital transfers, Call said. It also would cost about half the price of a typical ambulance, about $140,000 compared to around $300,000.

Purchasing that type of unit could extend the life of the larger ambulances, Call said.

Commissioners asked him to continue to research the matter.

Landfill fire Fire crews battled a blaze at the Allen County Regional Landfill on July 28, Public Works Director Mitch Garner reported.

The fire was under control within a couple of hours. The cause is not known, but Garner suspects it could be a lithium battery.

Most landfill fires are caused by one of three things, he said: Lithium batteries, rural residents dumping “burn barrels” with hot coals,

and discarded fireworks. Landfill workers try to make sure burn barrels don’t have hot coals when they are dumped, but it doesn’t take much to start a fire.

Lithium batteries are another matter. Though dumping such batter-

ies isn’t allowed, it’s impossible for landfill workers to know when they are thrown into the trash. Such batteries are in a number of products, including toys, and many residents discard those items without removing danger-

ous batteries. On Friday, a landfill worker saw smoke rising from the trash pile.

Crews responded from LaHarpe, Moran, Iola and Allen County Rural fire departments, as well as county emergency management leaders.

A contractor working to open a new cell at the landfill also used his crews to help fight the fire, Garner said. Landfill fires can be dangerous because the trash pile creates methane gas, which could burn “forever” if ignited. A fire also could release toxic chemicals.

IN OTHER news, commissioners:

• Heard a report from Jason Trego, emergency

management director, about a pop-up thunderstorm on Sunday evening. Coffey County reported 70 mph winds from the storm, but the wind subsided by the time it reached Allen County. Damage was minimal, and most of the limbs that were blown around in the storm were actually those that had been knocked down in a July 14 storm and were left on the side of roads for pickup. Moran, LaHarpe and Humboldt lost power during Sunday’s storm.

• Agreed to a request from Debbie Bearden to support the Allen County Farmers’ Market’s effort to obtain a grant from the Health Forward Foundation.

Band: Iola students play with Shrine Bowl all-star group

Continued from A1

to receive a call within the first day or two from Jackson asking to come home.

But by Day 3, his son’s tenor changed.

Many of those strangers had become friends, and Jackson, son of Brek and Elizabeth Ulrich, had begun adapting to the fast-paced music sessions.

By the time the all-star football game came around July 15, Jackson’s only regret was that the experience was over.

“I loved it,” the trumpet player said Tuesday, while visiting with members of Iola’s Masonic Lodge. “I hope to do it again.”

The Kansas Masons and Shriners organizations host

the annual Shrine Bowl, which raises funds for Shriners hospitals across the country, offering free health care services for children.

The festivities included a banquet, parade and several other community activities, both with Shriner’s members and some of the children who have benefitted from their services.

This year’s celebration had a special flavor because it was the 50th annual football game, with added alumni events.

The experience not only gave Jackson a memorable experience in his first-ever real extended stay away from home, but it also instilled a greater love of music, he said.

In fact, Jackson’s new hob-

by may lead to a career after high school — restoring, repairing, and even rebuilding musical instruments. He noted the nearest such repair studio is in Joplin, with a dearth of instrument repair shops in southeast Kansas.

Gabby Carr, another Iola musician, was a part of the Shriners All-star Band as well. A third Iolan, Krystina Hurst, also earned an invitation, but was unable to partake in the experience after she and her family moved to Colorado.

JACKSON is prepared for his senior year at IHS with renewed vigor.

He and about 30 other high school bandmates are partaking in a weeklong band camp

at Iola Middle School, with classes slated to begin later this month.

Then comes the litany of parades, football and basketball games and other public performances through the fall and winter.

Jackson carries high praise for IHS music teacher Brandi Holt, and her efforts to build upon the Marching Mustangs’ storied legacy.

In fact, the band plans to take part in a pair of music competitions — the first at a field competition Sept. 30 in Mount Vernon, Mo.; the second a month later at Neewollah in Independence — the first time Iola has done so in several years.

The marching band has 35 musicians, 21 from the high

school and 14 from the middle school, Holt said.

Ideally, if she can keep her musicians returning as they grow older, Holt is optimistic she will see those numbers grow substantially in the coming years.

JACKSON has one final dream to cap his senior year, another invitation to the 2024 Shrine Bowl festivities, slated for mid-July in Emporia.

He has already reached out to the organizers within the Masonic Lodge and Shriners. Jackson also hopes to recruit some of his fellow IHS musicians to apply next year.

“He won’t stop talking about it,” Holt laughed, “in a good way.”

Progress continues to open a new cell at the Allen County Regional Landfill. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS

Thursday, August 3, 2023

Hull sets tone at Emporia State

By QUINN BURKITT The Iola Register

Former Humboldt High football standout Josh Hull continues to reap the benefits of being a college football player.

Hull is heading into his redshirt junior season as an offensive lineman for Emporia State University.

“Emporia State gave me a chance and I came here and absolutely loved it and I fell in love with this town and community,” Hull said. “It’s going to have a special place in my heart, and just making those people proud and winning another football game for them is always extra motivation.”

Hull anchored a powerful offensive line that paved the way for backto-back deep playoff runs for Humboldt in 2019 and 2020.

From there, he chose Emporia State over several other area schools, including Pittsburg State, Washburn, Central Missouri and other junior colleges.

Once Hull visited Emporia for one of his only two visits, it was an easy call where he wanted to attend.

His campus visit included a team bowling trip, Hull explained, with a connection that was missing when he visited other schools.

“It’s been an awesome experience being a football player at the next level,”

Hull said. “As far as being a student-athlete, that’s an even greater experience. There’s class and a set schedule and the professors love working with the student-athletes. They want to make sure you’re getting done what you need to get done and getting the win on Saturday.”

HULL credited Logan Wyrick, his head coach at Humboldt, for helping prepare him for the next level.

Hull said if it wasn’t for Wyrick, he likely wouldn’t be playing today. He also heaped praise on Humboldt’s supporters.

“I definitely love that town a lot more than the average person,” Hull said. “Everybody loves everybody and everybody is willing to lend a hand. Towns like that can take your heart from you pretty quick. I’m always happy to be home and see all the same smiling faces from when I left. I’d like to think people are proud and I can make Humboldt proud.”

His favorite memory came during his junior season, in a 2018 playoff game against perennial power Rossville.

A late first down allowed the Cubs to emerge with a 24-22 victory. Hull still relishes the memory of seeing

Royals balk-off wins it in 10

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

(AP) — Josh Walker balked home the winning run in the 10th inning and the Kansas City Royals rallied past the New York Mets 7-6 on Tuesday night for their season-best fourth straight victory.

Hours after the retooling Mets traded star pitcher Justin Verlander and two other players to cap a stunning deadline selloff, they blew a 6-4 lead provided by rookie Francisco Álvarez’s tworun homer in the top of the 10th.

the bleachers empty as fans rushed into the field.

The long hours of practices at Emporia may lead to similar experiences, he said.

“Those guys are my family now, just being here together and going through the daily things together, we love each other and at the end of the day I’ll always stand up for my brother,” said Hull. “That’s how we roll into every game and there’s no doubt in my mind I can trust all the other 116 guys that they’ll have my back on a Saturday afternoon.”

Hull is the older brother of

See HUMBOLDT | Page B4

Dodgers acquire Ryan Yarbrough from Royals

Iola’s Mustangs. REGISTER/QUINN BURKITT

Mustang preseason combine coming to Riverside

By QUINN BURKITT

The Iola Register

The Iola High football team is hosting a preseason combine at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at the stadium in Riverside Park.

The event is open to the public.

Football players will check out their pads and watch a video on heat and concussions. A parents meeting

also is planned. The Mustang Combine follows, with players taking part in a 40-yard dash, vertical jump, pro shuttle, L-Drill and broad jump.

For more information, contact head coach David Daugharthy.

Practices for the upcoming season begin Aug. 14, with Iola opening the 2023 season at home against Osawatomie on Sept. 1.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired pitcher Ryan Yarbrough from the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday after being rebuffed in their pursuit of Detroit Tigers ace Eduardo Rodriguez.

Rodriguez used his notrade clause to block a trade, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

“To have a chance to come to a team with guys that he’s familiar with, on a team that’s playing for a championship, it’s surprising,” Roberts said.

The Dodgers traded for pitchers Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly last week, but didn’t land any of the biggest names available at the deadline.

“The top end of the market, we were aggressive in pursuing,” Dodgers presi-

dent of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “The group below that, kind of the versatile arm, floor-raiser, someone that fits in well with our existing group and helps augment our depth, we were more price-sensitive on.”

The Dodgers are waiting on three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw to return from a shoulder injury, as well as lefty Julio Urías to overcome an issue with the index finger on his throwing hand.

“I like our ball club,” Roberts said. “You’re always trying to get better, but as it stands right now we just got to get our guys back to health. It’s still a very, very talented ball club.”

Los Angeles is hoping Walker Buehler returns in

See YARBROUGH | Page B3

Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI double in the bottom half and MJ Melendez tied it with a run-scoring single off Brooks Raley (0-2).

“The whole last inning, really good atbats,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Bobby, MJ, and then taking walks. Raley’s tough. We’ve seen a lot of him and he can really get you to expand the zone. Our guys didn’t do that.”

“Bobby getting us started right there is huge,” Melendez said. “Getting that tying run on second base takes a lot of pressure off the guys to come. We had some really good at-bats and some walks after that.”

Following a two-out throwing error by rookie third baseman Brett Baty, Melendez scored when Walker balked with the bases loaded to give last-place Kansas City (33-75) its sixth walk-off victory.

“I didn’t have a PitchCom in my ear,” Walker explained. “Álvy didn’t have communication. Basically I was trying to relay that to him. When I went to step off, my foot was kind of in the footprint of where guys had been throwing and my knee buckled a little bit before I stepped off.”

Walker was recalled from the minors earlier in the day.

“Pitching-wise, we gave them some things they didn’t earn,” Mets manager Buck Showalter said. “But they earned some stolen bases.”

Kansas City stole three

See ROYALS | Page B4

NCAA has ‘groundbreaking’ girls basketball academy

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) —

Divine Bourrage took off her sneakers and switched into a more comfortable pair of slides. It had been a long four days at a milestone event for women’s basketball.

Bourrage, who is one of the top 50 players in the high school class of 2025, was among hundreds of players and others at the NCAA’s first College Basketball Academy for female players, held over

the weekend in Memphis. And she took full advantage. It wasn’t just about the high-level basketball she got to play in, but also the information from sessions provided by the NCAA on re-

cruiting, endorsement compensation, the transfer portal and other topics that will help as her recruiting journey heats up.

“It’s going to help me focus on when I look into the col-

leges,” said Bourrage, whose team All Iowa Attack won the tournament in both age divisions. “Ask more questions because I usually don’t. I’m not an ask-the-question per-

See NCAA | Page B3

Josh Hull points to a teammate after a first down for the East in the 2020 Kansas Shrine Bowl. REGISTER/ERICK MITCHELL

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Russia strikes Ukrainian port

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)

— Russian drones on Wednesday hit a Ukrainian port city along the border with Romania, causing significant damage and a huge fire at facilities that are key to Ukrainian grain exports.

The attacks followed the end of a deal with Russia that had allowed Ukrainian shipments to world markets from the Black Sea port of Odesa. Since scrapping the deal, Russia has hammered the country’s ports with strikes, compounding the blow to the key industry. In the past two weeks, dozens of drones and missile attacks have targeted the port of Odesa and the region’s river ports, which are being used as alternative routes.

The head of the Ukrainian president’s office, Andriy Yermak, said the city of Izmail, on the Danube River that forms part of the Ukraine-Romania border, was hit in the strikes.

Video obtained by The Associated Press showed explosions and

a large fire in the distance on the Danube, captured by fishermen in Romania, a NATO member, on the other side of the river.

Three Ukrainian ports along the Danube are currently operating.

“The goal of the enemy was clearly the facilities of the ports and industrial infrastructure of the region,” Ukraine’s South operational command wrote in an update on Facebook. As a result of the attack, a fire broke out at industrial and port facilities, and a grain elevator was damaged.

Ukrainian infrastructure minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said that about 44,000 tons of grain, which had been expected by countries in Africa, China and Israel, was damaged in the attack.

Separately, Ukraine’s air force intercepted 23 Iranian-made Shahed drones fired by Russia over the country overnight, mostly in Odesa and Kyiv, according to a morning update.

All 10 drones fired at

Kyiv were intercepted, said Serhii Popko, the head of Kyiv City Administration. Numerous loud explosions were heard overnight as air defense systems were activated. Debris from felled drones hit three districts of the capital, damaging a nonresidential building, Popko said.

“Russian terrorists have once again targeted ports, grain facilities and global food security,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted Wednesday morning on Telegram. “The world must respond.”

He confirmed that some drones hit their targets, with the most “significant damage” in the south of Ukraine.

Wheat prices rose about 3% and corn prices nearly 2% on Wednesday in Chicago trading following the new attacks, before erasing those spikes and trading down. It showed the continued volatility in world markets as Russia targets Ukraine’s ports and agricultural infrastructure.

Iowa State QB Dekkers accused of betting on Cyclones

AMES, Iowa (AP)

— Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers has been accused of gambling on Cyclones sports events, including a football game, and was charged Tuesday with tampering with records related to an Iowa Criminal Division investigation into sports gambling.

The criminal complaint said Dekkers placed 366 online bets worth more than $2,799. According to documents, those bets included 26 Iowa State athletic events and a 2021 football game with Oklahoma State when Dekkers was a backup. He did not play in the game, which Iowa State won 24-21.

The Des Moines Register was first to report the charge against Dekkers, who threw for more than 3,000 yards and 19 touchdowns last year and was expected to start again this season. His attorney said he would skip preseason camp.

In May, officials Iowa State and the University of Iowa announced they were cooperating with state gaming regulators who were investigating illegal online gambling on their campuses. Iowa said it identified 26 athletes in various

sports that might have also compromised their NCAA eligibility. Iowa State at the time said about 15 athletes across three sports were suspected of violating gambling rules. Three other current or former Iowa State

athletes are facing the same charge, according to state online court records. Those include former Cyclones defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike, who was drafted by Denver in 2022 and was suspended indefinitely by

NCAA: Forms girl’s basketball academy

Continued from B1

son. They showed us a whole bunch of questions, I took a picture because I need to learn to ask questions about that.”

The event, sponsored by the NCAA in conjunction with USA Basketball, was the first of its kind for girls basketball and stemmed from a blistering 2021 report on a lack of equity. The NCAA ran an academy for boys basketball in 2019 and held it again this year in Memphis last month right before the girls’ one.

“This was a direct result from one of the recommendations of the report,” said Lynn Holzman, NCAA vice president for women’s basketball. “Invest in women’s basketball to help provide educational opportunities and exposure opportunities at an equitable level. We’ve been able to provide a mirror image and model for both men and women.”

The NCAA footed the $4 million bill for the four-day event, paying for travel, lodging and food for the nearly 1,000 players and chaperones. It was a welcome assist for families and teams that routinely spend thousands to play in tournaments.

“The College Basketball Academy for women has been a groundbreaking event,” said North Carolina coach Courtney Banghart, who is also the president of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. “I believe this is the first time the NCAA has created something of this magnitude in the recruiting space for women’s basketball.”

Banghart was among the roughly 320 college coaches from 162 schools who were there. It was easy to pick out where the top players were competing by looking for the colorful shirts worn by the coaches courtside that included South Carolina’s Dawn Staley, Louis-

ville’s Jeff Walz and Kim Mulkey of defending champion LSU.

The college coaches were evaluating some of the top young high school players in the country at the final event of the summer. It brought together the top AAU teams from around the country to play for the U.S. Open championship on 16 courts inside the Memphis Sports and Expo Center. Usually teams only play against other squads that are part of specific shoe circuits like Nike, Under Armour and adidas. This time, they mixed it up.

“It was a new weekend, the first time it’s been held and it was new to all of us. It was very different,” Mulkey said. “The more you can see kids and don’t have to go all over the country that’s always a good thing. Anything that’s created for women’s basketball, we’re always going to say is good, you can tweak a few things in it for the future.”

Players and their chaperones were required to attend seminars on various topics that will help them during recruiting and beyond. It was players’ only the first two days, then it was everyone for the final panel on Sunday that featured former Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw.

One of the teams from Pennsylvania was led by longtime Villanova head coach Harry Perretta, who retired a few years ago from the Division I ranks. Perretta loved the inaugural event.

“If I was still a college coach, I wouldn’t miss this because it’s a chance for me to see kids in a competitive environment and then also see individuals at the same time,” he said.

OFFICIATING

The NCAA brought in 144 officials from all three divisions and nearly every conference had a representative officiating. Veterans helped evaluate and work with younger

referees on communication, leadership, play calling and mechanics.

“We focused on process of getting better more than an outcome,” NCAA coordinator of officials Penny Davis said. “A lot of times they go to summer training camps and their motivation is two-fold, to get hired and to learn. I opened with that I don’t have games to offer or contracts, all I have is knowledge to give you. It changed their perspective that they weren’t sitting next to the competition for the next five days.”

USA 3x3

The NCAA also brought in a dozen players to be considered for future USA Basketball 3x3 opportunities.

The three top players in the class of 2025 according to ESPN’s rankings — Aaliyah Chavez, Jasmine Davidson and ZaKiyah Johnson — all competed. Coaches packed courtside to watch the group play.

“It’s fun, it’s different, it’s fast paced,” Johnson

the NFL for betting on Broncos games during his rookie season.

“We are in the process of gathering information and will have no further comment at this time,” Iowa State senior associate athletic director Nick Joos said in a statement.

All four athletes are accused of concealing their identities “with the intent to deceive or conceal a wrongdoing,” according to the complaint cited by the Register. Each athlete allegedly worked with third parties to create the appearance that the third parties, rather than the athletes, were placing bets.

Dekkers participated in a scheme with his parents, Scott Dekkers and Jami Dekkers, to conceal his online gambling and made it appear that bets placed by Hunter Dekkers were made by Jami Dekkers, the complaint said. The 22-year-old Dekkers started all 12 of Iowa State’s games last season. He could face loss of eligibility under NCAA guidelines

against athletes from wagering on their own games or other sports at their own schools.

His attorney, Mark Weinhardt, said Dekkers will not participate in preseason practices to “focus on his studies and on the defense of this criminal charge.” He said Dekkers would plead not guilty to the criminal charge.

“This charge attempts to criminalize a daily fact of American life. Millions of people share online accounts of all kinds every day,” Weinhardt said in a statement sent to the AP. “Thousands and thousands of college athletes place bets — usually very small ones — with shared accounts. That is for the schools and the NCAA to police.”

Experts have predicted that college sports will see gambling scandals as betting becomes more accepted in state after state following a Supreme Court ruling five years ago. The topic grabbed headlines earlier this year after

See DEKKERS | Page B4

said. “It’s not the normal five on five we’re used to. There’s no time to celebrate because there’s just 12 seconds each time to score.”

INDIVIDUAL PATHWAYS

While there were 48 AAU teams competing, in one division, there were also hundreds of girls who individually signed up for the event. They were put on teams by commissioners that included former Division I coaches. There were nearly 100 coaches from the Division II, III, NAIA, JUCO and high school ranks leading those teams against each other.

“I feel like it’s been some pretty good competition,” said Crystal Hardy who is from Maryland and in the class of 2025. “It teaches you how to play with people you didn’t play with before and you have to learn quickly,”

The event also drew players from Mexico, Argentina and Brazil while Canada had nearly 50 players on hand.

Yarbrough: To LAD

Continued from B1

September after rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.

In exchange for Yarbrough, the Dodgers sent minor league infielders Devin Mann and Derlin Figueroa.

The 31-year-old Yarbrough was 4-5 with a 4.24 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 14 appearances, including seven starts, with the Royals. The lefthander helped the Royals sweep Minnesota on Sunday.

Yarbrough has spent parts of six seasons in the majors, having also pitched for Tampa Bay from 2018-2022. He has a career mark of 44-36 with a 4.32 ERA.

Roberts said he wasn’t sure whether Yarbrough would be a starter or work out of the bullpen.

“A versatile arm that fits in with our

group and helps stabilize,” Friedman said.

In another move, the Dodgers traded lefty Justin Bruihl to Colorado for cash.

He was recently designated for assignment by the Dodgers to make room for Lynn and Kelly. Bruihl has a 4.07 ERA with 19 strikeouts and eight walks in 24 1/3 innings this season. He played parts of three seasons in LA.

The Dodgers also sent righty Phil Bickford and lefty Adam Kolarek to the New York Mets for cash.

Bickford was designed for assignment by the Dodgers on Saturday. He was 2-3 with a 5.14 ERA in 36 games this season. Kolarek spent most of the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was 0-3 with a 2.40 ERA in 33 games.

Quarterback Hunter Dekkers #12 of the Iowa State Cyclones passes under pressure from a Kansas State defensive back. DAVID PURDY/GETTY IMAGES/TNS

Latino player hazed at NWU

CHICAGO (AP) — Ramon Diaz says he was just 17 years old when Northwestern University upperclassmen shaved “Cinco de Mayo” onto the back of his head as the entire football team watched.

“The holiday itself has a significant meaning to me and my family and then the Latino community at large,” Diaz told The Associated Press. “I was mocked and ridiculed.”

Diaz said he was the only Latino offensive lineman on the team at a time when the athletic department’s culture allowed racist and sexual abuse to thrive and caused psychological and emotional damage to athletes of color.

A lawsuit announced on Diaz’ behalf Wednesday is the 10th against the prestigious private university since student journalists at The Daily Northwestern published an article on July 8 that suggested head coach Patrick Fitzgerald may have been aware of hazing, leading to his firing after 17 seasons.

Northwestern announced Tuesday that it has hired former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to lead an investigation into the culture of its athletic department and its anti-hazing procedures following allegations of abusive behavior and racism within the football program and other teams.

The lawsuits filed since then allege hazing among male and a female athletes across multiple sports that included sexual abuse by teammates and racist comments by coaches to players of color. Diaz, like other former players who have come forward, also described instances of forced nudity and sexual abuse. Diaz’s case dates back the fur-

thest so far, meaning mistreatment allegations span more than 15 years, from 2005 to 2022.

Fitzgerald has maintained he had no knowledge of the hazing, and said after being fired that he was working with his agent, Bryan Harlan, and his lawyer, Dan Webb, to protect his legal rights. A statement from his lawyers called the sweeping allegations “imprecise.”

“The facts and evidence will show that Coach Fitzgerald implemented and followed numerous procedures and protocols to ensure that hazing would not occur, and he repeatedly emphasized to Northwestern’s student athletes that hazing was forbidden and, if anyone was aware — or was the victim — of hazing, that they should immediately report it so that he could stop it,” the statement said.

But the perpetrators were not limited to student athletes; the coaching staff also made racist comments that emboldened players to target and bully athletes of color, according to Diaz, who is now a licensed clinical therapist and is pursuing a Ph.D. in neuropsychology.

“As a parent, as a clinician, as a former Division I athlete, I cannot imagine how the athletic department and the coaching staff did not know,” Diaz said. Diaz, who needed his football scholarship to afford college, recalled Bret Ingalls, the Wildcats’ offensive line coach at the time, telling him: “I know you grew up on dirt floors, but here we try to keep things clean,” and “Ramon, you can get a job easily in summer mowing the lawn or painting houses.”

Astros’ Valdez throws no-no

Things were even worse for a Black teammate and friend, he said. During a workout, another player told his friend to “do that monkey dance you do.” His clothes and even his gait were ridiculed by teammates, who told him: “why are you doing that gangster walk again?” and “I know you might dress that way when you’re back in the hood ... but you can’t wear that stuff here.”

The allegations raised by Diaz, who is being represented by Parker Stinar and Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, aligns with that of players who graduated more recently, including former quarterback Lloyd Yates, who said the treatment was especially bad for players of color.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing five former Northwestern athletes including Yates, said he plans on filing more than 30 lawsuits involving athletes from “a variety of athletic programs and even mascots.”

Diaz said he tried to kill himself at one point because of the racism and bigotry he endured, started seeing a therapist for depression, and still needs treatment to process what happened. He said the psychological damage was significant enough to impair his functioning throughout his time at Northwestern.

“I just remember the laughter. No one stopped it. And the players felt enabled because of the atmosphere created by the coaches,” he said.

Now 36 years old and a parent of three, Diaz said he “cannot imagine” what he would do if forced nudity or sexual abuse happened to one of his children.

Humboldt: Native Hull talks college

Continued from B1

Sam Hull, who will enter his senior year at Humboldt this fall.

Like his older brother, Sam has become a standout on the field as well, playing key roles for Humboldt’s football, basketball and baseball teams.

Josh hopes he can be a positive older figure in Sam’s life as well as for other Humboldt na-

tives, such as Trey Sommer, another multisport standout who is joining Hull on the Emporia State football roster in the fall.

“I would tell both of them (Trey and Sam) to be in their shoes and be them,” said Hull. “For Trey, don’t have tunnel vision and make sure you see everything from different points of view and just be ready

HOUSTON (AP) — Framber Valdez was determined to improve this month after a subpar July where he posted a 7.29 ERA.

On the first day of August he certainly did that.

Valdez threw the 16th no-hitter in Houston Astros history in a 2-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night.

“The last couple of games I just wasn’t as focused as I could have been and I’ll be the first to admit that,” Valdez said in Spanish through a translator. “But today I just came very focused, very positive and just ready to leave it all out on the field.”

Hours after the Astros reacquired ace Justin Verlander from the New York Mets, Valdez allowed just one baserunner on a walk in the fifth inning, but still faced the minimum thanks to a double play in that frame. He threw 93 pitches, with 65 strikes.

“It’s a wonderful day,” manager Dusty Baker said. “(Valdez) started out with a bang. He had his breaking ball from the very beginning … and you could tell he was on and he stayed on.”

Gabriel Arias grounded out to start the ninth before Myles Straw lined out to center field. Cam Gallagher then lined out to Jeremy Pena to end it and set off the celebration.

Valdez (9-7) raised his arms above his head and then clapped as a huge smile crossed his face. He’s the first left-hander to throw a no-hitter for Houston.

“When I got to the seventh inning I thought to myself, ‘OK, I can finish this game without any hits,’” Valdez said. “Got to the eighth inning and still felt good, felt like it was still the first inning so I said. `I’m just going to continue attacking the hitters, trying to do my best out there.’”

The 29-year-old from the Dominican Republic had pitched five complete games, including two complete game shutouts before Tuesday’s gem.

Catcher Martín Maldonado caught the third no-hitter of his career. He said he could tell from Valdez’s warmup that he would have a good night.

“I noticed from the bullpen, he wasn’t joking around,” Mal-

donado said. “He was straight business from the moment he walked out there.”

Maldonado had a simple answer as to what made Valdez so special Tuesday night.

“Just Framber being Framber,” he said.

Indeed, Valdez relies heavily on getting groundouts, and this game was no different. Valdez entered the game first in the AL in groundball percentage at 54.7 and 12 of his outs against the Guardians were on groundouts.

“It’s easy to see the two-seam movement, but his curveball — man just so good and he threw a couple changeups,” Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. “But his curveball was really good.”

The no-hitter was the third in the majors this season. New York Yankees right-hander Domingo Germán pitched a perfect game at Oakland on June 28, and Matt Manning,

See VALDEZ | Page B6

Dekkers: Gambles illegally

Continued from B3

after Alabama’s baseball coach, Brian Bohannon, and two Cincinnati baseball staffers were let go due to their connection to gambling investigations.

to learn. For Sam, I would emphasize being in his own shoes, not worrying about everything else that’s going on and playing hard and winning games.”

Emporia State’s fall camp opens Friday, with practices beginning Monday.

Emporia State kicks off the 2023 season at home against Lincoln on Aug. 31.

Royals: Balk-off to beat Mets

Continued from B1

three bases in the seventh and scored twice to grab a 3-1 lead.

Pinch-runner Dairon Blanco stole third and scored on Álvarez’s throwing error before Maikel Garcia added an RBI single off Trevor Gott.

“We’ve got dudes on the whole team that can move the game on the basepaths,” said Samad Taylor, who stole two bases and scored twice. “Any way we can do something on the basepaths, it’s a plus. This game tonight came down to baserunning and doing the right things on the

basepaths.”

“He’s got sneaky pop,” Quatraro said. “He steals bags, plays good defense. We’re excited to have him.”

Carlos Hernández (16) worked one inning for the win.

Pete Alonso hit his 31st homer for the Mets and added an RBI single in a three-run eighth that gave them a 4-3 lead.

“You know you can’t make mistakes to him,” Royals starter Zack Greinke said. “It was a fastball right down the middle. It’s still an impressive hit.”

Freddy Fermin’s sacrifice fly off Adam Otta-

vino in the bottom half tied it.

TRANSACTIONS

After making a flurry of trades over the past few days, the Mets called up Walker, RHP John Curtiss, OF Rafael Ortega and C Michael Pérez from Triple-A Syracuse.

Kansas City activated 1B Matt Beaty from the seven-day injured list and recalled LHP Angel Zerpa and RHPs Jackson Kowar and James McArthur from Triple-A Omaha.

UP NEXT Mets rookie RHP Kodai Senga (7-5, 3.17 ERA) faced Royals RHP Alec Marsh (0-5, 7.04) on Wednesday night.

The NCAA recently stiffened punishment for athletes found to have bet on their games, influenced the outcome of those games, bets on other sports at their school or knowingly provided information to someone engaged in sports betting. The other three athletes were also charged

with tampering with records connected to the investigation, according to state online records. Besides Uwazurike, they are offensive lineman Dodge Sauser and Iowa State wrestler Paniro Johnson. Sauser made approximately 113 online bets worth $3,075 with 12 wagers on Iowa State football games, including those with Ohio, West Virginia, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech, according to records.

Johnson, who won a Big 12 wrestling title last year

as a freshman, is alleged to have placed about 1,283 bets online worth more than $45,600, according to the complaint. There were approximately 25 bets on Iowa State athletic events.

The complaint against Uwazurike alleges he made 801 bets online for more than $21,300, with four wagers on Iowa State football games.

All four are set to appear in court on Aug. 16. There was no attorney listed for most of the athletes listed on the complaints.

Framber Valdez (59) of the Houston Astros. BOB LEVEY/GETTY IMAGES/TNS

Adapted from an online discussion.

Dear Carolyn: No question, just at a loss. A friend passed away today, much too young, from a cruel and heartless disease that just ravaged her body right up until the end. Life seems way too harsh, and although I know death is part of the process, it seems just so cold and mean today — and knowing two toddlers will never get to really know her makes it even more crushing.

Any words of insight?

— Dealing With Death Dealing With Death: I am so sorry. The harshness overwhelms sometimes. Hug those babies and cry for your friend. Maybe get outside if you can. Earth heals, or at least offers perspective.

I hope this small assurance helps, too: For the rest of your life, you can be the “messenger” for the traits you loved in this friend. You can tell a joke or handle a problem or enjoy a moment or interpret a situation the way your friend would have, and the children can know her presence through you. Take care, and my condolences.

Dear Carolyn: My son, “Mike,” has opioid problems and is showing signs of relapse. My wife’s son, “Tim,” has major anxiety disorder and panic attacks, and is very close to his mom. Both are about 30 and having trouble participating in society. When I was discussing Mike’s possible relapse with my wife, she blurted out, “Boy, Mike’s misfortunes make me feel much better about Tim!” I found this a shocking comment and an unforgivable attitude of relishing my son’s setbacks to make her feel better about

her kid. Advise please?

— Anonymous Anonymous: Well that is 100 percent awful.

I mean the comment, but having your kids face such severe challenges is a lot for one family to carry, too.

If your wife is not typically competitive, spiteful or cruel, or one to revel in other people’s setbacks, then it would be an act of grace to write it off as her having misspoken — either blurting her worst interior thoughts or trying (and failing) to express sympathy that you have it worse right now.

I have to think a large percentage of us would have no friends if we ever took our filters off completely. I sure wouldn’t.

If it does fit with her character, then you have some hard decisions to make about your marriage.

Either way, do say to her, calmly: “Your comment shocked me. What did you mean by it?”

Dear Carolyn: In dating post-divorce, how do I separate unreasonable biases from incompatibility? I think about things such as education and careers. I really only spend time with college-educated, mostly whitecollar people. I don’t know whether I would have anything in common with someone in a blue-collar job — but my ex’s college degree and profession didn’t keep us together.

Same thing with personal appearance. A lot of men don’t seem

to take as much care to, say, have styled hair instead of a buzz cut or know the difference between casual sneakers and athletic shoes.

Am I being shallow?

— Thinking of Dating

Thinking of Dating: You do have some harmful and, um, quirky biases, respectively.

The question is: Do you want to challenge them? Do you think they unduly inhibit your happiness, or are they

Public notice

(Published in The Iola Register Aug. 3, 2023)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Inc. will conduct a Public Hearing on Tuesday, August 8th, 2023, at 1:00 pm. 1 W Ash, Chanute KS. The purpose of the meeting is to solicit comments from citizens on the Fiscal Year 2023 Area Plan updates and Fiscal Year purposed 2024 Area Plan.

Persons unable to attend the Public Hearing are invited to submit comments on the needs of elderly people and use of available funds to Kathy Brennon, Executive Director, SEK-AAA, Inc., PO Box J, Chanute, KS 66720, or call 620431-2980. Comments may also be sent electronically to SEKAAA@SEKAAA.com.

(8) 3

a useful filter for what you really like?

You can be as shallow as you want to be. This is dating, not hiring. No one’s calling the depth police. There’s just what does and doesn’t work toward an emotional fit and your sense of wellbeing.

Seems to me your best move is to keep doing what you’re doing now: paying attention, and asking yourself the hard questions.

by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

BEETLE BAILEY

by Mort Walker

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE by

Chris Browne

BLONDIE

by Young and Drake

by Patrick McDonell

by Tom Armstrong

Chance Browne

MARVIN

MUTTS

Sweden advances to face USA

By LUKE VARGAS The Associated Press

HAMILTON, New Zealand (AP) — Rebecka Blomqvist’s second-half goal lifted Sweden to a 2-0 win over Argentina on Wednesday to advance the Blagult to a roundof-16 showdown with the United States in the Women’s World Cup.

Argentina was eliminated from the tournament. Neither side looked close to scoring for much of the match until Blomqvist broke the deadlock with a headed goal at the 66th-minute mark to help the blue and yellow finish 3-0 and win Group G.

Sweden, which rested nine starters to open the match, threatened at times in the first half. A combination of disjointed play and fouls prevented Sweden from taking early control of the game.

Playing at times in a pelting rain, Argentina did not create a real chance in open play, and suffered a blow when veteran Florencia Bonsegundo was stretchered off in tears after a late tackle by Blomqvist in the 41st minute.

Late in the match, Gabriela Chavez com-

mitted a foul while defending a corner kick. Elin Rubensson converted the penalty kick in stoppage time to seal the victory for Sweden.

Swedish captain

Caroline Seeger made her 20th Women’s World Cup appearance Wednesday to equal Hedvig Lindahl’s tournament record for Sweden.

Over 17,900 spectators packed Waikato Stadium, which holds just 18,009. The crowd was full of Argentina supporters who sang and chanted for all 90 minutes, plus stoppage time, on a brisk night in Hamilton.

KEY MOMENTS

Stout defense was on full display for over an hour, but Blomqvist managed to push the blue and yellow over the line against Argentina.

Sofia Jakobsson picked out the head of Blomqvist perfectly on a cross from just outside the 18-yard box for the decisive goal.

WHY IT MATTERS

The clash between the United States, the two-time reigning World Cup champions, and third-ranked Sweden will be their seventh meeting and tie the record for the most-played matchup in Women’s World Cup history.

Valdez: Tosses no-hitter

Continued from B4

Alex Lange and Jason Foley of the Detroit Tigers threw a combined no-no against Toronto on July 8.

It’s Houston’s first no-hitter in the regular season since Cristian Javier, Hector Neris and Ryan Pressly combined to no-hit the Yankees on June 25, 2022, and the first by a single pitcher since Verlander against Toronto on Sept. 1, 2019.

The Astros made the move for Verlander as they chase the Texas Rangers for first place in the AL West. Texas beat the White Sox 2-0 on Tuesday to leave Houston a half-game back.

Baker thought it was special that Valdez threw the first individual no-hitter for the Astros since Verlander’s on the day Verlander was traded back to Houston.

“It was sort of destined to be,” Baker said. “And I’m sure Justin is smiling right now on his way here and he’ll be the first one to congratulate Framber when he gets here. It’s a great day.”

Javier also started a combined no-hitter in Game 4 of last year’s World Series against the Phillies on Nov. 2, 2022. Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Pressly also pitched in that game.

Kyle Tucker provided the offense in this one with a two-run single in the third inning.

Valdez retired the first 12 batters, with six strikeouts, before Oscar Gonzalez walked to open the fifth. But Valdez still faced the minimum in that inning thanks to that double play.

Argentina’s run ended in the group stage just as it had in its three previous appearances, in 2019, 2007 and 2003. La Albiceleste are still without a tournament win.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

“We’re proud of the players, they gave it their all. We can sleep at ease. Of course we’re sad, that’s football. But our heads are very high, and we’ll continue down this pathway,” said Argentina coach German Portanova on the loss and his team’s tournament run.

“We had good patience today. We felt that of course we want to score goals and we want to create chances. I think we also felt that the chances will come, and when they came, we have to be ready and not be frustrated,” said Blomqvist. WHAT’S NEXT Sweden travels to Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday for the U.S. match.

Argentina is knocked out of the Women’s World Cup.

Browns tackle Joe Thomas was iron man on way to NFL Hall of Fame

CLEVELAND (AP)

— Due to space limitations, Joe Thomas was given only 300 tickets to disperse among dozens of family members, former teammates, friends and other guests to attend his upcoming Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.

Not everyone made the cut.

“I invited all my Browns head coaches and quarterbacks, then ran out,” he cracked.

At least Thomas can joke these days while reflecting on a stellar NFL career that included so many miserable, losing seasons in Cleveland — he played for six coaches and blocked for 20 different starting QBs — while at times pushing himself through debilitating pain just to stay on the field.

For 11 years, Thomas was a pillar of excellence for a franchise that has spent most of the past two-plus decades in disarray. An iron man, he played

10,363 consecutive snaps, a streak believed to be a league record, before being forced off the field with a torn triceps midway through Cleveland’s 0-16 season in 2017.

He was a technician on the field, his performance shaped by an endless quest for perfection. Outside the lines, Thomas was the consummate teammate.

Thomas played on just one winning team — the Browns went 48128 with him — and he never made the playoffs, the only blemish on an otherwise flawless resume.

“I’m not a guy who thinks about what could have been or things that were out of my control,” Thomas told The Associated Press. “I’m very satisfied with my career, but certainly the big hole is not bringing a championship to Cleveland because that was my driving force since the day I got to Cleveland.”

It’s not even arguable: Thomas is the best thing about the Browns since their 1999 expansion rebirth.

A 10-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro and regarded as one of the best left tackles in league history, Thomas was always there for his team and a city that embraced the Wisconsin native as one of its own from the moment he was drafted.

“Rare breed,” said Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett, who spent his rookie season with Thomas. “He’s a natural whether it’s football, the media. He’s got a glowing personality. A great person. He helped me so much studying the game.”

Elected for enshrinement in his first year of eligibility, Thomas will be introduced by his wife, Annie, and their four children, before he’s the fitting closing speaker on Saturday in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Arias grounded out to start the sixth before a lineout by Straw. Gallagher then grounded out to end the sixth.

Valdez retired all three batters in the seventh on groundouts. The first two were routine. But Valdez deflected a high chopper hit by José Ramírez and Pena’s throw to first barely beat Ramírez there for the third out.

Valdez struck out Gonzalez to start the eighth and retired David Fry and Will Brennan on groundouts to end the inning.

The strong start comes after he allowed eight hits and six runs — both season highs — in 3 2/3 innings of a 13-5 loss to Texas in his last outing.

Jake Meyers singled to start Houston’s third but was caught stealing after Maldonado struck out.

Jose Altuve singled and Jeremy Peña walked before a wild pitch by Williams allowed both runners to advance a base.

Tucker then singled to center field to send both runners home and put the Astros up 2-0.

Cleveland’s rookie starter Gavin Williams (1-3) allowed four hits and two runs in five innings for the loss.

Josh Bell was originally in Cleveland’s lineup Tuesday but was scratched after the team made a late deal to send him to Miami for infielder Jean Segura and infield prospect Kahlil Watson.

UP NEXT RHP Tanner Bibee (7-2, 3.11 ERA) starts for Cleveland in the series finale Wednesday. Houston hasn’t announced a starter.

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