The Iola Register, July 29, 2023

From excess to opportunity

Rummage sale to benefit single moms in Uganda

By VICKIE MOSSS The Iola Register

But whoever has worldly goods and sees his brother or sister in need, and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God remain in him?

1 John 3:17

When Church of the Nazarene Pastor Kelly Klubek and wife Natalie returned from a trip to Uganda in May, they realized just how much “stuff” they have.

Natalie thought about the single mothers in Uganda she had gotten to know over three weeks. Their lives were very different. They had so little.

“I have too much,” Natalie thought. “Maybe my excess can help them. That was in my heart the whole time.”

That nugget of an idea grew into plans for a fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 5, at

the Church of the Nazarene.

The church will offer a rummage and bake sale starting at 7 a.m., with craft items, clothes, household items and baked goods available for purchase.

All proceeds will go to a

project in Kabale, Uganda that provides housing, food and job training for single mothers and their children.

THE KLUBEKS met Victor Kukakira of Kabale through a member of their congre-

gation. Kukakira visited Iola for a weeklong revival in 2022 and invited the Klubeks to visit his home in Uganda. Kukakira taught the Klubeks and others in Iola

See UGANDA | Page A5

Most Kansas hospitals fail to meet federal price transparency regulations in new study. GETTY IMAGES

Report: KS hospitals lack billing transparency

By SAM BAILEY Kansas Reflector

TOPEKA — Most Kansas hospitals are not complying with federal law requiring a publicly accessible online list of prices, according to a new report by Patient Rights Advocate.

The July report found only six of the 23 Kansas hospitals used in the study fully comply with the Hospital Price Transparency rule that went

See HOSPITALS | Page A5

Baked pie contest a family affair

By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register

One of the sweetest family feuds in recent memory came to a thrilling conclusion Thursday evening at the Allen County Fair.

The occasion was the baked pie contest, where competitors were tasked with concocting their best blackberry pie.

Judges Brenda Armstrong, Edna Donovan and Denise Mentzer meticulously rated 13 entries on such things as appearance, crust flakiness,

and most importantly, taste.

Six of the thirteen entries came from a single family.

Joyce Lee of LaHarpe, was joined by her daughter Amber Barney and grandchildren Tai Lee, Sage Barney, India Barney and Gianna Barney. Daughter-in-law Tracy Lee also had baked up a pie, but declined to enter the competition.

Adding to the tension the Barneys, who live in Michigan, had arrived in town only Thursday afternoon and hurriedly baked their pies in time for the 6 p.m. competition.

Sure, there was some

light-hearted banter among the competitors, “but mostly it’s fun,” said Joyce Lee, who also was credited for helping her children and grandchildren learn many of their culinary skills.

The large number of entries meant judging took a while (roughly 90 minutes), allowing the tension to build before event manager Linda Garrett announced the two winners.

Joyce, the Lee family matriarch, who had entered (and

See FAIR | Page A3

Municipal Band’s legacy catches eye of documentarian

By RICHARD LUKEN The Iola Register

The Iola Municipal Band, which has been a part of Iola’s summers for the past 152 years, ended its summer session Thursday with a celebration of Christmas.

The band, with musicians ranging from middle school to players in their 80s, performed a medley of holiday classics to bid adieu to 2023.

Among the audience members was Chris Frank, a senior producer for PBS Kansas, based in Wichita.

Frank was in town to record footage for a documentary about the band, slated to air sometime this fall, for PBS’s “Positively Kansas” series.

Prior to the concert, Frank visited with a number of the band’s key performers, in-

cluding John Lucas, who has played in the weekly Thursday evening concerts each summer for the past 50 years, Andy Dunlap, 82, who joined the band while he was in high

See BAND | Page A5

Chris Frank, at left, is a senior producer for PBS Kansas, and is creating a documentary on the Iola Muncipal Band, which completed its summer session Thursday. The band has played summer concerts for the past 152 years. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

Residents of The House of Grace learn sewing skills to support their families in Uganda, where single mothers are often shunned. COURTESY PHOTO

Joyce Lee of LaHarpe, right, was once again crowned the winner of the Allen County Fair Baked Pie Contest Thursday. Taking second place was Gianna Barney, 13, Lee’s granddaughter, in her first ever baked pie contest. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

Zachary Wood and Emily Boyd were married in a ceremony at the Flatrock Ranch in Greenwood County.

Emily is the daughter of Mark and Patti Boyd of Moran. She is a PhD candidate in chemistry at the California Institute of Technology. She is a 2019 graduate of the University of Kansas and a 2015 graduate of Marmaton Valley High Schoool.

Zach is the son of Charles and Anne Wood of Eureka, Mo. He is a PhD candidate in chemistry at the University of Southern California. He is a 2019 graduate of the University of Kansas and a 2015 graduate of Eureka High School.

Clara Boyd, Lawrence, sister of the

Area girls vie for Fiesta Little Queen crown

Beginning in August, Chanute will recognize its rich Mexican ancestry with the 106th Mexican Fiesta. The crowning of the king and queen and their court is Aug. 19, followed by the noon-to-midnight celebration on Sept. 16.

Bryleigh Hinkle and Selena Herrera of Iola are among the candidates vying for the title of “Little Queen,” for this year’s fiesta.

Penney donations count as votes for the girls, who have jars scattered about at various locations.

Bryleigh Hinkle

bride, served as the maid of honor. Emma Piazza, Kansas City, Mo., Skylar Pryor, Kansas City, Mo., Shaylyn Hubbell, Denver, Colorado, and Sara Cluff, Honolulu, Hawaii, served as the bride’s attendants.

William Wood, Eureka, Mo., brother of the groom, served as best man. Other attendants were Chris Otolski, Chicago, Ill., Nate Erickson, Minneapolis, Minn., Patrick Canny, Fort Collins, Colo., and Steven Ozaki, Overland Park.

Grandparents attending were Sharon Miklos, Mobridge, S.D., and Robert and Shirley Boyd, Houston, Texas.

The couple live in Pasadena, Calif.

Bryleigh is 8 years old and the daughter of Brian and Veronica Hinkle. She will be entering second grade at Iola Elementary School.

Her hobbies include dancing, riding bikes, drawing and taking care of her animals.

Bryleigh is a member of the In Step Dance Academy. Her favorite styles are jazz and musical theater.

With a goal of becoming a veterinarian one day, Bryleigh loves her pets. Her menagerie includes two budgies, Blue and Rick; two cats, Sunshine and Moon, and two dogs, Zip, a pitbull mastiff mix, and a chihuahua named Elfie.

“He has really big ears,” she explained.

To vote for Bryleigh, jars are placed at El Rincon restaurant in Chanute and G&W Foods, 3 Generations and Deja-Nu consignment shops, 4 Ms bookstore, In Step Dance Academy

and Duane’s Flowers in Iola.

Selena Herrera

Selena is 9 years old and the daughter of Mikki and Lennin Herrera. She is one of six children. She will be a fourth-grader at Iola Elementary School this fall.

Selena’s Hispanic ancestry includes her maternal grandparents from Mexico and her father, who is from Nandaime, Nicaragua.

Selena loves art and dance. She is a member of Miss Chelsea’s Dance Academy. Her favorite styles are hip hop, ballet, tap and musical theater.

Selena said she is looking forward to the Sept. 16 Fiesta in part because “it’s the same day as my birthday.”

What also makes the occasion special is that she will be wearing a traditional Mexican dress delivered by her mother’s Mexican

friends.

To vote for Selena, jars are placed at El Jimador restaurant, Johnson Schowengerdt law office, Iola Pharmacy and O’Shaughnessy Liquor in Iola, and at State Farm/Jennifer Dietsch, Shields Auto and the Chanute Housing Authority in Chanute.

CHANUTE’S Mexican Fiesta began in 1917 to recognize Mexico’s independence from Spain.

The city’s Mexican community grew in the early 1900s when the Santa Fe Railroad recruited Mexicans to lay tracks in the switching yard and perform other tasks the white men would not do at low wages, according to an article written by Catherine Ramirez and published in the Chanute Tribune in 2017.

The railroad relocated 125 families to Chanute. According to the 1930 census, Neosho County had 420 Mexican residents.

Bryleigh Hinkle Selena Herrera

Wood — Boyd

Fair: Fun begins

Continued from A1

usually won) the baked pie contest pretty much every year of its existence, was once again crowned queen of the kitchen. That was no surprise.

The runner-up, however, was.

Gianna Barney, age 13, who had never entered a contest — heck, who had never baked anything before — was given the runner-up cash prize.

“She just decided today to enter,” older sister Sage said afterward. “We’ve done this before, and she gets it her first time.”

THE FAIR hits high gear at Iola’s Riverside Park over the weekend.

The Iola Rotary Club Smokin’ Hot Cars & BBQ contest begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, along with a Sandy Hooves volleyball tournament on the sand volleyball court.

Junk drawer robotics begin at 9, followed by a picnic at the park at 11.

The Gail Ritter Pedal Pull gets underway at noon, with Wolf’s Wild Variety Show, including fire eating, sword swallowing and juggling, starting at 2 p.m.

The second night of LaHaye Bucking Bulls’ Bull Bash highlights Saturday evening’s events. 4-H’ers, meanwhile, will show off their rabbits Saturday morning and their beef in the evening.

The fair concludes

with the 4-H/FFA Livestock Premium Auction at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

From left, Hallie Sutherland, Chanlynn Wrestler and Raveyn Kegler show off their swine Thursday at the Allen County Fair. REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN

Shelby Sprague washes off her goat Poppy Friday at the Allen County Fair. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS

Competing in the Allen County Fair Baked Pie Contest Thursday are, from left, Joyce Lee, her daughter Amber Barney and granddaughters India Barney, Sage Barney, Tai Lee and Gianna Barney.

This Allen County Fair contestant models the latest in sheep fashion.

Lucas Owen was among the youngsters competing in the Allen County Fair Lego Building Contest Thursday.

Thatcher Mueller shows his dairy goat Friday at the Allen County Fair. Mueller was crowned showmanship champion in the senior division.

Obituary

Derek Simpson

Derek Charles Simpson, 50, Valley Center, died Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at his residence. Derek was born Jan. 25, 1973, in Wichita, to Edward L. Simpson and Connie (Highley) Wasser.

Derek and Tracy Francis were married May 3, 2003, in Cookeville, Tenn.

She survives, as do children, Malcom Simpson, Devin Simpson and Derek Connor Simpson; mother Connie Wasser; sister Miranda (Wes) Kell; and numerous other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, in the chapel at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 U.S. 54, Iola. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, Iola.

Memorials are suggested to Tunnel To Towers, and may be left with the funeral home.

Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.

Court news

IOLA MUNICIPAL

COURT

Judge Patti Miklos

Boyd

Convicted as follows:

Lyle L. Hennen, Iola, 31/20, $161

Britton C. Klotz, Lawrence, improper use/occupancy of a dwelling, theft, $526.54, probation

Police news

Arrest

On July 25, Cody Woodson, age 30 of Iola, was arrested in the 500 block of North Second Street on suspicion of criminal damage to property.

Accidents

On July 20, a vehicle driven by Ethan Collins pulled out in front of a vehicle driven by Heather Conley on East

Moscow blames Kyiv for missile attacks in Russia as forces pound Ukrainian village

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)

— Russian forces on Friday pounded a key village that Ukraine claimed to have recaptured in its grinding counteroffensive in the country’s southeast, while Moscow accused Kyiv of firing two missiles at southern Russia and wounding 20 people.

ordered

Diversion agreements Christopher Z. Griffeth, Iola, driving while intoxicated, possessing alcohol as a minor, transporting an open container of alcohol, $1,505

Steven M. Richards, Iola, theft, $578.06

Douglas at North Buckeye street. The vehicles collided.

On July 24, a vehicle driven by Wayne Potts backed into a parking lot and struck a parked car in the 600 block of East Garfield Street.

On July 16, a vehicle driven by Marcelina Treteault struck a parked car in the 2200 block of North State Street.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, marked Ukraine’s Statehood Day by reaffirming the country’s sovereignty — a rebuke to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who used his claim that Ukraine didn’t exist as a nation to justify his invasion.

“Now, like more than a thousand years ago, our civilizational choice is unity with the world,” Zelenskyy said in a speech on a square outside St. Michael’s Monastery in Kyiv. “To be a power in world history. To have the right to its national history -– of its people, its land, its state. And of our children -– all future generations of the Ukrainian people. We will definitely win!”

He also honored servicemen and handed out first passports to young citizens as part of ceremonies. The holiday coincides with commemorations of the adoption of Christianity on lands that later became Ukraine,

Russia and Belarus. The Russian Defense Ministry said it shot down a Ukrainian missile in the city of Taganrog, about about 24 miles east of the border with Ukraine, and local officials reported 20 people were injured, identifying the epicenter as an art museum.

Debris fell on the city, the ministry added, alleging the missile was part of a “terror attack” by Ukraine.

Oleksiy Danilov, Ukraine’s secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, blamed Russian air defense systems for the explosion.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said it downed

Extreme heat takes record temps east

By DREW COSTLEY The Associated Press

Nearly 200 million people in the United States, or 60% of the U.S. population, are under a heat advisory or flood warning or watch and have been since Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Dangerous heat is forecast to “engulf” much of the eastern half of the United States Friday as extreme temperatures spread from the Midwest into the Northeast and mid-Atlantic where some residents will see their hottest temperatures of the year.

Although much of the country does not cool much on normal summer nights, night temperatures are forecast to stay hotter than usual, prompting excessive heat warnings from the Plains to the East Coast.

From Thursday to Friday, the number of people under a heat advisory rose from 180 to 184 million and the number of people under a flood warning or watch dropped from 17 to 10 million.

Moisture moving into the Southwest has cooled the southernmost counties of California and parts of southern Arizona some, but excessive heat warnings remain for much of the region.

On top of the heat, severe thunderstorms are forecast for parts of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, west to the Middle Missouri Valley through Saturday morning.

The prediction for continued excessive heat comes as the World Meteorological Organization and the Europe-

an Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service declared July 2023 the hottest month on record this week.

Scientists have long warned that climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, by deforestation and by certain agricultural practices, will lead to more and prolonged bouts of extreme weather.

On Thursday, heat and humidity in major cities along the East Coast, including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City, created a real feel above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Forecasters expect several records may break Friday with temperatures 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit above average.

In the Southwest and southern Plains, oppressive temperatures have been a blanket for weeks.

One meteorologist based in New Mexico called the prolonged period of temperatures over 100 degrees unprecedented.

“They probably ar-

en’t going to have a lot of sympathy for the rest of the country,” said Bob Oravec, lead forecaster with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center. Due to the extreme heat, some of the nation’s large power grids and utilities are under stress, which could affect Americans’ ability to cool off.

In New York City, utility Con Edison sent out a text blast asking residents to be frugal with air conditioning to conserve electricity. Overtaxing an electrical grid can mean blackouts, which are not just an inconvenience, but can lead to equipment failures and major pollution as equipment restarts. The country’s largest power grid, PJM Interconnection, declared a level one energy emergency alert for its 13-state grid on Wednesday, meaning the company had concerns about ability to provide enough electricity.

“PJM currently has enough generation to meet forecast demand, but operators continue to monitor the grid conditions for any changes,” said spokesperson Jeffrey Shields on Thursday.

PJM isn’t the only electrical grid to issue such an alert. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator, which mostly covers states in the Midwest and Northern Plains, issued a similar one Thursday.

The California Independent System Operator also issued an energy emergency alert for the evening on Wednesday, in part due to excess heat in Southern California, but that expired the same day. Anne Gonzales, a CAISO spokesperson, said they expect to be able to meet demand the next few days.

a second Ukrainian missile near the city of Azov, which like Taganrog is in the Rostov region, and debris fell in an unpopulated location.

Earlier in the day, a Ukrainian drone was shot down outside Moscow, the Defense Ministry said, in the third drone strike or attempt on the capital region this month. The ministry reported no injuries or damage in the latest incident, and it didn’t give an exact location where the drone fell.

Since the war began, Russia has blamed Ukraine for drone, bomb and missile attacks on its territory far from the battlefield’s front line. Ukrainian officials rarely confirm being behind the attacks, which have included drone strikes on the Kremlin that unsettled Russians.

The strikes have hit Russian ammunition and fuel depots, as well as bridges the Russian military uses to supply its forces, and military recruitment stations.

The attacks have also included killings of Russian-appointed officials on occupied Ukrainian territory.

Three months ago, a Russian warplane accidentally dropped a bomb on Belgorod, injuring two people, in an incident where Ukraine was initially suspected.

Meanwhile, the commander of Ukraine’s armed forces, Col.-Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, said his troops were pushing forward in parts of eastern Ukraine occupied by Russia and meeting stiff resistance as the war drags into its 18th month.

“The enemy fiercely clings to every centimeter, conducting intense artillery and mortar fire,” he said in a statement.

Recent fighting has taken place at multiple places along the more than 1,000-kilometer (more than 600-mile) front, where Ukraine deployed its recently acquired Western weapons to push out the Kremlin’s forces. However, it is attacking without vital air support and faces a deeply entrenched foe.

Platoon commanders of Ukraine’s National Guard take part in a military training in Kharkiv region, on July 26, 2023. (SERGEY BOBOK/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES/TNS)

Band: Documentarian explores group’s musical legacy

Continued from A1

school, and Jenna Morris, who has directed the group for the past two summers.

Frank said he had read about the Iola band in a book about Kansas attractions.

“This is such an interesting story,” Frank said, as he interviewed locals about the band.

JOHN SHEEHAN, who along with playing with the band, also serves as the group’s announcer each week, shared a bit about the group’s history, which actually dates back to 1867.

“From what I understand, it was a place for Civil War soldiers to gather from both sides and be able to reminisce and talk about camaraderie,” Sheehan said.

The group would gather at Iola’s courthouse square to build campfires and play a song or two. Those occasional gatherings became a regular occurrence in 1871, when the Iola Municipal Band was formed, making it the oldest continuously playing such group in the state, and one of the oldest in the country.

FRANK began his interviews with a simple question: What accounts for the band’s longevity?

“For one thing, we play beautiful music,” Dunlap responded. “It means an awful lot to me. I’ve had three sons in the band at one time or another. We’ve made a lot of noise.”

Lucas, who started playing with the group while a high-schooler, noted he has relatives who have been a part of the band dating back to the early 1900s.

“It’s one of the highlights of the summer to me,” Lucas said. “It’s one

of the things I always look forward to. We’ve had some outstanding musicians here over the years, when I think about who’s come and gone.

“That’s what keeps us going, new musicians and families through multiple generations,” Lucas said.

MORRIS, who was fresh out of college when she was tapped early in 2022 to take over as director, takes great pains to ensure the band keeps history fresh.

That means digging through the group’s extensive library to find

pieces dating back to the 1940s and 1950s.

“It’s such an honor to be able to continue this tradition, especially for our younger people,” she said.

“It doesn’t get stale at all,” agreed Daniel Kays, who plays trumpet for the band at night, while serving as executive director of the Bowlus Fine Arts Center by day. “Jenna’s done a wonderful job of pulling out music I don’t think has been played in years. It’s wonderful to see.”

Uganda: Iolans aid single mothers

Continued from A1

about some of the projects in his hometown, including the House of Grace and the plight of single mothers.

Unwed mothers are shunned by Ugandan society, the Klubeks learned. Until just a few years ago, families could legally kill a woman who became pregnant outside of wedlock. Though that law has been rescinded, the women are still considered outcasts, and as such punished. They — and their children — cannot attend school and have limited career options. The situation became even more dire after the COVID-19 pandemic, as more women found themselves pregnant and alone.

The House of Grace is a compound built to house up to 40 women and their children. They can get an education, learn a trade and find “a place to be safe,” Kelly explained.

The women learn skills for one of three careers: sewing, cutting hair and basket weaving. They make money from selling their products, and some will go on to start their own business.

Iola’s churches worked together last year to raise $50,000 to buy land and building materials to help the facility expand to house 100 women.

Kelly Klubek hopes they can continue to support the project and eventually expand to house 500 and offer daycare services.

But for now, the Iola Church of the Nazarene has a more immediate goal: raise $6,850 to buy new sewing machines.

The new machines, which will include two specialty machines that can be used to make sweaters, will help the women learn

and practice their sewing skills. The women make school uniforms, bags, backpacks and other items.

Most of the sewing machines they currently use are old treadle machines powered by foot. The women share the few machines available.

“The goal is that when these girls finish training, we would love to send them out with a sewing machine of their own,” Natalie said.

THEIR TRIP to Uganda opened the Klubek’s eyes to a very different way of life.

Most homes have dirt floors with curtains in place of doors.

The House of Grace compound has a concrete floor, with small rooms. The kitchen uses a charcoal stove. One pot of rice each day feeds all the inhabitants. Their main sources of protein are groundnut (peanut) sauce and beans. “But they’re happy.

They don’t have all the ‘stuff’ that complicates our lives,” Natalie said.

Families welcomed them into their homes. The Klubeks talked with them and learned about their lives and experiences.

Then, the Klubeks provided a huge feast with beef stew, rice, irish potatoes, groundnut sauce and flatbread. They piled the plates full of food for each girl.

Natalie joined a group that was studying the Bible. One woman read a passage from 1 John 3:17, asking how God’s love can abide in those who do not give to others in need.

“How can we say we love as God does if we see people in need and don’t help?” she wondered.

Kelly agreed: “Seeing the things we saw in Uganda brought a whole new understanding of compassion and giving.”

before coming to Iola, noted his skills have finally returned “so I can once again hit the high notes.”

He also touched on the ability for folks to unwind at the Thursday evening concerts.

“There are doctors, lawyers, these are professionals who are dealing with the everyday stress of being in the office,” Kays said. “Here, they can take a little break and pull out their instruments and play.

“To me, it’s that renaissance brain,” he continued. “They use their ‘right brain’ for most of the day, and get to turn into the ‘left brain’ at night. That’s what cultural arts are all about, having both sides of the brain working equally.”

Morris, who grew up near Pittsburg, said Iolans have a gift at keeping their cultural arts programs vibrant.

“You have multiple opportunities to per-

John Lucas has been a part of the Iola Municipal Band for the past 50 years. His family’s connection to the band dates to the early 1900s.

form,” she said. “You have the municipal band and the orchestra, which are completely different presentations. You have a community theater, and you have theater outreach for children. And a lot of it is not very high pressure. You can come out and have fun. We want you to play well, but we want you to enjoy yourself.”

Hospitals: Billing

Kays, who admitted to having not touched the trumpet in more than 30 years into effect Jan. 1, 2021. The rule requires all hospitals to provide clear pricing information on their website as both a comprehensive list that can be imported and read by a computer and a user-friendly display that includes a cost estimator for at least 300 of the most common services. These regulations were put in place to allow patients to understand and compare medical costs.

They returned to Iola even more committed to the House of Grace project, which sparked the idea of the rummage sale.

Kukakira also will make another visit to Iola in September. For those who are unable to attend the rummage sale, the church will continue to accept donations for the project. Contact them at (620) 365-3983 or stop by the church at 1235 N Walnut St.

Continued from A1

to fully comply with the transparency law.

Chad Austin, president and CEO of the Kansas Hospital Association, said Kansas hospitals are “committed to providing patients with the information they need for their healthiest lives,” and KHA continues to educate hospitals and consumers on how to access that information.

“When hospitals hide behind estimates or don’t post all real prices, they are leaving consumers in the dark,” said Cynthia Fisher, founder and chairman of PRA in a news release. “Making all actual prices available upfront will empower patients, employers and unions to choose the best care at prices they know they can afford, and protect all Americans from overcharges, errors, and fraud.”

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, Bob Wilson Memorial Grant County Hospital, Saint Catherine Hospitals of Dodge City and Garden City, Saint John Hospital and The University of Kansas Hospital Main Campus are the only hospitals in the study

“We are reviewing their methodology to better understand how they arrived at their interpretation,” Austin said. “However, we fall back on the report that’s provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees the hospital pricing transparency tool, which indicates hospitals are largely in compliance with the provisions of the hospital price transparency rule.”

The report also found only 36% of United States hospitals fully complied with the law. In July 2021, 5.6% of hospitals complied.

Fisher said while she is encouraged by the growth, she encourages Congress to pass increased legislation to strengthen price transparency rules for a more affordable healthcare system.

Natalie and Kelly Klubek

Iolan Kelly Klubek, left, talks to Victor Kukakira while visiting Uganda in May. COURTESY

The Iola Municipal Band has played annually since 1871. This photo was taken in the 1880s. ALLEN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Saturday, July 29, 2023

National party politics edging into local elections

In Wichita, Topeka, and elsewhere across Kansas, the municipal election cycle is underway. Candidates for city council and school board seats and mayor will be selected in the primary elections which will conclude on Tuesday, August 1. For those few Kansans involved in these races, whether as candidates or supporters or observers, here’s a primer on how they are (and aren’t) changing.

The most important basic electoral reality in local elections is the word I just used: “few.” Even as voter turnout has trended upwards nationwide, participation in municipal elections seems likely to remain very low. When mayoral candidates, who compete for city-wide pool of potential voters, are on the ballot, the primary elections may see only 10% of registered voters bothering to cast ballots; when you only have city council and school board members running in their distinct districts, overall turnout is almost always even less.

This means that candidates looking to advance to their respective general elections in November are trying to find ways to motivate a relatively tiny number of likely voters.

The decline in the social role that political parties once played has made this more difficult. Partisanship is, of course, widely condemned as interfering with the ability of elected representatives to compromise with one another — and looking at our national government, the evidence in support to that condemnation is plentiful.

But at the same time, parties are the greatest political tool yet invented for helping busy citizens, especially during times of social unrest and confusion, to identify with other voters, interest groups, and ultimately candidates who share and represent best their own considered opinions. As much as people dislike the political polarization in America, that same fierce attachment to one’s chosen political tribe is part of what has been getting more citizens to vote nationwide.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

in Kansas are, by state law, non-partisan. However, this has never stopped party-aligned organizations from promoting their preferred

Russell Fox Insight Kansas

candidates for city council or school board — lately, more and more explicitly. In recent election cycles in Kansas, we’ve seen country, state, and even national Republican party and affiliated socially conservative or libertarian groups support — through donations, but also through mailers, phone banks, and more — local candidates (different Democratic groups have done the same, but not nearly so often or as well).

But whether this will result in any increase in turnout remains to be seen. There may simply be a hard ceiling on how many people can be engaged by arguments over classroom curricula, land development, and other city and school issues (especially during the summer). If that is the case, the unapologetic partisanship in how some candidates fund and develop their campaigns — however much they may avoid partisan language in favor of emphasizing broad, presumably unifying generalities — may merely result in a fair amount of partisan cannibalization.

The better funded Republican and Democratic municipal candidates, even if they don’t personally campaign as such, may split voters, attracting some that might have voted differently, looking at questions of civic experience and competence rather than party allegiance. For some local candidates, who may be committed members of their parties but also operating on the increasingly-dated assumption that local races needn’t have any connection to ideologically-affiliated money, interests, or causes, the potential eclipse of their detail-oriented arguments by well-connected candidates is frustrating.

Still, politics is always changing, and candidates must adapt. Ultimately, I have respect for every candidate who wades into these murky waters. Late into the night on August 1, I’ll be watching.

~ Journalism that makes a difference

Coach brings life lessons to field

At game time Friday evening, the expected temperature was 100 degrees.

The Iola AA Indians were facing Pittsburg’s AAA Post 64 team in a battle for the American Legion Super State title.

Each won their respective division’s state championship to qualify for the face-off.

On Friday morning I ventured out to the Humboldt Sports Complex to soak up the ambiance. The sun was beating down on the field that is always picture perfect. Thank you, AstroTurf.

Along the fence line, Randie Beamgard was meticulously weed-eating. Beamgard is on staff with the USD 258 maintenance department.

He wiped his brow as we stopped to visit.

“I feel for those boys tonight,” he said.

AS THE PLAYERS go, Coach Ethan Tavarez said, “So far, they haven’t complained about the heat. Maybe they’re just accustomed to it. And they’re young.”

In preparation for the game, Tavarez told the players to “stay inside, rest up, and drink as much as you can.”

For a few, that won’t be possible, he acknowledged.

“Tre Wilson’s family farms so he’ll likely be expected to pitch in,” Tavarez said. “We’ll give him every chance we can to give him a rest during the game, but it won’t be easy. As our catcher, he’s a critical player.”

Susan Lynn Register editor

The setting sun could be an issue for right-handed batters.

“It goes down directly in right field,” he said. “For those at the plate, they could lose sight of the ball. But the bigger problem will be if we have a game Saturday morning. ’Round about 10 o’clock the sun comes up over the main building that has a white roof and it is blinding. Brandon McKarnin and Rogan Weir at outfield and second base will have it tough,” he predicted.

The teams play the best two out of three games. If each wins a game Friday night, they play again Saturday morning.

TAVAREZ is a natural coach.

For one thing, he knows how to come from behind.

“I wasn’t the best student in high school. I didn’t always do my homework. At the time, I didn’t think it was important,” he said.

Now 23, Tavarez graduated from Iola High School in 2018. From there he attended Allen Community College for an associate degree in art.

“Then COVID hit. And I was not going to do every-

thing online in order to get a college degree. I’m an in-person type of learner,” he said.

“So I quit,” he said. “On everything.”

But a request to teach art at Iola Elementary School rekindled his desire to become a teacher.

Tavarez enrolled in the Teacher Apprentice Program where he takes online classes through Wichita State University while also teaching. At this pace, he’s on track to earn a degree in elementary education in 2025.

This fall, he’ll teach sixth grade science as well as hunter safety.

“I’m taking it slowly so I don’t get burned out,” he said. “I know online classes aren’t my thing, but I’m keeping focused on the goal of becoming a teacher.”

THE GOAL.

“It’s a challenge to keep a good work ethic,” Tavarez admitted. “Having a goal keeps me focused. I tell that to the boys, too.

“I’m not that much older than they are, but I feel they respect me because they see me working for something better. I want every one of them to set their sights high. To have something to work for.

“It goes way beyond baseball. I want them to push themselves further than they think possible.”

NO MATTER the outcome of Friday’s games, the Iola AA Indians have a winner of a coach.

Virginia governor’s new take on voting access is refreshing

In a surprising but welcome about-face, Gov. Glenn Youngkin is pushing Republicans to embrace early voting in the upcoming General Assembly races.

Youngkin helped launch a new website called Secure Your Vote Virginia, a voter portal created by The Republican Party of Virginia in partnership with The Republican State Leadership Committee, Spirit of Virginia PAC, Virginia House Republican Caucus and Virginia Senate Republican Caucus.

“Absentee voting by mail and early voting in person are both safe and secure ways to cast your ballot in Virginia and make your voice heard,” reads the website, which explains why voting matters to Republicans and offers a way

to request a ballot. This refreshing new attitude toward expanding voting access is in stark contrast to Youngkin’s prior efforts to cast doubt on the process.

While running for office, he called for a statewide audit of the voting machines used in the 2020 election, despite the fact that the Virginia State Board of Elections’ audit report, published in March 2021, confirmed the results of both the 2020 presidential election in Virginia and the Senate campaign that saw Democrat Mark Warner reelected. Once elected, Youngkin’s administration formed an Election Integrity Unit within Attorney General Jason Miyares’ office to investigate and prosecute violations of

Virginia election law. That sounds familiar. Around the country, other Republican attorneys general or extremist elections officers used such initiatives to undermine elections rather than to foster trust in them. Even now, after the Trump campaign and its Republican allies have lost or withdrawn more than 60 post-election lawsuits, GOP office holders, candidates and party propagandists continue to sow doubt about American elections, using baseless claims about the 2020 presidential vote to advance a false narrative about its trustworthiness.

So, why is the administration suddenly interested in reassuring voters that our statewide election system is fair and safe?

It turns out that it is really difficult to win elections, regardless of party, if voters are unable or unwilling to cast a ballot. The national campaign to discredit our electoral system worked — a little too well.

Amid all the questions and suspicions of the past three years, Virginia has seen a decrease in the number of voters who take advantage of the early voting and absentee process. In the 2020 general election, nearly 2.7 million people voted absentee. In 2021, that number was about 1.2 million.

Last year, it was 992,000.

This after Gov. Ralph Northam’s administration ushered in sweeping voter rights legislation, including making Election Day a holiday, removing the re-

quirement that voters show a photo ID prior to casting a ballot and expanding early voting to 45 days before an election without a stated reason — a benefit touted by Secure Your Vote Virginia.

Now Republicans are concerned that their voters will stay away from polls in future elections. As Youngkin says in a video on the new website, “I need your early vote this year. We can’t go into our elections down thousands of votes.”

Regardless of party affiliation, access to voting is a pillar of democracy. As others around the country continue to restrict voting rights, we encourage Youngkin’s move toward restoring faith and widespread participation in our system.

— The Virginian-Pilot

Iola’s head coach Ethan Tavarez, left, talks with Rogan Weir at the AA championship game against Concordia last weekend. The Indians won the state championship for their division and faced Pittsburg’s AAA team Friday evening. REGISTER FILE PHOTO

2023-2024 USD 258 HUMBOLDT BACK-TO-SCHOOL

2023-2024 Enrollment Information

Enrollment for grades K-12 will be held at each attendance center office. Thursday, August 3 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. & Friday, August 4 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Textbook Fee: Kindergarten-Grade 12 $25

Notice: Students whose family income would qualify for free lunches will have the textbook fee waived. Students whose family income would qualify for reduced lunches will have one-half of their textbook fee waived. Free and reduced meal applications will be available at the time of enrollment or may be picked up at the Board Office, 801 New York St., prior to enrollment. After enrollment, applications can be picked up at each attendance center office.

Tech Fee: Grades 4-12 $25

Notice: With the 1:1 digital conversion, each student in grades 4-12 will be assessed a $25 Tech Fee. These funds will be used for the repair and maintenance of the computers. The fee is payable at enrollment when the laptop is assigned to the student. Students will receive their laptop and all appropriate training on the first day of classes. A payment plan can be set up if a student is unable to pay the full fee upfront.

USD 258 2023-2024 CALENDAR

Board of Education Office

(620) 473-3121

Humboldt High School

(620) 473-2251

Humboldt Middle School (620) 473-3348

Humboldt Elementary School (620) 473-2461

Humboldt Preschool (620) 473-3997

Superintendent - Dr. Amber Wheeler 620-333-9669

HS Principal - John Johnson (620) 473-0441

Middle School Principal & Athletic Director - Ron James 620-429-3943

Pre-K, Elementary Principal Staci Hudlin (620) 365-0420

Virtual Education - Jody Siebenmorgen (620) 228-4186

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Sports Daily B

Craft

brews drive Iowa small town bike ride

RIPPEY, Iowa (AP)

— On a long stretch of road just outside the small Iowa town of Rippey, where thousands of cyclists were passing through during a 100plus mile day on the world’s longest and oldest recreational ride, five men and two women rode single-file down the left side, each wearing a jersey worth remembering.

If you’re a beer connoisseur.

There was one from Toppling Goliath with images from its flagship Pseudo Sue pale ale. Another from Exile Brewing Company, based in the state capital of Des Moines. And another from Big Grove Brewery.

Hundreds of other breweries also can be seen on the backs of the estimated 50,000 riders taking part in RAGBRAI, the annual bike ride across Iowa. And together, the small- and medium-sized breweries are a testament to not just how rapidly the craft beer industry has expanded but to its fast-growing importance in rural America.

“The state is littered with great breweries. Fantastic breweries,” says Clark Lewey, who along with his wife, Barbara, founded Toppling Goliath in the northeast Iowa town of Decorah in 2009, then watched it become a darling of the craft beer market.

On the BeerAdvocate website, a resource and ranking spot for millions of consumers each month, Toppling Goliath’s Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout is rated No. 1 in the world. Its counterpart imperial stout, Vanilla Bean Assassin, is ranked No. 2, while another offering called Mornin’ Delight is ranked in the top 10.

Heady stuff for a stillyoung brewery in a town of roughly 7,500 nestled well away from the nearest urban area.

“I think what works well,” Lewey said, “is when people visit a brewery for the beer but in a town like Decorah, kind

See IOWA | Page B2

Legion recap is online

Friday night’s Iola AA Indians American Legion Super State games against Pittsburg AAA Post 64 occurred after the Register went to press. To read the recount go to iolaregister. com.

Wacker a champ at handling adversity

year. Wacker experienced similar episodes across the next two years. He went through four surgeries.

The nature of the condition is puzzling because everyday activities like opening a car door or walking his dog — even sitting on the couch — can trigger episodes.

“It was definitely a curveball when it first happened. It was hard to get used to because sports has always been my outlet,” said Wacker. “It got taken away in a heartbeat so I’m happy I can still play even after all of it. The pain is pretty bad but other than that it’s not terrible,” he said of the episodes.

Wacker has been wrestling and playing football since seventh grade. Of the two, he says he prefers wrestling.

By QUINN BURKITT The Iola Register

Iola High’s Damian Wacker has more challenges than most athletes his age. Since his sophomore year, Wacker has battled the fact that his lungs periodically collapse. Wacker suffers from spontaneous pneumothorax, a genetic condition where the lungs partially or completely collapse without warning.

Wacker looks at his condition philosophically, maintaining it makes him a

stronger person and athlete.

A junior, Wacker said he won’t let his condition keep him from participating in football and wrestling.

“In wrestling, you learn from your losses more than your wins,” said Wacker. “I always want to strive to get better.”

He is getting set to take the football field when practices begin next month.

The first time Wacker experienced his lungs collapsing was during a wrestling practice his sophomore year. He described it as a

Can the Pac-12

By RALPH D. RUSSO The Associated Press

The conference of champions appears to be in crisis.

Colorado’s announcement Thursday that it will return to the Big 12 comes a little more than a year after Southern California and UCLA said they were ditching the Pac-12 to join the Big Ten. The departure of all three next year leaves the league that has won more NCAA championships than any other facing an uncertain future.

Still without a media rights contract to replace ones that expires next summer, Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff keeps promising that all will be well. It is becoming harder to sell that no news on a deal is good news.

“We are focused on concluding our media rights deal and securing our continued success and growth,” the Pac-12 said in a statement after CU’s announcement. “Immediately following the conclusion of our media rights deal, we will embrace expansion opportunities and bring new fans, markets, excitement and value to the Pac-12.”

Pac-12 presidents and chancellors, athletic directors and Kliavkoff were expected to meet Thursday to discuss next moves for the conference, two people with

survive?

knowledge of the meeting told AP on condition of anonymity because the conference was not making its internal discussion public.

Colorado’s exit alone is not a death blow for the Pac-12. Losing a school that has been fielding one of the worst Power Five football programs for most of the last decade is recoverable, even with new coach and retired NFL star Deion Sanders grabbing headlines in Boulder.

However, there is no way to spin this latest hit as anything but a loss for a conference that has been the power center of West Coast college sports for decades. Colorado is a newbie, but USC’s membership dates to 1922, UCLA’s to 1928. The roots of the Pac12 date to 1915 and its sports alumni include such names as Jackie Robinson, John Elway, Marcus Allen, Reggie Miller, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Jenny Thompson, Bill Walton and Barry Bonds.

To survive, the Pac-12 will almost surely try to add new member schools.

The questions now: Can the Pac-12 stop bleeding membership? And if not, does it trigger conferences beyond the Big 12 to target its schools? Will CU’s move trigger another wide-ranging round of realignment?

“I don’t believe it does”

See PAC-12 | Page B2

sharp pain emitting from his shoulder. Breathing was difficult.

“I just thought my shoulder was out so I continued to go through wrestling practice like it was nothing,” said Wacker. “It was a little hard to breathe but that was about it so I just kept wrestling. I was in pain and holding back tears but I had worked so hard so I just wanted to push through and worry about it later.”

Wacker received the diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax his sophomore

HIS LOVE of sports but also his little sister is why Wacker continues to push through.

“I want to show her that no matter how big of a curveball is thrown at you, you can always swing for the fences,” Wacker said.

Wacker plays wide receiver and cornerback for the Iola Mustangs. The positions require lots of zig-zagging across the field — a challenge for even the healthiest.

When Wacker went down with his injuries, his coach-

See MUSTANG | Page B2

Spence-Crawford could become welterweight classic Saturday

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The person once known as the “baddest man on the planet” stood between Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford at Thursday’s news conference, and just the mere presence of Mike Tyson further cemented the magnitude of their showdown.

Both undefeated fighters meet Saturday night, the winner unifying all four welterweight championships for the first time in boxing’s four-belt era that began in 2004.

Spence (28-0, 22 knockouts) already owns the WBC, WBA and IBF titles, and Crawford (39-0, 30 KOs) holds the WBO belt. Crawford is a minus-146 favorite,

according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

“I haven’t seen things like this in over 30 years — two of the best fighters in the world to decide who is truly the best,” Tyson said.

This fight has been compared in many corners to so many other classic welterweight matchups such as two between Robert Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard in 1980, Leonard and Thomas Hearns the following year, Pernell Whitaker and Julio Cesar Chavez in 1993 and Shane Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya in 2000.

The boxers understand the build-up to the fight, each saying a victory would

See VEGAS | Page B2

Iola’s Damian Wacker matches up in wrestling match in Fort Scott. REGISTER FILE PHOTO

Errol Spence Jr. (28-0) celebrates at the welterweight championship boxing match at AT&T Stadium, on Saturday, April 16, 2022. JUAN FIGUEROA/THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS/TNS

Stars at Women’s World Cup honed skills at U.S. colleges

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Christine Sinclair. Megan Rapinoe. Sarina Bolden.

Like many players in the Women’s World Cup, all three stars built their skills at the U.S. collegiate level.

Of the 736 players competing at this year’s Women’s World Cup, 137 have roots in American college-level soccer, according to the NCAA. The total includes 16 players who currently compete for Division I schools or lower divisions.

Across the 32 teams that qualified for the group stage, more than one in every six players has had a career stop at an American school.

Not all the NCAA athletes in the tournament

are tied to the United States.

Canada has 22 of 23 athletes who played or still play on U.S. college teams, most of any team in the tournament.

That includes Sinclair, the the all-time leader in international goals for men and women, who played at the University of Portland.

The United States ranks second with 20 players. Rapinoe also played at Portland, but Alyssa Thompson, Trinity Rodman, and Lindsey Horan all turned professional without playing a college match. Horan also did not play for a high school team.

More than 70 U.S. schools are represented in the 2023 tournament, with Florida

State the leader with eight current or former players competing. Stanford and North Carolina each have six, Penn State has five and four universities have four former players. Even schools with lesser-known soccer programs have players competing in New Zealand and Australia.

Hilary Jaen of Panama plays for Jones County Community College in Mississippi, Carleigh Frilles of the Philippines plays for Coastal Carolina and Chiara Singarella of Argentina plays for South Alabama. Erin Nayler of New Zealand previously played at Purdue Fort Wayne in Indiana.

TITLE IX

The success of Amer-

Mustang: Wacker hangs tough

Continued from B1

es were supportive.

“A big part has been my coaches checking in to see how I’m doing. Even during wrestling season, I had my football coach David Daugharthy checking in on me.”

Wacker also mentioned his football coaches Doug Kerr and Ben Ween along with wrestling coaches Jason Bates and John Taylor. Iola’s Damian Wacker in blue.

Pac-12: Faces questions

Continued from B1

said former Fox Sports executive Bob Thompson. “A lot of that comes down to how fast the Big 12 wants to expand. I don’t see the SEC, the Big Ten, the ACC doing anything at this point.”

Under previous Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren, the Big Ten still had eyes out west, with Oregon and Washington having the most appeal of the remaining Pac-12 schools. But Warren is gone now and his replacement said the Big Ten isn’t eager to expand more.

“All the direction I’m getting from leadership ... is to focus on USC and UCLA. We have a lot of work to do there,” new Commissioner Tony Petitti said at Big Ten football media days earlier this week.

The continuing threat to the Pac-12 is primarily the Big 12, despite Kliavkoff’s dismissals (“The truth is we have bigger fish to fry,” he said last week in Las Vegas at football media day.)

Brett Yormark has outmaneuvered Kilavkoff since being named Big 12 commissioner a day before USC and UCLA announced they planned to switch conferences. He has envisioned a 16-team league that covers all time zones.

The Big 12 jumped the Pac-12 in line last year and grabbed a deal with ESPN and Fox that probably could have been the Pac-12’s. While Kliavkoff was trying to figure out a way to close the revenue gap on the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten, Yormark realized survival was at stake for

the other Power Five conferences.

The Big 12 replaced the star quality brands of Texas and Oklahoma with quantity and reach (BYU, Houston, UCF and Cincinnati all joined this year). The Big 12 will never catch up at the bank to the SEC and Big Ten, but it has more stability and harmony than the beleaguered Pac-12 and anxious Atlantic Coast Conference.

“What CU did is ensure their future. Whether the Pac-12 implodes now or whether the Pac-12 implodes in 2030 or whether the Pac-12 stays together, CU is set,” Thompson said.

Adding Arizona, Arizona State and Utah from the Pac-12 to join Colorado would make Yormark’s vision a reality, but those schools are still publicly committed to their current conference.

Arizona President Robert Robbins said in June the preference is to remain in the Pac12, but until he knows exactly what a media rights deal pays, nothing is certain.

“We’re not going to get a Big Ten deal. We’re not going to get an SEC deal,” Robbins said then. “I’ve never thought that winning the bronze medal was a great aspirational goal. But if we win a bronze medal, I think we’d all declare victory.”

Thompson said as ESPN and other traditional networks deal with a changing financial model because of shrinking cable TV subscribers, they have become more selective and frugal when

ican college soccer can trace its roots back just over 50 years, with the introduction of Title IX. As the U.S. government required universities to establish equal opportunities for men and women in education, those protections – and funding – spread to college athletics. “The U.S. was providing one of the only

games in town so to speak, in terms of opportunities for women to get some kind of compensation,” said Ellen Staurowsky, a professor in sports media at Ithaca College.

Title IX drew female athletes from outside the United States to American schools.

Since the passage of Title IX, the number of

female athletes competing in NCAA athletics has increased seven-fold and currently represents 44% of all university athletes, according to the National Women’s Law Center.

NCAA TRENDS

In 2021, there were 1,464 international student-athletes playing in NCAA Division I and

See U.S. | Page B6

Vegas: Hosts welterweight

Continued from B1

be his career highlight.

“This is going to be legendary,” Spence said. “This is going to be iconic. People are going to talk about this fight 30, 40 years from now when they talk about legendary fights. When they talk about Leonard and Tommy Hearns and Marvin Hagler ... they’re going to talk about this fight the same way.”

The fight sold out quickly, and on the secondary market, the cheapest tickets are well more than $300, especially if someone is interested in actually having a seat and not standing for three hours.

Much of the excitement leading into the fight was because of how long it took to come together, the appetite for this meeting building up with boxing fans for several years.

ly underwent surgery in 2021 for a detached retina, he was able to focus on his career.

The 33-year-old who lives in DeSoto, Texas, won the IBF title in 2017, claimed the WBC championship in 2019 and took the WBA championship last year.

“I’ve been fighting the best for a long time,” Spence said. “When you see all the legends of the sport, they fought each other and made historic fights. That’s what I want to do. Terence is one of the best fighters in the world and I’m one of the best fighters in the world, so we had to make this happen.”

Spence faces an opponent in Crawford who is a knockout machine, having ended 10 fights in a row by KO, boxing’s second-longest active streak.

for this moment for a long time, and I can’t wait to get it on.”

Maybe both fighters will put on another memorable championship fight in Las Vegas. The hype has certainly been there for this bout.

No matter how it looks, one boxer will emerge as not only the king of the welterweight division, but will have a strong case as the best pound-forpound fighter.

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, who is working the corner for Giovanni Cabrera in the co-main event, said he slightly favors Crawford.

it comes to buying the right to broadcast games.

Still, less traditional networks for sports like the CW and Ion could provide a home and enough revenue to keep what’s left of the Pac-12 together for at least one more deal, Thompson said.

“They’ve just got to get a deal done,” he said. The best-case scenario for the Pac-12 is that it finally lands a TV contract comparable to the Big 12’s (about $2 billion over six years) and the remaining members stay put.

Swapping out Colorado for, say, San Diego State, which awkwardly tried to position itself to exit the Mountain West in 2024 earlier this month, would mitigate the damage. The Aztecs and SMU have already been on the Pac-12’s radar to replace USC and UCLA.

The worst-case scenario? The Pac-12 losses all the four corner schools to the Big 12, the Big Ten is motivated to reverse course and add some combination of Oregon, Washington, Stanford and California. If not all of them. Instead of the Pac-12 absorbing Mountain West schools, the Mountain West could go on the offensive.

The Pac-12 dates back 108 years with the formation of the Pacific Coast Conference. Over a century, it went from the Pac-8 to the Pac-10 to the Pac-12, accumulating more than 500 NCAA championships . That prestigious legacy is no guarantee of its future.

They always seemed destined to meet, though Spence twice survived serious car crashes. He was nearly killed in 2019 when he was ejected after losing control, and last year a 14-year-old hit him head on.

Somehow, Spence not only escaped serious injuries both times and successful-

Crawford, 35, has won titles in super lightweight and lightweight in addition to welterweight, capturing the latter after moving up in 2018. Should he beat Spence, the Omaha, Nebraska, native will become the first male boxer to unify two titles.

“This fight means everything,” Crawford said. “This puts the cherry on top of my career. I’ve been waiting

“I have wanted to see this fight for a long time,” Roach said. “I can tell Spence and Crawford have wanted it, too, which is another reason I have wanted to see this fight. They want to know, and prove, which one is the best. It will be a close fight. While on paper, it has the look of Leonard-Hearns, I think it could end up being better.”

In the co-main event, Cabrera (210, seven KOs) goes against Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (24-2-1, 17 KOs) in a WBC and WBA lightweight match that will have future championship ramifications.

COURTESY PHOTO

Note:

Marmaton Valley USD 256 Jr./Sr. High School offers an “hourly” school format allowing students the ability to participate in various online courses on site. Students are also offered access to the Regional Rural Tech Center in LaHarpe. Courses at the RRTC are dual-credit courses with a Math and English credit embedded in the content. Both online and RRTC courses are available for juniors and seniors in good academic standing. This will provide an educational experience second to none.

Technology Mission Statement

DISTRICT PHONE NUMBERS

Board of Education Office

620-237-4250

Jr./Sr. High School Office 620-237-4251

Elementary School Office 620-237-4381

For any questions or concerns, we encourage you to contact our offices.

-

April 6 Prom

April 8 No School

Kim Ensminger..................................Superintendent Sherry Henry..................................................Clerk Jim Armstrong...........................................President Ken McWhirter....................................Vice President Kenneth McVey..................................Board Member Bob Rhodes.......................................Board Member Kris Smith.........................................Board Member Jackie Walls.......................................Board Member USD 256 BOARD OF EDUCATION Kim Ensminger...........................Elementary Principal Brian Campbell...........................Jr./Sr. High Principal Brian Campbell............................... Activities Director Hali Drake............................... Jr./Sr. High Secretary Cynthia Johnson........................Elementary Secretary Trista McVey........................... Food Services Director Denny Lasley........................ Maintenance Supervisor USD 256 ADMINISTRATION August 3-4 Enrollment P-12 August 11, 14, 15 Teacher In-Service August 17 Classes Begin September 4 Labor Day (no classes) September 29 Progress Reports October 4 Parent Teacher Conference 4-8 p.m. October 5 Parent Teacher Conference 4-8 p.m. October 6 No School October 13 End of 1st Quarter / 40 days October 23 No School - Teacher Inservice November 17 Progress Reports November 22-24 Thanksgiving Vacation December 15 End of Semester / 43 Days / 83 Days Dec. 18 - Jan. 2 Winter Break January 1 No School January 2 No School - Teacher Inservice A.M. / Work Day P.M. January 3 School Resumes January 15 No School - Martin Luther King Day February 9 Progress Reports February 14 Parent Teacher Conference 4-8 p.m. February 15 Parent Teacher Conference 4-8 p.m. February 16 No School February 19 No School- President's Day March 7 End of 3rd Quarter / 44 Days / 127 Days March 8 No School - Teacher Inservice March 11-15 Spring Break March 29 No

School High School Football

May 17 Last Day of School for Students

May 17 End of Semester 41 Days / 85 Days / 168 Days

Closed Sept. 1 Oswego 7 Sept. 8 @ Yates Center 7 Sept. 15 Sunrise Christian 7 Sept. 22 @ MDCV 7 Sept. 29 Hartford 7 Oct. 6 @ Colony-Crest 7 Oct. 13 @ Lebo 7 Oct. 20 St. Paul (Senior Night) 7 Oct. 26 Playoffs 7 High School Volleyball Aug. 26 League Tourn. @ JHL 9 Aug. 29 Madison, Hartford, Crest 4 @ Hartford Sept. 5 YC, Eureka @ Eureka 5 Sept. 9 MV JV Inv. 8:30 Sept. 12 Utown, YC, Alt. Var.- 4 League @ Utown Sept. 12 Utown, YC, Alt. JV 4 @ TBA Sept. 16 @ Humboldt Tourn. 8:30 Sept. 18 @ Humboldt JV 5 Sept. 19 JHL, Southeast-league @SE 4 Sept. 21 Sedan, Caney, Oswego 5 @ Oswego Sept. 26 NE, Oswego-league 5 @ NE Oct. 3 St. Paul, Crest-league 5 Oct. 7 @ Uniontown Tourn. 8:30 Oct. 7 @ Chanute JV Tourn. 9 Oct. 10 Chetopa, Pleasanton- 5 league 5 Oct. 17 MdCV, NE 5 Oct. 21 Sub State TBA Oct. 27-28 State TBA High School Cross Country Aug 31 @ Burlington 4 Sept. 7 @ Ft Scott 4 Sept. 14 @ Wellsville 4 Sept. 19 @ Humboldt 4 Sept. 28 @ Central Heights 3:50 Oct. 5 @ Pleasanton 3:45 Oct. 13 League @ SE 3:45 Oct. 21 Regionals TBA Oct. 28 State TBA Nov. 30 Hartford 6 Dec. 5, 7, 8 Preseason Tourn TBA Dec. 12 @ Humboldt 6 Jan. 2 @ Uniontown 6 Jan. 5 @ Oswego 6 Jan. 9 @ Crest 6 Jan. 12 Southeast 6 Jan. 16-19 @ Iola Mid-Season Tourn. TBA Jan. 23 Pleasanton 6 Jan. 26 @ St. Paul 6 Jan. 30 Lebo 6 Feb. 2 Yates Center (Homecoming) 6 Feb. 6 Northeast 6 Feb. 9 @ Altoona 6 Feb. 13 @ JHL 6 Feb. 16 Chetopa (Senior Night) 6 Feb. 22-23 Substate Tourn. TBA Mar. 1-2 Substate Tourn. TBA Mar. 6-9 State Tourn. TBA High School Baseball/Softball Mar. 25 Chetopa 4:30 Mar. 28 @ Pleasanton 4:30 Apr. 1 @ Northeast 4:30 Apr. 4 @ Uniontown 4:30 Apr. 8 Southeast 4:30 Apr. 11 Crest 4:30 Apr. 15 @ Oswego 4:30 Apr. 18 Open Rain Date 4:30 Apr. 22 Open Rain Date 4:30 Apr. 25 @ Yates Center 4:30 Apr. 29 @ Oswego 4:30 May 2 JHL 4:30 May 13-16 Regionals TBA May 23-24 State TBA High School Track & Field Mar. 26 @ Uniontown 3:30 Apr. 2 @ Oswego 3:30 Apr. 9 @ Pleasanton 3:15 Apr. 17 Waverly @ Iola 9:30 Apr. 22 @ JHL 3:30 Apr. 23 @ Iola 3:30 May 2 @ Humboldt 10:00 May 6 @ Iola JV 3:30 May 9 League @ Northeast 3:30 May 16/17 Regionals @ TBA TBA May 24-25 State @ Wichita TBA Junior High Football Aug. 31 @ St. Paul 6 Sept. 7 Uniontown 6 Sept. 14 @ Northeast 6 Sept. 21 Pleasanton 6 Sept. 28 @ Yates Center 6 Oct. 5 @ Southeast 6 Oct. 12 @ Crest 6 Junior High Volleyball Aug. 28 Thayer, Pleasanton, 5 YC @ YC Aug. 31 @ St. Paul 5 Sept. 7 Uniontown 5 Sept. 11 YC, Crest @ TBA 5 Sept. 14 @ Northeast 5 Sept. 18 @ Uniontown A & B 5 Sept. 21 Pleasanton 5 Sept. 23 @ Iola B Tourn. 8:30 Sept. 25 Northeast, JHL A & B 5:30 Sept. 28 @ Yates Center 5 Sept. 30 A Tourn. YC, Crest, 8:30 Utown, Pleasanton, JHL @ Utown Oct. 2 Pleasington, Southeast @ Southeast 5 Oct. 5 @ Southeast 5 Oct. 12 @ Crest 5 Junior High Basketball Nov. 2 @ Southeast 5:30 Nov. 6 Yates Center 5:30 Nov. 7 Uniontown 5:30 Nov. 9 Southeast 5:30 Nov. 13 Crest 5:30 Nov. 16 Pleasanton 5:30 Nov. 21 St. Paul 5:30 Nov. 30 @ Pleasanton 5:30 Dec. 4 @ Crest 4:30 Dec. 7 @ Northeast 5:30 Dec. 11 JHL 5:30 Dec. 14 @ Yates Center 5:30 Jan. 8 @ Uniontown 5:30 Jan. 11 @ JHL 5:30 Junior High Track Apr. 1 @ Pleasanton 3:30 Apr. 9 @ Iola 9:15 Apr. 11 @ JHL 2 Apr. 16 @ Yates Center 3:30 Apr. 18 @ Northeast 2 Apr. 23 @ Uniontown 3 Apr. 29 League @ Pleasanton 3 TBD League Rain Date 3 Junior High Scholar Bowl Jan. 22 Uniontown - Virtual Jan. 29 @ Marmaton - Valley Feb. 5 JHL - Virtual Feb. 8 Northeast - Virtual Feb. 15 Yates Center - Virtual Feb. 20 Pleasanton - Virtual Feb. 22 @ Westphalia Feb. 26 Crest - Virtual Mar. 1 League @ Southeast - Virtual TRL Music Festival Apr. 3 @ MV 12 1st Hour.................8-8:47 2nd Breakfast....8:47-8:57 2nd Hour...........8:57-9:44 3rd Hour.........9:48-10:35 4th Hour........10:39-11:26 Seminar.........11:30-11:50 Lunch............11:54-12:24 MTSS.............12:26-12:46 5th Hour.........12:50-1:37 6th Hour...........1:41-2:28 7th Hour...........2:32-3:20

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Former bully needs to make a better apology

Dear Carolyn: A long while ago, I was having a catch-up coffee with someone I knew back in high school, and she asked me why I used to pick on her. (I used to tease her about a certain body part.) I am ashamed to say it didn’t occur to me until she asked that I’d been a bully back then — her bully. Among several other glaring character flaws this points to.

I can’t remember exactly how I responded — maybe I actually said the words “I’m sorry”? — but I don’t *feel* like I truly apologized.

Since that conversation, I’ve thought a lot about why I was “that [glass bowl]” back then, and I’ve written out an apology. I wonder whether I should send it to her. Maybe sending it just causes her to re-experience the pain I

caused her.

Also, years have passed — not just since high school, but since that conversation. Maybe my apology is too little, too late? Plus: I’m a writer, and I’ve been working on an essay for publication that would include the apology. She may never see it, but she might — she’s a writer, too — and if she does, she’d quite possibly recognize that it’s about her.

What do you think?

Should I share it with her? We haven’t spoken since that conversation, though we’re friends

Public notices

(Published

In the Matter of the Estate of LOIS J. SANDERS, Deceased

Case No. AL-2023-PR-000003

NOTICE OF HEARING

THE STATE OF KANSAS TO ALL

PERSONS CONCERNED:

You are hereby notified a Petition has been filed in this Court by Elaine K. Kleeb, the duly appointed, qualified and acting Executrix of the Estate of Lois J.

(Published

You are hereby notified that a Petition for Adoption has been

Sanders, deceased, requesting that her acts be approved; her account be settled and allowed; the heirs be determined; the decedent’s Last Will and Testament be construed and the Estate be assigned to the persons entitled thereto; the Court find the allowances requested for fees and expenses of the Executrix and her attorney are reasonable, should be allowed, and ordered paid; the administration of the Estate be closed; and upon filing receipts, the Petitioner be finally discharged as Executrix of the Estate and released from further liability. You are required to file your written defenses to the Petition

filed on March 2, 2023 by John and Dimity Lowell, Petitioners, praying for the adoption of the minor child, Pexleigh E. LowellHouse, YOB: 2017. The natural mother of the minor child is Caressa Elizabeth Lowell Vaughn and the natural father’s rights have been terminated. The court may find that the natural mother’s rights shall be terminated pursuant to K.S.A. 59-2136 and the minor child, above named, should be adopted by the Petitioners, John and Dimity Lowell. You are hereby required to file your written defenses thereto on or before August 1st, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. on such day, in such court, in the City of Iola, Allen County, Kansas, at which time and place such case will be heard. Should you fail therein,

still on social media. — Too Little, Too Late?

Too Little, Too Late?: So when all the whirring and processing in your head reached the point where you could name the feeling — the disappointment in yourself back then and in your apology more recently — that was the time to … publish an essay on it that your possibly still vulnerable friend might or might not randomly stumble across.

Yes, I kid.

The moment you understood you had let your friend down, that was the time to tell her how you felt.

The moment you realized you missed that opportunity, that became the new time to upgrade your apology.

If you’ve let that go by, too, then get in touch with her right now. Spell

on or before August 11, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. in the District Court of Allen County, Kansas, 1 North Washington Ave., Room B, Iola, KS 66749, at which time and place the cause will be heard. Should you fail to file your written defenses, judgment and decree will be entered in due course upon the Petition.

Elaine K. Kleeb, Executrix KNIGHT LAW, LLC Jacob T. Knight 6 E. Jackson Ave. Iola, KS 66749 (P): (620) 305-2598 Attorney for Petitioner (7) 15, 22, 29

judgment and decree will be entered in due course upon said Petition for Adoption, entering an Order for Adoption of the minor child.

Date and Time of Hearing: August 1, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. Place of Hearing: Allen County District Court, 1 N Washington Ave # B, Iola, KS

SARAH A. MILLS, KS # 24120 Attorney at Law 126 S. Ozark P.O. Box 352 Girard, Kansas 66743 mills@beezley.law (620) 724-4111 PHONE (620) 724-6411 FAX Attorney for Petitioners (7) 15, 22, 29

it out for her: You have replayed your coffee date in your mind many times, and you regret that your apology wasn’t sufficient for the harm you did.

The whole, “But won’t I just make the person relive the pain?” selfwaiver we all want to grant ourselves is much less applicable than we think.

Yes, it’s possible (stealing from a brilliant “Sex and the City” scene) to ruin high school for her, then ruin her lunch. But she came to you with this after years, so she welcomed your response. Absolutely go back to finish the job.

Make sure you do it because you owe her that, though, not because you want something for yourself — in this case, clearance to publish. When you put it off for years because it’s awkward, then bring it up only because you now have a reason to, or oh-by-the-way it when you happen to see her, all you do is create new things to apologize for. People see through opportunism like that.

Yesterday’s Cryptoquote: Let us live like flowers, wild and beautiful and drenched in sun. — Ellen Everett

ZITS by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

BEETLE BAILEY by Mort Walker

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE by Chris Browne

BLONDIE by Young and Drake

MUTTS by Patrick McDonell

MARVIN by Tom Armstrong

HI AND LOIS by Chance Browne

McDaniel confident in Dolphins CB depth

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Jalen Ramsey, set for surgery on Friday, addressed his Miami Dolphins teammates a day earlier about the injury and told them not to worry or feel sorry for him.

The six-time Pro Bowl cornerback suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee at the end of Thursday’s practice and is expected to miss the start of the regular season. But he vowed — bragged a little — that he could beat whatever timeline for return doctors give him.

“It really moved a lot of people,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Friday. “He first let everybody know how much he appreciated this team, how this team has accepted him, how he has been in the league a little bit and how he knows what we’re doing here, in his opinion, is special, for his position group not to waiver, and exuded all the confidence that he had in that position group.”

McDaniel said Ramsey will have surgery Friday afternoon to repair the tear and his timeline for return won’t be known until the procedure is complete.

The injury happened during an 11-on-11 drill during Miami’s second

practice of training camp. McDaniel said it was a non-contact injury that happened while he was matched up against receiver Tyreek Hill. Ramsey and Hill collided on the play, but the injury, McDaniel clarified, happened before the contact.

“That end of the season push (will) be legendary!” Ramsey tweeted Thursday night.

Miami acquired the All-Pro cornerback Ramsey in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams in March.

When veteran players reported to training camp on Monday, Ramsey spoke of the potential of the Dolphins defense, which is ad-

justing to a new scheme under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

“I’ve been a part of his defense for the past three years so I kind of know how to play it,” Ramsey said. “I know what’s needed to play this defense and be one of the best defenses in the league and be elite. And we got all the pieces — edge rushers to the secondary. We even got the linebackers and all that. Like I said, I don’t compare, but I look at other teams I’ve been a part of and I feel like we, on paper, we stack up well. But the work comes first.”

The Dolphins dealt with several injuries at the cornerback posi-

tion last season. Veteran cornerback Xavien Howard played through groin injuries all year.

Byron Jones missed the entire season after having surgery on his Achilles tendon. The Dolphins cut him earlier this year in a cost-cutting move.

Trill Williams tore the ACL in his left knee during the preseason. Nik Needham tore his Achilles last October.

Williams and safety Brandon Jones are still working their way back from their respective season-ending injuries.

McDaniel said he’s confident in the team’s cornerback room, which also includes Kader Kohou, who had

US: Colleges shaped Women’s World Cup stars

Continued from B2

Division II women’s soccer.

Traditional soccer powerhouses such as Germany and Sweden are sending significant numbers of players to college soccer, even though they have developmental programs of their own. There were 114 from Sweden and 128 from Germany in 2021.

In that same year, NCAA teams had 38 players from New Zealand, 35 players from the Netherlands, 16 players from Japan, and 5 players from South Africa.

“Then you would see those women going back to their own countries, taking what they learned with them,” Staurowsky said. “And you can begin to see how the sport begins to expand out.”

Penn State women’s soccer coach Erica Dambach has seen the collegiate process up close for some time. She’s coached at the Division I level since 1997, won the national title in 2015, and worked as an assistant coach for the U.S. women’s national teams at both the youth and senior levels.

“Until these players are making millions, I think an education is going to be the most important thing for these young women,” Dambach said.

“I don’t think it’s for everyone, you have to be invested in getting your education.”

THE AMERICAN SYSTEM

That can be easier than it sounds.

“Educational systems around the globe are so different that our international stu-

dents really don’t know how to navigate the (U.S.) system,” said Nicole LaVoi, a former collegiate tennis coach and the director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota.

Coumba Sow, a Swiss midfielder, attended Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York, for two years before transferring to play Division I soccer at Oklahoma State.

“I didn’t understand the system. I was in a rush to just go to the States,” Sow said.

“I wanted to keep on learning a language and studying and also play soccer. It’s a lot of paperwork, so I just looked at the facility. I was like, ‘Oh, New York,’ and I went. Then I got there I was like, ‘OK, maybe I should have checked it out better.’”

For New Zealand forward Gabi Rennie, taking the pathway to

Division I soccer was an easy decision after watching others succeed. Rennie is entering her final year of NCAA eligibility at Arizona State after spending two seasons at Indiana.

“I wasn’t too sure what to do. But obviously, the college circuit was a really good option,” Rennie said.

“Being able to kind of look to the likes of Ali Riley and Katie Bowen and the likes of those girls that had done the college circuit was cool, and just opened those doors for me.”

A PROVING GROUND

Katrina Guillou, a starting forward for the Philippines, spent four years at North Carolina–Wilmington. Her time playing soccer in Wilmington was pivotal to her career.

“The way the season is, with everything so condensed into the three-month span, playing two games every week, I think it re-

ally helps build the stamina that’s needed,” Guillou said. “And coming to this level, I think I’ve been able to build on top of that.”

Like many others, Sow saw her experience with American teams impact her style of play.

“Before I went to the U.S., I wasn’t really a physical player,” said Sow. “I learned how to fight in the U.S. because it’s a lot, a lot of long balls. You have to fight for the second ball. And before, I was just a technical player.”

Jody Brown of Jamaica was named the best young players in CONCACAF at the age of 16 and now plays for Florida State.

“The coaches helped us,” said Brown of Florida State. “I feel like college also prepared me for this moment and I’m just so grateful for that and the work that I’ve put in to get to this point because it’s all paid off right now.”

a breakout 2022 season as an undrafted rookie free agent, Keion Crossen and 2020 firstround pick Noah Igbinoghene.

Earlier this week, Howard pointed to Kohou as a player to watch as camp opened.

“My boy, Kader. Dude is a straight dawg,” Howard said. “His mentality he has, just being an undrafted guy, I continue to see him grow and get better on the field.”

Miami also drafted cornerback Cam Smith in the second round in April to add more depth. Smith’s role will likely increase in Ramsey’s absence.

“I feel good about the entire crew,” McDaniel said. “We are dealing with some injuries now in that group, but I feel very, very, very good about the com-

petition there and the guys that are ready to go see some more opportunities.”

With the cornerback room not at full strength, McDaniel said the team will work out a cornerback soon for “depth purposes.”

Notes: McDaniel said linebacker Jaelan Phillips was “stepped on” during the first practice of training camp. McDaniel said the team is not worried about the injury, but it would “not be healed” if he continues practicing with it. Phillips did not practice Thursday. ... Crossen has an undisclosed injury and will not practice Friday.

... McDaniel said he’s happy with Miami’s running back group as the Dolphins continue to be linked to Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook.

Lee Hodges holds lead at 3M Open

BLAINE, Minn. (AP)

— Lee Hodges got off to a good start in his bid to make the FedEx Cup playoffs, shooting an 8-under 63 on Thursday for a onestroke lead in the first round of the 3M Open.

Two-time major champion Justin Thomas, who’s trying to make both the playoffs and the U.S. Ryder Cup team, opened with a 69 in windier afternoon conditions at the TPC Twin Cities.

“I played really well,” Thomas said. “I think everybody that played this afternoon was pretty shocked with that wind. I think it was supposed to be somewhere in the kind of 8-to-10 (mph) range, but that was wild. It was not only blowing hard, but it was blowing in different directions.”

Kevin Streelman had the best of the afternoon rounds with a 64, matching Hideki Matsuyama, Brandt Snedeker and Tyler Duncan. Emiliano Grillo, Nick Hardy and Justin Suh were another shot back, and defending champion Tony Finau was one of nine players to shoot 66.

Hodges entered the week having missed the cut in three of his past four tournaments and 14 of 29

events this season.

He’s 74th in the FedEx Cup standings; the top 70 will make the playoffs that begin in two weeks.

He got off to a hot start with back-toback birdies.

“To see that wedge shot go to an inch on the first hole and then make that 40-footer on the second hole, I was like, ‘All right, here we go, might as well make a lot of birdies if we’re gonna make a couple,’” Hodges said.

Thomas is No. 75 in the FedEx Cup standings. He was grouped with another struggling major champion, Gary Woodland (No. 90), who shot 72.

“I just can’t put into words how far the ball was going. It was just wild. I mean, we had the wind quartering down off the left on 8 and Gary just hit kind of a smooth 8-iron. ... He flew it 205, 200 yards,” Thomas said. “When you get a little bit, just a little bit of altitude like this and it gets this hot, it’s just, it goes. It goes really, really far. I guess I just did a decent job of judging it.”

Due to approaching inclement weather, play was halted Thursday evening with seven groups

See HODGES | Page B7

Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, shown here before a home game against the New York Jets on Jan. 8. JOHN MCCALL/SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL/TNS

Rochester A’s Legion baseball national championship ride of 2003

By MATT RUFF The Post-Bulletin

Twenty years ago this summer, the Rochester A’s American Legion baseball team went on an ultimate threemonth winning ride that finished in the 100-degree heat of Bartlesville, Okla.

It was an unprecedented ride that hasn’t been matched since by a Rochester team.

And it actually didn’t end in Bartlesville.

There was one last stop two months later for that bunch: A two-day stint at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, N.Y.

That was the prize for accomplishing what they did, winning the American Legion baseball World Series. The A’s received a paid trip to watch Games 1 and 2 of the Major League Baseball World Series between the New York Yankees and Florida Marlins.

Two months after they’d beaten Cherryville, N.C., 5-2 on Aug. 26 in the Legion championship in Bartlesville — longtime A’s taskmaster and beloved coach Keith Kangas finishing things off by telling his guys to “get their shirts tucked in” before shaking hands with the runner-up Cherryville players — the A’s sat in the lower bowl of Yankee Stadium.

To the victor went the spoils and the A’s collection of Dan Lyons, Ted Garry, Lee Anderson, Jay Kasner, Justin Grant, Cris Collins, Nate Bower, Ronnie Olson, Tom Lyons, Aaron Craig, Mike Badger, Alex Kangas, Drew Zafft, Jordan Kangas, Ben Olofson and Tom Sheehan could never have imagined being spoiled quite like this.

“We got to go onto the field before the first game (of the World Series) started,” said A’s pitcher/right fielder Kasner, who was by then two months into college at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., but broke away to be with his A’s teammates. “When the game started, we got to sit deep down in the stadium. It was one of the last World Series games ever at Yankee Stadium.”

For the A’s players, winning the American Legion state tournament in Rochester,

then the Central Plains Regional tournament in New Ulm and finally the World Series in Bartlesville was not a hat trick any of them were predicting. At the same time, this was a group that bet on itself every step of the way.

And they had the perfect man directing them in Kangas — who died in 2019 at the age of 62 — a coach they revered for his ability to get every ounce out of them.

Their World Series championship was long in the making and one that became more plausible with every passing season. For the bulk of them, their time together started in the fifth grade when so many of them were already playing travel baseball together as a select group of Rochester north-siders.

“We had set out to play for that (World Series) moment not just in the 2003 season but long before that,” said A’s shortstop Lyons, who played a rare four years for the A’s and would later star at the University of Minnesota before having a long minor-league career.

“Starting in fifth grade, we had a great core of guys who were already playing together. This World Series was eight years in the making.”

All but two of the A’s were from Rochester Century, the other two — Kasner and Garry — from Rochester Lourdes.

There was a hint that something special might be brewing in 2002. That spring Kasner and Garry starred on a Lourdes team that won a high school base-

ball state title. Century followed that the next year by winning the 2003 big-school high school baseball state championship.

The bulk of those Century players immediately went from winning that state crown to within days rolling right into the A’s season.

“After winning the state (high school) tournament, we kind of wanted to just bask in that,” said Lyons, an All-State player for that Century team. “But because Legion started right away, we had to go back to work. But as far as focus, we were even more motivated to (win) again. We knew what we had and we knew what we were adding to the team.”

Not only did the A’s have a bunch of Century stars on that 2003 Legion club, including lights-out pitcher Craig who was throwing 90 mph, but they also had star Lourdes pitchers Garry and Kasner. Garry went on to pitch at Division I University of Connecticut, while Kasner played outfield at St. John’s.

The A’s pitching staff was an embarrassment of riches, likely the best Legion staff ever assembled in Rochester. Almost all of their top five guys hit the upper-80s with their pitches. That included Badger, who had one year of college under his belt when he rejoined the A’s in 2003, the burly redhead having pitched at Madison Technical College but still met the age requirement to play Legion ball.

The A’s were just as impressive at the plate.

Hodges: Has first round lead

Continued from B6

on the course. Several players were 3 under with a few holes left. They will resume their rounds Friday morning.

Finau was 5 under through his first four holes but stalled from there.

“I didn’t miss a shot for the first seven holes really. That was a pretty hot start, it was a nice way to start my title defense this week and kind of calmed my nerves,” Finau said.

Along with winds topping 20 mph, players in the afternoon had to deal with a heat index of 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

“To get out early where we had a few

holes where we didn’t have to deal with wind is pretty key and just take advantage of those holes,” said Suh, also part of the morning wave.

Matsuyama needed some heat-related attention after his round but tour officials said it was nothing serious.

“It got really hot out there on the back nine. I’ll relax this afternoon and hopefully get ready to play well again tomorrow,” Matsuyama said.

Playing for the sixth time after sternum surgery that sidelined him for nine months, the 42-year-old Snedeker was coming off four straight missed cuts.

They began the 2003 state tournament with a cumulative batting average of .378, the top mark ever by a Kangas team, who was in his 23rd year of coaching the A’s. Garry took a .486 batting average into the state tournament, Kasner .430, Grant .429, Lee Anderson .419 and Dan Lyons .383 with a team-leading eight home runs.

It wasn’t just jaw-dropping statistics that the A’s hauled with them to the state tournament, but also a jaw-dropping record, 39-3. That included having won the prestigious Gopher Classic tournament in the Twin Cities.

“I’ve been coaching and had played baseball for a long time,” said Kangas’ son, 40-yearold Blake Kangas, who assisted his father at times with that 2003 team and is now the baseball director of player development at Oklahoma State University. “That 2003 team may be one of the only teams I’ve ever been around that could turn things on and off like water. If they needed runs, they’d go, ‘here we go,’ and go get them. If they needed outs it

was, ‘here we go.’ They were just really talented. It was just a special year.” One more crucial thing accompanied them to the state tournament and beyond. It was the wisdom of how to play and win. That had been drilled into them the previous few years by Keith Kangas, who was forever known for his direct nature when it came to playing baseball “the right way.”

Effort and focus was his constant demand. When players fell short of delivering either, Kangas let them hear about it, sometimes even removing them from games in the middle of innings to make his point.

Lyons said that nearly all of the A’s were confronted by Kangas at some point in their Legion careers, and because of it rarely made the same mistake twice.

But Lyons noted something different about that 2003 season when it came to their coach. Kangas’ reprimanding — which Lyons said all of them respected and even appreciated when it was directed at them — all but went away. At least it did for that one championship season.

There was little reminding left for the coach to do. It seemed all of the A’s had learned their lessons and learned them well. In his four years playing under Kangas, Lyons had never seen him more relaxed.

“Kangas understood what it took and he knew a lot of us wanted to play beyond high school,” Lyons said. “When you weren’t doing what you were supposed to, he let you know. I saw a lot of that early in my career under him. But when it came to my last year (2003), he pretty much just let us play. Most of us had

already been with him for two to three years and we had a good group of leaders. He started to let his players enforce some things, so he was able to sort of sit back and manage the team. That was a big change for him. But he had great relationships with everyone on that team. We all had a great amount of mutual respect with him.”

The A’s played the state tournament at home, their games at Mayo Field. Feeling some pressure as the event’s favorite and host, the A’s struggled to hit at state. Still, those struggles weren’t enough to prevent them from winning the title, the A’s going a perfect 5-0 and stretching their win streak to 25 games.

“We didn’t play as well as we are capable of,” A’s third baseman/ pitcher Grant said at the time. “That’s just because we didn’t get the bats going as well as we had been all season. But there was a lot of pressure in the state tournament. I would say playing in front of our neighbors and friends affected us. We were all a little bit nervous. We felt like we had to win in the state tournament and we knew that everyone was shooting at us.”

It marked the final time that season that the A’s would claim anxiousness. They’d accomplished what they’d expected of themselves, winning the state title. After that, as Lyons put it, “we were kind of playing with house money.”

The A’s next headed 130 miles away to New Ulm, site of the Great Plains Regional. It was more of the same there.

The A’s snared that title, going 4-1. Those four wins included a spectacular end to a

See LEGION | Page B8

He had six birdies over eight holes around the turn.

“I knew it was going to be a little learning curve coming back, and took a little longer than I wanted to, but finally able to put a round together today,” Snedeker said. “It was coming, and it was nice to see some putts go in and kind of have an easy stress-free round where I hit the ball really well, didn’t do anything poorly all day.”

Billy Horschel, who entered at No. 119 in the FedEx Cup, was among the group at 66.

Sepp Straka, coming off a tie for second in the British Open, rallied for an even-par 71.

Whitehouse Post 284’s Tyler Cassella dives into third base after hitting a triple during the New Jersey American Legion Baseball 2019 “ELITE 8” game vs. Hamilton 31 on Sunday, July 28, 2019. NICK SCALERA/NJ ADVANCED MEDIA/TNS

Legion: Stories like Rochester provide hope for others

Continued from B7

rained-delayed championship contest with New Ulm Gold.

Leading 6-4 and New Ulm down to its last out but with men on first and second base, the skies opened. For 2 1/2 hours the contest was delayed by what turned into a deluge. Finally, at midnight, the game was suspended and scheduled to resume 12 hours later, at noon.

What had figured to be a late dinner for the A’s had now turned into whatever they could

scrounge up for a literal midnight-snack. With no New Ulm restaurants open at that hour near their hotel, the A’s players instead found a 24-hour grocery store to satisfy their hunger. Badger, who had been pitching when the game was suspended, went for what he called “one of those refrigerated lunches.”

He ate it while thinking about something that he and Lyons had talked about in the dugout during that long rain delay. Shortstop

and pitcher came up with the idea of trying to pick the New Ulm runner off of second base once the game resumed.

Turns out Kangas had the same notion, the coach presenting it to the team just before gametime. He instructed Badger to throw one strike to make the count full, hoping to then get baserunner Dusty Wilfahrt leaning off of second base on Badger’s next offering. Wilfahrt obliged, Badger spun and threw to Lyons cov-

ering at second and Wilfahrt was then chased down for the final out.

Just like that, the game was over, and the A’s were headed to the World Series, the first and only Rochester team to ever do it.

Five blisteringly hot days later in Bartlesville, Okla., after winning five games and losing one in the American Legion World Series, the A’s had done it. Center fielder Garry drifted under a fly ball for the third and final out of the championship game with Cher-

RACING THIS WEEK

HIGHPOINT.COM 400 AT POCONO RACEWAY

Denny Hamlin’s win Sunday was an historic all-time best seventh Cup Series victory at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway –the win also marked his 50th career trophy and second of the 2023 season.

Hamlin throws caution to the wind at Pocono

Denny Hamlin prevailed in a tight door-to-door bump-and-go pass on Kyle Larson with seven laps remaining to claim a historic all-time best seventh Cup Series victory at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway – the win in Sunday’s HighPoint.com 400 also marking Hamlin’s 50th career trophy and second of the 2023 season.

The race ended under caution for a last lap incident elsewhere on track, and the Pocono crowd voiced its displeasure, booing loudly as Hamlin’s No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota led the field to pit road at the 2.5-mile track after the checkered flag. Hamlin, 42, maintained the action was just close-quarter racing for a win. Larson, who finished 21st after the contact, disagreed and was none too happy with his good friend and golf partner.

“Both guys wrecked themselves,’’ Hamlin said of Larson and contact he had earlier with Larson’s teammate Alex Bowman. “There was a lane. He [Larson] missed the corner first and evidently didn’t have his right side tires clean and when he gassed up and got going again, you have an option in those positions to either hold it wide open and hit the fence or lift and race it out.

“Those were choices they made. I didn’t hit either one of them. Didn’t touch them.’’

“I love it, I love it,’’ Hamlin said, acknowledging the boos.

“I thought we had the best car and the strategy worked out. Just so happy we’re winning these races we should win.’’

Larson, the 2021 Cup Series champion, did not mince words after climbing out of his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Instead of a Top-5 finish – or possible victory – he recovered from the incident to cross the finish line 21st.

“First off, really proud of my team, they got us in position to race for the win,’’ said Larson, who did earn the Stage 2 win – his third of the year. “We got spun early [in the race] and the car was never really the same after that, but we played the strategy really well to get us up there. Just unfortunate.

“I’ve been cost a lot of good finishes by him throughout my career, and I know he says that I race a certain way, but I don’t think I’ve ever had to apologize to him about anything, not that I’m sure he’ll say ‘I’m sorry’ after this but it is what it is.

“Just move on and try to go to Richmond, where we won earlier this year.

“It is what it is. Yeah, we’re friends. Yes, this makes things awkward. But he’s always right. All the buddies know, Denny’s always right. It is what it is. I’m not gonna let it tarnish our friendship off track. But I am pissed, and I feel like I should be pissed.

“I think at this point I have the right,’’ Larson said of potentially racing Hamlin differently on track going forward. “Like I’ve said, I’ve never had to apologize to him about anything I’ve done on the racetrack. I can count four or five

Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Mavis Tires & Brakes Toyota, takes the checkered flag under caution to win the Cup Series Highpoint.com 400 at Pocono Raceway Sunday. (Logan Riely/Getty Images)

ryville, and the Rochester celebration was on.

Per coach Kangas’ instructions, they tucked in their shirts, made their way to the handshake line, an appropriate way to cap an astounding 52-5 season and an American Legion World Series championship.

“We hit and pitched really well, and the cards fell just right,” Kasner said. “And we had a lot of fun. Winning helps keep it fun, but I’d say we were all friends and had a great

XFINITY BURNOUT ALERT! Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Global Industrial Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the Pocono 225 Saturday. (Logan Riely/Getty)

time together both on and off the field. If we saw each other today, I’m sure we’d pick up right where we left off.”

times where he’s had to reach out to me and say, ‘sorry I’ve put you in a bad spot there.’ So eventually, like he says, you have to start racing people a certain way to get the respect back.’’

Hamlin earned Toyota its 600th career win in the three NASCAR national series combined and led his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. across the finish line. Tyler Reddick, who drives for the 23XI Racing Toyota team that Hamlin is part-owner of, finished third. Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick and the remaining two JGR cars of rookie Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell rounded out the Top-6.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Harrison Burton and Hendrick’s Chase Elliott rounded out the top-10. It marked the second top-10 of the season for the 22-year old Burton.

Elliott’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, the race polesitter William Byron, led the most laps (60) of the day, but finished 24th. He now trails Truex by 30 points for the regular season title.

Varying pit strategies – and in particular on the final green flag run – changed the leaderboard in the last 30-40 laps of the race. Some drivers that hadn’t run top-5 all day postponed their last stop hoping for a caution flag. However, the day’s strongest cars were in position to settle the trophy; some –such as Larson and Hamlin – on a two-tire pit stop and some – such as Truex and Byron – with four fresh tires.

With five races remaining, Suarez dropped to 18th in the championship standings and his deficit to 16th place McDowell now stands at 23 points.

The summer run to the Playoffs continues with the Cook Out 400 Sunday at Richmond (Va.) Raceway. Kevin Harvick is the defending race winner.

NEXT: COOK OUT 400 Richmond Raceway 3 p.m. ET Sunday, USA

Richmond Raceway, known as America’s Premier Short Track, offers great racing action and a commitment to the fan experience as one of the most popular facilities among drivers and fans in all of motorsports,

LENGTH: 3/4-Mile, measured 13-½ feet in from SAFER Barrier.

SHAPE: “D”-Shaped Oval

WIDTH: 60 feet with a 10-foot apron.

BANKING: 14 degrees in turns, eight degrees at starting line on 1,290-foot front stretch, two degrees on 860-foot back stretch.

RADIUS OF TURNS: Turns 1 and 4: 1198.68. Turns 2 and 3: 365.00 PIT ROAD: 64-foot width with 43 concrete pit stalls, 28’ x 19’.SEATING: 51,000 seats, plus 680 seats that are part of the TORQUE Club and 80-person Victory Lane Club. There are also 40 luxury suites.

SAFER WALLS: Added in 2003.

INFIELD: The FanGrounds (below) allow fans access to the historic Richmond in eld. The interactive in eld gets fans closer than ever before with fan-viewing walkways in the NASCAR Cup Series Garages. Fans can also experience various neighborhoods throughout the in eld that have something unique to offer as well as new concession stands.

Kevin Harvick partied in Victory Lane after taking his second win in a row last season at Richmond.

CHRIS GRAYTHEN/ GETTY IMAGES