Striking from a variety of attacks by five players in the lineup, the No. 14 ranked Barton Community College men’s soccer team scored four unanswered second half goals Wednesday evening to run away with a 5-1 victory at Garden City Community College.
The victory improves Barton to 6-1 on the season while sending the Broncbusters to consecutive losses to begin the conference season and 2-5 on the year.
Next up for Barton will be a Saturday trip to Concordia in a battle of 2-0 conference and nationally ranked teams as the Cougars take on Jayhawk favorite and 4-1 Cloud County Community College in a 4:00 p.m. kick-off.
Barton Women 8 Garden City 0
The Barton Community College women’s soccer team broke through a three game scoreless streak in a big way Wednesday night with an 8-0 victory at Garden City Community College.
The Lady Cougars increased their three goal first half lead with five in the final frame for their largest output of the season and first time on the scoreboard since August 24. The victory also puts Barton into the win column for the first time since that date improving to 1-1-1 in conference play and 2-2-2 overall while keeping Garden City winless on the year at 0-4 and 0-2 in Jayhawk play.
Barton’s next action will come Saturday traveling to Cloud County Community College for a 2:00 p.m. kick-off.
FINNEY COUNTY — A Kansas woman died in an accident just after 9p.m. Wednesday in Finney County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Ford Explorer driven by Janet Pucket, 56, Ulysses, was traveling westbound on U.S. 50 two miles west of Garden City.
The SUV rear-ended a semi stopped at the railroad crossing with flashers on.
The crash caused the tanker to lose Anhydrous Ammonia.
Pucket was transported to the hospital in St. Catherine’s Hospital where she died.
The semi driver Mark R. Moore, 60, Woodward, OK., was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
The accident and ammonia leak kept roads closed overnight. There was no evacuation in the area although residents were advised to stay inside, according to the Finney County Sheriff’s Department.
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FINNEY COUNTY — First responders at a fatal accident involving a truck carrying anhydrous ammonia on U.S. 50 just west of Anderson Road northwest of Garden City were forced to leave the scene due the danger early Thursday morning, according to KHP Trooper Mike Racy.
This semi hauling anhydrous ammonia continues leaking and the wind changed directions, according to Racy.
The road will remain closed for some time until officials are able to determine it is safe for crews to return to the scene and just how to off load the semi.
One person died in the crash that occurred at approximately 10p.m. Officials have not released the name of the victim or details of the crash.
Just before 11:30p.m. a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander driven by Teresa J. Lunsfor, 56, Mena, AR., ran over lights, cones at U.S. 50 and VFW Road near the scene of the semi crash and ammonia leak.
The Outlander rear ended an unoccupied KDOT Chevy Silverado with warning lights on and red flashing lights.
Ems transported Lunsfor to the hospital in Garden City.
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FINNEY COUNTY —First responders are on the scene of a fatal accident involving a truck carrying anhydrous ammonia on Highway 50 just west of Anderson Road at the railroad tracks in Finney County, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol
This semi hauling anhydrous ammonia was leaking.
Emergency crews on scene recommended those living north or south of this location stay inside with the windows closed.
Officials also closed Highway 50 west bound from Campus street to Big Lowe Road just north of Holcomb. Both east and west bound lanes are closed between Big Lowe Road and VFW
Crews were also working a second injury accident at highway 50 and VFW Road westbound lanes.
Over the last couple of years, the Great Bend school district has been making clear moves to improve their weaknesses which include ACT scores, graduation rates, and attendance.
Two years ago, USD 428 hired an ACT Coordinator to help boost the scores across the district. This summer, an Attendance Coordinator was hired at Great Bend High School to prevent students from skipping class, and in turn the district hopes higher attendance rates mean increased graduation rates.
USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton says the district is still looking at additional ways to prepare students for the ACT.
Khris Thexton Audio
Great Bend High School seniors from the graduating class of 2017 that took the ACT had an average score of 20.4, below the Kansas average of 21.7. The study compiles data from the last taken test from the seniors. For instance, if a student scored a 21 on the test the first time but a 17 on the second attempt, the 17 is the recorded result for the study.
Thexton referenced an article released by the Kansas Association of School Boards, where it was noted that the potentially inadequate school funding could be taking a toll on test results state-wide.
Khris Thexton Audio
Great Bend’s class of 2017 had lower average scores in every category of the ACT compared to the past five years, with the biggest hit coming in the English portion.
ACT Coordinator Lacy Wolters revealed data in July that showed students who attended study sessions saw increases in test results, but the sessions are not required to attend.
There were 122 of the 194 GBHS seniors that took the ACT last year, or 63 percent.
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — No. 18 Kansas State and Vanderbilt had little trouble with their first two opponents, but game No. 3 will be a sterner test for each team.
K-State (2-0) scored 55 points in each of its first two games — both at home — against FCS foe Central Arkansas and Charlotte, which is in its third season of FBS competition. Vanderbilt (2-0) has not been quite as good on offense, but it has been even better on defense, allowing just six points in two games against Middle Tennessee and Alabama A&M.
The Big 12’s Wildcats travel to Nashville, Tenn., Saturday to take on the Commodores of the SEC.
“We are definitely excited to head down to Vandy,” wide receiver Dalton Schoen said. “It is our first big test, so it will be great for us as a team to go down there for a road game against an opponent like them.
“We are just focused on ourselves, mostly, doing what we can do and focusing on our game plan.”
The Wildcats have shown the ability to move the ball on the ground and through the air so far this season. Quarterback Jesse Ertz set a single-game school record for passer rating (319.8) while throwing for 333 yards and four touchdowns against Central Arkansas. Against Charlotte, the Wildcats rushed for 315 yards and five touchdowns. They have solid depth at running back and wide receiver as five runners have scored TDs and five different receivers have three or more catches.
Even the defense and special teams have chipped in.
In the opener, D.J. Reed had a 96-yard kickoff return and a 62-yard punt return touchdown. In the second game, Kendall Adams scored twice on defense in the first half, a 30-yard interception return and a 46-yard fumble return. K-State is the nation’s best in non-offensive touchdowns with 109 since 1999.
The Wildcats defense held Charlotte to just 58 yards passing, the fewest in a game for the Wildcats since 2000.
“As I look at (Kansas State), it’s a much different challenge,” Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason said. “It’s equipped from top to bottom. Coach (Bill) Snyder is one of the best in the business. They’re one of the most physical teams. When you look at how they play football, it’s the style I’ve wanted to play since I got here.
“They’re putting up points, and their quarterback, Ertz, has been unbelievable. They’ve got a strong run game and receivers through the roof. We’re looking at speed and athleticism across the board.
“Defensively, I see players who can make plays all over the field. Their physical and stingy, and they lead the nation in takeaways. And Reed has done a great job on the punt return. ”
Vanderbilt is not without talent.
The Commodores are averaging 384 yards of total offense while giving up an average of 159 yards per game. They’re averaging 122 yards per game on the ground and 261.5 through the air. Most important, the Commodores have not had a turnover.
Quarterback Kyle Shurmur has completed 76.1 percent of his passes for 249 yards per game and seven touchdowns.
“Shurmur is a young guy that really plays within himself quite well,” Snyder said.
“He is accurate; he can put the ball where it needs to go. They do not try to reinvent the wheel in regards to what he does. He takes what you give him and he is pretty good about that. That is a real significant trait for a quarterback and that only comes with experience, and he certainly has that.”
Mason is pleased with where his team sits after two games, even if they’re not Power 5-caliber competition. Though the road gets tougher in the coming weeks, beginning with Kansas State on Saturday, Mason said he hopes his squad’s start is representative of what it can do.
“You can’t tell it from my face, but I’m excited,” Mason said after a shutout victory over Alabama A&M. “It’s what you’re trying to do, but you have to keep your feet on the ground. Let’s put our foot on the gas and go from here.”
Kansas State has won 10 of its last 13 non-conference regular-season road games under Snyder. K-State is a combined 66-8 (.892) in September under Snyder, including 15-5 on the road.
This is just the second meeting between the schools. Vanderbilt won the previous meeting 26-14 in Nashville in 1984..
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Great Bend Police Chief Cliff Couch presents before the Great Bend City Council Monday, June 5, 2017. Couch announced his resignation Sept. 13, that is effective Oct. 15, 2017.
Press Release from the Great Bend Police Department & Chief Cliff Couch…
Earlier this year, I found it necessary to approach the City Council and express various concerns regarding things I had witnessed and been asked to do in my position as the Chief of Police.
Some of these were personnel type issues, while others dealt with ethical issues. Among the more serious of my concerns dealt with the Mayor purposely hampering a race relations board the Police Department is required to have by law, and the fact that the City Administrator was attempting to force me to make officers issue more citations to generate more revenue (which I knew to be an unethical, illegal practice).
I felt that I had a moral obligation to make the Council aware of these issues. After hiring an attorney I was finally allowed to meet with the City Council and express my concerns. I requested that an independent investigator be appointed to address these concerns. I also advised the Council that I was willing to repeat my claims under oath and attest to these claims on a “lie detector” test, provided that the Mayor and City Administrator would do the same.
An investigator was never appointed. Instead, about a month later, Mayor Allison called for a special, closed door meeting in which it was decided to suspend me pending termination of my employment. All of the reasons listed for my termination were completely and utterly false.
One of the reasons listed was that I had made allegations against the City Administrator. There was no evidence offered to support any of the charges against me. In fact, there was never any investigation into the allegations the Mayor made against me. This was very obviously a blatant act of retaliation for my attempt to address the aforementioned concerns, as well as a way to ensure that my allegations were not investigated.
During my suspension, the community was nothing short of fantastic towards me and my family. I will be forever grateful for the kind words, cards, and numerous other acts of kindness shown towards us.
I am also grateful for the handful of Council members who spoke out against my suspension and worked so hard to undo it. I was also fortunate enough to have the support of several council members (Dana Dawson, Cory Zimmerman, and Brock McPherson) who voted against my suspension and worked tirelessly to undo the injustice they witnessed. Eventually, a majority vote of the City Council ended my suspension and expunged all of the spurious accusations against me. I am so very blessed to have seen so many in Great Bend work so hard to undo an injustice. I’ve also been encouraged at the prospect of so many taking such a deep interest in their community and finding ways to be involved in the governance of their city.
However, it has become apparent to me that there will be insurmountable difficulties in continuing my duties as the Chief of Police. The same small group of people that orchestrated my termination in order to silence me is still in positions of power.
None of the concerns I addressed to the Council regarding Mayor Allison or Administrator Partington were ever investigated. It has also become obvious that I am being targeted politically, without any regards to truth or moral scruples, and I know that one cannot be an effective Police Chief with a target on his back.
As such, I am tendering my resignation, effective October 15, 2017.
When the Council initially informed me that I was being suspended pending termination, I obviously began exploring other career opportunities. One of these organizations has offered me a job.
Given the extreme uncertainty and difficulties associated with my current position, I feel that it is in my family’s best interest to accept this position. While my family and I had hoped to call Great Bend “home” for many more years, I do not feel that the current situation makes my position here tenable.
I sincerely regret the timing of this decision, but that timing was beyond my control.
I know that many in the community who so valiantly supported me during my suspension will likely be disappointed by this decision. I beg them to understand that this has been (and still is) an extremely traumatic experience for me and my family.
After my initial suspension, I refused any discussions of a severance package, as I felt that such an offer was simply hush money that would be given to me in hopes of making the issue disappear from the public eye quietly. I have tried to remain at my post for as long as possible, knowing that it was necessary to ensure that the aforementioned issues were not simply swept under the proverbial rug after I was removed from the situation.
I truly love Great Bend, and have suffered through the last several months because of that. Now, however, I feel that I owe it to my family to consider the hardships that this situation has imposed upon them, as well as the realities of the situation that I find myself in.
I also hope that people will understand that I cannot do anything further to reform the City, other than bringing the complaints I originally brought. Structural reforms, audits, internal investigations, and other reform actions are the purview of the Governing Body and the City Administrator. My role as the Chief of Police does not and would not extend into these areas. I’ve done what I can to help bring issues to light within the confines of that role, despite the consequences to me and my family.
I cannot express just how thankful I am for the kindness shown by the citizens here in Great Bend toward me and my family during this situation. This has been a truly heartbreaking decision for us to make, but we feel that it is ultimately a necessary one.
I wish so badly that we were never placed in this position in the first place.
I have requested that any left-over money donated to my legal defense fund, after expenses are settled, be donated to charity. I also want to emphasize that I have nothing to hide, and that there is no surreptitious reason for my accepting another position. Anyone who wishes to dig into my past or my conduct at the Great Bend Police Department is welcome to do so. My reasons for leaving all have to do with the need for career security and the well-being of my family.
I sincerely hope that the City will consider enacting legislation providing protection to “whistleblowers” and encouraging accountability in government, so that no other employee will ever have to make the difficult decision that I find myself facing. More importantly, such ordinances and policies would do much to ensure that the government is open, transparent, and accountable to the citizens it is supposed to serve.
I would also recommend that the Governing Body appoint an acting chief (who is an actual sworn law enforcement officer) upon my departure, as the Police Department cannot function adequately without clearly defined leadership.
I also hope that the citizens of Great Bend and our neighboring communities will not base their opinion of the City on this one incident. Despite my recent experience, I want to make clear that I believe the vast majority of City employees are valuable, hardworking individuals who work tirelessly for the betterment of our community. I also believe that Great Bend is still a wonderful place with a bright future.
While I regret that I will not be able to be a part of that future, I feel that this decision is a necessary one. I wish the City of Great Bend the utmost success moving forward.
The Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation board wants to help as many children battling cancer as they can. The board is finding out it is difficult to say ‘no’ to families and communities outside of Barton County that need help.
What started out in Hoisington and for Barton County children, expanded to Russell County and the latest addition is Rice County.
Co-founder Debbie Reif says Kans for Kids will begin Outreach Rice County to help Laydn Hinderliter in Chase.
Debbie Reif Audio
Hinderliter has a brain tumor and also had surgery this week to remove a tumor from his kidney.
Kans for Kids provides funding for families with children living with cancer and other forms of support to the family. The organization collects aluminum cans and is involved in other fundraisers to assist the families. Kans for Kids officially organized in 1996 in Barton County, added Russell County in 2015, and now includes Rice County.
Reif reminds everyone Russell and Rice counties are outreach programs for Kans For Kids, meaning money raised in those counties is earmarked for the children with cancer in those counties with matching funds.
Debbie Reif Audio
A trailer is stationed at the Masonic Lodge in Lyons, 912 W. Main Street, to collect aluminum cans for Hinderliter. Reif says now they are looking for others in Rice County to sponsor fundraisers for Hinderliter.
It took the Barton Community College volleyball team five matches into the conference season but the Cougars knocked the proverbial monkey off their back Wednesday night in Concordia with a four set victory at Cloud County Community College.
The Cougars held off a rally to win the first 25-23, temporarily taking the match off in the second losing 25-13 before hammering the T-birds in identical 25-14 scores to snap the conference drought. Improving to 1-4 in Jayhawk play, the victory also puts an end to a seven match losing streak to even Barton’s season mark at 9-9 while keeping Cloud County winless in conference at 0-4 and 3-10 on the year.
Barton’s next court time will come Monday against the other end of the conference spectrum as co-leader and nationally receiving votes Hutchinson Community College (4-0, 8-4) comes to Great Bend for a 6:30 p.m. first serve.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump and immigration (all times local):
6:30 a.m.
President Donald Trump is denying assertions by the two top congressional Democrats that they have an agreement with him that will preserve protections for young immigrants in the U.S. illegally while adding border security without the wall he has coveted.
Trump sent out a series of tweets before daybreak Thursday taking issue with characterizations by Sen. Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of talks the group at a White House dinner Wednesday evening.
No deal was made last night on DACA. Massive border security would have to be agreed to in exchange for consent. Would be subject to vote.
Schumer and Pelosi said they’d reached an agreement to restore the so-called DACA program in exchange for some additional security enhancements to ward off illegal immigration. But Trump said in a tweet: “No deal was made last night on DACA.”
“Massive border security would have to be agreed to in exchange for consent. Would be subject to vote,” the president said.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The top House and Senate Democrats say they have reached agreement with President Donald Trump to protect thousands of younger immigrants from deportation and fund some border security enhancements — not including Trump’s coveted border wall.
The agreement represents the latest instance of Trump ditching his own party to make common cause with the opposition.
It was announced by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi late Wednesday following a White House dinner.
It would enshrine protections for the nearly 800,000 immigrants brought illegally to this country as kids who had benefited from former President Barack Obama’s policy.
While DACA and border security were both discussed, excluding the wall was certainly not agreed to.
JACKSON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for multiple burglaries.
On Tuesday, the Holton Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office arrested Curt Vandevelde 45, of St. Mary’s, Kansas, attempting to sell stolen property, according to a media release.
Vandevelde is being held on suspicion of multiple Jackson County Burglaries. Items believed to have been taken from residences in Jackson County were recovered from a stolen vehicle Vandevelde was driving.
Vandevelde is currently being held in the Jackson County Jail with bond set at $50,000.00.
Vandevelde has almost 2-dozen previous convictions for forgery, theft and burglary in Shawnee, Riley, Osage and Jackson, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
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