RHS Girls Lose To Riley Co.

    The RHS girls basketball team lost their first round game on Monday night against the visiting Riley County falcons despite a valiant comeback that fell just one point short.

Riley County       11 13   7  11  =   42
Rossville               6   9 12  14  =   41

Rossville  scoring: 

Hill            5 (2)       3-6       15
Kirk           3            5-10     11
Steckel      2 (2)       5-7       11
Nitsch       1            0-0         2
Conley      1            0-0         2
Totals      12 (4)    13-23     41

Bridge Efforts Move Forward

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Shawnee County Commissioners took a step forward Monday morning in efforts to replace the Willard Bridge.

They voted to approve $127,000 to cover costs of acquring the necessary easements for a new bridge over the Kansas River on Carlson Road. Last week, commissioner officially lowered the weight limit on the structure, essentially limiting traffic to passenger vehicles.

Engineers have classified the bridge as "fracture critical."

Commission chairman Kevin Cook said Monday's action indicates replacing the bridge is a high priority of the county and moves the process forward. Commissioners Shelly Buhler and Bob Archer recently have exchanges criticisms as funding for a new swimming pool in southwest Topeka was approved, but bridge funding was voted down.

Public Works Director Tom Vlach says the money for the acquisition phase is available through the county's quarter-cent sales tax. He hopes to secure funding for the total $23 million project to begin construction next January, with completion in 2017.

Commissioners have directed requests be sent to state and federal officials for assistance in funding a new bridge. They have also asked the communities of Willard, Silver Lake and Rossville to allocate some of their sales tax proceeds toward a new bridge.

Photos Of 2015 Wrestling Champs

Bryce Gfeller,  113 lb. State 321A Champ

Isaac Luellen,  182 lb. State 321A Champ

2015 Wrestling team that finished third at the State Meet

Richard Oller (66) Passes Away

     Richard Edward Oller, 62, of Topeka, passed away Saturday, February 28, 2015. He was born May 16, 1952, in Ft. Riley, Kansas. He was the son of Delbert and Mabel (Walker) Foster.
    Richard was a 1966 graduate of Rossville High School and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He was employed with Cargill for 35 years until his retirement, then worked at Stormont-Vail Health Care in transportation. He enjoyed fishing, camping, and spending time with family and friends.
    Richard married Rosemarie Frontiera on January 30, 1973, in Rossville, Kansas. She survives. Other survivors include children, Kim (Mark) Miller, Lisa (Greg) Oller, Cristy Oller, Ricky (Gina) Oller; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and sisters, Sheila (David) Guyle and Vicky (Max) Ayers. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Randy.
    Richard was cremated and at his request, no formal services will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to Gina Oller, 2124 SE 38th Circle, Topeka, Kansas 66609, to be designated at a later time. Dove Cremation & Funeral Service is assisting the family. To leave a message for the family online, please visit: 
    http://www.dovecremation.com/obituary/100125/Richard-Edward-Oller/Topeka-Kansas

Letter On Bridge To Editor Of Capital-Journal

Building a new swimming complex rather than replacing an old bridge flies in the face of reason.

The first duty of public officials is to maintain existing public investments, rather than taking on new ones and allowing older ones to deteriorate.

The majority on the County Commission has its priorities all wrong. Building a swimming pool for Southwest Topeka might be an incentive for growth in that area of the county, but it should not be done at the expense of foster growth in northwest Shawnee County. Willard and Rossville depend on that bridge for much of their viability.

Besides a new bridge, which has a river access for recreation and a park dedicated to the historic importance of the Oregon/California Trails crossing there, promises an economic boost to the area from heritage tourists and river recreation.

It’s time for a reconsideration.

BILL WAGNON, Topeka

RHS Wrestlers At State Article

From CJOnline.com

HAYS — Make no mistake, Rossville wasn’t about to turn up its nose at or give back the third-place trophy it claimed over the weekend at the Class 3-2-1A state wrestling championships.

The piece of hardware was just the third in the program’s history — all three coming since 2011 — and only has been surpassed by last year’s runner-up finish.

But after entering the state meet ranked No. 1 in 3-2-1A and putting itself in position to have a realistic shot of knocking off two-time defending champion Norton, the finish was somewhat bittersweet.

“We were definitely in the hunt, but we didn’t end up where we wanted to be or where we thought we could be,” Rossville coach Curt Brecheisen said. “We knew coming in, it was going to be tough. We knew we’d be in the top three, we were just hoping it would shake out a bit differently.”

Instead, the Bulldawgs walked away from Hays’ Gross Memorial Coliseum with a bit of a “What-if” feeling after finishing 15.5 points behind champion Norton and just 1.5 points behind runner-up Hoisington.

On a weekend where every point was going to be crucial, Rossville came up just a tad short.

In fact it could be argued that just three points was all that separated the Bulldawgs from a sure-fire runner-up finish and possible title. Three different Bulldawgs suffered one-point defeats at the tourney and victories in those matches instead of losses would have been huge swings.

Junior Alex Cavanaugh saw a third-period penalty point result in a 3-2 loss to Smith Center’s David Hileman in the championship semifinals. A win by Cavanaugh would have earned him another shot at Mid-East League rival Riley Tubbs of Wabaunsee in the finals — whom he had beaten earlier in the year — as well as crucial advancement points.

Senior 160-pounder Nick Reesor saw his bid for his first state title end with a 1-0 loss to Eureka’s Chuck Schmidt.

“I could never really find my ties and he did a good job of keeping me from getting in on him,” Reesor said. “I couldn’t get off bottom, which I’ve done all year. It wasn’t pressure. He was just better than me that match.”

Junior 152-pounder Derek Gentry went 0-2, but lost both matches by a total of three points — 8-6 to Fredonia’s Logan Sherman in the first round and 8-7 to Russell’s Kelton Suchy in the consolation first round.

Wins in any of those matches could have swung things Rossville’s way.

The good news for the Bulldawgs is they should be right in the title mix once again next year. Reesor was the only senior among Rossville’s eight state qualifiers and the Bulldawgs will be returning a pair of state champions in sophomore Bryce Gfeller, who won his second straight state title with an 8-5 win over Ellis’ Bryce Younger in the 113-pound finals, and junior Isaac Luellen, who dominated Cherryvale’s Kaden Housel 13-3 for the 182-pound crown.

Rossville also got a third from junior Cavanaugh at 126 and a fourth from freshman Isaiah Luellen at 138. Gentry, freshman Holden Hurla (120) and junior Kole Davoren (220) also return from the state squad.

“I hope next year we do break it down,” said Brecheisen, who was named 3-2-1A coach of the year by the Kansas Wrestling Officials Association. “We’ve got guys who can be up there again like they were this year. We’ve got some guys who qualified in their first attempt at qualifying who should come back even stronger next year. And we’ve got guys that work hard, and that’s the main thing.

“We’re going to be OK. I’ve got a good staff and that makes a world of difference when you’ve got Cody (Lambotte) and Courtney (Horgan) who put the time and effort in that they do. I’ve got two of the best assistant coaches in the state.”

Rossville led a strong showing by the Mid-East League which put three teams in the top seven and four in the top 14. All four should be strong again next year as well.

Silver Lake finished fourth, 17 points behind Rossville, and will return five of its six state placers. Sophomore Dalton Dultmeier led the Eagles with a runner-up finish at 120, dropping a 1-0 decision to Atchison County sophomore Hunter Ostertag.

St. Marys was seventh as a team led by state champions Corey Tyler (145) and Greg Tooley (152). Tooley graduates as a two-time undefeated state champion, but Tyler returns after tying the state record for wins in a season with 51, matching St. James Academy’s Matt Pratt (2014).

Wabaunsee finished 14th with a program-best three state placers and will return two, including freshman Riley Tubbs, who finished second at 126 pounds after getting caught late and pinned by Smith Center’s David Hileman.

Christina Zickafoose Photo

Here is a picture of Christina Zickafoose working at the Farm Bureau office back a few years ago before the age of computers, and even electric typewriters.

Steve Gee At Farm Show

    Here is a video of Steve Gee of Rossville at the recent Farm Show in Topeka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc7h152lT2k

Wrestling News Article

Here is a link to an article about the 321A state wrestling tournament this weekend.
http://cjonline.com/sports/2015-02-27/silver-lakes-dultmeier-rolls-3a-finals

State Wrestling Tournament On-Line

    You can watch the final Saturday matches at the 321A State Tournament in Hays at:
http://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/kshsaa/f74b6e420a

321A State Wrestling Results, Day Two

113#    Btyce Gfeller    defeated Bruce Younger of Ellis by a 8-5 decision for First Place.

120#    Holden Hurla lost to Dalton Goens (31-8) from Lyons High. by a 3-0 decision.

126#    Alex Cavanaugh  defeated Trevor Lowell (36-8) of  Bellville-Republic County by a 1-0 decision and will wrestle for third place.
    Alex defeated Joey McFee of ARC with an MD 11-3 for third place.

138#    Isaiah Luellen wrestled Casey Garner (38-4) of Leon Bluestem who has lost one and won four matches during this tournament by falls.  Isaiah defeated Garner with a 6-4 descision and will wrestle for 3rd place.
    Carter Wessling (34-4) of Beloit defeated Isaiah with a fall at 2.23. Isaiah finishes in fourh place.

160#    Nick Reesor lost to Chuck Schmidt (21-3) of Eureka by a 1-0 decision to finish 2nd.

182#    Isaac Luellen defeated Kaden Housel (33-3) of Cherryvale with an MD 13-3 for first place.

The top four teams were:

Norton             118.8
Hoisington       104.5
Rossville          103.0
Silver Lake        86.0

State Wrestling Team Standings Day One

                                                         Click on below to enlarge

Signs Posted For New Weight Limits

Video of the posting of signs for the Willard Bridge is at:
http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/New-Weight-Limit-Signs-Posted-On-Willard-Bridge-294439181.html

Rossville Helps With St. Marys Fire (updated)

From KSNT.com

    According to the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office, the fire broke out at approximately 5:15 a.m. at 510 Mission. St Marys Fire, St Mary’s Police, Rossville Fire, Pottawatomie County EMS and the Pottawatomie County Sheriffs Department all were called in for mutual aid to assist.
   According to St. Marys fire chief Dan Marstall, two adults were sleeping in the upper floor of the 1 and 1/2 story home when they were awoken by the smell of smoke or fire, he presumed. Marstall said the pair began yelling for help and neighbors heard them and were able to rescue the couple by getting a ladder up to the 2nd story window and getting the couple out of the home. Marstall says the fire is believed to have originated in the bathroom area, but no official cause or damage estimate was available as of 9 am. There were no injuries and the fire was brought under control in less than an hour.

    Video after the fire can be seen at:  http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/Early-Morning-Fire-Strikes-St-Marys-294354621.html