Rattlers Sign Danny Mitchell

    The most recent player signed by the Rattlers is outfielder  Danny Mitchell Jr. From the University of Arkansas-Little Rock

Willard Bridge Funding Secured

From the Capital-Journal:

No one who drives across the Willard Bridge questions the need for a replacement.

As tires hum along the iron surface, regulars hope there is no hint of rain or build-up in dew to make the crossing over the Kansas River more treacherous.

It is bad enough to know the bridge, which connects Rossville and Interstate 70, has structural problems similar to the Mississippi River bridge that collapsed nine years ago in Minn-eapolis.

The Willard Bridge has a structural safety rating of 23.7 on a scale of 100, which offers little comfort to motorists and once prompted one county commissioner, Bob Archer, to call for its closure.

Fortunately, the governing body of Shawnee County took an additional step. Funding was secured last week to demolish the existing bridge and build a new structure.

The appropriation, finalized through an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for up to $8.5 million in interest-free loans, is a tribute to the tireless efforts of Shelly Buhler, the Shawnee County Commission chairwoman.

Her commutes force Buhler to regularly use the bridge and provided her a clear understanding of the issues faced by those living along that segment of the Shawnee-Wabaunsee County boundary.

Approval by voters to extend the half-cent, countywide sales tax beginning in 2017 will help to repay loans needed to pay for demolition of the existing bridge and construction of a new bridge. The commission approved $24.7 million for the project, which was identified as a transportation priority in 2009.

While the process took considerable time to piece together, funding eventually was discovered and ensures that a vital component to the infrastructure of Shawnee County will be improved.

Residents in the western portion of the county, and particularly Rossville, are obviously valued by a commission that faces a broad array of road and bridge issues, but few as pressing, or monumental, as the Willard Bridge.

The structure was built more than 60 years ago after the 1951 Kansas River flood wiped out a previous bridge. The bridge was then widened in 1983, though that was still more than 30 years ago.

Steps taken to secure funding for a new bridge are to be applauded, but only at the right time. If anything, the Willard Bridge taught us the importance of keeping both hands on
the wheel.

Baseball Team Splits With Riley

   The RHS baseball team split with Riley Co. on April 5, winning the first game 13-1,  but losing the second 11-0

Wamego Invitational Golf

   Gabe Marney was the only RHS golfer to compete at the Wamego Invitational.  He came in 15th with a 96 stroke total.  There were eight teams competing with Wamego,  Sabetha, and Clay Center taking the first three places.

Softball Team Beats Riley Co. Twice

    The RHS girls won their first two softball games of the season and are now 2-0 in the Mid-
East League after two wins over Riley County on April 5.  They won the first by 5-2 and the second 2-1.

Baseball Team Wins Two

    The baseball team picked up their first two victories of the year with a sweep of their March 31 season opening double header with Perry-Lecompton.  The Dawgs won the first 5-1 and then won the second in a close 1-0 contest.

Dawgfeed 15 for 15-16

    Here is the Dawgfeed 15 for the current 2015-16 school year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEkKjO-wi1g&feature=em-subs_digest

Dawgfeed 14 of 15-16

    Here is the Dawgfeed 14 video for 15-16.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5Uea-gizIc&nohtml5=False&spfreload=5

Rattler Schedule

Click on below to enlarge

Danny Bahner (60) Passes Away (updated)

Yearbook Photo Of Danny Bahner, 1960

      Danny Bahner died April 1, 2016 at the age of 76.  He had been ill the past year.  He lived in Santee, CA 

and worked as a mechanic before his retirement.  He is survived by  one brother, Joe Bahner, Santee, CA, 

and one sister, Connie Bahner, Olympia, WA.

Carol Jory Passes Away

    Carol Jory,  owner of Mulvane Farms,  has passed away.
    More details when available.

    You can leave condolences at:  http://piperfuneralhome.com/obituaries/carol-a-jory/

Girls Varsity Track At Silver Lake Inv.

    The RHS Girls Varsity Track Team competed in the Silver Lake Invitational on March 31.  Overall team scores and ranking not available at this time.  Those athletes with top ten individual finishes were:

Rachel Day
    2nd in 100 M dash
    6th  in 200 M dash
    8th  in javelin
Kylee Badura
    3rd in 400 M dash
Taylor Bittner
    2nd in 800 M run
    3rd in 1600 M run
Laura Gillum
    4th in shot put
    9th in discus
    10th in javelin
Kaytlin Dohrman
    4th in 1600 M run
Jordan Bittner
    9th in 100 M Hurdles
    6th in 300 M hurdles
    7th in long jump
Danielle Mason
    10th in 100 M hurdles
    8th in 300 M hurdles
    9th in long jump
Breiara Bergstresser
    5th in 400 M dash
    8th in 800 M run
Team
    4th in 4 x 100 Relay
    5th in 4 x 400 Relay
    2nd in 4 x 800 Relay
Complete results are now available at:  http://ks.milesplit.com/meets/235003/results/433272/formatted#.VwEkt_kgvcs

Boy's Varsity Track At Silver Lake Inv.

The RHS boys Varsity Track Team competed in the Silver Lake Invitational on March 31.  Overall team scores and ranking not available at this time,  but individual athletes with top ten finishes were:

Trevor Johnson
    4th in 100 M dash
    3rd in 200 M dash
    4th in 400 M dash
Zach Jensen
    7th in 400 M dash
    8th in 900 M run
Riley Falk
    6th in 1600 M run
    9th in 3200 M run
Kyle Parr
    1st in 100 M Hurdles
    1st in 300 M Hurdles
    1st in High Jump
Trevor Balch
    6th in triple jump

Complete results are now available at:  http://ks.milesplit.com/meets/235003/results/433264/formatted#.VwEkXvkgvcs

Track and Field Outlook For 2016

Top returners from last year's boys track and field team are Kyle Parr, who placed in four events at the 3A state meet, and Trevor Balch who was also  a state qualifier.  Kyle  was 2nd in the 300 hurdles,  4th in the 110 hurdles, 6th in the high jump and 4th in the triple jump.    Trevor Johnson, Zach Jensen, and Riley Falk  are expected to contribute to the team's standings this year.

Top returners from the 2015 girls track team are Rachel Day,  who finished  7th in the 200 and 9th in the 100, and Ashley Rietcheck was on the qualifying 4 x 100 M relay team.  Also expected to make some good contributions are Laura Gillum and Taylor Bittner.