Message From Rossville Rattlers

    Host families needed! The season wouldn't be possible without all of our fantastic host families. Having an opportunity to have a athlete be part of your family while helping them grow on and off the field is priceless. If you are interested in information about hosting a player please contact rossvillerattlers@gmail.com. Here is a note from one of our host parents Lisa Thornburgh:

Hey Rossville friends! As most of you know baseball season never really ends at the Thornburg house. This year the 2015 Mid-Plains Champions and Cowdin Cup winners, the Rossville Rattlers have another year of a roster full of great young men. Plus several returning from last year's Champion team! As the roster filled there also became a need for housing for 10 of these dedicated college ball players. For approximately 6-7 weeks ( the last week of May at the earliest to the 3rd week of July for the completion of the Mid- Plains League Tournament ) they will be guests of our Town. They are kept very busy with games but they all need a place with a summer family to call home. Please consider hosting a player. Any questions don't hesitate to ask... It is worth it! They have been an awesome addition to our summer family! Love my boys of summer!

Girls Track Team At Wabaunsee

    The Rossville High track and field team competed in the Wabaunsee Invitational on April 8.  The best performances (top 8) turned in by team members were the following.  The final team results were not posted.

100 M Dash
   1.  Rachel Day
   8.  Laura Gillum
200 M Dash
   3.  Rachel Day
   7.  Breiara Bergetresser
   8.  Danielle Mason
400 M Dash
   5.  Ashley Ritecheck
   7.  Kylee Badura
1600 M Run
   1.  Taylor Bittner
3200 M Run
   3.  Taylor Bittner
100 M Hurdles
   4.  Jordan Bittner
   6.  Danielle Mason
300 M Hurdles
   1.  Jordan Bittner
   4.  Danielle Mason
Long Jump
   6.  Jordan Bittner
   8,  Danielle Mason
Shot Put
   5.  Laura Gillum
   8.  Tesla Potts
Discus
   7.  Laura Gillum
Javelin
   3.  Rachel Day
4 x 100 Relay
   2.  Rossville
4 x 400 Relay
   4.  Rossville
4 x 800 Relay
   5.  Rossville

Boys Track At Wabaunsee

    The boys track team competed in the Wabaunsee Invitational on April 8.  The team standings were not posted,  but the best individual performances (in the top 8) by the Rossville boys are as follows.

100 M Dash
   4.  Trevor Johnson
   7.  Fred Schuler
200 M Dash
   6.  Fred Schuler
400M Dash
   5.  Caiden Musick
800 M Run
   2.  Lorenzo Mason
   5.  Zach Jenson
1600 M Run
   7.  Trevor Balch
   8.  Riley Falk
   9.  Stephen Cooney
110 M Hurdles
   1.  Kyle Parr
300 M Hurcles
   1.  Kyle Parr
High Jump
   1.  Kyle Parr
   3.  Caiden Musick
Long Jump
   1.  Kyle Parr
   5.  Lorenzo Mason
   7.  Trevor Balch
4 x 100 Relay
   5.  Rossville
4 x 400 Relay
   4.  Rossville
4 x 800 Relay
   2.  Rossville
Thrower's Relay
   2.  Rossville

RHS Boys Win Two

    The RHS baseball team defeated Wabaunsee 10-1 and 15-5 in their April 8 double header.  They are now 5-1 for the year and 3-1 in the Mid-East League.

Softball Team Wins Two More

    The RHS softball team soundly defeated the Wabaunsee girls 17-4 and 17-2 on April 8.  The Lady Dawgs are now 4-0 over all and the same in the Mid-East league.

Mike & Shirley Cormack 60th

      Jerry "Mike" and Shirley (Absher) Cormack will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a card shower and family dinner hosted by their children.
      They were married April 8, 1956 in Topeka. Mike was a teacher at Whitson School in Topeka and Central Jr. High in Lawrence. He was an elementary Principal at Rossville, KS and at East Heights and Kennedy schools in Lawrence, retiring in 1995. Shirley was a Secretary for various organizations, retiring from Southwestern Bell in 1991 and KU in 1999. The Cormacks enjoyed several years acting with the Lawrence Community Theater, Baker Playmen, Helen Hocker Theater in Topeka and other venues. Their three sons are Michael, Lawrence, Jonathan (Janie), Knoxville, TN, and Tim, Lawrence. They have five grandchildren, Emma and Anna, Lawrence and Jordan, Rachel and Rebekah, Knoxville. Cards may be sent to the Cormacks at 715 Wellington Road, Lawrence, KS 66049.

James Doty Passes Away

    James Doty, 77, of Topeka passed away on April 3, 2016. He was born December 13, 1938 at Rossville the son of Earl and Margaret Reser Doty. He attended Stone School northwest of Rossville during his elementary school years.  He graduated from Highland Park High School in 1957. He served in the Kansas National Guard. Jim worked at Jostens for 32 years before retiring. He had attended Faith Assembly of God Church where he was baptized. He loved to fish, tell jokes, garden, watch Hee Haw and read the Farmer’s Almanac voraciously. He also enjoyed listening to old gospel music and country music. And most importantly, he loved his family and they loved him.
      Jim was married to Mary Figgins in June of 1961 at Topeka 
Survivors include his wife, Mary Doty of Topeka; daughters, Teena Reavis and husband Robert of Burlington; Tammy Doty of Sacramento; grandchildren, Jamey and Mary Beth; great-grandchildren, Caden, Cora and Enoch; siblings, Donnie, Gary, Larry, Rodney, Earlene, Monte Kay. He was preceded in death by siblings, Beverly, “Peggy”, Betty Jo, Bob, and an infant brother Henry who died at birth.
      Memorial services at Davidson Funeral Home will be held on Monday, April 11, 2016 at 10:00 am Inurnment will also be on Monday at Havensville Cemetery at 2:30 pm. The family will receive friends at Davidson Funeral Home on Saturday, April 9th from 6-8 pm
      Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels or to Grace Hospice in care of the funeral home. To leave a message for the family please visit www.davidsonfuneral.com

Carol Jory Passes Away

    Carol was born November 26, 1932 in Los Angeles, CA., the daughter of David Mulvane Hughes and Martha Mittenzwei Hughes. She attended Marlborough School and then studied Art History at the University of Chicago.
    Carol operated the Mulvane family's farm and pastures in Kansas after the death of her parents, but was involved in many other activities. In Los Angeles she was a 
volunteer docent at the LA County Museum of Natural History and cleaned fossils at the La Brea Tar Pits. In Kansas she served on the boards of the Historic Ward Meade Park, Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, and Topeka Cemetery. She was awarded Washburn University's Person of the Year in 2004. She contributed anonymously to Washburn University Foundation, Mulvane Art Museum, Baker University, KTWU Public Television, Topeka Rescue Mission, Topeka Zoo, performing arts organizations, and the public libraries in Topeka and Rossville. She contributed to many other groups for historic preservation, conservation, the visual, musical and performing arts, animal welfare, and the senior center. She was an Auxiliary member of Jimmie Lillard Post No. 31 of the American Legion in Rossville KS.
    Here are things people say about Carol Jory. A larger than life figure in the community; 
a very social person, but also very private. Kind, generous, gentle, artistic, a lover of wildlife and nature. Occasionally, mischievous and a rebel. She always had time to talk and an interest in what others were doing. We all felt lucky to have had you in our lives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a son David S. Jory (1986), and former husband Farnham S. Jory (2004). Survivors include her daughter Lelean A. Smith, her son Ross M. Jory, and sister Deborah A. Hughes.
    A private graveside service will be in the Topeka Cemetery. Memorial services in Topeka KS and the Bay Area, CA will be held on a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation of a book may be made to the Rossville Elementary or High School or the Rossville Community Library. Memorial contributions may also be made to David J's Place at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Friends of the Mulvane Art Museum, the Rossville Senior Center, American Legion of Rossville, Helping Hands Humane Society or the Topeka Rescue Mission. Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys is in charge of arrangements. To leave an online condolence please go to www.piperfuneralhome.com.

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.