Shed Burns In Rossville

ROSSVILLE, Kan. (KSNT)- Fire threatened a Rossville church after a nearby shed caught fire.

It happened on the 400 block of Pearl Street Monday night.

The fire broke out in a shed right next to the Rossville Presbyterian Church.

The shed burned to the ground, but the church was only slightly damanged.

The cause of the fire is unknown, but neighbors say no one was hurt and church services weren’t affected.

Bulldawgs On KSNT

ROSSVILLE (KSNT) – Another chance at history awaits the Rossville Bulldawgs in 2017. They will try to win their fourth-consecutive Class 3A State Championship.

Rossville has been a powerhouse in the Mid-East League for a handful of years, and since head coach Derick Hammes arrived in town in 2013, the Dawgs have lost just one game.

This year’s senior class is (43-1) during their first three seasons. The lone loss came to Silver Lake last year.

The Bulldawgs will also be featured in our 30-minute high school football preview show that will air on Saturday August 26 at 6:30 p.m. on KSNT.

KSNT has a video of the team with views of practice and interviews that can be seen at:
http://ksnt.com/2017/08/22/h-s-football-preview-rossville-bulldawgs/

2017 Football Schedule

Sept. 1   Marysville
Sept. 8   at Rock Creek
Sept. 15 Riley County
Sept. 22 at Wabaunsee
Sept. 29 at Silver Lake
Oct. 6     at Burlington
Oct. 13   Mission Valley
Oct. 20   at St. Marys
Oct. 26   Council Grove

A Glance At Bulldawgs Football

Coach — Derick Hammes, 5th year

Last year’s record — 13-1, 4-1 in Mid-East League

Top offensive returners — RB Perry Foster, sr.

Top defensive returners — LB Sheldon Hulbert, sr.; DL Nathan Dohrman, sr.; LB Reed Miller, sr.

Schedule — Sept. 1 Marysville, Sept. 8 at Rock Creek, Sept. 15 Riley County, Sept. 22 at Wabaunsee, Sept. 29 at Silver Lake, Oct. 6 at Burlington, Oct. 13 Mission Valley, Oct. 20 at St. Marys, Oct. 26 Council Grove

Rossville Reloads For 2017

From the Capital-Jouirnal:

ROSSVILLE — In many respects, Rossville is a lot like many football programs across the state of Kansas.

 

After graduation claimed a huge, talented senior class, fifth-year coach Derick Hammes has spent the offseason trying to figure out which pieces will fit where.

“We’re working with the group that we have and trying to get these kids as good as we can get them, maximize their talent,” Hammes said.

Where Rossville is unlike most programs, however, is the Bulldawgs have made good on making those pieces fit together and maximizing the results. Rossville enters the 2017 season working on a streak of three straight Class 3A state championships, capturing last year’s title with a thrilling 48-42 overtime win over Hesston.

Each of the last two title defenses have come after having to replace key personnel from the previous championship squad. Last year, the task was filling the monstrous void left by two-time Top 11 All-State quarterback Tucker Horak, as well as four starting offensive linemen and the entire defensive front.

Rossville preseason video.

The job of stepping into Horak’s shoes fell to Jacob Bradshaw, who merely responded with a pretty darn good impression of his former teammate. All Bradshaw did in his only year as starting quarterback was rush for 2,734 yards and 31 touchdowns and throw for 1,774 yards and 25 scores, earning Top 11 All-State honors as well.

His graduation leaves an equally large void for new signal caller Sheldon Hulbert. The senior has served as backup to both Horak and Bradshaw the past two seasons, and though he’s only attempted five passes and logged 16 carries, he said doesn’t feel a lot of pressure to continue Rossville’s recent run of stellar quarterback play.

“Obviously, there’s going to be a little bit of pressure,” Hulbert said. “But Jake came in and handled it well and I just plan on coming in and doing as well as Jake did. Asking them questions helped a lot and just being able to watch them and see how they did things helped out quite a bit.

“Just in being a leader. The quarterback calls all the plays and really gets the team going. He’s the one that makes the offense go.”

Hammes said he fully expects Hulbert to be up to the challenge, whether that means duplicating the eye-popping seasons turned in by Horak and Bradshaw or not.

“I think he’s got a good understanding of what we do,” Hammes said. “His talents are different and we said the same thing last year about Jacob. Every kid we have is going to bring something different to the table, and what I like about him is he understands what we want to do and has a grasp what leadership is supposed to be about, and to me that’s awfully important. He’s been around our program a while and it just feels like we’ve got a new guy ready to give it a shot and give teams something different to prepare for.”

Whereas Bradshaw had a handful of known offensive commodities to help his transition — namely the likes of All-3A receiver Cole Schumacher, 1,000-yard rusher Dawson Hammes and standout lineman Jackson Reeves — Hulbert takes over an offense that returns just one starter. Senior back Perry Foster stepped in when Hammes suffered an early season injury and finished with 724 yards and nine touchdowns.

Beyond that, there are mostly unknowns, as Rossville graduated its entire offensive line and everyone but Foster who had a reception a year ago. Defensively, Hulbert was the team’s second-leading tackler behind Hammes, making 129 tackles, but lineman Nathan Dohrman (33 tackles) and linebacker Reed Miller (three starts) are the only other returning starters.

“This group is more similar to last year’s group,” Hammes said. “There were some key components returning from (2015) that had a lot of talent, but there was a lot of turnover and we had a lot of question marks last year.”

Rossville answered them well, losing only to Silver Lake during the regular season, ending a string of three straight Mid-East League titles. But as the Bulldawgs got healthy late in the season, they hit their stride and pulled out tight wins against Sabetha (34-28) and Nemaha Central (27-22) to return to the state championship game.

Down 15 to Hesston in the second half and trailing by a touchdown with less than four minutes to go, Rossville rallied to force overtime and won the title on Bradshaw’s 10-yard run on its first offensive play after the defense forced a Swather fumble at the 1. Each of the Bulldawgs’ three state titles have come after facing fourth-quarter deficits, showing the program’s resolve.

“The difference is the faces,” Hammes said. “The similarity is the belief is still there. There’s a confidence there, and with the turnover we’ve had, there’s probably teams that wouldn’t have the confidence we’ve had and have. I’m not going to put a damper on that. I want us to be confident, that we’ve been here before. The names and faces are different, but the attitude we have in our program hasn’t changed, and that’s priceless.

“There’s high expectations, but there are always high expectations for our program. We’ll have a target on our back, but we’ll be used to that.”

Mid-East League Preview

From the Capital-Journal:

 

Riley County Falcons

Coach: Steve Wagner (34th year).

Last year’s record: 5-5

---

Postseason: lost in 3A first round.

Returning starters: Offense (6), Defense (5).

Top returners: Tyler Halstead, RB/DB, 175, Sr.; Nathan Rignell, C, 185, Sr.; Ty Nelson, WR/DB, 180, Sr.; Trystin McCoy, OG/DT, 200, Jr.; Brett Halstead, OT, 210, Jr.; Westyn Claar, WR, 180, Jr.; Tregan Thomas, OLB, 175, Sr.; Mikey Waggoner, LB, 175, Jr.

Outlook: Wagner won 225th career game last year as Falcons went 5-5 for third time in last five years. … Graduation claimed bulk of skill players with no returning player having more than 139 yards rushing and or 131 yards receiving with Halstead leading both categories. … Three starters return on line, but graduation claimed two-way first-team all-leaguer Clay Reed. … Waggoner led team with 101 tackles and Halstead had 69.

Rock Creek Mustangs

Coach: Mike Beam (26th year).

Last year’s record: 2-7

Postseason: none.

Returning starters: Offense (8), Defense (7).

Top returners: Skyler White, RB/DB; Taybor Vetter, RB; Will Dulohery, OL; Josh Feldkamp, OL; Tucker Gehrt, LB/FB; Sam Ringering, DB; Trevor Henning, TE/LB; Alan Castaneda, DL; Joe Goodmiller, OL; Kadin Neimeyer, OL; Patrick Geyer, OL; Alan Bojorques, DL; Caden Churchman, DE; Logan Streit, DE.

Outlook: White ran for 624 yards and also led the Mustangs in receiving with 174 yards on 13 catches. … Gehrt was leading tackler, but will be coming off a knee injury suffered during baseball.

Rossville Bulldawgs

Coach: Derick Hammes (5th year).

Last year’s record: 13-1

Postseason: Won 3A state championship.

Returning starters: Offense (1), Defense (3).

Top returners: Perry Foster, RB/DB, 6-0, Sr.; Reed Miller, LB, 5-10, Sr.; Nathan Dohrman, OL/DL, 5-11, Sr.; Sheldon Hulbert, LB, 6-2, Sr.

Outlook: Bulldawgs captured third straight Class 3A state title, beating Hesston 48-42 in overtime in championship game. … Only loss came to Silver Lake, denying Rossville fourth straight Mid-East League title. … Graduation claimed bulk of starters, including All-State Top 11 quarterback Jacob Bradshaw (4,508 total yards, 56 touchdowns) as well as All-3A first-teamers Dawson Hammes (172 tackles) and Cole Schumacher (1,158 yards, 21 TDs). … Foster emerged in the backfield and ended up rushing for 724 yards and nine scores. … Hulbert racked up 129 tackles and could take over as quarterback.

Silver Lake Eagles

Coach: CJ Hamilton (42nd year).

Last year’s record: 10-1

Postseason: lost in 3A second round.

Returning starters: Offense (6), Defense (6).

Top returners: Josh Boyd, LB, 5-11, 210, Sr.; Keenan Baird, WR/S, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Mason Jones, RB/S, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Josh Dallman, OT, 6-1, 240, Sr.; Jordan Priddy, LB, 5-6, 140, Sr.; Will Boyd, LB, 5-11, 190, Sr.; Trent Byers, CB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Tyler Griffin, OG, 5-10, 215, Sr.; Wyatt Heiman, WR, 6-2, 160, Jr.; Dillon Byrne, WR, 6-2, 170, Jr.

Outlook: Hamilton became 20th high school coach in nation to win 400 games, hitting the milestone in a playoff win over Mission Valley. … Only loss was 21-14 to 3A semifinalist Nemaha Central and Eagles handed arch rival and state champion Rossville its only loss. … Giffin will take over at quarterback for the departed Dalton Dultmeier (2,714 yards of total offense, 30 TDs) and threw for 364 yards and nine touchdowns in backup role last year. … Baird (42 catches, 554 yards, 6 TDs) and Heiman (31 catches, 605 yards, 9 TDs) return as top targets. … Josh Boyd had 127 tackles and led Eagles in tackles for second straight year. … Baird and Byers each had five interceptions.

St. Marys Bears

Coach: Myron Flax (3rd year).

Last year’s record: 4-5

Postseason: none.

Returning starters: Offense (7), Defense (6).

Top returners: David Hutley, OL/LB, 5-9, 183, Sr.; Peter Trausch, OG/DE, 6-1, 183, Sr.; Jonathan Brase, TE/LB, 5-11, 182, Sr.; Mitchel Flanagan, QB, 5-11, 176, Sr.; Taegan Schoenfeld, RB/FS, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Trevor Acker, WR/SS, 5-9, 167, Sr.; Austin Rieschick, WR/K, 5-9, 176, Sr.; Matthew Cruickshank, NG, 6-0, 197, Sr.

Outlook: Bears made three-win improvement last year in Flax’s second season as coach. … Bears were 4-1 in non-league play and 0-4 in league. … Schoenfeld rushed for 1,041 of the team’s 1,435 yards and scored 11 of its 15 touchdowns on the ground. … Flanagan missed two games and threw for 429 yards and 4 TDs. … Five of top-seven tacklers return, led by Acker, who had 91 tackles. … Schoenfeld (60), Jonathan Brase (48), Matthew Cruickshank (38) and David Hutley (33) all had at least 30 tackles with Schoenfeld also picking off three passes.

Wabaunsee Chargers

Coach: Brian Henry (10th year).

Last year’s record: 4-5

Postseason: none.

Returning starters: Offense (4), Defense (4).

Top returners: Kolby Droegemeier, RB/LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Chase Nelson, TE/S, 6-1, 160, Sr.; Noah Mills, C/DE, 6-3, 185, Jr.; Josh Wurtz, TE/CB, Sr.

Outlook: Chargers posted most wins since 2013, but missed out on making playoffs for second straight year. … Four of five starters on offensive line graduated with Mills the lone returner to a unit which helped clear the way for more than 2,000 rushing yards. … Droegemeier, a four-year starter, ran for 1,230 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. … No other back who had more than two carries returns and the Chargers must also replace quarterback Kameron Wurtz, who threw for 565 yards. … Leading tackler and two-time All-Class 2-1A pick Mitchell Wertzberger graduated after having a team-high 118 tackles last year. … Droegemeier is tops among the returners with 69 tackles.

Brent Maycock

MID-EAST LEAGUE

2016 Standings

League Overall

*Silver Lake … 5-0 … 10-1

Rossville … 4-1 … 13-1

Riley County … 3-2 … 5-5

Wabaunsee … 1-3 … 4-5

Rock Creek … 1-4 … 2-7

St. Marys … 0-4 … 4-5

*—Champion

Returning all-leaguers

Offense

Running back — Kolby Droegemeier, Wabaunsee (1st); Perry Foster, Rossville (1st); Taegan Schoenfeld, St. Marys (1st); Skyler White, Rock Creek (1st).

Line — Josh Dallman, Silver Lake (1st); Will Dulohery, Rock Creek (1st).

Specialist — Trent Byers, Silver Lake (1st).

Defense

Linebacker — Trevor Acker, St. Marys (1st); Josh Boyd, Silver Lake (1st); Tucker Gehrt, Rock Creek (1st); Mikey Waggoner, Riley County (1st).

Secondary — Keenan Baird, Silver Lake (1st); Tyler Halstead, Riley County (1st).

Punter — Ty Nelson, Riley County (1st).

Free Polka Lessons

Free Polka Dance Lessons

3 p.m., Sunday Aug. 20

Rossville Community Building, 

407 Main St., Rossville. 

Sponsored by Rossville Moravan (Bohemian) Hall. 

Open to all.

Nancy Wishkeno Llamas Passes Away

    Nancy Bea “Nezat” Wishkeno Llamas, 64, of Topeka, KS passed away Thursday, August 17, 2017 at Rossville Nursing Home. She was born June 2, 1953 in Holton, KS, the daughter of Wesley and Nettie Keesis Wishkeno.

    Nancy graduated from Rossville High School and attended Haskell Indian Junior College. She lived most of her life in the Topeka Community. Nancy retired from the State of Kansas.

    She was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and volunteered at the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library.

    Nancy married Henry Llamas; he preceded her in death in December of 1992.

    Survivors include a brother, Lance Wishkeno (Lucy) of Rossville, KS; 4 sisters, Camilla Chouteau and Audrey Simon of Topeka, KS, Gloria Keesis of Moore, OK and Bernadine Wishkeno of Albuquerque, NM; a son, Wesley Llamas of McKinney, TX and 7 grandchildren.

    Graveside Services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 21, 2017 at the Wishkeno Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton.

Willard Bridge Under Budget

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The road is about to be smoother for Kaw Valley Schools students and parents, along with others in the Rossville area.

Public Works Director Tom Vlach told 13 NEWS Thursday the new Willard Bridge will be open August 28th. The old bridge closed in June as part of a new project to replace it. Construction crews are in the final phase of connecting roads from the old bridge to the new bridge.

Vlach said the new bridge is just a touch lower than the old bridge, keeping the original height over the railroad tracks on the south and lowering as it goes north.

Vlach said the new bridge is three months ahead of schedule and will finish $5 to $6 million under budget.

For dramatic aerial views of the bridge,  go to:  http://www.wibw.com/content/news/New-Willard-Bridge-opening-ahead-of-schedule-and-under-budget-440945803.html

Biggest Powerball Winner

   The biggest Powerball jackpot won by a Kansas was won by  Donald Damon of  Great Bend.  He picked up   $96.6 million, before taxes, in  November 2009 
    In 2009, Donald Damon had hit hard times. The 70-year-old Great Bend resident had been forced to retire from his job as a truck driver after 27 years. His wife, Kathleen, had to take on three jobs. He bought his winning ticket at Dillons in Great Bend seven hours before the drawing. He and his wife, who earned $33.8 million after taxes, gave $1.1 million to the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rossville to go toward building a new church.

Gloria Engle Passes Away

Gloria Priscilla Williams Engle 1925-2017

Gloria was born on November 5^th, 1925 in Cape Charles, Virginia to Nelson and Eva Coates Williams.  Due to the handwritten nature of birth certificates of the era it was later discovered that her birthdate was actually November 6,1925 and as of 1980, both days were celebrated as her birthday.

In 1948, Gloria married the love of her life, Harry Bell Engle.  They lived in the Stoneybrook development of the Denbigh area in Newport News, Virginia for their entire married life.  Gloria was the manager of the Stoneybrook pool for many years and was an assistant swimming coach for her daughter's team.  She also served on the Stoneybrook Women's club where she hosted many dinners for foreign dignitaries from the Fort Eustis Army base.  She and Harry had two children, William Engle who died in infancy and Susan Engle who preceded her in death.

Gloria enjoyed playing cards with friends and was a Life Master at Bridge.  She enjoyed cooking and crossword puzzles and was a dedicated Bingo player.

Gloria developed Alzheimers and lived the last ten years of her life at the Rossville Health and Rehab Facility in Rossville, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her husband Harry, her son William and her daughter Susan.  She is survived by four granddaughters, Tara Convery (Maple Hill, Kansas), Lara Convery (Grants Pass, Oregon), Megan Hewitt (Topeka, Kansas) and Katie (Steve) Johnson (Newport News, Virginia) as well as four great-grandchildren:  Brendan, Zion, Kiah and Koda.

The family would like to thank each and every member of the staff of Rossville Health and Rehab that have become family to "Nana" over the years.

In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the American Heart Association or the Alzheimers Association.

Rossville Police In Drug Round-up

The Rossville Police Department recently conducting a several month investigation in the Rossville and Silver Lake areas which resulted in 14 arrests and 8 search warrants.

One of arrests lead to the search warrant of the supplier in Colorado who turned out to be a felon in possession of multiple firearms. The supplier was running a large marijuana grow operation where authorities seized 115 marijuana plants.

In total authorities seized over 10 pounds of marijuana, 1 ounce of cocaine, 50 firearms, and 300 pounds of precious metals.

The Rossville Police Department would like to thank the Silver Lake Police Department, Junction City Police Department, Huerfano County Colorado Sheriff's Department and the KBI for their active role and assistance in this investigation.

Identity Theft In Rossville

On 07/24/2017, the Rossville PD was contacted by a citizen of Rossville and advised that their identity had been used to purchase satellite service. During the investigation, the suspect was found, along with multiple victims. The suspect was booked into Shawnee County Jail.

Stolen Vehicle Chase Ends Near Silver Lake

The Shawnee Co. Sheriff's Office says Vincent Gonzalez-Rook, 19, was booked on a felony warrant, and charges including fleeing, obstruction and possession of stolen property.

The Sheriff's Office says a corporal on patrol spotted a stolen vehicle driving on Hwy. 24 near Goodyear Rd. around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The deputy tried to pull over the vehicle, but the driver, who was identified as Gonzalez-Rook, fled. The pursuit ended about 10 minutes later, when the car went through a field at Hwy. 24 and Landon Rd., stopped at a tree line and the driver got out and ran.

Authorities say two passengers were immediately taken into custody. They were questioned at the scene and released.

Deputies set up a perimeter and used a K-9 to track Gonzalez-Rook. They say he surrendered about an hour later, as he heard the K-9 approaching near NW 17th St. and Countryside Rd., west of Lower Silver Lake Rd.

The Shawnee Co. Sheriff's Office says Silver Lake and Rossville Police, Kansas Highway Patrol and KS Dept. of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism assisted in the pursuit, search and arrest.