Mid East League Forensics

Abigail McCrory and Kaleb Badura won the duet league championship Wednesday night, Emily Woodcock won the prose championship. As a team they placed second in the Mid East League and brought home 19 medals. Sponsor Patti Torrence reports that so far RHS has qualified 9 events and 7 students for state in May.

Logan Mize At 2017 Tall Corn Festival

2017 Tall Corn Festival headliner, 

LOGAN MIZE! 

Mark your calendars, August 12th, 2017 at the Rossville City Park. 

The theme for this years Tall Corn Festival has been selected. 

This year we will be "Keepin' it RURAL!"! 

RHS Students At WU Leadership Institute

RHS STUDENTS ATTEND WASHBURN LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE

The Leadership Challenge Event™ (LCE™) is hosted annually by the Washburn University Leadership Institute and was held on Mar. 2-3. It is a unique inter-scholastic and inter-collegiate leadership competition which enables high school and college students an opportunity to participate in an organized competition that simulates real-life experiences. Students address a variety of problems and situations where the outcome of the simulation is dependent on the leadership decisions made throughout the course of the competition. Student teams must fulfill the challenges and overcome the obstacles placed before them in a manner that demonstrates exemplary leadership knowledge and execution. This year’s scenario required students to address a food borne illness associated with the annual Honey Daze celebration in the fictitious town of Metropolis that threatened the towns tradition and their livelihood.

Pictured are this year’s Rossville High School LCE™ participants: 

RHS Counselor Beth Shepard, Abigail McCrory, Breaira Bergstresser, 

Ashley Zemek, Emily Woodcock, and Ariel Sherer.

Purney and Hill Get WU Scholarships

RHS STUDENTS RECEIVE WASHBURN AWARDS

Rossville High School seniors Amanda Hill and Sydney Purney were recently honored at a recognition reception held on Washburn University’s campus on Mon., Mar. 13, 2017. They were among over 100 Shawnee County seniors receiving awards. Each received a certificate and mug with the Washburn University insignia. Both young ladies were awarded a $1000 Presidential Scholarship based on their GPA and ACT scores. Amanda was also awarded a $2500 Academic Scholarship. Both scholarships are renewable for all four years of attendance at Washburn. Amanda will be playing basketball for the Ichabods while she is pursuing her degree in Nursing. Sydney will pursue her degree in Radiology Tech and Sonography. She is currently completing a program at Washburn Tech to receive her CNA certification.

RHS Seniors Sydney Purney and Amanda Hill 

are shown with their Washburn scholarship certificates.

Track and Field Outlook for 2017

    Track and Field coach Brad Anderson has a big task as he rebuilds the team.  The boys placed 8th in 3A last year,  but all of the scoring athletes  graduated.  The girls have two good athletes returning from last year.  Senior Taylor Bittner was 11th in the state last year in the 1600 and sophomore Kaytlin Dohrman was 8th in the 3200 at the State meet.
    The 2017 track and field schedule can be read at:  http://rossvilleksalumninews.blogspot.com/2017/03/3a-track-field-schedule.html

Amanda Hill In All-Star Game

    RHS senior Amanda Hill for being selected to play in the KBCA All-Star Basketball Game.
    In January,  Amanda was slected as the KSTN Scholar Athlete Of The Week.  The video is at:  http://ksnt.com/2017/01/26/scholar-athlete-of-the-week-amanda-hill/

Rattler Signees for 2017

The Rossville Rattlers have signed a number of players for this summer's season.  Those signed so far include:

OF Keishon Brown from Highland CC from Ozawkie, Kansas and Jeff West High School!

INF Justin Cooper from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.

INF Nate Bakaitis from West Liberty University. Nate played for the Rattlers in 2016.

INF/OF/C Dylan Watts from Rowlett High School in Texas. Dylan has signed to play at Kansas State this fall.

LHP Turner Middendorf from Pratt Community College. Turner recently signed to play next year at Central Methodist University.

INF Terrence Spurlin from Concordia Lutheran High School in Texas. Terrence has signed to play at Kansas State in the fall.

INF Paul Benitez from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. Paul comes all the way from Orlando, Florida.

Boys Golf Outlook

    The RHS boys golf team, coached by Greg Marney, begins action on April 4 at the Wamego Invitational . 

    The Dawgs lost two regional medalists,  but have a good group returning.  The top returners are Andrew Hudson, sr., who was MEL champion last year and qualified for the 3A state tournament, tying for 60th; Trey Anderson, sr., a three year letterman;  Nathan Dohrman, jr. , who was top 10 at the league meet; and Cory Hadsall, jr.

  The boys golf schedule can be read at:  http://rossvilleksalumninews.blogspot.com/2017/03/boys-golf-schedule-for-2017.html

Dawgs Have High Hopes In Softball

     Adam Roorbach is the new coach of the Dawgs softball team. which went 18-4 last year and were 10-0 in the Mid-East League.  The top returners  are Lora Shinn, C, sr.; Amanda Hill, P, sr.; Sami Murray, P-UT, sr.; Sara Shinn, OF, sr.; Kelcie Kippes, OF-P, so.

     The  Bulldawgs graduated only three starters and hope to repeat as MEL champions.  The entire pitching staff returns, led by Hill (7-2, 2.14 ERA, 76 Ks), Murray (6-1, 3.00 ERA) and Kippes (4-1, 3.54 ERA).  Kippes also hit .516 while both Shinns and Murray all hit .350 or better.  Sara Shinn (.352) had 19 RBI and Lora Shinn (.356) had 16.  Murray (.386) drove in 11 and Kippes 13.
     The softball schedule can be read at:   http://rossvilleksalumninews.blogspot.com/2017/03/rhs-softball-schedule.html

Arlyn Sage (57) Passes Away

Arlyn Harvey Sage, 78 passed away Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka.

He was born February 25, 1939 at Dover the son of J. Harvey and Fern V. Hickey Sage.  Arlyn grew up in the Dover and Rossville communities and graduated from Rossville High School.  He also was a graduate of Washburn University, Topeka.

Arlyn retired from the United States Air Force in 1982 at the rank of Major after 20 years of service.  He later worked for Roach Hardware in Topeka many years.  He had lived in the Rossville community many years and was a member of the Rossville United Methodist Church and Jimmie Lillard Post No. 31 of the American Legion.  He attended the Assemblies of God Junction Korean Church with his wife Sunye.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He was united in marriage to Song Sunye on December 4, 1982 at Abilene, TX.  She survives of the home.

Other survivors include three sons, John, Joseph and David Sage; two daughters, Teresa and Judy Sage; four grandsons.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Friday, March 31, 2017 at the Rossville United Methodist Church.  Interment will be in the Dover Cemetery.  Mr. Sage will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:30 P.M. Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys.

Recent Willard Bridge Construction Photos

Baseball Outlook

Coach: Richard Thomas.         Last year’s record: 13-7.

Top returners: Dawson Hammes, sr.; Jacob Bradshaw, sr.; Wyatt Dyche, sr.; Bryce Gfeller, sr.; Jared Morris, jr.; Tronnie Blair, jr.; Derek Balch, so.

Outlook: Bulldawgs were 7-3 in Mid-East League play. … Morris was a first-team all-league pick and Bradshaw was honorable mention.

The baseball schedule can be read at:  http://rossvilleksalumninews.blogspot.com/2017/03/rhs-baseball-schedule-for-2017.html

Hill On All-State Team

Kansas Basketball Coaches Class 3A All-State

First team

Haley Albers, 6-1 sr., Cheney; Faith Brintle, 5-6 sr., Council Grove; Katy Heger, 5-8 sr., Hugoton; Laura Macke, 6-1 jr., Nemaha Central; Kayla Vitztum, 5-10 jr., TMP-Marian.

Second team

Bailey Bangert, 5-5 jr., Kingman; Amanda Hill, 5-11 sr., Rossville; Kelcey Hinz, 6-1 sr., Remington; Faith Martin, 6-0 jr., Mission Valley; Amy Scott, 5-6 sr., Hugoton.

Honorable mention

Mackenzie Anderson, sr., Halstead; Sydney Bangert, jr., Kingman; Audra Burns, sr., Cimarron; Lea Coccetella, jr., Wichita Independent; Bethan Crubel, sr., Riley County; Kaley Dalinhaus, sr., Nemaha Central; Kailey Jo Ince, jr., Hesston; Taylor Joplin, jr., Garden Plain; Makaylah McCall, sr., Humboldt; Jaclyn Schultz, jr., Russell.

Holden Hurla Third At Expocentre

Holden Hurla of Rossville was third in the 152 lb. class at the 2017 Kids State Folkstyle Championships held at the Kansas Expocentre on Sunday, March 26.

Taylor Kirk KJCCC Player Of Week

Johnson County CC sophomore Taylor Kirk  was chosen as the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Player of the Week for Week 5.  Taylor batted .500 (6-for-12) with a double, three home runs, seven runs scored and 11 RBIs in four wins last week for the Lady Cavaliers.

Mary Ann (Small)(63) Collini Passes Away

   Here is another obituary that I just was told about.  Mary Ann lived in Willard and attended Rossville High and passed away in 2012.

    MARY ANN COLLINI AKA "POPPINS" to friends. Mary passed away and became the newest angel on Sunday, August 26, 2012 at her home in Temecula, CA.
    She was born December 18, 1944 in Topeka, Kansas to Dallas & Betty Small. She fought a very courageous 2 year battle with cancer. She raised 4 sons Ken, Dale, Oren & Cory. She married Robert Collini on October 13, 1985 at which time a 5th son John came into her life. She retired from J.C. Penny after being diagnosed with cancer after 15 years of service. Mary loved cruises, camping, gardening, decorating her home and being with family and friends.
    Mary was preceded in death by her father Dallas Small & step-mother Millie Small; mother Betty Small-Warner & step-father Russell Warner. She is survived by her husband Robert Collini; sons Ken Copeland of Temecula, Dale & Jeri Copeland of Canyon Lake, John & Jill Collini of Canyon Lake, Oren Dick of Canyon Lake, and Cory Smith of Texas; brothers Glen "Ed" & Barbara Small of Topeka, Kansas, Thomas & Dee Small of Riverside & Russell Warner of Canyon Lake, 15 grandchildren & 1 great grandchild (AJ).     Memorial arrangements will be held on September 29, 2012 @ Harveston Center, Temecula, CA.

Published in Press-Enterprise on Sept. 2, 2012 

Glen "Ed" Small (62) Passes Away

Here is an obituary I just found out about.  Though it's not mentioned,  "Ed" lived in Willard and attended Rossville High. He was president of the Freshman Class in 1959.

Glen “Ed” Small, age 73, of Topeka, passed away Sunday, February 12, 2017 at Stormont Vail Hospital. Ed was born May 13, 1943 in Topeka the son of Dallas and Betty Best Small. Ed worked as an over the road truck driver for over 50 years.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Brown; five sons, Marcus (Erin) Small, Dallas Small, Spencer Small, Cary Brown and Terry Hickey; three daughters, Linda McCoil, Melissa Brown and Lona Josh; two brothers, Tom Small and Rusty Warner; 19 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Rickey Brown and sister, Mary Ann Colini.

Ed enjoyed dancing and watching westerns.

Graveside services will be Monday, February 27, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence. davidsonfuneral.com.

Marie Sullivan Passes Away

      Theresa Marie Sullivan was born to William M. Corcoran and Nancy Ellen Glover October 15, 1930.
      Marie graduated from Solomon High School in 1948, and in March of 1949, she was united in marriage to George E. Sullivan in Solomon, Kansas. With four generations at her bedside, Grandma Marie passed peacefully March 20, 2017.
      The visitation will be Wednesday, March 22 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and the Rosary will be at 7:00pm at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Rossville, Kansas. The funeral Mass will be held Thursday, March 23 at 10:30am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Solomon, Kansas.
      One recent night, while watching HGTV, Marie stated, "If I were born in a different time, I would've been an architect."  Marie was an architect. She bettered her community by dedicating time and effort to the schools, Rossville Library, 4-H, St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, community celebrations, cub scouts, and Rossville Senior Center. She was a lifelong volunteer, and in true Marie fashion, she requests donations be made to the Rossville Senior Center, Mt. Calvary Cemetery Fund (Solomon, Kansas), or donor's choice in lieu of flowers. Beside her loving husband, Marie always had a vision and was the architect of an expanding home. Our family walks through a house where stones were laid and bulbs were planted by her hands. We sit on couches she built and throw pillows she sewed. We cling to sleeping bags she made with our initials stitched on the opening flaps. Marie was the architect that grew this family from the love of her George into four children, 10 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. She traced our family lineage and mapped out our ever-growing family's blueprint we will continue to frame. Marie raised us, ran the show, and somehow continues to strengthen us even in her death. In true Marie fashion, her living will states that she "hopes" we will follow all her requests, but "Marie, we're going to have flowers at your funeral”  sorry, not sorry. However, again in true Marie fashion, it seems fitting to close this dear farewell with her words: "You have all given me great joy, and I have had a full life. Love to all, Mom."      Piper Funeral Home St. Marys is in charge of arrangements.

New Willard Bridge Photos

Boys Golf Schedule For 2017

Apr
4        @ Wamego Inv.
11      @ Lyons Co Inv.
          JV @ Onaga JV Inv.
13      @ Osage City Inv.
          JV @ Wabaunsee Inv.
19      @ West Franklin Inv.
          @ Horton Inv.
24      @ Silver Lake Inv.
          JV @ Perry-Lecompton JV Inv.
27      @ St. Marys Inv.
          JV@ Horton JV Inv.

May
2        @ Rossville Inv. St. Marys Golf Course
3        JV @ Jeff West JV Inv.
4        @ Perry-Lecompton Inv.
9        Mid-East League Tournament at Stagg Hill, Manhattan
15      3A Regional,  Site TBA
22      3A State at Independence Country Club

3A Track & Field Schedule

The 2017 Tract Schedule follows.

Mar.
30      @Silver Lake Inv.

Apr.
7        @ Wabaunsee Inv.
11      @ Royal Valley Inv.
13      @ Rock Creek Inv.
21      @Rossville Inv.
28      @ Ray Kovar Inv.

May
5        @ Riley Co. Inv.
11      Mid-East League Meet
19      3A Regional
26      3A State

Ruth Warfel Passes Away

     Ruth Charlotte Warfel, 93, Topeka, died Saturday, March 18, 2017, at her home.
     She was born February 10, 1924, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the daughter of Adrian Lewis and Lottie Marie (Hecht) Hall. Ruth graduated from Hiawatha High School and then worked for Goodyear in Lincoln where she helped line airplanes with rubber so that when a plane was shot the rubber would close the hole. She moved several times. From Lincoln she went to Salt Lake City where her Mother lived. Then they moved to Topeka in order for her husband to go into the service. When in Topeka she worked for Sears and Roebuck in downtown Topeka, and loved working there. She worked in the Men s Department, Children s Department, Catalog Department, and Ladies Wear. In 1949, Ruth and Oscar bought their home at 2345 Wayne and she stayed home and raised her family. She graduated from cosmetology school and worked at Manford s Beauty Salon for eleven years before opening Ruth s Beauty Salon at Sixth and Washburn. Due to health problems she sold her shop and started traveling with the Good Sams Camping Group. After her husband passed away she went to work at Washburn University in the cafeteria as a cashier and worked there for 18 years. She was a member of Lowman United Methodist Church; Helena Chapter # 210, Order of the Eastern Star (60 year member); and Trinity Shrine # 7, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem.
      Ruth was married to Oscar Warfel on May 18, 1940, at Troy, Kansas. He preceded her in death on April 13, 1986. Surviving are two daughters: Kathy McCarty of Burlingame, and Sharon French (Laird) of Rossville; siblings: Lucille Marie Bentley of Rulo, NE, Margaret Rose Darby of Salt Lake City, UT, Vonia Grace Brooks of St. George, UT, and Glen Arthur Hall of Nevada; five grandchildren: Harry Hammer III of Rossville, Teresa Lowe of Wichita, Nancy Stine (Marty) of Seneca, PA, Shawn French of Topeka, and Charlotte Brunin (Derek) Rossville; and several great-grandchildren.
      Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Monday, March 20, 2017, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Avenue, Topeka, followed by Eastern Star Services conducted by Helena Chapter # 210, OES. Interment will be in Rossville Cemetery. Ruth will lie in state after 4:00 PM, Sunday, at the funeral chapel where the family will receive friends from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Helena Chapter # 210, OES, 909 NW Lyman Road, Topeka, KS 66608 or Alzheimer s Association, 3625 SW 29th Street, Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66614. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com. Ruth C. Warfel 

Amanda Makes First Team All-3A

    Rossville senior Amanda Hill capped off her very successful basketball career by being named to the 3A First Team by the Capital-Journal.   She averaged over 20 points a game during the season as the Lady Dawgs were continuously ranked in the top ten for 3A in Kansas.

Musick Makes 3A All State List

    Rossville junior  Caiden Musick made the Capital Journal 3A All State basketball team as an Honorable Mention.

GeorgeEllen (DeGraff) Venturella Passes Away

       GeorgEllen (DeGraff) Venturella, 93, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2017.
       GeorgEllen was born on January 5, 1924, in Rossville, KS, to Robert George and Eva Sarah (Strimple) DeGraff. She graduated from Topeka High School in 1942 and from Strickler s Business College. She married Anthony Venturella in 1944. Together they had four children. GeorgEllen worked for Santa Fe Railway for over 20 years as a supervisor in accounting. She volunteered her time with Can Help and Literacy Council and was a member of the Santa Fe Singers. She also volunteered her time as a docent with the Great Overland Station. GeorgEllen enjoyed needlepoint, cross-stitch, and quilting.
      She is survived by her three children, Dona (Dr. Donald) Dei of South Riding, VA, Robert (Alice) Venturella of Battleground, WA and Paula (Gary) Durston of Gold Canyon, AZ; five grandchildren, David (Sarabeth) Dei, Tanya (Richard) Myers, Natasha (Matthew) Somma, Brian (Stephanie) Venturella, and Rachel Venturella; five great-grandchildren, Joshua Dei, Abigail Dei, Zachary Myers, Noah Myers, and Rocco Somma; and many nieces, nephews and friends. GeorgEllen was preceded in death by former husband; son, Dana Venturella; three siblings, Louise Bitner, June Barnes, Laverne Bud DeGraff.
      A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, March 19, 2017 at Atria Hearthstone, 3415 SW 6th Ave, Topeka, KS 66606. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606, St. Francis Nursing Services, or a charity of the donor s choice. To leave a message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.

Rose Marie Ronnebaum Passes Away

St. Marys—Rose Marie “Rosie” Martin Ronnebaum, 80, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2017, peacefully at home after courageously battling cancer for two years.

Rosie was born in Hanover on April 2, 1936, the daughter of Margaret and Sylvester Martin.  She graduated from Hanover High School.  After graduation, she worked for the State of Kansas in Topeka, until she married Donald A. Ronnebaum on October 27, 1956.

After marriage, Rosie enjoyed raising her six children on a farm.  Later in life she worked for USD No. 321 as a cook until she retired.  Don and Rosie moved to St. Marys, in 1996.  Rosie loved her flowers and her hobbies included tending to her flower garden, sewing, quilting, gardening, reading and camping.  She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.

In her retirement years she liked to travel and camp.  Rosie thoroughly valued her time she spent with her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Joe Martin and a sister-in-law Mariane Martin.

Rosie leaves behind her loving husband of 60 years, Don of the home.  Other survivors include her children, Terry (Carol) Ronnebaum, Topeka, Mike (Janet) Ronnebaum, Axtell, David (Beth) Ronnebaum, Rossville, Jeanne (Nick) Disidore, Lenexa, Linda (Dan) Luthi. Wamego, and Diane (Jim) Todd, Lenexa; brothers, Dennis and Lawrence Martin, Hanover and Vern Martin, Aurora, CO; her sister. Ruth Grieves, MN; 15 grandchildren and three-great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Marys.  Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Marys.  Rosie will lie in state and the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Friday, March 17, 2017 at the church where there will be a rosary recited at 7:00 P.M.  Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice or Immaculate Conception Food Pantry and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536.

Recent Willard Bridge Photos

Photos by Shawnee County

RHS Baseball Schedule For 2017

March 
27        JV Vs Chapman
30        @  Perry-Lecompton
            JV Vs Topeka West

April
4          Vs Riley Co.
6          @ Santa Fe Trail
            JV  Vs Santa Fe Trail
13        Vs St Marys
20        Vs Sabetha
21        @ Sabetha
27        @ Silver Lake
28        JV Vs Silver Lake

May
1          @ Wamego
            JV @ Riley Co.
4          Vs Nemaha Central
5          JV @ Nemaha Central
8          JV @ St. Marys
9          @ Rock Creek
11        JV  Vs Perry-Lecompton 
15-18   3A Regional
25-26   3A State @ KSU Tointon Stadium

RHS Softball Schedule 2017

Monday, March 27

4:00pm

 JV Softball @ Shawnee Heights

Tuesday, April 4

4:30pm

 V Softball v. Riley County

Thursday, April 6

4:30pm

 JV/V Softball @ Santa Fe Trail

Friday, April 7

4:30pm

 V Softball v. Wabaunsee

Monday, April 10

4:30pm

 JV Softball @ Seaman

Tuesday, April 11

4:30pm

 JV/V Softball @ Manhattan

Thursday, April 13

4:30pm

 V Softball v. St. Marys

Friday, April 21

4:30pm

 V Softball v. Oskaloosa

Thursday, April 27

4:30pm

 V Softball @ Silver Lake

Friday, April 28

4:30pm

 JV Softball @ Silver Lake

Monday, May 1

4:30pm

 JV Softball @ Riley County

4:30pm

 V Softball @ Wamego

Friday, May 5

4:30pm

 JV Softball @ Rock Creek

Monday, May 8

4:30pm

 JV Softball @ St. Marys

Tuesday, May 9

4:30pm

 V Softball @ Rock Creek

Thursday, May 11

4:30pm

 JV/V Softball @ Jeff West

Monday, May 15

 3A Regional Softball

Tuesday, May 16

 3A Regional Softball

Wednesday, May 17

 3A Regional Softball

Thursday, May 18

 3A Regional Softball

Thursday, May 25

 3A State Softball @ Manhattan

Friday, May 26

 3A State Softball @ Manhattan

Dawgfeed 12

    Dawgfeed 12 for this year,  along with announcements for the week of March 13-17, can be see at the below link.  Dawn Ledeboer is the announcer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmIMsPSCd5g&t=196s

RHS Dance Team Performs

    Here is a video of the RHS dance team performing at Hays during the 321A State Wrestling Meet.
https://www.facebook.com/colleen.gillum?hc_ref=NEWSFEED

Willard Bridge Video

    Here is a video by WIBW showing construction of the Willard Bridge.
http://www.wibw.com/video?vid=415788544

Thomas G Smatla's First Tractor

This is Thomas G. Smatla  with the first tractor (John Deere) he ever had.

The photo probably dates from the 1930s.

Click on the photo and click on the notes from the rear of the photo to read.

Willard Bridge Under Construction 1902

Recent Willard Bridge Photos

Photos by Shawnee Co.

Alumni Reunion and Dinner On June 3.

Plans are being made for the Rossville High Alumni annual reunion, 

dinner and program on Saturday, June 3rd.  

All alumni are invited.  

For information, contact 

June Burgett at meburg@embarqmail.com or call 785-584-6080.   

Alumni Found. To Give $4,500 In Scholarships

       The Rossville High Alumni Foundation in conjunction with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation will give three $1,500 scholarships this year to graduating Rossville High seniors.          The Alumni Foundation has given a total of over $16,000 in scholarships in previous years.   The winners will be announced in May and honored at the Alumni Party on June 3rd.  

Dueling Pianos At Am. Leg.

ROSSVILLE: AMERICAN LEGION POST 31, 442 N. Main: 

Dueling Pianos, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, March 11. 

Tickets: $25 advance, $30 at the door. (785) 584-6177.

Shawnee Co. Willard Bridge Photos

Shawnee County Public Works has been taking pictures of the Willard Bridge Construction.  For photos,  and also other info about the bridge,  go to:

http://www.snco.us/publicworks/willard_bridge.asp

Oscar McCoy Passes Away At 97 Years

1.     “Oscar” McCoy, age 97, formerly of Delia passed away Friday, March 3, 2017 at the Oakley Place of Rossville.
       Oscar was born June 14, 1919 in El Paso, Texas the son of Allen and Clara Armstrong McCoy.
       Oscar graduated from Perry High School. During World War II he worked at Beechcraft Corperation. Oscar farmed northwest of Perry, Kansas. When Perry Reservoir was constructed, he moved north of Delia and farmed there the rest of his life.  
2.     Inurnment will be in the Oak Ridge Cemetery at Perry, Kansas  

Willard Bridge Under Budget

From the Capital Journal:

Replacing the aged Willard Bridge in rural Shawnee County could be done sooner and for nearly $6 million less than expected.

Tom Flanagan, deputy director of public works, briefed the public and Shawnee County Commissioners on Thursday about the progress of the multi-million dollar project spanning the Kansas River. Crews have been working since early last year and by contract are required to finish by Dec. 1, but Flanagan said it’s likely the project will wrap up sooner. About 70 percent of the total construction is complete, he said.

“I’m going to hold them to (the Dec. 1 deadline) but I’m hoping we can beat that by at least a couple months,” he said.

Commission Shelly Buhler, who lives in Rossville, north of the bridge, said she’s heard from many who are happy with the project. Willard Bridge has been a concern since 2009 when a commission reported said that if one of the bridge’s eight steel pins failed, it would collapse without warning.

“In the coffee shop, they tell me they’re pleased with the progress,” Buhler said.

In June, Carlson Road and the old bridge will close so crews can connect the road to the new bridge. The closure should last no longer than 90 days, Flanagan said. A marked detour, about 25 miles long, will lead people around the bridge to another crossing.

The old bridge, which was constructed in 1955 and has several structural deficiencies, is still open to traffic with a weight limit. Reinforcements were added on the north bank of the river, but Flanagan stressed that the weight limit is 9 tons.

“We still have a lot of violators,” he said.

The commission approved a little more than $24.7 million for the bridge in 2015, but since the beginning it has been under budget. A.M. Cohron & Co returned a bid of about $16.028 million, and with design and other fees of about $2.6 million, Flanagan said he expected the total cost to be between $18 million and $19 million.

“We saved some big bucks,” he said

The update came after Carol Marple inquired during public comment about the bridge’s status.

“The rumor mill was alive and well about closing the bridge,” she said.

Allen Rose Pases Away

Allen Leroy Rose, 86, of Rossville passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at the Colmery-O’Neil V.A. Hospital in Topeka.

He was born May 26, 1930 in Metcalf, Illinois, the son of James and Dorothy Rogers Rose.

Allen attended Charleston High School in Charleston, IL.  He was an Army veteran of the Korean War, and was wounded in combat on February 22, 1951.  Allen was awarded a purple heart and a bronze star for bravery.  He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He was married to Dolores Britt on October 24, 1952.  She survives at the home.  Other survivors are two sons, Steve (Nancy) of Delia and Randy, of Sabetha; his daughter, Sandee (Steve Schnelz) Milwaukee, WI; a sister, Donna Satterfield, Charleston, IL; eight grandchildren; two step-grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Allen was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson; three sisters and three brothers.

Memorial services will be at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys.  Inurnment will be in the Rossville Cemetery with military services conducted by Jimmie Lillard Post No. 31 of the American Legion.  Memorial contributions may be made in Allen’s name and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, Kansas 66536.

Concert Rescheduled For Friday

Monday night's school concert 

has been RESCHEDULED 

for this 

FRIDAY, MARCH 10th at 7:00 PM.

Swans near Rossville

    This is a link to a video of about 120 Trumpeter and Tundra Swans in a field near Rosssville.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfJugrYfDGg

Football Team Honored

The Rossville State Champion Bulldawg football team was honored at the Kansas State Capitol.

Moravan Lodge Members In 1924

Here is a picture of the members of the Moravan Lodge in 1924 along with a list of the names.

Images provided by Tom Smatla