Tracy Attig Passes Away

    Tracy J. Attig, age 55, of Topeka, passed away Monday morning, March 30, 2020 at the Rossville Manor after a long illness.
    Graveside services will be Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rochester Cemetery. She will lie in state Wednesday from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Davidson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethel Baptist Church/AWANA Program or the CAT Association and sent in care of the Davidson Funeral Home. Full obituary can be viewed at davidsonfuneral.com.

Dale Davis Passes Away

Dale A. Davis, Sr., 98, of Topeka, passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Aldersgate Village in Topeka. He was born June 16, 1921 in Silver Lake, the son of Henry H. and Blanche D. (Baird) Davis.

Dale graduated from Rossville High School. He was a Navy Veteran during WWII serving in Okinawa before being honorably discharged. Dale was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad as a Freight Claims Investigator before retiring in 1981. He later worked for Falley's Hardware Department. He was a member of Seabrook Congregational Church.

Dale married Ruby Maude Countryman on May 29, 1940. She preceded him in death on June 1, 2007. He was also preceded in death by his five siblings.

Survivors include two children, Dale (Carol) Davis, Jr. of Topeka, Wayne (Kathy) Davis of Tecumseh, five grandchildren, Jamie, Tracy, Terri, Jeffrey and Jerry and four great-grandchildren, Caleb, Caeden, Jackson and Katie.

A Celebration of Dale's Life will be held at a later date at Grace Farm, 2748 SE 29th St. Topeka, Kansas. Private inurnment will follow in Emmanuel Cemetery southeast of Topeka at a later date where Military Honors will be presented by a Naval Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Cotton O'Neil Cancer Center, 1414 S.W. 8th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66606.

Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. is assisting the family.

To leave the family a special message online, please visit www.DoveTopeka.com.

Disinfecting Groceries

Thousands are dying and tens of thousands will suffer serious lung injuries from COVID-19.

The virus is not slowing down.  Obviously there are many people out there not taking this virus very seriously and are spreading it around.   Any grocery store you enter will have at least some of the virus,  most likely on food or food containers.  So you should disinfect those containers once you get back home.

 

Here's a link to a video that tells how to decontaminate your groceries (and take-out food):

https://youtu.be/sjDuwc9KBps

It's presented by a family physician showing techniques used in hospitals to prevent spread of viruses.

Valencia School Photo

Photo and names provided by Lance Wishkeno

This is a photograph of school children posed by their school in Valencia, Kansas. Children in the photograph are identified as: front row (left to right) Joe Graham, McKinley Atkins, Bud Graham, Virgil Keaton (?), ______, Bud May, Lewis Kienne; middle row (left to right) Al Wilson, Edna Morris, Nellie Morris, Freda Gladwell, Katy May, Alice Gladwell, Bernice Smith; top row (left to right) Mrs. Chitwood, Edward Morris, John Drury, Edward Alexander, ______, Alvin Morris, Edna Alexander, and Georgia Gladwell.

Shop Locally

Small businesses are in dire straights right now.  When possible,  shop locally.  But,  do it Safely.
Now is a good time to give local workers some work so they can feed their families.

Napiers Launch Topeka Yard Cards

From the Capital-Journal:
Ron and Mary Napier launched Topeka Yard Cards with the snappy tagline: “Forget the card! Decorate the Yard!”

The yard messages can say whatever the customer wants them to say, Ron Napier said. Individual letters, each on stakes, are placed in the yard to spell out a variety of messages. They’ve placed birthday messages, as well as a message celebrating last week’s Topeka Gives event. Ron Napier, a retired educator and Realtor, stumbled on the business by accident.

“I have an acquaintance who lives in North Carolina, a former student of mine,” he said. “His 13-year-old son had a birthday. The yard card company down in Charlotte put up a yard card sign. It was really nice, so I was talking to him about that sign.”

The yard card sign company owner was the friend’s neighbor, Ron Napier said, so he got in touch with her and she let them know what went into starting the business.

The two launched their new business, supported entirely by word-of-mouth advertising and Facebook ads, in May.

Mary Napier said the signs are made of corrugated cardboard with a finish on them to withstand light moisture. Each letter is staked, as are the fun signs that feature balloons, stars and flowers.

More information about the business can be found at topekayardcards.com.

7 yr Old's Heart Surgery May Be Delayed

ROSSVILLE, Kan. (KSNT) – The coronavirus may delay a young Kansas girl’s major heart surgery.

Makalyn Aubert lives near Rossville, and just turned 7 years old earlier this month. She was born with her heart in the right side of her chest and has multiple heart defects.

You can read the rest of the article at:

https://www.ksnt.com/news/health-check/rossville-girls-heart-surgery-may-be-delayed-am
idst-covid-19-outbreak/

Safe-at-Home Order

MEL All-League Basketball Team

BOYS

First team

Nolan Churchman, sr., Rock Creek; Jarek Clark, sr., Silver Lake; Jackson Frank, sr., Wabaunsee; Garrett Harmison, sr., Riley County; Caden Hurla, sr., St. Marys; Brayden Meseke, so., Wabaunsee; Bryan Schoemann, sr., St. Marys; Ian Uphoff, sr., Riley County; Brooks Whaley, jr., Rock Creek; Dawson Zenger, jr., Rock Creek.

Honorable mention

Kaleb Badura, sr., Rossville; Furious Fleshman, sr., Riley County; Trey Harmison, so., Riley County; Avery Holle, jr., Riley County; Randy Morelli, sr., Rossville; Cade Oliver, so., Wabaunsee; Bo Reeves, jr., Rossville.

GIRLS

First team

Jessi Brummett, jr., Riley County; Ames Burton, jr., Riley County; Lexi DeWeese, so., Rock Creek; Katelyn Hurla, so., St. Marys; Morgan Hurla, so., St. Marys; Madelyn Hutley, sr., Wabaunsee; Jayme Lindstrom, sr., Silver Lake; CJ Rignell, fr., Riley County; Autymn Schreiner, sr., Wabaunsee; Sarah Thomson, sr., Riley County.

Honorable mention

Evie Gill, jr., Rock Creek; Brooklyn Goehring, so., Rock Creek; Jaylee Hurd, sr., St. Marys; Daryn Lamprecht, sr., Silver Lake; Taylor Morelli, sr., Rossville; Megan Strait, sr., Wabaunsee; Lyndsey VandeVelde, sr., Silver Lake.

Message From Rossville Short Stop

At Short Stop we believe in “Helping Out at Home Plate” and for us our home plate is our team members. While the country and some of our communities are dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak we have been making important changes. We are reinforcing the messages to wash hands regularly, clean and sanitize all high touch areas, and to stay home when sick. Our employees know that if they need to leave due to an illness, they will have a job to return to.
From a customer perspective you have witnessed important changes as well. We have posted signs on the door asking that you help stop the spread of illness and not enter if you are not well. Weeks ago, we stopped allowing refills and offered a new cup at a refill price. Recently we have eliminated all self-serve unpackaged food such as donuts, roller grill, and even the beef jerky sticks at the register. We have also removed seating from all our locations. We appreciate your understanding as we work through these changes. We wish you well during these trying times. Our hearts go out to anyone affected by the virus.

Thank you for being a loyal customer,

Your Short Stop Team

Heath Care Providers Discount

Miracle Mallory's Journey

An excellent video about Mallory Mitchell.  Be sure to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIzU6PzUDVU&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1MGoT7s-4sDdhXyVnzvtMrD4e7AcX624doxZhWCqcxvyI2FZdS4I08f3A

To read more about Mallory, go to the SEARCH feature and type in her name.

Wally Schrempp Passes Away

Wally Wayne Schrempp, 70, Maple Hill, Kansas, died Sunday, March 15, 2020.
Wally was born July 6, 1949, in Colorado, the son of Donald and Clara Ellis Schrempp. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1967. He married Cheryl Oliver in Topeka in 1974. Wally was a general contractor for LF Miller Construction before he started WW Schrempp Construction. He enjoyed collecting old cars and motorcycles, playing golf, and loved fishing with his grandsons.

Wally is survived by his wife, Cheryl; son, Randy Schrempp (Kelsey); grandsons, Kason and Kolin; and sister, Mindee Reece. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Jerry and John Schrempp.

Services are private. Inurnment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wally Schrempp Family, to be designated at a later date, sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Wally Schrempp please visit our Sympathy Store.

Meals For Children

    Kaw Valley USD 321 will provide mobile drive-through meal service to children ages 1-18. They will provide kids with free breakfast and lunch meals for up to three days at a time, and the children must be present when picking up the meals. Meals can be accessed Monday through Friday at Delia Community Center, 11 a.m. to noon; Emmett Grade School, 11 a.m. to noon; Rossville Library, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; St. Marys High School, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Rachel Day Gets Scholarship

RHS graduate Rachel Day received a $500 scholarship from Delta Kappa Gamma.  Rachel is in secondary education at KSU.  Her parents are Timothy and Angela Day of Rossville.

Miss Rodeo USA Visits RGS

    Brook Wallace, Miss Rodeo USA, recently visited Rossville Grade School.

Doug French Celebrates 70th

Toadstrangler Farms was the place for the social event of the Spring Season:   Doug French’s surprise 70^th birthday party.  The birthday boy was totally surprised as evidenced by the look on his face and the redness of his cheeks.  Hundreds of people were in attendance for one of the unsung heroes of the Rossville Community.  Pulled pork was served.  Margarita’s were poured which loosened the tongues for those who participated in the “Celebrity Roast” of the birthday boy.  After the Roast, Doug praised his sons and thanked all in attendance for their friendship.

Scott Hesse

2020 RHS Softball Roster

Taylor Morelli      12
Sydney Wonnell   12
Kinlyn Lundin      12
Erika Hatina         12
Sidni Taylor         11
Tatum Gentry       11
Mallorie Salmon  11
Brenna Johnson   11
Gracie Rabe         11
Breck McCrory    11
Destiny Bergstresser 11
Peyton Price         11
Elizabeth Schaeffer 10
Alexis Dugan       10
Maxine Smith       10
Vanessa Quinones 10
Amiley Mendoza  10
Kaitlynn Balch       9
Kayleigh Johnson   9
McKenzie Shenk    9
Ean Haynes            9
Raegan Wonnell     9
Brinley Dyche       9

Head Coach: John Nitsch
Assistant Coaches: Kayla Johnston, Ashley Caraway
Manager: Serinity Bergstressor

St. Marys BB Team Winning Streak

From The Capital-Journal:

HUTCHINSON — Apparently St. Marys isn’t done stunning the best Class 3A has to offer in boys basketball.

After knocking off the top-three seeds in their sub-state last week — three teams that had combined for just five losses in the regular season — the Bears continued their impressive postseason run in Wednesday’s Class 3A state tournament quarterfinal. Facing No. 1 seed Haven, which was 21-2 on the season and fresh off its own sub-state upset of 3A No. 1 Hesston, St. Marys delivered a knockout blow early and held on late to pull off yet another postseason upset with a 49-44 victory.

You can read the complete article at:
https://www.cjonline.com/sports/20200311/st-marys-stunner-bears-take-out-top-seeded-haven-at-3a-state

Zach Archer Is CJ Athlete Of Week

From The Capital-Journal:

ZACH ARCHER, ROSSVILLE, AND CONNOR SEARCY, TONGANOXIE | WRESTLING SENIORS

ARCHER’S PERFORMANCE: After capturing his first state title last year with the Class 3-2-1A 106-pound crown, Archer capped a stellar senior season with his second straight state title, taking the 113-pound championship. Archer, who finished the year 41-1, pinned his first opponent at state in 23 seconds and then posted three straight major decisions, including an 11-3 win over Osage City’s Connor Collins in the finals.

COACH’S COMMENT: “Zach has quietly been one of the best lightweights in the state the last two years and that’s just how he likes it,” Rossville coach Courney Horagan said. “It fits his personality. He was mentally and physically prepared for this weekend and it was fun to watch. The kid is tough as nails.”

SEARCY’S PERFORMANCE: Bouncing back from an injury to capture the Class 4A 195-pound state title a year ago, Searcy showed just how dominating he could be in winning the 220-pound state title this season. Searcy pinned three of his four state foes, including a second-period fall of Andale’s Cayden Winter in the championship match. He finished the year 44-1 with his lone loss coming to 5A state champion Cade Lautt of St. James Academy.

COACH’S COMMENT: “Connor has been driven to be the best all year,” Tonganoxie coach Brett Delich said. “He has worked hard every day on and off the mat doing all the right things that a champion must do. This past weekend in Salina it showed with his second consecutive state title.”

MEL Final BB Standings

Boys       ... League ... Overall

Rock Creek    ... 9-1 ... 19-1
Riley County ... 9-1 ... 17-3
St. Marys       ... 5-5 ... 10-10
Wabaunsee   ... 3-7 ... 9-11
Rossville        ... 2-8 ... 4-16
Silver Lake    ... 2-8 ... 2-18

Girls        ... League ... Overall

Riley County ... 10-0 ... 20-0
Wabaunsee     ... 8-2 ... 17-3
Rock Creek      ... 5-5 ... 11-9
St. Marys          ... 5-5 ... 9-11
Silver Lake       ... 2-8 ... 10-10
Rossville          ... 0-10 ... 4-16

Isaiah Luellen 4th at NAIA Nationals

Interview With Isaiah Luellen from Baker, 4th at NAIA Nationals 165

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie0Vtyl9RGQ&fbclid=IwAR3Mrpw1zKLkjFJrMM92DLu00Qy64GjoLpdV16kPtu49hfCBoJL1hKurf4Y

St. Marys Man Arrested

St. Mary's, Kan. (WIBW) -- A St. Mary's man was arrested on Tuesday on child sex charges.

Officers from the Saint Mary's Police Department obtained a warrant for Dean Johnson, Jr. following an ongoing investigation from 2016 into the alleged criminal activity.

Johnson is being held in the Pottawatomie County jail on a $10,000 bond.

2020 Baseball Roster

Trenton Barker     9
Jacob Carver        9
Braden Connell    9
Sean Cunnigham  9
Kyser Lundin       9
Kade Perine          9
Kaden Brown     10
Corey Catron     10
Aiden Garcia     10
Torrey Horak     10
Tagen Kippes    10
McGwyre Leathers 10
Brody Lietz       10
Bryson Balch     11
Layne Hurla       11
Brody Jackson   11
Parker Kenney   11
Joe McGrath      11
Bo Reeves          11
Kaleb Badura     12
Eddie Brockamp12
Kody Davoren   12

Head Coach: Eammon Bradley
Assistant Coaches: Derick Hammes, Thatcher Horak

RHS Band At Baker March 26

The High School Concert Band will perform at Baker University for a Pre-State Clinic on Thursday, March 26th at 10:15 AM, in preparation for their State Performance at Louisburg High School on Wednesday, April 15th.

Rossville Spring Concert March 19

The SPRING CONCERT (7th-12th Grade Bands & Choirs) is on Thursday, March 19th at 7:00 PM - Hope to see you there!

Garrett Jones
Rossville Jr/Sr High
Band and Choir Director

Norma Bieker Passes Away

Norma E. (Hamel) Bieker, 94, of Rossville, KS passed away Friday, March 6, 2020. Honoring Norma's request, cremation is planned. Arrangements have been entrusted to Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The House of Midland Care, 120 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606. To see a full obituary or to leave a message for the family online, please visit www.DoveTopeka.com.

MEL Music Festival

    The Mid-East League (MEL) Music Festival was hosted by Riley County on Wednesday, March 4th. Rossville was represented by three vocal groups (Mixed Chorus, Women's Ensemble, and Men's Quintet), six vocal solos, six instrumental small ensembles (Flute Quartet, Clarinet Choir, Saxophone Quartet, Trumpet Quartet, Low Brass Ensemble, and Brass Ensemble), seven instrumental solos, and the Rossville High School Concert Band. Students will now continue their preparation for Regional Solo and Small Ensemble Contest hosted at Holton High School on Saturday, March 28th.

Garrett Jones

Rossville Jr./Sr High 

Music/Choir Director

Morelli, Huston, Steele In All-State Band/Choir

Taylor Morelli (Senior, Clarinet), Meagan Huston (Senior, Clarinet), and Hailey Steele (Junior, Soprano) represented Rossville in the All-State Ensembles in Wichita during the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) Conference. The performances were on Saturday, February 29th at Century II Convention Center. Hailey performed with the All-State Treble Choir at 11:30 AM, and Taylor and Meagan performed with the 1A-4A All-State Honor Band at 3:00 PM. Their performances were absolutely phenomenal.

Taylor Morelli becomes the 2nd student in Rossville History to become a 3-year All-State Honor Group member, and Hailey Steele becomes the 1st (to my knowledge) All-State Choral member from Rossville. What a great representation of Rossville at the state level!

Garrett Jones

Rossville Band & Choir Director

Wehner's Store On KSNT

ROSSVILLE, Kan. (KSNT) — Local stores are feeling the impact as people become more aware of the Coronavirus, as they avoid contracting it. Supplies of hand sanitizer, soap and cleaning supplies are now more in demand. Wehner’s Thriftway store manager, Angi Thomas, said they are adding large quantities of these items to their shipping list at the Rossville and Silver Lake stores. To read the complete article,  go to: https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/local-grocery-store-buying-more-hand-sanitizer-cleaning-supplies-amid-coronavirus-epidemic/

Kenneth Tolle Passes Away

    Kenneth Howard Tolle, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in Topeka under the care of Elara Caring Hospice. He was 79. 
    Born December 30, 1940, in Topeka to E. Howard Tolle and Veda Lee (Burress) Tolle. He was a computer programmer. Ken is survived by son Dennis Tolle, Topeka, daughters Kim Fordham, St. Marys, KS, and Jodi Jordan, Lawrence, KS,  a sister Darlene Mastin, Stafford, KS, 5 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 2 nieces, a nephew, and many many cousins. 
    At his request Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys will handle his cremation and his remains will be laid to rest near his parents at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Grove, KS. A private family ceremony will be held at a later date.

Will The Polka Be The State Dance?

The lead article in a recent St. Marys Star  is about Doug Martinek of Rossville Moravan Hall’s attempt to get the Polka designated the state dance.  My lobbyist friends say there is an attempt by the Square Dance lobby to have the Square Dance designated as the state dance of Kansas.  Such was confirmed by the St. Marys Star.  The House bill was amended to have the Square Dance designated as the official state folk dance with the Polka designated as the official state ethnic dance.  RHS grad Senator Vic Miller is presenting the bill for the Polka to be the official state dance in the Kansas Senate.  With the changes in the House Bill the Senate will have to approve the House Bill.  If passed by the Senate the decision on official state dance will head to a conference committee for it to hammer out the differences.  The Governor will have to sign the bill into law.

 Dancers who like the Twist, the Watusi, swing dancing, line dancing and disco dancing will have to have their lobbyists attempt to derail this legislation.

Scott Hesse
RHS 1977

Ashley Rietcheck (17) Gets ESU Honors

Ashley Rietcheck in on the Emporia State University Honor Roll and School of Business Deans List.

2A Substate Basketball

First round of 2A Substate at Horton March 2, 2020

Boys         Jefferson North 43, Rossville 34

Rossville          10  7  7  15 — 39
Jefferson North  7  5 18 14 — 44

Rossville scoring: 

Morelli     4 (2)   0-0   10 
Reeves    1        1-1     3 
Badura     5 (2)   0-0   12 
Brown       4 (1)   0-0    9 
Garcia       2 (1)   0-0    5

Girls         Jefferson North 44, Rossville 39

Rossville              9 12  7   6 — 34
Jefferson North  10 14  8 11 — 43

Rossville scoring:
Streit            4 (2)   0-0   10 
Rabe            2        2-4     6 
Morelli          6 (2)   4-8   18

MEL Basketball Standings

Boys     ... League ... Overall

Rock Creek      ... 9-1 ... 19-1
Riley County   ... 9-1 ... 17-3
St. Marys         ... 5-5 ... 10-10
Wabaunsee     ... 3-7 ... 9-11
Rossville          ... 2-8 ... 4-16
Silver Lake      ... 2-8 ... 2-18

Girls        ... League ... Overall

Riley County ... 10-0 ... 20-0
Wabaunsee    ... 8-2   ... 17-3
Rock Creek    ... 5-5    ... 11-9
St. Marys       ... 5-5     ... 9-11
Silver Lake    ... 2-8   ... 10-10
Rossville        ... 0-10 ... 4-16

NE KS Wrestling Medalists

3A/2A/1A State Medalists from NE Kansas, 2020. 

113 lb 1st Place - Zach Archer of Rossville
113 lb 2nd Place - Connor Collins of Osage City
132 lb 2nd Place - Kai Allen of Silver Lake
132 lb 6th Place - Charles King of St. Marys
138 lb 4th Place - Layne Hurla of Rossville
152 lb 5th Place - Kaden Dillon of Sabetha
152 lb 6th Place - Grant Roush of Perry-LeCompton
160 lb 6th Place - Derek Wallin of Wabaunsee
220 lb 1st Place - Dane Whalen of Osage City
220 lb 2nd Place - Kody Davoren of Rossville
220 lb 5th Place - Hayden Robb of Perry-LeCompton
285 lb 5th Place - Nolan Parker of Eskridge-Mission Valley

CJ Article - Archer's 2nd State Win

https://www.cjonline.com/sports/20200229/rossvilles-archer-claims-second-straight-title