WIBW Video Of Willard Bridge

 (WIBW)- Rising waters along the Kansas River could have delayed construction of the Willard Bridge, but contractors got some good luck this spring.

Shawnee County Public Works and Solid Waste Director Tom Vlach updated the Shawnee County commission on the progress of contraction of the new bridge.

“Things are going very well in my opinion,” he said.

Construction began Jan. 25. The first thing crews did was to add additional support to the existing bridge that has been deemed fracture critical.

As of Monday, Vlach says the project is 38 percent complete, that’s eight percent ahead of schedule. The new bridge is expected to be complete on Dec. 22, 2017.

That may not have been the case of rising waters in the river this May had washed away the causeways into the middle of the river.

“If that had all been gone they would not have been able to get back out to the river until I think this Wednesday, Aug. 31,” Vlach said.

The next step is for crews to complete the decking on the north section and the delivery and installation of the steel beams.

You can view video of the Willard Bridge construction at:   http://www.wibw.com/content/news/Willard-Bridge-construction-ahead-of-schedule--391639391.html

Mid-East League Football Predictions

      The Capital Journal computerized football rankings have picked Rossville (106.7) as a 49.5 point favorite over Marysville (57.2).
      Other Mid-East rankings include Wamego (79.4) as a 14.8 favorite over Rock Creek (64.6), and Olpe (63.4) as a 12.1 point favorite over St. Marys (51.3)

Sports In Kansas Top 25 Linebackers

SPORTS IN KANSAS listed the Top 25 Linebackers To Watch in 2016.   Rossville's Dawson Hammes was among the 25.

Dawson Hammes, Rossville Sr. (6’1” 195-pounds)

Hammes had 159 tackles to lead the Rossville defense to their second consecutive 3A state title last fall. He also rushed for over 1,000 yards on offense. Expect a bigger role of him on offense with the graduation of all-state QB Tucker Horak. Hammes, the son of head coach Derick Hammes, was a first team All Non-Senior from Sports in Kansas in 2015

Sports In Kansas Top 25 Receivers

SPORTS IN KANSAS listed the top 25 Receivers To Watch in 2016.  Rossville's Cole Schumacher was among the 25.  

Cole Schumacher, Rossville Sr. (6’3” 190-pounds)

Schumacher was one of the top targets for Tucker Horak a year ago with 682 yards and 11 touchdowns for the back-to-back 3A state champions.

Sports In Kansas Top 25 RBs

SPORTS IN KANSAS listed the Top 25 Running Backs to watch in 2016.  Bulldawg Dawson Hammes was one of the 25.

Dawson Hammes, Rossville Sr. (6’0” 200-pounds)

Hammes was the other ball carrier in Rossvilles offense a year ago. All the hype was on Tucker Horak for so long but now he is gone and it’s time for Hammes to shine on the Dawgs offense. In addition to being an all-state linebacker, Hammes had over 1,100 yards rushing last year with 10 touchdowns and also had 283 more yards receiving with five more scores. A lot of pieces are gone from last year but we expect Hammes to have a huge year in 2016.

KSNT Football Team Video

KSNT has some nice video of the Bulldawgs at:
http://ksnt.com/2016/08/17/h-s-previews-rossville-football/

WIBW Football Team Video

WIBW has two good videos of Rossville Players at:
http://www.wibwnewsnow.com/shawnee-county-football-tour-rossville-bulldawgs-audio-video/

Another video of a team preview is at:
http://www.wibw.com/content/sports/KPZ-Preview-Rossville-391808381.html

KPREPS 3A Football Outlook For 2016

Class 3A

      Plenty of questions surround the landscape of Class 3A football, but maybe none loom as large as how Rossville will replace Tucker Horak.  Horak’s career has been well-documented and rightfully so, but the Bulldawgs must move on in order to try and win a third consecutive 3A title.  Dawson Hammes rushed for more than 1,000 yards last fall and is Rossville’s leading tackler.
      Norton begins the season ranked second in the 3A poll.  The Bluejays are extremely talented with quarterback Jace Ruder and lineman/linebacker Jacob Green.  Even better, Norton returns an experienced offensive line that helped the Bluejays average more than 34 points per game. Tradition-rich
      Silver Lake starts the 2016 season ranked No. 3 after a second-round playoff loss to Sabetha.  The Eagles return 12 total starters including quarterback Dalton Dultmeier who is poised for another big season.  Hoisington checks in at No. 4 in the rankings.  The Cardinals return all-state running back Hunter Hanzlick after his 1,949-yard junior season among 12 other starters. Rounding out the 3A top five is the defending 2-1A state champion Phillipsburg Panthers.  The Panthers move back up to their typical classification and return 13 starters from last year’s title run, including backfield brothers Kirk and Mark Coomes.

Bradshaw and Hammes In Top 25

The Capital-Journal featured the top 25 players in   3A, 2A and 8 man football.  Two Rossville players were in that top 25.

DAWSON HAMMES, ROSSVILLE
6-1, 197 SENIOR LB/RB
Son of Rossville coach Derick Hammes, Dawson has more than made a name for himself as a starter for both of the Bulldawg championship squads. Hammes led the Rossville defense with 159 tackles last year and established himself in the offensive backfield as well, rushing for 1,111 yards and 10 touchdowns.

JACOB BRADSHAW, ROSSVILLE
6-0, 169 SENIOR QB/DB
Bradshaw did a little bit of everything for the Bulldawgs last year, finishing with a combined 932 rushing, receiving and passing yards and 11 touchdowns, while also picking off five passes for the defense. All eyes will be on Bradshaw as a senior as he has the huge task of taking over at QB for departed two-time All-Stater Tucker Horak.

Farmland Auction Sept. 8

APPROXIMATELY 80 ACRES 

SHAWNEE COUNTY, KANSAS.
WEST ½ OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼, SECTION 8, TOWNSHIP 11, RANGE 14,
SHAWNEE COUNTY KANSAS

This farm is located at the southeast corner of 35th and Docking Road. (Approximately 1 ½ miles west of Silver Lake, Kansas on Highway 24 to Docking Road then south approximately ¼ mile).

This farm has approximately 75 tillable Acres of dry land River Bottom farmland. There are roads on North and West sides of the property. There is a small drainage ditch running across the property. Great opportunity to buy a good productive farm.

Buyer to pay 5% down day of Auction with the balance due on or before October 10, 2016. Possession of farm upon harvest of the 2016 fall harvest. Cost of Title Insurance to be divided equally between Buyer & Seller. Taxes for 2016 and prior years to be paid by Seller. STATEMENTS MADE DAY OF AUCTION TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER ANY OTHER INFORMATION. To view property or any other information contact Vern Gannon Auctioneer/Broker 785-770-0066 or Gannon Real Estate and Auctions 785-539-2316.

ROBERT S. REID TRUST

My Little Valentine

 (WIBW)  "My Little Valentine" is the true story of a woman’s life-long desire to find her birth mother. Wanda was born on Valentine’s Day 1925 at a home for unwed mothers called The Willows Maternity Sanitarium in Kansas City where she was given up for adoption.

She was adopted and raised by a loving Kansas farm family. Wanda loved her parents and family dearly, but she always wanted to know who she was and why she was given up for adoption. (Watch the video of Ralph's interview with Mr. Parr from Friday's 4:30 red couch show.)

Knowing how badly his mother wanted to learn about her background, KelLee began a secret search of his own in 1991 to find information about his birth grandmother. With what he believes was divine intervention and some extremely good luck, KelLee found his mother’s birth mother.

Join him on the journey in the search as he uncovers the secrets of the woman who had to promise at the age of 17 to never look for her baby girl. Discover what life was like in rural Kansas in the 1920s for two young women with very different destinies and the baby girl they shared.

http://www.wibw.com/content/news/My-Little-Valentine-spans-decades-to-tell-a-true-Kansas-story-391465771.html

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Rossville Library Art Class

Click on below to enlarge

Lance Lenard (87) Obituary

      Lance Jason Lenard, 47, of Rossville, Kansas, passed away on August 18, 2016.
      Lance was born in Arkansas City, Kansas, to Paul Lenard and Wilma (Skidmore) Lenard on June 18, 1969. He went to high school at Rossville High School and graduated in 1987. He attended Highland Community College for two years. He went on to earn a degree in Communications from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas. He had worked as a salesperson for Standard Beverage for 16 years. Lance had coached Track & Field at Rossville Middle School and he was currently an Assistant Coach at Wamego High School. Lance was in his 18th year as head coach for Northeast Kansas Track Club, a program which he started and dedicated countless hours to over the years. He had been the Meet Director for Sunflower State Games for many years and volunteered with the Kansas Senior Track & Field Olympics. He also had assisted in coaching kids football & wrestling throughout the years. Lance was a caring & loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. He had a larger than life personality and his real passion was track & field. He left a mark in the track world that will always be undeniable. He was an incredible man who had a pure love of the sport and his athletes. Lance showed such a love for track& field and helping all kids. His passion and spirit will be missed. He had such a positive impact on so many athletes. Lance Lenard was a coach, a mentor, and a friend to countless people. He was a man who gave so much to hundreds of athletes without asking for a single thing in return.
      Lance is preceded in death by his father, Paul Lenard; his mother, Wilma Lenard Yount; and stepmother, Pat Lenard. Lance is survived by his wife, Delaina Lenard of Rossville, Kansas; his daughter, Keara Lenard; his sons, Kade Lenard and Drake Pino; and granddaughter, Lotyss Riley Pino. He is also survived by sister, Julie Smith (Walt); brother, Mark Lenard (Lynn); sister, Teresa McLinn (Phil); nieces, Melissa Ohmie (Brandon), Miranda Russell (Jake), and Savannah McLinn; and nephew, Zachary McLinn.
      A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 3, 2016, at Fellowship Bible Church, 6800 SW 10th Street, Topeka, with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lance Lenard Athletic Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 3908, Topeka, Kansas 66604. Dove Cremation & Funeral Service is assisting the family and condolences may be left online at www.dovecremation.com. 

Mid-East League Football Outlook

From  CJ Online: 

Rossville Bulldogs

Coach: Derick Hammes (4th year).

Last year’s record: 14-0

Postseason: Won 3A state championship.

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

Top returners: Dawson Hammes, RB/LB, Sr.; Cole Schumacher, WR/DB, Sr.; Jackson Reeves, OL/DL, Sr.; Jacob Bradshaw, QB/DB, Sr.; Trevor Balch, DB/RB, Sr.; Wyatt Dyche, WR/DB, Sr.

Outlook: Bulldawgs captured second straight Class 3A state title, rallying in fourth quarter for 20-19 win over Wichita Collegiate in championship game. ... Bulldawgs now 40-1 in Hammes’ tenure and enter season on 28-game winning streak. ... Graduation hit hard, claiming two-time All-State quarterback Tucker Horak, who became the first player in state history to rush and throw for 2,000 yards in the same season, as well as All-3A picks Gabe Marney and Christian Roduner. ... Dawson Hammes also was All-3A pick and led defense with 159 tackles, while also rushing for 1,111 yards and 10 TDs. ... Bradshaw had combined 932 yards rushing, receiving and passing and takes over for Horak. ... Schumacher led Dawgs with 682 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. .... Reeves is lone returning starting lineman.

Riley County Falcons

Outlook: Falcons had rare season where they missed the playoffs, a loss to Marysville keeping them home for the postseason. ... Staten has rushed for at least 1,000 yards the past two seasons and leads a strong cast of returning skill players. ... Passing game will miss leading receiver Jackson Wagner. ... Reed is lone returning starting lineman.

Rock Creek Mustangs

Outlook: Mustangs missed out on playoffs for fourth straight year, following each win with two losses. ... Defense gave up at least 27 points in all six losses. ... Graduation claimed All-3A defensive end Carson Becker, who also was Mustangs’ leading rusher after making move in from tight end. ... Ebert is line returning skill player ... Rock Creek returns to Class 4A Division II for first time since being 4A in 2008-09, making the playoffs both of those seasons.

Silver Lake Eagles

Outlook: Eagles haven’t missed playoffs since 2000, but failed to reach the state semifinals last year for just the second time in 14 years. ... Season ended with 34-28 loss to Sabetha and only other loss came to 3A champ Rossville. ... Dultmeier stepped in at quarterback after the opener and threw for 2,172 yards and 24 touchdowns, while also rushing for 491 yards and eight TDs. ... Baird (667 yards, 8 TDs) and Wagner (372 yards, 4 TDs) return as top targets in the passing game, but no other returner had more than 125 rushing yards. ... Boyd led defense with 122 tackles and Baird added 79. ... Hamilton is just 10 wins from 400 in his career.

St. Marys Bears

Outlook: Injuries kept Bears from fielding full lineup most of last season. ... Lone win came against Wabaunsee (14-8). ... Schoenfeld split time between tailback and quarterback and finished with 510 yards rushing, 106 receiving and 69 passing. ... He’s also leading returning tackler with 65, while Acker had 62 and Gallegos added 58. ... Flanagan takes over at quarterback and hopes to help offense which scored more than 20 points just once last year.

Wabaunsee Chargers

Outlook: Chargers bounced back from winless 2014 season to make 2-1A playoffs again. ... Biggest strides came offensively where Chargers nearly tripled 2014 scoring total (60) with 171 points. ... Droegemeier led Chargers with 684 rushing yards and Tubbs added 591 on the ground. ... Imthurn added 433 yards and the trio combined for 12 touchdowns. .. Wurtz threw for 672 yards and five scores. ... Wertzberger is two-time all-league pick and had 89 tackles last year. ... Imthurn led Chargers with 103 tackles, while Swicegood (62), Droegemeier (57) and Tubbs (53) all had at least 50.

MID-EAST LEAGUE

2015 Standings

League Overall

*Rossville 5-0 14-0

Silver Lake 3-1 9-2

Riley County 3-2 5-4

Rock Creek 2-3 3-6

St. Marys 1-4 1-8

Wabaunsee 0-4 3-7

*—Champion

Returning all-leaguers

Offense

Running back — Dawson Hammes, Rossville (1st); Taegan Schoenfeld, St. Marys (1st); Garrett Staten, Riley County (1st).

Receiver — Keenan Baird, Silver Lake (1st); Cole Schumacher, Rossville (HM).

Line — Jackson Reeves, Rossville (HM); Mitchell Wertzberger, Wabaunsee (HM).

Defense

Linebacker — Josh Boyd, Silver Lake (1st); Hammes, Rossville (1st); Wertzberger, Wabaunsee (1st).

Secondary — Jacob Bradshaw, Rossville (HM); Tyler Halstead, Riley County (1st).