Craig McDowell Passs Away

Craiig passed away in Jan.  I missed it because I was in th hospital and rehab  for many weeks 

Craig Michael McDowell, 65, of Rossville, Kansas, passed away on January 29, 2025 surrounded by his loved ones after a long battle with cancer.

 He was born on March 5, 1959 to E.L. (Mac) and Judy Ann McDowell (Phillips) in Topeka, Kansas. Growing up, Craig went to Topeka High School. During his senior year he was involved in Vocational Industrial Club of America. In his spare time as a young adult he enjoyed working on his ’69 Nova and his ’72 Cutlass. He graduated in 1977 and joined the work force where he eventually went on to become a truck driver. He drove for several companies including American Freight, Frito Lay, and ABF. He retired from Capital Concrete Products in 2024. 

Around 1979-1980, he met Julia Ann Grochowsky while working at a local grocery store. It was in 2005 that Craig and Julie reconnected through a mutual friend and started dating. Julie moved to Rossville shortly after and joined Craig and three children.

On December 2, 2006 he married Julie, in Tecumseh. Craig and Julie loved to go on motorcycle rides, vacations and watching movies. Together as a family, some of their favorite thing to do was having cookouts and just spending time together outside on the patio. 

Craig was a member of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 696. He previously was a volunteer member of the Shawnee County Fire District #3.

When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle with friends, spending time with his family and friends, and watching western movies. 

Craig will be most remembered for his humor, his willingness to help those around him and his heart warming smile. Craig was an amazing husband, father and grandfather. 

Craig is survived by his loving wife, Julie McDowell, daughters, Madison (Wes) Chiles, and Caitlin (Bobby) Santacroce, as well as a son, Tate McDowell, brother, Kevin (Annie) McDowell, and grandchildren, Westley Chiles, Destiny Santacroce, Antonio Santacroce, Mariano Santacroce, Louis Santacroce, Arthur Santacroce, and his favorite Grand-dog , J.B. McDowell. He was preceded in death by his Father, E.L. (Mac)and Judy McDowell (Phillips).

RHS VB Ranked #2

1.  Ellinwood                                             10-0-0

2..  Rossville                                               9-0-0

3.   Hillsboro                                              10-4-0

Volleyball State 2A Leaders in Kansas

 After week two  Noaaville Junior Nora Riddick is number 2 in Hitting and also tied for number 2 in Kills.

Kenna Perine is #2 in Assists

Capital-Journal Player Of Week Nominee

 Andre Johnson, Rossville football

The senior running back and linebacker made key plays in the second half to help Rossville come from behind to defeat St. Marys. He secured the game-winning rushing touchdown from 1 yard away with less than a minute left to give the Bulldawgs a 40-34 win. 

Duane Zlatnik In Shawnee Co. Hall Of Fame

 Local sports greats Jerad Head, Trey Lewis, Brenda Stolle, Duane Zlatnik and the late Bob Davis will be inducted into the Topeka Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame on Monday at Washburn University.

The Topeka Area Sports Commission will host the 20th annual Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Fame induction ceremony from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Washburn's Memorial Union.Zlatnik starred in football and wrestling at Rossville before becoming a three-year starter in the offensive line at Kansas.

Duane Zlatnik was a three-time state wrestling champion for the Bulldawgs and finished his career with a 148-13 record and a school-record 110 pins. He was a two-time All-Stater and Kansas Shrine Bowl pick in football.

Zlatnik was an All-Big 12 honoree for the Jayhawks and made 27 consecutive starts at right and left guard.

He is currently an assistant football and wrestling coach at Washburn Rural.

St. Marys Triangular VB

 RHS Gets another VB Sweep at the St. Maryss Triangular on Sept 9.  Their opponents and scores were:

St. Marys                25-24    25-18
Riley County           26-24   25-22

Connor Bush FB Player To Watch

 

Sports in Kansas's post

---

Sports in Kansas is in Rossville, KS.

July 11 ·

SIK Pre-Season Player to Watch: Conner Bush enters his senior season at Rossville (1A) as a player to pay attention to in the 1A class. The 5’10”, 170-pound running back and safety posted 690 rushing yards on 8.7 yards per carry with 12 touchdowns in 2024, while also tallying 120 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 11 pass deflections on defense. Bush racked up honors last season including Sports in Kansas 1A All-State First Team, Small Class All-State First Team, and 1A Defensive Player of the Year Finalist. In addition to football, he’s a standout powerlifter - placing third at state in total, second in squat, and winning state in clean. “I am very excited for this upcoming year. We fell just short last year and now we are back on the grind to win state,” Bush said. “We lost a good senior class, but we already have people stepping up. It’s going to be an exciting year for my senior season.” Bush is not only a standout in the field, but will graduate as a four-year, three-sport athlete, while boasting a 4.23 GPA.

Nominated For CapitalJournal Athlete Of Week

 Cameron Miller, Rossville football: The senior had two big plays for the Bulldawgs with a long receiving touchdown along with a punt return for a touchdown in Rossville’s War-on-24 rivalry game. 

Canann Mitchell, Rossville football: Mitchell threw for 86 yards and one touchdown while also scoring the game-winning rushing touchdown in overtime as the Bulldawgs defeated Silver Lake 28-27. 

Elley Sanders Leads Girls Golf Team

 

Elley Sanders, Rossville 

The junior was one of two players from Rossville to qualify for the Class 3-1A State Tournament. Sanders tied for 38th place after shooting a 94 and 103 across the two days. Sanders’ breakout was a 91 at the Jefferson West Invitational. 

RHS Girls Sweep Pre-Season VB Tourney

Rossville Preseason Tournament * 1st Place
Waverly Baldwin Iola Wellsville Burlington	25-11, 25-21 25-14, 25-23 25-20, 25-17 25-19, 25-15 25-19, 25-19	W W W W W

Nora Burdiek Leads Dawgs to Tourney Win

 

NORA BURDIEK, Rossville

A junior multi-sport standout, Burdiek helped lead Rossville to the team championship in Saturday's Rossville Invitational volleyball tournament with five straight-set victories. Burdiek registered double-digit kills in all five matches, with highs of 15 and 14 kills and at least 11 kills in all five matches. Burdiek now has 90 kills on the season for the 7-0 Bulldawgs.

Nora Burdiek Expected To Lead Volleyball Team

 

Ten KSHSAA Class 2A Volleyball Players to Watch in 2025

NORA BURDIEK, ROSSVILLE

Fully recovered from a knee injury that wiped out the last half of her sophomore basketball season last winter, Burdiek should be ready to pick right up where she’s left off each of the past two seasons as a two-year starter at outside hitter for the Bulldawgs. Burdiek hit the ground running as a freshman in 2023 with 315 kills. Last year, she fell just short of hitting the 500-kill mark with 487 kills, pushing just over 800 for her career already. Burdiek added 368 digs and 29 aces last year, earning second-team All-Big East League and first-team All-Class 2A honors.

Dawgs Win in OT

Rossille and Silver Lake battled to a 21-21 tie as the Silver Lake Eagles scored the tying touchdown with only 6 seconds remaining.  The Eagles scored six on their first OT possession,  but a determined Dawg defense swarmed the kicker and holder thrarting their extra point attempt.  The Dawgs then scored their TD and extra point attempt at 10:21 to bring the score to 28-27.

Videeo of the KSNT Game of the Week can be viewed at:   
       https://www.ksnt.com/news/football-frenzy-9-5-25/

Barbara Jean Flach Passes Away

 Barbara Jean (Shields) Flach, 92, of Paxico, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Heritage Home in Alma surrounded by her family. Barbara was born on January 5, 1933, in rural Havensville, KS on the family farm to Ed and Anna Gunther Shields. She attended schools at Coal Creek and Corning, KS and graduated from Corning High School in 1950. Barbara worked at Merchant’s National Bank in Topeka from 1950 -1952.

Barbara married Robert Paul Flach on May 27, 1952, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in the Coal Creek community in Nemaha County. Barbara was a homemaker and farm wife. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Paxico, serving on the parish council. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Altar Sodality, serving as president and holding all other offices. Barbara was also a religion teacher for the parish. Barbara was organist at St. Patrick's, Coal Creek, and also played the organ at Sacred Heart. Barbara was a project leader for Newbury 4-H Club. Barbara was employed by Rezac Livestock Commission Co for 32 years.

Barbara and her husband, Robert, farmed and maintained a cow-calf operation for many years north of Paxico. Barbara and Robert shared the same birth date.

Barbara is survived by a daughter, Jean (Greg) Riley, Overland Park, KS, and four sons: Ken (Theresa), Steve (Pamela), Jerry (Ginger), and Jeff (Shannan), all of Paxico. She is also survived by a sister, Marilyn McMillin, Leawood, KS, 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 7 step grandchildren and 15 step great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Flach, a son, Michael Flach, a grandson, Darrin Flach, a granddaughter, Jackie Flach, and three brothers, Edward, Laverne, and Jim Shields.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 2 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm with a rosary following at 7:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newbury, KS. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3, also at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Sacred Heart Church or to the Sacred Heart Altar Sodality and may be left in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, KS 66536.