Geary County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on the proposed 2023 County budget on Aug. 22 at 11 a.m. at the County Office Building.

Trish Giordano said the planned County budget includes a drop in the property tax mill levy from 70.4 this year to 60.1 mills next year. "$1.1 million we're asking less from the taxpayers." The amount is four mills under the revenue neutral rate

Giordano cited the use of detailed budgeting as a factor in the ability to make a reduction, "and you know where your money is going. " There was excess carryover cash in some of the accounts. "I think that actually freed up some monies to where we were actually able to take care of the hospital, our employees with our wage study and the taxpayers so I feel it's a win win this year."

Following the public hearing the commission can adopted the 2023 budget.

Geary County taxes could drop in 2023

Aug. 27th is the date for the 5th annual Brandon Stroda Fishing Derby at Homer's Pond in Junction City. The hours will be 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This is a free event that will include fishing, food and prizes.&nbsp;

Kids can try their luck with fishing at Homer's Pond

by BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

The Wamego Police Department (WPD),&nbsp;along with the Riley County Police Department (RCPD), are asking the community's help in locating two runaway teen girls.

WPD had previously <a href="https://littleapplepost.com/posts/5ae2aab2-d674-41b5-949d-28dea5cf0e02">requested assistance on Monday, August 15th</a> in locating missing 15-year old, Trinity after she ran away from a residence in Salina, Kansas on August 12, 2022.

Trinity is 5'2" and weighs approximately 130 pounds. She had red and black hair when she was last seen.&nbsp;

She is believed to be in the Manhattan, Junction City or Fort Riley areas, and may be accompanied by now missing 16-year old Alejandra.

Alejandra is a female runaway from Manhattan. She is 5'7" and weighs approximately 125 pounds. Alejandra has brown eyes and frequently changes the color of her hair.

If you have information on the location of either Trinity or Alejandra or both girls, please contact the&nbsp;Wamego Police at (785) 456-9553, RCPD at (785) 537-2112, or Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers at (785) 539-7777.

MISSING: Law enforcement searching for two runaway teen girls presumed to be together

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. Bonds have been posted.

Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.

Diedra Graves, Driving while license cancelled / suspended / revoked; misdemeanor, Arrested 8/15

Stacey Stoddard, Failure to appear, Arrested 8/16

Geary County Booking Photos Aug. 16

RILEY COUNTY—Six people were injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Tuesday in Riley County.

A 2011 Ford F-150 driven by Gabriel Anderson, 24, of Clay Center was&nbsp; westbound on Madison Road at North Billings Street and rear-ended a 2016 Lincoln Navigator driven by Mohammad Nomani, 40, of Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

The impact caused the Navigator to spin into the eastbound lane where it was rear-ended again by a 2017 Ford F-150 driven by Nathan Mead, 45, of Manhattan. 

EMS transported an adult female and three juvenile passengers in the Lincoln and&nbsp; an adult female and one juvenile passenger in the 2017 Ford to Via Christi for treatment of minor injuries.

 Anderson was issued a citation for following too closely, according to the RCPD.

6 hospitalized after 3-vehicle Riley Co. crash

The JC Breakfast Optimist Club’s guest speakers on August 17 were Melanie Laster and Jim Sands, who are among those working on the Buffalo Soldier Trail Project in Geary County. Melanie is the Secretary/Treasurer and Jim is the President. Others involved in the project include Margy Stewart, Delilah Hamilton, Fred Reid, and Heather Hagedorn.

Both expressed concern that “our rich history of the Black community in Geary County be celebrated and not get lost.” Jim Sands also said that “we need stories and artifacts brought to the Geary County Museum to remind us about the Black families and experiences of those families that lived and worked here.

The source of funding for this project to this point has come from a $10,000 grant provided by the Kansas Humanities Foundation. “Goals of the project are to educate people about the diversity and what we can continue to do to work together. Ways community members can help with the project is by donating lumber, printing, helping with signage, marketing, and concrete work.”

Laster stated that “this will not be a walking tour on a trail, but sites will be visited by car or bus around different parts of the city.” The sites currently identified on the Buffalo Soldier Trail will include the Geary County Historical Society Museum; Ward Chapel AME Church; Buffalo Soldier Monument; Pawnee Park and Village; The Buffalo Soldier Service Organization (USO); The Pentecostal Church; Church of God; VFW Post 8773; Highland Cemetery; Second Missionary Baptist Church and the entrance to Rathert Field. The plan is to have signage with information at or near the site to explain the significance of that site to the visitor.

The JC Breakfast Optimist Club meets every Wednesday at the Hampton Inn located at 1029 S. Washington Street in Junction City. A free breakfast buffet is available for those who attend a meeting for the first time, which is served at 6:30 AM. The Optimist Club meeting begins at 6:50 AM. 

JC Breakfast Optimist Club Learns About The Buffalo Soldier Trail Project

RILEY COUNTY—A Manhattan woman was injured in an accident just after 1p.m. Tuesday.

A 2019 Jeep Cherokee driven by 71-year-old Beth Bergsten of Manhattan, was traveling near&nbsp; the intersection of Wildcat Creek Road and N. Scenic Drive in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. 

The Jeep flipped into the trees near Wildcat Creek. EMS transported Bergsten to Via Christi for treatment of minor injuries. The RCPD released no additional details.

Manhattan woman injured after jeep flips into trees

Recent obituaries and service times

Legacy Kansas is the official name while the subtitle for the new restaurant in Abilene is Munson's Prime Steaks Brookville Family Style Chicken. Deanna and Chuck Munson purchased the former Brookville Hotel that has been closed for several months and have combined it with their former Munson Prime restaurant which was destroyed by a fire.&nbsp;

Deanna Munson said the history of both entities dates back into the 1800's. "The Brookville Hotel and the family that started it goes back to 1870. If you look at the Munson history of establishing the meat which is the reason why we had the restaurant, Munson's Prime, that all started in 1869 when Carl Munson came to Junction City." Munson began to acquire cattle and in 1924 the family went to a registered cow herd. Munson's Prime was opened in 2014. "So we're talking legacy of both entities."

Deanna said right now reservations only are required to eat at Legacy Kansas. Challenges hiring enough staff to do walk in open seating is the reason why. Currently about 100 people can be served. "This facility could seat 225 people at a setting, but right now we have 12 people ( employees ). We need 40 to 50 employees in order to truly do the whole thing. "

At this point the restaurant is serving the fried chicken dinner with all of the sides that the Brookville Hotel served. They are also serving an option of country fried steak instead of the chicken. Eventually there will be gourmet steaks and burgers served, and at that time there will be a plated menu as well as the family style chicken dinners. Later homemade Munson ice cream will be served, and in the meantime Call Hall ice cream is being brought in from K-State.

The restaurant is open 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Monday, and 11 until 2 and 4:30 - 7:30 on Sundays. You can make reservations at legacykansasabilene.com or by calling 1-785-200-3973 Thursday through Monday from 2:30 to 6:30.

One thing that has already occurred is the location of the diner's cities. They have come from numerous cities in Kansas.&nbsp;

Long awaited dining destination opens in Abilene

Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Kansas Chapter 21-1 will host their annual 9 / 11 Dice Run to benefit local Soldiers and Veterans.

The event is scheduled on Sept. 10 with registration going from 9 - 10 a.m. at City Cycle Sales in Junction City. The first bike is out at 9:30 a.m. and the last bike at 10:15 a.m.&nbsp; The last bike will be due in at 4:30 p.m. at the American Legion in Chapman.

There will be breakfast available for purchase.&nbsp;

Cost per card for the run is $15 for the first one, $5 for an additional card and $1 for a bug Dot challenge. Pay outs for highest overall score, lowest overall score and 100%&nbsp; payout for the Bug dot.&nbsp;

Raffle tickets will be available on site for the raffle to be awarded at&nbsp; the final stop in Chapman. The cost is $20 for a stretch of tickets and $1 per ticket.

Weapon raffle tickets and drawing the day of the ride are $10 for one ticket and $25 for three tickets.

There will be a 9/11 Dice Run

There has been a vacancy on the Geary County Public Building Commission for a few months. County Commissioner Keith Ascher said that they want to open it up to the general public. "Since I'm the representative from the commission on that board I think it's appropriate that they contact me if they're interested, and they can do that through my email at keith.ascher@gearycounty.org."

County seeks Public Building Commission member

By TOMMY REZAC <a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — It seemed like an 
ordinary day at Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph Wednesday with sunny,
 clear skies and the team practicing in full pads.

However, the Chiefs ended the day with a longer injury list.

Tight
 end Blake Bell is still out with a hip injury he sustained in 
Saturday's game, and receiver Juju Smith-Schuster missed a second 
straight day with a sore knee.

Early in practice Wednesday, 
defensive tackle Chris Jones left practice due to back soreness. Running
 back Jerick McKinnon missed all of Wednesday due to a hamstring injury 
and receiver Mecole Hardman hurt his groin after landing awkwardly going
 after a ball about halfway through practice.

Hardman walked off under his own power and eventually left the field, riding in the front seat of a cart.

No
 long-term diagnosis on any of these yet, though more should be known 
following Thursday's practice, which will be the last one of training 
camp.

Long snapper James Winchester was gone Wednesday due to 
personal reasons. Punter Tommy Townsend returned after two days away due
 to personal matters. Right tackle Lucas Niang (knee) is still on the 
physically unable to perform list.

Wednesday marked the 16th full 
practice at Chiefs training camp with the 17th and final coming up 
Thursday. The latter half of camp is often called “the dog days.” The 
excitement wears off, guys start to feel sore, the days get long and the
 public focus shifts to preseason and regular season games.

Still, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has seen the kind of growth that he wants to see right now from his unit.

"Certain
 words are starting to mean something to them," he said. "They're 
starting to understand the techniques and fundamentals that we're 
teaching. It's been fun to watch. Has it been perfect? No, it hasn't 
been perfect, but that's the beauty of training camp. These guys are 
working hard and are accepting coaching."

One of those players 
who's continued to grow is rookie running back Isiah Pacheco. He's 
continued to pop throughout camp, as he snagged a nice wheel route for 
extra yardage during 7-on-7 drills Wednesday.

Bieniemy compliments
 Pacheco's speed, work ethic, effectiveness in the pass game and says 
his pass protection is coming along. There's one skill in particular, 
though that Bieniemy wants Pacheco to hone in on.

"Allowing the 
game to come to him," Bieniemy said of the rookie running back. 
"Learning how to be a patient runner. Understand exactly what's going on
 up front so now he can have a better feel on how to square his 
shoulders up, press it and read it out from there."

L'Jarius
 Sneed and Rashad Fenton are the veterans in the Chiefs' secondary, 
along with safety Justin Reid. Reid is in his fifth year in the NFL, 
Fenton his fourth and Sneed his third.

Maybe sooner than normal, 
Sneed has become a mentor for rookie corners Trent McDuffie, Joshua 
Williams and Jaylen Watson. First-year pros Dicaprio Bootle and Brandin 
Dandridge are also guys competing hard for time, along with several 
others.

"With the young guys coming in, I feel like I'm the 
veteran of the crew," Sneed remarked. "But I've learned a lot from (when
 I was a rookie) to now. From the inside I learned a lot, and I learned a
 lot from the outside with my techniques."

Williams, who's a 
fairly safe bet to make the 53-man active roster at this point, was 
flattered when he heard that Sneed actually looks at Williams for 
certain techniques and pointers.

"Almost any time I'm coming off 
the field, I'm asking (Sneed) how I can do this, and what did he do 
right here," Williams said.&nbsp; "He'll give it to you. He's not one of 
those guys who's in his own little world. He'll come and offer some of 
that wisdom. At the same time, him being humble and knowing how to speak
 to the rookies so we understand it, that's a plus. I love him."

Williams,
 drafted in the fourth round this year out of Fayetteville State, is one
 four players on the Chiefs' roster who came up from Division II college
 football. Another one is Dandridge, who played and graduated from the 
institution that hosts training camp - Missouri Western.

Dandridge
 has been, at the very least, making a case for the practice squad. He 
nearly had an interception in last Saturday's game at Chicago, and had a
 great PBU against Aaron Parker in Tuesday's practice.

Like Sneed, Dandridge is another player who Williams talks to often.

"I
 speak to Dandridge about the playbook and try to get some of his 
skillset," Williams said. "Brandin is a great player. He's versatile. He
 can play on the outside, he can play some of that nickel spot. You 
know, I talk to him about some of the things he expects when he sees 
certain formations or certain looks."

Harrison Butker supports Justin Reid's kicking

Kicker
 Harrison Butker missed Monday's practice due to ankle soreness, but was
 back and at full strength both Tuesday and Wednesday.

He was seen
 giving lead contender for backup kicker, Justin Reid, a hug in 
Saturday's game after Reid knocked through a point after right before 
halftime.

Butker says Reid "has a big leg, but not a lot of 
efficiency." Reid has continued to take a handful of reps placekicking 
in practice, especially Monday when Butker was gone.&nbsp;

One thing is certain - Butker is glad to have another player willing and capable to at least try field goals.

"I'm
 all for it," Butker said gladly. "I'm all for evolving the game and 
pushing the limits. So, to have more people who are enthusiastic about 
being kickers, I'm all for it."

The Chiefs hold their final practice of training camp on Thursday with an early 8:15 a.m. start.

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

🏈 Injury alert: Key Chiefs leave camp practice early Wednesday

By MIKE COURSON <a href="https://greatbendpost.com/">Great Bend Post</a>

GREAT BEND — Another fall prep sports season is in full swing around the state of Kansas as Monday marks the first day of practice. Along with the many new athletes competing this year, Great Bend Activities Director Matt Westerhaus is excited about his new start. Westerhaus officially began his duties at GBHS on Aug. 1.

"When you've got great coaches and great people, it makes that transition pretty smooth and simple," Westerhaus said. "They know the requirements, and they know to get things in and get things taken care of. It hasn't been as chaotic as probably one would assume. It's been good, it's been great. Everybody has been awesome."

Westerhaus joined USD 428 after serving as the athletic director at Junction City High School. A native of Junction City, Westerhaus played high school basketball there before playing at Benedictine College in Atchison. He was hired for the Great Bend position in January and is already pleased with the facilities and staff.

"We've got wonderful facilities," he said. "Probably even more important are the people who take care of those facilities, whether it's the grounds crew, the custodial staff. Every time you walk on or into a facility, it's clean, it's ready to go for whatever is coming next. Kudos to the 428 group that makes that happen. Our kids probably don't realize how important that is, and don't recognize it, but I know our coaching staff does, and myself. It's just one of those little things that makes a big difference."

Westerhaus takes over for David Meter, who worked in the district for 43 years and served as activities director at GBHS for 22 years. Courtney Kelly takes over for Lana Wolf, who retired from the activities office last May after 34 years.

"Lana and Dave were staples in the activities department for a lot of years," Westerhaus said. "A lot of people leaned on them to make things happen and provide solutions. Courtney Kelly, my new assistant, and myself are the same thing. Our office is there to provide support for coaches, sponsors, and help them do what they need to do to make our programs and students successful."

Westerhaus also thanked the physicians and other workers who provided free physicals to student-athletes on Aug. 6.

"I'd be reminiscent to not thank the doctors and everybody in the community who came out and made the free physicals a huge success," he said. "I think we had over 250 families and students take advantage of that day. It's just another testament to the Great Bend community for being so helpful and making things happen."

The fall season at GBHS is a full one with football, volleyball, cross country, soccer, girls' tennis, and girls' golf. Westerhaus said many Panther athletes put in a good summer of workouts to prepare for the upcoming season.

"Probably over 60 of our student-athletes were in the weight room 95 percent of the time all summer," he said. "They have put the time, energy, and effort into helping themselves and their teams prepare for the upcoming season. It's exciting to see them putting the time and energy in, and hopefully it will pay off in the long run for all of our programs here in Great Bend."

With the sports season now in full swing, Westerhaus said he is ready to play his part in GBHS's success this year.

"I'm a pretty energetic guy, love to compete each and every day," he said. "I just look forward to getting to know people, getting to know our students. The Great Bend community has been very welcoming to my wife and myself the past two months."

Before the schedule hits full speed, GBHS is hosting its Meet the Panthers event in Jack Kilby Square on Sunday, Aug. 21 at 5 p.m. The Lady Panther volleyball team holds its scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 26 at 5 p.m. at GBHS, and the Panther football team hosts a jamboree with Hoisington and Scott City at 6 p.m. that evening.

Junction native ready for first season as Great Bend AD

Junction City Blue Jay football began practice Monday with about 115 players on the field, and more expected when physicals are completed.&nbsp;

Coach Randall Zimmerman liked the first day. "Lot of fun, great senior leadership. You could really tell who was around all summer long, they were really hustling doing some really good things." Zimmerman added that this will be a fun group of players to be around.

Junction City will have a public scrimmage at Blue Jay Stadium on Saturday from 9-11 a.m.&nbsp;

The Blue / White scrimmage will be Friday Aug. 26 and the first game will be at Hays Sept. 2. The home opener will be against Dodge City on Sept. 9.

Blue Jays begin 2022 football practice

By Ryan Lackey - Associate Athletics Director for Communication

MANHATTAN, Kansas&nbsp;–&nbsp;Following a two-year hiatus, K-State football fans are welcome back to meet and get autographs from their favorite Wildcats as the program will hold a “Meet the Cats” autograph session on Saturday, August 27, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the concourse of Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

Parking is available on the west side of the stadium, and fans can enter through Gate B for the autograph session. Those seeking autographs are asked to limit the number of items to one per person and encouraged to provide their own item to be signed. The K-State Super Store at the Stadium on the west side of Bill Snyder Family Stadium will be open for the event.

Fans are encouraged to make it a full Wildcat Saturday as the K-State volleyball team hosts Florida A&amp;M in the K-State Invitational at 12:30 p.m. that day inside Bramlage Coliseum.

The West Stadium Center ticket office will be open during the event for fans wishing to purchase single-game tickets. Tickets remain for all seven home games, including the home opener against South Dakota on Saturday, September 3, at 6 p.m., inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

Those who are unable to attend the autograph session can still order tickets online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/tickets" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com/tickets</a>&nbsp;or by phone at 1-800-221-CATS.

Meet the Cats Autograph Session Set for August 27

Monday is the first day high school fall sports teams can practice for their upcoming seasons.

At Junction City High School the fall sports teams include football, volleyball, boys and girls cross country, girls tennis, girls golf and boys soccer. Tryouts for girls tennis begin on Tuesday.

High school fall sports practices are set to begin

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — There’s no question about Tampa Bay’s plans for Kyle Trask for this season.

If Tom Brady remains healthy, and the Buccaneers are anywhere near as successful as they think they can be, the third-string quarterback likely won’t play a down for the second straight year.

That’s why it’s important for the defending NFC South champions to learn as much as possible this preseason about the 2020 second-round draft pick’s potential to develop into an eventual successor to the 45-year-old Brady.

He threw for 258 yards and led two touchdown drives in a 26-24 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Saturday night. There were some growing pains, too, with Trask throwing an interception and losing a fumble that was returned for a TD.

“Overall, I thought he played well,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said.

Miami third-stringer Skylar Thompson played well in spurts, too, throwing for 218 yards and one TD in Mike McDaniel’s debut as the Dolphins’ coach.

Jason Sanders kicked four field goals, including a 53-yarder that put Miami ahead for good with just under seven minutes remaining.

Trask drove the Bucs into position to potentially win the game, but Jose Borregales’ 49-yard field goal attempt hit the right upright and bounced away as time expired.

“I just tried to stay calm,” Trask said. “We pushed the ball down the field and gave ourselves a chance.”

With Brady taking what Bowles described as a pre-planned break from training camp for personal reasons, Trask and No. 2 quarterback Blaine Gabbert shared playing time against the Dolphins.

Most of the starters from both teams, including Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and key offseason acquisition Tyreek Hill, had the night off after the clubs scrimmaged against each other for two days earlier in the week.

The Bucs announced Thursday that Brady, who practiced the previous day against the Dolphins, will not rejoin the team until after next weekend’s preseason game at Tennessee.

Gabbert, a 12th-year pro who backed up Brady the past two seasons, started Saturday night and worked two series. His 23-yard touchdown pass to Jaelon Darden gave the Bucs an early lead. Trask extended it by completing five of six passes for 67 yards on a long drive Ke’Shawn Vaughn finished with a 1-yard scoring run.

Trask followed that up with a pair of costly turnovers: an interception on an ill-advised pass intended for rookie running back Rachaad White, and a fumble that Miami linebacker Sam Eguavoen returned 32 yards for a second-quarter TD.

The Dolphins also converted the interception into points, with Thompson tossing a 22-yard TD pass to Lynn Bowden Jr.

Thompson played the entire game, finishing 20 of 28 passing with no interceptions.

Trask played the final three quarters for Tampa Bay, going 25 of 33 for 258 yards, one interception and one touchdown.

The 24-year-old was inactive for every game during the regular season and playoffs a year ago, but benefited greatly by watching how Brady prepares for games in practice and executes the offensive plan on game days.

It’s a role Trask has been familiar with since his days at Manvel High School in Texas, where he once played behind future University of Houston and Miami quarterback D’Eriq King. He was also rode the bench at Florida for three years before an injury to Feleipe Franks created an opportunity with the Gators.

The only Tampa Bay player listed as a starter on the depth chart who played was Aaron Stinnie, who’s competing for the left guard opening created by Ali Marpet’s retirement. The rest of the offensive line rested, as did receivers Mike Evans, Russell Gage and Julio Jones, running back Leonard Fournette and defensive stalwarts Lavonte David, Devin White, Shaquil Barrett, Vita Vea, Akiem Hicks, Carlton Davis, Sean Murphy-Bunting and Antoine Winfield, Jr.

Several key Dolphins joined Tagovailoa and Hill in sitting out, including receiver Jaylen Waddle, running backs Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, cornerback Xavien Howard and safety Jevon Holland.

Dolphins: Host the Las Vegas Raiders next Saturday.

Buccaneers: Travel to Nashville next week for a pair of joint practices ahead of facing the Titans on Saturday.

Former Wildcat throws for 218 yards in NFL preseason debut 

By TOMMY REZAC St. Joseph Post

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Brandin Dandridge had a legendary career while wearing a Missouri Western uniform.

A
 three-time all-MIAA selection, including first-team as a returner in 
2018, Dandridge left St. Joseph for a professional career in the 
Canadian Football League.

He was signed by the Ottawa 
Redblacks in 2019 - only for his first scheduled season in 2020 to be 
canceled due to COVID-19. In 2021, he was signed to the practice roster,
 released, landed back on the practice roster and was elevated to the 
active roster last September.

He made the most of that chance, playing the final eight games of the season, nabbing four interceptions and 12 tackles.

That
 led to a tryout invite in February from the Kansas City Chiefs. That, 
eventually, landed him back on the Missouri Western campus - in a Chiefs
 uniform at training camp.

"Dream come true, man," Dandridge said 
of the experience. "I've just been soaking up every day, trying to get 
better. Enjoying the opportunity. Blessed. Blessed to be here. Just very
 thankful."

Dandridge has mostly worked with third and fourth-team
 defense in camp, as well as contributing on special teams. He's stood 
shoulder-to-shoulder with supreme talent in the Chiefs' cornerback room.

Rashad
 Fenton and L'Jarius Sneed are returning veteran starters at that 
position, while rookies Trent McDuffie and Joshua Williams have turned 
heads throughout camp as well.

It seems like a daunting task going against such talent, but Dandridge has embraced it.

"Man,
 it's been a huge blessing," he continued. "We're very competitive every
 single day. I know you see it. We're going to bring that every day in 
practice and every game."

Dandridge is currently one of four 
Missouri Western Griffons in the NFL, along with safety Jonathan Owens 
(Houston), kicker Greg Zuerlein (Dallas) and corner <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/c5ce9af5-88d2-4cca-bde8-2fc9a45a6643">Sam Webb, who just signed as an undrafted free agent</a> with Las Vegas in April.

The
 two stay in contact as best they can. Both from the Kansas City area, 
Webb and Dandridge were teammates at Missouri Western from 2016-2018, 
and were both all-MIAA defensive backs during the 2018 season.

"(Sam
 and I) talk as much as we can," Dandridge said. "He's busy, I'm busy. 
So, we try and communicate as much as we can. I'm proud of him. I 
started with him at Missouri Western. Two or three years. That's my 
brother right there. I got nothing but love for him."

Being back on campus has sparked memories for Dandridge. As has being back in the Griffons' locker room.

Missouri
 Western football just started their fall camp this past Monday. Matt 
Williamson, hired as the Griffons' head coach in Dandridge's junior 
season, invited his former player to speak with the 2022 Griffons on 
Wednesday night.

"It was fun to just, you know, jump back into 
that atmosphere again," Dandridge said. "Biggest message I gave them 
was...it's mainly a lot of young guys, just 'don't leave there with no 
regrets. Put everything you got into it. Use all of your resources that 
you got there and don't leave no regrets when you're a senior, because 
time flies.'"

Saturday is a big day for Dandridge and every young 
newcomer on the Chiefs' roster. Kansas City opens its preseason schedule
 at Chicago - just three days before NFL teams cut their active roster 
down from 90 to 85 players.

It'll go from 85 to 80 on August 23 with the final 53-man list being decided August 30.

Dandridge is aware of this, but isn't preoccupied with it. Instead, he's just excited to be playing in his first NFL game.

"Man,
 I'm just excited to go play football at the end of the day," he said. 
"First game of the season. I'm just ready to go out there and compete."

Training
 camp in St. Joseph wraps up August 18. Dandridge will then head back to
 Kansas City with the team. He was born and raised in Des Moines, moved 
to Lee's Summit in seventh grade and graduated from Blue Springs South 
High School in 2014.

Being signed by the Chiefs this year has 
turned into a second homecoming of sorts for Dandridge, who's been able 
to reconnect with family since being back. And you can be sure, his 
family is ready for this football season.

"You know, they're all 
excited and ready to come to games and watch us play," Dandridge said. 
"It's been real fun. Real humbling. Just blessed and ready to play 
ball."

🎙 🏈 Chiefs' Dandridge returns to St. Joseph to fulfill a dream

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Zack Greinke worked out of trouble to hold Chicago scoreless into the seventh inning, and the Kansas City Royals beat Dylan Cease and the White Sox 5-3. 

Greinke allowed nine hits but didn’t walk a batter, striking out five while throwing 95 pitches in 6 1/3 innings. Vinnie Pasquantino homered and Nicky Lopez had a two-run single for the Royals, who won back-to-back four-game series for the first time since Aug. 11-18, 2014. 

Kansas City took three of four from visiting Boston before doing the same to Chicago. Cease allowed three hits and one run in six innings as his ERA dropped to 1.96.

Greinke leads the Royals past the White Sox

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes will start the Kansas City Chiefs' preseason opener in Chicago on Saturday, bucking a trend across the NFL of coaches sitting their starting quarterbacks for the first of their three exhibition games.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Thursday he would stick to his usual routine of having each of the four quarterbacks in camp play for a quarter of the preseason opener. And while he acknowledged the number of snaps could change based on the way the game is going, Reid thinks it's important for everybody — stars and backups alike — to get onto the field.

“I think it's good to get the juices going, get yourself out there, even if it's a limited amount of plays,” Reid said after the Chiefs wrapped up Thursday's practice at Missouri Western State University.

“I'm not saying it's wrong what others are doing,” Reid said. “That's just where I'm at.”

The Raiders sat Derek Carr and the Jaguars played without Trevor Lawrence in last week's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jacksonville-jaguars-las-vegas-raiders-nfl-sports-1ef4e7063afad61d250458a4e6e0b08c">Hall of Fame Game</a>, though that's typical given the game occurs a week earlier than the rest of the preseason openers. But plenty of teams are choosing to sit their starting quarterbacks this week, too, rather than risk an injury by subjecting them to unnecessary hits.

The Patriots planned to sit Mac Jones for their preseason opener against the Giants on Thursday night, when the Ravens were expected to have Lamar Jackson wearing a headset rather than a helmet for their game against the Titans.

Others sitting out include the Cowboys' Dak Prescott, Bills starter Josh Allen and the Buccaneers' Tom Brady, who is beginning an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tampa-bay-buccaneers-miami-dolphins-nfl-sports-tennessee-846087570533336023542114148dcd1c">11-day absence to deal with “personal things.”</a>&nbsp;Aaron Rodgers also is unlikely to play for the Packers given that the four-time and reigning league MVP has not played in a preseason game for Green Bay since 2018.

“I like to get in there and get hit like, on time,” said Mahomes, who has played the preseason opener every season but 2020, when there wasn't any because of the pandemic. “Once you get hit one time, you see what it is. Then you're good to go."

Mahomes threw only two passes in last year's preseason opener against San Francisco before giving way to backup Chad Henne and the rest of the Kansas City quarterbacks. Mahomes had more extensive time in the second and third games.

When there was a four-game preseason schedule, he usually played the first three before sitting out the finale.

“It'll be good this time to get in there with the new group of receivers we have, all the new running backs, and show how we do it in the game,” Mahomes said. “We're doing it here in practice but we want to show how we do it in the game.”

Reid said his quarterbacks will be accompanied by their respective line on the depth chart, meaning Mahomes will play with the starting offense before Henne takes over with the backups. Shane Buechele and Dustin Crum will finish things out.

“It's definitely about getting into rhythm. It's getting into the game, seeing how the clock is running — everything in the game speeds up,” Mahomes explained. “So the guys need to think, execute, show off their talent. It's going to be important to be in the game and see how all these guys do.”

As much as Mahomes wants to see how new wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and second-round pick Skyy Moore fare on Saturday, most of the attention will be on the revamped defense.

First-round pick Trent McDuffie is expected to start at cornerback along with Justin Reid, who arrived from Houston in free agency. The Chiefs also expect to give plenty of work to another first-round pick, defensive end George Karlaftis, along with rookie defensive backs Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson and Bryan Cook.

“It's bare-bones football,” Justin Reid said, when asked what to expect when the playbook is condensed and the game plan largely nonexistent. “We know what you're going to do. You know what we're going to do. Let's line up and do it. It's a test of wills. This is about giving guys a chance to show what they got.”

NOTES: DE Frank Clark missed practice with an illness. DB Zayne Anderson (shoulder), WR Greg Jennings and OT Lucas Niang (knee) also remained out. WR Omar Bayless left early when his lower back tightened up. ... TE Jody Fortson returned after hurting his quad earlier in camp. The plan is to slowly get him up to speed. ... Andy Reid said he's looking forward to getting DT Danny Shelton in camp after the Chiefs agreed to a contract with him this week. The 345-pound Shelton has not been added to the official roster yet. “I think we'll get a lot out of him,” Reid said. “He's a big guy. There'll be a lot of him here.”

🏈Chiefs' Mahomes to buck NFL trend, play preseason opener

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Thursday marked the final Chiefs training camp practice before the first preseason game at Chicago this Saturday.

Thursday
 was the 13th camp practice, lasting for just over two hours, as the 
team practiced in full pads on a warm, but not unbearable morning.

Head
 coach Andy Reid confirmed that each quarterback will play one quarter. 
So, it's safe to assume most of the starters won't play much, if at all,
 after the first quarter.

Reid says preseason serves several purposes - mainly getting the 
starters reacclimated and letting newer players prove their worth.

"There's
 a balance there with letting the ones (starters) get a little bit of 
work," Reid said. "The guys that are going to play in the game, and 
still have the competition at certain positions, and most of all, get 
the young guys a look."

Patrick Mahomes has gone through an NFL 
preseason five times already. He says that first hit you take from an 
opponent usually gets you in the right mindset.

"I like to get hit
 like one time," Mahomes said. "Once you get hit one time, you kind of 
see what it's like to get hit again as a quarterback. I feel like after 
that, you're good to go. It'll be good to get in there with the new 
group of receivers we have, all of the running backs and show how we do 
it in the game."

It's becoming more of a possibility that Ronald Jones may not make the 53-man roster.

Jones
 took reps with the fourth-team offense Thursday, with Clyde 
Edwards-Helaire, Jerick McKinnon and Isiah Pacheco rotating in on 
first-team.

Jones, a fifth-year pro signed in free agency by the 
Chiefs in March, had over 2,800 all-purpose yards and 19 total 
touchdowns in four seasons at Tampa Bay. So, it's a little hard to 
believe he'll be on the outside looking in.

As for Pacheco, a 
rookie and seventh-round draft pick out of Rutgers, Mahomes, when asked 
about Pacheco specifically, says he's impressed with what Pacheco has 
brought to the table.

"(Pacheco) has all of the physical tools," 
Mahomes said. "He's been mentally great at practice. So, it'll be 
exciting to see him in the game where you get to go out there and make 
stuff happen."

Justin Reid - not the starting kicker

While
 Reid is expected to make a significant impact as a starting safety this
 season, many have wondered about his starting kicking abilities after 
he drilled a 65-yard field goal at the end of Sunday's practice.

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