Junction City Police Chief John Lamb said the police department will host their annual block party next Friday, Aug. 6th in Heritage Park. Activities will begin at 5 p.m.

Lamb said there will be a lot of booths set up from different services in the community representing their agencies. "We'll have the dunking booth to raise money for the Shop With a Cop at Christmas. The Swat Team is going to be doing an expo, and then we have the nine o'clock Movie in the Park. " There will also be free food. "We're really excited and hoping we're going to have a great turnout."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627784748275.jpeg" alt="Junction City Police Chief John Lamb" />
 <figcaption>Junction City Police Chief John Lamb</figcaption>
 </figure>Junction City Police Chief John Lamb said the police department will host their annual block party next Friday, Aug. 6th in Heritage Park. Activities will begin at 5 p.m.Lamb said there will be a lot of booths set up from different services in the community representing their agencies. "We'll have the dunking booth to raise money for the Shop With a Cop at Christmas. The Swat Team is going to be doing an expo, and then we have the nine o'clock Movie in the Park. " There will also be free food. "We're really excited and hoping we're going to have a great turnout."

JCPD will host their annual block party

Geary County Commissioners will meet with Don Osenbaugh of Osenbaugh Consulting on Monday to discuss a planed financial coordinator position for the county. That session is scheduled about 10:30a.m. at the county office building.

The governing will also receive a program update from representatives of the Food Pantry at 11a.m. Work will also continue on the 2022 county budget.

Geary County Commissioners will meet with Don Osenbaugh of Osenbaugh Consulting on Monday to discuss a planed financial coordinator position for the county. That session is scheduled about 10:30a.m. at the county office building.The governing will also receive a program update from representatives of the Food Pantry at 11a.m. Work will also continue on the 2022 county budget.

Financial coordinator discussion will be on the county agenda

Double Up Food Bucks offers a match program for SNAP participants

The Geary Community Farmers Market continues to offer the Double Up Food Bucks program, a healthy food incentive program that helps low-income families eat more healthy food and supports local farmers.

SNAP participants who shop at the Geary Community Farmers Market can swipe their EBT cards to get tokens to use for food purchases. Through the Double Up program, SNAP participants receive a matching number of Double Up Food Bucks tokens for free, up to $25 per day. This doubles the dollars they can spend on healthy food at the market. The SNAP tokens can be used to buy any SNAP-eligible items at the market, and the matching free Double

Up Food Bucks tokens can be used for any fresh fruits and vegetables. The Double Up tokens can be used any time at the market through the 2021 market season. The market is held every Thursday, 4-7 p.m., adjacent to South Washington Street in the parking lot in front of&nbsp; the JC Naz Church.

Double Up Food Bucks offers a match program for SNAP participantsThe Geary Community Farmers Market continues to offer the Double Up Food Bucks program, a healthy food incentive program that helps low-income families eat more healthy food and supports local farmers.SNAP participants who shop at the Geary Community Farmers Market can swipe their EBT cards to get tokens to use for food purchases. Through the Double Up program, SNAP participants receive a matching number of Double Up Food Bucks tokens for free, up to $25 per day. This doubles the dollars they can spend on healthy food at the market. The SNAP tokens can be used to buy any SNAP-eligible items at the market, and the matching free DoubleUp Food Bucks tokens can be used for any fresh fruits and vegetables. The Double Up tokens can be used any time at the market through the 2021 market season. The market is held every Thursday, 4-7 p.m., adjacent to South Washington Street in the parking lot in front of&nbsp; the JC Naz Church.

Geary Community Farmers Market is part of a program benefiting low-income families, farmers

Bills could increase by anywhere from $5 to $11 per month depending on which of KGS’ proposed plans is approved

By&nbsp;ALLISON KITE Kansas Reflector

Customers of Kansas’ largest natural gas utility could be paying off costs from<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/02/18/feds-ramp-up-emergency-help-for-kansas-other-states-hit-by-extreme-weather/">&nbsp;February’s deep freeze</a>&nbsp;for the next 10 years, the company revealed Friday.

The Kansas Gas Service, which serves more than 640,000 Kansas customers,<a target="_blank" href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/S202107301358431182.pdf?Id=5d765b67-4e68-4819-bbf2-85f5bc05d3b2">&nbsp;filed plans with regulators</a>&nbsp;to issue securitized bonds for approximately $390 million in extraordinary costs from the cold snap — plus carrying costs — and recoup the sum from customers over five, seven or 10 years, increasing residential bills by anywhere from about $5 to $11 per month. If the Kansas Corporation Commission doesn’t approve the arrangement, KGS said it would request to recover the costs over three years “to minimize the carrying costs” of the debt.

Its plans come after<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/news/article252184783.html">&nbsp;Black Hills Energy announced in June that its customers bills would increase by an average of $12.23</a>&nbsp;per month for five years to recover what amounted to a year’s worth of gas charges in one month.

“Compared to traditional regulatory methods over the same period, the company estimates that securitization will save customers from approximately $112 million to $188 million, depending on the recovery time frame approved by the KCC,” KGS spokeswoman Dawn Tripp said in a statement.

February’s deep freeze posed a huge disruption to both gas and electric utilities. In Kansas City, temperatures plunged below 15 degrees for 10 days. At the same time, natural gas prices shot up to record levels. KGS’ filing says, depending on the pipeline, average prices for the company to secure gas in February rose by as much as 10 or 20 times the average over the last five years. A s<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/04/mulberry-files-lawsuit-accusing-bp-energy-of-price-gouging-during-extreme-cold/">mall Kansas town suing BP Energy</a>&nbsp;said in its lawsuit the company inflated gas prices from $2.98 per mmbtu on Feb. 9 to $329.615 from Feb. 13 to Feb. 16.

Now utilities are<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/06/16/after-winter-cold-snap-drove-up-natural-gas-prices-utilities-grapple-with-who-should-pay/">&nbsp;grappling with how to recover the huge sums</a>&nbsp;they paid for natural gas in February to keep Kansans’ heat and lights on.

Customers may have already paid high bills for extraordinary usage to keep their homes warm. But natural gas rates are set in advance through the regulatory process, and those high prices weren’t immediately passed on.&nbsp;

The high price of natural gas and lack of supply has been identified as one of the primary reasons electrical utilities were instructed to institute rolling blackouts to avoid the uncontrolled outages affecting millions in Texas. The Southwest Power Pool, a regional transmission organization that coordinates electrical power in Kansas, earlier this week released findings saying that<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/07/26/fuel-shortages-drove-february-blackouts-southwest-power-pool-investigators-find/">&nbsp;natural gas was hard to come by during the deep freeze</a>.

During the storm, the KCC instructed natural gas utilities to keep service on and defer any extraordinary costs to be repaid later. It then opened dockets to investigate each utility and asked them to present a plan to minimize the crush to customers rather than requiring them to pay the exorbitant gas prices immediately.

<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/07/08/after-winter-storm-some-evergy-customers-could-see-savings-while-others-pay-for-years/">Evergy, too, will seek to recover costs</a>&nbsp;from customers. In the Kansas City area, the utility was able to generate more power than it needed and sell the excess to the Southwest Power Pool. But customers outside the metro in Kansas could gradually repay $152.3 million over two years. In parts of Missouri, the company is asking to defer costs from the storm and recover more than $297 million potentially over 15 years.

The figures in KGS’s plan are subject to change, the filing says. The company is disputing $15 million in gas charges from one supplier. Any federal or state relief or findings that the natural gas market was manipulated will be credited to offset the charges to customers, the company said.

David Nickel, executive director of the Citizens’ Utility Ratepayer Board, which advocates for residential customers, said the organization was still looking at the plan, which was filed Friday afternoon. But he said securitization shows promise.

The above story is republished with permission from <a href="http://kansasreflector.com">Kansas Reflector</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1627825393372.jpeg" alt="Andrew French, chairman of the Kansas Corporation Commission, warns in February that natural gas is being sold at far above normal rates. The Kansas Gas Service filed a plan to recover the exorbitant costs from ratepayers over five, seven or 10 years. Photo by Noah Taborda courtesy Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>Andrew French, chairman of the Kansas Corporation Commission, warns in February that natural gas is being sold at far above normal rates. The Kansas Gas Service filed a plan to recover the exorbitant costs from ratepayers over five, seven or 10 years. Photo by Noah Taborda courtesy Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Bills could increase by anywhere from $5 to $11 per month depending on which of KGS’ proposed plans is approved</h2>By&nbsp;ALLISON KITE Kansas ReflectorCustomers of Kansas’ largest natural gas utility could be paying off costs from<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/02/18/feds-ramp-up-emergency-help-for-kansas-other-states-hit-by-extreme-weather/">&nbsp;February’s deep freeze</a>&nbsp;for the next 10 years, the company revealed Friday.The Kansas Gas Service, which serves more than 640,000 Kansas customers,<a target="_blank" href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/S202107301358431182.pdf?Id=5d765b67-4e68-4819-bbf2-85f5bc05d3b2">&nbsp;filed plans with regulators</a>&nbsp;to issue securitized bonds for approximately $390 million in extraordinary costs from the cold snap — plus carrying costs — and recoup the sum from customers over five, seven or 10 years, increasing residential bills by anywhere from about $5 to $11 per month. If the Kansas Corporation Commission doesn’t approve the arrangement, KGS said it would request to recover the costs over three years “to minimize the carrying costs” of the debt.Its plans come after<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.com/news/article252184783.html">&nbsp;Black Hills Energy announced in June that its customers bills would increase by an average of $12.23</a>&nbsp;per month for five years to recover what amounted to a year’s worth of gas charges in one month.“Compared to traditional regulatory methods over the same period, the company estimates that securitization will save customers from approximately $112 million to $188 million, depending on the recovery time frame approved by the KCC,” KGS spokeswoman Dawn Tripp said in a statement.February’s deep freeze posed a huge disruption to both gas and electric utilities. In Kansas City, temperatures plunged below 15 degrees for 10 days. At the same time, natural gas prices shot up to record levels. KGS’ filing says, depending on the pipeline, average prices for the company to secure gas in February rose by as much as 10 or 20 times the average over the last five years. A s<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/04/mulberry-files-lawsuit-accusing-bp-energy-of-price-gouging-during-extreme-cold/">mall Kansas town suing BP Energy</a>&nbsp;said in its lawsuit the company inflated gas prices from $2.98 per mmbtu on Feb. 9 to $329.615 from Feb. 13 to Feb. 16.Now utilities are<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/06/16/after-winter-cold-snap-drove-up-natural-gas-prices-utilities-grapple-with-who-should-pay/">&nbsp;grappling with how to recover the huge sums</a>&nbsp;they paid for natural gas in February to keep Kansans’ heat and lights on.Customers may have already paid high bills for extraordinary usage to keep their homes warm. But natural gas rates are set in advance through the regulatory process, and those high prices weren’t immediately passed on.&nbsp;The high price of natural gas and lack of supply has been identified as one of the primary reasons electrical utilities were instructed to institute rolling blackouts to avoid the uncontrolled outages affecting millions in Texas. The Southwest Power Pool, a regional transmission organization that coordinates electrical power in Kansas, earlier this week released findings saying that<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/07/26/fuel-shortages-drove-february-blackouts-southwest-power-pool-investigators-find/">&nbsp;natural gas was hard to come by during the deep freeze</a>.During the storm, the KCC instructed natural gas utilities to keep service on and defer any extraordinary costs to be repaid later. It then opened dockets to investigate each utility and asked them to present a plan to minimize the crush to customers rather than requiring them to pay the exorbitant gas prices immediately.<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/07/08/after-winter-storm-some-evergy-customers-could-see-savings-while-others-pay-for-years/">Evergy, too, will seek to recover costs</a>&nbsp;from customers. In the Kansas City area, the utility was able to generate more power than it needed and sell the excess to the Southwest Power Pool. But customers outside the metro in Kansas could gradually repay $152.3 million over two years. In parts of Missouri, the company is asking to defer costs from the storm and recover more than $297 million potentially over 15 years.The figures in KGS’s plan are subject to change, the filing says. The company is disputing $15 million in gas charges from one supplier. Any federal or state relief or findings that the natural gas market was manipulated will be credited to offset the charges to customers, the company said.David Nickel, executive director of the Citizens’ Utility Ratepayer Board, which advocates for residential customers, said the organization was still looking at the plan, which was filed Friday afternoon. But he said securitization shows promise.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625673106778.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The above story is republished with permission from <a href="http://kansasreflector.com">Kansas Reflector</a>.

Kansas Gas Service customers could pay cold snap costs for 10 years

&nbsp; MANHATTAN — Live performances will return to&nbsp;<a href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">McCain Auditorium</a>&nbsp;at Kansas State University this fall. "We are offering six events in our fall McCain Performance Series, bringing K-State and the Flint Hills region the best in music, theatre and holiday fun," said Todd Holmberg, McCain Auditorium executive director. Tickets will go on sale online only, at&nbsp;<a href="http://mccain.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">mccain.k-state.edu</a>, beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 2, and then will be available 24 hours a day. Tickets can be purchased in person or by phone, 785-532-6428, from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, beginning Wednesday, Aug. 18. In-person tickets can be purchased at McCain's Ticket Services office in the auditorium's newly expanded lobby. "Our fall lineup has something for everyone to enjoy," Holmberg said. "All shows start at 7:30 p.m. and will take place in McCain Auditorium." The fall 2021 McCain Performance Series: • Country music star Sara Evans on Thursday, Sept. 16. • America: 50th Anniversary Tour on Friday, Sept. 24. • Boz Scaggs: Out of the Blue Tour 2021 on Thursday, Sept. 30. • "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" on Thursday, Dec. 2. • A Canadian Brass Christmas on Wednesday, Dec. 8. • Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis on Tuesday, Dec. 14. Ticket prices for each performance are available at&nbsp;<a href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">mccain.k-state.edu</a>. &nbsp;McCain&nbsp;will follow K-State's guidelines for COVID-19 health and safety procedures in place on the date of each performance. For more information visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/covid-19/" target="_blank">k-state.edu/covid-19</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;

&nbsp; MANHATTAN — Live performances will return to&nbsp;<a href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">McCain Auditorium</a>&nbsp;at Kansas State University this fall. "We are offering six events in our fall McCain Performance Series, bringing K-State and the Flint Hills region the best in music, theatre and holiday fun," said Todd Holmberg, McCain Auditorium executive director. Tickets will go on sale online only, at&nbsp;<a href="http://mccain.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">mccain.k-state.edu</a>, beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 2, and then will be available 24 hours a day. Tickets can be purchased in person or by phone, 785-532-6428, from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, beginning Wednesday, Aug. 18. In-person tickets can be purchased at McCain's Ticket Services office in the auditorium's newly expanded lobby. "Our fall lineup has something for everyone to enjoy," Holmberg said. "All shows start at 7:30 p.m. and will take place in McCain Auditorium." The fall 2021 McCain Performance Series: • Country music star Sara Evans on Thursday, Sept. 16. • America: 50th Anniversary Tour on Friday, Sept. 24. • Boz Scaggs: Out of the Blue Tour 2021 on Thursday, Sept. 30. • "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" on Thursday, Dec. 2. • A Canadian Brass Christmas on Wednesday, Dec. 8. • Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis on Tuesday, Dec. 14. Ticket prices for each performance are available at&nbsp;<a href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">mccain.k-state.edu</a>. &nbsp;McCain&nbsp;will follow K-State's guidelines for COVID-19 health and safety procedures in place on the date of each performance. For more information visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/covid-19/" target="_blank">k-state.edu/covid-19</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The wait is over: McCain Performance Series is back with six live events this fall

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. Courtesy photos.

Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.

Chantell Howard, Failure to appear ( 2 counts ), Arrested 7/27

Mekel McAlpine, Transporting an open container, Criminal possession of weapon by felon, Possession of controlled substance, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/27

Jeremiah Harper, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, Maximum speed limits, Arrested 7/27

Angela Harper, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/27

Conner Ables, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/27

Michaela Jones, Failure to appear ( 3 counts ), Arrested 7/28

Silvia Duran, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/28

Jacob Martin, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, Maximum speed limits, Arrested 7/26

Esteban Martinez, Domestic battery, Unlawful damage to property, Possession of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Arrested 7/26

Brandon Gibson, Aggravated domestic battery, Arrested 7/26

Trinity Magnett, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/23

Edward Moore, Probation violation, Arrested 7/23

Louis Mogel, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/23

Christina Griffin, Driving while license cancelled / suspended / revoked; misdemeanor, Use / possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of marijuana, Arrested 7/23

Atimango Bendijo, Improper driving on laned roadway, Driving while suspended, Arrested 7/23

Dillion Guiton, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/24

David Sweitzer, Defective muffler, Exceeding posted speed limit, DUI - liquor / drugs, Arrested 7/24

Brannoc Borowiak-Miller, Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; misdemeanor, Arrested 7/24

Sergio Edmundo, Galicia Arroyo, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/24

Carter Butler, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/24

Alejandro Sosa, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/24

Hehber Sandoval, Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; misdemeanor, Failure to stop at accident, Arrested 7/25

Calvin Brand, Driving under influence of drug or combination of drugs, Defective headlamps on motor vehicle, Driving while license cancelled / suspended / revoked; misdemeanor, Arrested 7/25

Everett Summers, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, Outside warrant, Arrested 7/25

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. Courtesy photos.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627778385973.jpeg" alt="Cinderella Jackson, Distribute opiate, opium, narcotic, certain stimulant, Use / possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Traffic contraband in corrections / care facility, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Probation violation ( 2 counts ), Arrested 7/27" />
 <figcaption>Cinderella Jackson, Distribute opiate, opium, narcotic, certain stimulant, Use / possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Traffic contraband in corrections / care facility, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Probation violation ( 2 counts ), Arrested 7/27</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627778530085.jpeg" alt="Deliliah Bellamy, Failure to appear ( 2 counts ), Probation violation, Arrested 7/27" />
 <figcaption>Deliliah Bellamy, Failure to appear ( 2 counts ), Probation violation, Arrested 7/27</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627778575936.jpeg" alt="Alvaro Ramirez-Perez, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/28" />
 <figcaption>Alvaro Ramirez-Perez, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/28</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627778629956.jpeg" alt="Johnny Cole Jr., Failure to appear, Arrested 7/28" />
 <figcaption>Johnny Cole Jr., Failure to appear, Arrested 7/28</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627778669989.jpeg" alt="Lawrence Bonhomme Jr., Bond violation ( 2 counts ), Arrested 7/28" />
 <figcaption>Lawrence Bonhomme Jr., Bond violation ( 2 counts ), Arrested 7/28</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627778737048.jpeg" alt="Jermaine Betts, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/29" />
 <figcaption>Jermaine Betts, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/29</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Chantell Howard, Failure to appear ( 2 counts ), Arrested 7/27Mekel McAlpine, Transporting an open container, Criminal possession of weapon by felon, Possession of controlled substance, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/27Jeremiah Harper, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, Maximum speed limits, Arrested 7/27Angela Harper, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/27Conner Ables, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/27Michaela Jones, Failure to appear ( 3 counts ), Arrested 7/28Silvia Duran, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/28Jacob Martin, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, Maximum speed limits, Arrested 7/26Esteban Martinez, Domestic battery, Unlawful damage to property, Possession of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Arrested 7/26Brandon Gibson, Aggravated domestic battery, Arrested 7/26Trinity Magnett, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/23Edward Moore, Probation violation, Arrested 7/23Louis Mogel, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/23Christina Griffin, Driving while license cancelled / suspended / revoked; misdemeanor, Use / possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of marijuana, Arrested 7/23Atimango Bendijo, Improper driving on laned roadway, Driving while suspended, Arrested 7/23Dillion Guiton, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/24David Sweitzer, Defective muffler, Exceeding posted speed limit, DUI - liquor / drugs, Arrested 7/24Brannoc Borowiak-Miller, Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; misdemeanor, Arrested 7/24Sergio Edmundo, Galicia Arroyo, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/24Carter Butler, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/24Alejandro Sosa, Failure to appear, Arrested 7/24Hehber Sandoval, Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; misdemeanor, Failure to stop at accident, Arrested 7/25Calvin Brand, Driving under influence of drug or combination of drugs, Defective headlamps on motor vehicle, Driving while license cancelled / suspended / revoked; misdemeanor, Arrested 7/25Everett Summers, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, Outside warrant, Arrested 7/25Recent 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. Courtesy photos.

Geary County Booking Photos July 26-29

<ul>
 <li>Soldiers will be conducting a lot of range training in the coming weeks. In particular, expect there will be loud noise beginning 6 a.m. July 31 and during all hours August 1 through 8.</li>
 </ul>

Fort Riley issues a noise advisory

MANHATTAN — The Kansas State University&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">College of Veterinary Medicine</a>&nbsp;is offering interested students a chance to start their early admissions application process sooner rather than later. The college's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/admissions/early-admit/" target="_blank">Early Admission Program</a>&nbsp;is accepting applications beginning Aug. 1 and running through Feb. 1, 2022, after which interviews occur and selections will be announced. The program is open to high school seniors who have been admitted as undergraduate students to K-State with an interest in veterinary medicine and a 29 or above composite ACT score — or SAT equivalent. Students must currently be enrolled in high school and plan to attend K-State in the fall semester following their high school graduation. "The goal of the Early Admission Program is to recruit exceptional candidates for admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine and provide unique experiences that guide students toward advanced clinical and research training to produce future leaders in veterinary medicine," said Caroline Rost, assistant dean for admissions. Brittany Kovar, K-State fourth-year veterinary student from&nbsp;Manhattan, said being accepted into the Early Admission Program was a huge weight off her shoulders. "Knowing I wanted to pursue veterinary school, ideally at K-State, being accepted into the program allowed me to worry a little bit less about this step in my journey," Kovar said. "Not having to worry about my acceptance into veterinary school allowed me to focus more on clinical experiences and hands-on skills." Students admitted to the Early Admission Program qualify for myriad learning experiences and opportunities before and throughout their time in the College of Veterinary Medicine. "When I was a part of the program before beginning veterinary school, we had picnics with our veterinary school mentors and the opportunity to shadow them in the hospital and the classroom," Kovar said. "Through all of that, I was able to network and receive recommendations for different clinical experiences. My mentor in the early admissions program is somebody I still communicate with occasionally and they will absolutely be a close contact when I get into practice after graduation." More information about the program and how to apply is online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vet.k-state.edu/admissions/early-admit/" target="_blank">vet.k-state.edu/admissions/early-admit</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627749264654.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN — The Kansas State University&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">College of Veterinary Medicine</a>&nbsp;is offering interested students a chance to start their early admissions application process sooner rather than later. The college's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/admissions/early-admit/" target="_blank">Early Admission Program</a>&nbsp;is accepting applications beginning Aug. 1 and running through Feb. 1, 2022, after which interviews occur and selections will be announced. The program is open to high school seniors who have been admitted as undergraduate students to K-State with an interest in veterinary medicine and a 29 or above composite ACT score — or SAT equivalent. Students must currently be enrolled in high school and plan to attend K-State in the fall semester following their high school graduation. "The goal of the Early Admission Program is to recruit exceptional candidates for admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine and provide unique experiences that guide students toward advanced clinical and research training to produce future leaders in veterinary medicine," said Caroline Rost, assistant dean for admissions. Brittany Kovar, K-State fourth-year veterinary student from&nbsp;Manhattan, said being accepted into the Early Admission Program was a huge weight off her shoulders. "Knowing I wanted to pursue veterinary school, ideally at K-State, being accepted into the program allowed me to worry a little bit less about this step in my journey," Kovar said. "Not having to worry about my acceptance into veterinary school allowed me to focus more on clinical experiences and hands-on skills." Students admitted to the Early Admission Program qualify for myriad learning experiences and opportunities before and throughout their time in the College of Veterinary Medicine. "When I was a part of the program before beginning veterinary school, we had picnics with our veterinary school mentors and the opportunity to shadow them in the hospital and the classroom," Kovar said. "Through all of that, I was able to network and receive recommendations for different clinical experiences. My mentor in the early admissions program is somebody I still communicate with occasionally and they will absolutely be a close contact when I get into practice after graduation." More information about the program and how to apply is online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vet.k-state.edu/admissions/early-admit/" target="_blank">vet.k-state.edu/admissions/early-admit</a>.&nbsp;

Applications open for Early Admission Program at College of Veterinary Medicine

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has issued several public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae.

Warning • Gathering Pond at Milford, Geary County • Milford Lake&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA3MjkuNDM4ODE5NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2tkaGVrcy5nb3YvYWxnYWUtaWxsbmVzcy9kb3dubG9hZC9taWxmb3JkLWxha2Utem9uZWQucGRmP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.gXqriph-z4JqCaCslszXA6sAgfIBxIO3y9zGlc2gpbo/s/1305913623/br/110134475695-l" target="_blank">Zone C</a>, Geary County • Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County • Altamont City Lake “Idle Hour” Main Lake, Labette County • Big Hill Lake, Labette County • Parsons Lake, Labette County (new) • Marion County Lake, Marion County (upgraded 7/22) • Melvern Outlet Pond, Osage County (upgraded 7/22) • Webster Reservoir, Rooks County • Jerry Ivey Pond, Saline County • Hargis Lake, Sumner County (new) • Big Eleven Lake, Wyandotte County

Watch • Brown State Fishing Lake, Brown County • Mission Lake Horton, Brown County • Milford Lake&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA3MjkuNDM4ODE5NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2tkaGVrcy5nb3YvYWxnYWUtaWxsbmVzcy9kb3dubG9hZC9taWxmb3JkLWxha2Utem9uZWQucGRmP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.5Kb1Oqq2SC50_z-f0jEgJviKStEOsN5rRV4EYsmCkFU/s/1305913623/br/110134475695-l" target="_blank">Zones A</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA3MjkuNDM4ODE5NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2tkaGVrcy5nb3YvYWxnYWUtaWxsbmVzcy9kb3dubG9hZC9taWxmb3JkLWxha2Utem9uZWQucGRmP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.1iBT-t35pxuQzbl-ckiH-6JyEH0PcCHpjvYzHVCYRYY/s/1305913623/br/110134475695-l" target="_blank">B</a>, Geary County • South Lake, Johnson County • Altamont City Lake “Idle Hour” North Lake, Labette County •Marion Reservoir, Marion County (downgraded 7/22) • Overbook City Lake, Osage County • Agra City Lake, Phillips County • Atwood Township Lake, Rawlins County

Advisories Lifted 7/22/21 • Herington Reservoir (New City Lake), Dickinson County • Herington City Lake (Old Lake), Dickinson County • Geary State Fishing Lake, Geary County • Horsethief Reservoir, Hodgeman County • Linn Valley Lake, Linn County • River Pond below Tuttle Reservoir, Riley County

When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

A watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.

During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

Direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.

KDHE investigates publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.

Signs of a possible bloom include if there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA3MjkuNDM4ODE5NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvYWxnYWUtaWxsbmVzcy9pbmRleC5odG0_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.dvVV_dz3sXQQnfTAr9cee-gB6EGdaeGq0mLCTE6XMrU/s/1305913623/br/110134475695-l" target="_blank">www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm</a>.

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has issued several public health advisories for Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae.<h2>Active advisories</h2>Warning • Gathering Pond at Milford, Geary County • Milford Lake&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA3MjkuNDM4ODE5NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2tkaGVrcy5nb3YvYWxnYWUtaWxsbmVzcy9kb3dubG9hZC9taWxmb3JkLWxha2Utem9uZWQucGRmP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.gXqriph-z4JqCaCslszXA6sAgfIBxIO3y9zGlc2gpbo/s/1305913623/br/110134475695-l" target="_blank">Zone C</a>, Geary County • Harvey County East Lake, Harvey County • Altamont City Lake “Idle Hour” Main Lake, Labette County • Big Hill Lake, Labette County • Parsons Lake, Labette County (new) • Marion County Lake, Marion County (upgraded 7/22) • Melvern Outlet Pond, Osage County (upgraded 7/22) • Webster Reservoir, Rooks County • Jerry Ivey Pond, Saline County • Hargis Lake, Sumner County (new) • Big Eleven Lake, Wyandotte CountyWatch • Brown State Fishing Lake, Brown County • Mission Lake Horton, Brown County • Milford Lake&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA3MjkuNDM4ODE5NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2tkaGVrcy5nb3YvYWxnYWUtaWxsbmVzcy9kb3dubG9hZC9taWxmb3JkLWxha2Utem9uZWQucGRmP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.5Kb1Oqq2SC50_z-f0jEgJviKStEOsN5rRV4EYsmCkFU/s/1305913623/br/110134475695-l" target="_blank">Zones A</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA3MjkuNDM4ODE5NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2tkaGVrcy5nb3YvYWxnYWUtaWxsbmVzcy9kb3dubG9hZC9taWxmb3JkLWxha2Utem9uZWQucGRmP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.1iBT-t35pxuQzbl-ckiH-6JyEH0PcCHpjvYzHVCYRYY/s/1305913623/br/110134475695-l" target="_blank">B</a>, Geary County • South Lake, Johnson County • Altamont City Lake “Idle Hour” North Lake, Labette County •Marion Reservoir, Marion County (downgraded 7/22) • Overbook City Lake, Osage County • Agra City Lake, Phillips County • Atwood Township Lake, Rawlins CountyAdvisories Lifted 7/22/21 • Herington Reservoir (New City Lake), Dickinson County • Herington City Lake (Old Lake), Dickinson County • Geary State Fishing Lake, Geary County • Horsethief Reservoir, Hodgeman County • Linn Valley Lake, Linn County • River Pond below Tuttle Reservoir, Riley CountyWhen a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:<ul>
 <li>Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.</li><li>Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.</li><li>Water contact should be avoided.</li><li>Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.</li><li>Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.</li><li>If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.</li><li>Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.</li>
 </ul>A watch means that blue-green algae have been detected and a harmful algal bloom is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water.During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:<ul>
 <li>Signage will be posted at all public access locations.</li><li>Water may be unsafe for humans/animals.</li><li>Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water.</li><li>Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms.</li><li>Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid</li>
 </ul>Direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact.<ul>
 <li>Clean fish well with potable water and eat fillet portion only.</li>
 </ul>KDHE investigates publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.Signs of a possible bloom include if there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.For information on blue-green algae and reporting potential harmful algal blooms, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA3MjkuNDM4ODE5NTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvYWxnYWUtaWxsbmVzcy9pbmRleC5odG0_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.dvVV_dz3sXQQnfTAr9cee-gB6EGdaeGq0mLCTE6XMrU/s/1305913623/br/110134475695-l" target="_blank">www.kdheks.gov/algae-illness/index.htm</a>.

Public health advisories continue for local, area lakes

USD 475 has announced via social media that all school breakfast and lunches for the 2021-2022 school year will be free! Instead of filling out the Free and Reduced Lunch application, they are asking parents to complete a Home Economic Survey. This will be available at our schools' back-to-school orientations!

USD 475 has announced via social media that all school breakfast and lunches for the 2021-2022 school year will be free! Instead of filling out the Free and Reduced Lunch application, they are asking parents to complete a Home Economic Survey. This will be available at our schools' back-to-school orientations!

There will be free school meals in USD 475

MANHATTAN–&nbsp;A Manhattan man was arrested late Friday afternoon in connection to a domestic incident that occurred Thursday in Manhattan.

According to the Riley County Police Department, Desie Chatfield, 41, of Manhattan was arrested on requested charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated battery&nbsp; stemming from the incident involving a 42-year-old female victim. Chatfield is alleged to have prevented the victim from leaving a residence after an argument and stabbing her in the arm with a fork.

Chatfield is currently confined in the Riley County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627734777137.png" alt="Chatfield has previous convictions for criminal threat, domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, criminal damage to property and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Chatfield has previous convictions for criminal threat, domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, criminal damage to property and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN–&nbsp;A Manhattan man was arrested late Friday afternoon in connection to a domestic incident that occurred Thursday in Manhattan.According to the Riley County Police Department, Desie Chatfield, 41, of Manhattan was arrested on requested charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated battery&nbsp; stemming from the incident involving a 42-year-old female victim. Chatfield is alleged to have prevented the victim from leaving a residence after an argument and stabbing her in the arm with a fork.Chatfield is currently confined in the Riley County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

RCPD: Manhattan man stabbed woman with a fork

Junction City ended pool play in the Kansas American Legion Single A State Tournament with a 7-5 loss to the Salina Hawks Friday night.&nbsp; 

Junction City went 0-3 in pool play in the tournament. The games were played in Salina.&nbsp;

Junction City ended pool play in the Kansas American Legion Single A State Tournament with a 7-5 loss to the Salina Hawks Friday night.&nbsp; Junction City went 0-3 in pool play in the tournament. The games were played in Salina.&nbsp;

Blues lose to Salina Hawks in the state tournament

Junction City lost to Central-Burden 4-3 in the American Legion Single A State Tournament in Salina on Thursday. The Blues are 0-2 in pool play in the tournament. Junction City will play the Salina Hawks at 6 p.m. Friday.

The semifinals and finals in the tournament are scheduled Saturday.

Junction City lost to Central-Burden 4-3 in the American Legion Single A State Tournament in Salina on Thursday. The Blues are 0-2 in pool play in the tournament. Junction City will play the Salina Hawks at 6 p.m. Friday.The semifinals and finals in the tournament are scheduled Saturday.

Blues fall in the American Legion State Tournament

&nbsp;The Dodgers got left-hander Danny Duffy and cash from the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named. 

The 32-year-old Duffy is on the 10-day injured list with a strained left flexor and last pitched on July 16. He is 4-3 with a 2.51 ERA this season.

&nbsp;The Dodgers got left-hander Danny Duffy and cash from the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named. The 32-year-old Duffy is on the 10-day injured list with a strained left flexor and last pitched on July 16. He is 4-3 with a 2.51 ERA this season.

Royals trade Danny Duffy

KANSA CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Royals won their eighth game in 10 tries Thursday afternoon, blanking the first-place White Sox 5-0. Salvador Perez and Michael A. Taylor both homered, and Carlos Hernandez got the win, pitching 6.o shutout innings, while allowing just four hits.&nbsp;

The Royals improved to 45-56 on the season, climbing to within 14.0 games of Chicago in the AL Central and 11.0 of the AL Wild Card race as the trade deadline is less than 24 hours away. Now the question looms; will the Royals trade away pieces and build for the future? Or, will General Manager Dayton Moore hold on to the current team and hope to make a late-season push?&nbsp;

The Royals will now head on the road for a three game set at Toronto, in the Blue Jays return to Canada after more than a year of playing its home games in Florida due to the Coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

By Jackson SchneiderKANSA CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Royals won their eighth game in 10 tries Thursday afternoon, blanking the first-place White Sox 5-0. Salvador Perez and Michael A. Taylor both homered, and Carlos Hernandez got the win, pitching 6.o shutout innings, while allowing just four hits.&nbsp;The Royals improved to 45-56 on the season, climbing to within 14.0 games of Chicago in the AL Central and 11.0 of the AL Wild Card race as the trade deadline is less than 24 hours away. Now the question looms; will the Royals trade away pieces and build for the future? Or, will General Manager Dayton Moore hold on to the current team and hope to make a late-season push?&nbsp;The Royals will now head on the road for a three game set at Toronto, in the Blue Jays return to Canada after more than a year of playing its home games in Florida due to the Coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

Royals shut out Sox, win 5-0

(WIBW) - The Big 12 has sent a “cease and desist” letter to ESPN aiming to stop the network from communicating with league members on conference realignment, according to multiple reports.

<a href="https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1420492649442709510?s=20" target="_blank">Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel</a>&nbsp;first reported the news. Max Olson of&nbsp;The Athletic&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/max_olson/status/1420506740324503555?s=20" target="_blank">tweeted a copy of the letter&nbsp;</a>Wednesday afternoon.

“It has come to my direct attention that ESPN, the current business partner of the Big 12 Conference, has taken certain actions that are intended to not only harm the Big 12 Conference but to result in financial benefits for ESPN,” Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby wrote.

“The Big 12 Conference demands that ESPN immediately cease and desist all actions that may harm the Conference and its members and that it not communicate with the Big 12 Conference’s existing Members or any other NCAA Conference regarding the Big 12 Conference’s Members, possible conference realignment, or potential financial incentives or outcomes related to possible conference realignment,” the letter reads.

The Big 12 and ESPN agreed to a media rights deal in 2019 that lasts until 2025.

Texas and Oklahoma<a href="https://www.wibw.com/2021/07/27/texas-oklahoma-submit-request-join-southeastern-conference/" target="_blank">&nbsp;formally requested membership&nbsp;</a>to the SEC Tuesday after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wibw.com/2021/07/26/texas-oklahoma-take-step-toward-possibly-leaving-big-12/" target="_blank">notifying the Big 12</a>&nbsp;they would not be renewing that media rights deal on Monday.

By WIBW's Marleah Campbell(WIBW) - The Big 12 has sent a “cease and desist” letter to ESPN aiming to stop the network from communicating with league members on conference realignment, according to multiple reports.<a href="https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1420492649442709510?s=20" target="_blank">Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel</a>&nbsp;first reported the news. Max Olson of&nbsp;The Athletic&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/max_olson/status/1420506740324503555?s=20" target="_blank">tweeted a copy of the letter&nbsp;</a>Wednesday afternoon.“It has come to my direct attention that ESPN, the current business partner of the Big 12 Conference, has taken certain actions that are intended to not only harm the Big 12 Conference but to result in financial benefits for ESPN,” Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby wrote.“The Big 12 Conference demands that ESPN immediately cease and desist all actions that may harm the Conference and its members and that it not communicate with the Big 12 Conference’s existing Members or any other NCAA Conference regarding the Big 12 Conference’s Members, possible conference realignment, or potential financial incentives or outcomes related to possible conference realignment,” the letter reads.The Big 12 and ESPN agreed to a media rights deal in 2019 that lasts until 2025.Texas and Oklahoma<a href="https://www.wibw.com/2021/07/27/texas-oklahoma-submit-request-join-southeastern-conference/" target="_blank">&nbsp;formally requested membership&nbsp;</a>to the SEC Tuesday after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wibw.com/2021/07/26/texas-oklahoma-take-step-toward-possibly-leaving-big-12/" target="_blank">notifying the Big 12</a>&nbsp;they would not be renewing that media rights deal on Monday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Here is the cease &amp; desist letter the Big 12 sent to ESPN. Bob Bowlsby alleges ESPN is actively working with and encouraging other conferences to attempt to poach Big 12 members. <a href="https://t.co/fb224elCtd">pic.twitter.com/fb224elCtd</a>&mdash; Max Olson (@max_olson) <a href="https://twitter.com/max_olson/status/1420506740324503555?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Breaking: The Big 12 has sent a &quot;cease and desist&quot; letter to ESPN. The letter demands ESPN end &quot;all actions that may harm the conference and its members and that it not communicate with the Big 12 Conference&#39;s existing members.... 1/2&mdash; Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1420492649442709510?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Report: Big 12 sends “cease and desist” letter to ESPN

In Kansas American Legion State Baseball Tournament play Wednesday in Salina the Junction City Blues lost in the opening round of pool play to the Overbrook Bombers 5-4.&nbsp;

Junction City will play Central-Burton at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in round two of pool play. There are eight teams in the tournament. Pool play will continue through Friday, and the top two finishers in each pool will advance to the semifinals and finals, which are scheduled Saturday.

In Kansas American Legion State Baseball Tournament play Wednesday in Salina the Junction City Blues lost in the opening round of pool play to the Overbrook Bombers 5-4.&nbsp;Junction City will play Central-Burton at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in round two of pool play. There are eight teams in the tournament. Pool play will continue through Friday, and the top two finishers in each pool will advance to the semifinals and finals, which are scheduled Saturday.

Blues fall in opening game of American Legion State Tournament

Junction City got strong pitching from Cade Phelps and Austin Gerrity enroute to a 5-0 win over the Midwest A's in the game one of&nbsp; the Mid Plains League championship series at Rathert Field Tuesday night. Game two in the best two out of three series is set for Belton, Missouri at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Junction City scored two runs in the fourth inning and with the help of home runs by Thomas Beiswanger and Garrett Redden scored three more runs in the seventh inning.&nbsp;

If a game three of the series is necessary it will be played at 7 p.m. Thursday at Rathert Field.

Junction City got strong pitching from Cade Phelps and Austin Gerrity enroute to a 5-0 win over the Midwest A's in the game one of&nbsp; the Mid Plains League championship series at Rathert Field Tuesday night. Game two in the best two out of three series is set for Belton, Missouri at 7 p.m. Wednesday.Junction City scored two runs in the fourth inning and with the help of home runs by Thomas Beiswanger and Garrett Redden scored three more runs in the seventh inning.&nbsp;If a game three of the series is necessary it will be played at 7 p.m. Thursday at Rathert Field.

Brigade win game one of the championship series

TOKYO (AP) — Simone Biles will not defend her Olympic title.

The American gymnastics superstar withdrew from Thursday’s all-around competition to focus on her mental well-being.

USA Gymnastics said in a statement on Wednesday that the 24-year-old is opting to not compete. The decision comes a day after Biles removed herself from the team final following one rotation because she felt she wasn’t mentally ready.

Jade Carey, who finished ninth in qualifying, will take Biles’ place in the all-around. Carey initially did not qualify because she was the third-ranking American behind Biles and Sunisa Lee. International Gymnastics Federation rules limit countries to two athletes per event in the finals.

The organization said Biles will be evaluated daily before deciding if she will participate in next week’s individual events. Biles qualified for the finals on all four apparatuses, something she didn’t even do during her five-medal haul in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

The 24-year-old came to Tokyo as arguably the face of the Games following the retirement of swimmer Michael Phelps and sprinter Usain Bolt. She topped qualifying on Sunday despite piling up mandatory deductions on vault, floor and beam following shaky dismounts.

She posted on social media on Monday that she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. The weight became too heavy after vaulting during team finals. She lost herself in mid-air and completed 1 1/2 twists instead of 2 1/2. She consulted with U.S. team doctor Marcia Faustin before walking off the field of play.

When she returned, she took off her bar grips, hugged teammates Sunisa Lee, Grace McCallum and Jordan Chiles and turned into the team’s head cheerleader as the U.S. claimed silver behind the Russian Olympic Committee.

“Once I came out here (to compete), I was like, ‘No mental is, not there so I just need to let the girls do it and focus on myself,’” Biles said following the medal ceremony.

The decision opens the door wide open for the all-around, a title that was long considered a foregone conclusion. Rebeca Andrade of Brazil finished second to Biles during qualifying, followed by Lee and Russians Angelina Melnikova and Vladislava Urazova. The four were separated by three-tenths of a point on Sunday.

Carey now finds herself in the final, capping a remarkable journey for the 21-year-old from Phoenix. She spent two years traveling the globe in an effort to pile up enough points on the World Cup circuit to earn an individual nominative spot, meaning she would be in the Olympics but technically not be part of the four-woman U.S. team.

Carey posted the second-best score on vault and the third-best on floor during qualifying, earning trips to the event finals in the process. Now she finds herself competing for an all-around medal while replacing the athlete considered the greatest of all-time in the sport

TOKYO (AP) — Simone Biles will not defend her Olympic title.The American gymnastics superstar withdrew from Thursday’s all-around competition to focus on her mental well-being.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">After further medical evaluation, Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final individual all-around competition. We wholeheartedly support Simone’s decision and applaud her bravery in prioritizing her well-being. Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many. <a href="https://t.co/6ILdtSQF7o">pic.twitter.com/6ILdtSQF7o</a>&mdash; USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) <a href="https://twitter.com/USAGym/status/1420266286441922562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>USA Gymnastics said in a statement on Wednesday that the 24-year-old is opting to not compete. The decision comes a day after Biles removed herself from the team final following one rotation because she felt she wasn’t mentally ready.Jade Carey, who finished ninth in qualifying, will take Biles’ place in the all-around. Carey initially did not qualify because she was the third-ranking American behind Biles and Sunisa Lee. International Gymnastics Federation rules limit countries to two athletes per event in the finals.The organization said Biles will be evaluated daily before deciding if she will participate in next week’s individual events. Biles qualified for the finals on all four apparatuses, something she didn’t even do during her five-medal haul in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.The 24-year-old came to Tokyo as arguably the face of the Games following the retirement of swimmer Michael Phelps and sprinter Usain Bolt. She topped qualifying on Sunday despite piling up mandatory deductions on vault, floor and beam following shaky dismounts.She posted on social media on Monday that she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. The weight became too heavy after vaulting during team finals. She lost herself in mid-air and completed 1 1/2 twists instead of 2 1/2. She consulted with U.S. team doctor Marcia Faustin before walking off the field of play.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We’re thinking of you, Simone. ❤️ Your strength and courage to focus on your wellbeing is something we can all learn from. Thank you for being the leader you are. <a href="https://t.co/Jnaa96AKse">pic.twitter.com/Jnaa96AKse</a>&mdash; Team USA (@TeamUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamUSA/status/1420306841351819265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>When she returned, she took off her bar grips, hugged teammates Sunisa Lee, Grace McCallum and Jordan Chiles and turned into the team’s head cheerleader as the U.S. claimed silver behind the Russian Olympic Committee.“Once I came out here (to compete), I was like, ‘No mental is, not there so I just need to let the girls do it and focus on myself,’” Biles said following the medal ceremony.The decision opens the door wide open for the all-around, a title that was long considered a foregone conclusion. Rebeca Andrade of Brazil finished second to Biles during qualifying, followed by Lee and Russians Angelina Melnikova and Vladislava Urazova. The four were separated by three-tenths of a point on Sunday.Carey now finds herself in the final, capping a remarkable journey for the 21-year-old from Phoenix. She spent two years traveling the globe in an effort to pile up enough points on the World Cup circuit to earn an individual nominative spot, meaning she would be in the Olympics but technically not be part of the four-woman U.S. team.Carey posted the second-best score on vault and the third-best on floor during qualifying, earning trips to the event finals in the process. Now she finds herself competing for an all-around medal while replacing the athlete considered the greatest of all-time in the sport

Superstar Simone Biles withdraws from all-around competition

TOKYO (AP) — Simone Biles arrived in Tokyo as the star of the U.S. Olympic movement and perhaps the Games themselves. She convinced herself she was prepared for the pressure. That she was ready to carry the burden of outsized expectations.

Only, as the women’s gymnastics team final approached on Tuesday night, something felt off. And the athlete widely considered the Greatest of All Time in her sport knew it.

So rather than push through the doubts that crept into her head as she’s done so many times in the past, Biles decided enough was enough. She was done. For now.

The American star withdrew from the competition following one rotation, opening the door for the team of Russian athletes to win gold for the first time in nearly three decades.

Jordan Chiles, Sunisa Lee and Grace McCallum guided the U.S. to silver while Biles cheered from the sideline in a white sweatsuit, at peace with a decision that revealed a shift not only in Biles but perhaps the sport she’s redefined.

“We also have to focus on ourselves, because at the end of the day we’re human, too,” Biles said. “So, we have to protect our mind and our body, rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do.”

The Americans — fueled by an uneven bars routine by Lee that not even Biles could match — drew within eight-tenths of a point through three rotations. ROC, however, never wavered on floor. And they erupted when 21-year-old Angelina Melnikova’s score assured them of the top spot on the podium for the first time since the Unified Team won in Barcelona in 1992.

The victory came a day after ROC men’s team edged Japan for the top spot in the men’s final. Great Britain edged Italy for bronze.

“The impossible is possible now,” Melnikova said.

In the five years since Biles and the U.S. put on a dazzling display on their way to gold in Rio de Janeiro, gymnastics has undergone a reckoning. The tectonic plates in a sport where obedience, discipline and silence were long considered as important as talent and artistry are moving.

Biles has become an outspoken advocate for athlete’s rights and the importance of proper mental health. There was a time, there were many times actually, where she felt she wasn’t right and just powered through because that’s what people expected of her.

Not anymore. And the stand she took could resonate far beyond the color of any medal she may win in Tokyo.

Biles is the latest in a series of high-profile athletes, including tennis star Naomi Osaka, who have used their platforms to discuss their mental heath struggles. A subject that was once taboo has become far more accepted and embraced.

U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland applauded Biles for prioritizing her “mental wellness over all else” and offered the organization’s full support. USA Gymnastics women’s program vice-president called Biles’ act “incredibly selfless.”

Biles posted on social media Monday that she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders after an uncharacteristically sloppy showing during qualifying left the Americans looking up at the ROC on the scoreboard.

The tension affected her practice. It affected her confidence. And when she stepped onto the vault runway, it finally found its way to her performance, too.

She was scheduled to do an “Amanar” vault that requires a roundoff back handspring onto the table followed by 2 1/2 twists. Biles instead did just 1 1/2 twists with a big leap forward after landing. She sat down and talked to U.S. team doctor Marcia Faustin, then headed to the back while the rest of the Americans moved on to uneven bars without her.

When Biles returned several minutes later, she hugged her teammates and took off her bar grips. And just like that, her night was over.

“To see her kind of go out like that is very sad because this Olympic Games, I feel like, is kind of hers,” Lee said.

Biles is scheduled to defend her Olympic title in the all-around final on Thursday. She also qualified for all four event finals later in the Games. She said she will regroup on Wednesday before deciding whether to continue.

Biles’ abrupt absence forced the Americans to scramble a bit. The finals are a three-up/three-count format, meaning each country enters three of their four athletes on an apparatus, with all three scores counting.

Chiles stepped in to take Biles’ place on uneven bars and balance beam. The 20-year-old who made the team with her steady consistency pulled off a solid bars routine and drilled her balance beam set two days after falling twice on the event.

Thanks in part to a little help from ROC — which counted a pair of falls on beam — the U.S. drew within striking distance heading to floor, the final rotation.

Without Biles and her otherworldly tumbling, the U.S. needed to be near perfect to close the gap. It didn’t happen. Chiles stumbled to the mat at the end of her second pass, and any chance the U.S. had of chasing down ROC went right along with it.

Not that Chiles or the rest of the Americans particularly cared. The gold might be gone, but something more significant may have happened instead. It’s a tradeoff they can live with.

“This medal is definitely for (Biles),” said Chiles. “If it wasn’t if it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t be here where we are right now. We wouldn’t be a silver medalist because of who she is as a person.”

Chiles then turned to her good friend. Biles helped convince her to move to Houston to train alongside her two years ago, a decision that turned Chiles into an Olympian. In an empty arena in the middle of Japan with the world watching, Chiles did for Biles what Biles has done for so many for so long. She had her back.

“Kudos to you girl,” Chiles said. “This is all for you.”

TOKYO (AP) — Simone Biles came to Tokyo as the star of the U.S. Olympic movement and perhaps the Games themselves. It all came to a stunning halt in the women’s gymnastics final on Tuesday night with an uncertain vault.

In a flash, the rest of the American star’s Games came into question. And the United States’ long run at the top of the sport came to an end.

The team representing the Russia Olympic Committee surged past the shorthanded U.S. to the top of the podium, posting a score of 169.258 to win the country’s first Olympic team gold in nearly 30 years.

The Americans, with Biles serving as head cheerleader while clad in a white sweatsuit and dealing with what USA Gymnastics called a “medical issue,” hung on for silver.

Grace McCallum, Sunisa Lee and Jordan Chiles drew the U.S. within eight-tenths of a point through three rotations. ROC, however, never wavered on floor. And they erupted when 21-year-old Angelina Melnikova’s score assured them of the top spot on the podium.

The victory came a day after ROC men’s team edged Japan for the top spot in the men’s final.

The U.S. entered the finals hoping to bounce back from a shaky performance in qualifying, when the Americans came in second to the ROC. It marked the first time in 11 years the U.S. found itself looking up at the scoreboard at someone else.

The team declined to talk to the media afterward, though the 24-year-old did post on social media that she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders and that the Olympics were “no joke.”

Yet, something happened during the first rotation. She attempted an Amanar vault during warmups only to roll out of it upon landing. The code for that vault posted when she saluted the judges, but in midair things went awry.

The vault requires a roundoff back handspring onto the table followed by 2 1/2 twists. Biles instead did just 1 1/2 twists with a big leap forward after landing. She sat down and talked to U.S. team doctor Marcia Faustin, then headed to the back while her teammates moved on to uneven bars without her.

When Biles returned several minutes later, she hugged her teammates and took off her bar grips. And just like that, the greatest of all-time’s night was over.

USA Gymnastics did not specify the nature of Biles’ medical issue, saying in a statement she “will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions.”

Biles is scheduled to defend her Olympic title in the all-around final on Thursday. She also qualified for all four event finals later in the Games.

Whether she will get that opportunity remains to be seen.

Biles’ abrupt absence forced the Americans to scramble a bit. The finals are a three-up/three-count format, meaning each country puts three of their four athletes up on an apparatus, with all three scores counting.

Thanks in part to a little help from ROC — which recorded a pair of falls on beam — the U.S. drew within striking distance heading to floor, the final rotation.

Yet the Americans — without Biles and her otherworldly tumbling — needed to be near perfect to close the gap. It didn’t happen. Chiles stumbled to the mat at the end of her second pass, and any chance the U.S. had of chasing down ROC went right along with it.

TOKYO (AP) — Reigning Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles is out of the team finals after apparently suffering an injury during the vault.

The 24-year-old U.S. star, considered to be the greatest gymnast of all time, huddled with a trainer after landing her vault. She then exited the competition floor with the team doctor.

Biles returned several minutes later with her right leg wrapped. She took off her bar grips, and hugged teammates Grace McCallum, Sunisa Lee and Jordan Chiles before putting on a jacket and sweatpants.&nbsp;Chiles replaced Biles on uneven bars and balance bream.

The Americans will be forced to finish the rest of the competition without her, severely hampering their bid to claim a third straight Olympic title.

Biles arrived in Tokyo as the unquestioned star of the Games but struggled, at least by her high standards, during qualifying.

TOKYO (AP) — Simone Biles arrived in Tokyo as the star of the U.S. Olympic movement and perhaps the Games themselves. She convinced herself she was prepared for the pressure. That she was ready to carry the burden of outsized expectations.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Official statement: &quot;Simone Biles has withdrawn from the team final competition due to a medical issue. She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions.&quot; Thinking of you, Simone! <a href="https://t.co/QA1GYHwWTv">pic.twitter.com/QA1GYHwWTv</a>&mdash; USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) <a href="https://twitter.com/USAGym/status/1419992728352526339?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Only, as the women’s gymnastics team final approached on Tuesday night, something felt off. And the athlete widely considered the Greatest of All Time in her sport knew it.So rather than push through the doubts that crept into her head as she’s done so many times in the past, Biles decided enough was enough. She was done. For now.The American star withdrew from the competition following one rotation, opening the door for the team of Russian athletes to win gold for the first time in nearly three decades.Jordan Chiles, Sunisa Lee and Grace McCallum guided the U.S. to silver while Biles cheered from the sideline in a white sweatsuit, at peace with a decision that revealed a shift not only in Biles but perhaps the sport she’s redefined.“We also have to focus on ourselves, because at the end of the day we’re human, too,” Biles said. “So, we have to protect our mind and our body, rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do.”The Americans — fueled by an uneven bars routine by Lee that not even Biles could match — drew within eight-tenths of a point through three rotations. ROC, however, never wavered on floor. And they erupted when 21-year-old Angelina Melnikova’s score assured them of the top spot on the podium for the first time since the Unified Team won in Barcelona in 1992.The victory came a day after ROC men’s team edged Japan for the top spot in the men’s final. Great Britain edged Italy for bronze.“The impossible is possible now,” Melnikova said.Perhaps in more ways than one.In the five years since Biles and the U.S. put on a dazzling display on their way to gold in Rio de Janeiro, gymnastics has undergone a reckoning. The tectonic plates in a sport where obedience, discipline and silence were long considered as important as talent and artistry are moving.Biles has become an outspoken advocate for athlete’s rights and the importance of proper mental health. There was a time, there were many times actually, where she felt she wasn’t right and just powered through because that’s what people expected of her.Not anymore. And the stand she took could resonate far beyond the color of any medal she may win in Tokyo.Biles is the latest in a series of high-profile athletes, including tennis star Naomi Osaka, who have used their platforms to discuss their mental heath struggles. A subject that was once taboo has become far more accepted and embraced.U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland applauded Biles for prioritizing her “mental wellness over all else” and offered the organization’s full support. USA Gymnastics women’s program vice-president called Biles’ act “incredibly selfless.”Biles posted on social media Monday that she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders after an uncharacteristically sloppy showing during qualifying left the Americans looking up at the ROC on the scoreboard.The tension affected her practice. It affected her confidence. And when she stepped onto the vault runway, it finally found its way to her performance, too.She was scheduled to do an “Amanar” vault that requires a roundoff back handspring onto the table followed by 2 1/2 twists. Biles instead did just 1 1/2 twists with a big leap forward after landing. She sat down and talked to U.S. team doctor Marcia Faustin, then headed to the back while the rest of the Americans moved on to uneven bars without her.When Biles returned several minutes later, she hugged her teammates and took off her bar grips. And just like that, her night was over.“To see her kind of go out like that is very sad because this Olympic Games, I feel like, is kind of hers,” Lee said.Biles is scheduled to defend her Olympic title in the all-around final on Thursday. She also qualified for all four event finals later in the Games. She said she will regroup on Wednesday before deciding whether to continue.Biles’ abrupt absence forced the Americans to scramble a bit. The finals are a three-up/three-count format, meaning each country enters three of their four athletes on an apparatus, with all three scores counting.Chiles stepped in to take Biles’ place on uneven bars and balance beam. The 20-year-old who made the team with her steady consistency pulled off a solid bars routine and drilled her balance beam set two days after falling twice on the event.Thanks in part to a little help from ROC — which counted a pair of falls on beam — the U.S. drew within striking distance heading to floor, the final rotation.Without Biles and her otherworldly tumbling, the U.S. needed to be near perfect to close the gap. It didn’t happen. Chiles stumbled to the mat at the end of her second pass, and any chance the U.S. had of chasing down ROC went right along with it.Not that Chiles or the rest of the Americans particularly cared. The gold might be gone, but something more significant may have happened instead. It’s a tradeoff they can live with.“This medal is definitely for (Biles),” said Chiles. “If it wasn’t if it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t be here where we are right now. We wouldn’t be a silver medalist because of who she is as a person.”Chiles then turned to her good friend. Biles helped convince her to move to Houston to train alongside her two years ago, a decision that turned Chiles into an Olympian. In an empty arena in the middle of Japan with the world watching, Chiles did for Biles what Biles has done for so many for so long. She had her back.“Kudos to you girl,” Chiles said. “This is all for you.”-------TOKYO (AP) — Simone Biles came to Tokyo as the star of the U.S. Olympic movement and perhaps the Games themselves. It all came to a stunning halt in the women’s gymnastics final on Tuesday night with an uncertain vault.In a flash, the rest of the American star’s Games came into question. And the United States’ long run at the top of the sport came to an end.The team representing the Russia Olympic Committee surged past the shorthanded U.S. to the top of the podium, posting a score of 169.258 to win the country’s first Olympic team gold in nearly 30 years.The Americans, with Biles serving as head cheerleader while clad in a white sweatsuit and dealing with what USA Gymnastics called a “medical issue,” hung on for silver.Grace McCallum, Sunisa Lee and Jordan Chiles drew the U.S. within eight-tenths of a point through three rotations. ROC, however, never wavered on floor. And they erupted when 21-year-old Angelina Melnikova’s score assured them of the top spot on the podium.The victory came a day after ROC men’s team edged Japan for the top spot in the men’s final.Great Britain edged Italy for bronzeThe U.S. entered the finals hoping to bounce back from a shaky performance in qualifying, when the Americans came in second to the ROC. It marked the first time in 11 years the U.S. found itself looking up at the scoreboard at someone else.The team declined to talk to the media afterward, though the 24-year-old did post on social media that she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders and that the Olympics were “no joke.”Yet, something happened during the first rotation. She attempted an Amanar vault during warmups only to roll out of it upon landing. The code for that vault posted when she saluted the judges, but in midair things went awry.The vault requires a roundoff back handspring onto the table followed by 2 1/2 twists. Biles instead did just 1 1/2 twists with a big leap forward after landing. She sat down and talked to U.S. team doctor Marcia Faustin, then headed to the back while her teammates moved on to uneven bars without her.When Biles returned several minutes later, she hugged her teammates and took off her bar grips. And just like that, the greatest of all-time’s night was over.USA Gymnastics did not specify the nature of Biles’ medical issue, saying in a statement she “will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions.”Biles is scheduled to defend her Olympic title in the all-around final on Thursday. She also qualified for all four event finals later in the Games.Whether she will get that opportunity remains to be seen.Biles’ abrupt absence forced the Americans to scramble a bit. The finals are a three-up/three-count format, meaning each country puts three of their four athletes up on an apparatus, with all three scores counting.Chiles stepped in to take Biles’ place on uneven bars and balance beam. The 20-year-old who made the team with her steady consistency pulled off a solid bars routine and drilled her balance beam set two days after falling twice on the event.Thanks in part to a little help from ROC — which recorded a pair of falls on beam — the U.S. drew within striking distance heading to floor, the final rotation.Yet the Americans — without Biles and her otherworldly tumbling — needed to be near perfect to close the gap. It didn’t happen. Chiles stumbled to the mat at the end of her second pass, and any chance the U.S. had of chasing down ROC went right along with it.---------TOKYO (AP) — Reigning Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles is out of the team finals after apparently suffering an injury during the vault.The 24-year-old U.S. star, considered to be the greatest gymnast of all time, huddled with a trainer after landing her vault. She then exited the competition floor with the team doctor.Biles returned several minutes later with her right leg wrapped. She took off her bar grips, and hugged teammates Grace McCallum, Sunisa Lee and Jordan Chiles before putting on a jacket and sweatpants.&nbsp;Chiles replaced Biles on uneven bars and balance bream.The Americans will be forced to finish the rest of the competition without her, severely hampering their bid to claim a third straight Olympic title.Biles arrived in Tokyo as the unquestioned star of the Games but struggled, at least by her high standards, during qualifying.

U.S. star, Biles withdraws from gymnastics final to protect team, self

Junction City will host the Midwest A's in the championship finals of the Mid Plains League Tournament at 7 p.m. Tuesday. It is the opener of a best two out of three series. Game two will be played in Belton, MO at 7 p.m. Wednesday. If a game three is necessary it will be at Rathert Field at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Junction City will host the Midwest A's in the championship finals of the Mid Plains League Tournament at 7 p.m. Tuesday. It is the opener of a best two out of three series. Game two will be played in Belton, MO at 7 p.m. Wednesday. If a game three is necessary it will be at Rathert Field at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Finals will begin on Tuesday

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A 28-year-old Lawrence man has been sentenced to a year of probation after a child in his home shot and critically injured a 6-year-old friend. 

Rashun Lewis was sentenced Friday after he previously pleaded no contest to aggravated endangering a child. 

Lewis was accused of allowing the 5-year-old to get ahold of a gun and shoot 6-year-old Tayshawn Mack Harris in August 2020. The boy was critically injured but survived. 

Judge Sally Pokorny on Friday noted that Lewis had no criminal record before she agreed to the recommended sentence of a year of probation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624578424206.png" alt="Rashun Lewis photo Douglas Co.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Rashun Lewis photo Douglas Co.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A 28-year-old Lawrence man has been sentenced to a year of probation after a child in his home shot and critically injured a 6-year-old friend. Rashun Lewis was sentenced Friday after he previously pleaded no contest to aggravated endangering a child. Lewis was accused of allowing the 5-year-old to get ahold of a gun and shoot 6-year-old Tayshawn Mack Harris in August 2020. The boy was critically injured but survived. Judge Sally Pokorny on Friday noted that Lewis had no criminal record before she agreed to the recommended sentence of a year of probation.

Kan. man sentenced after child shoots 6-year-old

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in the fatal shooting of an Independence man last year.

Arieous K. Walton-Merritt, 24, Lee's Summit, was given two consecutive 10-year prison sentences for involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action for the killing of Matthew Bland-Williams, federal prosecutors said Friday.

Prosecutors said Bland-Williams was found collapsed in front of an Independence home on July 23, 2020 and Walton-Merritt was found at a nearby home. Both men were suffering from gunshot wounds.

Surveillance video showed Walton-Merritt firing two gunshots before the men struggled, according to court documents. Bland-Williams pulled the gun away and fired at Walton-Merritt as he fled, authorities said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627763067504.png" alt="Walton-Merritt-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Walton-Merritt-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in the fatal shooting of an Independence man last year.Arieous K. Walton-Merritt, 24, Lee's Summit, was given two consecutive 10-year prison sentences for involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action for the killing of Matthew Bland-Williams, federal prosecutors said Friday.Prosecutors said Bland-Williams was found collapsed in front of an Independence home on July 23, 2020 and Walton-Merritt was found at a nearby home. Both men were suffering from gunshot wounds.Surveillance video showed Walton-Merritt firing two gunshots before the men struggled, according to court documents. Bland-Williams pulled the gun away and fired at Walton-Merritt as he fled, authorities said.

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