The U.S. Army is undergoing a major downsizing effort ranging from a reduction in officer population to divestiture of some formations such as aviation. There is a lot of movement from conventional to special operations forces.

Those topics were some of the message from Lieutenant General ( Ret. ) and Executive Director of the Governor's Military Council, Perry Wiggins, to a Military Affairs Council breakfast audience in Junction City this week. Reduction of 90,000 active duty troops was one disconcerting point that was noted.

Wiggins also touched on the economic impact of Fort Riley. The gross economic impact of the Post on this area received attention. The impact of restructuring on the civlian workforce has already occurred. Changes can happen without a major initiative or announcenent. But Wiggins noted that out of challenges come opportunities and a specific plan is needed."Bottom line we need to develop a strategic plan."

He noted there is a need to focus on what brings a return on investment and how do we apply that to installations in our state.

On the subject of the 1st Infantry Division deployments that are planned in 2026 there will be a huge economic impact. During that time families might not come to the Post so how do we develop a strategic plan to get those for 2026?

Military familes look at schools, hospital and childcare when considering a move to an installation. In USD 475 an early childhood center for 700 to 800 kids is starting to develop and how to communicate it to the people was a question addressed. Wiggins added that overall there are many things we can do to stand together. Telling the new people coming to the region where things are here is essential,

He noted, "We need to all be rowing the same canoe, same direction. " It takes everybody to be successful.

The economic impact of Fort Riley to the state represents about $2 billion annually.

Changes are occurring in the Army

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. – The National FFA Organization announced this week that Junction City High School FFA Chapter and agriculture teachers Laura Miller and Ashley Vahsholtz&nbsp;have been named National FFA Teacher Ambassadors&nbsp;for the 2025-26 school year.

Miller and Vahsholtz were named to the prestigious list along with 63 other teacher ambassadors, nationally, representing 28 states. The state of Kansas alone only had five total ambassadors’ named with Miller and Vahsholtz being two of the five. Finally, Miller is one of only seven teachers, nation-wide, to be named as a mentor. In Kansas, Miller joins Royal Valley’s Kim Clark as the only other mentor.

The National Teacher Ambassadors serve as positive and professional examples to more than 13,000 FFA advisors in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands during their year of service. The teacher ambassadors serve as a resource for teachers nationwide by leading, mentoring and training them through formal and informal programs such as webinars and workshops. They also provide feedback to National FFA leadership about the evolving educational landscape based on their own experiences.

“The National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA help inspire our next generation of leaders by engaging with other agricultural educators, state and national FFA staff to further the innovation and passion that they bring to life in their classrooms across the country, said Ambra Tennery, director of educational programs in the program and events division of the National FFA Organization. “Their commitment empowers students and also strengthens local and statewide communities to ensure the future of agriculture will be bright.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Miller and Vahsholtz Named National FFA Teacher Ambassadors

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged violent sex crimes.

Just before 7:30p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report of rape, aggravated assault, aggravated sexual battery, kidnapping, blackmail and aggravated endangering a child, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp; A 34-year-old woman was listed as a victim.

Just after 11p.m. Thursday police arrested 33-year-old Henrry Mendrano Tellez of Manhattan in the 1000 block of Westloop Place. 

Mendrano Tellez is being held on a $500,000 bond on requested charges of rape, aggravated assault, aggravated sexual battery, kidnapping, blackmail and aggravated endangering a child.

RCPD: Manhattan man accused of rape, endangering a child

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Dr. Will Parker about prostate cancer.

🎤 Foward Ever: Dr. Will Parker on prostate cancer

LENEXA, KAN. (MAY 23, 2025) –&nbsp;The&nbsp;U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the selection of $267 million&nbsp;in Brownfields Grants to communities across the United States, with nearly $4 million going to selectees in Kansas.

“The grants will transform contaminated properties into valuable spaces for businesses and housing, creating new opportunities that strengthen local economies and directly benefit American families,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;EPA Administrator Zeldin.&nbsp;

In this area the Flint Hills Regional Council has been selected to receive $1 million.&nbsp; The grant will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund (RLF), from which Flint Hills Regional Council Inc. will provide up to three loans and up to two subgrants to support cleanup activities. Grant funds also will be used to establish the RLF, market the program, and support community engagement activities. RLF activities will focus on Chase, Geary, Lyon, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, and Wabaunsee counties, with a focus on the cities of Herington, Junction City, and Manhattan.

EPA makes a Brownfield Grant award

There will be no trash/garbage pick-up by the City of Junction City on Monday, May 26th due to the Memorial Day Holiday.

However, trash/garbage pick-up will be picked up the next work day as follows:

Monday’s pickup day will be Tuesday, May 27th

Tuesday’s pickup day will be Wednesday, May 28th

Wednesday’s pickup day will be Thursday, May 29th

Thursday’s pickup day will be Friday, May 30th

Friday’s pickup day will be Saturday, May 31st

In order to ensure pick-up, your trash should be set out by 6 AM, Tuesday morning.

City trash pickup schedule 

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. Photos are unavailable.

Brytni Johnson, Failure to appear, arrested 05/20

Cheyenne Sacher, Probation violation, arrested 05/20

James Castillo, Arrest by LEO; Warrant arrest, Driving while license canceled, suspended, or revoked, arrested 05/20

Stewart Moore, Criminal restraint, arrested 05/21

Benjamin Jones Jr., Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, arrested 05/22

Tiara Newman, Failure to appear, arrested 05/22

Achia Gary, Driver's license without valid DL; Prohibiting drug paraphernalia; Possession of marijuana, arrested 05/22

Geary County Booking Photos May 21-23

Geary County Emergency Management passes along information from the National Weather Service that rounds of Showers and Storms are forecast Friday - Monday.

Multiple Rounds of Heavy Rain Could Lead to flooding.

Multiple rounds of thunderstorms Friday through Monday could lead to elevated water levels on rivers and streams.There is a slight risk of flash flooding across parts of east central Kansas Saturday and Sunday.● The heaviest rainfall is generally expected to occur Friday night,Saturday night and Sunday night.● Areas south of Interstate 70 have a 20%-45% chance of receiving at least 2 or more inches of rain. Areas southeast of the Kansas Turnpike having a 10%-30% chance of receiving at least 3 inches of rain.

Forecast Rain Totals Today Through Monday Night 

Actual rain amounts may vary.● Heaviest rain amounts are forecast to occur south of Interstate 70.● The heavy rain could impact the following river basins and their tributaries across East Central Kansas:○ Neosho River○ Cottonwood River○ Marais de Cygnes River○ Pottawatomie Creek● Take action to move property out of flood prone areas.● Never drive into water covered roads. You don’t know how deep the water may be.&nbsp;

Wet weather is possible this weekend

&nbsp; &nbsp;Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad officials are reacting to some unexpected news, as results of a&nbsp;USA Today&nbsp;nationwide poll named the A&amp;SV’s route through the Smoky Hill River Valley to Enterprise, Kansas, as the fifth most scenic train ride in America.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Results of the polling were announced Wednesday after a month-long process that allowed&nbsp;USA Today&nbsp;readers and the public to vote among the nation’s top 10 scenic excursion train rides. The A&amp;SV was joined on the list by such classic tourist railroads as the Durango and Silverton in Colorado, the Great Smoky Mountain in North Carolina, and the Cumbres and Toltec in Chama, New Mexico.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the top 10 list is the fact that most nominee railroads run on routes through deserts and mountainous terrains. But the A&amp;SV runs through fertile river valley cropland, dotted with wildflowers and sightings of prairie wildlife as trains cross creeks and the Smoky Hill River on the way to historic Enterprise.&nbsp;

In fact, the A&amp;SV was the only rural railroad to be nominated in the&nbsp;USA Today&nbsp;poll.

"It feels great, albeit&nbsp;a bit unexpected," said A&amp;SV President and General Manager Ross Boelling in an interview with the&nbsp;Salina Post.

&nbsp;“Outside of Kansas, many folks unfortunately view us as the vast, vacant flatlands. Kansans on the other hand know the beauty of a Kansas sunrise or sunset, the wildlife, the waving wheat or other crops and the prairie hills and rivers that&nbsp;crisscross our state.&nbsp; This award will help affirm that there is more to Kansas than folks' general perception of our state."

According to Abilene Conventions and Visitors Bureau Director Julie Roller Weeks, nominations to lists such as this usually come from travel experts who have experienced various attractions firsthand. The A&amp;SV routinely hosts travel writers from across the nation and is often featured in travel blogs and tourism oriented magazines.

“USA Today&nbsp;readers recognize what Abilene residents and Kansans have long known—the Abilene &amp; Smoky Valley Railroad is something truly special,” said Weeks.

“Having this attraction in our historic community is like stepping into a time capsule—offering passengers a nostalgic and meaningful way to experience the landscape, history, and heart of Kansas.”

The rankings on the&nbsp;USA Today&nbsp;list in order are Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado; East Broad Top Railroad in Pennsylvania; Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad in New Mexico; Western Maryland Scenic Railroad; Abilene and Smoky Valley; Potomac and Eagle Scenic Railroad in West Virginia; Broadmoor, Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway in Colorado; Georgetown Loop Railroad in Colorado; Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in North Carolina; and the Skunk Train in California.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Abilene and Smoky Valley Voted #5 Most Scenic Railroad in America

The Junction City Commission has approved an EMS agreement with Geary County. It brings an end to a long running dispute between the two entities on the matter.

--The City will continue to provide EMS services to the entire County except for Fort Riley as it is a military reservation with its own service.

--City will continue to provide Rescue Operations within the same area too.

--County will pay a flat flee of $157,500 per month for FY 2025.

--The flat fee will use an escalator every year. The escalator 2026 is 2.5% for The FY 2026 monthly payment by the County will be $161,437.50.

--The County will contribute $72,500 annually to a Capital Improvement Plan for JCFD’s EMS division. Fire and EMS, though in the same department, have separate budgets.&nbsp;

--City will invoice the County with documentation that does not violate HIPAA or employee privacy/confidentiality.

--City will not withhold the EMS provision.

--County will not withhold or unilaterally reduce payments.

--In five years,&nbsp; the agreement can be extended. In addition, it can be reviewed and the amount(s) paid renegotiated.

The Geary County Commission approved the agreement last week.

Junction City Commission approves the new EMS agreement

MANHATTAN, Kan. –&nbsp;With the landscape of college athletics changing at a rapid pace, which includes evolving calendar and recruiting demands for both coaches and student-athletes, K-State Athletics and the K-State Alumni Association have adjusted the long-time Catbacker Club program following discussions with club leadership.

While there will no longer be a formal two-week tour, the clubs across the state and region will continue to provide support and outreach for the University. The department will work closely with each club moving forward to facilitate the financial support to the Ahearn Fund as well as the K-State Alumni Association’s funding and awarding of local scholarships.&nbsp;

“The history of our Catbacker Clubs and the support they provide is very unique to college athletics and a benefit that we do not take for granted,” Athletics Director Gene Taylor said. “Talking internally and with our Catbacker Club leaders, we looked at factors such as the recruiting calendars, transfer portal dates, finals calendar for our student-athletes, and the recent overall attendance trends at some of our summer stops, and determined that adjustments are best as we move forward. But, I do want to be clear that the Catbacker Clubs are not going away, and their support and interaction with our coaches and student-athletes will remain. It will just be done more on a case-by-case basis with each club.”

The annual tour has been unlike any other across the country for decades as golf tournaments, social gatherings, dinner, live auctions and a program that features Wildcat coaches and athletics staff highlighted each stop. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the department announced some adjustments that included a shorter summer schedule for the events throughout the state.

“The Catbacker Tour is a cherished K-State tradition, and we’re proud to share it with Wildcat fans across the great state of Kansas,” added K-State Alumni Association President and CEO Adam Walker. “We're deeply grateful to our dedicated club volunteers statewide whose passion and support make it all possible. As the Catbacker Tour evolves and allows for broader engagement, our commitment remains the same: to reach, connect, and serve all members of our K-State community. We look forward to continuing to bring K-Staters together in new and meaningful ways.”

 K-State Athletics and Alumni Association Announce Adjustments to Catbacker Outreach   

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — North Florida coach Matthew Driscoll resigned after 16 years with the Ospreys on Thursday and accepted a job as the associate head coach on Jerome Tang's staff at Kansas State.

The 60-year-old Driscoll and Tang have known each other for more than two decades, spending six seasons together on Scott Drew's staff at Baylor. Driscoll left to become head coach at North Florida in 2009, and led the Ospreys to three Atlantic Sun regular-season titles, the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and the NIT the following year.

North Florida finished 15-17 last season.

“Coach Driscoll is a proven program builder and an exceptional teacher of the game,” Tang said in a statement released by Kansas State. “His ability to develop players and implement high-level offensive systems is second to none.”

Driscoll also has been the head coach at the high school level and at La Roche, a Division III school in Pennsylvania, along with an assistant at Slippery Rock, Wyoming, Clemson and Valparaiso.

“I know some will wonder why I would leave being a head coach to become an assistant coach, but this was a no-brainer in every aspect for us,” Driscoll said. “We all know that work brings profit and if you have studied Coach Tang and his program, that’s what they do. My responsibility will be to continue to nurture, encourage and expound upon this foundation.”

🏀 Tang adds Driscoll to K-State staff as associate head coach

6A West Regional #3 - Baseball in Manhattan - #6 Wichita Northwest 12, #11 Junction City 3

Junction City’s Cael Smith singled to start the game at Tointon Family Stadium in Manhattan. The Grizzlies from Wichita Northwest then turned a double-play, followed by a strikeout to end the top of the first. The Grizzlies quickly went to work and scored runs in each of the first three innings: One run in the first, five in the second, and two in the third. After three innings, Northwest led 8-0.

The Blue Jays scored their first run in the fifth inning and two more in the sixth. The Grizzlies responded with four more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and took a 12-3 lead into the seventh. The Blue Jays were then retired in order to end the game.

The Blue Jays scored three runs on seven hits. Northwest scored 12 runs on 14 hits.

Junction City ends the season with a record of 10-17

6A West Regional #1 – Softball in Garden City - #1 Garden City 12, #16 Junction City 2

The Junction City Lady Jays went down in order to begin the game, and the Garden City Buffaloes wasted no time getting on the board. A two-run home run started the scoring for Garden City, and then they continued the scoring with three runs in the second and four in the third. After three innings, the Buffaloes led 9-0.

Junction City scored their only two runs on the day on a double by Hannah Benoit, scoring Cassidy Miller and Morgan Nabus. Garden City then added three more in the fourth and held JC scoreless in the fifth to win 12-2 in a five-inning run rule.

Junction City scored two runs on one hit. Garden City scored 12 runs on seven hits.

The Lady Jays finish their season with a record of 2-23.

JCHS Baseball and Softball eliminated in Regional semifinals

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Salvador Perez had three hits including a two-run homer, Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia each had two hits and two RBIs, and the Kansas City Royals got their offense going in a 8-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.

The Royals had scored three runs or fewer in their previous seven games and were held to four runs or fewer in 42 of their first 50 games.

Kansas City led 3-1 in the top of the fourth when Perez hit an opposite field homer off Giants starter Logan Webb (5-4) with Witt aboard.

The Royals extended the lead to 8-2 in the fifth, when Drew Waters hit a leadoff double during a two-run inning.

Matt Chapman, Patrick Bailey and Heliot Ramos homered for San Francisco.

Ramos hit a two-run homer in the ninth off Lucas Erceg to cut the lead to 8-4.

Jonathan Bowlan (1-0) gave up one run on two hits in 1 1/3 innings in relief of opener Daniel Lynch IV, who walked three and gave up a hit in 1 2/3 innings.

Webb (5-4) gave up six runs (three earned) on 10 hits in four innings. The Giants’ ace struck out five and walked none.

Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel made a sliding catch on a low line drive off Wilmer Flores’ bat with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth inning of a 6-2 game.

The Royals improved to a major league-best 17-1 when scoring four runs or more.

Kansas City LHP Noah Cameron (1-1, 0.71 ERA) will pitch Friday’s series opener against the Twins in Minnesota. The Giants have not yet announced a starter for Friday’s series opener against the Nationals in Washington.

⚾️ Perez powers Royals with 3 hits, including a homer, in win over Giants

The Chapman Lady Irish held off Andale/Garden Plain in the Sub-state championship game on Tuesday night in Chapman and are headed to the 4A State Tournament in Salina next week. It will be their first appearance in the state tournament since 2016.

4A Regional #2 Semifinal: #2 Chapman 6, #15 Concordia 2

Chapman scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning to jump ahead 1-0 over Concordia. The Lady Panthers responded in the top of the second with two runs and led 2-1 over the Irish. The game then became a pitcher’s duel with Madalynn Harold in the circle for Chapman and Jaylin Roush in the circle for Concordia.

The Lady Irish left the bases loaded to end the fourth, and Concordia still led by one run. In the bottom of the fifth, Chapman delivered. The Lady Irish scored five runs and took a 6-2 lead. Chapman held on to win and advanced to play Andale/Garden Plain in the 4A West #2 Regional championship.

4A Regional #2 Championship: #2 Chapman 5, #10 Andale/Garden Plain 3

Similar to the semifinal game, the Lady Irish started the scoring with one run in the bottom of the first. After one inning, Chapman led 1-0. Pitchers for both teams settled in, with Madalynn Harold back in the circle for Chapman and Jayna Lies in the circle for Andale/Garden Plain.

Chapman added two runs in the third, to lead 3-0 after three. In the fourth, Andale/Garden Plain left the bases loaded, as Harold struck out Elsie Johnson to end the inning. The Lady Irish scored two runs in the fifth to lead 5-0.

Andale/Garden Plain was not done yet, as a couple of pinch hitters came up clutch for the Indians in the top of the sixth. Quickly, it was a two-run game with Chapman leading 5-3. The Indians left runners stranded at second and third to end the inning.

In the seventh inning, Madalynn Harold shut the Indians down in order, and Chapman held on to win 5-3.

Chapman scored five runs on nine hits. In the circle, Harold pitched all seven innings and recorded 12 strikeouts in the sub-state championship game.

On the day, Harold pitched 13 of the 14 innings and recorded a total of 23 strikeouts.

Chapman advances to the 4A State Tournament next week in Salina. It is the Irish first trip to the State Tournament since 2016 when they placed third.

Chapman Softball advances to the 4A State Tournament

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Hayden Birdsong threw five sharp innings in his first start of the season and the San Francisco Giants beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Birdsong (2-0) was moved from the bullpen to the rotation in place of Jordan Hicks and provided just what manager Bob Melvin hoped he would deliver when he made the move.

Birdsong allowed one unearned run, five hits and no walks to give the Giants their fourth win in the last five games.

Ryan Walker pitched the ninth for his ninth save in 11 chances.

Willy Adames hit an RBI triple in the fourth inning against Michael Lorenzen (3-5) and scored on a single by Casey Schmitt to give San Francisco a 2-1 lead.

Lorenzen allowed three runs — two earned — and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings in his shortest start of the season for Kansas City.

Kyle Isbel hit a sacrifice fly in the third and Bobby Witt Jr. had a run-scoring infield single in the eighth for the Royals, who have been held to four runs or fewer in 42 of 50 games.

The Giants added an insurance run in the fifth after Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino threw wildly to second when he tried to get a force on a grounder by Wilmer Flores. Jung Hoo Lee followed with an RBI single to make it 3-1.

San Francisco improved to 25-9 this season against right-handed starters.

RHP Logan Webb (5-3, 2.42 ERA) pitches the series finale for the Giants. Webb is 3-0 with a 0.64 ERA in four starts at home. The Royals are undecided on their starter.

⚾️ Birdsong pitches the Giants past the Royals in his 1st start of the season

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kris Bubic threw seven scoreless innings,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bubic-nohitter-royals-massey-error-flores-e0228b731773cfba601e75c8f21c75d2">losing a no-hit bid in the sixth on an official scoring change,</a>&nbsp;and Vinnie Pasquantino hit a two-run homer in the eighth as the Kansas City Royals got past the San Francisco Giants 3-1 on Monday night.

Bubic, a left-hander who went to Mitty High School in San Jose and then to Stanford, carried his no-hit bid until there were two outs in the sixth. Wilmer Flores hit a grounder to the right side. Second baseman Michael Massey ranged to his left and slipped as the ball got past him. The play originally was ruled an error on Massey, then was changed to a single.

Casey Schmitt’s clean double down the left-field line with one out in the seventh was the only other hit Bubic (5-2) allowed. His ERA fell to 1.47 as he struck out five and walked three.

Giants left-hander Robbie Ray also worked seven shutout innings, lowering his ERA to 2.67. Ray gave up six hits, struck out seven and walked one.

Tyler Rogers (2-2) replaced Ray to begin the eighth in a scoreless game. Jonathan India’s one-out double preceded Pasquantino’s two-out drive over the right-field wall, the first baseman’s eighth home run of the season.

The Giants scored on Jung Hoo Lee’s RBI double in the bottom of the eighth but the Royals got an insurance run on Kyle Isbel’s RBI single off Jordan Hicks in the ninth.

Carlos Estévez pitched a scoreless inning for his 14th save.

After Schmitt’s double, the Giants had runners at second and third with one out in the seventh. Tyler Fitzgerald then hit a soft liner to shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who flipped the ball to third baseman Maikel Garcia to double off Willy Adames and end the inning.

The Giants had won all nine of Ray’s starts this season before Monday.

Royals RHP Michael Lorenzen (3-4, 3.76 ERA) faces Giants RHP Hayden Birdsong (1-0, 2.31) on Tuesday night.

⚾️ Bubic's 7 shutout innings, Pasquantino's homer lift the Royals over the Giants 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Drew Waters led off the seventh inning with a pinch-hit triple, Maikel Garcia drove him in with a single and the Kansas City Royals snapped a four-game skid and avoided a series sweep with a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.

With the game tied at 1, Waters batted in place of Dairon Blanco and tripled to right field on the first pitch from reliever Chris Roycroft (1-3). Garcia hit Roycroft's second pitch to right to score Waters with the go-ahead run.

Lucas Erceg (1-0) got five outs for the win and Carlos Estévez pitched the ninth and worked around a double by Brendan Donovan for his 13th save in 15 opportunities.

Kansas City's Michael Wacha started against his former team and allowed one run and eight hits in five innings with six strikeouts and no walks. The Royals have scored two runs or less with Wacha on the mound in nine of his 10 starts.

Alec Burleson put the Cardinals up 1-0 in the fourth with his fourth homer of the season.

The Royals then tied it against Matthew Liberatore when Hunter Renfroe led off the bottom half of the fourth with a double and scored on a two-out double by Blanco in his first game of the season.

Liberatore allowed one run and six hits in six innings. He has gone at least six innings in seven of nine starts.

Donovan went 4 for 5 with his 15th double for St. Louis, which had won three straight and 12 of 13.

Salvador Perez had two hits for the Royals after entering in a 1-for-21 slump.

The first two pitches thrown by Roycroft proved to be the difference.

The Cardinals are 50-27 all time at Kaufmann Stadium and 31-30 at home in the series.

Cardinals: RHP Sonny Gray (4-1, 4.50) starts Monday to begin a six-game homestand with three against Detroit.

Royals: LHP Kris Bubic (4-2, 1.66) starts Monday in the first of three against San Francisco to begin a six-game trip.

⚾️ Waters' triple in the 7th sparks Royals to victory over Cardinals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jordan Walker homered and Miles Mikolas pitched six sharp innings to lead the surging St. Louis Cardinals past the Kansas City Royals 1-0 on Saturday night.

Mikolas (3-2) allowed two hits with four strikeouts and two walks for the Cardinals, who have won three straight and 12 of 13. St. Louis is 7-1 on a nine-game trip to three cities, winning all three series.

Walker connected leading off sixth. Iván Herrera’s two-out single in the fifth was the only other hit for the Cardinals.

Kyle Leahy permitted two hits in two innings of relief and Ryan Helsley finished the four-hitter for his ninth save.

Hard-luck loser Noah Cameron (1-1) went 6 1/3 innings in his second major league start. The 25-year-old left-hander from St. Joseph, Missouri, became the first pitcher to begin his career with consecutive starts of 6 1/3 or more innings without giving up more than two hits in either one.

Kansas City stranded five runners and has been held to four or fewer runs in seven of the last eight games. The Royals have scored four or more 38 times this season, second-most in the majors.

Walker hit a 422-foot shot to left field for his third homer of the season. He began the night batting .186.

St. Louis has its first seven-win road trip since 2021. ... The Royals have lost four in a row, and six of seven since a seven-game winning streak from May 3-9.

Cardinals LHP Matthew Liberatore (3-3, 3.11 ERA) faces RHP Michael Wacha (3-4, 2.96) in the series finale Sunday.

⚾️ Walker homers and Mikolas pitches streaking Cardinals past the Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Iván Herrera had three hits and four RBIs, Andre Pallante allowed two runs in seven innings, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Kansas City Royals 10-3 on Friday night.

Willson Contreras doubled twice and drove in a run for the Cardinals, who have won 11 of 12. The Royals have dropped five of six since a seven-game winning streak.

Contreras doubled and scored on a two-out wild pitch by Cole Ragans (2-3) in the second. Brendan Donovan doubled leading off the fourth and scored on a one-out double by Contreras for a two-run lead. Herrera singled in Contreras to make it 3-0.

Vinnie Pasquantino homered in the fourth against Pallante (4-2). Kyle Isbel tripled in the fifth and scored on a balk.

Pallante threw 100 pitches. He gave up seven hits, struck out four and walked none.

Ragans surrendered four runs on five hits in five innings with seven strikeouts. Four Kansas City relievers combined to allow six runs on eight hits.

Herrera doubled and scored on an infield single by Jordan Walker in the eighth.

Ragans departed after a leadoff single by Masyn Winn in the sixth, and Brendan Donovan greeted John Schreiber with a single. Contreras reached on an error by second baseman Jonathan India. Herrera cleared the bases with a double before scoring on a single by Pedro Pagés.

The Cardinals lead the all-time series 80-56, including a 49-26 record at Kauffman Stadium.

RHP Miles Mikolas (2-2, 4.35 ERA) starts Saturday for the Cardinals. The Royals hadn't named a starter after RHP Seth Lugo (3-4, 3.02) had his start pushed back with right middle finger inflammation.

⚾️ Herrera drives in 4 as Cardinals beat the Royals

Junction City High School's Blue
Jay Stadium was the site of the 2025 Centennial League Track Meet on
Thursday, May 15. 



The
Junction City Blue Jay boys team finished in third place with 92.5
points, and the girls team finished in fourth with 65 points. 



Manhattan
High School was the Centennial League Champions for both boys and
girls. Washburn Rural placed second in both boys and girls. 



Junction
City results from the Centennial League Track and Field Meet. The
top four finishers for JCHS boys and girls are listed below.



Centennial
League Champions (1st place finishers)


4X100
M Relay – 42.76 – (Lance Norris, Tylen Smith, Aidenn Segura,
Isaiah Byers)


Kayla
Covington – Shot Put – 36’10.75


Elizabeth
Edgerton Diaz – High Jump – 4’10


J’Sean
Green – Triple Jump – 41’7.5


Chance
Tyson – Long Jump – 21’3.25 



Chance
Tyson – 110 M Hurdles – 15.50


4X100
M Relay – 50.59 (Amiya Fischer, Isabell Pruitt, Laila Berry, Ayanna
Patterson)


4X400
M Relay (Girls) – 4:27.74 (Linden Pickler, Anna Fontaine, Brittany
Dibben, Elizabeth Edgerton Diaz)


4X400
M Relay (Boys) – 3:28.57 – (Aidenn Segura, J’Sean Green, Owen
Fox, Isaiah Byers)

JCHS Track and Field results from Centennial League Meet

PAWNEE COUNTY– Rhonda Hudson-McNutt, 47, appeared in the Pawnee County District Court in custody Thursday afternoon for sentencing on two separate felony cases, according to Pawnee&nbsp; County Attorney Doug McNett.

In July of 2024, Hudson-McNutt was arrested on probable cause without incident following an investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department. 

She was charged with Blackmail, Breach of Privacy, to wit: disseminating nude images, Identity Theft,&nbsp; Interference with Law Enforcement, to wit: falsely reporting a felony crime,&nbsp; Interference with Law Enforcement, to wit: falsely reporting information in a felony investigation, and Criminal False Communication. She was also charged in a separate criminal complaint with misdemeanor Trespass.

Hudson-McNutt subsequently posted bond and was released. However, on August 9, 2024, the defendant was arrested for violating the no contact conditions of her bond. Incident to that arrest, she was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine.

On November 19, 2024, the she entered no contest pleas in the first case to&nbsp; Breach of Privacy, to wit: disseminating nude images, Identity Theft, and&nbsp; Interference with Law Enforcement, to wit: falsely reporting a felony crime. She also entered a no contest plea to Possession of Methamphetamine. In exchange for the pleas, the State dismiss remain charges. Following the plea hearing, the defendant was release on bond but was re-arrested the following day for violating the no contact condition.

In support of the plea, Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett advised the Court that in July of 2024 Hudson-McNutt threatened an individual that she would contact law enforcement to falsely claim he sexually assaulted her if that individual didn’t disclose the whereabouts of her estranged husband. The investigation revealed that she also distributed without permission nude images of the individual that she’d gained access to. During this same timeframe Hudson-McNutt also accessed her estranged husband’s email account and sent an email to the Kansas Department of Children and Families claiming to confess to child sex crimes.

Following an extended sentencing hearing which included testimony from the victims, District Judge Bruce Gatterman denied her request for probation citing her behavior on bond and sentenced Hudson-McNutt to an aggregated sentence of 47 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections.

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