HIGHLAND — Allen Community College’s women gave the nation’s 11th-ranked team all it could handle and more Saturday.
Were it not for some missed free throws and costly turnovers, the Red Devils well could have claimed a victory.
Allen missed three free throws in the game’s final minute, and committed an uncharacteristic 16 turnovers during the game. Highland took full advantage to escape with a 56-50 victory.
“You just can’t do that kind of thing if you expect to beat one of the top teams, in not just the conference, but in the nation,” Red Devil coach Mark James said. “Poor free throw shooting and turnovers are things we have been able to avoid for the most part this season.”
The Red Devils held a 25-24 lead at halftime, and was on top by two points with two minutes left, James said.
DaNara Day drilled four 3-pointers on the way to a team-high 15 points for Allen, followed by Ebonie Jones with eight points. Miracle Davis and Kayla Morton each had three assists. Morton and Hannah Blackwell each pulled down eight rebounds.
The Red Devils hit the road Wednesday to face Independence.
Allen (25-25—50)
Highland (24-32—56)
Allen (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Jones 0/2-2-3-8, Davis 2-3-4-7, Morton 0/1-0-1-3, Day 0/4-3-3-15, Redmond 0/1-0-3-3, Peel 1/1-0-0-5, Taiclet 0/1-0-3-3, Ware 1-0-2-2, Blackwell 2-0-3-4, Hall 0-0-1-0. TOTALS: 6/10-8-24-50.
IHS squad competes at Silver Lake
SILVER LAKE — Saturday’s tournament at Silver Lake offered Iola High’s wrestlers a prime opportunity to see the caliber of competition expected at the upcoming regionals in two weeks.
“These are the types of wrestlers they’ll see at regionals,” Iola coach Brad Carson said. “If you want to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.
“I just hope a competition like this doesn’t hurt the guys’ confidence,” he continued. “This was a tough, tough competition.”
Only one of Iola’s wrestling contingent, Travis Rieske, placed in his respective division.
Rieske took home sixth at 160 pounds, going 2-3 on the day.
On the bright side, all but one of Iola’s wrestlers picked up at least one victory on the mat, Carson said.
Rieske lost his opening match to Bobby Bleakly of St. Marys before winning his next two matches, pinning Colton Wagoner of Chase County in 1 minute, 45 seconds, and Jake Trumbly of Anderson County in 3:14.
Rieske was relegated to the fifth-place match after a semifinal loss to Tilden Edwards of Leavenworth. Joe Haug of Wamego pinned Rieske in 2:16 to take fifth place.
“Travis wrestled about as well as I’ve seen him wrestle this year,” Carson said.
AT 170 POUNDS, Andrew Garber also won two matches. He pinned Tony Jones of Wamego in 5:10 in his opening match. A loss to Bryant Guillen of Seaman — the defending state champion — put Garber in the consolation bracket, where he defeated Gabe Dorsey, 5-0, before losing to Dallas Cox with a pin at 1:39.
“I’m really proud of how well Andrew did,” Carson said. “We put in some JV matches a couple of weeks ago, and he’s bounced back nicely.”
Cody Conner (145 pounds), Zeph Larney (152), and Bryce Misenhelter (172) all went 1-2, losing their first match of the day, winning their second and dropping out of the competition with a loss in their third match.
Chase Roettgen (195) went 0-2.
“The guys did a good job of coming back from losses,” Carson said.
IN JUNIOR varsity action, Brice Aiell went 2-2 on the day at 145 pounds, defeating Dexter Nelson of Chase County and Grayson Langham of Baldwin. He lost to Mason Ray of Seaman and Dillon Roberts of Louisburg.
Jordan Long went 0-2 at 160 pounds.
Iola’s full results follow:
Cody Conner (145 pounds)
L – Rian Lahay (Erie), 13-5
W – Curtis Lemke (Louisburg), pin 3:20
L – Triston Hurla (St. Marys), 11-1
Zeph Larney (152 pounds)
L – Andy Blanton (Osawatomie), 4-0
W – Luke Treiber (Seaman), pin 1:57
L. – Trevor Fee (Doniphan West), pin 4:41
Travis Rieske (160 pounds)
L – Bobby Bleakly (St. Marys), pin 1:27
W – Colton Wagoner (Chase Co.), pin 1:45
W – Jake Trumbly (Anderson Co.), pin 3:14
L – Joe Haug (Wamego), pin 2:16
Andrew Garber (170 pounds)
W – Tony Jones (Wamego), pin 5:10
L — Bryant Guillen (Seaman), pin :31
W — Gabe Dorsey (Chase Co.), 5-0
L — Dallas Cox (Anderson C0.), pin 1:39
Bryce Misenhelter (182 pounds)
L — Jake Bradley (Prairie View), 10-1
W — Benton Wrigley (Louisburg), pin 4:34
L — Tanner O’Donnell (Salina South), 9-7
Chase Roettgen (195 pounds)
L — Peter Solho (St. James Academy), pin 3:50
L — Joel Halford (Baldwin), 4-2
Junior Varsity
Brice Aiello (145 pounds)
W — Dexter Nelson (Chase Co.), pin 1:44
L — Mason Ray (Seaman, pin 1:25
W — Grayson Langham (Baldwin), 9-5
L — Dillon Roberts (Louisburg), 3:01
Jordan Long (160 pounds)
L — Derek Knoerfel (St. James Acad.), pin 4:00
L — Dylan York (Louisburg), pin 2:51
Ponies pick up wins
INDEPENDENCE — Iola Middle School’s eighth-grade A team received contributions from up and down its lineup Saturday, picking up a pair of wins in the process.
Nobody was as explosive as the Ponies’s Braden Plumlee, who scored 23 of Iola’s 33 points in its 33-27 first-round win over Royster Middle School and 23 of Iola’s 43 points in a 43-29 win over Pittsburg in the championship of Independence’s IMS Winter Classic.
“Braden was aggressive today,” Iola coach Marty Taylor said. “He was really good in both games.”
Iola led Chanute-based Royster 11-10 after one quarter and 21-17 at halftime. The lead grew to 29-21 by the end of the third period.
Chase Regehr added six and 10 rebounds for the Ponies. Gage Cleaver and Joey Zimmerman registered two points each. Plumlee also had two rebounds.
Iola broke out quickly over Pittsburg in the championship, leading 17-6 after one quarter and 28-12 at halftime. Pittsburg played better in the second half, but could not cut into the double-digit deficit.
Regehr added seven points and 11 rebounds. Ben Cooper and Zimmerman had three points each. Zane Beasley, Rhett Allen and Ethan Scheibmeir each scored two points. Colton Toney had one.
“What a great effort these kids put in today,” Taylor said. “All 12 kids had a role in these wins. Chase struggled a little on offense but his toughness on the boards and on defense was a big boost.”
Iola, 5-4, returns to action tonight at home against Parsons. Iola’s seventh- and eighth-grade A and B teams will play.
Those castle walls may soon crumble
A man’s home is his castle.
Well, less and less so in Kansas. Here, it may be more of an albatross.
For the average American, his home is his biggest asset. We plow our earnings and savings into buying a home. Much of each paycheck goes toward its mortgage. Right or wrong, home ownership is the American dream.
Kansas homeowners still paying down their mortgages currently enjoy a tax deduction of an average $389 on their state income taxes. The bigger the mortgage, the bigger the deduction.
Gov. Brownback wants to eliminate the tax break.
And while that may seem to be a progressive move, meaning it hits the wealthiest the hardest, also caught in its wake are young families and the elderly who are struggling to hang on to the idea of home ownership and appreciate any tax break they can get.
Home ownership also means a big investment in a community, especially such as Iola where rental alternatives are slim to none.
For young families home ownership means buying into a community and setting down roots. Close on the heels comes enrolling children in schools, choosing a church, participating in civic activities, and eventually taking on leadership roles in what has become a hometown.
These are all activities we as a state need to encourage.
GOV. BROWNBACK’S plan is to eventually scale down the personal income tax rate to zero, thereby removing one of the three traditional legs of state funding — personal, property and sales taxes.
That would be fine, if all things were equal. If we all had similar-sized incomes and lived in similar-sized cities, then our expenses and holdings could be expected to be in the same neighborhood.
Trouble is, Kansas is a very disparate region. Kansas City, Lawrence and Wichita are flush with industries, retail stores and restaurants, convention centers, and high-priced real estate. Much of the rest of the state, however, is population- and resource-poor.
In areas such as Allen County, fewer people have to pay more in property and sales taxes to provide adequate services.
When the income tax is eliminated on say Charles Koch of Wichita’s Koch Industries, whose net worth is $25 billion, you’ve kissed goodbye a tidy sum, even at the lower 4.9 percent rate — all in favor of raising other taxes on the majority of Kansans.
Brownback’s theory is Mr. Koch will take that realized savings and plow it into a business venture.
Not to be unkind, but the wealthy won’t direct said bonus to a specific endeavor. It’s just more to the pot.
But young families in the early stages of buying a home when the mortgage rate deduction is most generous, will certainly feel its loss most acutely.
Buying a home has trade-offs. Kansas legislators will be putting a mark in the “no” column by eliminating the mortgage interest tax break.
— Susan Lynn
Sheriff’s department looks to file charges against USD 258 teacher
The Allen County Sheriff’s department will be forwarding reports to the Allen County Attorney’s office in order to file formal charges against Humboldt USD 258 vocational agriculture teacher Matt Kerr for alleged misconduct.
Kerr was suspended by the district on Jan. 7 under suspicion of misconduct. Sheriff Bryan Murphy said the Humboldt police came to the sheriff’s department in an effort to “remain transparent” during investigations.
According to a press release, the sheriff’s office was contacted by USD 258 Superintendent K.B. Criss and Humboldt Police Chief Brian Dillow in late December to request assistance with investigations.
On Friday afternoon, Criss had no comment about the matter.
{Engagements} Lindsay Ann Jacobs and Dereck Sheldon Caudell
Lindsay Ann Jacobs, Winfield, and Dereck Sheldon Caudell, Colony, are engaged to be married on June 15, 2013, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola.
Lindsay is the daughter of Monica and Dennis Creitz, Wichita, and Jerome Jacobs, Iola.
Dereck is the son of Tammy and the late Terry Caudell, Colony.
Lindsay graduated from Iola High School in 2005. She went to Emporia State University where she graduated with a bachelor’s of science in elementary education in 2010. She is a fourth-grade teacher at USD 465, Winfield.
Dereck graduated from Colony High School in 2004. He attended Flint Hills Technical College and received his certification in automotive mechanics in 2005. He works for Hawkins Water Treatment Group in Garnett.
Community foundation worthy of investments
The news earlier this week that Allen County Commissioners are reconsidering the second installment of a $100,000 pledge now due to the Allen County Community Foundation is hopefully no more than due diligence on their part. A new commission, after all, is not obligated to rubber-stamp decisions made by its predecessors.
More than a year ago, commissioners pledged $100,000 to the newly emerging countywide foundation in an effort to attract a $500,000 grant from the Kansas Health Foundation.
Based on the evident widespread support from public and private entities, the KHF awarded Allen County the $500,000 as part of its GROW initiative — Giving Resources to Our World. The purpose of GROW is to strengthen community foundations as a permanent source of local funding.
The sizable grant works as a drawdown, matching individual grants with either 25 percent or 50 percent matches, depending on the giver’s intent. Gifts to the foundation solely for its purpose of perpetuity, result in the two-to-one match.
In the county’s case, the Wichita-based foundation said it would give $25,000 to the local foundation as a match. It has given half of that commitment to date. County commissioners directed the earnings on the $100,000 pledge to provide programs that benefit the environment, such as a recycling program or clean-up projects.
The county pledge comes from its landfill budget, which, according to County Counselor Alan Weber, “has the funds” to see the commitment fulfilled.
More importantly, the county’s pledge helps secure the continued funding from the Kansas Health Foundation. Under the grant’s conditions, the county foundation must raise $50,000 in pledges each year for the next five years to keep in its good graces. An additional reward is a $17,500 operating grant to help keep the local foundation’s doors open.
In securing the grant to the Kansas Health Foundation, it was important to note local buy-in to the Allen County Community Foundation. The late Donna Talkington, for instance, was one of the first foundation supporters, and left a gift to its corpus in her will. Other contributions have come from the Allen County Hospice, Home Health and Lifeline fund, the Allen County Healthcare Foundation, as well as other private donations.
To date, the foundation has an endowment of $300,000, with another $650,000 pledged to the new hospital through the Uniting for Excellence campaign, which the foundation is managing.
The income earned from the investments of these pledges is what goes to local entities. In Parsons, for example, its community foundation funds go to its historical society, the county health foundation, the police department’s chaplaincy program, support for the local farmers market, the Parsons Fire Department, area school districts, the county fair, county 4-H programs, county animal shelter, food bank, municipal band, and local Red Cross chapter, just to pull a few names from its long list of recipients.
The Allen County Community Foundation is under the direction of Iolan Susan Michael, who works to raise funds and direct them to donors’ wishes. Foundation board members include Gary Parker, Moran farmer, Jeff Livingston, Iola Walmart manager, Angela Henry, SAFE BASE director, Beth Barlow of Humboldt’s B&W Trailer Hitches, Alan Weber, counselor to Allen County Commissioners, and Gary McIntosh, former Iola insurance agent and past county commissioner.
AS A REGION, we all stand to gain from the Allen County Community Foundation.
As community foundations across the country show, investors, including the county, will see a return on their investments — and more.
— Susan Lynn
Kathleen Percival
Kathleen Percival, 87, Overland Park, mother of Cecelia Orcutt, Iola, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013.
She had Alzheimer’s for nearly 10 years. Katie was preceded in death by her parents, brother Keith and beloved husband Daryl.
She is survived by her two daughters and son-in-laws, Cecelia and Steven Orcutt, Iola, and Julie and Jim Knedlik, Overland Park; three granddaughters and four great-grandchildren.
Katie was born May 10, 1925, in Lincoln to Roscoe and Mable Anderson. She graduated from Beverly High School and attended Kansas State beginning her career in teaching. They made their home in Salina until 1958 when they moved to Mission where Katie worked for Macy’s for 20 years until her retirement. Katie dedicated her life to being a devout Christian, a selfless and wonderful wife and mother and a nurturing “grandma” to her beloved Shannon. Her family and flowers flourished in her loving care.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Amos Family Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Dr., Shawnee Mission. A family graveside service will be Tuesday at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa.
Marvin Sander
Marvin LeRoy Sander, 84, Elsmore, was born April 3, 1928, to Paul Bernhard Sander and Rosa Maude (Aten) Sander in El Reno, Okla. His Heavenly Father gathered him into His loving arms on Jan. 30, 2013 following an illness of pneumonia. Marvin was baptized into God’s family on June 3, 1928 and was confirmed into the Lutheran Church on May 3, 1942.
On June 12, 1953 Marvin was united in marriage to Henryetta Laura Lohaus in Paola. This union was blessed with five children. They made their home near Union City, Okla. Marvin worked at Tinker Field Air Force Base in Oklahoma City for 15 years before becoming a full time dairy farmer. Marvin spent over 50 years as a dairyman.
In 1969 they moved to rural Elsmore where he was a dairy farmer and they made their home for 25 years. He also drove a school bus for USD 256 from 1979 to 1988. After retiring from farming they made their home in Elsmore, where Marvin was able to rekindle his interest in woodworking. He made numerous items for his family and others.
Marvin was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, El Reno, from 1942 to 1969; Friends Home Lutheran Church, Savonburg, from 1969 to 2012, serving several terms on the church council. He was currently a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Chanute. His community activities included many years of 4-H while in Oklahoma where he showed registered Ayrshire cattle. He served on the board of directors for Allen County Farm Bureau and the Farm Service Agency for several years. In 1982 he received the Kansas Banker’s Award for soil conservation.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Vernon and Norman; two infant siblings, William and Viola; and one granddaughter, Kelli Jo Sander.
Marvin is survived by his wife, Henryetta; five children, Melvin and wife, Judi, Olathe, Paul and wife, Kathryn, Moran, Susan Stich and husband, Paul, Chanute, Cynthia Johnson and husband, Gene, Moran, Timothy and wife, Becky, Elsmore; 11 grandchildren; 12 step-grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Beverly Titterington, Wichita; in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
Funeral services are at 10 a.m., today at Friends Home Lutheran Church, Savonburg. Burial will follow in the Elsmore Cemetery, Elsmore. Memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran World Relief and sent in care of the funeral home, 344 N. Cedar, Moran, KS 66755. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
Eagles top MV girls
MORAN — A strong offensive effort from Marmaton Valley High had the Uniontown Eagles on their heels, but a comeback fourth quarter put the contest out of the Lady Wildcats’ reach Friday night.
The loss was a heartbreaker. The Wildcats led for three straight quarters before losing their grasp by the hands of a the Eagles’ DaNisha Robinson. She had 10 points in the fourth quarter alone, and a total of 22 points in the contest in Uniontown’s 51-47 victory.
The Wildcats came out with a 10-8 lead out of the first quarter, and 24-20 at halftime.
“We stepped up on offense, and hustled on defense.” Wildcat coach Kent Houk said. “The girls played well.”
The Wildcats were up by five in the third before the Eagles’ Robinson unleashed her offensive run on the home team. A 23-point onslaught from Uniontown put them on top for good, 51-47.
Kacie Shadden led the scoring for the Wildcats with 14, followed by Kailey Boyd with 11 points. Mackenzie Tynon had nine and Kaitlin Ensminger had seven.
The Wildcats travel to Arma on Tuesday.
The JV squad came up with a win, beating the Eagles’ JV 25-12. Mackenzie Tynon led the scoring with 10 points.
Uniontown (8-12-8-23—51)
MV (10-14-9-14—47)
Uniontown (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Shinn 3-0-2-6, Dixon 0-2-0-2, Rathbun 5-7-4-17, Coyan 1-0-2-2, Dawson 1-0-0-2, Robinson 11-0-3-22, Ridge 0-0-2-0. TOTALS: 21-9-13-51.
Marmaton Valley (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP): Ensminger 1-5-3-7, Cavender 1-0-5-2, Boyd 4/1-0-3-11, Shadden 4/1-3-2-14, Meiwes 2-0-5-4, Louk 0-0-1-0, Tynon 4-1-3-9. TOTALS: 16/2-9-22-47.