By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

After nearly 16 years of ashes and ambition, the former Wilson Czech Opera House is finally set to reopen in August under the stars.

Allison Ford, treasurer of the Wilson Czech Opera House, said the restoration is nearly complete following a 2009 fire that devastated most of the historic structure, 415 27th St.

"The Opera House was built to celebrate the Czech Bohemian culture, and we restored it for celebration," she said.

Ford said the building will open on Aug. 30. Final touches are in progress, including the installation of the stage, sidewalks, electricity and engraved bricks purchased by supporters, which will be installed at the entrance.

Events like musical and theater performances are expected to be held at the opera house. Kenny Benebba, president of the Wilson Czech Opera House, said Jimmy Dee and The Fabulous Destinations will kick off the new chapter for Wilson.

The rock-'n'-roll band is scheduled to perform from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., with brats and sauerkraut meals being served at 5 p.m., and drinks offered by the neighboring American Legion, where Benebba is also involved.

"If somebody wants to rent a venue, they can rent the opera house and the legion for an indoor and outdoor event," he said.&nbsp;

Constructed in 1901, the opera house was initially called Turner Hall, made from quarried stone from five miles outside of Wilson.

Equipped with a dining hall, kitchen, gymnasium, stage floor and balcony, the opera house hosted a variety of events, such as dances, gymnastics, weddings and pageants.

The 2009 fire from a neighboring building spread to the opera house, reducing the venue to ruins despite efforts to extinguish the flames.

You can learn more about its history and early restoration efforts <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/252c7de1-e971-4edc-9b3f-d7d6fec75d9a">here</a>.

Ford said the remaining limestone walls have been restored and reinforced with steel bracing, the basement has been filled and the performance stage, donated by MaiCo Industries of Ellsworth, is under construction.

"We're very close. We have the final steps to go," she said.

The opera house received support through grants from organizations such as the Kansas Department of Commerce, Dane G. Hansen Foundation and Smoky Hills Community Foundation.

Although the project is almost complete, Ford said ongoing donations are needed to help maintain the open-air venue. You can make donations <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=LE6DN92BXYPXC">here</a>.

"We hope to see people in there celebrating anniversaries, weddings, family reunions, dancing and watching theater. We just want it to be a place of celebration again," Ford said.

The World's Largest Hand-painted Czech Egg, standing at 20 feet high and 15 feet wide, is to the east of the former Opera House.

You can also follow the opera house on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wilsonksoperahouse?fref=nf&amp;ref=embed_page">Facebook</a>.

Former Wilson Czech Opera House to return as open-air theater

WAKEENEY —&nbsp;The Hoxie Hotrodders are coming to show an outdoor movie at our location at the Trego SkyView Drive-In Theater in WaKeeney on Friday, July 25.

Mini car show, 1950s costume contest and a taste of a drive-in.&nbsp; This will be a small taste of what is to come. Join us with your own hot rod and dress the part.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gates open at 7 p.m. Movie starts at dusk. Concessions will be available.&nbsp;

Suggested donation is $5 per person.&nbsp;

&nbsp;We are still raising funds for our big projector and bathrooms.&nbsp;

Hoxie Hotrodders, 'Grease' Friday night fundraiser at Trego SkyView Drive-In Theater

Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners

Saturday, July 26, from 7:30 a.m. until noon, Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners will demonstrate the dividing and planting of irises at the Downtown Market at the Pavilion, 10th and Main, Hays. 

Rhizomes will be available for a suggested donation of $1.00 each. The proceeds will benefit Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners.

Iris planting demonstration, plant sale Saturday at Downtown Hays Market by Ellis County Extension Master Gardeners

&nbsp;Submit events to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@hayspost.com">admin@hayspost.com</a>. Cover photo courtesy Pixabay

Special thanks to <a href="https://www.visithays.com/183/Events">The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau</a> and<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/"> Fort Hays State University</a> for their contributions to the community calendar.

Community Calendar

Government surplus commodities will be distributed in Hays at&nbsp;Unite Free Shelves (inside The Gamers Guild), 200 E. 8th Street in Hays, on Tuesday, July 29 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Commodities will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis until we run out.&nbsp;Doors will not open until 7:30 a.m.

To be eligible for commodities, your household's total monthly income must be below: $2,413&nbsp;Household of one $3,261&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of two $4,109&nbsp;Household of three $4,957&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of four $5,805&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of five $6,653&nbsp;Household of six $7,501&nbsp;Household of seven $8,349&nbsp;&nbsp;Household of eight

*Add&nbsp; $848&nbsp;for each additional family member after eight

Commodities included in this distribution are anticipated to be  kidney beans, dehydrated potatoes, instant milk, chicken breast, apple juice, crackers, chicken leg quarters, peanut butter, and cut beans.&nbsp;

Contact Brandon Nimz, Unite Ministry Leader with any questions at 785-259-2539.&nbsp;

****Future Anticipated Commodities Dates for 2025****

Future commodity distribution times will be posted at:&nbsp;(<a target="_blank" href="http://unitehays.com/index.php/hays-commodity-distribution/">https://unitehays.com/index.php/hays-commodity-distribution/</a>)

Government surplus commodities to be distributed Tuesday in Hays

Kansas State Department of Education

TOPEKA — The Kansas State Department of Education announces the participation of all Kansas school districts and many private schools in the National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Program.

For Hays USD 489, find the free and reduced price lunch <a href="https://usd489nutritionservices.com/">application here</a>.

Local school officials have adopted the following household income guidelines for determining eligibility for Child Nutrition Program benefits:

Application forms and an informational letter to households are available from the school district or private school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s business office in each school. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. An application for reduced price or free Child Nutrition Program benefits can’t be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information as indicated on the application and instructions.

Households receiving food assistance or Temporary Assistance to Families (TAF) will be notified that their children will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the school that it chooses to decline benefits. Households receiving assistance under these programs should submit an application only if they aren’t notified of their eligibility by a specified date determined by the schools. If a household receiving food assistance, TAF or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) completes an application, the children’s names, the food assistance, TAF or FDPIR case number, as well as the signature of an adult household member, must be provided.

Participants in the special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) or receiving certain Medicaid benefits may be eligible for reduced price or free benefits. Households with WIC participants should complete an application as described above.&nbsp; Households approved for program benefits based on Medicaid will be notified.

Households with children who are enrolled in the Head Start Program or the Migrant Education Program or who are considered homeless or runaway by the school district’s homeless liaison should contact the school for assistance in receiving benefits.

Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a state child welfare agency or court are eligible for free meals regardless of income. The state must retain legal custody of a child. Households will be notified that the foster child(ren) will be provided free benefits unless the household notifies the school that it chooses to decline benefits.

 Free eligibility is NOT extended to other students in households with foster children, but households with a foster child(ren) can submit an application and list all household members including the foster child(ren). A foster family application could result in different eligibility for family members, such as the foster child(ren) free and the other students could be reduced or free or not eligible for benefits.

Households not receiving Food Assistance, TAF or FDPIR apply for benefits by completing one application for all children in the household. The application must list names of everyone in the household; the amount of income each household member now receives; source of income; the last four digits of the Social Security number of the household member who signs the application or a statement that the household member does not possess one; and the signature of an adult household member certifying that the information provided is correct. The information is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility. The eligibility status may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials.

Under provisions of the reduced price and free benefit policy, the determining official will review applications and determine eligibility.&nbsp; Parents or guardians who are dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal may make a request either orally or in writing for a hearing on the decision.&nbsp; Contact the school district or private school for the name, address and phone number of the hearing official and information about the hearing procedures.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if household size changes, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the child(ren) in the household eligible for reduced price or free benefits if the household income falls at or below the levels shown above.

Each school’s office and/or the district's/organization’s main office has a copy of the policy for reduced price and free benefits, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

Reduced price, free school meals available for Kansas students

Ellis Police Department school supply drive underway

Hays area employers seeking to fill part-time positions or internships are invited to attend the Part-time Job Fair at Fort Hays State University on Thursday, August 28, from 2 to 4 p.m.

There is no cost to participate, but employers must register no later than August 21 by phone (785-628-4260) or email (careers@fhsu.edu). Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.

Businesses and organizations will have an opportunity to share information with students about part-time jobs or internships that are available.

The job fair will take place in the Fort Hays Ballroom of the Memorial Union. Registration includes a 6-foot table and two chairs. Participating employers are welcome to bring a table cover, visual displays, flyers, application forms, and/or promotional items.

Employers invited to participate in FHSU Part-Time Job Fair on Aug. 28

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to the devastating flash flooding in central Texas, many are looking for ways to get and give help. And scammers are looking to prey on people’s generosity. So how can you make sure your donations go to the people who need them and not to a scammer?

To learn more about how to donate safely, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/charity">ftc.gov/charity</a>.

For advice to help you prepare for, deal with, and recover from weather emergencies and the scams that follow, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/dealing-weather-emergencies">ftc.gov/weatheremergencies</a>.

FTC: Help the people affected by flooding in Texas — not a scammer

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Ellisjrfreefair">Ellis Jr. Free Fair</a>

93rd annual Ellis Jr. Free Fair runs July 22-26 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — “You’ve won!” are two words likely to get your attention – but sometimes it’s a scammer delivering the news. (Spoiler: you didn’t win anything.) Here’s how to spot and avoid prize scams.

These scams usually look something like this: You get a call or a text saying you’ve won thousands (or even millions) of dollars, a car, a fancy watch — or maybe all three! You don’t remember entering a contest, but free stuff sounds good. But if you reply, they’ll say you need to pay to get the prize — maybe for processing fees or taxes.

 No matter what they say, real sweepstakes have free prizes — any money you send is going to a scammer’s pocket…and, sorry, there is no prize.

Scammers often use names that sound like well-known sweepstakes or companies, like Publishers Clearing House (PCH) — to trick you into trusting them. Here are some things to know to avoid a&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fake-prize-sweepstakes-and-lottery-scams">prize scam</a>.

Spot a prize scam? Tell the FTC at&nbsp;<a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.

FTC: Don’t pay for a prize (scam)

Become an instant finalist in the Miller Lite UTV Giveaway from A&amp;A Coors-Miller and Briney Motorsports of Hays. Sign up until 4 p.m. today at Briney Motorsports, 1000 E. US 40, Hays

Register for a 4-seat CF-Moto U-Force 1000 valued at $20,000.&nbsp;

Additional thanks to Advantage Glass Plus and Commercial Sign of Hays.

Check out the huge discounts on all parts, big specials on side by sides and Sea-Doo watercraft and excellent financing.

Keep listening and reading the Hays Post all summer long for your chance to become a finalist.

The UTV will be given away at a Fort Hays State University football game on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Become Miller Lite UTV giveaway finalist today at Briney Motorsports in Hays!

The Ellis County Historical Society has been collecting
artifacts and other historical items for several years and that has led to an
overabundance of items that are duplicate and may not fit their mission.

Executive Director Amanda Rupp says they will host a sale on
Saturday as part of the Bazaar on the Bricks in downtown Hays.

🎙 Post Podcast: Historical Society offering artifacts for sale

By MICHELLE BERAN Cottonwood Extension District

It might seem odd how I choose to take some vacation time after the heat, humidity, long hours and stress of the fair. I love to help 4-H members learn no matter their county! I will spend several days in July judging a variety of events at other county fairs.

This opportunity to give back to 4-H members and help other agents is fun and worthwhile. Now, you’ll never find me sorting a livestock show or judging woodworking but I love to work with youth on Sewing &amp; Textiles, Fiber Arts, Photography, and a handful of other areas. Being able to share my experience both as a 4-H member in these project areas and as an adult is very gratifying!

I’ve had the opportunity to encourage a youth to consider how their love of photography and distinct perspective can become a career in journalism, advertising, graphic design, and other areas. 

I’ve also been able to encourage a youth in care and styling of their attire for the life skill of understanding a professional wardrobe and the necessary small details of shined shoes, appropriate accessories, and ironing skills. Last summer, I asked a young man about who starched his jeans. He was a bit affronted and proudly stated that he did! We had a great conversation about life skills and how impressed I was that he was willing to learn and practice this skill.

If you have a talent for woodworking, for arts &amp; crafts, for welding, for baking, or for photography and you are interested in sharing your knowledge and expertise, please let me know as we are always on the lookout for project leaders who are registered 4-H volunteers. 

Additionally, there is an opportunity for you to serve as a judge for 4-H or Open Class exhibits in other counties. If you are interested, check out the Kansas 4-H page under County Fairs/Kansas 4-H Judges Database (<a href="https://www.kansas4-h.org/educational-experiences/fair-resources/county-fairs/judgesregistration.html">https://www.kansas4-h.org/educational-experiences/fair-resources/county-fairs/judgesregistration.html</a>).

Some judging areas will need training such as Foods, Food Preservation, and Dogs. For the most part, a willingness to understand 4-H Project Learning principles and give candid but kind feedback is the most important.

Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!

Michelle Beran is the Family and Community Wellness agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this article or other 4-H Youth Development resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.

BERAN: On the lookout for 4-H project leaders, judges 

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

WICHITA -&nbsp;The National Baseball Congress defending champion Hays Larks
open play at the World Series Thursday afternoon in Wichita against the Seattle
Blackfins and Eck Stadium.

The game was initially scheduled for a 6 p.m. start, but due
to the chance for severe weather later in the day in Wichita, the game time has
been moved to 2 p.m.

You can watch every Larks game from the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@nbcws">NBC World Series</a> on
Hays Post thanks to our sponsors and the NBC.

Hays Larks baseball on Hays Post is brought to you by: Brungardt Hower First Care Clinic Gib’s Auto Supply Glassman Corporation Herrman Physical Therapy Midwest Energy Nex Tech Whitetail Properties Agents Adam Hann and Mitch Keeley Shelter Insurance Agents Dustin Schumacher and Todd Keller The ARC of Central Plains Thrift Store M &amp; D Excavating Incorporated Phaze 2

⚾🎥 LIVE: Hays Larks take on Seattle Blackfins at NBC Word Series

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

The fate of an appeal of a sexual assault case against a former
Fort Hays State University student and a Congolese native rests in the hands of
an Ellis County District Court judge.

Last week, 37-year-old Reagan Booto was back in an Ellis County
courtroom for a second time, appealing his 2018 conviction on two counts of aggravated sexual
battery.

Booto, who was a Fort Hays State student and a soccer player, was accused of sex crimes against three women in late 2017 and
early 2018.

In all the incidents, he was accused of groping the victim. He
was convicted by a jury in January 2020 on two counts of aggravated sexual
battery and sentenced to 84 months in prison.

Booto appealed the ruling, citing issues with the judge's decision
to move forward with the first day of the trial while Booto was stuck in a snowstorm
and not able to attend. The appeals court ruled against Booto, finding that the
judge's errors were insufficient to overturn the verdict.

The Kansas Supreme Court refused to take up the case, ending
his state-level options for appeal.

Booto, a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in
Central Africa, is in the United States on a green card. He is scheduled to be
released from prison in September, and if the convictions stand, he is expected
to be deported back to the Congo, according to Booto and his attorney Craig Uhrich.

Booto filed a civil 60-1057 suit against Ellis County
Attorney Aaron Cunningham in May 2023. 

Booto alleged that his criminal defense attorney, Alex
Herman, was ineffective, which resulted in a violation of his constitutional rights.


Following several delays and a change in counsel, Booto was
back in Ellis County in front of 23rd District Judge Curtis Brown on
July 15.

During the day-long hearing, Booto’s attorney called four
witnesses, including Herman and Booto.

Booto’s argument for ineffective counsel centered around the
claim that Herman told him that he was not allowed to testify.

During his time on the stand, Herman denied that claim. 

He testified that he told Booto that he had the right to
testify, but that he did not believe it was in Booto’s best interest.

While he was on the stand, being cross-examined by
Cunningham, Booto admitted Herman told him he could testify, but Herman did not believe it was in Booto’s best interest. 

According to Herman, he told Booto he might look
arrogant or entitled in front of a jury.

Cunningham then presented the transcript from the criminal trial,
in which Judge Glenn Braun reviewed the jury instructions with Booto and
informed him he had the right to testify. He went on to tell him that if Booto
elected not to testify, the judge would then inform the jury that they could
not draw any inferences from his decision. 

Booto then conceded during questioning that he had given up
his right to testify in the criminal trial.

Following Booto’s testimony, his attorney provided Judge
Braun with more than two dozen citations from the criminal case in support of
their most recent arguments.

Brown said because he had not thoroughly reviewed the criminal
trial documents, he would take the case under advisement, review the trial
documents, and issue a written opinion at a later date.

Hays judge reconsiders sentence of convicted sex offender

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

A little more rain fell in Hays overnight Wednesday as thunderstorms and lightning moved through the area from northwestern Kansas.

The official measurement at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town was 0.27 inches. The Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall, also received just over a quarter-inch, at 0.26 inches.

Hays is closing in on the cumulative average of 3.33 inches of rainfall for July. As of 9 a.m. Thursday, Hays has received 2.66 inches of rain in July.

Hays remains about an inch behind normal for the year-to-date with 13.70 inches of moisture recorded. The 158-year cumulative average is 14.67 inches by the end of July.

Drought conditions in Ellis County have improved slightly, according to the U.S./Kansas Drought Monitor.

As of Tuesday morning at 8 a.m., the entire county was rated as abnormally dry.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/338a43f4-51a3-4ee7-a351-e11c04aee773">three-day weather forecast</a> is calling for chances of rain Thursday and Friday with cooler temperatures, then a return to 100 degrees on Saturday.

More rain falls in Hays overnight Wednesday; drought condition improves slightly for Ellis County 

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the Sunset Valley Mobile Home Park, 122 Burgundy Lane, Hays, public water supply system located in Ellis County.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

The advisory took effect on July 24, 2025 and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. 

KDHE officials issued the advisory due to the water supply well having to be shut down for repairs. These repairs may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.&nbsp;

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 308-629-7874, or KDHE at 785-296-5514.

For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2F468%2FDisruption-in-Water-Service%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001983ce242c0-e20f3641-44fd-4324-a1c1-4bc70bbfe346-000000/D6sBcH2YpAhNrT3vulErSOuzLdz48TwJ6ZtU1FVAX3U=415">https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Disruption-in-Water-Service</a>

Boil water advisory issued for Sunset Valley Mobile Home Park in Hays 

WICHITA – A Georgia man was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered forever banned from hunting and fishing in Kansas after illegally hunting game, according to the United State's Attorney.

Matt Jennings, 35, of Bowdon, Georgia, pleaded guilty to two counts of illegal taking of a white tail deer in interstate commerce, according to court documents.

On November 11, 2022, Jennings killed an antlered deer near Florence, Kansas. His antlered deer tag did not allow him to take a deer in this part of the state. The next day the Jennings drove to Oklahoma where he fraudulently registered the kill in Oklahoma using an Oklahoma electronic tag.

On November 19, 2022, the Jennings killed another antlered deer near Wakeeney. Although he had a valid tag for that area of Kansas, killing of a second antlered deer in the same year is a violation of state law. He illegally exceeded the bag limit of one antlered deer per season.

Jennings hosts a hunting show titled “The Game." These two illegal hunts were featured as part of his show.

A federal judge ordered Jennings to pay $15,000 in restitution to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, pay a $10,000 fine, and forfeit the antlers from the white tail deer he illegally hunted.

During his five-year probation, Jennings is prohibited from guiding, hunting, trapping, fishing, or being with anyone engaged in those activities in Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks investigated the case with assistance provided by the U.S. Secret Service, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Missouri Department of Conservation, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division.

Hunting show host receives lifetime hunting ban in Kansas 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The annual MIAA Football Media Day will take place on Monday on the campus of Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan. The event will be FREE TO WATCH live on The <a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/">MIAA Network</a>.

All 10 MIAA football head coaches and at least two student-athletes from each school will be in attendance along with media from throughout the conference footprint. MIAA Football Media Day is an invite-only event, not open to the general public.

Live coverage of press conferences begin on The MIAA Network at 9:30 a.m. with opening comments from MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy and then MIAA Football Supervisor of Officials Phil Laurie. The MIAA Network app is available on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku. The MIAA Network is also available via your computer or mobile device. The complete schedule of appearances and times for each school are listed below. No subscription is required to watch the press conferences with free viewing throughout the entire day.

Teams represented by head coaches and two student-athletes will participate in 15-minute press conferences throughout the morning and into the afternoon.

The Fort Hays State press conference is set for 12:15 p.m. as head coach Chris Brown and student-athletes John Johnson and Caleb Heavner will be in attendance.

2025 Football Media Day Schedule Opening 9:30 a.m. MIAA Commissioner Update – Mike Racy 9:45 a.m. MIAA Supervisor of Officials Update – Phil Laurie

Session I 10:00 a.m. Missouri Western 10:15 a.m. Northwest Missouri State 10:30 a.m. Central Oklahoma 10:45 a.m. Break 11:00 a.m. Washburn 11:15 a.m. Emporia State Break

Session II 12:00 p.m. Nebraska-Kearney 12:15 p.m. Fort Hays State 12:30 p.m. Central Missouri 12:45 p.m. Break 1:00 p.m. Pittsburg State 1:15 p.m. Missouri Southern

🎥🏈 Watch: MIAA Media Day on the MIAA Network Monday

KAYS - (1400/94.3) KFIX - (96.9) KHAZ - (99.5) KJLS - (103.3) KKQY - (101.9)&nbsp; &nbsp;

Friday, July 25
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Cleveland Guardians, 6:30pm

Saturday, July 26
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Cleveland Guardians, 5:30pm

Sunday, July 27
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Cleveland Guardians, 12:30pm

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

WICHITA
– The Hays Larks raced out to an early lead then held off a late rally and
defeated the Seattle Blackfins 6-5 in their pool play opener at the 91st NBC World Series
Thursday afternoon at Eck Stadium.

The
Larks (29-4-1), who are the defending NBC World Series champions, made it look like it would be easy by racing out to a 6-1 lead. They scored a run in the first on a Wilbert Espinal RBI double then
added two in the second on Taber Stokes two-run homer to left, his fifth of the
season. 

After Seattle (17-16-2) scored a run in the third, the Larks struck for three in the
top of the fourth. Lane Sparks singled to open the
inning, stole second, advanced to third on a balk then stole home. Trent Baker
scored on an error then Lorenzo Rios singled, which drove in Jackson Babcock for a 6-1 lead.

The
Blackfins scored runs in the fifth and seventh on wild pitches to pull within 6-3. They scored two more in the eighth on a Brody
Blum home run to left. Nolan Wilson worked a perfect ninth for the Larks to
seal the win and picked up the save.

Lorenzo
Rios had three of the Larks 13 hits as the Larks extended their winning streak to 14 games and have won seven straight NBC World Series contests.&nbsp;Trent Baker had a double, two stolen bases, and two runs scored. The Larks showed off their speed with both Baker and Lane Sparks collecting two stolen bases, and two players hitting doubles. Taber Stokes also added a stolen base to go along with his homerun.

Brooks
Jones (2-0) allowed one run on one hit with five strikeouts and one walk over
three innings of relief and picked up the win. Starter Nick Gray allowed one
earned run on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks over four innings.
Adrian Najar gave up the two-run homer in the eighth. The four combined to
strike out 11 batters.

The
Dodge City A’s cruised to an 8-0 run-rule victory over the Seattle Cheney Studs
in seven innings in their opener earlier in the day.

The
Larks continue pool play Saturday at 6:00 p.m. against Oklahoma MVP. They wrap
up pool play Monday at 6:30 p.m. against Lonestar Kraken. You can watch the
Larks at the NBC World Series by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@nbcws/streams">clicking here</a>.

⚾ Larks hold on to win NBC World Series opener

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas basketball coach Bill Self had two stents inserted into his heart to treat blocked arteries Thursday at Lawrence Memorial Hospital after he felt “felt unwell and experienced some concerning symptoms.”

“The procedure went very well, and he is expected to make a full recovery,” the Kansas athletic department said in a statement. "He is in good spirits and expects to be released from the hospital soon.”

The 62-year-old Self directed the final practice of the summer session Thursday morning as he prepares for his 23rd seasons as head coach of the Jayhawks. He missed the 2023 Big 12 and NCAA tournaments because of a heart condition, getting a standard catheterization and having two stents inserted to help treat blocked arteries.

KU basketball coach Bill Self has stents inserted to treat blocked arteries

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Thursday signed an executive order mandating that federal authorities clarify whether college athletes can be considered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-lawsuit-settlement-c5e0cea45fd210cc935cff992ab16f25">employees of the schools</a>&nbsp;they play for in an attempt to create clearer national standards in the NCAA’s name, image and likeness era.

Trump directed the secretary of labor and the National Labor Relations Board to clarify the status of collegiate athletes through guidance or rules “that will maximize the educational benefits and opportunities provided by higher education institutions through athletics.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/saving-college-sports/" target="_blank">The order</a>&nbsp;does not provide or suggest specifics on the controversial topic of college athlete employment.

The move comes after months of speculation about whether Trump will establish a college sports commission to tackle some of the thorny issues facing what is now a multibillion-dollar industry. He instead issued an order intended to add some controls to “an out-of-control, rudderless system in which competing university donors engage in bidding wars for the best players, who can change teams each season.”

“Absent guardrails to stop the madness and ensure a reasonable, balanced use of resources across collegiate athletic programs that preserves their educational and developmental benefits, many college sports will soon cease to exist,” Trump’s order says. “It is common sense that college sports are not, and should not be, professional sports, and my administration will take action accordingly.”

There has been a dramatic increase in money flowing into and around college athletics and a sense of chaos. Key court victories won by athletes angry that they were barred for decades from earning income based on their celebrity and from sharing in the billions of revenue they helped generate have gutted the amateurism model long at the heart of college sports.

Facing a growing number of state laws undercutting its authority, the NCAA in July 2021 cleared the way for athletes to cash in with NIL deals with brands and sponsors — deals now worth millions. That came mere days after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-sports-basketball-football-college-basketball-mens-college-basketball-417874bc33f0a791458bb4ad8d414305">9-0 decision</a>&nbsp;from the Supreme Court that found the NCAA cannot impose caps on education-related benefits schools provide to their athletes because such limits violate antitrust law.

The NCAA’s embrace of NIL deals set the stage for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-house-settlement-aa3169056e8194aeebf34495641bce0b">another massive change</a>&nbsp;that took effect July 1: The ability of schools to begin paying millions of dollars to their own athletes, up to $20.5 million per school over the next year. The $2.8 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-settlement-b6ff58d62f93359789dde1626f827bf1">House settlement</a>&nbsp;shifts even more power to athletes, who have also won the ability to transfer from school to school without waiting to play.

At Big Ten Conference football media days in Las Vegas, Purdue coach Barry Odom was asked about the Trump order.

“We’ve gotten to the point where government is involved. Obviously, there’s belief it needs to be involved,” he said. “We’ll get it all worked out. The game’s been around for a hundred years and it’s going to be around 100 more.”

The NCAA has been lobbying for several years for limited antitrust protection to keep some kind of control over this new landscape — and avoid more crippling lawsuits — but a handful of bills have gone nowhere in Congress. Trump’s order makes no mention of that, nor does it refer to any of the current&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-ncaa-sports-congress-59d5ed03574fbe1c22063d0d9496eb35">bills in Congress</a>&nbsp;aimed at addressing issues in college sports.

orking with student-athletes, a bipartisan coalition in Congress and the Trump administration,” said Baker, while the conferences said it was important to pass a law with national standards for athletes’ NIL rights as soon as possible.

The 1,100 universities that comprise the NCAA have insisted for decades that athletes are students who cannot be considered anything like a school employee. Still, some coaches have recently suggested&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-settlement-tennessee-athlete-bargaining-e6b2c2b30a693a1313d1f04be8d304e9">collective bargaining</a>&nbsp;as a potential solution to the chaos they see.

It is a complicated topic: Universities would become responsible for paying wages, benefits, and workers’ compensation and schools and conferences have insisted they will fight any such move in court. While private institutions fall under the National Labor Relations Board, public universities must follow labor laws that vary from state to state and it’s worth noting that virtually every state in the South has “right to work” laws that present challenges for unions.

— Calls for adding or at least preserving athletic scholarships and roster spots for non-revenue sports, which are those outside football and basketball. The House settlement allows for unlimited scholarships but does impose roster limits, leading to a complicated set of decisions for each program at each school that include potential concerns about Title IX equity rules. Trump said “opportunities for scholarships and collegiate athletic competition in women’s and non-revenue sports must be preserved and, where possible, expanded.”

— Asks the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to “preserve college athletics through litigation” and other actions to protect the rights and interests of athletes — a stance that could influence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-zakai-zeigler-lawsuit-pistons-323876e4b82844a68da27362a1d102da">ongoing lawsuits</a>&nbsp;filed by athletes over eligibility and other issues.

— Directs White House staff to work with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to protect the collegiate pipeline&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-settlement-olympic-sports-98e974041f0af901b047d69672ad3176">feeding Team USA.</a>&nbsp;College sports programs produce around three-quarters of U.S. Olympians at a typical Summer Games, but some are on uncertain footing as schools begin sharing revenue with athletes and the lion’s share going to football and basketball.

AP National Writer Eddie Pells contributed.

Trump signs order to clarify college athletes' employment status amid NIL chaos

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Fort Hays State baseball team earned the 2024-25 ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award for its performance in the classroom, announced Wednesday by the coaches association.

The squad posted a team GPA of 3.10 over the most recent academic year. The Tigers had 22 student-athletes named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, including a pair of MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award winners in Trey DeGarmo and Derek Woolwine. DeGarmo, Woolwine and Brandon Chavez were all chosen as CSC Academic All-District honorees.

Additional Tigers named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll included Mike Acierno, Luis Ayala, Trevor Baugh, Jeremy Bingesser, Sebastian Burgos, DJ Cavazos, Nolan Dreher, Tytin Goebel, Brock Griffin, Dylan Haselhorst, Brett Jacobs, Tyson Jimenez, Zane Knox, Brady Kreutzer, Spencer Maley, Tony Moore, Cesar Saavedra, Isaiah Ural and Carson Wasinger.

This is the second time the team has received this award, and the first since the 2021-22 season. FHSU was one of four MIAA programs to earn the honor this season.

The award, presented by Sports Attack, recognizes ABCA member teams from all levels of high school and collegiate baseball that achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale during the 2024-25 academic year. More than 440 college programs and 300 high school programs were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement this year.

Local

Region

Sports

Announcements