SAN DIEGO (AP) – There was a time when the National League thoroughly dominated the major league All-Star game, but those days are long gone.
The American League has won the midsummer classic for the fourth straight year by banging out a pair of second-inning homers and working out of an eighth-inning jam to beat the NL 4-2.
The AL took the lead for good when a pair of Royals went deep against a former teammate. Salvador Perez belted a two-run shot off Johnny Cueto (KWAY’-toh) of San Francisco to break a 1-1 deadlock in the bottom of the second, two batters after Eric Hosmer hit a solo shot. Hosmer was named the MVP of the game after collecting two RBIs, including a run-scoring single in the fourth to make it a 4-1 game.
The senior circuit had a great opportunity to tie the game in the eighth, loading the bases with two out before Astros reliever Will Harris fanned rookie Aledmys (ah-LEHD’-mees) Diaz of the Cardinals to end the threat.
Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant hit a solo blast in the first inning for the National League, which got its second run on a fourth-inning single by Marcell Ozuna (oh-ZOO’-nuh) of the Marlins.
David Ortiz was embraced by his AL teammates near first base after exiting his final All-Star Game. The popular Big Papi plans to retire at 40 after this season with Boston.
The AL is 29-7-1 in the last 37 All-Star games since the NL took 19 of 20 from 1963-62. The National League holds a 43-42-2 edge overall since the first All-Star game at Chicago’s Comiskey Park.
Cleveland’s Corey Kluber was credited with the victory. Cueto was the loser, and Zach Britton picked up the save.
Today Showers and thunderstorms likely before 10am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Northeast wind 7 to 11 mph.
ThursdayA 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind 7 to 17 mph.
Thursday NightA 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind 6 to 14 mph.
FridayA 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. East northeast wind 7 to 10 mph.
Friday NightA 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
SaturdayA 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
“This fund assists firefighters and their families when an accident or death occurs in the line of duty,” said Ken Selzer, CPA, Commissioner of Insurance. “We are honored to assist in its distribution.”
The money is generated by a 2 percent tax paid by insurance companies on fire and lightning insurance premiums written in Kansas for the previous calendar year. It is collected by the department, on behalf of the Kansas Firefighter Relief Act, and passed on to the FRAs, as required by Kansas law. The funds are disbursed electronically.
“The local association funds are used for purchasing accident and health, disability, and life insurance premiums to assist firefighters and their families,” said John Boyd, FRA administrator for the department.
Also, the Kansas State Firefighters Association will receive $497,937 for education and research purposes and for funding the state association’s death benefit fund. These funds also come from the generated premium tax.
Of the state association total, $397,937 is earmarked for educational purposes and research into fire prevention and firefighting, and $100,000 is used to replenish the death benefit fund.
Mark Swingler will put out a “fire” in the Phillipsburg rodeo arena as he entertains fans during Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo August 4-6. He will work alongside Slim Garner, making rodeo fans laugh.
PHILLIPSBURG — Phillipsburg rodeo fans will think they’re seeing double when Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo rolls around in August.
There will be not just one rodeo clown in the arena, but two.
Slim Garner returns with his brand of comedy, and he will be joined by Mark Swingler.
Slim will bring his “World’s Largest Toybox” – his semi-trailer loaded with a Cowboy Cadillac, barbecue grill, fishing boat, and wheelie truck. In 2012, fans were treated to Slim’s acts.
This will be Mark Swingler’s first trip to Phillipsburg. The Austin, Texas man’s main act is his signature firetruck: a refurbished 1964 Volkswagon bus, cut in half. Swingler “answers” a fire call in the arena, driving the bus in and putting it on its end when he hits the brakes. “I can get all four tires off the ground,” he laughs.
Having two rodeo clowns at one rodeo isn’t common, but it’s a real advantage. While one clown steps out of the arena to prepare for an act, the other clown can stay in and banter with rodeo announcer Randy Corley. “Phillipsburg likes (rodeo) acts, and especially big acts,” Swingler said. “This will be great. Rodeo fans won’t see the same acts the whole weekend.”
Slim Garner “barbecues” chicken in the arena during a rodeo. He is one of two funnymen hired for this year’s Phillipsburg Rodeo. He will entertain crowds during Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo August 4-6, along with his counterpart, Mark Swingler.
Slim grew up in Fredonia, Kan., and now lives in Whitman, Ariz. He has a nine year old daughter named Jacquelyn who is a member of the Arizona Sweethearts, a rodeo queen program for young girls. Mark has been married to his wife Tami for 25 years. They have a daughter, Jessica, who is a cake designer in Austin.
Slim will work as barrelman during the rodeo.
Slim and Mark will entertain between events during each night of the Phillipsburg rodeo August 4-6. Performances begin at 8 pm each night. Tickets are $16 for reserved adult seating and $12 for reserved child seating, and general admission tickets are $14 for adults and $11 for children. To purchase tickets, call Heritage Insurance at 785-543-2448. For more information, visit the rodeo’s website at KansasBiggestRodeo.com or, on Facebook, search for “ksbiggestrodeo”.
Tuesday night protest march in Wichita -photo courtesy KSN
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Hundreds of people have gathered in Wichita for a peaceful protest against recent fatal police shootings.
TV station KWCH reports (https://bit.ly/29CEcpc ) a group of about 400 people demonstrated Tuesday evening. The crowd met at a park and walked toward Interstate 135, where state troopers prevented them from accessing the highway.
The group moved on and continued marching for about three hours, ending at a park around 10 p.m. Among their chants was, “Black lives matter. All lives matter.”
No injuries were reported.
The protest comes after the recent fatal police shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The former longtime leader of Hutchinson Community College is challenging one of the top Republican leaders of the Kansas Senate in the upcoming primary election.
Ed Berger, president of Hutchinson Community College for 23 years, is running against Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce of Hutchinson in a primary race in Reno and Kingman counties.
Berger, who retired from the college in 2014, told The Wichita Eagle that income tax cuts approved by the Legislature in 2012 have led to mismanagement of the state’s budget. He says he’s open to both looking for cost savings and finding ways to increase revenue.
Bruce was a strong supporter of the tax cuts and says they have forced lawmakers to focus on spending and cut some government pork.
Matt Rome, Hays High School band director, works with students at this week’s High Plains Music Camp.
By RANDY GONZALES FHSU University Relations and Marketing
Matt Rome is unsure of why he chose music as a youngster. Maybe it chose him. And there he was Monday, an instructor for the High Plains Music Camp at Fort Hays State University, teaching a group of middle school clarinet players.
For Rome — who also attended the camp after his senior year in high school — it all started for him in the sixth grade, when he played clarinet in the band at Kennedy Middle School.
“It was always my favorite class,” Rome said. “It was the highlight of the day.”
But why the clarinet? Good question.
“I don’t really know; it kind of seemed the thing to do,” Rome said. “I picked it in middle school and have loved it since.”
Rome’s younger sister, Monica, is also musically talented; she is a senior vocal major at Fort Hays State. Yet their parents weren’t particularly musical.
“Kind of weird how that happened,” Rome said. “Really, it was kind of out of the blue. My dad’s a mechanic; my mom kind of job-hopped. Neither of them were overly musically inclined.”
Rome went on to play in the band at Hays High School and majored in music education at FHSU, graduating in 2015. Before he even walked across the stage at commencement, Rome knew he had a job lined up — as band director at his high school alma mater. Rome was hired by Hays High to replace legendary band director Craig Manteuffel, who — after 19 years at the school — left in 2015 for a position with the Kansas State High School Activities Association.
No pressure there, replacing his mentor who was beloved by his students.
“I would say it was terrifying,” Rome said with a laugh. “He was such a huge mentor for me. He was — no pun intended — instrumental in my development.”
Manteuffel encouraged Rome to learn to play the saxophone, which led to Rome playing jazz. Manteuffel also encouraged Rome to try writing music, and Rome has had a few pieces performed by bands at Fort Hays State.
“He was always there to encourage me to try something new,” Rome said.
Rome said the entire music faculty at FHSU has helped him along the way — “it’s just a phenomenal music staff” — adding his clarinet instructor, Dr. Kristin Pisano, associate professor of music and theatre, has been especially supportive.
“She pushed me to get better,” Rome said. “I learned a lot.”
Rome realized as a teenager that he could go places with his love for music.
“I just remember I always had fun playing in band,” he said. “In high school I started to realize there’s a career there. If I can get paid to do something I love, why not?”
Rome liked his one summer as a student at FHSU’s summer music camp.
“It was a good experience,” he said. “It was good to be around people from all over Kansas. You just don’t get that very often.”
Rome went on to be a camp counselor for two years and is now enjoying his third summer as an instructor in the camp’s 69th year.
“Just watching the kids grow, that’s the most fun,” Rome said. “Watching those little ‘ah hah’ moments.”
Rome said FHSU’s High Plains Music Camp plays an important role, reaching out to so many people and providing quality instruction.
“It’s huge, especially here in western Kansas,” Rome said. “There’s not a lot offered in this scale for the price paid. It’s an incredible deal that the students are getting.”
“This camp has always amazed me in that it brings in some of the top names in the music world,” he added. “This year we have arguably the best trumpet player in the world and one of the finest conductors alive today — and they’re in Hays, America. How crazy is that?”
When budgets are tightened the arts are often looked at as a place to cut back. Rome has a ready response for those with the axe. He asks people what’s the first thing they do when they get in a car. They turn on the radio and listen to music.
“Not too many people sit in silence,” Rome said. “The arts are what make us human. To neglect that is a huge oversight. It’s a huge part of who we are as people.”
Rome likes to tell the tale of being one of the directors of the Hays city band. Its members were comprised of everyone from middle schoolers to retired people.
“That’s why I push music,” Rome said. “It’s something you can do your whole life. You don’t have to do it professionally. It’s always there.”
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A new government report is forecasting a much bigger U.S. winter wheat crop than had been expected just a month ago.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Tuesday that it now expects the nation’s wheat production to come in at 1.63 billion bushels.
That number is up 8 percent from their estimate just last month, and up 19 percent from last year’s crop. It comes amid record yields averaging 53.9 bushels an acre, making up for fewer harvested wheat acres.
The updated report comes as the nation’s biggest producer, Kansas, wraps up its own wheat harvest. Kansas farmers have cut more than 91 percent of their crop.
In Kansas, the wheat crop is forecast at 453.6 million bushels with average yields of 56 bushels per acre from 8.1 million acres.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The family of a Missouri man fatally beaten in 2013 outside of Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, is suing the NFL franchise.
The Kansas City Star reports the wrongful-death lawsuit was filed Monday in Jackson County on behalf of Kyle Van Winkle’s widow and his son, who was just weeks old when Van Winkle died.
Seeking unspecified damages, the lawsuit blames a lack of adequate security in the parking lot at the time Van Winkle was beaten during an altercation.
The law firm behind the lawsuit says the lawsuit’s goal is to make Arrowhead safer for fans. The Chiefs have declined to comment.
Joshua Bradley of Independence has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in Van Winkle’s death and is serving five years of probation.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A study of an experimental treatment for leukemia that was halted last week following two patient deaths has been allowed to resume after a modification.
The Food and Drug Administration suspended Juno Therapeutics’ trial after the company reported that two patients died from swelling of the brain. Juno said the problem stemmed not from its treatment, but from a chemotherapy drug used as a pre-treatment step. The FDA will allow the trial to resume without that chemotherapy drug.
Juno’s treatment is a promising, but still unproven, approach that reengineers patients’ immune systems to attack cancer. White blood cells are removed from the patient and altered so they can target cancer cells when returned to the body.
Juno shares were up 27 percent in trading after the market closed Tuesday.
Kansas Map of Judicial Districts- image Kansas Judicial Center
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Sam Brownback says he has the right to wait longer than 90 days to fill a vacant district magistrate position.
A written response filed Monday in the Kansas Supreme Court on Brownback’s behalf says the “precise timing of the appointment is left to the Governor’s constitutionally-provided executive power.”
Three 26th District judges filed a petition last month after Brownback announced he would wait until after the August primaries to consider filling the vacancy. The opening was created when Judge Tommy Webb of Haskell County announced his retirement in February.
The petition seeks to force Brownback to fill the position, saying Kansas law requires five magistrate judges to serve the six-county district. Brownback contends in the court filing that granting the request would “violate the separation of powers.”
GEARY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Geary County are investigating a suspect on drug charges.
Just after 4:30 p.m. on Monday, police arrested Christopher A. Anderson, 35, Indianapolis, Indiana on Interstate 70 eleven miles east of Junction City, according to Junction City Police.
Anderson is being held on suspicion of Possession of Cocaine with Intent, No Drug Tax Stamp, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving While Suspended and a Signal Violation.
HAYS – As Ellis county works to set its 2017 budget, one department is set to get some much-needed help.
After doubling the inmate population with the completion of the newly remodeled jail, Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin told the county commission they were in need of more jailers. During a special budget meeting in June, Undersheriff Bruce Hertel said they were “in desperate need” of jail staff.
At Monday’s meeting, the commission instructed the county administrator to find money in the 2017 budget to hire three new jailers Sheriff Ed Harbin requested in June. It is expected to cost $138,000 including benefits.
Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes said they plan to take a portion of the money previously earmarked for the special highway fund. The county will still transfer almost three and a half times the amount they budgeted in previous years. They also plan to transfer some funds from the administrator contingency fund.
Commissioner Barb Wasinger said she also wanted to see if the county treasurer would trim the department’s budget that is offset by state funds from the department of motor vehicle fund. The department has transferred money back to the state in the past, according to Smith-Hanes.
He said he would talk with Treasurer Ann Pfeifer and get back with the commission.
Wasinger said it is important to take care of the newly remodeled jail.
“We spent all this money on this jail, and we have to follow through on what we have built,” she said.
The commission also praised the departments for cutting their budgets from the fiscal year 2016 and Smith-Hanes said when looking over the budgets, “there is not low-hanging fruit.”
Each department was instructed to cut 3 percent from the 2016 as the county worked to close a more than $3.7 million shortfall.
Because of a decline the oil valuation, Rural Fire, which is a standalone taxing entity, will increase the mill levy 0.652 mil. The raise affects residents of Schoenchen and unincorporated areas of Ellis County.
“Rural fire is significantly more impacted by the oil valuation than the overall county is because the total county budget includes a lot of real property that’s located within the four incorporated cities,” Smith-Hanes said. “Real property has very much held its value. Oil has declined significantly in value.”
The money will be used for call-out pay for training for rural firefighters and for automatic aid with the city of Hays.
According to Smith-Hanes, the increase equals $5.11 on a home appraised at $200,000.
The county administrator will present the final budget to the commission next week and they will then set a publication date for later this month and a public hearing in early August.
In other business,
• The commission approved EMS to purchase two new ambulances for $391,012. The new Chevrolet ambulances will replace two Fords that have required significant engine work.
• Approved a 10-year video service franchise agreement with Nex-Tech.
• Met in an executive session to discuss attorney client privilege with the sheriff and county attorney. No action was taken.
Today Showers and thunderstorms likely before 10am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
KID 
WASHINGTON (AP) — A study of an experimental treatment for leukemia that was halted last week following two patient deaths has been allowed to resume after a modification.
