TOPEKA, Kan (Kansas Department of Commerce) – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers to take part in the Statewide Virtual Job Fair, hosted by&nbsp;KANSASWORKS, from 8 am to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22.

“Kansas is experiencing a remarkable period of growth that’s creating countless new opportunities for employment,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “As businesses look to expand and seek talent, our workforce centers are excited to connect Kansans with fulfilling careers.”

The virtual job fair allows for anyone searching for a position to fill out applications, chat live and interview virtually with participating employers.

The Statewide Virtual Job Fair portal features helpful information such as a jobseeker training video, a list of participating employers and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers may request to engage in a video interview.

Candidates can participate through any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodation by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.

Registration is required to participate in virtual job fairs, regardless of previous participation. To register, click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fapp.premiervirtual.com%2Fevents%2Ff2c8486e-0a95-4e32-85ce-8e52021a6299%2Fkansasworks-virtual-statewide-job-fair-january-22,-2025/1/0101019474e59c0b-eb8408de-9f7e-45be-b06e-30c573091a76-000000/snXhFgIBO0qCy4lregPF-oUl4rscBMCFdKca35hNh-4=388">here</a>.

KANSASWORKS schedules statewide virtual job fair

Kansas Dental Charitable Foundation

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas Dental Charitable Foundation is planning to host its twenty-fourth Kansas Mission of Mercy free dental clinic at the Kansas State Fairgrounds Meadowlark Building in Hutchinson, KS on January 17-18, 2025, with clinic doors opening at 5:30 a.m. both days. Local dentists Drs. Todd Esau and Jared Dye have volunteered to chair the 2025 event.

Support for this project comes entirely from donations and grants and uses no state or federal funding. Local coordinators are making contacts within the community to gain monetary and in-kind support for the project, as well as recruiting the hundreds of community volunteers necessary to make the Kansas Mission of Mercy possible. This project will cost nearly $170,000 but will leave behind nearly $1M of donated dental care in return.

There are no appointments or reservations, and patients will be seen on a first come, first served basis. Treatment options include cleanings, fillings, extractions, and dental hygiene education.

The clinic will include an estimated 100 dental chairs and it is expected that nearly 1,000 volunteers, consisting of dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, medical personnel, and community volunteers will donate their talents to treat patients.

There are no appointments or reservations, and treatment options include fillings, extractions, and cleanings. However, parents can go online and schedule an appointment time for their children ages 13 and under. All minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Patient information and the link to schedule children can be found at <a href="http://www.ksdentalfoundation.org">www.ksdentalfoundation.org</a>.

Volunteer registration is also still open and can be done online at <a href="http://www.ksdentalfoundation.org">www.ksdentalfoundation.org</a>.

Since its inception in 2003, the Kansas Mission of Mercy has provided free care to 32,942 patients with a value of $23,173,915.

KMOM free dental clinic underway at Fairgrounds

BUHLER, Kan. — (Buhler High Journalism Department) &nbsp;

On Jan. 9 Buhler High School Agriculture Education teacher Rylie Sanders learned she was a recipient of the Kansas Horizon Award. She later received a call from Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas Commissioner of Education, congratulating her on this distinguished award.&nbsp;

Horizon nominees must be in their second year of full-time teaching. Nominees are selected by district and building administration.&nbsp;Only 32 teachers across Kansas who rise above other novice teachers earn this award.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As second year teacher Mrs. Sanders worked through a lesson with her students she was surprised to see her family, colleagues, and administration walk into her room. They came together to share the news of her award with her.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;“I was joyed and surprised to see my biggest supporters from different areas of life all together - my husband, my parents, my colleagues, and my administrators,” said Sanders.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Superintendent Cindy Couchman spoke highly of Sanders and her impact on others.&nbsp;“We are so blessed to have Mrs. Sanders in our district. She is a phenomenal FFA sponsor and Ag teacher for us at Buhler. It is a testament to the hours and hours she puts into the Ag program and her students. She pours her heart into them,”.&nbsp;

Buhler High School Principal Michael Ellegood echoed Mrs. Sanders’ impact at BHS.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Mrs. Sanders is wise beyond her years. She brings expertise. She isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions,” said Ellegood.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Buhler USD 313 makes sure to nominate teachers for Kansas Teacher of the Year and the Horizon Award and places great value in these programs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It is important to convey the value that we place in teachers. We make an investment when we hire teachers. They make an investment when they choose our school district,” said Dr. Paul Erickson, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment 6-12 for USD 313.&nbsp;“Elevating them for this type of recognition is symbolic of the value we have of teachers. We place tremendous value in teachers the caliber of Rylie.”&nbsp;

Mrs. Sanders will receive her award with the other Horizon educators on Feb. 14 in Topeka at the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network annual conference.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“She is a joy to work with, she’s always got a smile on her face,” said Ellegood.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I truly believe I chose the best place to start my teaching career. The support and encouragement provided by USD 313 and my colleagues in the Agricultural Education Department have been exceptional,” said Sanders.&nbsp;

Buhler ag teacher named Kansas Horizon Award recipient  

Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.——————————————&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

1/16/2025 9:48 PM	Hill		Patrick	Allan	Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia;&nbsp;Poss of marijuana; Criminal Deprivation of Property; Other than Motor Vehicle or Firearm; Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000;&nbsp;Criminal Restraint;&nbsp;Domestic Battery; Knowing or Reckless Bodily Harm (1st conviction);&nbsp;Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misd case, Execution of Misd Warrant

1/16/2025 8:39 PM	Gonzales		Terri	Michelle	Probation Violation

1/16/2025 5:18 PM	Baayoun		Hanie	Omar	Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical

1/16/2025 4:32 PM	Hill		Teran	Tyrell&nbsp;Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Parap;&nbsp;Drugs; Arrange sale/purchase of controlled substance using a communication facility;&nbsp;Drugs;&nbsp;Possession of Paraphernalia with Intent to Manufacture/Plant/Cultivate/Distribute Controlled Substance;&nbsp;Drugs; Acquire proceeds from sale of controlled substance, Less than $5,000;&nbsp;Drugs; Distribute Opiates/Opium/Narcotic (Cocaine, Crack, Amphetamine); &lt; 3.5g;&nbsp;Distrib opiate/narc/stim; Dose &lt;10 1000 ft school;&nbsp;Distr heroin/fentanyl w/in 1000' school; &gt;100 gm;&nbsp;Domestic Battery; Aggravated; Impede Breathing by Pressure to Throat, Neck or Chest

1/16/2025 1:06 PM	Cranmer		Cayla	Arlene	Probation Violation

1/16/2025 12:43 PM	Johnson		John	Leon	Probation Violation

Daily Bookings

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/category/obituaries">Click&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners</a>.

Hutch Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/35522b08-cd30-49e1-93e0-85962282628b">PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEW OBITUARY POLICY.</a> Funeral homes can send notices to <a href="mailto:hutchpost@eagleradio.net">hutchpost@eagleradio.net</a>.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank"> </a>

Recent obituaries and service times

Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then &amp; Now Collection."

STEVE HARMON Hutch Post Contributor

Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the northwest corner of 1st and Main.

In late 1871, Charles Collins built Hutchinson's first hotel at 101 N. Main St. and named it the Reno House Hotel. The first photo shows that establishment about 1887 along with its raised wooden sidewalks to deal with the sporadic flooding of downtown by Cow Creek.

In 1910, the building was razed and the new Reno Hotel was built along with the Deluxe Theatre. The second photo shows that after construction.

Around 1920, the hotel moved to 26 W. 1st Ave. above Graber Furniture. The State Exchange Bank moved from 27 N. Main St. to this location and added an extra floor on top. The third photo shows this after completion.

This bank later became the American National Bank and was there until 1956. The building has housed many businesses since, including Orth's Cards and Gifts, The Lunch Box and Pablo's Deli. The fourth photo shows the long run of Allie's Deli there, when Dallas and Linda Fowler owned it.

The fifth photo shows the 101 N. Main location today, now remodeled into the Salt City Title Company with the building ownership under Krae L.L.C. of Lawrence.

To purchase a photo print, contact:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sharmon5@cox.net">sharmon5@cox.net</a>.

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

<a href="https://www.hutchchamber.com/">Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce</a> <a href="https://underkansas.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_KHt9Zeq_QIVwRPUAR3CTwTSEAAYASAAEgJDJPD_BwE">STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum</a>

📷 Throwback Thursday: Reno House Hotel - Vol. 105

Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.——————————————&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

1/15/2025 9:18 AM	Mitchell		Mykle	Charles	Probation Violation

1/15/2025 1:08 PM	McBrien		Douglas	Wayne	Possession of Parapernalia with Intent to Manufacture;&nbsp;Distr heroin/certain stim/fent;3.5 - &lt;100grams

1/15/2025 3:40 PM	Sainz		Christopher	Tomas	Failure to Appear

1/15/2025 4:31 PM	Brooks		Matthew	Douglas	Probation Violation

1/15/2025 6:03 PM	Munoz		Matthew	James	Probation Violation

1/15/2025 6:13 PM	Watkins		Joshua	Harold	Failure to Appear

1/15/2025 6:43 PM	Taylor		Kristi	Jean	Failure to Appear

1/15/2025 7:26 PM	Baker		Cherie	Christine	Failure to Appear

1/15/2025 8:10 PM	Holmes		Natasha	Rene	Probation Violation

1/15/2025 9:04 PM	Kerns		Richard	Charles	Failure to Appear

1/15/2025 9:04 PM	Kerns		Richard	Charles	Poss of marijuana;&nbsp;Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug paraphernalia;&nbsp;Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction)

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Tickets are still available to Saturday's Taste of Hutchinson: The Men Cook event to benefit Salthawk Community Support. The event is back Jan. 18.&nbsp;The event is at the Hutchinson Art Center from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

"We have 22 chefs who are coming and preparing samples of food for our guests," said Claire Foy with Salthawk Community Support. "With that sample of food or with a ticket of $45, there's our two drink tickets and dessert. Even though 22 chefs and samples doesn't seem like a lot of food, it's a lot of food, and people are full, and it's very social, having a lot of fun."

The mission of Salthawk Community Support is to work together to remove barriers to education for students in USD 308.

"We staff the closet," Foy said. "The closet is a room in B Hall at Hutchinson High School, and it's also, I can't remember what floor it is, at HMS 8, and we staff both rooms. Those rooms have clothing, socks, shoes, hygiene items. In some cases, we help provide transportation, lunch money if it's really needed. We provide supportive listening for the students and tutors. Tutors are provided after school."

There are several locations where you can get tickets.

"We have them available at Trinity United Methodist Church. They are also available at Apron Strings, the Wool Market, or through a board member," Foy said."Of course that's difficult to know who the board members are."

Find out more about Salthawk Community Support at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trinityhutch.org/">https://www.trinityhutch.org/</a>, under the Serve tab.

Annual fundraiser for Salthawk Community Support Saturday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Next month, there will be an event that brides and grooms can attend to plan their wedding in 2025. It's at the 1861 Club on the Kansas State Fairgrounds.

"On February 2nd, that'd be a Sunday afternoon, we are hosting a everything weddings and events show there at the venue," said James Fisher with the 1861 Club. "What we're doing is we're pulling together kind of everything everybody or everything that you need if you got engaged and you're gonna start looking at planning your wedding.&nbsp; Everything you're gonna need to know, we're pulling together all of those vendors and those people that can help you with that on that afternoon."

&nbsp;"It is on the Sunday between the the AFC championship and then the Super Bowl the following Sunday," Fisher said. "We specifically went to that dead weekend from a football standpoint so that so that not only the brides but also the future grooms could be a part of the of the planning process."

The event is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. that day and will feature&nbsp;Brooklyn &amp; Co Bridal, Absolutely Flowers, Making Memories China Rental &amp; Décor and many others. Admission is $5.

Wedding show at 1861 Club Feb. 2

SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Maranatha Church near South Hutchinson is holding its annual pancake feed on Saturday, Jan. 25 at the church from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

They will be serving pancakes and sausage along with biscuits and gravy. 

Proceeds from the event will go to help the Aaron Wallman family.

The church is at 3115 Blanchard Road SW, two and a half miles west of Tyson corner in South Hutchinson.

Annual pancake feed at Maranatha Church Jan. 25

MANHATTAN —&nbsp;Farmers and ranchers from across Kansas gathered in Manhattan Jan. 10-12 for the annual Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&amp;R) leaders conference. Nearly 500 attended the three-day Kansas Farm Bureau conference designed to provide educational and networking opportunities for young growers in Kansas.

The conference provided farmers and ranchers between the ages of 18-35 with agricultural education, motivational speakers and opportunities to connect with industry resources and network with peers.

Attendees heard from Jordy Nelson, a former K-State star receiver and Super Bowl XLV champion with the Green Bay Packers, and Dan Thomson, a feedlot veterinarian and CEO of Production Animal Consultation who founded “Doc Talk” on RFD TV.

State committee members from each of the 10 Kansas Farm Bureau districts planned and hosted the conference, which included workshops, speakers, tours and competitions. The YF&amp;R state committee played an integral part in making this year’s conference a success.Winners of the conference competitions include the following:

Graham received $500 and an expense-paid trip to the 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) YF&amp;R Leadership Conference in Denver, Colo. McMillen and Leffler each received $700 and will represent Kansas in their respective competitions at the 2026 AFBF Annual Convention in Anaheim, Calif.

Destiny Johnson, Stafford County, received the inaugural Rural Minds Matter Young Advocate of the Year award for her work cultivating resilience and well-being among farmers, ranchers and rural communities.&nbsp;

Young farmers and ranchers attend statewide leadership conference

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutch High Salthawk Basketball teams are home tonight at the Salthawk Activity Center tonight for Homecoming with a doubleheader vs the Arkansas City Bulldogs.

Catch all the action on <a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KWBW">KWBW Radio 1450am/98.5fm</a> with the award winning EAGLE Media sportscast crew, consisting of Glen Grunwald with the play-by-play call and Dan "Coach Nac" Naccarato with in-depth analysis. Pregame starts at 5:45 p.m. followed by the opening tip at 6 p.m. The Hutch High boys game will follow at around 7:30 p.m.&nbsp;

You have a choice. The video broadcast of both games will also available on the <a href="https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ks/hutchinson/organization/8/hutchinson-high-school/team/26735/girls-varsity-basketball/schedule?date=2024-12-01T06%3A00%3A00.000Z&amp;range=Month&amp;s=U2NoZWR1bGVFbnRyeVB1YmxpY1N1bW1hcnk2NmRmNTg0ZDM5NThmZmZhY2ViMzYxZmI%3D&amp;ss=2024">Hutch High hudl.tv fan page</a>&nbsp;and on the <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/schools/hutchinson-high-school-hutchinson-ks">NFHS&nbsp; Network Hutchinson Channel.</a>&nbsp;You can subscribe to either network.

🎧🎥🏀 Hutch High host Great Bend tonight for Homecoming 

Against the spread: Texans 8-8-2; Chiefs 8-9.

Last meeting: Chiefs beats Texans 27-19 on Dec. 21 in Kansas City, Mo.

Last week: Texans beat Chargers 32-12; Chiefs off.

Texans offense: overall (18), rush (14), pass (20), scoring (16).

Texans defense: overall (3), rush (11), pass (6), scoring (11).

Chiefs offense: overall (16), rush (5), pass (13), scoring (15).

Chiefs defense: overall (8), rush (22), pass (18), scoring (4).

Turnover differential: Texans plus-10; Chiefs plus-6.

Derek Stingley became the first cornerback in Texans history to earn first-team All-Pro honors last week and joined J.J. Watt as the only two defensive players to make the team. Stingley had two interceptions, five passes defensed and forced a fumble Saturday against the Chargers. The third overall pick in the 2022 draft led a dominant defensive performance that intercepted Justin Herbert a career-high four times, including one that was returned for a touchdown. Stingley’s big game came after he had five interceptions and ranked second in the NFL with a career-high 18 passes defensed in the regular season.

Everything the Chiefs do starts with Patrick Mahomes, who is 15-3 in the playoffs and is 6-0 in the divisional round. He was excellent in a win over Houston the week before Christmas, throwing for 260 yards and a touchdown while running for 33 yards and another score on a bad ankle. He also enters the playoffs on a tear, having thrown for 1,524 yards with 11 touchdowns and no picks over his final six regular-season games — all of them wins.

Houston defensive ends Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter against the Kansas City offensive tackles. Anderson had 12 1/2 sacks to tie for fourth most in the NFL in the regular season, and Hunter was right behind with 12. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have struggled all season at left tackle, and could opt to put left guard Joe Thuney there — as they did late in the regular season — or start D.J. Humphries, a former Pro Bowl tackle who has appeared in just two games this season and struggled mightily against Denver in Week 18. Right tackle has not been much better with Jawaan Taylor tied for the second-most penalties in the NFL this season.

Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), guard Shaq Mason (knee), offensive lineman Juice Scruggs (ankle) and WR Robert Woods (hip) missed practice this week. DE Denico Autry (knee) and TE Dalton Schultz (shoulder) were limited.

The Chiefs are healthy after they were able to rest everybody of consequence in Week 18 with nothing to play for in Denver. They also could have DB Jaylen Watson back for the first time after he injured his left ankle against San Francisco on Oct. 20.

The Chiefs have won four straight in the series beginning with a 51-31 win in Houston in the divisional round of the playoffs of the 2019 season, when they proceeded to win the first of their three Super Bowl titles under Andy Reid. They also won in Houston in the wild-card round in the 2015 season. The Texans have not beaten the Chiefs since a 31-24 victory at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 13, 2019. That is also their only win over the Chiefs since the 2016-17 season.

The Texans are in the divisional round for a second straight season and the sixth time overall while a win will put them in the AFC championship for the first time. … Texans coach DeMeco Ryans is the fifth coach since 2000 to win a playoff game in each of his first two seasons. … QB C.J. Stroud is the sixth quarterback in NFL history to win a playoff game in each of his first two seasons and the first QB in Texans history to win two playoff games. ... Houston RB Joe Mixon had 106 yards and a TD last week and has 701 yards of offense in eight playoff games. … Texans WR Nico Collins had 1,006 yards receiving in the regular season and 122 with a TD against the Chargers to set the franchise record for most yards receiving in a playoff game. He has at least five catches in each of his three playoff games and a TD catch in two of three. … Texans TE Dalton Schultz had a TD reception in his previous meeting with Kansas City. … Houston DE Danielle Hunter has a sack in each of his three road playoff games. ... Texans DE Will Anderson had two passes defensed and 1 1/2 sacks against the Chargers. He has a tackle for loss in each of his three playoff games. Houston S Eric Murray had seven tackles and returned an interception 38 yards for his first career TD last week. … CB Kamari Lassiter joined Watt as the only rookies in Texans history with an interception in a playoff game after he picked off Herbert in the second quarter last week. … Chiefs coach Andy Reid is one win away from 300. The only other coaches to reach that mark are Don Shula, George Halas and Bill Belichick. ... Reid has 26 postseason wins, second only to Belichick with 31. ... Mahomes has the fifth-most postseason TD passes with 41. He has the second-highest completion rate at 67.9 percent. ... Chiefs TE Travis Kelce has an NFL-record 165 catches in the playoffs. He has 1,903 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns, both second to Jerry Rice (2,245 yards and 22 TDs). ... Mahomes has a franchise-record 524 yards rushing in the postseason. RB Isiah Pacheco is second with 495.

🏈 Chiefs begin quest for 3rd straight Lombardi Trophy

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced today their minor league coaching staffs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Royals announce 2025 minor league coaching staffs

🏀 K-State women reach 13-game win streak

🏀 KU defense stifles ASU

AP Sports Summary for January 17th, 2025:

'Mr. Baseball' Bob Uecker, Brewers announcer, dies at 90

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Bob Uecker, the voice of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers who after a short playing career earned the moniker "Mr. Baseball" and honors from the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 90. In a statement released Thursday by the Brewers, Uecker's family said he had battled small cell lung cancer since early 2023. Uecker, who was born and raised in Milwaukee, signed his first pro contract with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956 and reached the majors in 1962. He lasted six seasons in the big leagues. He then spent over 50 years broadcasting the Brewers, becoming synonymous with baseball in Wisconsin and beyond.

Title IX memo throws wrench in plans for schools to pay NIL money directly to athletes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education says plans for colleges to pay athletes directly for their name, image and likeness deals would run afoul of Title IX. The guidance issued Thursday adds more confusion to the shifting landscape of college sports. The nine-page memo from the DOJ's Office for Civil Rights says NIL money that goes to athletes should be treated the same as athletic financial aid — in other words, scholarships. If that position remains in place after President-elect Donald Trump takes office next week, it could upend plans that many schools are making for next school year.

Australian Open: Naomi Osaka stops playing because of an injury against Belinda Bencic

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka has stopped playing because of an injury after dropping the opening set of her third-round match against Belinda Bencic. This was Osaka's first run to the third round at a major tournament since 2022. She missed time in recent seasons because of mental-health breaks, then was off the tour while pregnant. Her daughter, Shai, was born in July 2023. Osaka began this season by making it to the final of a tournament at Auckland, New Zealand, on Jan. 5, but she stopped playing in the title match there because of an abdominal injury. On Friday, Osaka was visited by a trainer during a changeover late in the first set.

Stage is set for Ravens' Lamar Jackson to face Bills' Josh Allen in divisional playoff at Buffalo

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The only thing Ravens coach John Harbaugh figures is missing in preparation for Baltimore's divisional round playoff showdown in Buffalo is having the deep and resonant voice of late NFL Films broadcaster John Facenda serve as narrator. The matchup has the potential of being a classic pitting the NFL's leading MVP candidates in quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. And both teams have scores to settle. The Ravens trampled the Bills in a 35-10 win in Week 4. Meantime, Buffalo won the only playoff meeting with a 17-3 decision over Baltimore in the 2020 divisional round.

Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka move closer to another Australian Open showdown

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Coco Gauff and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka have moved closer to another semifinal showdown at the Australian Open. Gauff eliminated 2021 U.S. Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez in the third round on Friday. Sabalenka got past Clara Tausen. Both won in straight sets. A year ago, Sabalenka defeated Gauff in the semifinals en route to a second consecutive title at Melbourne Park. Gauff's Grand Slam title came at the U.S. Open in 2023. Naomi Osaka, a four-time major champion, stopped after the first set of her match against Belinda Bencic on Friday because of a strained abdominal muscle. Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev were among the men's winners.

Gilgeous-Alexander scores 40 as Thunder roll past Cavaliers 134-114 in matchup of NBA leaders

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 points and eight assists in three quarters, and the Oklahoma City Thunder rolled past the Cleveland Cavaliers 134-114 in a matchup of teams with the best records in the NBA. The Western Conference-leading Thunder and the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers now have matching 34-6 records. Lu Dort scored a season-high 22 points and Jalen Williams added 19 for Oklahoma City, which won its fourth straight. Darius Garland led Cleveland with 20 points and Jarrett Allen added 13 points and seven rebounds. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland's top scorer for the season, was held to eight points.

Shiffrin likely won't have a target date for ski racing return for another 7-10 days, US coach says

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin is back on snow and skiing regularly again at home in Colorado. When she'll return to racing after an unusual puncture wound to her side remains "a moving target" that probably won't be figured out for another week to 10 days according to U.S. Ski Team head coach Paul Kristofic. Shiffrin crashed on Nov. 30 as she was chasing her record-extending 100th World Cup win in a giant slalom in Killington, Vermont. She then had abdominal surgery to clean out her puncture wound. But she indicated on social media that she returned to skiing about a week ago. Kristofic says "things are moving along" but that "it's been complicated."

Cowboys add familiar name to list in coaching search with Kellen Moore, AP source says

A person familiar with the team's plans says the Dallas Cowboys have requested permission to interview Philadelphia offensive coordinator Kellen Moore in their search to replace Mike McCarthy. The Cowboys also are planning to interview two former NFL head coaches in Robert Saleh and Leslie Frazier. Moore has a long history with the Cowboys, including four seasons as Dak Prescott's play-caller. Three of those were after McCarthy was hired in 2020. The Cowboys and McCarthy parted ways this week after five seasons.

PGA Tour to move Genesis Invitational out of Riviera. New venue to be determined

The PGA Tour is moving the Genesis Invitational out of Riviera Country Club next month because of the deadly wildfires that have decimated part of Los Angeles. Riviera is in part of the evacuation zone although the 99-year-old course was not damaged. The tour expects to announce a new location in the coming days. It is relocating after consulting with the title sponsor, the club and the Tiger Woods foundation that hosts the tournament. It will be the first time since 1998 that the PGA Tour's tournament in Los Angeles is not played at Riviera.

J.T. Poston goes 10 under for a 1-shot lead among the usual low scores at The American Express

LA QUINTA, Calif. (AP) — J.T. Poston shot a 10-under 62 to take a one-stroke lead over Justin Lower in the opening round of The American Express. Poston carded nine birdies and an eagle in the Palm Springs-area desert on the Nicklaus Tournament Course. Lower was one stroke ahead of an 8-under pack that included Jason Day, Joel Dahmen, Chris Kirk, J.J. Spahn and Matti Schmid. Blades Brown shot 72 in the 17-year-old's first round as a professional. Defending champion Nick Dunlap shot 67.

Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:

📢📰🎧 Sports Headlines for Friday

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Bob Uecker, the voice of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers who after a short playing career earned the moniker "Mr. Baseball" and honors from the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 90.

The team announced Uecker died Thursday morning, calling it "one of the most difficult days in Milwaukee Brewers history." In a statement released by the club, Uecker’s family said he had battled small cell lung cancer since early 2023.

“Even in the face of this challenge, his enthusiasm for life was always present, never allowing his spirit to falter,” the family said.

Uecker was best known as a colorful comedian and broadcaster who earned his nickname during one of his numerous appearances on Johnny Carson’s late night show.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Uecker signed his first professional contract with the Milwaukee Braves in 1956 and reached the majors in 1962. He’d last six seasons in the big leagues as a backup catcher, finishing with a .200 average and 14 homers.

He won a World Series ring with St. Louis in 1964 and also played for Atlanta and Philadelphia.

“Career highlights? I had two,” he often joked. “I got an intentional walk from Sandy Koufax and I got out of a rundown against the Mets.”

Uecker also befriended former Brewers owner and MLB commissioner Bud Selig, who initially hired him as a scout. Selig liked to joke about how Uecker’s initial scouting report was stained with mashed potatoes and gravy.

Selig eventually brought Uecker to the broadcast booth. Uecker became the voice of the Brewers in 1971, in the second year after the team moved from Seattle.

Uecker remained with the club from that point on and became one of the Brewers’ most indelible figures. Brewers manager Craig Counsell grew up in the Milwaukee area and remembered spending summer days throwing a baseball against the roof and catching it while listening to Uecker’s broadcasts.

“There’s no single person in this franchise’s history who has been as iconic and as important as Bob Uecker,” said Jeff Levering, a member of the Brewers’ broadcast team since 2015.

Even as his celebrity status grew nationwide, Uecker savored the opportunity to continue calling games to fans in his hometown.

“To be able to do a game each and every day throughout the summer and talk to people every day at 6:30 for a night game, you become part of people’s families,” Uecker once said. “I know that because I get mail from people that tell me that. That’s part of the reward for being here, just to be recognized by the way you talk, the way you describe a game, whatever.”

Uecker was honored by the Hall of Fame with the Ford C. Frick award in 2003 and spent nearly 20 minutes keeping the Cooperstown, New York, crowd of about 18,000 in stitches.

“I still — and this is not sour grapes by any means — still think I should have gone in as a player,” he quipped.

“Ueck” got his big break off the field after opening for Don Rickles at Al Hirt’s nightclub in Atlanta in 1969. That performance caught Hirt’s attention, and the musician set him up to appear on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson. He became one of Carson’s favorite guests, making more than 100 appearances.

Carson was the one who dubbed Uecker “Mr. Baseball.” And the name stuck.

But Uecker’s comedy was just a part of his abilities. His warm storytelling and delivery made Uecker a natural to become one of the first color commentators on network TV broadcasts in the 1970s with ABC. In the ’90s, he teamed up with Bob Costas and Joe Morgan for the World Series.

From there, Uecker reached most households as one of the Miller Lite All-Stars in popular commercials for the beer brand based out of Milwaukee and Uecker later launched his TV acting career in 1985 on the ABC sitcom, “Mr. Belvedere.”

Uecker played George Owens during the successful 122-episode run of the series that lasted six years, as the head of the family and sports writer in a home that brings in a butler who struggles to adapt to an American household.

In a bit of casting that kept things pretty close to home, Uecker also played a prominent role in the movies Major League (1989) and Major League II (1994) as crass announcer Harry Doyle for a down-and-out Cleveland Indians franchise that finds a way to become playoff contenders.

“I’m part of American folklore, I guess,” Uecker told The Associated Press in 2003. “But I’m not a Hollywood guy. Baseball and broadcasting are in my blood.”

His wry description of a badly wayward pitch — “Juuuust a bit outside!” — in the movie is still often-repeated by announcers and fans at ballparks all over.

Uecker’s acting left some to believe he was more about being funny than a serious baseball announcer, but his tenure and observations with the Brewers were spot on, especially when games were tight. Equally enjoyable were games that weren’t, when Uecker would tell stories about other major leaguers, his own career and his hobbies as an avid fisherman and golfer.

“I don’t think anyone wants to hear somebody screwing around when you got a good game going,” Uecker said. “I think people see ‘Major League’ and they think Harry Doyle and figure that’s what Bob Uecker does. I do that sometimes, I do. But when we’ve got a good game going, I don’t mess around.”

In his later years, he took a serious approach to his health, swimming daily leading up to heart surgery in April 2010. Very soon after the procedures, doctors said Uecker returned to walking several miles and was ahead in recovery.

Uecker pushed to return to the booth and began calling games again in July, saying he bribed the doctors by allowing them to throw out the first pitch.

“You talk about all the things Bob has done, he never wanted to leave Milwaukee,” Selig said. “Above all, he made himself into a great play-by-play announcer. That’s what he did. He’s everything to this franchise and loves every minute of it.”

Uecker’s own career provided him most of his material. His former teammates said Uecker would do impressions of other broadcasters on the bus, but Uecker turned the spotlight on himself after his playing career was over.

“I signed with the Milwaukee Braves for $3,000. That bothered my dad at the time because he didn’t have that kind of dough,” he said “But he eventually scraped it up.”

Another classic: “When I came up to bat with three men on and two outs in the ninth, I looked in the other team’s dugout and they were already in street clothes.”

Uecker also presided over the stirring ceremony that closed Milwaukee County Stadium in 2000. When the Brewers’ new stadium opened as Miller Park in 2001, the team began selling “Uecker Seats” high in the upper deck and obstructed for a $1.

The stadium, now known as American Family Field, has two statues in Uecker’s honor. There’s a statue outside the stadium and another one in the back of Section 422, a nod to the Miller Lite commercial in which he famously said “I must be in the front row!” while getting taken to one of the worst seats in the ballpark.

'Mr. Baseball' Bob Uecker, beloved broadcaster for his hometown Brewers, has died

🏀 Shocker women fall to Green Wave

AP Sports Summary for January 16th, 2025:

March Madness will pay women's teams under a new structure approved by the NCAA

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Women's basketball teams finally will be paid for playing games in the NCAA Tournament each March just like the men have for years under a plan approved Wednesday at the NCAA convention. The vote by NCAA membership was the final step toward a pay structure for women playing in March Madness after the Division I Board of Governors voted unanimously for the proposal in August. Now, so-called performance units that represent revenue will be given to women's teams playing in the tournament. A team that reaches the Final Four could bring its conference roughly $1.26 million over the next three years. The lack of a performance units program for the women's tournament has been a point of sharp criticism.

Texas QB Quinn Ewers declares for NFL draft as program ushers in Arch Manning era

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas junior quarterback Quinn Ewers has declared for the NFL draft, ending a Longhorns career in which he led the program to a Big 12 championship and twice to the College Football Playoff but was not always embraced by a fan base eagerly waiting for Arch Manning to take over. Ewers passed for 9,128 yards and 68 touchdowns in a career that few Texas quarterbacks can match. His biggest legacy will be leading the program to the playoff semifinals in consecutive years, but Texas fell short of the championship game both times. Ewers' departure sets the stage for Manning to take over in 2025. Manning passed for 939 yards and nine touchdowns and ran for four TDs this season but has seen only limited playing time since September.

Urban Meyer joins Nick Saban in College Football HOF's Class of 2025; Vick, Strahan also elected

Urban Meyer will join Nick Saban in the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame class. The National Football Foundation announced Saban's selection last week and the rest of the 18-player, four-coach class on Wednesday. Michael Vick and Michael Strahan are among the former players who will be inducted. Saban retired last year as the NCAA's active leader in wins with 292 and seven national championships. Meyer led Florida to national titles in 2006 and 2008 and Ohio State in 2014. The 2025 class will be inducted Dec. 9 during an awards dinner in Las Vegas. The Hall of Fame is in Atlanta.

Coco Gauff is into the Australian Open's 3rd round and still unbeaten in 2025

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Coco Gauff has stretched her unbeaten start to 2025 to seven matches and 14 sets. The 2023 U.S. Open champion moved into the third round at the Australian Open with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over 173rd-ranked Jodie Burrage of Britain at Rod Laver Arena. Gauff was a semifinalist at Melbourne Park a year ago. Against Burrage, she went through a bit of a rough patch in the second set, struggling with double-faults and dropping four games in a row to go from a break up at 3-1 to a break down at 5-3. But when Burrage served for the second set, Gauff got back in control.

Lindsey Vonn falls toward end of downhill training run in Cortina

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Lindsey Vonn has fallen toward the end of a World Cup downhill training run in Italy and appeared slightly banged up. Vonn got back up and skied to the finish area on the Olympia delle Tofane course that will host next year's Milan-Cortina Olympics but then went inside a medical tent for treatment on Thursday. The 40-year-old Vonn recently returned to ski racing after nearly six years in retirement. She has a titanium knee replacement. Last Sunday, she finished fourth in a super-G in St. Anton, Austria.

Curtis Jones scores 25 points in rare start to lead No. 2 Iowa St to 74-57 win over No. 9 Kansas

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Curtis Jones scored 25 points in his second start of the season to lead No. 2 Iowa State to a 74-57 win over No. 9 Kansas for the Cyclones' 12th straight victory. The Cyclones came into the game with their highest ranking in program history but without one of their key starters in forward Milan Momcilovic. He's out indefinitely with a left hand injury. Jones looked comfortable starting in Momcilovic's place. He made his first six shots and finished 5 of 6 on 3-pointers. Zeke Mayo led the Jayhawks with 17 points.

NFL's wild-card round averages 28.3 million viewers, a 9.3% decline from last year

Viewer audiences for the first weekend of the NFL playoffs were down 9.3% from last year, a bigger decline than what the league experienced during the regular season. According to the league and Nielsen, the six wild-card round games averaged 28.3 million viewers on television and digital platforms, compared to 31.2 million last year. The two Saturday games held steady while the Sunday and Monday matchups saw declines.

Iga Swiatek moves into a 3rd-round match against Emma Raducanu at the Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Iga Swiatek rushed through her first set in 26 minutes and completed her 6-0, 6-2 second-round win over Rebecca Sramkova in an hour at the Australian Open. The five-time Grand Slam champion makes a habit of advancing quickly through the early rounds at the majors. She's won almost 12% of her sets in Grand Slams by 6-0, according to the tournament broadcaster. When No. 49-ranked Sramkova ended a seven-game losing run by holding serve, she raised her arm to acknowledge the applause from the Rod Laver Arena crowd. Second-seeded Swiatek next faces 2021 U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu, who held off Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-5.

Why the Australian Open is streaming live tennis with gaming-style player avatars

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Australian Open is getting in on the newest trend in the sports world by re-creating tennis matches in video-game form. The year's first Grand Slam tournament runs through Jan. 26 and is streaming real-time animated feeds on its YouTube channel that mimic what's happening in the three main stadiums. Players are represented by characters that look like something out of a Wii game. They might not exactly be perfect portrayals of Coco Gauff or Novak Djokovic but the graphics do try to show the correct outfit colors or hats and bandanas the athletes are wearing and reflect what is happening in the matches, with about a one-point delay.

Pro Picks: Chiefs, Bills, Lions and Eagles will advance to the conference championships

The road to the NFL's final four features seven of the eight division winners. Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs open the divisional round weekend against C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon. Rookie sensation Jayden Daniels leads the Washington Commanders against the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions in a prime-time matchup. Daniels helped the Commanders upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a wild-card game. Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles host the Los Angeles Rams, who are coming off a short week following a Monday night win, in the early game Sunday. Then it's Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills to cap the weekend.

		Philadelphia	at	N-Y Islanders	7:30 p.m.	

📢📰🎧 Sports Headlines for Thursday

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/boxscores/20250115_5wc4.xml?view=boxscore">BOX SCORE</a>

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community College men's basketball team extended its current win streak to six games, as the Blue Dragons defeated Seward County, 67-50 on Wednesday at the Sports Arena.

HutchCC is now 12-5 overall, 8-3 in the Jayhawk Conference.

The Blue Dragons fell behind five in the first half, but settled into the slow paced tempo that the Saints wanted to play. 

Hutchinson held a 34-29 lead at halftime.

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