GEARY COUNTY—A Junction City man was injured in an accident just after noon Sunday during a pursuit by law enforcement in Geary County.

The Kansas HIghway Patrol reported a 2008 Toyota Avalon driven by&nbsp; Brad W. Briand, 43, Junction City, was eastbound on Kansas 244 fleeing law enforcement. 

The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The car crossed the centerline, struck a guard rail, rolled into the north ditch and caught fire.

EMS transported Briand to the Geary County Hospital and he was later booked into the Geary County jail on requested charges of&nbsp;Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of marijuana; Driving under the influence of drug or combination of drugs; 1st conv; Obstruction or impeding of lawful activities; Flee or attempt to elude LEO by engaging in reckless driving and maximum speed limits, according to online jail records.

He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670844754707.png" alt="Briand photo Geary Co." />
 <figcaption>Briand photo Geary Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY—A Junction City man was injured in an accident just after noon Sunday during a pursuit by law enforcement in Geary County.The Kansas HIghway Patrol reported a 2008 Toyota Avalon driven by&nbsp; Brad W. Briand, 43, Junction City, was eastbound on Kansas 244 fleeing law enforcement. The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The car crossed the centerline, struck a guard rail, rolled into the north ditch and caught fire.EMS transported Briand to the Geary County Hospital and he was later booked into the Geary County jail on requested charges of&nbsp;Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of marijuana; Driving under the influence of drug or combination of drugs; 1st conv; Obstruction or impeding of lawful activities; Flee or attempt to elude LEO by engaging in reckless driving and maximum speed limits, according to online jail records.He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kan. man jailed after crash, fire during high-speed chase

Today is Sunday, Dec. 11, the 345th day of 2022. There are 20 days left in the year.

On Dec. 11, 1936, Britain's King Edward VIII abdicated the throne so he could marry American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simpson; his brother, Prince Albert, became King George VI.

In 1941, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States; the U.S. responded in kind.

In 1946, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was established.

In 1972, Apollo 17's lunar module landed on the moon with astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt aboard; they became the last two men to date to step onto the lunar surface.

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed legislation creating a $1.6 billion environmental "superfund" to pay for cleaning up chemical spills and toxic waste dumps. "Magnum P.I.," starring Tom Selleck, premiered on CBS.

In 1997, more than 150 countries agreed at a global warming conference in Kyoto, Japan, to control the Earth's greenhouse gases.

In 1998, majority Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee pushed through three articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton, over Democratic objections.

In 2001, in the first criminal indictment stemming from 9/11, federal prosecutors charged Zacarias Moussaoui, a French citizen of Moroccan descent, with conspiring to murder thousands in the suicide hijackings. (Moussaoui pleaded guilty to conspiracy in 2005 and was sentenced to life in prison.)

In 2002, a congressional report found that intelligence agencies that were supposed to protect Americans from the Sept. 11 hijackers failed to do so because they were poorly organized, poorly equipped and slow to pursue clues that might have prevented the attacks.

In 2008, former Nasdaq chairman Bernie Madoff was arrested, accused of running a multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme that wiped out the life savings of thousands of people and wrecked charities. (Madoff died in April 2021 while serving a 150-year federal prison sentence.)

In 2018, a Virginia jury called for a sentence of life in prison plus 419 years for the man who killed a woman when he rammed his car into counterprotesters at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. (James Alex Fields Jr. received that sentence in July, 2019.)

In 2020, the Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden's election victory, ending a desperate attempt to get legal issues that were rejected by state and federal judges before the nation's highest court. The Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of the nation's first COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech; the decision came as the U.S. recorded a new daily high in the number of coronavirus deaths. (Hours before the FDA action, according to two administration officials, a high-ranking White House official told the FDA's chief that he could face firing if the vaccine was not cleared by day's end.)

Ten years ago: The Michigan Legislature gave final approval to a pair of right-to-work bills that were quickly signed by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder amid angry protests by union members and their supporters. Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue overturned the suspensions of four New Orleans Saints players in the league's bounty investigation but said three of the players had engaged in conduct detrimental to the league.

Five years ago: A Bangladeshi immigrant set off a crude pipe bomb in a New York City subway passageway in a botched suicide bombing; it did not fully detonate and Akayed Ullah was the only one seriously hurt. (Ullah was convicted on terrorism charges in federal court and sentenced to life in prison.) A Southern California wildfire exploded in size again, becoming the fifth largest in state history; officials handed out masks to those who stayed behind in an exclusive community where Oprah Winfrey and other stars had homes. Chef Mario Batali stepped away from his restaurant empire and his cooking show "The Chew" as he conceded that reports of sexual misconduct "match up" to his behavior. French President Emmanuel Macron awarded millions of dollars in grants to 18 climate scientists from the U.S. and elsewhere, allowing them to relocate to France for the remainder of Donald Trump's presidential term. The Pentagon said transgender recruits would be allowed to enlist in the military beginning Jan. 1; a ban ordered by Trump had suffered a series of legal setbacks.

One year ago: Anne Rice, author of best-selling gothic novels including "Interview With the Vampire," died at 80 due to complications from a stroke. Alabama's Bryce Young won the Heisman Trophy, beating out Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to give the Crimson Tide consecutive winners of college football's most famous individual award. Football star and TV celebrity Michael Strahan was among the latest to ride into space aboard Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, sharing the trip with Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of Alan Shepard, who was America's first astronaut.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Rita Moreno is 91. Pop singer David Gates (Bread) is 82. Actor Donna Mills is 82. Former Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., is 81. Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is 79. Singer Brenda Lee is 78. Actor Lynda Day George is 78. Music producer Tony Brown is 76. Actor Teri Garr is 75. Movie director Susan Seidelman is 71. Actor Bess Armstrong is 69. Singer Jermaine Jackson is 68. Rock musician Mike Mesaros (The Smithereens) is 65. Rock musician Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue) is 64. Rock musician Darryl Jones (The Rolling Stones) is 61. Actor Ben Browder is 60. Singer-musician Justin Currie (Del Amitri) is 58. Rock musician David Schools (Hard Working Americans, Gov't Mule, Widespread Panic) is 58. Actor Gary Dourdan is 56. Actor-comedian Mo'Nique is 55. Actor Max Martini is 53. Rapper-actor Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) is 49. Actor Rider Strong is 43. Actor Xosha Roquemore is 38. Actor Karla Souza is 36. Actor Hailee Steinfeld is 26.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Sunday, Dec. 11, the 345th day of 2022. There are 20 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Dec. 11, 1936, Britain's King Edward VIII abdicated the throne so he could marry American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simpson; his brother, Prince Albert, became King George VI.On this date:In 1816, Indiana became the 19th state.In 1941, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States; the U.S. responded in kind.In 1946, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was established.In 1972, Apollo 17's lunar module landed on the moon with astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt aboard; they became the last two men to date to step onto the lunar surface.In 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed legislation creating a $1.6 billion environmental "superfund" to pay for cleaning up chemical spills and toxic waste dumps. "Magnum P.I.," starring Tom Selleck, premiered on CBS.In 1997, more than 150 countries agreed at a global warming conference in Kyoto, Japan, to control the Earth's greenhouse gases.In 1998, majority Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee pushed through three articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton, over Democratic objections.In 2001, in the first criminal indictment stemming from 9/11, federal prosecutors charged Zacarias Moussaoui, a French citizen of Moroccan descent, with conspiring to murder thousands in the suicide hijackings. (Moussaoui pleaded guilty to conspiracy in 2005 and was sentenced to life in prison.)In 2002, a congressional report found that intelligence agencies that were supposed to protect Americans from the Sept. 11 hijackers failed to do so because they were poorly organized, poorly equipped and slow to pursue clues that might have prevented the attacks.In 2008, former Nasdaq chairman Bernie Madoff was arrested, accused of running a multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme that wiped out the life savings of thousands of people and wrecked charities. (Madoff died in April 2021 while serving a 150-year federal prison sentence.)In 2018, a Virginia jury called for a sentence of life in prison plus 419 years for the man who killed a woman when he rammed his car into counterprotesters at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. (James Alex Fields Jr. received that sentence in July, 2019.)In 2020, the Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden's election victory, ending a desperate attempt to get legal issues that were rejected by state and federal judges before the nation's highest court. The Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of the nation's first COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech; the decision came as the U.S. recorded a new daily high in the number of coronavirus deaths. (Hours before the FDA action, according to two administration officials, a high-ranking White House official told the FDA's chief that he could face firing if the vaccine was not cleared by day's end.)Ten years ago: The Michigan Legislature gave final approval to a pair of right-to-work bills that were quickly signed by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder amid angry protests by union members and their supporters. Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue overturned the suspensions of four New Orleans Saints players in the league's bounty investigation but said three of the players had engaged in conduct detrimental to the league.Five years ago: A Bangladeshi immigrant set off a crude pipe bomb in a New York City subway passageway in a botched suicide bombing; it did not fully detonate and Akayed Ullah was the only one seriously hurt. (Ullah was convicted on terrorism charges in federal court and sentenced to life in prison.) A Southern California wildfire exploded in size again, becoming the fifth largest in state history; officials handed out masks to those who stayed behind in an exclusive community where Oprah Winfrey and other stars had homes. Chef Mario Batali stepped away from his restaurant empire and his cooking show "The Chew" as he conceded that reports of sexual misconduct "match up" to his behavior. French President Emmanuel Macron awarded millions of dollars in grants to 18 climate scientists from the U.S. and elsewhere, allowing them to relocate to France for the remainder of Donald Trump's presidential term. The Pentagon said transgender recruits would be allowed to enlist in the military beginning Jan. 1; a ban ordered by Trump had suffered a series of legal setbacks.One year ago: Anne Rice, author of best-selling gothic novels including "Interview With the Vampire," died at 80 due to complications from a stroke. Alabama's Bryce Young won the Heisman Trophy, beating out Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to give the Crimson Tide consecutive winners of college football's most famous individual award. Football star and TV celebrity Michael Strahan was among the latest to ride into space aboard Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, sharing the trip with Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of Alan Shepard, who was America's first astronaut.Today's Birthdays: Actor Rita Moreno is 91. Pop singer David Gates (Bread) is 82. Actor Donna Mills is 82. Former Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., is 81. Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is 79. Singer Brenda Lee is 78. Actor Lynda Day George is 78. Music producer Tony Brown is 76. Actor Teri Garr is 75. Movie director Susan Seidelman is 71. Actor Bess Armstrong is 69. Singer Jermaine Jackson is 68. Rock musician Mike Mesaros (The Smithereens) is 65. Rock musician Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue) is 64. Rock musician Darryl Jones (The Rolling Stones) is 61. Actor Ben Browder is 60. Singer-musician Justin Currie (Del Amitri) is 58. Rock musician David Schools (Hard Working Americans, Gov't Mule, Widespread Panic) is 58. Actor Gary Dourdan is 56. Actor-comedian Mo'Nique is 55. Actor Max Martini is 53. Rapper-actor Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) is 49. Actor Rider Strong is 43. Actor Xosha Roquemore is 38. Actor Karla Souza is 36. Actor Hailee Steinfeld is 26.

Today in History - December 11

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 27 years in prison for engaging in sexual acts with a child while taking nude pictures and videos of the child, according to the United State's Attorney.&nbsp;

According to court documents, in September 2022, Joshua Courtney, 35, of Bonner Springs pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and four counts of possession of child pornography.

Acting on cybertips submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, law enforcement agents found dozens of pornographic images in Courtney’s Google photos. 

Courtney admitted to investigators to taking nude photos of a 10-year-old child, filming while he engaged in sexual acts with the child, and sending these materials to others. He also admitted receiving child pornography of other children on his cell phone.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670275278962.png" alt="Courtney was arrested in February by U.S. Marshals, according to online booking records." />
 <figcaption>Courtney was arrested in February by U.S. Marshals, according to online booking records.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 27 years in prison for engaging in sexual acts with a child while taking nude pictures and videos of the child, according to the United State's Attorney.&nbsp;According to court documents, in September 2022, Joshua Courtney, 35, of Bonner Springs pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and four counts of possession of child pornography.Acting on cybertips submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, law enforcement agents found dozens of pornographic images in Courtney’s Google photos. Courtney admitted to investigators to taking nude photos of a 10-year-old child, filming while he engaged in sexual acts with the child, and sending these materials to others. He also admitted receiving child pornography of other children on his cell phone.

Kan. man took inappropriate photos of a 10-year-old

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a drug bust.

On Wednesday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrants in the 1500 Block SW Tyler Street related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

While conducting the search warrant, officers located marijuana, drug paraphernalia, stolen property and a firearm.

As a result, Dyllon Tucker, 31, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked on requested charges of Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, Possession of stolen property and Possession of paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670529572944.png" alt="Tucker-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Tucker-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a drug bust.On Wednesday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrants in the 1500 Block SW Tyler Street related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.While conducting the search warrant, officers located marijuana, drug paraphernalia, stolen property and a firearm.As a result, Dyllon Tucker, 31, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked on requested charges of Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, Possession of stolen property and Possession of paraphernalia.

Kansas felon caught with stolen property, firearm and drugs

WASHINGTON —Kansas 3rd District Representative Sharice Davids on Thursday applauded bipartisan passage of legislation she help introduce to enshrine marriage equality in federal law. 

The&nbsp;<a href="https://rules.house.gov/sites/democrats.rules.house.gov/files/BILLS-117HR8404IH.pdf">Respect for Marriage Act</a>&nbsp;passed in the House 258-169 with almost 40 Republican votes. It also protects interracial unions by requiring states to recognize legal marriages regardless of “sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.” Congresswoman Davids was the only member of the Kansas House delegation to vote in favor of the bill. Representatives Tracey Mann, Ron Estes and Jake LaTurner voted against the measure in addition to Missouri Representatives Sam Graves, Vicky Hartzler, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Billy Long and Jason Smith.

The Senate passed the bill last week with 12 Republican votes. Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall and Missouri Senator Josh Hawley voted against the bill. Retiring Missouri Senator Roy Blunt voted with the Democrats.&nbsp; The legislation now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

In July Davids joined her colleagues to introduce the&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;following Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion in&nbsp;Dobbs v Jackson,&nbsp;in which he stated that the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/24/thomas-constitutional-rights-00042256">“should reconsider”</a>&nbsp;previous rulings codifying same-sex marriage protections.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;repeals the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and provides additional legal protections from attempts to undermine marriage equality at the state level.

“After the&nbsp;Dobbs&nbsp;decision, people across Kansas and the entire country felt fear and anxiety as many of our individual freedoms were called into question or outright stripped away. That includes marriage equality for same-sex couples, which was explicitly threatened by Justice Thomas,” said&nbsp;Davids. “I’m proud to have introduced legislation that will help lessen that fear and provide stability to so many families, and I applaud the bipartisan group of lawmakers who joined me to stand up for our rights.”

The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;will:

The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;is&nbsp;<a href="https://judiciary.house.gov/newsroom/respectformarriagesupport/">strongly supported by leading national organizations</a>&nbsp;including: ACLU, Center for American Progress, Equality Federation, Family Equality, Freedom for All Americans, GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, National Black Justice Coalition, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, National LGBTQ Task Force, National Women’s Law Center, and PFLAG National.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670540217091.png" alt="Rep. Davids celebrate passage of HR 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act.-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Davids celebrate passage of HR 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act.-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Kansas 3rd District Representative Sharice Davids on Thursday applauded bipartisan passage of legislation she help introduce to enshrine marriage equality in federal law. The&nbsp;<a href="https://rules.house.gov/sites/democrats.rules.house.gov/files/BILLS-117HR8404IH.pdf">Respect for Marriage Act</a>&nbsp;passed in the House 258-169 with almost 40 Republican votes. It also protects interracial unions by requiring states to recognize legal marriages regardless of “sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.” Congresswoman Davids was the only member of the Kansas House delegation to vote in favor of the bill. Representatives Tracey Mann, Ron Estes and Jake LaTurner voted against the measure in addition to Missouri Representatives Sam Graves, Vicky Hartzler, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Billy Long and Jason Smith.The Senate passed the bill last week with 12 Republican votes. Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall and Missouri Senator Josh Hawley voted against the bill. Retiring Missouri Senator Roy Blunt voted with the Democrats.&nbsp; The legislation now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.In July Davids joined her colleagues to introduce the&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;following Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion in&nbsp;Dobbs v Jackson,&nbsp;in which he stated that the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/24/thomas-constitutional-rights-00042256">“should reconsider”</a>&nbsp;previous rulings codifying same-sex marriage protections.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;repeals the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and provides additional legal protections from attempts to undermine marriage equality at the state level.“After the&nbsp;Dobbs&nbsp;decision, people across Kansas and the entire country felt fear and anxiety as many of our individual freedoms were called into question or outright stripped away. That includes marriage equality for same-sex couples, which was explicitly threatened by Justice Thomas,” said&nbsp;Davids. “I’m proud to have introduced legislation that will help lessen that fear and provide stability to so many families, and I applaud the bipartisan group of lawmakers who joined me to stand up for our rights.”The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;will:<ul>
 <li>Repeal DOMA.&nbsp;The Supreme Court effectively rendered DOMA inactive with its landmark decisions in&nbsp;United States v. Windsor&nbsp;and&nbsp;Obergefell v. Hodges, but it did not repeal it, meaning the unconstitutional and discriminatory law still officially remains on the books.&nbsp;With passage of the&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act, DOMA will finally be repealed.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Enshrine Marriage Equality for Federal Law Purposes. The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;requires, for federal law purposes, that an individual be considered married if the marriage was valid in the state where it was performed, even if that state is not where the individual lives permanently. This gives same sex and interracial couples additional certainty that they will enjoy their Constitutional right to equal treatment under federal law—regardless of where they live.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Provide Additional Legal Protections from Individuals Seeking to Undermine Marriage Equality While Acting Under Color of State Law. The bill prohibits any person acting under color of state law from denying full faith and credit to an out-of-state marriage based on the sex, race, ethnicity or national origin of the individuals in the marriage, provides the Attorney General with the authority to pursue enforcement actions, and creates a private right of action for any individual harmed by a violation of this provision.</li>
 </ul>The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;is&nbsp;<a href="https://judiciary.house.gov/newsroom/respectformarriagesupport/">strongly supported by leading national organizations</a>&nbsp;including: ACLU, Center for American Progress, Equality Federation, Family Equality, Freedom for All Americans, GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, National Black Justice Coalition, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, National LGBTQ Task Force, National Women’s Law Center, and PFLAG National.

1 member of the Kan. delegation voted to protect same-sex marriage

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor

The Southeast of Saline girls’ basketball team kicked off the league portion of their season with a statement win in the Trojan War, handing Beloit a 59-29 loss to remain perfect on the year.

With this win, SES moves to 3-0 while Beloit drops to 1-2. This victory also extends an insane streak for the Lady Trojans, who have not lost a single game to a league opponent since 2020, culminating in a now 27-game NCAA win streak.

Southeast put on a three-point shooting clinic in the first quarter, draining seven triples without the aid of a single two to take a 21-4 lead into the break.

During that stretch, the Lady Trojans also held Beloit to a single field goal, completely neutralizing the orange and black’s offense.

“We felt like we were playing defense for long stretches of that game,” SES head coach Shauna Smith said. “It was hard not to fall asleep and give up an easy bucket because at times they weren’t doing much offensively but part of that was how well we were defending.”

By the fourth quarter, the clock was running and Southeast had done what they came to Beloit to do; put the league on notice that the NCAA still runs through Gypsum.

“It was important for us to make a statement because Beloit will only get better,” Smith said. “They’re so young and we wanted to put in their minds that they can’t beat us.”

The Lady Trojans were led in scoring by Lexi Jacobson, who posted a new career high with 15 points, scoring ten of those in the second half.

Jacobson wasn’t alone in double digits as Brielle Ptacek and Reagan Goetz each finished their night with 12.

On the Beloit side, the Trojans were completely baffled as SES held all six players in the scoring column to under ten points.

With the December portion of their season halfway in the books, Southeast of Saline will return home for a clash with the Cowgirls of Abilene on Tuesday.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="Coverage of SES basketball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of SES basketball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>The Southeast of Saline girls’ basketball team kicked off the league portion of their season with a statement win in the Trojan War, handing Beloit a 59-29 loss to remain perfect on the year.With this win, SES moves to 3-0 while Beloit drops to 1-2. This victory also extends an insane streak for the Lady Trojans, who have not lost a single game to a league opponent since 2020, culminating in a now 27-game NCAA win streak.Southeast put on a three-point shooting clinic in the first quarter, draining seven triples without the aid of a single two to take a 21-4 lead into the break.During that stretch, the Lady Trojans also held Beloit to a single field goal, completely neutralizing the orange and black’s offense.“We felt like we were playing defense for long stretches of that game,” SES head coach Shauna Smith said. “It was hard not to fall asleep and give up an easy bucket because at times they weren’t doing much offensively but part of that was how well we were defending.”By the fourth quarter, the clock was running and Southeast had done what they came to Beloit to do; put the league on notice that the NCAA still runs through Gypsum.“It was important for us to make a statement because Beloit will only get better,” Smith said. “They’re so young and we wanted to put in their minds that they can’t beat us.”The Lady Trojans were led in scoring by Lexi Jacobson, who posted a new career high with 15 points, scoring ten of those in the second half.Jacobson wasn’t alone in double digits as Brielle Ptacek and Reagan Goetz each finished their night with 12.On the Beloit side, the Trojans were completely baffled as SES held all six players in the scoring column to under ten points.With the December portion of their season halfway in the books, Southeast of Saline will return home for a clash with the Cowgirls of Abilene on Tuesday.

#9 Lady Trojans best Beloit to win 27th-straight league game

Today is Saturday, Dec. 10, the 344th day of 2022. There are 21 days left in the year.

On Dec. 10, 2013, South Africa held a memorial service for Nelson Mandela, during which U.S. President Barack Obama energized tens of thousands of spectators and nearly 100 visiting heads of state with a plea for the world to emulate "the last great liberator of the 20th century." (The ceremony was marred by the presence of a sign-language interpreter who deaf advocates said was an impostor waving his arms around meaninglessly.)

In 1817, Mississippi was admitted as the 20th state of the Union.

In 1861, the Confederacy admitted Kentucky as it recognized a pro-Southern shadow state government that was acting without the authority of the pro-Union government in Frankfort.

In 1898, a treaty was signed in Paris officially ending the Spanish-American War.

In 1958, the first domestic passenger jet flight took place in the U.S. as a National Airlines Boeing 707 flew 111 passengers from New York to Miami in about 2 1/2 hours.

In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. received his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, saying he accepted it "with an abiding faith in America and an audacious faith in the future of mankind."

In 1967, singer Otis Redding, 26, and six others were killed when their plane crashed into Wisconsin's Lake Monona; trumpeter Ben Cauley, a member of the group the Bar-Kays, was the only survivor.

In 1994, Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin received the Nobel Peace Prize, pledging to pursue their mission of healing the anguished Middle East.

In 1996, South African President Nelson Mandela signed the country's new constitution into law during a ceremony in Sharpeville.

In 2005, actor-comedian Richard Pryor died in Encino, California, at age 65.

In 2006, former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet died at age 91.

In 2007, former Vice President Al Gore accepted the Nobel Peace Prize with a call for humanity to rise up against a looming climate crisis and stop waging war on the environment.

In 2019, House Democrats announced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, declaring that he "betrayed the nation" with his actions toward Ukraine and an obstruction of Congress' investigation; Trump responded with a tweet of "WITCH HUNT!" At an evening rally in Pennsylvania, Trump mocked the impeachment effort and predicted it would lead to his reelection in 2020.

Ten years ago: President Barack Obama told auto workers in Michigan that he would not compromise on his demand that tax rates go up for the top 2 percent of American earners to help reduce the deficit. A judge announced that former International Monetary Fund leader Dominique Strauss-Kahn and a New York City hotel maid had signed a settlement of her sexual-assault lawsuit stemming from a May 2011 encounter. Marijuana for recreational use became legal in Colorado.

Five years ago: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz suffered a torn ACL during the team's win over the Rams; backup Nick Foles rallied the Eagles to a victory that secured the NFC East title. (Foles and the Eagles would go on to win the Super Bowl.) Wearing a face mask, actor Rob Lowe live-streamed the evacuation of his family from one of the homes threatened by a massive Southern California wildfire.

One year ago: Tornadoes slammed into Kentucky, Arkansas and three neighboring states, killing more than 90 people, including 81 in Kentucky. Bob Dole was mourned at Washington National Cathedral and the World War II monument he helped create as leaders from both parties saluted the Republican Kansas senator's ability to practice bare-knuckle politics without compromising his civility. The Supreme Court left in place Texas' ban on most abortions. The government reported that prices for U.S. consumers jumped 6.8% in November compared with a year earlier as Americans faced their highest annual inflation rate since 1982. Reigning world chess champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway successfully defended his title in Dubai. Michael Nesmith, the wool-hatted, guitar-strumming member of the 1960s, made-for-television rock band The Monkees, died at 78.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Fionnula Flanagan is 81. Actor-singer Gloria Loring is 76. Pop-funk musician Walter "Clyde" Orange (The Commodores) is 76. Country singer Johnny Rodriguez is 71. Actor Susan Dey is 70. Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is 66. Jazz musician Paul Hardcastle is 65. Actor John York (TV: "General Hospital") is 64. Actor-director Kenneth Branagh is 62. Actor Nia Peeples is 61. TV chef Bobby Flay is 58. Rock singer-musician J Mascis is 57. Rock musician Scot Alexander (Dishwalla) is 51. Actor-comedian Arden Myrin is 49. Rock musician Meg White (The White Stripes) is 48. Actor Emmanuelle Chriqui is 47. Actor Gavin Houston is 45. Actor Alano Miller is 43. Violinist Sarah Chang is 42. Actor Patrick John Flueger is 39. Country singer Meghan Linsey is 37. Actor Raven-Symone is 37. Actor/singer Teyana Taylor is 32. Actor Kiki Layne is 31. NFL quarterback Joe Burrow is 26.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Saturday, Dec. 10, the 344th day of 2022. There are 21 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Dec. 10, 2013, South Africa held a memorial service for Nelson Mandela, during which U.S. President Barack Obama energized tens of thousands of spectators and nearly 100 visiting heads of state with a plea for the world to emulate "the last great liberator of the 20th century." (The ceremony was marred by the presence of a sign-language interpreter who deaf advocates said was an impostor waving his arms around meaninglessly.)On this date:In 1817, Mississippi was admitted as the 20th state of the Union.In 1861, the Confederacy admitted Kentucky as it recognized a pro-Southern shadow state government that was acting without the authority of the pro-Union government in Frankfort.In 1898, a treaty was signed in Paris officially ending the Spanish-American War.In 1958, the first domestic passenger jet flight took place in the U.S. as a National Airlines Boeing 707 flew 111 passengers from New York to Miami in about 2 1/2 hours.In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. received his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, saying he accepted it "with an abiding faith in America and an audacious faith in the future of mankind."In 1967, singer Otis Redding, 26, and six others were killed when their plane crashed into Wisconsin's Lake Monona; trumpeter Ben Cauley, a member of the group the Bar-Kays, was the only survivor.In 1994, Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin received the Nobel Peace Prize, pledging to pursue their mission of healing the anguished Middle East.In 1996, South African President Nelson Mandela signed the country's new constitution into law during a ceremony in Sharpeville.In 2005, actor-comedian Richard Pryor died in Encino, California, at age 65.In 2006, former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet died at age 91.In 2007, former Vice President Al Gore accepted the Nobel Peace Prize with a call for humanity to rise up against a looming climate crisis and stop waging war on the environment.In 2019, House Democrats announced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, declaring that he "betrayed the nation" with his actions toward Ukraine and an obstruction of Congress' investigation; Trump responded with a tweet of "WITCH HUNT!" At an evening rally in Pennsylvania, Trump mocked the impeachment effort and predicted it would lead to his reelection in 2020.Ten years ago: President Barack Obama told auto workers in Michigan that he would not compromise on his demand that tax rates go up for the top 2 percent of American earners to help reduce the deficit. A judge announced that former International Monetary Fund leader Dominique Strauss-Kahn and a New York City hotel maid had signed a settlement of her sexual-assault lawsuit stemming from a May 2011 encounter. Marijuana for recreational use became legal in Colorado.Five years ago: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz suffered a torn ACL during the team's win over the Rams; backup Nick Foles rallied the Eagles to a victory that secured the NFC East title. (Foles and the Eagles would go on to win the Super Bowl.) Wearing a face mask, actor Rob Lowe live-streamed the evacuation of his family from one of the homes threatened by a massive Southern California wildfire.One year ago: Tornadoes slammed into Kentucky, Arkansas and three neighboring states, killing more than 90 people, including 81 in Kentucky. Bob Dole was mourned at Washington National Cathedral and the World War II monument he helped create as leaders from both parties saluted the Republican Kansas senator's ability to practice bare-knuckle politics without compromising his civility. The Supreme Court left in place Texas' ban on most abortions. The government reported that prices for U.S. consumers jumped 6.8% in November compared with a year earlier as Americans faced their highest annual inflation rate since 1982. Reigning world chess champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway successfully defended his title in Dubai. Michael Nesmith, the wool-hatted, guitar-strumming member of the 1960s, made-for-television rock band The Monkees, died at 78.Today's Birthdays: Actor Fionnula Flanagan is 81. Actor-singer Gloria Loring is 76. Pop-funk musician Walter "Clyde" Orange (The Commodores) is 76. Country singer Johnny Rodriguez is 71. Actor Susan Dey is 70. Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is 66. Jazz musician Paul Hardcastle is 65. Actor John York (TV: "General Hospital") is 64. Actor-director Kenneth Branagh is 62. Actor Nia Peeples is 61. TV chef Bobby Flay is 58. Rock singer-musician J Mascis is 57. Rock musician Scot Alexander (Dishwalla) is 51. Actor-comedian Arden Myrin is 49. Rock musician Meg White (The White Stripes) is 48. Actor Emmanuelle Chriqui is 47. Actor Gavin Houston is 45. Actor Alano Miller is 43. Violinist Sarah Chang is 42. Actor Patrick John Flueger is 39. Country singer Meghan Linsey is 37. Actor Raven-Symone is 37. Actor/singer Teyana Taylor is 32. Actor Kiki Layne is 31. NFL quarterback Joe Burrow is 26.

Today in History - December 10

With just one Mayor’s Cup matchup on this year’s calendar, the Salina South and Central boy’s basketball teams will meet on the campus of Kansas Wesleyan tonight, for the chance to take home a year’s worth of bragging rights, as well as some much-needed early-season momentum.&nbsp;

Both teams will come into this contest at 0-2, with the Mustangs falling to Maize and Hutch while the Cougars were defeated by Eisenhower and St. Xavier.

Despite the early-season growing pains for two teams still sorting out their identities with new-look rosters, there is a lot to be optimistic about for both South and Central as the December portion of the season reaches its midway mark. “We’re growing up a lot game by game and we’re finding out who we are and what our strengths and weaknesses are,” Cougar head coach Jason Hooper said. “We want to be a team that’s tough and part of that is fighting through adversity. I feel like we’ve done that through two games.”

Hopes are high on the Central side as well as the next generation of Mustang basketball players get their moment in the spotlight.

“Overall the thing that I’m liking is that these guys are really coachable,” Mustang head coach Ryan Modin said. “They play hard and they’re trying to do everything we’re asking as we go through some growing pains. The guys have been committed to coming in and getting better and that will pay off in the long run.”

These cross-town rivals played almost identical games to begin their seasons with Central dropping their opener by just two before falling to Hutch by 33, and South taking Eisenhower to overtime before suffering a 28-point blowout.

For the Mustangs, the biggest improvements will come in comfort and variety on the offensive side of the floor, as players settle into their new roles.

“We have to find different ways to score,” Modin said. “We need some different guys to step up and there’s no other way to say it we just have to make some shots. A two-game sample is hard to use to make a huge determination but we need to establish more consistency on the offensive end.”

For the Cougars, steadying their play will be the name of the game as Salina South undertakes a similar quest to find their identity early in the year.

“Consistency is the biggest thing we need to improve,” Hooper said. “Against Junction City, we had stretches where we really didn’t play well and then stretches where we fought our way back but we need to be more consistent on both sides of the floor and I think that will come as we continue to find out who we are.”

With just one contest on the books between these two rivals, the stakes will be high at Mabee Arena when this game tips off at 7:30.

“I think the fact that it’s just one scheduled game is going to up the ante a little bit,” Modin said. “We might see them later on but this is for bragging rights for a whole year and that brings it up a notch. The kids are familiar with each other and it’s a special game.”

In addition to the rivalry, this game also serves as a critical proving ground for two teams still looking to put as many pieces of the puzzle together as they can before the break.

“Every game that you play is an opportunity to capture some momentum and all of our pre-Christmas games are about finding out about your team,” Hooper said. “You want to use the time that you have over the break to make the big decisions if you feel like things need to be adjusted and so if you’re getting a lot of kids opportunities you can find out how different kids handle different situations.”

On the floor, Salina South’s strength will once again lie in their ability to knock down open looks at a high clip, something that allowed them to match pace in their opener with Eisenhower.

“They have really good guards and they shoot it really well,” Modin said. “That has to be the focus of our guys, we have to make it tough for them to move the ball and we can’t give them open looks. We also can’t give them second and third chance opportunities.”

For Central, their advantage lies in creating chaos on the defensive end and pressuring in transition, and South will have to tame the Mustangs to give themselves an edge in this game.

“Central is just like us, it’s a whole new group of faces, but from an Xs and Os standpoint, they’re still a hard-nosed team that shoots the ball well and spreads the floor. They have good spacing, they play hard and I have a lot of respect for their program.”

With both teams trying to avoid an 0-3 start in a colossal rivalry matchup, the stakes at Kansas Wesleyan will be exceptionally high tonight, and the Salina faithful should be in for a show.

“Both teams come in needing this win,” Modin said. “When you’re playing with a new team early in the season it’s important to get early wins when you can get them. We both play a tough schedule and neither of us wants to be sitting at 0-3 where you really start pressing to get over the hump.”

Tip-off between the Cougars and Mustangs is set for 7:30 pm following the girl's game at 6:00. For continuing coverage of both programs all season long, stay tuned to the Salina Post, and follow us on Twitter @spostsports. 

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="Coverage of South and Central hoops is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of South and Central hoops is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>With just one Mayor’s Cup matchup on this year’s calendar, the Salina South and Central boy’s basketball teams will meet on the campus of Kansas Wesleyan tonight, for the chance to take home a year’s worth of bragging rights, as well as some much-needed early-season momentum.&nbsp;Both teams will come into this contest at 0-2, with the Mustangs falling to Maize and Hutch while the Cougars were defeated by Eisenhower and St. Xavier.Despite the early-season growing pains for two teams still sorting out their identities with new-look rosters, there is a lot to be optimistic about for both South and Central as the December portion of the season reaches its midway mark. “We’re growing up a lot game by game and we’re finding out who we are and what our strengths and weaknesses are,” Cougar head coach Jason Hooper said. “We want to be a team that’s tough and part of that is fighting through adversity. I feel like we’ve done that through two games.”Hopes are high on the Central side as well as the next generation of Mustang basketball players get their moment in the spotlight.“Overall the thing that I’m liking is that these guys are really coachable,” Mustang head coach Ryan Modin said. “They play hard and they’re trying to do everything we’re asking as we go through some growing pains. The guys have been committed to coming in and getting better and that will pay off in the long run.”These cross-town rivals played almost identical games to begin their seasons with Central dropping their opener by just two before falling to Hutch by 33, and South taking Eisenhower to overtime before suffering a 28-point blowout.For the Mustangs, the biggest improvements will come in comfort and variety on the offensive side of the floor, as players settle into their new roles.“We have to find different ways to score,” Modin said. “We need some different guys to step up and there’s no other way to say it we just have to make some shots. A two-game sample is hard to use to make a huge determination but we need to establish more consistency on the offensive end.”For the Cougars, steadying their play will be the name of the game as Salina South undertakes a similar quest to find their identity early in the year.“Consistency is the biggest thing we need to improve,” Hooper said. “Against Junction City, we had stretches where we really didn’t play well and then stretches where we fought our way back but we need to be more consistent on both sides of the floor and I think that will come as we continue to find out who we are.”With just one contest on the books between these two rivals, the stakes will be high at Mabee Arena when this game tips off at 7:30.“I think the fact that it’s just one scheduled game is going to up the ante a little bit,” Modin said. “We might see them later on but this is for bragging rights for a whole year and that brings it up a notch. The kids are familiar with each other and it’s a special game.”In addition to the rivalry, this game also serves as a critical proving ground for two teams still looking to put as many pieces of the puzzle together as they can before the break.“Every game that you play is an opportunity to capture some momentum and all of our pre-Christmas games are about finding out about your team,” Hooper said. “You want to use the time that you have over the break to make the big decisions if you feel like things need to be adjusted and so if you’re getting a lot of kids opportunities you can find out how different kids handle different situations.”On the floor, Salina South’s strength will once again lie in their ability to knock down open looks at a high clip, something that allowed them to match pace in their opener with Eisenhower.“They have really good guards and they shoot it really well,” Modin said. “That has to be the focus of our guys, we have to make it tough for them to move the ball and we can’t give them open looks. We also can’t give them second and third chance opportunities.”For Central, their advantage lies in creating chaos on the defensive end and pressuring in transition, and South will have to tame the Mustangs to give themselves an edge in this game.“Central is just like us, it’s a whole new group of faces, but from an Xs and Os standpoint, they’re still a hard-nosed team that shoots the ball well and spreads the floor. They have good spacing, they play hard and I have a lot of respect for their program.”With both teams trying to avoid an 0-3 start in a colossal rivalry matchup, the stakes at Kansas Wesleyan will be exceptionally high tonight, and the Salina faithful should be in for a show.“Both teams come in needing this win,” Modin said. “When you’re playing with a new team early in the season it’s important to get early wins when you can get them. We both play a tough schedule and neither of us wants to be sitting at 0-3 where you really start pressing to get over the hump.”Tip-off between the Cougars and Mustangs is set for 7:30 pm following the girl's game at 6:00. For continuing coverage of both programs all season long, stay tuned to the Salina Post, and follow us on Twitter @spostsports.

Cougars and Mustangs look for first victory in Mayor's Cup Matchup

Today is Friday, Dec. 9, the 343rd day of 2022. There are 22 days left in the year.

On Dec. 9, 2014, U.S. Senate investigators concluded the United States had brutalized scores of terror suspects with interrogation tactics that turned secret CIA prisons into chambers of suffering and did nothing to make Americans safer after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

In 1854, Alfred, Lord Tennyson's famous poem, "The Charge of the Light Brigade," was published in England.

In 1911, an explosion inside the Cross Mountain coal mine near Briceville, Tennessee, killed 84 workers. (Five were rescued.)

In 1917, British forces captured Jerusalem from the Ottoman Turks.

In 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," the first animated TV special featuring characters from the "Peanuts" comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, premiered on CBS.

In 1987, the first Palestinian intefadeh, or uprising, began as riots broke out in Gaza and spread to the West Bank, triggering a strong Israeli response.

In 1990, Solidarity founder Lech Walesa won Poland's presidential runoff by a landslide.

In 1992, Britain's Prince Charles and Princess Diana announced their separation. (The couple's divorce became final in August 1996.)

In 2000, the U-S Supreme Court ordered a temporary halt in the Florida vote count on which Al Gore pinned his best hopes of winning the White House.

In 2006, a fire broke out at a Moscow drug treatment hospital, killing 46 women trapped by barred windows and a locked gate.

In 2011, the European Union said 26 of its 27 member countries were open to joining a new treaty tying their finances together to solve the euro crisis; Britain remained opposed.

In 2013, scientists revealed that NASA's Curiosity rover had uncovered signs of an ancient freshwater lake on Mars.

In 2020, commercial flights with Boeing 737 Max jetliners resumed for the first time since they were grounded worldwide nearly two years earlier following two deadly accidents; Brazil's Gol Airlines became the first in the world to return the planes to its active fleet.

Ten years ago: U.S. special forces rescued an American doctor captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan; a Navy SEAL, Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, was killed during the rescue of Dr. Dilip Joseph. Same-sex couples in Washington state began exchanging vows just after midnight under a new state law allowing gay marriage. Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera, 43, and six others were killed in a plane crash in northern Mexico.

Five years ago: After more than three years of combat operations, Iraq announced that the fight against the Islamic State group was over, and that Iraq's security forces had driven the extremists from all of the territory they once held. Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield became the sixth Sooner to win college football's Heisman Trophy.

One year ago: A jury in Chicago convicted former "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett on charges he staged an anti-gay, racist attack on himself and then lied to Chicago police about it. (Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail; he was allowed to go free after six days while he appealed the conviction.) A federal appeals court ruled against an effort by former President Donald Trump to shield documents from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Starbucks workers at a store in Buffalo, New York, voted to unionize, a first for the 50-year-old coffee retailer in the U.S. A federal jury in Arkansas convicted former reality TV star Josh Duggar of downloading and possessing child pornography. (Duggar would be sentenced to more than 12 years in prison.) Al Unser, one of only four drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, died following years of health issues; he was 82. Provocative Italian filmmaker Lina Wertmueller died in Rome at 93.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Dame Judi Dench is 88. Actor Beau Bridges is 81. Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus is 80. Actor Michael Nouri is 77. Former Sen. Thomas Daschle, D-S.D., is 75. World Golf Hall of Famer Tom Kite is 73. Singer Joan Armatrading is 72. Actor Michael Dorn is 70. Actor John Malkovich is 69. Country singer Sylvia is 66. Singer Donny Osmond is 65. Rock musician Nick Seymour (Crowded House) is 64. Comedian Mario Cantone is 63. Actor David Anthony Higgins is 61. Actor Joe Lando is 61. Actor Felicity Huffman is 60. Empress Masako of Japan is 59. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., is 56. Rock singer-musician Thomas Flowers (Oleander) is 55. Rock musician Brian Bell (Weezer) is 54. Rock singer-musician Jakob Dylan (Wallflowers) is 53. TV personality-businessperson Lori Greiner (TV: "Shark Tank") is 53. Actor Allison Smith is 53. Songwriter and former "American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi is 52. Country singer David Kersh is 52. Actor Reiko Aylesworth is 50. Rock musician Tre Cool (Green Day) is 50. Rapper Canibus is 48. Actor Kevin Daniels is 46. Actor-writer-director Mark Duplass is 46. Rock singer Imogen Heap is 45. Actor Jesse Metcalfe is 44. Actor Simon Helberg is 42. Actor Jolene Purdy is 39. Actor Joshua Sasse is 35. Actor Ashleigh Brewer is 32. Olympic gold and silver medal gymnast McKayla Maroney is 27. Olympic silver medal gymnast MyKayla Skinner is 26.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="history art Photo of old book courtesy shutterstock" />
 <figcaption>history art Photo of old book courtesy shutterstock</figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Friday, Dec. 9, the 343rd day of 2022. There are 22 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Dec. 9, 2014, U.S. Senate investigators concluded the United States had brutalized scores of terror suspects with interrogation tactics that turned secret CIA prisons into chambers of suffering and did nothing to make Americans safer after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.On this date:In 1854, Alfred, Lord Tennyson's famous poem, "The Charge of the Light Brigade," was published in England.In 1911, an explosion inside the Cross Mountain coal mine near Briceville, Tennessee, killed 84 workers. (Five were rescued.)In 1917, British forces captured Jerusalem from the Ottoman Turks.In 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," the first animated TV special featuring characters from the "Peanuts" comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, premiered on CBS.In 1987, the first Palestinian intefadeh, or uprising, began as riots broke out in Gaza and spread to the West Bank, triggering a strong Israeli response.In 1990, Solidarity founder Lech Walesa won Poland's presidential runoff by a landslide.In 1992, Britain's Prince Charles and Princess Diana announced their separation. (The couple's divorce became final in August 1996.)In 2000, the U-S Supreme Court ordered a temporary halt in the Florida vote count on which Al Gore pinned his best hopes of winning the White House.In 2006, a fire broke out at a Moscow drug treatment hospital, killing 46 women trapped by barred windows and a locked gate.In 2011, the European Union said 26 of its 27 member countries were open to joining a new treaty tying their finances together to solve the euro crisis; Britain remained opposed.In 2013, scientists revealed that NASA's Curiosity rover had uncovered signs of an ancient freshwater lake on Mars.In 2020, commercial flights with Boeing 737 Max jetliners resumed for the first time since they were grounded worldwide nearly two years earlier following two deadly accidents; Brazil's Gol Airlines became the first in the world to return the planes to its active fleet.Ten years ago: U.S. special forces rescued an American doctor captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan; a Navy SEAL, Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, was killed during the rescue of Dr. Dilip Joseph. Same-sex couples in Washington state began exchanging vows just after midnight under a new state law allowing gay marriage. Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera, 43, and six others were killed in a plane crash in northern Mexico.Five years ago: After more than three years of combat operations, Iraq announced that the fight against the Islamic State group was over, and that Iraq's security forces had driven the extremists from all of the territory they once held. Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield became the sixth Sooner to win college football's Heisman Trophy.One year ago: A jury in Chicago convicted former "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett on charges he staged an anti-gay, racist attack on himself and then lied to Chicago police about it. (Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail; he was allowed to go free after six days while he appealed the conviction.) A federal appeals court ruled against an effort by former President Donald Trump to shield documents from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Starbucks workers at a store in Buffalo, New York, voted to unionize, a first for the 50-year-old coffee retailer in the U.S. A federal jury in Arkansas convicted former reality TV star Josh Duggar of downloading and possessing child pornography. (Duggar would be sentenced to more than 12 years in prison.) Al Unser, one of only four drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, died following years of health issues; he was 82. Provocative Italian filmmaker Lina Wertmueller died in Rome at 93.Today's Birthdays: Actor Dame Judi Dench is 88. Actor Beau Bridges is 81. Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus is 80. Actor Michael Nouri is 77. Former Sen. Thomas Daschle, D-S.D., is 75. World Golf Hall of Famer Tom Kite is 73. Singer Joan Armatrading is 72. Actor Michael Dorn is 70. Actor John Malkovich is 69. Country singer Sylvia is 66. Singer Donny Osmond is 65. Rock musician Nick Seymour (Crowded House) is 64. Comedian Mario Cantone is 63. Actor David Anthony Higgins is 61. Actor Joe Lando is 61. Actor Felicity Huffman is 60. Empress Masako of Japan is 59. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., is 56. Rock singer-musician Thomas Flowers (Oleander) is 55. Rock musician Brian Bell (Weezer) is 54. Rock singer-musician Jakob Dylan (Wallflowers) is 53. TV personality-businessperson Lori Greiner (TV: "Shark Tank") is 53. Actor Allison Smith is 53. Songwriter and former "American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi is 52. Country singer David Kersh is 52. Actor Reiko Aylesworth is 50. Rock musician Tre Cool (Green Day) is 50. Rapper Canibus is 48. Actor Kevin Daniels is 46. Actor-writer-director Mark Duplass is 46. Rock singer Imogen Heap is 45. Actor Jesse Metcalfe is 44. Actor Simon Helberg is 42. Actor Jolene Purdy is 39. Actor Joshua Sasse is 35. Actor Ashleigh Brewer is 32. Olympic gold and silver medal gymnast McKayla Maroney is 27. Olympic silver medal gymnast MyKayla Skinner is 26.

Today in History - December 9

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The ACLU of Missouri is suing a suburban Kansas City school district over its policy of automatically removing any challenged library material before it is reviewed.

The ACLU argues in a federal lawsuit filed this week that the Independence School District's current policy violates students' First Amendment rights because it “restricts their access to ideas and information for an improper purpose and without any prior notice.”

Under the current policy, a library material is automatically removed after it is challenged. A committee then evaluates the material and the school board votes on whether to keep it, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/education/article269669086.html#storylink=cpy">reported</a>.

The district said in a statement Wednesday that it stands by the policy, which it said was "thoughtful, well-considered, and calculated to balance and protect the rights of all students and their parents.”

The district said its policy is nearly identical to policies used by numerous public school districts in Missouri.

“The District will vigorously defend against this lawsuit,” the statement said. "It is unfortunate that the District will be required to expend taxpayer funds to defend against the ACLU’s latest unfounded complaint.”

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of four parents in the district, comes after a parent in April challenged the children’s book “Cats vs. Robots #1: This Is War” because it includes a nonbinary character. The book was removed from shelves while a committee reviewed it, and the school board then voted to permanently remove it from elementary school libraries.

The book, with themes about science, technology, engineering and mathematics, is marketed toward children ages 8 through 12. Only three pages of the 307-page book discuss the character being nonbinary, the ACLU’s suit says.

The current policy also doesn't provide an appeal process, which the ACLU argues violates students' rights “because it restricts their access to ideas and information for an improper purpose and without any prior notice.”

The lawsuit comes as efforts to remove books in school and public libraries increase across the country.

The ACLU’s lawsuit says 138 school districts in 32 states removed more than 2,500 books during the 2021-22 school year. And 41% of all books banned nationwide during the school year contained LGBTQ characters while 40% of book removals included important characters of color and 21% of the banned books directly addressed issues of race and racism, according to the suit.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The ACLU of Missouri is suing a suburban Kansas City school district over its policy of automatically removing any challenged library material before it is reviewed.The ACLU argues in a federal lawsuit filed this week that the Independence School District's current policy violates students' First Amendment rights because it “restricts their access to ideas and information for an improper purpose and without any prior notice.”Under the current policy, a library material is automatically removed after it is challenged. A committee then evaluates the material and the school board votes on whether to keep it, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/education/article269669086.html#storylink=cpy">reported</a>.The district said in a statement Wednesday that it stands by the policy, which it said was "thoughtful, well-considered, and calculated to balance and protect the rights of all students and their parents.”The district said its policy is nearly identical to policies used by numerous public school districts in Missouri.“The District will vigorously defend against this lawsuit,” the statement said. "It is unfortunate that the District will be required to expend taxpayer funds to defend against the ACLU’s latest unfounded complaint.”The lawsuit, filed on behalf of four parents in the district, comes after a parent in April challenged the children’s book “Cats vs. Robots #1: This Is War” because it includes a nonbinary character. The book was removed from shelves while a committee reviewed it, and the school board then voted to permanently remove it from elementary school libraries.The book, with themes about science, technology, engineering and mathematics, is marketed toward children ages 8 through 12. Only three pages of the 307-page book discuss the character being nonbinary, the ACLU’s suit says.The current policy also doesn't provide an appeal process, which the ACLU argues violates students' rights “because it restricts their access to ideas and information for an improper purpose and without any prior notice.”The lawsuit comes as efforts to remove books in school and public libraries increase across the country.The ACLU’s lawsuit says 138 school districts in 32 states removed more than 2,500 books during the 2021-22 school year. And 41% of all books banned nationwide during the school year contained LGBTQ characters while 40% of book removals included important characters of color and 21% of the banned books directly addressed issues of race and racism, according to the suit.

ACLU sues KC-area school district over book removal policy

Today is Thursday, Dec. 8, the 342nd day of 2022. There are 23 days left in the year.

On Dec. 8, 1941, the United States entered World War II as Congress declared war against Imperial Japan, a day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

In 1765, Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin, was born in Westborough, Massachusetts.

In 1886, the American Federation of Labor was founded in Columbus, Ohio.

In 1949, the Chinese Nationalist government moved from the Chinese mainland to Formosa as the Communists pressed their attacks.

In 1980, rock star and former Beatle John Lennon was shot to death outside his New York City apartment building by Mark David Chapman.

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev signed a treaty at the White House calling for destruction of intermediate-range nuclear missiles.

In 1991, AIDS patient Kimberly Bergalis, who had contracted the disease from her dentist, died in Fort Pierce, Florida, at age 23.

In 2001, the U.S. Capitol was reopened to tourists after a two-month security shutdown.

In 2008, in a startling about-face, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed told the Guantanamo war crimes tribunal he would confess to masterminding the Sept. 11 attacks; four other men also abandoned their defenses.

In 2011, the 161-day NBA lockout ended when owners and players ratified the new collective bargaining agreement.

In 2014, the U.S. and NATO ceremonially ended their combat mission in Afghanistan, 13 years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks sparked their invasion of the country to topple the Taliban-led government.

In 2016, John Glenn, whose 1962 flight as the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the Earth made him an all-American hero and propelled him to a long career in the U.S. Senate, died in Columbus, Ohio, at age 95.

In 2020, the Supreme Court rejected Republicans' last-gasp bid to reverse Pennsylvania's certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the electoral battleground; the court refused to call into question the certification process in the state.

Ten years ago: Police charged Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent with intoxication manslaughter after he flipped his car in a pre-dawn accident that killed teammate Jerry Brown. (Brent was convicted in Jan. 2014 and sentenced to 180 days in jail; he was reinstated by the NFL in Sept. 2014.) Texas A&amp;M quarterback Johnny Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy.

Five years ago: Japanese pitching and hitting star Shohei Ohtani announced that he would sign with the Los Angeles Angels.

One year ago: With more than two dozen states poised to ban abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court were to give them the OK, California clinics and their allies in the state Legislature revealed a plan to make the state a "sanctuary" for those seeking reproductive care. President Joe Biden signed an executive order to make the federal government carbon-neutral by 2050, aiming for a 65% reduction in planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and an all-electric fleet of car and trucks five years later. The number of Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 reached 200 million. Nearly 17 years after being sentenced to die, Scott Peterson was resentenced in California to life without parole for the Christmas Eve killing of his pregnant wife, Laci, in 2002. (The state Supreme Court found that Peterson's jury was improperly screened for bias against the death penalty.) Center-left leader Olaf Scholz became Germany's ninth post-World War II chancellor.

Today's Birthdays: Flutist James Galway is 83. Singer Jerry Butler is 83. Pop musician Bobby Elliott (The Hollies) is 81. Actor Mary Woronov is 79. Actor John Rubinstein is 76. Actor Kim Basinger is 69. Rock musician Warren Cuccurullo is 66. Rock musician Phil Collen (Def Leppard) is 65. Country singer Marty Raybon is 63. Political commentator Ann Coulter is 61. Rock musician Marty Friedman is 60. Actor Wendell Pierce is 59. Actor Teri Hatcher is 58. Actor David Harewood is 57. Singer Sinead O'Connor (AKA Shuhada' Davitt) is 56. Actor Matthew Laborteaux is 56. Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Mussina is 54. Rock musician Ryan Newell (Sister Hazel) is 50. Actor Dominic Monaghan is 46. Actor Ian Somerhalder is 44. Rock singer Ingrid Michaelson is 43. R&amp;B singer Chrisette Michele is 40. Actor Hannah Ware is 40. Country singer Sam Hunt is 38. MLB All-Star infielder Josh Donaldson is 37. Rock singer-actor Kate Voegele (VOH'-gehl) is 36. Christian rock musician Jen Ledger (Skillet) is 33. NHL defenseman Drew Doughty is 33. Actor Wallis Currie-Wood is 31. Actor AnnaSophia Robb is 29.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy shutterstock" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy shutterstock</figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Thursday, Dec. 8, the 342nd day of 2022. There are 23 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Dec. 8, 1941, the United States entered World War II as Congress declared war against Imperial Japan, a day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.On this date:In 1765, Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin, was born in Westborough, Massachusetts.In 1886, the American Federation of Labor was founded in Columbus, Ohio.In 1949, the Chinese Nationalist government moved from the Chinese mainland to Formosa as the Communists pressed their attacks.In 1980, rock star and former Beatle John Lennon was shot to death outside his New York City apartment building by Mark David Chapman.In 1987, President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev signed a treaty at the White House calling for destruction of intermediate-range nuclear missiles.In 1991, AIDS patient Kimberly Bergalis, who had contracted the disease from her dentist, died in Fort Pierce, Florida, at age 23.In 2001, the U.S. Capitol was reopened to tourists after a two-month security shutdown.In 2008, in a startling about-face, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed told the Guantanamo war crimes tribunal he would confess to masterminding the Sept. 11 attacks; four other men also abandoned their defenses.In 2011, the 161-day NBA lockout ended when owners and players ratified the new collective bargaining agreement.In 2014, the U.S. and NATO ceremonially ended their combat mission in Afghanistan, 13 years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks sparked their invasion of the country to topple the Taliban-led government.In 2016, John Glenn, whose 1962 flight as the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the Earth made him an all-American hero and propelled him to a long career in the U.S. Senate, died in Columbus, Ohio, at age 95.In 2020, the Supreme Court rejected Republicans' last-gasp bid to reverse Pennsylvania's certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the electoral battleground; the court refused to call into question the certification process in the state.Ten years ago: Police charged Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent with intoxication manslaughter after he flipped his car in a pre-dawn accident that killed teammate Jerry Brown. (Brent was convicted in Jan. 2014 and sentenced to 180 days in jail; he was reinstated by the NFL in Sept. 2014.) Texas A&amp;M quarterback Johnny Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy.Five years ago: Japanese pitching and hitting star Shohei Ohtani announced that he would sign with the Los Angeles Angels.One year ago: With more than two dozen states poised to ban abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court were to give them the OK, California clinics and their allies in the state Legislature revealed a plan to make the state a "sanctuary" for those seeking reproductive care. President Joe Biden signed an executive order to make the federal government carbon-neutral by 2050, aiming for a 65% reduction in planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and an all-electric fleet of car and trucks five years later. The number of Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 reached 200 million. Nearly 17 years after being sentenced to die, Scott Peterson was resentenced in California to life without parole for the Christmas Eve killing of his pregnant wife, Laci, in 2002. (The state Supreme Court found that Peterson's jury was improperly screened for bias against the death penalty.) Center-left leader Olaf Scholz became Germany's ninth post-World War II chancellor.Today's Birthdays: Flutist James Galway is 83. Singer Jerry Butler is 83. Pop musician Bobby Elliott (The Hollies) is 81. Actor Mary Woronov is 79. Actor John Rubinstein is 76. Actor Kim Basinger is 69. Rock musician Warren Cuccurullo is 66. Rock musician Phil Collen (Def Leppard) is 65. Country singer Marty Raybon is 63. Political commentator Ann Coulter is 61. Rock musician Marty Friedman is 60. Actor Wendell Pierce is 59. Actor Teri Hatcher is 58. Actor David Harewood is 57. Singer Sinead O'Connor (AKA Shuhada' Davitt) is 56. Actor Matthew Laborteaux is 56. Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Mussina is 54. Rock musician Ryan Newell (Sister Hazel) is 50. Actor Dominic Monaghan is 46. Actor Ian Somerhalder is 44. Rock singer Ingrid Michaelson is 43. R&amp;B singer Chrisette Michele is 40. Actor Hannah Ware is 40. Country singer Sam Hunt is 38. MLB All-Star infielder Josh Donaldson is 37. Rock singer-actor Kate Voegele (VOH'-gehl) is 36. Christian rock musician Jen Ledger (Skillet) is 33. NHL defenseman Drew Doughty is 33. Actor Wallis Currie-Wood is 31. Actor AnnaSophia Robb is 29.

Today in History - December 8

By KATHY HAGEMAN For Dickinson County

Brad Homman could write a book about all the things he's seen or done during his nearly four decades with Dickinson County.

As a member of the sheriff's department, he worked accidents, investigated crimes - and while undercover - purchased drugs and busted dealers.

As the head of 911 Dispatch, he built and staffed the county's emergency communications center and was onboard as cellular technology was changing faster than government entities could afford to purchase it.

And during the last 16 years as Dickinson County administrator, he has been at the helm through the good and the bad: Two tornadoes (in 2008 and 2016) and recovery efforts, building a new jail and remodeling the courthouse (which included emptying the building and moving staff to other facilities), dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic - one of the most uncertain times in modern history - and a plethora of other challenging and rewarding situations.

Homman will retire Dec. 17 after 38 years as a full-time employee, but he’s been with the county 40 years if you count the first couple when he worked part-time.

“Thinking back on when I first came to work here, I see how far we have evolved since then,” Homman said.

Homman was a reserve officer with the Solomon Police Department when he went to work for the sheriff’s department in 1982 as the weekend dispatcher/jailer.

“I was responsible for the hourly jail checks, booking in prisoners, feeding them, giving them medication, things like that. That’s a really scary situation for a kid who’s 19, 20 years old. Looking back, I’m thinking ‘geez, what a liability’,” he recalled with a laugh.

At the same time, Homman was pursuing a degree in electronics technology at Salina Area Technical College, spurred by his interest in radio and electronic communication. After graduation, he went to work at a radio shop in Salina.

“I cut my teeth in communications working on two-way radios. The shop owner would say ‘I need you to go to Thayer, Garden City, Holton or even Manchester to fix a tower’,” he remembered.

His interest in communications led him to start his own business, Homman Electronics, which he continues to operate in his spare time.

On Jan. 12, 1985, Homman joined the Dickinson County Sheriff's Department full-time. Over the next 20 years, he moved up the ranks from patrol deputy, to undersheriff and even interim sheriff. He worked for five different sheriffs, including Dale Ogran, Kenny Moore, Steve Britt, Carl McDonald and Curt Bennett.

Under McDonald’s watch, Homman started the I-135/I-70 Drug Task Force, which included Dickinson, Saline and McPherson counties. The cooperation of the other counties was necessary, Homman said, because of the drug trade’s overlap in surrounding areas.

“It became very obvious that every time we’d arrest somebody or they were willing to help as an informant, they were going to Salina or Junction City to get their drugs. I didn’t know anyone at either place and that’s where the case ended. It didn’t solve the problem,” he recalled.

Having out-of-county officers work the cases was effective since the dealers did not know them.

“Everybody in Dickinson County - especially the drug people - knew me so we’d have the Saline and McPherson guys make the undercover buys here and I'd work in their counties."

“We eventually were able to 'cut the head off the snake.' We saw the availability of drugs in Dickinson County drying up and we knew we had made an impact," he said.

Although the job was fascinating and rewarding, the inconsistent work hours – any time on any day – eventually led him to change careers.

“When my wife, Michelle, and I decided to start a family I said I would change careers because I wasn’t going to be an absentee father. This isn’t the lifestyle for a family," he said.

As the end of the 1990s approached, then-Sheriff Curt Bennett asked county commissioners to take over 911 emergency communications from the City of Abilene, which was dispatching for both the city and county. The commission agreed and implemented a 2-mill levy to cover 911 services.

“Bennett approached me about building the 911 center. I had already talked to him about leaving the drug task force because I wanted to be a parent for my kids,” Homman said.

In late 1999, Homman was re-assigned as captain over the newly-created communications division and spent eight to 10 months designing and building the 911 Center in the basement of the courthouse. Soon, his title was changed to Emergency Communications director.

“I had brought over a few employees from city dispatch and hired some new staff and in April 2000 we took over the communication responsibilities for answering 911 calls and dispatching,” he said.

When 911 became the universal emergency phone number in the United States, the system was dependent on landline telephones to locate callers.

However, when cellular phones came out and people started abandoning their land lines it created a big problem for 911 centers because early cell phones could not pinpoint locations.

“We knew the big challenge was going to be locating people on cell phones,” Homman recalled. “If the people calling 911 can’t talk or don’t know where they’re at, the benefit of calling 911 goes out the window.”

As technology evolved into Phase 1 and later into Phase 2, cell phones were able to send GPS coordinates into the data stream allowing the tower system to triangulate the caller's location. However, that technology was expensive.

"Congress had passed a law telling cell phone providers that if a government agency provides a formal request for Phase 2 technology it has to be provided, but there was no provision in the law about who pays for that," Homman said.

"The technology was there but a lot of cellular providers drug their feet and didn’t want to put in the extra cost,” Homman explained. “There was real fear on our part, as a government agency, that if I put that request into Verizon, Sprint or AT&amp;T they’re going to come in and bill us for that service and what if I can’t afford it?”

But as things often do, a situation occurred locally that caused Homman to make that request.

He had received a call from a woman who wanted 911 dispatch to be aware her elderly father was living alone north of Chapman. His family had purchased a cell phone for him that dialed 911 by pushing one button. Unfortunately, those phones did not display the caller's phone number, but a phantom number.

Some months later, Dickinson County Dispatch got a call from Geary County Dispatch that its emergency center was getting 911 calls from an unknown number, and from the towers it was coming through, they knew it was located somewhere on the west side of their county or in Dickinson County.

“The person was mumbling, ‘help me, help me;' they had gotten 10 or 12 of these calls and the signal would fade and cut out. They had deputies driving around looking for something and wondered if Dickinson County had any addresses that sounded something like what they thought the person was saying. This guy was in dire straits and getting worse.”

One of the local dispatchers told Homman they were trying to track down the phone and with the bits of information gleaned from the brief call, he pieced together that the call might be coming from the man his daughter had called about several months ago.

“I told Sherry Massey, who was my assistant director, to look at the location alerts and get that guy's address. She came up with a name and we sent our deputies who had also been out looking. We had an ambulance out there waiting too and dispatched them to that house. We got there just in time. The responding paramedics later told me if it had been another five minutes he would have been gone,” Homman remembered.

“I got really pissed off that morning and I typed out the very first request letter to AT&amp;T asking that Phase 2 technology be delivered to us. I told commissioners I didn’t care what it costs because we are not going through that again. I said, 'if it costs, we’re just going to have to bite the bullet. Otherwise people are going to die',” he recalled.

Soon after, Phase 2 technology was installed in Dickinson County - and surprisingly - at no cost.

“We were the first agency in Kansas that took the risk to do it. Once we did it, everybody else across the state did too,” Homman said. “That was one of the most remarkable things to happen in my career.”

In early 2006, then-commissioners Joe Nold and Sheila Biggs asked Homman if he would be interested in becoming county administrator. The county previously had an administrator for a short time in the 1980s, but after that person was gone the position had never been filled.

"I was surprised," Homman recalled. "I remember Joe making the comment, ‘if we come in and sit here three or four hours one day a week and think we’re running things we’re kidding ourselves. We need some organization. This isn’t a business, but we need to run it like a business.'

“It was a big decision, but I decided to jump on over,” Homman said.

Initially, his title was director of administration and emergency services, but that soon changed to county administrator.

Over the 16 years, Homman has served as county administrator, he has been at the tip of the spear when it comes to getting things done.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670466583085.png" alt="Dickinson County Administrator Brad Homman looks through some project files as he prepares to retire on Dec. 17, after nearly 40 years with the county. Photo by Kathy Hageman" />
 <figcaption>Dickinson County Administrator Brad Homman looks through some project files as he prepares to retire on Dec. 17, after nearly 40 years with the county. Photo by Kathy Hageman</figcaption>
 </figure>By KATHY HAGEMAN For Dickinson CountyBrad Homman could write a book about all the things he's seen or done during his nearly four decades with Dickinson County.As a member of the sheriff's department, he worked accidents, investigated crimes - and while undercover - purchased drugs and busted dealers.As the head of 911 Dispatch, he built and staffed the county's emergency communications center and was onboard as cellular technology was changing faster than government entities could afford to purchase it.And during the last 16 years as Dickinson County administrator, he has been at the helm through the good and the bad: Two tornadoes (in 2008 and 2016) and recovery efforts, building a new jail and remodeling the courthouse (which included emptying the building and moving staff to other facilities), dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic - one of the most uncertain times in modern history - and a plethora of other challenging and rewarding situations.Homman will retire Dec. 17 after 38 years as a full-time employee, but he’s been with the county 40 years if you count the first couple when he worked part-time.“Thinking back on when I first came to work here, I see how far we have evolved since then,” Homman said.Homman was a reserve officer with the Solomon Police Department when he went to work for the sheriff’s department in 1982 as the weekend dispatcher/jailer.“I was responsible for the hourly jail checks, booking in prisoners, feeding them, giving them medication, things like that. That’s a really scary situation for a kid who’s 19, 20 years old. Looking back, I’m thinking ‘geez, what a liability’,” he recalled with a laugh.At the same time, Homman was pursuing a degree in electronics technology at Salina Area Technical College, spurred by his interest in radio and electronic communication. After graduation, he went to work at a radio shop in Salina.“I cut my teeth in communications working on two-way radios. The shop owner would say ‘I need you to go to Thayer, Garden City, Holton or even Manchester to fix a tower’,” he remembered.His interest in communications led him to start his own business, Homman Electronics, which he continues to operate in his spare time.On Jan. 12, 1985, Homman joined the Dickinson County Sheriff's Department full-time. Over the next 20 years, he moved up the ranks from patrol deputy, to undersheriff and even interim sheriff. He worked for five different sheriffs, including Dale Ogran, Kenny Moore, Steve Britt, Carl McDonald and Curt Bennett.Under McDonald’s watch, Homman started the I-135/I-70 Drug Task Force, which included Dickinson, Saline and McPherson counties. The cooperation of the other counties was necessary, Homman said, because of the drug trade’s overlap in surrounding areas.“It became very obvious that every time we’d arrest somebody or they were willing to help as an informant, they were going to Salina or Junction City to get their drugs. I didn’t know anyone at either place and that’s where the case ended. It didn’t solve the problem,” he recalled.Having out-of-county officers work the cases was effective since the dealers did not know them.“Everybody in Dickinson County - especially the drug people - knew me so we’d have the Saline and McPherson guys make the undercover buys here and I'd work in their counties."“We eventually were able to 'cut the head off the snake.' We saw the availability of drugs in Dickinson County drying up and we knew we had made an impact," he said.Although the job was fascinating and rewarding, the inconsistent work hours – any time on any day – eventually led him to change careers.“When my wife, Michelle, and I decided to start a family I said I would change careers because I wasn’t going to be an absentee father. This isn’t the lifestyle for a family," he said.Moving to dispatchAs the end of the 1990s approached, then-Sheriff Curt Bennett asked county commissioners to take over 911 emergency communications from the City of Abilene, which was dispatching for both the city and county. The commission agreed and implemented a 2-mill levy to cover 911 services.“Bennett approached me about building the 911 center. I had already talked to him about leaving the drug task force because I wanted to be a parent for my kids,” Homman said.In late 1999, Homman was re-assigned as captain over the newly-created communications division and spent eight to 10 months designing and building the 911 Center in the basement of the courthouse. Soon, his title was changed to Emergency Communications director.“I had brought over a few employees from city dispatch and hired some new staff and in April 2000 we took over the communication responsibilities for answering 911 calls and dispatching,” he said.Cell phones problematicWhen 911 became the universal emergency phone number in the United States, the system was dependent on landline telephones to locate callers.However, when cellular phones came out and people started abandoning their land lines it created a big problem for 911 centers because early cell phones could not pinpoint locations.“We knew the big challenge was going to be locating people on cell phones,” Homman recalled. “If the people calling 911 can’t talk or don’t know where they’re at, the benefit of calling 911 goes out the window.”As technology evolved into Phase 1 and later into Phase 2, cell phones were able to send GPS coordinates into the data stream allowing the tower system to triangulate the caller's location. However, that technology was expensive."Congress had passed a law telling cell phone providers that if a government agency provides a formal request for Phase 2 technology it has to be provided, but there was no provision in the law about who pays for that," Homman said."The technology was there but a lot of cellular providers drug their feet and didn’t want to put in the extra cost,” Homman explained. “There was real fear on our part, as a government agency, that if I put that request into Verizon, Sprint or AT&amp;T they’re going to come in and bill us for that service and what if I can’t afford it?”But as things often do, a situation occurred locally that caused Homman to make that request.He had received a call from a woman who wanted 911 dispatch to be aware her elderly father was living alone north of Chapman. His family had purchased a cell phone for him that dialed 911 by pushing one button. Unfortunately, those phones did not display the caller's phone number, but a phantom number.Some months later, Dickinson County Dispatch got a call from Geary County Dispatch that its emergency center was getting 911 calls from an unknown number, and from the towers it was coming through, they knew it was located somewhere on the west side of their county or in Dickinson County.“The person was mumbling, ‘help me, help me;' they had gotten 10 or 12 of these calls and the signal would fade and cut out. They had deputies driving around looking for something and wondered if Dickinson County had any addresses that sounded something like what they thought the person was saying. This guy was in dire straits and getting worse.”One of the local dispatchers told Homman they were trying to track down the phone and with the bits of information gleaned from the brief call, he pieced together that the call might be coming from the man his daughter had called about several months ago.“I told Sherry Massey, who was my assistant director, to look at the location alerts and get that guy's address. She came up with a name and we sent our deputies who had also been out looking. We had an ambulance out there waiting too and dispatched them to that house. We got there just in time. The responding paramedics later told me if it had been another five minutes he would have been gone,” Homman remembered.“I got really pissed off that morning and I typed out the very first request letter to AT&amp;T asking that Phase 2 technology be delivered to us. I told commissioners I didn’t care what it costs because we are not going through that again. I said, 'if it costs, we’re just going to have to bite the bullet. Otherwise people are going to die',” he recalled.Soon after, Phase 2 technology was installed in Dickinson County - and surprisingly - at no cost.“We were the first agency in Kansas that took the risk to do it. Once we did it, everybody else across the state did too,” Homman said. “That was one of the most remarkable things to happen in my career.”County administratorIn early 2006, then-commissioners Joe Nold and Sheila Biggs asked Homman if he would be interested in becoming county administrator. The county previously had an administrator for a short time in the 1980s, but after that person was gone the position had never been filled."I was surprised," Homman recalled. "I remember Joe making the comment, ‘if we come in and sit here three or four hours one day a week and think we’re running things we’re kidding ourselves. We need some organization. This isn’t a business, but we need to run it like a business.'“It was a big decision, but I decided to jump on over,” Homman said.Initially, his title was director of administration and emergency services, but that soon changed to county administrator.Over the 16 years, Homman has served as county administrator, he has been at the tip of the spear when it comes to getting things done.“One of the best things we did was when we took over EMS from Memorial Hospital. The hospital was going to expand and needed to get EMS out of their garage area,” Homman said. “We built the addition onto the health department, took over responsibility for EMS and created a professional department to be proud of - one that saves lives."That was the first of many building projects, which has included an EMS building in Herington to serve the southern end of the county, the environmental services building at the Transfer Station, the PPE (personal protective equipment) building, constructed during the pandemic and an addition at Sterl Hall,” he added.Perhaps the most adrenalin-driven time of his career was serving as the spokesperson for the City of Chapman after an EF-3 tornado roared through town on June 11, 2008. He took on that role because city officials and council members had either lost their own homes or were busy working to save lives and responding.When another tornado came through the rural areas in the northern part of the county on May 25, 2016, the county paired with the National Resource Conservation Service to clean up tree debris that would have damaged bridges and impacted streams.The biggest project of his career was the recently completed jail addition and courthouse renovation, completed earlier this year.COVIDNot surprisingly, the most challenging time was during the COVID-19 pandemic.“The frustration came from the lack of knowing what to do and then doing what we thought was right and the criticism that came with it. COVID was new to everybody and we didn’t have the historical time and experience to know what the right move was. Everybody worldwide was shooting from the hip.“There was the fear of the virus and the fear of what was to come, while doing our best to protect the public, students, our staffs, health care workers and then dealing with the level of personal criticism and personal attacks,” Homman said.“I know in my heart we did everything the best we could to prevent people from getting sick, and for those who did, that was beyond our control," he continued. "I don’t know that I’d do anything different looking back.”Radio upgradeEven as he prepares to leave, Homman has been busy doing the groundwork for a new 800 MHz radio project that will let local law enforcement, fire and EMS communicate better and with other agencies outside the county.Dickinson County is at a disadvantage when first responders need to communicate with outside agencies. For example, whenever sheriff's officers need to talk to Kansas Highway Patrol officers during high speed chases.“Our current system has served us well, but now it's outdated and needs replaced. We’ve put it off (moving to the 800 system) as long as we can. Now, our surrounding counties have switched to it and we can’t communicate with them," Homman said. "I hope to be able to help out the county with this when I leave."Earlier this year, the county's 911 Advisory Board asked commissioners to consider asking voters to consider a one-fourth cent sales tax for public safety, with monies going toward transitioning all of the county's emergency responders to the State of Kansas' 800 MHz system. Commissioners are expected to act on the request in early 2023, possibly putting the question on a mail-in ballot.RetirementOne thing Homman says he won't miss about the county administrator job is the stress."I always felt I didn't let stress bother me, but my wife says I do," he said with a chuckle. "We may travel a bit since it's just Michelle and I now. It will be nice to be able to pick up and say 'let's go'."However, don't expect Homman to ride off into the sunset permanently. He plans to continue operating Homman Electronics, which nowadays is less about radios and more about security systems."Everybody that used to rely on two-way radios pretty much just uses cell phones, although there's still a few that have radios, but the big thing now is security cameras and alarm systems because of the state of our society," Homman said. "I'll continue doing that as long as I can."For the time being, he also still plans on serving on the Solomon USD 393 Board of Education."I think it's helped me tremendously as a person to be on the school board and see what it's like on the elected side of things. By overseeing an organization you get to see first hand what it's like as an elected official and some of the pressures that go with that," Homman explained."I've tried to think what it's like for the commissioners."Homman said he is leaving with a good conscience."I think I'm leaving things in good shape for the commissioners and Janelle (Dockendorf, incoming county administrator). We're not in debt, the budget's not in trouble and I don't believe I'm leaving any big problems," he said."I told staff I wanted to get the jail and renovation project done. I wasn't about to leave in the middle of that. Otherwise, I probably would have left a couple years ago."Working for the county has been a fulfilling experience, he said."I couldn't be more appreciative of the county commissioners and how they've supported me and the county staff. I don't know that there's anything I ever asked for that they haven't approved or given. However, I also didn't ever ask for anything that wasn't needed and researched," he added with a laugh.