Kansas Klips

Coach Fessenden to be inducted into KSHSAA Hall of Fame Class of 2022

ALMENA — Five individuals have been selected for induction into the Kansas State High School Activities Association Hall of Fame Class of 2022. Among the nominations is former Northern Valley Coach Chuck Fessenden. Charles “Chuck” Fessenden spent 43 years teaching, coaching and inspiring students at Northern Valley High School in Almena. He served as the head football coach his entire career, charting 292 wins and 142 losses, the most all-time 8-player football coaching wins in Kansas. During his tenure, his team made the state championships seven times and brought home the championship crown in three of those games. At one time, his football program had 41 consecutive wins. He was also responsible for coaching one state basketball championship and winning three state track championships. The football field at Northern Valley has been named Fessenden Field in his honor. (The Advocate of Phillips County)

Plainville teen donates money from pet sitting to USD 270 special ed

PLAINVILLE — Taylor Ayers wanted to find a part-time job in his hometown of Plainville, but, at 13, no would hire him. With COVID looming, he couldn’t even find somewhere to volunteer. Ayers created his own job and business in May and, in less than a year, has donated $1,600 to the USD 270 Plainville special education department. Ayers founded Ayers Buddies, a pet sitting business in Plainville. Taylor has been busy, caring for pets in their homes while their owners are away. The bulk of Taylor’s business has been dogs and cats, but he has also cared for rabbits, fish and chickens. USD 270 is proud of Taylor and happily accepted his generous gift to the school. HaysPost.com)

Gov. meets with area farmers, ranchers impacted by recent wildfires

NATOMA — Last Wednesday, Governor Laura Kelly and Agriculture Secretary Mike Beam met with Kansas farmers and ranchers in Russell and Osborne counties who were impacted by the December 15 wildfires—including the Maupin family who lost cattle, fences, hay, and their home, in the fire, according to a statement from her office.

“Today, I had the opportunity to meet with Kansans impacted by the wildfires to discuss how best the State of Kansas can support their recovery,” Governor Laura Kelly said. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam noted how heartwarming it is to witness how neighbors have pulled together to help each other during these times of need. “We are also grateful to see the tremendous volume of hay and monetary donations that have come in from outside this region and from other states as well,” the secretary added. (HaysPost.com)

Air Force Academy officers return for a second look

ATWOOD — Lt. Col. Abram Woody, formerly of Atwood, returned to the Atwood airport a second time to assess the area’s potential for Academy cadets’ parachute jump training. Woody was accompanied again by surveyor Tech. Sgt. Billy Price, and co-pilot Lt. Col. Matthew Amig, the same servicemen who were in Atwood before Christmas. After confirming that the area will be suitable for jump training, the next steps in the process will be to arrange accommodations, meals and other logistics for the parachute team. Woody, who is retiring from the Air Force in July of 2022, will not be present to lead any potential training exercises at the airport. His next endeavor will be participation in a six-month SkillBridge career transition program developed by the Department of Defense. (Rawlins County Square Deal)

Great Bend High School band director to march in Rose Parade

GREAT BEND — Great Bend High School’s band director Grant Mathews will have some exciting stories to tell when school resumes for the second semester. Matthews marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California, joining 270 band directors from across the United States and Mexico. Band members in the group ranged from recent music education graduates to retired veteran directors. They performed “76 Trombones” from the 1950’s musical The Music Man. Matthews played tenor drums as the band marched through Pasadena on the five-and-a-half-mile parade route. The Band Directors Marching Band is the first known Rose Parade band composed only of band directors. (HaysPost.com)

Suspects stole iPhones from store in Manhattan

MANHATTAN — Law enforcement authorities are investigating the theft of phones from a retailer in Manhattan. Just after 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28th, officers filed a report for theft in the 300 block of Tuttle Creek Blvd. in Manhattan, according to the RCPD activity report. Best Buy reported three unknown suspects—2 men and a woman— stole multiple Apple iPhones. The devices were demonstration models and according to a store source, store employees were dealing with another incident when the suspects snapped the iPhones directly from the Apple display at the back of the store and tried to make a hasty, inconspicuous exit. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $4,600. (JCPost.com)