Kansas

Clear Lake standout Reese Brownlee commits to Kansas State

Published

1 year ago

October 30, 2024

Clear Lake standout Reese Brownlee commits to Kansas State

Reese Brownlee completely dominated the state last year in track and field. Now, the Clear Lake senior has decided where she will compete at as a college athlete.

Brownlee announced her commitment to Kansas State beginning in 2025. First, though, the multi-time Drake Relays winner and state champion has her sights set on more hardware this coming spring.

“After an unforgettable process and so many prayers, I am following my heart to Kansas State to chase my track and field dreams while continuing my education,” Brownlee posted on social media. “I want to thank my dad for teaching me to love the sport, my mom for being my role model and rock through it all, my brother, Ikey, for being my biggest cheerleader, my coaches, Coach Puttmann, VJ, Josi, and TJ & Laura Jumper for pushing me to be the best person and athlete I can be, my family for loving me unconditionally, and my best friends for always wanting what is best for me.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of the future of K-State track and field. Lastly, thanks to all of the coaches at (Kansas State).”

Last spring, Brownlee kicked off her junior season by winning the long jump and 400-meter hurdle events at the Drake Relays, which bring together the best of the best in the state from all four classifications.

She followed that up with a memorable performance at state track and field back inside Drake Stadium in Des Moines. Brownlee set two state records and won three titles, breaking marks in both the long jump and 400 hurdles while also placing first in the 400-meter dash.

She had a record-breaking leap of 19-3.5 on her sixth and final attempt to claim the Class 3A title after going 19-3.25 on her fifth jump. Brownlee went 59.83 in the 400 hurdles and had a personal-record of 55.56 in the 400.

Travis Geopfert, a former coach at Northern Iowa, was named the Director of Track and Field/Cross Country at Kansas State this past July. He was a four-time National Assistant Coach of the Year during two stints with Arkansas and has coached 15 Olympians and one Paralympian, including nine who competed at the recent Summer Olympics in Paris.

A graduate of Northern Iowa and native of Panora, Iowa, Geopfert was a 2004 Olympic Trials qualifier and five-time national qualifier at the USATF Indoor and Outdoor Championships.

Source link

Kansas

LET’S TALK | KSHB coming to Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 20

Published

19 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

LET’S TALK | KSHB coming to Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, on Jan. 20

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The KSHB 41 News team will be landing in Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, for our latest Let’s Talk event.

We’ll be hanging out from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Peachtree Cafeteria, 2128 E. 12th Street, in Kansas City, Missouri, 64127.

Join KSHB 41’s Kevin Holmes, Wes Peery, Alyssa Jackson, Ryan Gamboa and others in person to let us know what we need to learn about the Historic Northeast, its residents, what’s going well and what opportunities are possible.

If you can’t make it in person, send us a question using the form below.

—

Source link

Kansas

Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules

by: Wil Day

Posted: Jan 8, 2026 / 07:19 PM CST

Updated: Jan 8, 2026 / 07:19 PM CST

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas Department of Agriculture held a meeting on Thursday to discuss proposed rules regarding the Kansas Water Appropriation Act.

The Division of Water Resources is proposing new regulations and changes to current regulations under the law.

The division is looking at amending or revoking regulations related to flowmeters tracking water usage.

It is also proposing changes to groundwater usage rules on how far you can move a well from its original location to prevent harming the water rights of other landowners.

Another regulation would create voluntary Water Conservation Areas, where landowners work with the division to establish water conservation plans on their properties.

Some of the concerns raised at Thursday’s meeting dealt with property rights and the transfer of land to new owners. Some expressed concern about the sale of water rights to other landowners in the area.

There is no listed timeline for when the changes could be made.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here.

Source link

Kansas

Rural Kansas fire department reports record number of calls in 2025

Published

2 days ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Rural Kansas fire department reports record number of calls in 2025

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A rural Kansas fire department says it saw yet another increase in calls in 2025.

On Tuesday, Butler County Fire District #3 posted data about last year on social media.

It responded to 782 alarms in 2025, which is a new record.

The majority of the calls were for rescue and emergency medical services, followed by service calls.

Courtesy: Butler County Fire District #3

The department’s data show the number of calls has been trending upward over the last 20 years.

From 2006 to 2010, the department handled an an average of 550 calls a year. From 2021 through 2025, that average was 720, a 31% increase.

Courtesy: Butler County Fire District #3

Officials said continued growth in the community has increased the demand for emergency services.

“These numbers reinforce the importance of ongoing training, staffing, equipment planning, and community support to ensure we can continue to provide timely and effective service,” the department said on Facebook.

Source link