By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Hays community gathered along the streets on Tuesday in silent tribute to the fallen Phillips County deputy.

The Kansas Highway Patrol led the escort of Deputy Brandon Gaede from Wichita to Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg.

It traveled through Salina and continued west on Interstate 70 to exit 159 before going north on Vine Street. City of Hays and Ellis County first responders, businesses owners and residents gathered to pay their respects.

Gaede died Friday after responding to a call at 9:28 p.m. that led to an exchange of gunfire with a suspect in Phillipsburg.

Gaede arrived at the scene and contacted 27-year-old Colton Griffith, who was reported to have detonated illegal, non-consumer-grade fireworks at 899 First St.&nbsp;

As the undersheriff attempted to place Griffith in handcuffs, a struggle broke out. Griffith pulled a concealed handgun and opened fire on the deputy.

Despite being struck by gunfire, the undersheriff returned fire and hit Griffith multiple times. Griffith died at the scene.

EMS transported Gaede to a local hospital. Despite life-saving measures, medical personnel pronounced him dead at 10:24 p.m.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/59f88620-1925-4b38-bc9f-6dff1370347d">SEE RELATED STORY: Sheriff's deputy and suspect dead after gunfight in Phillipsburg</a>

Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/8820f431-7baf-4723-a62a-6445ef14d03e">directed flags be flown at half-staff</a> on all state buildings, grounds and facilities from sunup to sundown on July 5 in honor of Gaede.

Funeral services for Gaede are scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the Huck Boyd Community Center in Phillipsburg.

Hays honors fallen Phillipsburg deputy at escort

Join Eagle Radio of Hays on this holiday trip to Branson, Missouri.

11:30 a.m. Casino or shopping at Legends and lunch

6 p.m. Lambert’s Cafe - dinner and dessert

10 a.m.--"Down Home Country Show" and lunch

5:30 p.m.--Heroes Taste &amp; Taps plated dinner

3:30 p.m.--"David" at the Sight and Sound Theater

7:30 p.m.--"A Christmas Story" dinner and show

8 a.m. Leave Branson and travel home with a few favorite stops and lunch along the way.

We will be staying at the beautiful Stone Castle in Branson, Missouri. It is a wonderful hotel with great amenities, such as a full hot breakfast daily, indoor corridors, two indoor pools and spas, mini fridge, and much more. 

This trip includes three nights lodging, round-trip bus transportation, breakfast at hotel, ALL meals, six shows or activities, all taxes, bus driver tip, and all gratuities on the above items.

Lunch is on your own each day on the trip. All times will be updated at the time of the trip. Lodging, menus, shows and itineraries are subject to change due to reasons beyond our control.

Single $1,295, double $1,195, triple $1,155 and $1,125 quad occupancy.

All the above times are starting show times.

All times will be updated at the time of the trip for when to load the bus.

Reserve your seats today for Radio of Hays: Branson 2025

Stockton Rodders annual fundraiser to benefit vo-tech scholarships for local students

&nbsp;Submit events to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@hayspost.com">admin@hayspost.com</a>. Cover photo courtesy Pixabay

Special thanks to <a href="https://www.visithays.com/183/Events">The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau</a> and<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/"> Fort Hays State University</a> for their contributions to the community calendar.

Community Calendar

The city of Hays Fire Department encourages all residents to practice safety and follow guidelines while enjoying fireworks during Independence Day celebrations:

Detailed city and state regulations are available online.

For additional safety information, residents can contact the city of Hays Fire Department at 785-628-7330

City of Hays fireworks safety, usage for residents

CVB: July happenings in Hays

Ellis County wheat growers, don’t miss out on entering your best wheat into the Ellis County Fair – Open Class Market Wheat Show. 

Entries are fast and easy. Fill up a provided bag of your best wheat while unloading at any elevator in Ellis County, or at your bins at home and return the crop data card after harvest to either the elevator or Cottonwood Extension District Office, 601 Main Street, Hays. 

Cash and ribbons will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

Your entries and ribbons can be picked up at the conclusion of the fair on Sunday, July 20 between 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Schenk building or after the fair at the Cottonwood Extension Office.

If you have any questions call us at 785-628-9430, or email Theresa tam3@ksu.edu

Farmers can enter their wheat for prizes, cash at the Ellis County Fair

Still time to register for extra funds to feed children during summer

STOCKTON — Friday, November 28, Stockton Rodders, Inc. presents Olde Tyme Christmas in Stockton, Kansas.&nbsp; Events held during the day and evening. Event is on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1223752379483909/">Facebook</a>.&nbsp;

Save the date Nov. 28 for Olde Tyme Christmas with Stockton Rodders

PLAINVILLE — Corbyn Marquess will be hosting the first annual Fore the Kids Classic, Saturday, July 26. The tournament will be a 4-person scramble held at Rooks County Golf Course, Plainville. All tournament proceeds will be donated to Children's Mercy Hospital. 

Because of generous business and individual donations the tournament will have a guaranteed payout for first&nbsp;place in all flights of $600.

 Corbyn is very passionate&nbsp;about this project as she was diagnosed&nbsp;with thyroid cancer when she was 16 years old. Children's Mercy gave her excellent care and she would like to give back to an important cause.

In conjunction with the tournament she is raffling off a spot at the Oklahoma State Golf Camp that is held in June of 2026.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

'Fore the Kids Classic' in Plainville to benefit Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City

Free health and cancer screenings will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 26 at the First United Methodist Church, 305 W. Seventh Street in Hays.

The free screenings are hosted by the Kansas Masons, Hays Masonic Lodge #195, the Masonic Cancer Alliance (MCA), and The University of Kansas Cancer Center. 

This community outreach event is free and open to the public. Insurance is not required. All ages are welcome. No appointments are necessary.

Lodge members and staff from the MCA, the outreach network of KU Cancer Center, are teaming up with health professionals from the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) to provide the following:

· prostate cancer screenings · skin cancer screenings · colorectal cancer take-home screening kits · tobacco cessation information

Area Masons work with staff from the MCA and the Kansas Masonic Foundation to coordinate many of the free screening events that often draw several hundred attendees of all ages. According to Brooke Groneman, MCA outreach director, more than 20,000 Kansas residents have attended the screenings since 2003.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, approximately 9,500 Americans are diagnosed with some form of skin cancer every day, and nearly 250 of those are diagnosed with melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer. The Centers for Disease Control reports that cancer is currently the second leading cause of death in Kansas, and the region has higher than average rates of skin cancer compared to other parts of the country. 

When it comes to the possibility of cancer, it is always better to catch a potential problem in the earliest stage possible. Anyone identified with a possible health concern at one of the free screenings is advised by the screening team to follow up with his/her local physician or provided with information on how to find a healthcare provider.

For more information on the free health and cancer screening event in Hays, call Chris Neeley at 785-259-2067.

The Masonic Cancer Alliance (MCA), the outreach network of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, is a membership-based organization developed to improve cancer care across the region by providing access to the latest advancements close to home. The MCA links hospitals and healthcare partners across Kansas and western Missouri to lab discoveries made at KU Cancer Center. It also provides its members with access to clinical trials, professional education, patient navigation services, networking, and outreach opportunities.

Free health, cancer screenings in Hays on July 26

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission approved the final plat application for the Fairview Patch Addition during its Tuesday meeting.

The proposed 13-parcel residential development is north of Severin Road and 400th Avenue. Ten parcels will measure 3 acres each, one about 3.1 acres, and two larger parcels about 4.5 and 4.7 acres.

The homeowners association will maintain the private roads. Bill Jeter, county counselor, stated that the roads will be built to county specifications; however, the county is not obligated to maintain them.

The commission approved the final plat in a 2-1 vote. Commissioner Nathan Leiker voted against the plat, stating that it does not align with county planning.

"We've dealt with a lot of localized subdivisions, and this is getting pretty far out there," Leiker said.

Highway 40 and Main Street intersection in Victoria

Brendan Mackay, Ellis County public works director, received approval for $25,000 in funding to reconstruct the East Main Street approach to Old Highway 40 in Victoria.

At a previous meeting, the commission&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/f411c2a9-c20a-4cf3-963d-d834ddb0f613">voted against approving financial assistance</a>&nbsp;for the approach reconstruction after the city of Victoria requested the county cover one-third of the total $124,685 cost.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mackay received approval to restructure the Public Works Department. The plan is to reallocate existing positions to improve efficiency, career development, workload distribution and long-term planning without adding new positions.

The restructuring could result in a maximum increase of $10,000 in the Public Works budget if all affected employees opt for family plan insurance policies,&nbsp;Mackay said.

The Ellis County Commission received an update on the 2025 Ellis County Fair from Justin Scheck, Ellis County Fair board president. The theme for the fair is "Another Day in Fairadise."

Mackay also received approval to purchase a $358,000 road grader to replace one that requires significant repairs. The county will owe about $51,420 for the first year's payment.

The commission approved a two-year cell phone contract with Verizon to replace the expired contract with Nex-Tech Wireless. The Ellis County IT department determined Verizon offers a more cost-effective option, saving $14,000.

On a split vote, Ellis County Commission approves final housing plans

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Board of Regents boosted salaries of state university presidents and the chancellor an average of 6.4%, despite the Legislature’s decision to provide no more than 2.5% raises to campus employees lagging the farthest behind market rates.

The Legislature earmarked $36.2 million to address state employee pay disparities in the new fiscal year starting July 1. These targeted increases would bring state workers up to 10% below market rate or enact raises of 2.5%, whichever was greater.

The Board of Regents universities received state funding equivalent to a 2.5% merit pool. Lawmakers left it to university administrators to fill other compensation gaps, but the reality was some campus employees won’t get a raise.

The Board of Regents awarded University of Kansas Chancellor Doug Girod a 12% surge of $105,000 to place his total compensation from state government and private endowment sources at $1 million per year.

After meeting in executive session, the Board of Regents also voted Friday without dissent to authorize a 7% increase for Fort Hays State University President Tisa Mason to take her annual package to $355,000. Kansas State University President Richard Linton, who received a 10.2% raise last year, was provided a 5% increase this year to elevate his compensation to $750,000.

The low end of the scale were 4% adjustments for Wichita State University President Rick Muma and Emporia State University President Ken Hush. Muma’s annual compensation climbed to $635,000, while Hush’s was bumped to $370,000. The Board of Regents recently hired a new president for Pittsburg State University, so no raise was adopted for PSU.

“Some of the most important actions we take concern our CEOs,” said Carl Ice, chairman of the Board of Regents. “Leaders matter. Leaders set a vision — visions that are compelling.”

Becky Pottebaum, director of finance and administration with the Board of Regents, said the annual review of compensation for university leaders was designed to make certain salaries were based on performance and competitive with peer institutions.

The latest salary adjustments reflected the Board of Regents’ adoption of new principles regarding CEO compensation.

“Strong leadership is essential to the continued success of our institutions and the broader mission of advancing higher education in Kansas,” she said.

For more than six months, state university leaders expressed alarm about converging financial challenges that included general operational inflation, softness in student enrollment, loss of federal research funding and new financial obligations to college athletes.

In response, the Board of Regents approved tuition increases averaging 3.9% for in-state undergraduate university students. University administrators have moved to impose cost-cutting measures to deal with anticipated budget deficits.

Girod said the “challenges largely are due to external factors such as disruptions to federal funding, the lack of new state funding, rising costs associated with facilities construction and operations, and the projected nationwide decline in college enrollment.”

He said without decisive action KU’s Lawrence campus could wind up with a $4 million shortfall by the end of the fiscal year.

“The reality is higher education is at a crossroads, and universities must develop new financial models for the new world we are in,” Girod said.

Kansas Board of Regents’ CEO raises exceed adjustments for university faculty, staff

AGRA – Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, officially filed Monday as a Republican candidate for Kansas Secretary of State. He currently serves in the Kansas House of Representatives for the 110th District.

Rahjes brings a strong knowledge of the state’s economy and an empowering attitude for current and future business owners in Kansas. Rahjes intends to streamline the processes for business filings in Kansas and improve the One Stop online portal offered through the Secretary of State’s Office.

“We have many great assets in our state, but the best one is our people,’” Rahjes said.

Rahjes will address concerns of election security and integrity of results by continuing security initiative programs for election officials and poll workers, increasing transparency in the election audit process, and securing the methods of producing fast and accurate election results.

“I will ensure Kansas will be a leader when it comes to election integrity and election security,” said Rahjes.

Rahjes is a small business owner of Authentic Ag, Inc., and currently serves as director of agricultural programming for Western Kansas Broadcast Center and Murfin Media and is the lead voice on agriculture markets and rural information through numerous affiliated stations as part of The Ag Network.

Rahjes currently serves as chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and as a sitting member of the House Taxation, and House Appropriations Committees, as well as previously serving as the chairman of the House Higher Education Budget Committee.

“I enter this race with a sense of honor and conviction. It is a big responsibility and one that I do not take lightly. I hope to see you on the campaign trail and ask for your prayers, support and your vote for Kansas Secretary of State.”

The statewide Primary Election day in Kansas is August 4.

Rahjes files for Kansas Secretary of State

TOPEKA&nbsp;– In accordance with Executive Order #20-30, Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday directed flags be flown at half-staff on all state buildings, grounds, and facilities from sunup to sundown on July 5, 2025, in honor of Phillips County Deputy Brandon Gaede who was killed in the line of duty on June 27, 2025.

“I am directing flags statewide be flown at half-staff to honor Phillips County Deputy Brandon Gaede, whose life was taken too soon while protecting his community,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Each day, our law enforcement officers brave profound risks in service of their fellow Kansans. I extend my deepest condolences to Deputy Gaede’s loved ones and community as they grieve this unimaginable loss.”

Deputy Gaede will be honored during services held on July 5, 2025.

Gov. directs flags be flown at half-staff in honor of Deputy Brandon Gaede

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

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/corrections-about-us">Click HERE for the Hays Post obituary policy.&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/45c326ac-a856-480a-b491-0312e5d43c5c">Find our obituary posting policy by clicking here.</a>

Recent obituaries and service times

TREGO COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating three suspects on drug allegations in Trego County.

Trego County Sheriff's Deputies and WaKeeney Police executed a search warrant at a local residence, according to a social media report from the sheriff's office. 

Officers made 3 arrests and seized fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana, along with a multitude of drug paraphernalia. 

"The Trego County Sheriff’s Office and the WaKeeney Police Department are committed to keeping our community safe and keeping these dangerous drugs out."

These individuals have been charged with intent to distribute within 1000’ of a school, according to the sheriff's office.

Officers seized fentanyl, meth and made 3 arrests in Trego County

What began as a casual visit turned into a new beginning for two regulars who are now the new owners of the Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro and Market in Hays.

Matt and Tiffany Mayo marked the grand reopening of The Paisley Pear, 1100 Main St., with a Friday ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Chamber in Hays.

"We just want to continue supporting the Hays community, the locals, travelers and people who like to come in. For anybody that has not been here, we welcome you to come because we always love seeing faces," Matt said.

Matt is a former FedEx driver, and Tiffany is a longtime financial adviser. They purchased the business to begin a new chapter and preserve a place they had grown to love as customers.

"I'm excited to be off the road and be able to interact with a lot more people than I used to," Matt said.

The couple kept the establishment's original charm while expanding its offerings to include bourbon tastings, comedy and open mic nights, and heartier menu options like pasta.

The menu also features blackened lemon herb salmon, bierocks, an extensive wine selection, and monthly food and drink specials.

The building also includes a semi-private back room that can host small gatherings of 20 to 25 people, such as bridal showers, baby showers and other special celebrations.

Former owners Shaun and Heather Musil listed The Paisley Pear for sale in April 2024. Matt and Tiffany purchased it that October.

"Shaun was very forthcoming and helpful," Matt said. "He's been very good to work with, and I appreciate everything he's done."

Shaun and Heather announced their decision to sell the Paisley Pear to prioritize time with loved ones.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/223bd7bf-8dea-4547-ae5c-bd7da96b547f">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays' original wine bar The Paisley Pear up for sale</a>

The Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro and Market is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays.

You can follow the Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro and Market on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thePaisleyPear">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and visit their website&nbsp;<a href="https://paisleypear.net/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0Yyy7sLH091DPxWw_n5nDmkRMfU8xNnGzsVPgp8ZMFwIvebLjlAuwa61o_aem_AfmQLKtB-j65K_4yC10SCjc6BPDT5J4mhempbdXCuwrlYHWPOFToxi5TX68ZRrK7lkXlSHHzPjrGrFhZlOI0bEAT">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hays' The Paisley Pear celebrates grand reopening

On behalf of the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Highway Patrol announced Monday the fallen officer escort of Deputy Brandon Gaede from Wichita, Kansas, to Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg, Kansas, on July 1.&nbsp; Deputy Gaede died in the line of duty on June 27.

The escort, to include the Kansas law enforcement and larger first responder community, will leave Wichita at approximately noon and travel north on Interstate 135 through Salina. They will continue west out of Salina on Interstate 70 to exit 159, then go north on US-183 to westbound US-36. 

The escort will enter the city of Phillipsburg from the east on US-36/State Street. During the escort, motorists traveling along this route may experience delays.

Funeral services for Gaede are scheduled for July 5 at 10:30 a.m. in the Huck Boyd Community Center in Phillipsburg.

Funeral plans announced for Fallen Kansas deputy 

KAYS - (1400/94.3) KFIX - (96.9) KHAZ - (99.5) KJLS - (103.3) KKQY - (101.9)

Tuesday, July 1 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Seattle Mariners, 8:00pm

Wednesday, July 2 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Seattle Mariners, 8:00pm

Thursday, July 3 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Seattle Mariners, 8:30pm

Friday, July 4 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Arizona Diamondbacks, 8:00pm

Saturday, July 5 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Arizona Diamondbacks, 2:30pm

Sunday, July 6 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Arizona Diamondbacks, 2:30pm

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

SEATTLE (AP) — Cal Raleigh hit his major league-leading 33rd homer and Randy Arozarena connected twice as the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 on Monday night.

Raleigh led off the seventh inning with a home run against reliever Daniel Lynch IV, prompting chants of “MVP! MVP!” from the home crowd.

Arozarena hit his 100th career homer with a solo shot in the fourth to give Seattle its first run. In the fifth, he broke open the game with a three-run drive, his 10th of the season. It was the first multihomer game for Arozarena since July 20, 2024.

George Kirby (2-4) allowed one run and three hits in six innings, striking out five without a walk. He also permitted just one run and three hits over six innings his previous time out at Minnesota.

Royals starter Michael Wacha (4-8) gave up five runs and eight hits over five innings.

Bobby Witt Jr. had two RBIs for the Royals.

Kansas City loaded the bases with one out in the eighth against reliever Trent Thornton, who then retired Witt and Maikel Garcia on grounders to limit the damage to one run.

Raleigh also had a sacrifice fly in the fifth. He leads the majors with 71 RBIs. ... Witt has at least one hit in 20 straight road games, two shy of the franchise record.

Royals RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-8, 4.91 ERA) starts Tuesday against RHP Emerson Hancock (3-3, 5.43) in the second game of the four-game series.

⚾ Raleigh extends MLB lead with 33rd homer in Mariners' win over Royals

HAYS
– The Hays Larks sent 20 batters to the plate in a 14-run third inning and closed
out their three game homestand with 20-2 blowout of the Dodge City A’s Monday
night at Larks Park.

Dylan
LaRue homered twice in the big frame. His two-run shot which pushed the lead to
8-1. Lane Sparks added a three-run blast to push the lead to 11-1. LaRue then added
another three-run homer to increase the lead to 15-1. The Larks (15-3-1, 11-3
RMBL) took advantage of six walks and had 10 hits in the inning.

Trent
Baker hit a two-run homer in the second to push the Larks lead to 6-1. Sparks
had&nbsp; two-run single and Thomas Lyssy a
two-run double earlier in the inning. 

Dodge
City (10-13, 5-6 RMBL) scored on a wild pitch in the second to take an early
1-0 lead.

Sparks
finished with three hits and seven RBIs which is the most since Brady Evans drive in seven vs. Colorado Springs Outlaws on July 8, 2022. LaRue had three hits and drove in
five, Baker also had three hits and three RBIs.

Nick
Gray (4-0) allowed one run on three hits with seven strikeouts over five
innings and picked up his team-leading fourth win.

The
20 runs scored by the Larks are the most in a game since they scored 21 at the
Colorado Springs Cage Rats on June 24, 2023. 

It’s
the second time this season the Larks have hit four or more home runs against
the A’s. They hit five out in their home opener on June 7th.

The
Larks have won five straight and move to 15-3-1 and 11-3 in the Rocky Mountain
Baseball League.



The Larks head to Colorado for a three-game road trip
beginning with the Collegiate Roughriders in Denver on Wednesday, July 2.

⚾ Larks hit 4 homers in rout of Dodge City

The Hays Larks host the Dodge City A's Monday at Larks Park for a single RMBL contest.

You can catch on the action on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@hayslarksbaseball/streams">Larks YouTube channel.</a>

Hays Larks baseball on HaysPost.com is courtesy of the Hays
Larks. The broadcast is produced by the Hays Larks

⚾🎥 WATCH LIVE Hays Larks host Dodge City A's

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Former Wildcat Coleman Hawkins has signed a summer league contract with the Golden State Warriors and will begin his professional career at the upcoming California Classic, which is slated for July 5, 6 and 8 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

The Warriors will play three games against Summer League teams from the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat, all on national television.

The opener with the Lakers at 5:30 p.m., CT on Saturday, July 5 can be seen nationally on ESPN2, while the matchup with the Spurs at 5:30 p.m., CT on Sunday, July 6 can be seen on NBA TV. The final contest with the Heat at 6 p.m., CT on Tuesday, July 8 will be available on ESPN+.

Hawkins is also expected to play for the Warriors at the NBA 2K26 Summer League, which runs from July 10-20 in Las Vegas.

A Sacramento, Calif., native, Hawkins will be joined on the Warriors Summer League team by several familiar foes from this past season, including Houston's L.J. Cryer and Ja'Vier Francis, Utah's Gabe Madsen, and Texas Tech's Chance McMillian.

Former Wildcats Cam Carter (Spurs) and Arthur Kaluma (Lakers) are also expected to play in the California Classic after concluding their college careers this past season.

Hawkins earned All-Big 12 Third Team honors in his one season at K-State in 2024-25, as he was the only Division I player in the country to average at least 10.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. He led the team in steals (1.8 spg.), blocks (1.3 bpg.), defensive rebounds (151) and minutes (33.6 mpg.), while he was second in rebounding (6.9 rpg.) and assists (4.3 apg.), third in field goals made (120) and fourth in scoring (10.7 ppg.). He scored in double figures in 16 games, including 10 times in Big 12 play, while he tallied 3 double-doubles, including a points/assists double-double at Kansas on Jan. 18.

More information on the California Classic and NBA 2K26 Summer League can be found here.

🏀 Former K-State Wildcat to play with Golden State in NBA Summer League

ATLANTA — Major League Baseball announced Monday the rosters for the 2025 All-Star Futures Game, scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at Truist Park in Atlanta.

Among the 50 top prospects selected for the annual showcase are a pair of Kansas City Royals farmhands: catcher Carter Jensen and left-handed pitcher Frank Mozzicato.

Jensen, ranked No. 80 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list, is the No. 3 prospect in the Royals’ system. Mozzicato, the No. 12 prospect in the organization, is currently pitching for Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

Mozzicato has posted a 1-2 record with a 4.29 ERA in 14 starts this season. Over 63 innings, he has recorded 55 strikeouts, allowed 45 hits, and held opposing hitters to a .206 batting average.

⚾ Royals' Jensen, Mozzicato named to 2025 MLB All-Star Futures Game

Monday, June 30 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Seattle Mariners, 8:00pm

HAYS
– Trent Baker hit a go-ahead grand slam in the fourth, Kaleb Duncan added a two-run
shot an inning later and the Hays Larks completed a two-game sweep of the
Collegiate (Colo.) Roughriders 8-3 in a non-league game Sunday evening at Larks Park.

Baker’s
bases-loaded line drive shot over the left field wall put the Larks (14-3-1,
10-3 RMBL) up 4-1 and was their second grand slam this week (Jackson Babcock at
Liberal, 6/26). Duncan’s homer extended the lead to 6-1.

After
the Roughriders (6-10, 3-3 RMBL) struck for two in the seventh to close the gap
to 7-3, the Larks answered with a run in the bottom of the seventh on Dylan
LaRue single then added another run in the eighth on a Baker sacrifice fly.

Duncan
finished with three of the Larks 11 hits and Baker drove in five runs.

Seven
Larks pitchers combined to strike out 13 while walking only three.

Lorenzo
Rios was the fourth pitcher of the night and picked up the win with an inning
of work.

⚾ Baker grand slam helps Larks finish off sweep of Roughriders

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kiké Hernández hit a two-run homer, Will Smith also went deep and the Los Angeles Dodgers got a dominant performance from Justin Wrobleski and the rest of their bullpen in a rain-delayed 5-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Wrobleski (4-2) pitched six innings of three-hit ball in place of opener Lou Trivino, Kirby Yates worked a perfect eighth and Jack Dreyer handled the ninth, helping Los Angeles win for the sixth time in seven games.

Max Muncy and Miguel Rojas also drove in runs for the Dodgers, who have won six consecutive series.

Kris Bubic (6-6) allowed Hernández's two-run shot in the second inning among his three hits and two walks in five innings. The left-hander struck out five but still took his fourth loss in his last five starts, despite maintaining a 2.25 ERA.

Bobby Witt Jr. doubled in the first to score the only run for the Royals, who have lost seven of their last eight games.

Both of the teams paid homage to the Negro Leagues, whose museum is less than 10 miles from Kauffman Stadium. The Dodgers wore hats from their Brooklyn days out of respect for Jackie Robinson, who played for the Kansas City Monarchs before breaking the color barrier, and the Royals wore the interlocking “KC” hats of the 1945 Monarchs.

The Dodgers were leading 2-1 in the fifth when Freddy Fermin led off with a bunt single for Kansas City. Drew Waters worked a 3-0 count before failing to get down a sacrifice bunt, striking out instead. Wrobleski proceeded to get Jonathan India to pop out and struck out Witt to end the threat.

The Royals went 6 for 12 with runners in scoring position in their 9-5 win Saturday. They were 1 for 5 on Sunday.

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