The Junction City Blue Jays grabbed an early lead in the first quarter of their Class 6A Substate Tournament game at Lawrence Free State. But by the end of the first quarter it had dissipated and the Firebirds had jumped out to a 16-10 lead. From there Free State steadily pulled away to win 66-35.

Blue Jay coach Nick Perez said, “I thought the first quarter we did everything we wanted to do, and then we started to rely on jacking shots.” The Blue Jays struggled in their perimeter shooting, but Perez thought there was a lack of energy and enthusiasm in the first half. “I told the guys in the locker room that I love them but we just didn’t see that enthusiasm. intensity or the effort that we had seen in previous games before we played Manhattan.” The Blue Jays snapped a 10-year losing streak to the Indians back on February 5th but after that win went 1-5 the rest of the way.

Junction City played without their leading scorer. A.J. Dickerson was out for the remainder season with a knee injury.

The victory sends the Firebirds into the Substate Tournament championship game Friday night when they host Derby, a 62-26 major upset winner over the top seed in the tournament, Topeka High. The Trojans end their season 18-3 while Derby is 6-15.

High

29°

Partly sunny in the morning then clearing. Highs in the upper 20s. North winds up to 5 mph. Lowest wind chill readings 2 below to 8 above zero in the morning.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged abduction and have made an arrest.

On Wednesday, the US Marshals Fugitive Apprehension Task Force arrested Jeffrey Gilseth 32, and Maria Gilseth, 32. The couple was wanted in Killeen, TX on charges of Interference with Child Custody and Unlawful Restraint, according to United States Marshal Ronald Miller.

On February 21, arrest warrants were issued in Texas for the married couple after they took their three children unlawfully and fled a supervised visitation with the children.

The children were previously ordered removed from the couple’s custody and were court-ordered to reside with other adult relatives. The USMS adopted the case and began a fugitive investigation.

The couple’s vehicle was spotted in Riley County, Kansas by the Fugitive Task Force and officers surveilled and followed the vehicle until it arrived at a safe place to coordinate the arrest.

Shortly before 1:00p.m, the vehicle was blocked in by officers at the I-70 East Turnpike Toll Gate in Topeka and both subjects were taken into custody without incident.

The three minor children case were also recovered safely.

Jeffrey Gilseth and Maria Gilseth were booked into the Shawnee County Jail awaiting extradition back to Texas. The children were taken to a Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center for processing.

The Riley County Police Department, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol assisted with the arrests.

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Lottery is warning its players to be on the lookout for scams.

Recently, the Kansas Lottery received multiple reports from its players about scammers contacting them via Instagram claiming to be the Kansas Lottery and asking for money.

The Kansas Lottery wants to remind its players the Lottery will never contact prize winners via social media or ask for money in order for a winner to claim a prize.

In order to avoid future scams, the Lottery is reminding its players to never provide personal information, such as bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and Social Security numbers over the phone or social media. The lottery also wants players to be wary of prize notices for contests or promotions they never entered or do not remember entering.

The Kansas Lottery has alerted Instagram of the scammer account and has asked for it to be removed. The Lottery has also alerted the Kansas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division about the scam.

If a player believes he or she has been contacted by a scammer, please contact the Kansas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division by phone (785) 296-3751 or by email at cprotect@ksag.org.

Beef and cattle producers can hear about the latest research, technology and economic challenges and opportunities facing the industry at the annual Cattlemen’s Day at Kansas State University.

KSU professor and beef cattle Extension Specialist Dale Blasi said Cattlemen’s Day is designed to address key issues and provide information that keeps the industry efficient and relevant. ” We try to serve as a bellwether to different issues that coming down the road, and provide a good objective platform to hear the issues straight out and allow our shareholders to be aware of the situation and to make plans accordingly for whatever that may be.”

Among the speakers will be Dr. Brad Morgan, senior director of protein for Performance Food. He will discuss the impact plant-sourced or cultured meat could have on the beef market.

The 106th annual Cattlemen’s Day begins Friday at 8 a.m. in Weber Hall on the Manhattan campus. Early registration is closed but producer

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that Deputies responded to west bound I-70 at mile marker 306 east of Junction City at 2:33 a.m. Wednesday for a single vehicle non-injury accident.

Jamison Davis, Junction City, was traveling west bound in a 2003 Ford F150 when he lost control on the ice, causing the vehicle to hit a ditch and roll on its side.

Today ( Wednesday ) is a late start day for students at Junction City High School.

USD 475 reported that the starting time for classes will be 9:55 a.m. Classes will dismiss at the normal 3:35 p.m. time.

There will be a vendor fair for the new Junction City High School project on Friday, March 8th. It will be held from 1-4 p.m. at Junction City Middle School at 700 Wildcat Lane.

USD 475 officials said this will be an opportunity for contractors to learn more about the bidding opportunities for construction of the new high school.