Sheriffs team up with police to reclaim bragging rights in Battle of Badges blood drive

By Mary Ann Redeker maryann @ emporia . com

A new winner was crowned this year in the 11th Annual Battle of the Badges and American Red Cross Blood Drive .

Local law enforcement defeated the Emporia Fire Department , 110-87 , to earn bragging rights at the two-day event taking place at Emporia Presbyterian Church .

Police detective and narcotics officer Dominick Vortherms previously told The Gazette he had an ace up his sleeve and basically guaranteed the trophy would find a new home this year .

Enter the Lyon County Sheriff ’ s Department — teaming with the Emporia Police Department — to form a stronger team to compete against the fire department , which previously held a 7-3 edge in the competition .

“ This is our first year competing ,” Sheriff ’ s Deputy Jacob Welsh said . “ We were initially going to go sheriffs versus police versus fire . But with this being our first year in it , we decided to go law enforcement versus fire , and I think it worked out very well . I think in the future , joining the police department in this competition is going to help our law enforcement team make a run .

“ The sheriff is an elected position and he has a lot of constituents in Lyon County . I think people like to see the elected officials and the people who work for him , so that ’ s part of it , but we ’ re definitely going to make a run . These firemen don ’ t stand a chance now . I can say the sheriffs are now undefeated in this competition .”

Blood donor Kim Hollond agreed the sheriffs added a little extra push to help the police claim the victory over the fire department .

“ I did cast a vote today , although I won ’ t say for who ,” she said . “ I think the police and sheriffs won , though , because of the addition of the sheriffs . I come out and donate each year to help others . It ’ s a great cause .”

Volunteers were able to come out to the drive , give blood and enjoy a meal of hot dogs , fruit cups , cake and more . Amazon gift cards were also given out . Donors had an opportunity to

MARY ANN REDEKER / GAZETTE

Reason Bradford , left , hands the official Battle of the Badges trophy to Dominick Vortherms , center , and Jacob Welsh , right . After winning the trophy last year the fire department lost the annual blood drive competition , 110-87 to the law enforcement team .

Please see Battle , Page 15

MARY ANN REDEKER / GAZETTE

Donors give blood Thursday afternoon during the American Red Cross blood drive and annual Battle of the Badges competition . Local law enforcement defeated the Emporia Fire Department , 110−87 , to earn bragging rights at the 2-day event taking place at Emporia Presbyterian Church .

By Jessie Wagoner jessie @ emporia . com

One vote made the difference in the 76th House Democratic primary — Teresa Briggs has been declared the winner .

During the initial primary on Aug . 2 , Atherton was declared the winner by six votes . After the canvas , Atherton and Briggs were tied 397-397 . Atherton met with Secretary of State Kris Kobach Tuesday afternoon to file for an official recount ,

Briggs which was completed Thursday .

Coffey and Osage counties reported no change in vote totals following the recount . Lyon County Clerk Tammy Vopat confirmed that the recount in Lyon County resulted in one additional vote for Briggs .

“ The recount resulted in a one-vote increase for Theresa Briggs ,” Vopat said . “ The final count was Kelly Atherton 198 to Theresa Briggs 127 in Lyon County .”

Briggs expressed relief at having the race resolved so she can continue the campaign process . She will now face Republican Eric Smith in the general election .

“ Now I need to get my campaign committee and volunteers and start working on a plan of action ,” Briggs said . “ I don ’ t want to just focus on Democrats . I need to reach out to Republicans , especially in Coffey County . They are a very strong Republican county and we do have a Republican candidate that is well-known . So I ’ m going to be spreading the message to all those wanting a change .”

McBeth criticizes PDGA after another rules debate

It wasn ’ t flashy .

There was hardly a long putt made , or a jaw-dropping drive to be seen , but when all was said and done after the third round of the PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships , Ricky Wysocki had posted yet another double-digit under par performance and continued to distance himself from the field .

But just like during

VOL . 125 , NO . 36

By Steve Hill Ultiworld Disc Golf

round two , the day wasn ’ t without some controversy .

Wysocki ’ s 12-under par 51 at the Emporia Country Club set a new course record and saw him move to a 39-under par 146 for the tournament . He gained four strokes each on Nikko Locastro and Paul McBeth , who both tossed 8-under par 55s and remain in second and third place at 31-under par and 30-under par , respectively . Nate Sexton shot a 7-under par 56 to move into fourth place at a 24-under par 161 , while Cameron Colgalzier and Cam Todd are tied for fifth place at 23-under par 162s .

Wysocki has now shot the hot round every day during Worlds .

The South Carolina native set himself apart in his ability to land on the greens in regulation , rarely leaving himself with long putts for birdie on the Country Club ’ s numerous Par 4s . He landed within 10 meters of the basket on 61 percent of his opportunities on the day , compared with Mc- Beth ’ s 44 percent rate and Locastro ’ s 39 percent clip . Wysocki also posted another clean sheet and has only carded one bogey during the tournament .

“ I played exactly how I wanted ,” Wysocki said . “ I played low key , I threw my shots where I wanted to , I hit my putts when I needed to . It ’ s a combination of playing my own game and

Please see Men ’ s , Page 15

Jenkins stays in the mix , while Hokom struggles

By Charlie Eisenhood Ultiworld Disc Golf

Catrina Allen stepped to the tee on Hole 18 having watched her three stroke lead evaporate in the blistering 97 degree heat in Emporia . After an erratic front nine ,

Paige Pierce locked in through the back nine and carded four birdies to pull even with Allen at 7-under on Hole 17 . It was looking like a dream round for Pierce .

But Pierce ’ s tee shot on 18 was too tight to the trees at the Jones East course . She was forced to lay up , and then had a poor approach shot , leaving her with a long putt to save par . She missed it and recorded a bogey 5 . Allen ’ s tee shot was perfect and she made quick work of her third birdie of the round . Just

like that , she was back in front at 8-under par 173 for the week , two strokes ahead of Pierce ’ s 6-under par 175 .

“ Not exactly what I wanted , but it moved me up a little bit and I ’ m still in it ,” Pierce said .

That she was less than thrilled after posting the day ’ s hot round illustrates her frustration after Hole

Please see Women ’ s , Page 15