CHERRYVALE — Two Cherryvale residents sustained injuries in a single-car wreck late Thursday night, Dec. 4 in the 200 block of East Sixth Street.

According to a Cherryvale police report, Gerald Meloy of Cherryvale was driving a vehicle eastbound on Sixth Street when, after crossing the railroad tracks, left the roadway and hit a tree. The collision caused the car to flip, landing on its top.

Meloy and a passenger, Michelle Meloy, were trapped in the vehicle and were extricated by members of the Cherryvale Fire-Rescue Department.

Michelle sustained critical injuries and was flown to a Joplin, Mo., medical center. Meanwhile, Gerald was taken to Mercy Hospital in Independence for treatment of his injuries. As of this writing, their conditions were unknown.

Perry Lambert, assistant police chief, said the cause of the wreck remains under investigation.

CHERRYVALE — Trash rates for Cherryvale city residents could go up in 2009 if Allied Waste has its way with a proposal that was given to city councilors on Monday night.

City administrator Trey Cocking explained that the City of Cherryvale’s three-year contract with Allied Waste (the city’s trash provider) is set to enter its third year on Jan. 1, 2009. Under the provisions of contract, trash rates are set to increase from the present $8.50 per month to $9.30 per month (the City of Cherryvale also assesses a $1 fee for billing and postage). That is a 9.4 percent increase.

However, citing continued increases in transportation, Allied Waste wants to increase trash rates to $10.25 per month instead of $9.30 starting with the January billing cycle. A jump from $9.30 to $10.25 per month is a 10.2 percent hike. A jump from the current $8.50 per month to $10.25 per month is a 20.5 percent increase.

Councilors initially balked at the proposed increase and asked Cocking if he could inquire about a delay in implementing any rate hike until the matter could be given a fair discussion by councilors and citizens.

The deliberation about the trash fees than evolved into a broader discussion about the general status of trash removal in Cherryvale. Some councilors said they have been dissatisfied with the lack of quality from Allied Waste, including not picking up and discarding of loose trash and not placing trash lids on containers after dumping.

Cocking said he would issue a letter to Allied Waste seeking a delay in implementation of the new trash rates until the council can discuss the contract and the quality issues with Allied Waste officials.

In other business transacted at Monday’s Cherryvale City Council meeting, councilors:

• agreed to reappoint two members — Richard Tincknell and Thurman Swain — to the Cherryvale Planning and Zoning Commission based upon a recommendation from the commission. No mention was made by Mayor John Wright, who presents the recommendations to the council, about a vacancy on the commission. At the commission’s October meeting, commissioners voted 4-2 to not recommend the renewal of commission member Kenneth Corle.

• held a public hearing regarding the city’s application for a $638,000 low-interest loan that would be used to replace about one mile of new water lines in the community. The loan is administered through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Revolving Loan Fund.

Terry Emert, an enegineer with TransSystems of Independence, said the proposed water line replacements in 2009 includes replacement of 5,285 feet of water line, 16 valves, and seven fire hydrants.

• learned that Cocking had developed a legislative policy statement to be used by city officials to reflect the City of Cherryvale’s desires involving state legislative matters. The legislative policy statement encourages the Kansas Legislature to make investments in community infrastructure programs (i.e., roads, water and sewer), to pass a comprehensive transportatoin program that benefits Cherryvale citizens and businesses, to continue funding of a new housing program designed to replace lost housing stock in disaster-stricken counties, and to ensure funding of state reimbursements to cities that have abated taxes on new machinery and equipment.

• held discussion on the keeping of meeting minutes. Cocking said the League of Kansas Municipalities had developed guidelines on whether meeting minutes should include a thorough transcription of all discussions or limit the meetings to necessary information, such as motions, votes, etc.

“The League is telling us that it should be all or nothing,” he said. “Right now, we rely on the city clerk to provide a hybrid form of meeting minutes.”

Councilors indicated a desire to see the minutes reflect as many notes from the council deliberations to reflect the direction and intent of their votes.

• heard a proposal from Gary and Sandra Minnich, who recently acquired a downtown property, Tommy’s Dinner. The actual business continues to be operated by Liz Royer, however the building itself is owned by the Minnichs.

The Minnichs are asking the council to consider a partnership whereby the City of Cherryvale would pay a portion of upgrades to an east-facing exterior wall of the cafe. The total quote for the project — which involves painting and installing a stucco finish — is $12,000. Councilors did not make any decisions on the matter but said they would address the matter at a later date.

COFFEYVILLE — The 2008 Jayhawk Shoot-out comes to Coffeyville Community College this weekend by being labeled as the nation’s premier junior college basketball showcase.

The shoot-out features 40 games in three days, all played on two courts under a single roof at Gilmer K. Nellis Hall on the Coffeyville Community College campus.

The schedule of 20 men’s and women’s basketball teams includes all 19 members of the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference plus Northeastern Oklahoma A&M based in Miami, Okla.

The scope of the Jayhawk Shoot-Out has drawn national attention on the pages of Sports Illustrated, and attracts recruiters from as many as 200 four-year college and university programs.

The 2008 edition of the Jayhawk Shoot-out is being hosted by CCC for the 12th consecutive year.

The shoot-out will include two top 15 men’s teams in the most recent NJCAA polls: number one-ranked Cowley County and 15th-ranked Hutchinson. In the women’s division, the teams include Cloud County, ranked fifth; CCC, ranked 25th; and Highland, which is ranked 18th in the NJCAA Division II rankings.

The 2008 Jayhawk Shoot-Out Schedule includes:

Men’s schedule
Friday, Dec. 5
All games played in West Gym unless other noted
• 9 a.m.: Fort Scott vs. NEO
• 11 a.m.: Neosho County vs. Colby
• 1 p.m.: Johnson County vs. Seward County
• 3 p.m.: Cowley County vs. Cloud County
• 5 p.m.: Allen County vs. Pratt *
• 7 p.m.: Coffeyville vs. Hutchinson
• 9 p.m.: Independence vs. Barton County

Saturday, Dec. 6
• 9 a.m.: Colby vs. Highland
• 11 a.m.: Seward County vs. Labette County
• 1 p.m.: Dodge City vs. Allen County
• 3 p.m.: Garden City vs. Johnson County
• 5 p.m.: Butler County vs. Kansas City *
• 7 p.m.: Cloud County vs. Coffeyville
• 9 p.m.: Pratt vs. Fort Scott

Sunday, Dec. 7
• 9 a.m.: Neosho County vs. Dodge City
• 11 a.m.: Highland vs. NEO
• 1 p.m.: Labette County vs. Barton County
• 3 p.m.: Kansas City vs. Hutchinson
• 5 p.m.: Independence vs. Garden City
• 7 p.m.: Cowley County vs. Butler
* to be played in East Gym

Women’s schedule
Friday, Dec. 5
All games played in East Gym unless other noted
• 9 a.m.: Neosho County vs. Colby
• 11 a.m.: Johnson County vs. Seward County
• 1 p.m.: Cowley County vs. Cloud County
• 3 p.m.: Fort Scott vs. NEO
• 5 p.m.: Coffeyville vs. Hutchinson **
• 7 p.m.: Independence vs. Barton County
• 9 p.m.: Allen County vs. Pratt.

Saturday, Dec. 6
• 9 a.m.: Seward County vs. Labette County
• 11 a.m.: Colby vs. Highland
• 1 p.m.: Garden City vs. Johnson County
• 3 p.m.: Butler County vs. Kansas City
• 5 p.m.: Cloud County vs. Coffeyville **
• 7 p.m.: Pratt vs. Fort Scott
• 9 p.m.: Dodge City vs. Allen County

Sunday, Dec. 7
• 9 a.m.: Highland vs. NEO
• 11 a.m.: Labette County vs. Barton County
• 1 p.m.: Independence vs. Garden City
• 3 p.m.: Neosho County vs. Dodge City
• 5 p.m.: Cowley County vs. Butler County
• 7 p.m.: Kansas City vs. Hutchinson
** to be played in West Gym

BY ANDY TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

CANEY — Caney Valley High School’s wrestling program will debut its grapplers for the 2008-09 season on Saturday with 22 wrestlers on the roster.

The Bullpup matmen will compete at the Kan-Okla Wrestling Classic on Saturday — the lone home appearance for the CVHS team during the season.

Travis Stalford, CVHS head wrestling coach, said the Bullpups have six juniors and seniors, three of whom have previous wrestling experience.

“We will be a young and inexperienced team,” said Stalford. “On the plus side, we do have some freshmen who should make a big impact this year.”

Seniors on the team include three-time state qualifier and the 2008 TVL champion Jakob Price, who is making the jump to the 171-pound weight class. The only other senior on the team is Matt Matters, who is wrestling at the 160-pound division.

Juniors on the roster include Quint Lockwood, 135 pounds; Fred Bunch, 140 pounds; and Cameron Artherton, 145 pounds.

In the sophomore ranks are defending league heavyweight champion Dakota Denny, who is wrestling at the 285-pound bracket. Returning state qualifier Nate Hudson is wrestling at 112 pounds as is classmate T.J. Henderson. Kurt Lockwood returns to the 103-pound division while David Munday is the lone 119 pounder on the team. Trevor Harrison is wrestling at the 215 pound division.

Making their entrance into the varsity ranks this year are 10 freshmen, including Jonathan Simmons and Hunter Stalford, both at 103 pounds; Lance Scimeca, 125 pounds; Tyler Wood, 130 pounds; River Richesin, 135 pounds; Race Wade, 145 pounds; Sam Watt, 160 pounds; Cory Allen, 189 pounds; Eric Mason, 215 pounds; and Tyler Post, 285 pounds.

Mason, who wrestled at the state and national levels during the off season, sustained a dislocated elbow at a Tulsa wrestling tournament in early November. Stalford said it’s unknown how long Mason will be nursing the wounded elbow, however he said he was hopeful to have the Caney Valley grappler on the mats toward the end of the season.

“If we can get Mason back on the mats, we should have a big impact in the Tri-Valley League and in our sub-state tournament,” he said.

BY ANDY TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

CHERRYVALE — Cherryvale High School’s wrestling team is set to begin the 2008-09 season on Saturday by competing in the Fort Scott Dual Tournament.

James Renfro, head coach, said the Charger program has 14 wrestlers on the roster thus far, including a pair of returning state qualifiers: 135-pound junior Nick Hockett and 171-pound senior Robert Lane. Hockett concluded his sophomore campaign with a 30-11 record while Lane finishesd last season with an impressive 34-8 record.

Also on the roster is returning Tri-Valley League champion Dillon Linnebur. The senior grappler will make the jump from 140 pounds to 145 pounds during his final year on the Charger mats.

Other seniors on the team include Cody Cook, 130 pounds; Kenan Booe, 140 pounds; and Eddie Smedley, 285 pounds.

Among the members of the junior class on the team are Mike Bolinger, 140 pounds; Gavin Thorensen, 160 pounds; and Cody Linnebur, 171 pounds.

Sophomore grapplers include Ryan Ecret, 125 pounds; and Nate Modl, a 130 pounder.

Newcomers to the program include freshmen Alex Cariman, 112 pounds; Jeremiah Garoutte, 145 pounds; and Dalton Fosnight, 189 pounds.

Following their season opener on Saturday, the Chargers will return to the mats next Tuesday with a dual at Labette County High School beginning at 6 p.m.

The Chargers’ lone home appearances during the season include a junior varsity tournament on Dec. 20 and a dual against Burlington and Parsons on Jan. 27.

CANEY — Caney Valley High School will be host to the annual Kan-Okla Wrestling Classic on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The wrestling tournament signals the start of the 2008-09 mat season in the southeast Kansas region.

Seven teams will be in attendance at the meet, thereby forcing tournament officials to modify the format as a dual tournament. In attendance will be Caney Valley, Andover, Bartlesville, Coffeyville, Fredonia, West Elk and Independence.

Mat action gets underway at 9 a.m.

b BAXTER SPRINGS — Cherryvale High School’s junior varsity and varsity basketball teams will compete in the Route 66 Tournament next week at Baxter Springs, Kan.

Games will begin on Tuesday, Dec. 9. In the varsity division, the CHS Lady Chargers will face Diamond, Mo., at 3:30 p.m., in the west gym while the CHS varsity men’s team will face Diamond at 5 p.m., in that same gym.

In the junior varsity division, the CHS junior varsity boys’ basketball team will face Diamond at 3:30 p.m., in the east gym, followed by the CHS junior varsity girls’ team locking horns with Diamond, Mo., at 5 p.m. in the east gym.

Games continue on Thursday, Dec. 11 with the CHS varsity men’s team facing Southeast-Cherokee at 3:30 p.m., followed by the CHS Lady Chargers facing Southeast-Cherokee at 5 p.m. Both games will be played in the west gym.

The CHS junior varsity girls’ team will face Southeast-Cherokee at 3:30 p.m., followed by junior varsity boys’ game between Cherryvale and Southeast-Cherokee at 5 p.m. Both games will be played in the east gym.

Games will conclude on Friday, Dec. 12, with Baxter Springs hosting the CHS Lady Chargers at 6:30 p.m., in the west gym. The CHS varsity men’s team will face Baxter Springs at 8 p.m., in that gym.

In junior varsity action, the Cherryvale junior varsity boys will face Baxter Springs at 6:30 p.m., while the junior varsity girls from Cherryvale will play Baxter Springs at 8 p.m. Both games will be played in the east gym.

BY ANDY TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

CANEY — Caney Valley High School will see its men’s basketball program start the 2008-09 season on Friday night with a new attitude and new head coach.

Caney Valley will travel to Fredonia on Friday for a season opener before returning home next Tuesday night for a homecourt battle against Neodesha.

The Bullpup roster includes three seniors, all of whom had varsity experience during their junior campaigns. They include Brandon Blagg, Ethan Elsheimer and Kyle Kuehn.

Juniors on the team include Matt Barlow, Bryce Brown, Gable LaForge, Taylor Lambdin, Ethan Smith, Chance Bentley and Jordan Wunder.

The sophomore class is represented by Gage Billingsley, Zachary Boatman, Dalton Lockwood, Anthony Morrison, Skye Richey, and Tim Shamblin.

First-year rookies include freshmen Dustin Mullinax, Philip Nelson, Orie Owen, Mitchell Simmons and Tyler Wyant.

Chris Bachman joins the Bullpup team as the head coach after several successful seasons leading the junior high program. He said he was looking forward to seeing the Bullpups on the hardwoods in Friday night’s season opener.

“We have a good group of returning players from last year, but we lack team depth and size,” said Bachman. “So, we’re going to offset the depth and size by pushing the ball up and down the court. Speed will be our greatest asset, and so far, I’ve been impressed with how fast we can move the ball. We’ll keep improving on it throughout the season.”

Predicted to be on the varsity roster will be the three seniors (Blagg, Elsheimer and Kuhen) while juniors Barlow, LaForge, Lambdin and Smith will see considerable game time during the season. Bachman said sophomores Gage Billingsley and Tim Shamblin could also see game minutes as will freshman Dustin Mullinax.

Bachman said the 2007-08 season was a milestone season of sorts as the last year’s squad finally broke a two-year losing streak. Last season’s Bullpups finished its campaign with a 3-18 record. Bachman said he hoped this year’s team will forget about recent history and think ahead to the current season.

“We don’t even talk about previous seasons,” said Bachman. “Our goal for this week is to focus on playing well against Fredonia.”

Assisting with Bachman is assistant coach Bret Persinger.

BY ANDY TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

CHERRYVALE — After completing its most successful season in school history, a veteran-laden Cherryvale Lady Charger basketball team is ready to return to the hardwoods.

Cherryvale opens its 2008-09 season on Friday night with a tough bout on the schedule: a home game against the Burlington Lady Wildcats.
“Burlington could be among the tougher teams in the Tri-Valley League this year,” said Rodney Vigil, Cherryvale head coach. “Burlington is returning four of their five starters and seven total returning lettermen. So, our girls know they’ll be facing an experienced program for their season opener.”

While Burlington returns a solid corps of returning players, so, too, will the Lady Chargers, who will equal the Wildcats with the return of four of their five starters from last season. Missing from the Cherryvale roster is last season’s lone senior, Katie DeTar, who earned all-class 3A first-team and all-league honors. DeTar’s tall presence will be missed this year, Vigil said, as the team tries to fill in the gap left by her graduation.

“Katie provided us not only with a lot of points in the paint, but her defensive skills also helped us prevent a lot of points in the paint, too,” he said. “Our goal is to find ways to do that same thing this year, even though we don’t have Katie’s size in the middle.”

The varsity Lady Charger roster is capped with seven seniors, five of whom will be starting players in Friday’s season opener. Those starters will include Kelsey Overacker, Kristin Clopp, Sara Schwaninger, Abby Ezard and Alex Hugo. They will be joined by classmates Mariah Bailey and Megan Stewart coming off the bench. At 5-foot-10, Stewart is Cherryvale’s tallest player.

Also expected to play a supporting role this season will be juniors Brianne Smedley and Ashley Gower as well as sophomore Mary Reilly, Vigil said.

Because the Lady Chargers lack tall frames (the starting five players average 5-foot-6), the team will rely on speed and a guard-oriented offense to confuse opponents.

However, team experience will be the greatest asset, Vigil said, as the returning players instinctively know what to expect in game situations.

“The experience that is returning to this team will help out a lot,” said Vigil, whose 2007-08 team finished the season with a 21-5 record, including a fourth place finish in the class 3A state tournament. “These girls have been in our system for several years and they have bought into the need to not only complete one season but also participate in a full summer season as well. A lot of top players will have competed in as many as 40 to 50 ball games during the off season.”

The Lady Charger roster also includes junior Harmony Humaciu, sophomores Josie Julich, Amy Hougardy, Courtney Carpenter, Morgan Martin, Hallie Davis and Taylor Cunningham, and freshman Andrea Hucke.

Assisting Vigil this year will be assistant coach Ashley Arensdorf.