Six home runs power Blue Devil sweep of Coffeyville

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC sports information

Unleashing the biggest long ball attack of the season, Kansas City Kansas Community College needed just 11 innings to sweep a Jayhawk Conference doubleheader from Coffeyville Tuesday.

The Blue Devils belted four home runs in a 13-5 6-inning opener and added two more in a 14-1 win in the 5-inning nightcap. The wins came on the heels of 3-0 and 6-2 wins over Fort Scott on Monday and boosted the Blue Devils’ Jayhawk record to 4-4 and 20-6 overall.

KCKCC resumes conference play at Hesston Thursday before returning home against Metropolitan Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m.

Savannah Maynard, Hannah Maurer, Alaina Howe and Alexis Rymer all homered in the 13-5 win over Coffeyville. Maynard also doubled and drove in two runs; Lindsey Gettle tripled and singled; and Bradi Basler doubled and singles.

KCKCC used four pitchers in the win. The Red Ravens rapped two home runs off starter Breanna Droge in the first two innings before Samantha Reynolds closed out the second inning. Nerida Elson was touched for five hits and two earned runs in two innings before Basler finished, allowing no hits and striking out four in two innings.

Basler then got the win in the 14-1 nightcap, scattering five hits and striking out three in five innings. She walked none and also belted a 3-run home run. Gettle led the offense with a home run and two doubles and five RBIs while Devin Purcell singled twice.

Droge allowed just three hits and struck out four in shutting out Fort Scott 3-0 Monday. Jenna Daugherty homered and singled to pace the KCKCC offense.

Basler drove in three runs with a home run and single in the 6-2 nightcap and got the pitching win. She allowed two runs on seven hits, striking out three and walking one in 4.2 innings, Samantha Reynolds got a 2.1 inning save, allowing just two hits and fanning two after coming on with two out in the fifth inning. Maynard doubled twice and Gettle singled twice for the Blue Devils.

Deadline tomorrow for submitting FAFSA financial aid form

The deadline is April 1 for submitting a FAFSA form for student financial aid for certain Kansas scholarships.

The April 1 Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) deadline is a priority deadline set by Kansas for certain student financial aid programs.

The FAFSA information is used by Kansas to determine eligibility for programs offered by the state, according to a webpage for Kansas student financial aid, https://www.kansasregents.org/students/student_financial_aid/general_info.

Students first send in their FAFSA applications by April 1, and then information in those applications is used in applying for state scholarships, according to the webpage.

The FAFSA applications also can be used for other scholarships offered by colleges and other organizations. There is a later FAFSA submission deadline for some of these other scholarships.

The FAFSA form is online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

UG Health Department launches new self-scheduling tool for COVID-19 vaccinations

The Unified Government Health Department has launched a new self-scheduling tool for COVID-19 vaccinations.

According to a spokesman, people now can schedule their COVID-19 vaccination at their convenience with this new online tool.

The county currently is in Phase 5 of the state’s COVID-19 rollout plan, which allows anyone 16 and older who lives in Wyandotte County to be vaccinated here. Residents can either make an appointment or can walk in and get a vaccination at three vaccination sites, according to the spokesman.

The new online form to schedule appointments is one more tool the Health Department is offering to make it easier for people to get vaccines.

“We want to remove any barriers that keep people from getting a vaccine,” said Juliann Van Liew, cirector of the Health Department. “If it’s easier for them to walk in, they can walk in, if they choose to schedule their appointment they can. We also have resources to help community members who need
transportation to get their vaccine or who are homebound. We want anyone living in Wyandotte County who wants to be vaccinated to have ready, equal access to COVID-19 vaccinations.”

How to schedule a vaccine appointment online

  1. Go to WycoVaccines.org, and click on the blue button that says, “Click here to schedule an appointment online.”
  2. Fill out pertinent contact information.
  3. Select a preferred vaccination site. A calendar will then be displayed with available dates.
  4. Select a date to see available appointment times, then click the time you would like to schedule.
  5. Once the vaccination appointment is scheduled, the application shows a confirmation, along with any additional instructions.
  6. When coming in for your appointment, you will be asked to show proof of that you live in Wyandotte County, such as a piece of mail addressed to you, driver’s license, or similar.

When users book an appointment using the self-scheduling tool, that means they will be vaccinated within the hour of their appointment time, according to the Health Department. For example, if a user selects “10 a.m.” as his or her appointment time, he or she will be vaccinated between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on his or her selected date.

How to schedule a vaccine appointment by phone

Wyandotte County residents who don’t have an internet connection can call 3-1-1 (913-573-5311) for assistance in scheduling their vaccination appointment time and date.

Vaccinations also available without an appointment

Wyandotte County residents 16 years of age and older can also get vaccinated without an appointment at any of the Health Department’s three vaccination facilities, the spokesman stated. The goal of the Health Department is to provide the public with a variety of options when it comes to getting their vaccinations, so that anyone who wants a COVID-19 vaccination can get one at a date, time and location convenient for them.

People living in Wyandotte County can choose any of the Health Department vaccination sites for their vaccination, with or without an appointment. These sites are open from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

West location
Former Best Buy
10500 Parallel Parkway
Kansas City, Kansas

Central location
Former Kmart
7836 State Ave.
Kansas City, Kansas

East location
The Kansas National Guard Armory
100 S. 20th St.
Kansas City, Kansas

While walk-in patients are welcomed at any of the sites, walk-in patients will not be accepted after 2:30 p.m., according to the spokesman.

All Wyandotte County residents who want a vaccination (whether by appointment or walk-in) must bring proof of residence with them, such as a piece of mail, driver’s license, or similar document.

According to a spokesman, the Health Department is exploring the possibility of some alternate hours later this month, such as Saturday hours (that will not be available this weekend, but may be on some upcoming weekends). They may have more information on it next week.

Help for homebound or those who need transportation

The Health Department also offers assistance for people who need transportation to a vaccination site, or for those who are homebound and want a free COVID-19 vaccination. To submit a request, go to WycoVaccines.org. Click on the yellow and black button that says, “Do you need a ride to get a COVID-19 vaccine?” and fill out the request form. Residents with no internet connection can call 3-1-1 to make their transportation or homebound vaccination request.

Tips for getting your vaccine

When it’s time for you to get your COVID-19 vaccine, keep these tips in mind:
• Eat something (even a snack) before getting your vaccination.
• Be prepared to wait in the recovery area for 15-30 minutes after your vaccination.
• Wear a short-sleeved or sleeveless shirt so you can be vaccinated more easily (if it’s chilly out, wear a sweater or jacket over your short-sleeved shirt).

Volunteer opportunities


The Health Department is seeking additional volunteers to help with COVID-19 vaccine efforts. Volunteers are needed in both clinical and non-clinical roles. People interested in joining the volunteer team are invited to fill out the volunteer application: ughealth.info/volunteer.