KABI the General

10/18/2025

ABILENE: The Abilene Cowboys scored 56 points in the first half in their dominant 56-14 victory over El Dorado. It was the most points in a Cowboys win since September 25, 2009 in a 59-20 victory at Concordia. Abilene scored touchdowns on 8 of their first 9 possessions and scored 28 points off of Wildcat turnovers. El Dorado had a total of 5 turnovers in the game.
Abilene QB Taygen Funston threw for 3 touchdowns and ran for a 42 yard score in the victory. Funston had touchdown passes to Nolan Wilkens 42 yards, Heath Hoekman 38 yards and Landyn Rogers 4 yards. Abilene unofficially totaled 484 yards with 377 on the ground. Most of the production came from Senior RB, Lane Hoekman. In the first half he had 15 carries for 217 yards and 3 touchdowns (50, 11 & 20). Senior WR, Levi Evans also had a rushing TD on a 16 yard reverse.
The players of the game were the Cowboy offensive line Jalen Robinson, Canyn Taylor, Cael Casteel, Pierce Casteel and Bradyn Blake along with tight ends Jaxson Cuba, Heath Hoekman
Abilene improved to 5-2 with the victory. It was their first home win of the season and their third straight victory overall. El Dorado fell to 0-7. It was the Wildcats 25th straight loss. Abilene will host Wamego Friday on Senior Night. Wamego won 28-14 at Clay Center Friday night and the Red Raiders are 5-2 this season.

10/18/2025

𝟭𝟬-𝟭𝟳-𝟮𝟱 - 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟳

𝗖𝗼𝘄𝗯𝗼𝘆𝘀 21 35 0 0 - 56 (5-2)
𝗘𝗹 𝗗𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗼 6 0 8 0 - 14 (0-7)

𝗡𝗖𝗞𝗟
* at Marysville
Chapman 36
Marysville 16

* at Clay Center
Wamego 28
Clay Center 14

* at Rock Creek
Rock Creek 48
Concordia 0

𝗗𝗞 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆
* at Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart 41
Herington 0

* at Hartford
Rural Vista 49
Hartford 0

* at Solomon
Solomon 44
Canton-Galva 20

pictured is #20 Lane Hoekman, #74 Pierce Casteel and #0 Levi Evans ABILENE: The Abilene Cowboys scored 56 points in the first half in their dominant 56-14 victory over El Dorado. It was the most points in a Cowboys victory since September 25, 2009 in a 59-20 win at Concordia. Abilene scored touchdow...

10/17/2025

North Central Kansas Businesses Recognized at Statewide “To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards”
ABILENE, Kan. (October 2025) – The Kansas Department of Commerce honored LeDuc Memorial Designs of Concordia with the 2025 Statewide Award for Manufacturing and Distribution at the To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards ceremony held Thursday evening at Pittsburg State University.
LeDuc Memorial Designs, known for its high-quality craftsmanship and personalized memorials, recently expanded its presence in North Central Kansas with the purchase of Peterson Monuments in Abilene. This acquisition continues a long-standing tradition of excellence and service to families across the region.
“We’re proud to continue serving Kansas families with care and artistry,” said the LeDuc family. “Expanding into Abilene allows us to honor more local legacies and preserve important stories in stone.”
Former owner Lynn Peterson shared his confidence in the transition, saying, “I’m proud to sell to a family-owned company with a longstanding reputation for quality service. I know LeDuc Memorial Designs will continue the same level of care and commitment that our customers have come to expect.”
Hosted by the Kansas Department of Commerce, the To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards celebrate businesses that contribute to the growth and vitality of their communities. This year, a record 431 businesses, organizations, and individuals were nominated statewide for their innovation, investment, and community impact.
LeDuc Memorial Designs’ recognition highlights the company’s dedication to craftsmanship, community service, and commitment to preserving Kansas heritage through meaningful design and memorial work.
Other Abilene honorees include:
Rackets Tap House, Inc., recipient of a Merit Award for Mainstreet Momentum

Rawhide Portable Corral, Inc., recipient of a Merit Award in the Agribusiness category

- # # #-
Pictured left to right: Shirley & Troy LeDuc, Missy (LeDuc) Kindel, and Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland.

10/17/2025

NEWS RELEASE
High School Seniors Invited to Enter 2025-2026 Rural Voices Contest
BELOIT, KS, October 17, 2025 — High school seniors in North Central Kansas are invited to
share their ideas and compete for a $1,000 award by entering the 2025-2026 Rural Voices
Youth Contest. Participants may submit either an original essay or short video that reflects on
this year’s theme: “Rural Kansas…Tomorrow’s Possibilities.”
Now in its 20th year, the contest is sponsored by the North Central Regional Planning
Commission (NCRPC), based in Beloit, Kansas. The top two entries will each receive a $1,000
cash award and be recognized with the John R. Cyr Rural Voices Award, named in tribute to
Cyr who served as NCRPC Executive Director for 22 years. Winning entries will also be
featured on the NCRPC website.
Since it began in 2006, the Rural Voices Youth Contest has encouraged students to
thoughtfully reflect on rural Kansas and its future. To date, the NCRPC has awarded more than
$30,000 to local youth through this program.
The contest is open to high school seniors who either live in or attend a public or private
school located within the 12-county NCRPC service area, which includes Clay, Cloud,
Dickinson, Ellsworth, Jewell, Lincoln, Marshall, Mitchell, Ottawa, Republic, Saline, and
Washington counties. Home-schooled students in this same area may also enter.
Entries are due by February 3, 2026. Complete contest guidelines and the registration form
are available at www.ncrpc.org/ruralvoices.
# # #
The NCRPC is committed to advancing rural Kansas through comprehensive planning and
development services. Its primary service area includes 12 counties and 83 cities in North
Central Kansas. For more information about the NCRPC, visit www.ncrpc.org.

10/17/2025

Amanda Robinson with Neighbor to Neighbor visits with KABI Wake Up Call Host John Anderson about the needs within the Dickinson County and efforts they are putting forth to try to fulfill those needs.

10/17/2025

The Abilene Cowboy football team has returned home for the final two weeks of the regular season with games against El Dorado and Wamego. The Cowboys survived Augusta in a 3-0 victory last Friday. It was the lowest scoring game Abilene has been involved in since they lost to Wamego 3-0 in 1971. With the win last week, the Cowboys improved to 4-2 on the season. Abilene is currently the #7 seed in the 4A West Standings and if the Cowboys finish in the top 8 they will host in the first round of the playoffs.
The Cowboys host El Dorado tonight, the Wildcats are currently in a 24 game losing streak and are 0-6 this season. El Dorado did score their first points of the season last week in a 63-6 setback at Buhler.
Join Ron Preston and me, Trent Sanchez for Abilene vs El Dorado on KABI!

🏈 Abilene vs El Dorado

⏰ 6:40 pregame, 7 pm kickoff

📻 AM 1560 KABI & 95.9 FM

💻 www.kabithegeneral.com

Watch & Listen:
https://www.abileneschools.org/o/aps/page/5-star-studios

Pictured is Pierce Casteel
Image courtesy of Brad Anderson

10/17/2025

WAMEGO: The Chapman High School cross country teams competed at NCKL on Thursday. Chapman will now compete in the Marion 4A Regional on October 25.

Click on link for NCKL results:
https://milesplit.live/meets/697625

Images courtesy of Brad Anderson

10/17/2025

WAMEGO: The Abilene High School cross country teams competed at NCKL on Thursday. Abilene will now compete in the Marion 4A Regional on October 25.

Click on link for NCKL results:
https://milesplit.live/meets/697625

Images courtesy of Brad Anderson

10/16/2025

Interested in what’s happening at the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad? Here is your opportunity to find out. The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad Association’s annual membership meeting begins at noon, Saturday, November 8, at Abilene’s Greyhound Hall of Fame, 405 S Buckeye.
This year’s keynote speaker will be Allen Harper, the CEO of American Heritage Railways (AHR) of Durango, Colorado. Harper has an extensive background in tourist railroad and hospitality businesses and has built AHR into the leading heritage railroad organization. His company owns the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Durango and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City, North Carolina, and a variety of other properties across the United States. Most recently, AHR acquired the Branson Scenic Railway in Branson, Missouri. The company also owns Rail Events, Incorporated, a licensing firm for special events, such as the ever-popular Polar Express.
Heritage Rail Management, A subsidiary of AHR, has been consulting with the A&SV for the past three years as they have navigated a successful “rebirth” as a Kansas regional attraction.
The meeting is open to the public. The meal is included for current Association members and active railroad volunteers. Those who are not association members need only pay $30 for the cost of the meal. Memberships will also be available for purchase at the door. Persons planning to attend should RSVP to [email protected].
To become a member of the A&SV Association (and enjoy a free meal at the meeting), visit ASVRR.ORG and click on the “Join our Association” tab at the top of the opening page. You have several different types of membership to choose from, and all include free attendance at our annual meeting.
A short business meeting will be held where members will include an update on the A&SV’s busy season and goals for the coming year as well as electing two board members to serve four-year terms on the organization’s board of directors. Only association members will have voting privileges.
Amanda’s Bakery and Bistro of Abilene is catering the lunch.

10/15/2025

CHAPMAN: It was Senior Night Tuesday for the Chapman volleyball team. The Lady Irish varsity split with Abilene in the dual.

Match #1: 25-19, 25-27, 22-25
Match #2: 25-23, 25-18

Images courtesy of Brad Anderson

10/15/2025

CHAPMAN: The AHS Varsity Volleyball team split with Chapman Tuesday night.

Match #1: 19-25, 27-25, 25-22
Match #2: 23-25, 18-25

Abilene will wrap up the regular season Saturday with their home tournament.

Images courtesy of Brad Anderson

10/14/2025

Please help us welcome Coach Ruble to our team! She brings valuable experience that will help us build our AHS Golf team! ⛳️