The Salina Police Department has completed its investigation of an incident that occurred at South Middle School on September 6, 2024. It was reported a 13-year-old male student was bench pressing in the school weight room. When the student finished the exercise the teacher, a 39-year-old male, sat on him. 

Shortly thereafter, the student passed out and rolled off the bench striking his head on a portion of the bench resulting in a cut to his head.

Upon completing interviews of all those present during the incident, the case was forwarded to Salina Municipal Court who requested the case be reviewed by the Saline County Attorney’s Office.

The Saline County Attorney declined prosecution based on all witness statements indicating they did not feel it met the threshold for filing criminal charges.

The County Attorney determined based on the prevailing witness opinions, that most felt the incident was playful. Therefore they could not establish criminal intent.

USD 305 and the Salina Police Department (SPD) are actively investigating a report of a student injury that occurred during class in a weight room at Salina South Middle School.&nbsp;

According to a statement issued by USD 305 Communications Director Jennifer Camien, "The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority. We are committed to conducting a thorough review."

Salina Public Schools (SPS) Human Resources is actively investigating the report. According to school officials the student received medical care under the supervision of parents/guardians.&nbsp;

"Due to privacy laws regarding personnel matters, there are things we cannot report publicly at this time," Camien said.&nbsp;

In accordance with district procedures, the teacher involved has been placed on administrative leave.&nbsp;

"We want the SPS community to know it is our goal to provide a safe environment. Student safety and education remain the district’s top priorities," a statement from USD 305 reads.&nbsp;

The Salina Police Department has been made aware the incident and officers are actively investigating to determine if any criminal acts were committed.

Salina Post was made aware of the incident after it received a&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/a80671e2-1830-4b5f-a370-e11d71180e5a">news tip</a>.

Salina Post will update this story as new information becomes availble

UPDATED: SPD concludes investigation after teacher sat on student at South Middle School; no charges filed

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Kansas Highway Patrol It’s a busy time for farmers in Kansas with fall harvest underway. The Kansas Highway Patrol would like to remind motorists to use more caution and patience when traveling around farm trucks, tractors, combines, and other implements.

“As the busy farming season is underway, each traveler in Kansas needs to be more aware of increased farm implement and truck traffic,” said Captain Candice Breshears. “In Kansas, we have many trucks exiting and entering the roadways at any given time. Traveling around these vehicles requires extra caution.”

Most farm equipment is not designed to travel at highway speeds and may only travel 15-25 mph. Farm equipment is often wider than the lane of traffic, so extra room should be allowed when sharing the road. Caution should be practiced on all roads, but especially on busy rural roads with unmarked intersections.

Don’t assume the farmer knows you’re there.

Although most farmers regularly check for vehicles behind them, the majority of their focus must be spent looking ahead to stay on the road and watch for oncoming traffic. Implements are very loud, hindering their ability to hear your vehicle.

Don’t pass unless you can see clearly ahead of both your vehicle and the equipment you are passing. If there are curves or hills blocking your view, wait until you can clearly visualize the area you are passing in. You should not pass in a designated “No Passing Zone,” even if you are stuck behind a farm vehicle. Do not pass if you are within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, elevated structure, or tunnel.

When a farm vehicle pulls to the right side of the road, it does not mean it is turning right or allowing you to pass.

Due to the size of some farm equipment, the farmer must execute wide left turns, so allow it plenty of room and time to turn and remain aware of any potential driveway or field they may be turning into.

Don’t assume that a farmer can move aside to let you pass. Shoulders may be soft, wet, or steep, which can cause the farm vehicle to tip, or the shoulder may not support the weight of a heavy farm vehicle. They understand you are being delayed and will move over at the first safe location available.

Think of the slow-moving vehicle emblem as a warning to adjust your speed.

When you see the slow-moving vehicle emblem, immediately slow down. While the emblems are visible from a long distance, it is difficult to judge the speed at which you are closing in on the vehicle, especially at night.

When you are not focused solely on the road, you increase your chances of a collision, especially if you should come upon a slow-moving farm vehicle.

KHP: Extra caution needed on Kansas roads during harvest

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our news tip email address. Have a breaking news story, a community event, or a feel-good story that deserves to be shared? 

Submit your news tips via email to <a href="http://newstips@salinapost.com">newstips@salinapost.com</a>

Whether you're a Salina local, a native Kansan, or have moved out of state, we want to hear from you. Your contributions help us keep our community informed and engaged. 

So, if you have a story to tell or a photo of breaking news we should know about, send it to newstips@salinapost.com.

Salina Post launches news tip email address

24/7 Travel Store is excited to kick off our 7th annual Food Bank Fill-Up campaign, “Driving Out Hunger. Together.” This month-long effort, which runs through September, will help local food banks across Kansas by matching donations up to $3,000 per store.

“At 24/7 Travel Store, giving back is a big part of who we are,” said Ted Augustine, President of 24/7 Travel Store. “Our Food Bank Fill-Up is a powerful way for us to team up with our customers and help those in need right here in our local communities. We’re grateful for the support we see each year and are proud to continue this tradition.”

The highlight of this year’s campaign is our “Hunger Action Day” event on Saturday, September 21, 2024. Food Bank representatives will be on-site at each of our stores, with times varying by location, to engage with customers and educate them on the available food bank services. They will also explain how the funds raised will be used and encourage individuals to give. On this day, we’ll also be accepting food donations in addition to monetary contributions.

The campaign has garnered strong support year after year, and Jackie Hynes, Director of Marketing at 24/7 Travel Store, is looking forward to this year’s efforts. "This will be my third year coordinating the Food Bank Fill-Up, and I’m continually inspired by the dedication of our team and the generosity of our community," Hynes said. "Through this campaign, I’ve had the opportunity to learn about the incredible work our Kansas food banks do, often relying solely on community support without access to state or grant funding. I’m proud of the efforts we all put in to support such a tremendous need and make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most."

We invite everyone to join us on September 21 and throughout the month to support this important cause. Whether by donating or simply spreading the word, every action counts. For more information, including event details and how to get involved, visit 24-7stores.com/news or check out our Facebook page.

Proudly Supporting These Kansas Food Banks Abilene Area Food &amp; Clothing Bank (Abilene) • Community Care Ministries (Maple Hill) • Genesis Food Pantry of Sherman County (Goodland) • Genesis Food Pantry of Thomas County (Colby) • McPherson County Food Bank (McPherson) • Russell County Food Pantry (Russell) • Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank (Salina) • Trego County Food Pantry (WaKeeney)

24/7 Travel Store launches 7th-annual food bank fill-up

Precipitation data courtesy&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cocorahs.org/">CoCoRaHS</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">The National Weather Service</a>.

Following precipitation events, Salina Post will update this page with precipitation totals.&nbsp;

As of 08/01/2024 at 8:22 a.m.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/515dcf98-45ad-4e68-b2a2-ed8218a2c9e7">UPDATED: Thousands of Salinans left without power after severe thunderstorm</a>

CoCoRaHS 24-hour rain totals

In today's digital age, reliable&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;access is essential for economic growth, education, healthcare, and overall quality of life. To address&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;deficiencies and enhance connectivity throughout the county, Saline County has contracted with Design Nine, Inc. of Blacksburg, VA, to conduct a comprehensive&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;study.

Design Nine will examine existing&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;assets offered by local telecom providers and cable companies. The analysis will cover the types of&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;services available, usage patterns, and, most importantly, gaps in coverage. Based on this data, Design Nine will propose strategies for improving&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;services in Saline County.

The success of this project is completely dependent upon the participation of Saline County residents. Saline County urges every resident and business owner to complete the&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;surveys to provide the essential data needed to shape the future of&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;in Saline County. The data collected will empower local leaders and stakeholders to make informed decisions about expanding&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;access in Saline County.

To view the Saline County Resident Broadband Survey <a href="https://projects.designnine.com/survey/saline-residential">click here</a>

To view the Saline County Business Broadband Survey <a href="https://projects.designnine.com/survey/saline-business">click here</a>

Para encuestas en español haga <a href="https://projects.designnine.com/survey/saline-residential-espaniol">clic aquí.</a>

Paper surveys will also be available at select locations throughout the county to gather&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;coverage information from those who may not have the ability to fill the survey out online.&nbsp;

Eagle Communications Media Center, 1825 S Ohio St, Salina, KS 67401 Ad Astra Coffee, 135 N Santa Fe Ave, Salina Assaria Hardware,&nbsp;104 W Main St, Assaria, KS 67416 Gypsum Exit 14 Restaurant, 512 Maple St, Gypsum, KS 67448 Salina Public Library,&nbsp;301 W Elm St, Salina, KS 67401 City/County Building, 300 W. Ash St., Salina, KS 67401 Salina Family Healthcare Center,&nbsp;651 E Prescott Rd, Salina, KS 67401

Join Saline County and Design Nine at the Salina Public Library for a come-and-go community forum to discuss broadband equity in Saline County.

Location:&nbsp;Salina Public Library Technology Center, 301 W. Elm St., Salina, KS 67401

Date and time:&nbsp;Tue, Jun 25, 2024 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Andrew Cohill, PhD, President and CEO of Design Nine, Inc., and Jack Maytum, Senior Broadband Analyst for Design Nine, invite area business owners/operators to a "Broadband for Business" community forum on June 26 from 8 am to 10 am at the Visit Salina Annex.

Design Nine was founded in 1987 by&nbsp;<a href="https://vktowebbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001SYjhHIvUEbYAD5n0QU_OpqxgOhnDNhg0ShSJIATRPvIETbZvOQDuYYeQ99-AwW1jGsnC_0F5-yldrwkTnfttUmgXSuaiZ0MqjtktW-YCnkFPMo06f12vf27bAQERkW-FmxkStUc8WEM6NDypZ-OlM6qS3UP6cYX4Mynh4O4LnEo=&amp;c=1dvxXSqYqatdx2j2aTz5MeEkF67zgBmJ3aKNSDVzwXBRzmSUv3nlVw==&amp;ch=zKVtLyBFknwKo0fhEzbpAHEuSmYE0Op4Q4ZfnP4xo-s3UVIcxP38Ug==" target="_blank">Andrew Cohill</a>&nbsp;to provide technology advice and services to community, business, and public clients. Over the years, the company has grown steadily and now offers a comprehensive array of&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;network services, including early phase planning, network architecture and design, and network construction oversight and project management. Design Nine is one of a very few firms in the United States with experience in the design, construction, and operation of open access&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;networks.

Design Nine projects have included the award-winning nDanville municipal open network, The Wired Road open access network, New Hampshire FastRoads, Rockbridge Area Network Authority network, the City of Eagan, Minnesota open access network, and over a hundred other planning efforts for communities in more than twenty states. The&nbsp;<a href="https://vktowebbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001SYjhHIvUEbYAD5n0QU_OpqxgOhnDNhg0ShSJIATRPvIETbZvOQDuYYeQ99-AwW1jyrd0G17qjB9Htm_1t2D4S8-QsMbTIdVsv47rJAqF2MWuQlD_FK7_7Q3xSeC4ULHgRMpgqrYR7Nt_2N5zEPpxbcbGTb-A-8AZ&amp;c=1dvxXSqYqatdx2j2aTz5MeEkF67zgBmJ3aKNSDVzwXBRzmSUv3nlVw==&amp;ch=zKVtLyBFknwKo0fhEzbpAHEuSmYE0Op4Q4ZfnP4xo-s3UVIcxP38Ug==" target="_blank">senior leadership</a>&nbsp;of Design Nine has extensive, hands-on experience designing and managing telecommunications and&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;systems.

Design Nine, Inc. is a Virginia corporation with its main office in the Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia. Design Nine has satellite offices in Keene, New Hampshire and Knoxville, Tennessee.

Andrew Cohill is the President of Design Nine. His career in telecom began in the early eighties with work at AT&amp;T Bell Labs.

Cohill has been helping communities develop, build, and operate modern&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;fiber and wireless networks since 1993 when Virginia Tech appointed him the first Director of the Blacksburg Electronic Village, the world’s first Internet-based community&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;project.

Cohill has worked with more than 300 communities worldwide on telecommunications planning, design, and engineering of next-generation high-performance&nbsp;wireless and fiber&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;networks.&nbsp;He has provided assistance to community&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;projects throughout North America, including Canada and the Caribbean. Design Nine provides&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;planning, network construction services, and network operations services for public and private clients throughout the U.S.

Cohill has written and spoken extensively on the future of communities and the relationship between community and economic development and&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;infrastructure. He has a worldwide reputation for his work in helping governments and communities make wise technology investments that support jobs, economic development, and intelligent use of the Internet.&nbsp;

Jack Maytum is a Senior&nbsp;Broadband&nbsp;Analyst with Design Nine.&nbsp;Over the ten years with the company, Maytum has worked with dozens of town, county, and city&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;feasibility and planning studies.&nbsp;He specializes in community engagement activities, stakeholder engagement, and service provider outreach.

Maytum’s experience in telecom network management began as a communications officer in the U.S. Amy Signal Corp. Later, Maytum worked for AT&amp;T, coordinating the efforts of sales staff and networking professionals who were providing telecom services to Connecticut’s 147,000 business customers.

As Director of Marketing for Nestor Traffic Systems, Maytum prepared technical information for presentations to mayors, councils, and County managers across the U.S. regarding the installation and operation of networked red light cameras and speed detection systems. He also taught network programming for five years at Northeastern University’s State-of-the-Art Engineering program.

﻿Funded by $48,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, this study is crucial for identifying service gaps and developing strategies to improve&nbsp;broadband&nbsp;access.

Saline County to host broadband community forums this week

Salina Post is thrilled to announce an exciting update - we are now accepting letters to the editor from our readers. We believe that our community's voices deserve to be heard, and providing a platform for open dialogue and constructive discussions is essential to a strong free press.&nbsp;

With the new letters to the editor offering, we aim to create a space where readers can express their thoughts, concerns, and ideas on a wide range of local topics that impact their daily lives.&nbsp;

Submitting a letter to the editor is simple. Just email your letter to <a href="mailto:admin@salinapost.com">admin@salinapost.com</a>

Ensure that your letter is concise and respectful. We value thoughtful and constructive discussions, so please make sure to present your arguments in a clear and coherent manner.

While we appreciate and encourage diverse perspectives, we also have certain guidelines in place. Letters should be free from hate speech, name-calling or any form of discrimination. We believe in promoting a respectful and inclusive environment for all readers.

Our editorial team will review all submissions and select letters that align with our guidelines and contribute positively to the conversation. We may edit letters for clarity, grammar, and length, but we will strive to maintain the essence of your message.

We are excited about this new opportunity to amplify your voice and encourage you to take advantage of this platform.

So, whether you have a burning issue or an important message to share, we invite you to submit a letter to the editor. Let's come together, learn from each other, and build a stronger community through the power of words.

All letters must include the author's name. No anonymous letters to the editor will be published, but if you have a news tip or an issue you would like us to know about still reach out via email at newstips@salinapost.com

<a href="https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-editor/main">Information Courtesy University of Kansas Community Toolbox</a>

You feel strongly about an issue, and you want to let people know what you think. You believe you can even influence people to take some action if you speak your mind. But, you want to reach an audience larger than just your friends or your group membership. Letters to the editor can be an effective way to get the word out.

A letter to the editor is a written way of talking to a newspaper, magazine, or other regularly printed publication. Letters to the editor are generally found in the first section of the newspaper, or towards the beginning of a magazine, or in the editorial page. They can take a position for or against an issue, or simply inform, or both. They can convince readers by using emotions, or facts, or emotions and facts combined. 

Letters to the editor are usually short and tight, rarely longer than 300 words.

Using a few carefully placed letters, you can generate plenty of community discussion. You can also keep an issue going by preventing it from disappearing from the public eye. You can stimulate the interest of the news media and create more coverage for the matters you're working on. You can also send a "good news" letter to bring recognition to people who deserve it or acknowledge the success of an effort.

Salina Post accepting letters to the editor

Looking for a new podcast to keep you informed and connected within your local community? Look no further than Eagle Radio's latest podcast, "King in the Community."&nbsp;

Join Eagle Radio news director, Nate King as he talks with local and regional government officials, first responders, non-profit leaders and unique individuals with interesting stories from north central Kansas and beyond. Learn about how organizations in your neighborhood leverage their partnerships to create a more interconnected community.

Available on all your favorite platforms, including&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/king-in-the-community/id1687185014">Apple podcasts,</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kinginthecommunity.podbean.com/">Podbean</a>,<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZeCj4TK3kaOZEvgQaDlio">&nbsp;Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c78f2e2e-c714-4aaf-ad4c-4864a4038889">Amazon Audible</a>, TuneIn + Alexa,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/king-in-the-community-5324914">Podchaser,</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boomplaymusic.com/podcasts/62430">Boomplay</a>.&nbsp;

No matter what streaming service you use, we've got you covered with engaging discussions and insightful interviews that will help you understand the issues that matter most to you.&nbsp; So why wait? Tune in to the "King in the Community" podcast today and discover a new way to stay connected.

For a full list of episodes<a href="https://kinginthecommunity.podbean.com/page/2/">&nbsp;click here</a>. Thanks for listening!

🎙The latest from 'King in the Community' with Nate King

Due to damages from Sunday's severe weather, the bridge and road south of Wilson, Kansas will NOT be open by Memorial Day, May 27.&nbsp;

According to the Ellsworth County Highway Department, a date has not been set for the road/bridge to reopen.&nbsp;

Plan an alternate route if you plan to travel in the area.&nbsp;

READ MORE<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/3969fc82-b07d-4d4e-885d-fe75a7799560">:&nbsp;🎥UPDATED: Severe weather coverage May 19 — Salina Airport reports 100 mph winds</a>

River bridge, road project south of Wilson closed indefinetly 

Cope Notes is a text message-based service that provides individuals with randomly timed messages that contain anything from psychology facts to exercises and journaling prompts. Every subscriber’s text sequence is unique so that no two users ever receive the same message at the same time. 

Each <a href="https://copenotes.com/">Cope Notes</a> text must first undergo a thorough review process by a panel of peer-support advocates and mental health professionals, in order to ensure that the messages will have a positive effect on the subscriber’s health. The ultimate goal of the service is to train the brain to disrupt negative thoughts and promote a more positive pattern of thinking.

"We believe in the importance of mental health. We want to ensure our residents have access to the resources they need to stay healthy and thriving," said Saline County Health Officer Jason Tiller. "In my own personal experience with Cope Notes, I have found that the right messages seem to come at exactly the right time. It was been an uplifting experience for me, and I am thrilled we get to continue this service to our residents."

In 2022, Saline County initially offered the service for free to 300 residents. Because of the overwhelming response and in an effort to provide the service to more Saline County residents, the program is being offered at a 50 percent discount, according to information from the county.

To sign up for Cope Notes, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001scLNLAEK27GI7j38iOkmbBLY7glKLN0Wy6uF_d-8TLam2TPUzrfQlc9LS5oNICbDRUIbIxFeAe9F9t_3cBzqfldl0v4T9wLfMfxV5qLVYcHiyw0WBSsZFYJWzG17ByUTXv2fd3MbRsZWmxNokDZI85TAvv_DybpQ8u3RGpTS-VoOBpVKw3mIuQf0KEWbdEz2&amp;c=e8h8gccDrdCcdY1GLzjAyWQ83iic1YREdFKlJQ0cHZXKLBBGRtWzSA==&amp;ch=qH131SvBWUOQqWkIzjrjNennoWrg5mcmyLAePutxO-lGfSWshstgHw==" target="_blank">this link&nbsp;</a>and enter code&nbsp;SACOHALF&nbsp;and your credit or debit card information.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Saline County continues to offer Cope Notes at 50-percent discount

MARION COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 11a.m. Monday in Marion County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Chevy Silverado driven by Patrick Oliver Dye, 49, Marion, was northbound on Nighthawk after stopping at the U.S. 50 junction.

 When entering the intersection the pickup struck a westbound 2013 Ford Fusion driven by Donald W Rich, 82, Kingsville, Missouri. The impact pushed the car into the north ditch of U.S. 50.

EMS transported Rich and a passenger Joyce&nbsp;Rich, 83, Kingville, Missouri, to St. Luke hospital in Marion. Dye was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

2 hospitalized after pickup, car crash

Saline County Emergency Management

Saline County will conduct regular testing of the outdoor warning sirens today, Oct. 7 at 4 p.m.

The outdoor warning sirens are a system intended to notify residents outside their homes or places of business that severe weather is imminent. It is just one part of a multi-layered system to alert residents of potential life-threatening storms.

The sirens are designed and intended to be outdoor warning devices ONLY and their sound may not penetrate a structure because of the distance from the siren; background noise levels within the structure; and other factors such as wind speed and direction, obstruction (trees and buildings) present in the sound path, and changes in terrain. The planning range for the effectiveness of the warning signals at a normal 70 decibels for the residential area is approximately 5,120 feet.

The Adopt a Siren Program aims to promote community engagement and education of the area's outdoor warning siren system. This program encourages people to be proactive in their emergency preparedness efforts and stay informed about local emergency alerts and warnings. The goal is to contribute to a more resilient and prepared community.

<a href="https://sacoks.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=92392f0cc58440f88c92572a2a792458" target="_blank">Click to launch the interactive adopt a siren map to see where the closest siren is to your location.</a>

The program invites community members to become adopters of an Outdoor Warning Siren in their local area. Adopters will be dedicated to one siren within the community and will have the opportunity to observe and track the effectiveness of their siren and share that information on their social network and with the Emergency Management Office.

The sirens are tested on the 1st Monday of every month at 4:00 p.m., weather permitting, and adopters can report their observations by tagging the program on social media or by emailing a report to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:scem@salinecountyks.gov">scem@salinecountyks.gov</a>&nbsp;that the siren was functioning properly or not during the test.

Adopters are not required to be present at every test of their siren.

Participating as an adopter enhances the reliability of routine tests and overall emergency preparedness efforts in the community. Your dedication as an adopter will help ensure that the community's outdoor warning sirens are in optimal working condition and play a critical role in safeguarding community members' safety and well-being during emergencies. Adopters will go through a brief online training to learn about the proper functioning of an Outdoor Warning Siren.

Saline County monthly outdoor warning siren test at 4 p.m. today

The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.

Statewide ‑&nbsp;106 KA‑7454‑01 ‑ Statewide, Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS), special, Phillips Southern Electric Company Inc., Wichita, Kansas, $343,805.00.

Clay ‑&nbsp;82‑14 KA‑6721‑01 ‑ K‑82, bridge #025 over Cane Creek 1 mile east of K‑15, bridge repair, Reece Construction Company, Inc., Salina, Kansas, $793,520.47.

Jewell ‑&nbsp;45 C‑5232‑01 – County road, bridge over tributary to Limestone Creek located 1.3 miles south and 6.0 miles west of Mankato, bridge replacement, 0.3 mile, L &amp; M Contractors Inc., Great Bend, Kansas, $710,551.00.

Lincoln ‑&nbsp;18‑53 KA‑5713‑01 ‑ K‑18, bridge #027 over Saline River drainage located approximately 1 mile east of K‑252, bridge replacement, Klaver Construction Company Inc., Wichita, Kansas, $1,105,443.78.

KDOT announces approved September bids

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that the Kansas Division of Emergency Management received another Emergency Management Assistance Compact request from Florida for a swift water search and rescue task force in preparation for Hurricane Milton’s arrival.

 Working with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Kansas Task Force 2 was deployed last night to Florida.

“Kansas is once again sending assistance to Florida due to another large and powerful hurricane landing this week in the Gulf Coast,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“We’re committed to mobilizing resources and personnel to provide immediate support to those affected by Hurricane Milton.”

“The personnel responding to Florida to assist with Hurricane Milton have trained for this kind of disaster response,”&nbsp;Mark Engholm, Kansas Fire Marshal, said. “They are committed to providing professional search and rescue support to those in need. Kansas can be proud of our men and women who have chosen to deploy.”

Kansas Task Force 2 consists of personnel from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Chanute Fire Department, Cherryvale Fire-Rescue, Johnson County Med-Act, Manhattan Fire Department, Neodesha Fire Department, Salina Fire Department, Shawnee Kansas Fire Department, and Wichita Fire Department.

Their objectives will be to search for and rescue individuals, provide basic life support medical care, transport humans and animals to the nearest location for secondary air or land transport, provide shore-based and boat-based water rescue, provide animal rescues, and support helicopter and urban search and rescue in water environments.

Gov. Kelly announces deployment of Task Force 2 for swift water search/rescue

Early Saturday morning, Salina Police Department (SPD) officers arrested a woman following a low-speed chase involving a U-Haul truck that had struck a parked vehicle and fled the scene.

According to SPD Cpt. James Feldman, at around 12:45 a.m. on October 5 officers received a report that a U-Haul truck had backed into a parked vehicle and left the scene in the 2130 block of East Crawford Street.&nbsp;

"An officer was going westbound on Crawford. That officer observed a U-Haul truck driving west on Crawford at Ohio," Feldman said."At first, the truck signaled as if it would pull over but continued driving at speeds of about 35 miles per hour."

SPD officers followed the U-Haul for approximately 5 minutes.&nbsp;

The U-Haul finally stopped in the 800 block of Cedar Street. Police arrested the driver, identified as 39-year-old Denotra Smith of Salina. Smith was taken into custody for failure to flee and eluding, failure to stop, and driving with a suspended license.

No injuries were reported during the incident, and there were no signs that alcohol or drugs were involved.

SPD arrest Salina woman after low-speed U-Haul chase

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with&nbsp;American Red Cross communication manager Logan Wright.

🎤Forward Ever: American Red Cross communication manager Logan Wright

Halloween will be here before you know it and with it comes a variety of activities for ghosts and goblins of all ages.

As information about events comes in, Salina Post will publish it here, so check back often.&nbsp;

If you have a Halloween event that is open to the public, please send information about it to <a href="mailto:newstips@salinapost.com">newstips@salinapost.com</a>

A week prior to Halloween, Salina Post will provide you with a list of all the trick-or-treating events in Salina. The map will be available via this post, so check back on Oct. 23.&nbsp;

UPDATED: Salina Halloween happenings, send your event details to Salina Post

Salina Pain Clinic's&nbsp;Gridiron Glory is back for another football season!&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/595e21f1-4fd4-4ae6-afa2-38151237d5cb?contestid=3#registration/login">Register now</a>&nbsp;and make your NFL picks for chances to win great weekly prizes like cash, gift cards, concert tickets, and event tickets to Arrowhead to watch the Kansas City Chiefs!

Gridiron Glory is free to play thanks to the Salina Pain Clinic and Salina Medical Esthetics.

Each week select the teams you think will win. For each one you get correct, you earn points. For Monday's game enter the score you will expect the game to be, this game will serve as the tie-breaker for points.&nbsp;

Each week Salina Post will name the local winners and award them with with prizes like cash, gift cards, concert tickets, and event tickets to Arrowhead to watch the Kansas City Chiefs.&nbsp;

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Several Kansas State University partners are continuing an important collaboration with NetWork Kansas to build the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge as one of the leading youth entrepreneurship competitions in the state of Kansas.

The Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge, or KEC, is a program of the NetWork Kansas Entrepreneurship E-Community Partnership and involves several K-State partners, including the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship in the College of Business Administration.

Through the K-State 105 initiative, K-State Research and Extension and Kansas 4-H are involved for the second year in a row. K-State Research and Extension and Kansas 4-H are providing nearly $100,000 in support for KEC per year for three consecutive years.

"Youth are the future of Kansas," said Gregg Hadley, K-State assistant vice president and director for extension. "The Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge enables youth to develop and implement innovative business ideas. K-State is excited to work with NetWork Kansas and our 4-H youth development program to provide the education our youth need to be confident business leaders in the future."

The Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge represents the culmination of the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, or YEC, Series, a sequence of community-based entrepreneurship competitions for students in grades 6-12.

NetWork Kansas, a statewide entrepreneurial organization, coordinates the YEC series and KEC in partnership with the K-State Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship. The 2024-2025 competition year marks the 12th annual YEC Series

During the most recent 2023-2024 competition year, the YEC Series held 58 local-level competitions featuring 1,159 high school and middle school students from across Kansas. More than $90,000 in prize money was awarded to winners across the state. First-place winners of local YEC events, plus 15 wild-card entries, advanced to KEC, which occurred at K-State in spring 2024.

At KEC, young entrepreneurs competed in three rounds of live mock board rooms and a separate, optional tradeshow as well as a networking game. Overall, more than $80,000 in total prizes were awarded at the 2024 KEC.

"We at NetWork Kansas are so excited to announce our partnership with K-State Research and Extension," said Amara Kniep, director of E-Community Partnership. "Their dedication to serving Kansans and offering resources across the state aligns closely with our mission. We are very much looking forward to working together to provide hands-on learning opportunities for youth across all 105 Kansas counties."

For K-State Research and Extension, the continued collaboration with NetWork Kansas is extending another proven program to build vital communities across the state.

"Through 4-H, K-State has a long history of providing high-quality positive youth development programming in all 105 Kansas counties," said Sarah Maass, state 4-H youth development program leader. "Through this partnership with NetWork Kansas, we can enhance some of our programming efforts to help the youth of today be beyond ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. The Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge provides a unique educational opportunity to empower young people."

New materials, including updated competition guidelines, have been released to support series coordinators. These are available to competition organizers.&nbsp;

Key dates for the 2024-2025 competition year include:

• Nov. 15, 2024: Deadline to sanction YEC event

• March 24, 2025: Cutoff date for sanctioned community entrepreneurship competitions

• March 24, 2025: Wild-card entries for KEC State Championship due

• March 24, 2025: Deadline for YEC winners to sign up for KEC State Championship

• April 17, 2025: KEC State Championship at K-State

For more information or to learn more about the YEC Series, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://goventuredash.com/series/1680">https://goventuredash.com/series/1680</a>. To learn more about KEC, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://cba.ksu.edu/kec">cba.ksu.edu/kec</a>&nbsp;or reach out to Bailee Henry at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bhenry@networkkansas.com">bhenry@networkkansas.com</a>.

About K-State Research and Extension:K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans.

Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices, experiment fields, area extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/">www.ksre.ksu.edu</a>. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

About K-State 105:<a target="_blank" href="http://www.k-state.edu/105">K-State 105</a>&nbsp;is Kansas State University's answer to the call for a comprehensive economic growth and advancement solution for Kansas. The initiative leverages the statewide K-State Research and Extension network to deliver the full breadth of the university's collective knowledge and solution-driven innovation to every Kansan, right where they live and work.

Additionally, K-State 105 forges the connections and partnerships that create access to additional expertise in other higher education institutions and state agencies, nonprofits and corporations — all part of an effort to build additional capacities and strengths in each of the 105 counties in the state. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.k-state.edu/105">k-state.edu/105</a>

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.k-state.edu/105"></a>About NetWork Kansas:<a target="_blank" href="https://www.networkkansas.com/">NetWork Kansas</a>&nbsp;was established as a component of the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 to further entrepreneurship and small business growth as a priority for economic and community development in the State of Kansas. Backed by more than 500 partners statewide, the NetWork Kansas service promotes an entrepreneurial environment by connecting entrepreneurs and small business owners with the expertise, education and economic resources they need in order to succeed.

NetWork Kansas facilitates the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem within participating communities through the E-Community Partnership. Contributing factors to successful development include the availability of financial capital, support from local leadership and the development of educational resources. 

All of these factors combine to increase entrepreneurial activity in participating towns, leading to increased startup activity, business expansion, job creation and more.For more information about the E-Community Partnership, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ecommpartnership.com/">ecommpartnership.com</a>&nbsp;or call 877-521-8600.&nbsp;&nbsp;

K-State partners, NetWork Kansas continue K-State 105 collaboration for statewide Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge

Hello and happy Monday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine…

Over the weekend, Alex Verdugo hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning and saved at least one run with a sliding catch along the left-field line, boosting the New York Yankees over the Kansas City Royals 6-5 in their AL Division Series opener.

This was the first postseason game to see five separate lead changes, and may very well have come down to the Royals tying their season-high in walks with eight for the game, including a pair of walked in runs in the fifth inning.

The Royals return to the Bronx tonight at 6:38 pm for game two of the series

It was also a busy weekend for our college footballl teams, and in McPherson, the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes battled, but couldn’t find their footing offensively in a 42-13 rout.

The Yotes will take the conference-wide bye week to rest up and get healthy, and despite being 2-4, still find themselves in the hunt for the Bissell division’s playoff autobid with a fresh start in two weeks.

As a reminder with no game on Saturday there will also be no coaches show this Wednesday.

While Kansas State was on bye, KU was in action this week, and fell to a new foe, but an old nemesis as Arizona State took them down 35-31 in the desert

And finally, this evening, the Kansas City Chiefs will look to join the Vikings as the only undefeated teams in the NFL when they host the 2-2 New Orleans Saints at 7:15

That’s your sports update for today, but for even more great area sports content like this, check out Salina Post and stay tuned to KINA.

910 KINA Sports Headlines — October 7

LEAVENWORTH - Kansas Wesleyan scored three goals and then held off a run by the Saint Mary Spires as KWU came away with a 3-2 win on Saturday at Berkel Stadium.

Wesleyan's first goal came in the 11th minute as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/427f1741-8a7e-44a0-bb91-6a8d8a7aa279?elinkdata=13209">Cayden Andersen</a> scored on a loose ball in the box to put the Coyotes up 1-0.

KWU added a second just moments before half time, as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e1457a24-b54d-449d-8069-766452dd9aeb?elinkdata=13209">Gerardo Garcia</a> headed one home off a corner kick set piece by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3811c562-2e2d-4c24-8131-cf99e4b7cfbd?elinkdata=13209">Daniel Micheletti</a> to make it 2-0 in the 43rd minute.

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