Saline County Health Department, Salina Regional Health Center

New and expectant parents in Saline County and surrounding areas are invited to attend the 'Salina Area Community Baby Shower' from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm&nbsp;on Tuesday, September 9th at Salina Regional Health Center&nbsp;(400 S. Santa Fe Ave) in Conference Rooms 6 and 7.

This free event will feature speakers sharing expert advice on newborn care, safe sleep practices, breastfeeding support, maternal mental health, smoking cessation and overall maternal wellness. The event is a designated KIDS SAFE Sleep event approved by the Kansas Infant Death and SIDS Network.

Attendees will have a chance to receive gift baskets, diapers, baby wipes and more. Several organizations will provide community resources and educational materials. Refreshments, including cookies and tea, will be served.

This marks the first year the baby shower is being hosted through a joint effort between the Saline County Health Department and Salina Regional Health Center.

To RSVP click&nbsp;<a href="https://nextcloud.srhc.com/index.php/apps/forms/s/B3P8eoDMYZ7xCpdjGKMjfZQD">here</a>.

“We are excited to be a part of the Salina Area Community Baby Shower this year,” said Lori Faerber, Women and Infants Services director at Salina Regional Health Center. “The event will provide vital resources, support and information that will positively impact families and child development.”

Sherri Poell, Maternal Child Health/Becoming A Mom coordinator at the Saline County Health Department, will be present information about safe sleep for newborns. “We are excited to share this important information with parents in our community,” Poell said. “Safe sleep practices may seem small, but they make a huge impact by protecting our babies, bringing peace of mind and supporting the health and well-being of the entire family.”

Attendees also will have the opportunity to tour the Salina Regional Health Center Birth Center and visit the Breast Milk Depot, a collection site that supports premature and critically ill infants by providing donated breast milk.

Saline County and Salina Regional Health Center hosting free community baby shower for new and expectant parents

The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) held a ceremony on September 2 acknowledging the reclassification of law enforcement officers within the Capitol Police and Motor Carrier Inspection unit to State Troopers.

The reclassification ceremony marks a significant milestone for the agency, culminating years of thoughtful dialogue. With the change, all sworn officers within the KHP are now State Troopers for the first time since the agency's inception in 1937. The 25 officer positions affected by this reclassification come from Troop K-Capitol Police and the Troop I-Motor Carrier Inspection unit. Both units have a rich history in the Kansas government, with some positions existing prior to the creation of the KHP.

Though their uniforms have changed, the duties of these individuals remain the same. "This will make all of us better," said Colonel Erik Smith, KHP Superintendent. "It will provide an opportunity for everyone who wears this badge to enhance public safety, whether it's in the commercial vehicle space or in the capitol area complex". Adam Proffitt, Secretary of Administration, and Daniel Hawkins, Speaker of the House, also spoke at the event.

The Capitol Police Unit originated in 1955 under the Custodian of the State Capitol and was later part of the Department of Administration before the unit was transferred to KHP in 1976. The Motor Carrier Inspection unit, which was first established in 1933 under the State Highway Commission to combat bootlegging and bank robberies, was transferred from the Kansas Department of Revenue to KHP in 1988.

Kansas Highway Patrol holds reclassification ceremony: 25 officers reclassified to State Trooper

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor; Speeding; maximum limits

NAME:&nbsp;Johnson, Dvonte Shayron

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Probation Violation; Return for court testimony

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

NAME:&nbsp;Meadows, Theodore Clovis&nbsp;

REQUESTED CHARGE: Probation Violation

Saline County Jail Bookings, September 6

The City of Salina will host a Free Landfill Day on Saturday, October 4, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Salina Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (4292 S. Burma Rd).&nbsp;

Saline County residents with a county license plate may dispose of residential trash at no cost. Vehicles from outside the county will be charged standard fees. Commercial haulers will receive priority (regular rates apply).&nbsp;

To prevent littering, all loads must be secured and/or tarped. Unsecured loads will be charged double the normal rate. Customers should expect lines and possible delays, follow staff instructions, obey signage and stay on approved roadways.&nbsp;

Not accepted: automobiles, batteries, hazardous or toxic waste, corrosive or reactive materials, explosives, flammable waste, liquids (including paint), machinery, storage tanks, and vehicle/equipment wreckage.&nbsp;

Accepted with standard fees: brick, concrete, rock, aggregates, commercial loads, Freon-containing items (with certification), roofing and construction materials, boats, sheds, trailers, tires, and waste requiring a KDHE Special Waste Permit. 

A complete fee schedule is available at <a href="http://salina-ks.gov/landfill">salina-ks.gov/landfill</a>.&nbsp;

The landfill will close promptly at 2:00 pm No entry will be allowed after closing, even if a line remains. 

Normal business hours and fees resume Monday, October 6. For questions, call (785) 826-7395.

City of Salina hosting free landfill day in October

Abilene Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau

ABILENE - A Volunteer Information Night for the new Friends of the Iron Horse Trail group will be held Wednesday, September 10, at 7:00 pm at the Abilene Civic Center (201 NW 2nd St).

Organizers say the group will focus on hands-on maintenance and care of the trail. 

“We’re starting with an information night, but this isn’t about endless meetings — it’s about rolling up your sleeves and helping out. If you love trails, nature, and lending a hand, this is your chance to make a difference,” organizers said.

The Iron Horse Trail provides a safe, scenic path for walkers, runners, cyclists, and families. Volunteers will help ensure it remains welcoming for years to come.

For more information, call (785) 263-2231 or visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/ironhorsetrailks?utm_source=chatgpt.com">facebook.com/ironhorsetrailks</a>

Community invited to join Iron Horse Trail volunteer group in Abilene

The Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair takes place on Saturday, September 27 in and around the Smoky Hill Museum (211 W. Iron Ave.) in downtown Salina.

The Street Fair has no entry cost and is a day to celebrate the Old West with a chili cook-off, music, activities, food vendors and, of course, the museum itself.

The Old West family fun starts with a parade down Santa Fe at 10:00 am between Elm and South Streets. Then down and around the Museum, there will be Old West activities, a wagon from McGilvray Farms, chili cook-off, historic demonstrators, free make-and-take crafts, caricaturists, Color Me Crazy airbrush tattoos and more.&nbsp;

After the parade, the fun heats up with the Boiling Pot Chili Cook-off at 10:30 am. Chili-tasting enthusiasts can sample all the chili for only $2.50. Tasting lasts until 1:30, or while supplies last. Then you can vote for your favorite chili with your ticket.&nbsp;The People’s Choice and Judges Choice&nbsp;

Winners will be announced at 2:00 pm from the main stage.&nbsp; The Christ Episcopal Cathedral women’s group is once again providing corn bread for each ticket purchased, while supplies last. A small bottle of water will also be provided.

Speaking of the main stage, this year’s entertainment has a new, soon-to-be favorite along with several returning favorites. 

11:00 am&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sally and The Hurts

Sally and The Hurts is an Americana Roots trio&nbsp;from north central&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;that brings&nbsp;beautifully-crafted violin, hauntingly melodic musical saw, and finger-picking guitar to the stage.&nbsp;

12:00 noon&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Don Wagner and Friends

The Don Wagner and Friends band is a local group of musicians. Due to their diverse musical backgrounds, the band arranges and performs a variety of musical genres ranging from folk and country to rock and blues as well as original compositions.

1:00 pm&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Steel Skarecrow

Steel Skarecrow is a group of highly talented and experienced musicians from around the Wichita, Kansas area. The band has developed a unique sound, blending nineties country, modern country, red dirt, and southern soul into a distinct sound all their own.

2:00 pm&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Chili Cook-off Winners Announced

2:10 pm&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Nick Taylor

Nick Taylor is a local country artist. His high energy and passion for music have made him a fan favorite in the local music scene. With a gravelly voice as well as an ability to wail out heartbreak, he brings a whole new&nbsp;take on modern &amp; 90s country favorites.

3:00 pm&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sally and The Hurts&nbsp;

To finish out the event, this new favorite band will perform an encore set.

In addition to the ever-popular make-and-take crafts, you can make your own rope, talk with some Buffalo Soldier reenactors, watch the Salina Wood Carvers, learn how to tie knots with Boy Scout Troop 1, Pack 4 and try your hand at some Old West carnival style activities with the Cowboy Catapult, bean bag toss and Crazy Cup Toss.

The museum gallery is open 10 am – 5 pm for everyone to enjoy the special exhibit,&nbsp;Kansas: Battleground for Freedom.&nbsp;In addition, there is the popular hands-on interactive exhibit,&nbsp;The Curiosity Shop. The Museum Store is also open with selections of Kansas-made items and locally made artwork.

Smoky Hill Museum hosting fun annual downtown fair end of September

Single tickets are on sale now for all Salina Symphony concerts for the upcoming 70th Anniversary Season, Infinite Horizons.&nbsp;

This includes both Mainstage Concerts and Encore Performances. 

The Symphony will launch the landmark season Sunday, October 5 with "Beyond the Planets," a stellar multimedia concert that includes a trio of thrilling themes from Star Wars. The program culminates in a breathtaking performance of Holst’s majestic The Planets suite, featuring world renowned projection artist Camilla Tassi’s visual interpretation of the iconic score. 

Prepare for an unforgettable voyage that blends visual beauty and the sheer power of orchestral music.&nbsp;

Fireworks will be the theme for the Sunday, November 9 concert. Be among the first to experience the vibrant energy of Carolina Calvache’s new “Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra,” showcasing principal trombonist Dan Hinman. 

The concert concludes with the hypnotic crescendo of Ravel’s captivating “Bolero,” promising an unforgettable concert experience.&nbsp;

The Symphony’s cherished holiday tradition continues Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14 with the "Christmas Festival." Multi-talented vocalist, instrumentalist, and composer Andrew Lipke will return to Salina to conduct and perform. 

The concert will also feature festive song and&nbsp;dance from Iron Street Dance Company, Tamara Howe School of Dance, Salina Chorale, Kansas Wesleyan University Chorale and Salina Symphony Youth Choir.&nbsp;

Celebrate 250 years of the American Spirit Sunday, January 25, 2026 with this dynamic symphonic concert! Crowd favorite Samantha Rose Williams returns to sing Alan Fletcher’s “Three American Songs” and selections by Florence Price. 

The evening ends with the vibrant and iconic sounds of Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances” from West Side Story, a testament to the nation’s enduring artistic energy.&nbsp;

Experience the timeless magic of Rodgers and Hammerstein Sunday, March 8, 2026 at this unforgettable concert. Relive the heartwarming melodies from "The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!," "The King and I," and more! Join the Symphony for an evening filled with iconic songs that have captured hearts for generations.&nbsp;

The anniversary season will end Sunday, May 3 with Beethoven’s awe-inspiring Ninth Symphony. A cornerstone of classical music and a triumph of human spirit, this legendary work unites orchestra, chorus, and soloists in a powerful celebration of unity and hope. Encore Performances&nbsp;

Encore performances begin September 27 with Fiddle Fusion, an outdoor chamber music concert blending classical elegance with folk fire. Enjoy the timeless beauty of a Mozart string quartet and then kick up your heels to a lively set of traditional Scottish fiddle tunes and other surprises.&nbsp;

Bring your family to the Symphony for an afternoon of music and more on Jan. 24 with The Harmony Games, a story about four families who come together through the power of music. The concert will also feature wildly popular music from Wicked. Join us for a concert experience that is interactive, inspirational, and fun for all ages!&nbsp;

Out of the Box returns April 25 at Theatre Salina’s Black Box with the groundbreaking minimalism of Terry Riley’s In C, a mesmerizing and ever-evolving piece. With its hypnotic&nbsp;

rhythms and shifting textures, In C transforms each performance into a unique journey for the senses.&nbsp;

Single Tickets on Sale Now for All Concerts&nbsp;

Single tickets may be ordered by phone at (785) 827-1998, online at <a href="http://salinasymphony.org">salinasymphony.org</a>, or in person at the Stiefel Theatre Box Office.&nbsp;

Season Ticket BOGO Continues for New Subscribers&nbsp;

Season tickets to all six mainstage concerts are available starting at $225. The Symphony is once again offering buy-one, get-one free season tickets for first-time subscribers.&nbsp;

Season tickets may be ordered by phone at (785) 823-8309, online at <a href="http://salinasymphony.org">salinasymphony.org</a>, or in person at the Symphony Office, located on the second floor of the Stiefel Theatre.&nbsp;

The Salina Symphony is dedicated to enriching lives through artistic music performance and education. For more information, contact the Symphony Office at (785) 823-8309 or visit <a href="http://salinasymphony.org">salinasymphony.org</a>.

Salina Symphony single tickets on sale for all concerts

High School Sports LIVE STREAMS

The Kansas State Fair has just opened, and with thousands of visitors expected to travel into Hutchinson, several temporary traffic changes have taken effect around the fairgrounds.

•&nbsp;State Fair Road (Main to Plum): Closed September 3–15.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 • Plum Street: Closed Sept. 3–14. On weekdays (Monday–Thursday), the closure runs from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; on weekends, the road will be fully closed.

• Signals are at 20th and Main and 23rd and Main 

•&nbsp; Lights will be active through Sept. 18.&nbsp;

•&nbsp;Poplar Street from Crescent Blvd. to 20th will run northbound only through Sept. 15

During the Fair, State Fair Road falls under the Kansas State Fair’s responsibility for traffic and safety management. Officials are reminding visitors and residents to plan ahead, drive cautiously through surrounding neighborhoods, and remain alert for the increased pedestrian traffic the event brings

The Kansas State Fair opened Friday, September 6, and runs through Sunday, September 15.

State Fair traffic changes

The City of Salina is advising the public of road closures on N. 9th Street, from Lincoln Avenue to North Street, and W North Street from Santa Fe Avenue to N 9th Street, due to railroad and railroad crossing replacement work being conducted by Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR).&nbsp;

The streets are expected to remain closed throughout the duration of the repairs. 

Work began on Thursday, September 4&nbsp;with anticipated completion by Friday, September 12.

Residents and businesses should use alternative routes and follow posted detour signs to avoid the UPRR-managed work zone.&nbsp;

The City thanks the public for understanding and cooperation in supporting the safety and success of this UPRR replacement project.

Road closures on N. 9th & W. North expected to last a week due to construction

Here is the preview for the Saturday Morning Show with Dave Foor &amp; Nicolas Fierro on&nbsp;910 AM/107.5 FM KINA Salina for September 6:

9:00 am - Daniel Miller, Salt &amp; Light Homestead

9:30 am - Christina Small, Salina Area United Way

10:00 am - Linda Henderson, Rolling Hills Zoo

10:30 am - Michael Spicer, Theatre Salina ; Bryan Schulz, Kansas State Fair

All episodes are recorded and uploaded on the&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?CFID=05fb1ecb-7d68-4542-adb3-9b7c11d9b5e5&amp;CFTOKEN=0&amp;stationCallSign=KINA&amp;onDemandAutoStart=true&amp;p92136680=true&amp;relocateURL=true">910 AM and 107.5 FM KINA website</a>, under the 'KINA Saturday Mornings'&nbsp;tab.

Saturday Morning Show with Dave Foor & Nicolas Fierro preview, September 6

Cold temperatures are expected during the evening hours this weekend, with lows in the 40s.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), after a cold front passed through Central Kansas on early Friday morning, evening lows for tonight and Saturday evening are expected to be from 48-56 degrees.

Temperatures tonight and Saturday evening drop 20-25 degrees below normal, with highs in the 60s for Friday.

Monitor local weather updates frequently in multiple ways by listening to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/nwr/">NOAA Weather Radio</a>, checking local news and emergency notifications. You can also stay informed by following Saline County and the National Weather Service on social media.

For the latest forecast updates, visit the National Weather Service Wichita office at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/">https://www.weather.gov/ict/</a>. To check forecasts frequently, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">weather.gov</a>.

Temperatures dropping to the 40s during the evening hours this weekend

<a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Salina&amp;state=KS&amp;site=ICT&amp;lat=38.8158&amp;lon=-97.6178">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 5 - September 7

Possibilities of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected to occur throughout Central Kansas this evening.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), these storms will gradually increase from the west later tonight and persist through early to mid-evening on Friday. Pockets of heavy rainfall are likely, with a few isolated storms capable of dime to nickel size hail.

Salina has a 68% chance of showers and thunderstorms for tonight.

Another round of thunderstorms anticipated throughout Central Kansas tonight

A round of severe storms are expected to occur later this evening on Wednesday, September 3 in Salina.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), widely scattered storms are anticipated to occur in Salina from the hours of 4:00 - 7:00 pm. These storms reportedly are expected to develop in Central Kansas, move south and east throughout the evening and nighttime hours.

Accordingly, +2 inch sized hail and 60-70 mph wind gusts are possible.&nbsp;

The US National Weather Service advises you to a plan ahead if you have outdoor activities late this afternoon or early this evening of Wednesday.

Severe storms expected Wednesday evening in Salina

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 3 - September 5

A series of showers and possible thunderstorms, along with mild temperatures are expected for this week.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS) showers are expected to occur throughout the morning of Tuesday, September 2nd, Wednesday, Thursday evening and into the morning of Friday.

Mild temperatures are anticipated as well. The hottest day of the week being Wednesday with highs ranging from 83-90 degrees. 

Highs of 72-80 are expected for Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Series of showers along with mild temperatures expected for this week

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 1 - September 3

Labor Day weekend weather forecast Salina, August 29 - September 1

Cool weather and isolated showers are expected to occur this Labor Day weekend in Central Kansas.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), the highs for this upcoming Labor Day weekend are only expected to reach 80 degrees in Central Kansas. Friday, August 29th is looking to only be around 75-79, with Saturday - Monday being 77-83 degrees.

Rain chances are anticipated to occur on Saturday and last into the start of next week.

Cool weather and isolated showers expected Labor Day weekend 

The US National Weather Service has issued a "Flood Watch" throughout parts of Central Kansas until Thursday afternoon.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), many locations in Central Kansas are expected to see heavy rainfall tonight (Wednesday, August 27) and into Thursday morning, with some areas likely observing over 2 inches.

Salina is listed to have a 77% chance of rainfall over 1 inch and low chance for it to be over 2 inches.

Wichita is listed to have 62% chance, while Hutchinson a 47% chance of rainfall to be over 2 inches.&nbsp;

Saline County Emergency Management is informing county residents to prepare for at least two rounds of thunderstorms. The first round this Wednesday afternoon is expected to be less severe. 

However, a stronger system is forecast to move in late tonight (Wednesday) through Thursday morning with a higher risk of heavy rainfall and localized flooding.

Safety tips by Saline County Emergency Management include:&nbsp;

"Flood Watch" issued throughout Central Kansas: Heavy rainfall expected Wednesday night into Thursday

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Powerball players in Missouri and Texas won the estimated $1.8 billion jackpot on Saturday, overcoming astronomical odds to end the lottery game’s three-month drought without a big winner.

The winning numbers were 11, 23, 44, 61, and 62, with the Powerball number being 17.

The prize, which was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/largest-lottery-jackpots-powerball-mega-millions-history-46066fc0d1ab97ee53c7d6ca86d46c9d">second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot</a>&nbsp;in history, followed 41 consecutive drawings in which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh-EUIo12hM">no one matched</a>&nbsp;all six numbers. The last drawing with a jackpot winner happened May 31.

Powerball’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-lottery-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-b5572da1e5d74f6e974bea45c707b5cb">terrible odds</a>&nbsp;of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots, with prizes growing as they roll over when no one wins. Lottery officials note that the odds are far better for the game’s many smaller prizes. There are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-c750b32664d0b02d318ae8030f671952">three drawings each week</a>.

The estimated $1.8 billion jackpot would go to a winner who opts to receive 30 payments over 29 years through an annuity. Winners almost always choose the game’s cash option, which for Saturday night’s drawing would be an estimated $826.4 million.

Powerball tickets cost $2, and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

2 Powerball lottery players.will split estimated $1.8 billion jackpot

KANSAS CITY– A Mexican national has pleaded guilty in federal court this week to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, according to the United State's Attorney.

Lisandro Garcia-Ramirez, 23, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lajuana M. Counts to one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. Garcia-Ramirez was arrested on Feb. 20, 2025, traveling on I-70 in Saline County, Mo. Garcia-Ramirez admitted to transporting individuals he knew were present in the United States illegally.

Under federal statutes, Garcia-Ramirez is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of Garcia-Ramirez will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. It was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations.

Mexican national admits transporting illegals on I-70

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop in rural Brown County.

Just after 9p.m. September 4, a sheriff's&nbsp; deputy was on routine patrol on U.S. 75 Highway when he encountered a vehicle with only one operating headlight, according to Brown County Sheriff John Merchant.

The deputy made contact with the driver, 38-year-old&nbsp; Josiah Williams from Topeka. It was discovered that his drivers license had been revoked.&nbsp; 

The passenger of the vehicle 31-year-old Paige Keefe of Omaha had a $500 Failure to Appear Warrant out of Ford County Kansas.&nbsp; K-9 Carla alerted on the vehicle and cocaine, a scale, baggies and other items of interest were located and taken as evidence.&nbsp;

Three children were also present at the time of stop.

Williams was arrested on requested charges of Aggravated Endangerment of a Child, Distribution of a Stimulant, Possession of Stimulant, No Drug Tax Stamp, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Keefe was arrested on charges of Aggravated Endangerment of a Child, Possession of Stimulant and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Couple accused of selling cocaine in Kansas had kids in the car

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment charging two former Wyandotte County District Court bookkeepers with stealing $900,000 from the Court, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Julia Roberts, 65, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Vicki Robinson, 63, of Bonner Springs were indicted on one count of wire fraud conspiracy as well as individual counts of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

As part of their duties, Roberts and Robinson were responsible for collecting and depositing funds into the Wyandotte County Clerk Office’s bank account.

Roberts and Robinson are accused of devising a scheme to steal incoming cash between January 2018 and February 2023. They allegedly concealed the ongoing thefts by using the clerk of court’s signature on fraudulent checks that they generated without authorization. 

According to court documents, the fraudulent checks appeared to be facially valid and were drawn on and deposited into the county clerk office’s bank account, creating a corresponding debit and credit—which eliminated fluctuation in the deposit amount on the bank statements but concealed the stolen cash in the Court’s accounting system.

Roberts and Robinson made their initial court appearances on September 3, 2025, and September 5, 2025, respectively, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Angel D. Mitchell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.

2 Kan. county court bookkeepers charged in $900K fraud scheme

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump hosted a dinner Friday night for members of Congress in the newly paved White House Rose Garden, telling them they were the first gathering of what he dubbed the “Rose Garden Club.”

The president held a microphone as he addressed about 100 people, mostly House Republicans along with some GOP senators, thanking them for their support of his legislation.

“We call it the Rose Garden Club. And it’s a club for senators, for congresspeople and for people in Washington, and frankly, people that can bring peace and success to our country,” Trump said.

Trump said he intended for the tech executives he dined with Thursday night, including Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, to be the first ones to enjoy the space. That dinner was moved indoors due to rain.

“I had the high-tech guys here, and they didn’t want to have rain on top of their beautiful heads,” Trump told the lawmakers.

Among the changes Trump has made to renovate and remake the White House has been his decision to pave over the grassy lawn in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/trump-rose-garden-paved-over-photo-gallery-732b9521b69c10c12ce448f12e27401c">the Rose Garden</a>, where he set up tables, chairs and umbrellas that look strikingly similar to the outdoor setup at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.

See photos of White House dinner at new ‘Rose Garden Club’

CHICAGO (AP) — At a Catholic school in Pope Leo XIV’s hometown, fifth graders read comic books about Carlo Acutis' life titled “Digital Disciple.” They draw pictures of what the teenage Italian computer whiz might have had as his cellphone wallpaper. They discuss the miracles that allegedly occurred thanks to Acutis' intercession.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brzb_VN86Ng">Click here to view</a> the web camera on the Acutis Tomb

In the lead-up to Acutis' canonization on Sunday, it's all Acutis, all the time at the Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish and school in Chicago. The parish was the first in the United States to take its name from Acutis, who died in 2006 at age 15 and is about to become history's first millennial saint.

In recent years, Acutis has shot to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/italy-saint-catholic-millennial-assisi-francis-f3abea4be1c4e57adbe1633733fd671d">near rock star-like fame</a>&nbsp;among many young Catholics, generating a global following the likes of which the Catholic Church hasn’t seen in ages. Much of that popularity is thanks to a concerted campaign by the Vatican to give the next generation of faithful a relatable, modern-day role model, an ordinary kid who used his technological talents to spread the faith.

He’s not a towering world figure like Mother Teresa or St. John Paul II, but rather a “saint next door,” said the Rev. Ed Howe, the pastor at Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish in Chicago’s Northwest Side.

“He’s someone who I think a lot of young people today say, ‘I could be the saint next door,'" Howe said.

Leo, a Chicago native, will declare Acutis a saint on Sunday in his first canonization ceremony, alongside another popular Italian, Pier Giorgio Frassati, who also died young. Both ceremonies had been scheduled for earlier this year, but were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-saint-acutis-posponed-9fdb99acaf0296974dc6216851c9167a">postponed following Pope Francis' death</a>&nbsp;in April.

It was Francis who had fervently willed the Acutis sainthood case forward, convinced that the church needed someone like him to attract young Catholics to the faith while addressing the promises and perils of the digital age.

Acutis was precociously savvy with computers long before the social media era, reading college-level textbooks on programming and coding as a youngster and making websites that at the time were the domain of professionals. But he limited himself to an hour of video games a week, apparently deciding long before TikTok that human relationships were far more important than virtual ones.

“Carlo was well aware that the whole apparatus of communications, advertising and social networking can be used to lull us, to make us addicted to consumerism and buying the latest thing on the market,” Francis wrote in a 2019 document. “Yet he knew how to use the new communications technology to transmit the Gospel, to communicate values and beauty.”

Leo inherited the Acutis cause, but he too has pointed to technology —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-vision-papacy-artificial-intelligence-36d29e37a11620b594b9b7c0574cc358">especially artificial intelligence</a>&nbsp;— as one of the main challenges facing humanity.

Acutis was born on May 3, 1991, in London to a wealthy but not particularly observant Catholic family. They moved back to Milan soon after he was born and he enjoyed a typical, happy childhood, albeit marked by his increasingly intense religious devotion.

In October 2006, at age 15, he fell ill with what was quickly diagnosed as acute leukemia. Within days, he was dead. He was entombed in Assisi, which known for its association with another popular saint, St. Francis.

In a remarkably quick process, Acutis was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/italy-sainthood-pope-francis-4b0149a3a2ca7a5be5cc6b87698bb931">beatified in 2020</a>, and last year Francis approved the second miracle needed for him to be made a saint.

In the years since his death, young Catholics have flocked by the millions to Assisi, where through a glass-sided tomb they can see the young Acutis, dressed in jeans, Nike sneakers and a sweatshirt, his hands clasped around a rosary. Those who can’t make it in person can watch the comings and goings on a webcam pointed at his tomb, a level of internet accessibility not afforded even to popes buried in St. Peter’s Basilica.

For his admirers, Acutis was an ordinary kid who did extraordinary things, a typical Milan teen who went to school, played soccer and loved animals. But he also brought food to the poor, attended Mass daily and got his less-than-devout parents back to church.

“When I read his story for the first time, it was just like shocking to me, because from a very early age, he was just really drawn to Jesus Christ and he would go to Mass all the time,” said Sona Harrison, an eighth grader at the St. John Berchmans’ school, which is part of the Acutis parish. “I feel like he’s a lot more relatable, and I definitely feel like I’m closer to God when I read about him.”

Acutis earned the nickname “God’s Influencer,” because he used technology to spread the faith. His most well-known tech legacy is the website he created about so-called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.miracolieucaristici.org/en/Liste/list.html">Eucharistic miracles</a>, available in nearly 20 different languages. The site compiles information about the 196 seemingly inexplicable events over the history of the church related to the Eucharist, which the faithful believe is the body of Christ.

Acutis was known to spend hours in prayer before the Eucharist each day, a practice known as Eucharistic adoration.

“This was the fixed appointment of his day,” his mother, Antonia Salzano, said in a documentary that was airing Friday night at the U.S. seminary in Rome.

Kathleen Sprows Cummings, a history professor at the University of Notre Dame, said Acutis’ enormous popularity was clearly the result of a concerted church campaign, pushed strongly by his grief-stricken mother. But she said that is nothing new, and that in the 2,000-year history of the church, saints have very often been pushed ahead to respond to a particular need at a particular time.

“It doesn’t detract from the holiness of the person being honored to say that there are choices that are made” about which cases move forward, she said in a phone interview.

Sprows Cummings said that the Acutis phenomenon caught on because he's attractive to both young people and the institutional church, for using technology in a positive way to spread his profound belief in Eucharistic miracles at a time when many Catholics don’t believe that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist.

“Canonization is about marketing,” said Sprows Cummings, author of “A Saint of Our Own: How the Quest for a Holy Hero Helped Catholics become American.”

“Which stories are going to get told? Who is going to get remembered through this amazingly efficient way of remembering holy people?”

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