This edition of&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/salina-sees-you">Salina Sees You</a>, brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://local.demandforce.com/b/visionsource-drscoleandcooper">Drs. Cooper &amp; Banninger, LLC Family Vision Care</a>&nbsp;(1000 E. Cloud) presents:

The African Children's Choir, comprising of over 15 children from Africa will be coming to perform at Salina churches this end of November. The children's lives benefit tremendously from being apart of the choir and Salina is being encouraged to support.

The African Children’s Choir is a program part of the <a href="https://africanchildrenschoir.com/programs/">Music for Life</a> organization, which provides education, leadership training and life skills to children who are in need throughout Africa.&nbsp;

This month, the choir is set to perform at three churches in Salina as part of their 9-month tour across the US.&nbsp;The choir consists of 17 children, ages 8-11 all from different backgrounds throughout Africa.

It has been 4 decades since the inauguration of the choir, meant to transform lives through the power of music, education and hope. Throughout their tour they have been going to more than 100 cities across the country. The choir is known to captivate audiences with their heartwarming performances, bringing traditional hymns and African cultural songs, while sharing stories of God’s faithfulness through joyful worship.

Ray Barnett, founded the choir back in 1984 when he was on a humanitarian trip to war-torn Uganda, when he gave a small boy a ride from his decimated home to the safety of another village. During the journey, the child sang and that simple song of dignity and hope, became the catalyst for a program that has changed the lives of thousands of children.

“When I went back to Canada and people were not very interested in Uganda, I remembered this small boy,” Barnett said. “I knew that if only a group of these beautiful children could go to the West, people would be deeply moved and would certainly want to help.”

Each child in the choir has faced significant hardships, often with limited access to education. Through the choir, these children gain life changing opportunities for education and personal growth, becoming beacons of hope for their community

Daniel Tamale, is currently the Ugandan Tour leader for the choir. He was a former African Children's Choir member and is now volunteering his time back to the organization.

"I have never expected to be a tour leader, not that I did not believe in myself, but it's such a responsibility that calls on maturity and at the same time an open mind to learn and grow, so I am grateful for the opportunity," said Tamale on being a tour leader. "The children are having a great time and they are learning so many things."

The children in the choir, is the first time they have been in the US throughout the tour. Since September, the choir has been on tour and will end next year in May.

“When they first got to the airport back in Uganda, many of these children have never been on a plane," said Tamale. "Them coming to the US, they are seeing tall buildings, being in nice cars, nice homes... So just the experience of doing things for the first time has been mind-blowing for them and they are grateful."

Given Tamale's experience of participating in the choir and now volunteering as the tour leader, he stated he "speaks into the children's lives, letting them know anything is possible."&nbsp;

He added they use Biblical principles in helping the children grow and mature in their lives.

"It's the only way you can train up a child," said Tamale. "The Bible says, train up a child in the way they should go; even when they are old and they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). In our mentorship and discipleship, we use the Bible. These children have dreams, and they can be who they want to be in the future. We are training people who are going to become of substance and bring value in their communities, with an education."

This edition of Salina Sees You is brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://local.demandforce.com/b/visionsource-drscoleandcooper">Drs. Cooper &amp; Banninger, LLC Family Vision Care</a>&nbsp;(1000 E. Cloud). Call&nbsp;(785) 823-6391&nbsp;or visit today, to make an appointment.

“The African Children’s Choir proves just how powerful music can be,” said Choir Manager, Tina Sipp. “These concerts not only provide hope and encouragement to our audiences, but they offer the children life-changing experiences that help shape them into future leaders.”

Throughout the tour, Tamale shared feedback and comments from people who have watched the choir perform at their churches across the US.

"People come to us and say, how are you able to be on stage with so much joy and yet, you are coming from such hardships? So, they get to learn it's not just about having everything that gives you the joy and happiness, it's the peace of mind that comes with gratitude and appreciation for the little that you have," said Tamale. "Many people come and say, if only our children could understand how blessed they are and how much they have. They will also say, they have been touched, they have learned from our culture, but above all they having understood that joy and happiness is not just about materialistic things."

Ever since the inauguration of the choir, over 59,000 children have benefitted from being apart of the African Children's Choir. Those children range from Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Rwanda.

“At the end of the day, all the credit goes to God and of course we are forever grateful for everyone that pitches in, with whatever kind of support they give, because God does use people," stated Tamale.

Local families host the children in their homes, where they are able to share and learn about new customs, food and culture. 

There is no charge for admission, and their concerts are free and open to the public. 

Donations are welcome throughout the concerts and you can also donate on their website.

All proceeds go towards the different Music for Life programs, the children's medical care, discipleship training, and above all their education.

For more information or to donate, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://africanchildrenschoir.com/">africanchildrenschoir.com</a>

- Sunday, November 23, 2025 || 8:15, 9:45, 11:15 AM || The Ark Church Salina 2020 S. Ohio St.&nbsp;

- Sunday, November 23, 2025 || 7:00 PM || First Covenant Church 2625 E. Magnolia Rd.

- Friday, November 28, 2025 || 7:00 PM || Salina First United Methodist 122 N. Eighth St.

🎥 Salina Sees You: African Children's Choir set to perform in Salina 

Starting next year, the City of Salina General Services staff members will be conducting a courtesy curbside leaf pickup.

According to the City, from January 5th to February 27th, 2026, (weather permitting). The City will&nbsp;collect all leaves set out by the public this season.

It is important to note, the City will NOT pick up any leaves that are places in alleys, private streets, commercial properties and any leaves that are mixed in with debris.&nbsp;

Tree limbs and branches will NOT collected either.

Here is a list of the participant guidelines the community is encouraged to do:

- Rake and pile leaves between the curb and sidewalk. If no sidewalk exists, pile leaves directly behind the curb. Staff will not be picking up bags nor collecting leaves in the alleys, on private streets, or commercial properties.

- Leaf piles will not be collected if mixed with other debris. Tree limbs and branches will not be collected.

- Don’t rake or blow leaves into the street as this can be a hazard to traffic and is a violation of City Code. Additionally, placing leaves in the street may cause problems for our storm drainage systems.

- Don’t park vehicles directly in front of or behind leaf piles, as this makes collection more difficult for our crew.

- Have your leaves ready for collection on the first day of the schedule for your respective zone.

- There will only be one round of curbside leaf collection in each zone; however, customers may call in to report locations if they feel they may have been missed by the leaf collection crew or when weather conditions or late leaf deposits require additional collection.

List of dates and locations the leaf pickup will occur:

The City of Salina plans on conducting a courtesy curbside leaf pickup beginning 2026

The City of Salina has recently announced of installing yielding sings for bike riders.

The signs say "Begin Right Turn Lane Yield to Bikes" and have been installed so far at two locations:&nbsp;

Eastbound Iron Avenue, west of Ohio Street, and southbound Santa Fe Avenue, north of Crawford Street.

According to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), these signs are optional at sites where motor vehicles enter a mandatory right-turn lane and must merge across bicycle lanes.

According to the City, the purpose for these signs are aimed to enhance awareness and understanding of bike lane markings on roadways.

New yielding signs for bike riders installed at two locations in Salina

ABILENE - With the US Federal Government officially reopening on Wednesday, there is still no clear answer on when the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library &amp; Museum will open back up its doors to the community.

According to the Abilene Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau, there has been no confirmation made on when the library &amp; museum will reopen.&nbsp;

Whenever you visit the website, a notification pops-up stating:

"The National Archives staff are working to restore full operations as quickly as possible. Our facilities around the country, including the Presidential libraries, will open to the public as soon as they are ready. Please check <a href="http://archives.gov">archives.gov</a> for updates on the status of specific locations."

According to the <a href="https://www.archives.gov/presidential-libraries/about/frequently-asked-questions#:~:text=A%20Presidential%20Library%20is%20constructed,Library%20and%20supporting%20its%20programs.">National Archives</a>, a presidential library (such as the&nbsp;Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library &amp; Museum) receives federal funding&nbsp;for its operation, maintenance, and upkeep as it is a part of the <a href="https://www.archives.gov/">National Archives and Records Administration </a>(NARA) system.

However, the construction of the library was funded through private donations and public programs, and exhibits rely on financial support from the private&nbsp;<a href="https://eisenhowerfoundation.net/">Eisenhower Foundation</a>&nbsp;and other non-federal sources.&nbsp;

These private foundations also provide continuing support for library programs and special events, such as conferences and exhibitions.

Salina Post will provide updates on when the&nbsp;Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library &amp; Museum, will officially reopen.

No confirmation yet on Eisenhower Library & Museum reopening after end of record-long Gov. shutdown

Law enforcement are currently investigating an act where gunshots were reportedly fired at a south Salina neighborhood.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) at around 2:45 am on Thursday, there were reports of 3-5 gunshots that were fired in the&nbsp;1300 block of Midland.

A vehicle was then heard driving away&nbsp;simultaneously after the gunshots.&nbsp;

When officers arrived to the scene, they found evidence of shell casings along the street of the neighborhood.&nbsp;

There were no reports of damage or any injuries that occurred.

SPD stated there is no description of the vehicle that drove away from the scene at this time.

Law enforcement investigating gunshots fired at south Salina neighborhood

SALINE COUNTY - A juvenile was hospitalized after being in a UTV, rollover crash in Saline County.

According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday late afternoon, deputies were dispatched to the 2700 block of S. Donmyer Road for the report of a rollover crash.

Upon arrival, deputies reported there was two juvenile males that were traveling north in the 2700 block of S. Donmyer Road in a Kubota RTV520 UTV. When the crash happened, the UTV rolled and came to rest on the passenger side.

After the crash, the passenger who was a juvenile called his father and he responded to the scene. His father then initially was taking his son to Salina Regional Health Center for injuries he sustained. Salina EMS then met his father and his son in the 6400 block of Magnolia Road, transporting him to the hospital.

Due to the juvenile driver's age, traffic citations were not issued.

UTV rollover crash results in juvenile hospitalized

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.

*No image available for Bobo, Darren Jamel*

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Distribute opiate, opium, narcotic, certain stimulant; 100 grams - &lt; 1 kilogram; Poss para w/intent to manuf contr subst; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Crim poss weapon by a convicted felon; Taxation; Drugs; No drug tax stamp for marijuana or cont substance

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Probation Violation; Failure to appear; Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Failure to appear; Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human body; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;DUI; 1st conv; drugs or combination of drugs; Poss of marijuana; Speeding; maximum limits

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

NAME:&nbsp;Thompson, Curtis Howard

NAME:&nbsp;Wright, Dennis Lamar Maurice

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Assault; Domestic Battery: rude physical contact

Saline County Jail bookings, November 13

MITCHELL COUNTY —Two people were injured in a home explosion on Wednesday in Mitchell County.

Just before 6:30pm, the Mitchell County Communication Center received calls of a house explosion had occurred at the corner of Elkhorn Street and Wisconsin Street in Simpson, Kansas, according to a media release from the Mitchell County Sheriff.

Emergency personnel responded to the scene and located two adult victims with severe injuries. Both victims were transported to the Mitchell County Health Hospital Systems ER initially. The victims were then flown to higher level of care hospitals. 

The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted and responded to the scene.&nbsp;

Sheriff: 2 critically injured in Kansas home explosion

A great opportunity is available for the community to ask questions to Kansas political figures in an informative meeting.

On Tuesday, November 18,&nbsp;7:00 pm at Knights of Columbus (115 N. Tenth St.) this event will feature Ty Masterson, President of the Kansas Senate and Dan Hawkins, Kansas Speaker of the House.

According to Rosemary Mai of the Granny Brigade, Masterson and Hawkins will be reporting about the "goings-on" that are happening within the state government.

People in attendance are encouraged to ask questions and are anticipated to receive answers from Masterson and/or Hawkins.

Ty Masterson & Dan Hawkins coming to Granny Brigade meeting to report about the "goings-on" within the state government

The Trap and Release program at the Salina Animal Services is a great way to maintain public health, manage cat colonies, address nuisance behaviors, protect against wildlife and improve community engagement by volunteering.

According to Andrea Born, Animal Services Operations Manager, every 3rd Thursday is the trap and release day.&nbsp; The&nbsp;shelter takes in public dogs, but not public cats.

Instead, they receive "Community Cats," which are&nbsp;free roaming, unowned cats who are managed by Salina Animal Services to control the cat population, improve health and welfare, as well as decrease the shelter intake.

Cats are trapped safely, usually the night before Thursday and are brought in from community members as they can borrow traps from the shelter too.&nbsp;

The shelter will then&nbsp;Spay or neuter, give a 1-year rabies vaccine and ear tip the cat. People who brought them in will then pick up the cat, and safely return them to the same location they picked them up to prevent repopulation.

There are some stipulations such as, if the temperatures are under 30 degrees overnight from Wednesday into Thursday morning, the shelter will cancel the trap and release day and wait till the next month. This is due to keeping the cats safe from being in the traps during below freezing temperatures.

The shelter has vaccinated and sterilized a total of 162 cats so far this year.

For more information, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salina-ks.gov/animal-services">https://www.salina-ks.gov/animal-services</a>

Trap and Release volunteer program at Salina Animal Services: What to know

Here is the lineup for the Saturday Morning Show with Dave Foor &amp; Nicolas Fierro on&nbsp;910 AM/107.5 FM KINA for&nbsp;November 15:

- Rev. Shay Craig, Dean of Christ&nbsp;Episcopal&nbsp;Cathedral in Salina

- Daniel Craig, Salina Crossroads Marathon

- Amanda Otto, Big Brothers Big Sisters "Frosty Fun Run"

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 lineup with Dave Foor & Nicolas Fierro, November 15

<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>

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>.

Four day weather forecast Salina, November 12 - November 14

Four day weather forecast Salina, November 10 - November 12

Four day weather forecast Salina, November 7 - November 10

Three day weather forecast Salina, November 5 - November 7

Three day weather forecast Salina, November 3 - November 5

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 31 - November 2

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 29 - October 31

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 27 - October 29

Four day weather forecast Salina, October 24 - October 27

The US National Weather Service has announced events of showers and thunderstorms are expected to return this weekend in Salina and throughout Central Kansas.

Accordingly, showers and thunderstorms will overspread the area starting Thursday night, with the greatest coverage in southern Kansas. Temperatures will drop into the upper 40s and 50s throughout the area.

Forecast depicts that showers and thunderstorms are likely to occur throughout the span of this weekend, and into Monday, October 27.

Showers and thunderstorms expected to return to Salina this weekend

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Blue Origin launched its huge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blue-origin-new-glenn-rocket-jeff-bezos-2466fb0e114a09d88a46f71a1e647d50">New Glenn rocket</a>&nbsp;Thursday with a pair of NASA spacecraft&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mars-nasa-perseverance-rover-rock-life-4e608d530be598c1a7af959d97eb88d8">destined for Mars</a>.

It was only the second flight of the rocket that Jeff Bezos’ company and NASA are counting on to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blue-origin-bezos-moon-lunar-lander-nasa-5b61a0b44f582e70aa8d361fb0b161c6">get people and supplies to the moon.</a>

The 321-foot (98-meter) New Glenn blasted into the afternoon sky from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, sending NASA’s twin Mars orbiters on a drawn-out journey to the red planet. Liftoff was stalled four days by lousy local weather as well as solar storms strong enough to paint the skies with auroras as far south as Florida.

In a remarkable first, Blue Origin recovered the booster following its separation from the upper stage and the Mars orbiters, an essential step to recycle and slash costs similar to SpaceX. Company employees cheered wildly as the booster landed upright on a barge 375 miles (600 kilometers) offshore. An ecstatic Bezos watched the action from Launch Control.

“Next stop, moon!” company employees chanted following the successful booster landing.

New Glenn’s inaugural test flight in January delivered a prototype satellite to orbit, but failed to land the booster on its floating platform in the Atlantic.

The identical Mars orbiters, named Escapade, will spend a year hanging out near Earth, stationing themselves 1 million miles (1.5 million kilometers) away. Once Earth and Mars are properly aligned next fall, the duo will get a gravity assist from Earth to head to the red planet, arriving in 2027.

Once around Mars, the spacecraft will map the planet’s upper atmosphere and scattered magnetic fields, studying how these realms interact with the solar wind. The observations should shed light on the processes behind the escaping Martian atmosphere, helping to explain how the planet went from wet and warm to dry and dusty. Scientists will also learn how best to protect astronauts against Mars' harsh radiation environment.

“We really, really want to understand the interaction of the solar wind with Mars better than we do now,” Escapade’s lead scientist, Rob Lillis of the University of California, Berkeley, said ahead of the launch. “Escapade is going to bring an unprecedented stereo viewpoint because we’re going to have two spacecraft at the same time.”

It’s a relatively low-budget mission, coming in under $80 million, that's managed and operated by UC Berkeley. NASA saved money by signing up for one of New Glenn’s early flights. The Mars orbiters should have blasted off last fall, but NASA passed up that ideal launch window — Earth and Mars line up for a quick transit just every two years — because of feared delays with Blue Origin's brand-new rocket.

Named after John Glenn,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/john-glenn-honored-with-launch-of-space-station-supply-ship-c9d6fdad2031486ba09c80024bb5a5a7">the first American to orbit the world</a>, New Glenn is five times bigger than the New Shepard rockets sending wealthy clients to the edge of space from West Texas. Blue Origin plans to launch a prototype Blue Moon lunar lander on a demo mission in the coming months aboard New Glenn.

Created in 2000 by Bezos, Amazon's founder, Blue Origin already holds a NASA contract for the third moon landing by astronauts under the Artemis program. Elon Musk’s SpaceX beat out Blue Origin for the first and second crew landings, using Starships, nearly 100 feet (30 meters) taller than Bezos' New Glenn.

But last month NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy reopened the contract for the first crewed moon landing, citing concern over the pace of Starship’s progress in flight tests from Texas. Blue Origin as well as SpaceX have presented accelerated landing plans.

NASA is on track to send astronauts around the moon early next year using its own Space Launch System, or SLS, rocket. The next Artemis crew would attempt to land; the space agency is pressing to get astronauts back on the lunar surface by decade’s end in order to beat China.

Twelve astronauts walked on the moon more than a half-century ago during NASA's Apollo program.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

🎥Blue Origin launches huge rocket carrying twin NASA spacecraft to Mars

Wichita Police reported just before 3p.m. Thursday,&nbsp;Curtis Vine returned home and is safe.

SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp;– The Wichita Police Department requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Wichita man.

The whereabouts of 68-year-old Curtis Vines are unknown, and public assistance is requested to help locate him.

Vines was last seen Wednesday, Nov. 12, at around 9:45 a.m., in the 6000 block of East Ironhorse. He does not have access to a vehicle and is believed to be on foot.

Vines is a white male who is 6 feet tall and weighs around 175 pounds. He has blue eyes and brown hair, and was last seen wearing a gray t-shirt and blue jeans.

Vines has dementia, and family members are concerned about his safety.&nbsp;

If you see Curtis Vines, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, please call the Wichita Police Department at (316)-268-4111.

Police: Silver Alert canceled, missing Kan. man is safe

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rio-yamat">RIO YAMAT</a>

America’s aviation system is straining under the weight of the longest government shutdown on record:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flight-cancellations-faa-government-shutdown-2535828689edac07e693c2e54a2f5f16">thousands of flight cancellations</a>, long delays at major airports and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flight-cancellations-what-to-expect-986ef2236e545fa32253b4e4bc7621e9">frustrated travelers</a>&nbsp;nationwide.

In an unprecedented move, the Federal Aviation Administration last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-airlines-faa-e39c423facec2b0dcc2544af48de0fa1">ordered airlines to scale back</a>&nbsp;domestic flight schedules, saying the cuts are meant to ease pressure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-government-shutdown-travel-aviation-flight-delays-211022120bf96ab95dc6861ca5a7e32d">on an overstretched system</a>&nbsp;and help manage air traffic control staffing.

Unpaid for more than a month, some air traffic controllers begun calling out of work, citing stress and the need to take on second jobs — leaving more control towers and facilities short-staffed.

The numbers show the shutdown’s toll on air travel:

Major U.S. airports where all commercial airlines have been required to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flight-cuts-government-shutdown-airlines-c21ffa6c3d55e3d2fe7f53702112727b">cancel flights since Nov. 7</a>&nbsp;under the FAA’s orders. The list spans more than two dozen states and includes large hubs such as New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Airports on the FAA’s list of 40 where the agency also prohibited business jets and many private flights from landing.

The initial reduction in flight schedules ordered by the FAA.

The current flight reduction rate that the FAA says it is keeping in place instead of requiring airlines to make a 10% cut by Friday, as originally planned. The head of the agency and the U.S. transportation secretary on Wednesday cited improved controller staffing following news of a pending deal to end the shutdown.

Daily passengers who use the 40 airports where flights have been reduced, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Passengers who have been affected by staffing-related delays or cancellations since the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;began on Oct. 1, according to Airlines for America. The industry trade group represents Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue.

Flights canceled between Nov. 7, the first day of the FAA-required cuts, and Wednesday evening, according to the flight tracking site FlightAware.

The average number of air traffic control facilities where the FAA warned of potential&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flight-delays-cancellations-government-shutdown-5034216cb5bb41bd40e27bb7861b2dd3">staffing issues</a>&nbsp;during the six weekends since the shutdown began. That is almost four times the number on weekends this year before the shutdown, according to an Associated Press analysis of operations plans sent through the Air Traffic Control System Command Center system.

How much President Donald Trump suggested air traffic controllers should receive as a bonus if they didn’t miss any days of work during the shutdown. Trump also threatened docking pay for those who haven’t stayed on the job.

Associated Press journalist Christopher L. Keller contributed from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

By the Numbers: Government shutdown's toll on air travel in the US

HARVEY COUNTY —On Wednesday, Harvey County Chief Judge Wilder sentenced 54-year-old Shyla McFrederic of Sedgwick, Kansa for Distribution of Methamphetamine, a severity level 1 drug felony, according to the Harvey County Attorney's office.

The case originated from McFrederick’s arrest in Sedgwick, Kansas, on April 19, 2024, when she was found in possession of 111 grams of methamphetamine, 22 grams of psilocybin, 94 grams of marijuana, and four fentanyl tablets.

Under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines, McFrederick faced a presumptive prison term of 138 to 154 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections. Harvey County Attorney Heather Figger requested that the Court impose a 146-month prison sentence, emphasizing that the State had already exercised leniency by dismissing seven felony and five misdemeanor charges across three separate criminal cases as part of the plea agreement.

County Attorney Figger also urged the Court to consider the devastating impact that the distribution of these substances has on the Harvey County community. Counsel for McFrederick requested a downward departure to probation.

In ruling on the matter, Chief Judge Wilder noted that the case involved “the highest level drug felony that exists and that is only for the methamphetamine you possessed and not the other drugs.”

During sentencing, the Court cited a substance use evaluation completed by McFrederick in September 2025, which indicated that she still was not accepting responsibility for her crimes. The Court also noted that McFrederick’s no contest plea was not an acceptance of responsibility.

After consideration, Chief Judge Wilder granted a durational departure, sentencing McFrederick to 60 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections. The Court based this reduced sentence on McFrederick’s decision to waive her preliminary hearing and enter a plea—thereby saving the State the expense of further proceedings—and some limited acceptance of responsibility demonstrated by the actions she had taken to improve herself.

Kansas drug dealer gets plea deal after caught with meth, fentanyl pills

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

LAWRENCE — Government, university and community leaders commemorated the opening Wednesday of a state-of-the-art convention center at the University of Kansas, which is equipped with amenities meant to draw thousands of annual visitors and generate revenue to pay off the university’s large-scale development project.

More than 100 people milled about the center’s grand entrance hall and conference rooms to hear Gov. Laura Kelly, university chancellor Douglas Girod and three others praise the teamwork and vision behind the University of Kansas Conference Center. They predicted a future of economic and community prosperity before cutting a ceremonious red ribbon held by the university’s mascots, Big Jay and Baby Jay.

The center is part of the project to revamp the school’s football stadium and northern campus entrance to create the Gateway District. The project could cost up to $808 million, and it relies heavily on state and local incentives, along with funding from the Republican-led Kansas Legislature and private donors to subsidize development.

The conference center is expected to be among the first steps in producing a return on those public and private investments.

“Not only will this facility benefit the greater Lawrence community, but it will also attract out-of-state visitors, spurring significant economic activity,” said Kelly, a Democrat. “Today marks a major step towards completion of the first phase of the university’s Gateway District project.”

The 55,000-square-foot center is the first of its kind in Douglas County. Kelly said the conference center has “required an intense collaborative effort.”

It is adjoined to the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, and the center’s visitors can access a patio that puts them at eye-level with players and coaches. Conference center users can also access stadium amenities, including the digital scoreboard, meeting rooms and various offices, said Girod.

The university envisions galas, weddings, conventions, trade shows and other large social events as potential uses for the center, said Girod. Event bookings already stretch into 2027, he said.

“As a result of this design, it really positions us to host all kinds of events, bringing out-of-town visitors into our community,” Girod said, “and that’s really what it’s all about at the end of the day, to generate additional economic activity to the city, county, state and beyond.”

Girod said he hopes the new center will attract events from around the world. An estimated 400,000 people visit Lawrence annually. KU’s Rock Chalk Park soccer complex on the western edge of the city is currently under consideration for hosting a team base camp for the 2026 World Cup.

The conference center isn’t a typical one, in large part because of its location, Girod said.

“Right in the heart of Lawrence, right at the foot of the hill, right at the base of campus, right at the gateway of our campus, and, of course, as part of our stadium,” he said.

The Legislature allocated $35 million to the project in 2022 from American Rescue Plan Act funds. It received $50 million in grant funding in 2023 from the Kansas Department of Commerce, which required a three-to-one match of private funds. The city of Lawrence approved in August a $95 million package of incentives, including the city’s first Sales Tax and Revenue, or STAR, bonds, which allow the city to finance the project with nearly $86 million in bonds. Once built, the development’s revenues and sales taxes will pay off the bonds.

Now that phase 1 is complete, the roughly $300 million phase 2 is expected to begin once KU’s football season ends, said Girod.

The second phase is expected to begin with renovations to the east side of the football stadium and construction of a parking garage and a 150-room hotel. A roughly 440-bed student housing complex, outdoor event plaza and retail, restaurant and office space are expected to follow, extending use of the area beyond football season.

Nearly 1 million people are predicted to visit the Gateway District annually once the project is complete in 2030, according to a feasibility study submitted to the city of Lawrence. Developers expect the district to produce a net economic output of $84.9 million and more than 1,600 full-time jobs.

“Today marks a shift in what is possible in Lawrence,” said Kim Anspach, the executive director of Explore Lawrence, the city’s tourism arm.

Capacity often restricted the city’s ability to host and grow events, she said. The center helps create a “steady rhythm of activity,” which helps support the year-round stability of the local economy.

The center is not a one-time boost, Anspach said; it’s a foundation.

KU convention center opens, capping phase 1 of $800M stadium expansion, redevelopment

FINNEY COUNTY —On Wednesday, during morning drop-off at Garfield Early Childhood Center, 121 West Walnut, a pedestrian accident occurred, resulting in a student being transported to the hospital with minor injuries. 

First responders arrived at the scene following reports of the incident. The investigation determined that a pickup truck driven by 56-year-old Jose Perez Castrellon, 56, was traveling southbound on 8th Street. As he turned left onto Walnut Street, Perez Castrellon failed to yield and struck the student, who was crossing in the crosswalk with their parent. 

Finney County EMS transported the student to St. Catherine Hospital for treatment and they are "on the mend," according to police.

Perez Castrellon was found to be driving with a suspended license. He was taken to the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Driving While Suspended (2nd) and cited for Failure to Yield to Pedestrians. He has as many as 4 previous DUI convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Pickup driver who struck SW Kan. student in crosswalk has history of DUI

WASHINGTON (AP) —What's in the bill to end the government shutdown?

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