The family of the late Riley Dean Faris, is questioning why no criminal charges were placed on an individual involved in the crash that took away his life.

Riley Faris passed away at age 30 on&nbsp;October 17, 2025 after riding his motorcycle, when he was hit from behind on a Brookville road. The crash happened at approximately 6:53 pm on K-140 Highway at Perry Street. Faris was headed westbound when a 2003 Subaru Forester operated by Kiley Barnett (39) from Kanopolis, hit him from behind.&nbsp;

Barnett was booked into the Saline County Jail that same night with requested charges of No Proof of Insurance, Driving While Suspended (DWS) and Following Too Close. She was then released.

According to Kansas Court records, Barnett has 40 traffic violations.

Colton Faris, brother of Riley <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DZBboGCVw/">made a Facebook video on February 3, 2026</a>&nbsp;discussing a conversation he had with Saline County Attorney, John Reynolds.

Colton stated his mother got in contact via phone with Reynolds and wondered why they have not received an accident report after five months since the incident.&nbsp;During the phonecall, Colton said Reynolds explained to his mother the charges placed on Barnett and further said "that is just what happens when you ride a motorcycle."

Colton then called Reynolds on why he made the comment. According to Colton, Reynolds described to him that he thinks there was no evidence to place any sort of murder or involuntary manslaughter charge on Barnett.

"He (Reynolds) said, yes she killed him but it was not criminal. I don't understand that when you don't have a license, you are not supposed to be driving and when you don't have insurance, which is required to drive a car, how killing him is not a criminal offense," said Colton Faris on the video.

Reynolds told Salina Post he did not make explicitly make the comment of "that is just what happens when you ride a motorcycle," but instead was "taken out of context."

He said the context was he explained how "when cars and motorcycles collide, it always ends up bad for the motorcyclist."

Saline County Sheriff's Office on accident report

The Saline County Sheriff's Office told Salina Post why the Faris family received the accident report 5 months later.

According to the Sheriff's Office, reports are available through the <a href="https://www.dol.ks.gov/labor-relations/kansas-open-records-act-kora">Kansas Open Records Act</a>, but with fluid cases (evolving) and cases with the potential to result in criminal charges without a criminal court disposition, are two of the several exemptions to the act.

In this case, the law enforcement agency did not have a court disposition, or any information if criminal charges were not going to be filed by the County Attorney until the week of Feb. 2 - 6, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office wanted to confirm there were not going to be criminal charges filed prior to releasing a narrative report that could potentially interfere with criminal prosecution. 

Once this was learned, the Sheriff's Office encouraged the Faris family to request the case again and the report was disseminated within 48 hours.

"We strive to provide the appropriate information at the appropriate time while adhering to the Kansas Open Records Act," said the Sheriff's Office.

Reynolds stated the charges placed on Barnett were "traffic violations" and not criminal charges.

Reynolds provided details on what happened in the accident.

According to Reynolds, there was a vehicle going southbound leaving Brookville and got onto K-140 westbound. He said the vehicle got right in front of Faris, which caused him to slow down. Barnett coming from behind was headed westbound and once she became aware of Faris slowing down, she had a "very narrowed reaction time, because she closed the gap between him and the vehicle in front," according to Reynolds.

Reynolds said Barnett tried to avoid colliding with Faris during this time.

"By the time she realizes what's going on, she goes to take evasive maneuvers to move over into the other lane to go around Faris," Reynolds said. "She almost missed him."

Reynolds further said he knew this happened, because he not only visited the accident scene, but also by determining the marks on the vehicles, roadway and review of law enforcement body cameras.

"There were two state troopers out there, they came to the same conclusion of the deputies and what I had," said Reynolds.

Additionally, Reynolds said Barnett should have been farther back before the crash. He placed the Following Too Close charge, because the crash resulted in a fatality.&nbsp;

He also said Faris was not wearing a helmet.

For Barnett to have been placed a requested charge of Involuntary Manslaughter, Reynolds stated the following would need to include:&nbsp;

- Killing someone while committing or attempting to commit a felony.   

- During to commission of an unlawful act in an unlawful manner; Or in attempting to commit, or in flight from, an act described in KSA 8-1567.

"I did not see any of these elements in the affidavit filed in this case," said Reynolds.

Petition started to demand felony charges and removal County Attorney

The cousin of the late Riley Faris, started a <a href="https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-riley-demand-felony-charges-and-removal-of-saline-county-attorney-j-reynolds">petition</a> titled "JUSTICE FOR RILEY: Demand Felony Charges and Removal of Saline County Attorney J. Reynolds."

Stated in the petition, the writer brought up Kansas statutes for upgraded charges on Barnett.

"The charges against Kiley Barnett be upgraded to the highest extent of the law. Under&nbsp;K.S.A. 21-5403, a killing committed unintentionally but recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life is Second-Degree Murder.&nbsp;At a minimum, this must be prosecuted as Involuntary Manslaughter&nbsp;(K.S.A. 21-5405), a Level 5 Person Felony."

Furthermore, it stated Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct for the removal of Reynolds.

The petition currently has over 4,000 signatures.

Barnett is scheduled to appear in court for a status conference on March 25. 

The Saline County court will determine to either take the Barnett case to trial on if she will be convicted for DWS, No Proof of Insurance and Following Too Close.

🎥 Family of late motorcyclist speaks after fatal crash, no criminal charges on individual involved

The KidWind Challenge has shared a full list of all the Kansas schools competing in the state competition.

The first competition occurred in Dodge City on Tuesday and the next one will be held in Colby on Thursday, February 12.

The state finals are set to take place in Salina on April 11.

Read more:<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/81db6ae8-4675-4ec6-b29e-41150da28115"> KidWind Challenge has begun with record number of teams competing throughout Kansas, state finals in Salina</a>

Below you will find the full list of Kansas schools competing:

Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School (USD 383)

Nemaha Central Elementary/Middle School (USD 115)

Olathe West High School - Green Tech Academy (USD 233)

Shawnee Mission South High School (USD 512)

Uniontown Junior High and High School (USD 235)

White City Elementary/High School (USD 481)

More information about KidWind is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kcc.ks.gov%2Fenergy-education%2Fkidwind%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019c4486183a-1178de64-c7c4-4d9b-bdf7-7eb5471da49a-000000/5TBULwuSnAncO9zJHBDhW_aMyFMHRvq7A7cRaA994HU=443">https://www.kcc.ks.gov/energy-education/kidwind</a>.

List of Kansas schools competing in 2026 KidWind Challenge, state finals in Salina

<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>.

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 11 - February 13

Following is recent booking activity for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salinecountyks.gov/Sheriff-Office/Online-search/Booking-Activities">Saline County Jail</a>, 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;Assault; Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose felony warrant; Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Probation Violation; Driving While Suspended

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

NAME:&nbsp;Magenheimer,Maredith Ann

REQUESTED CHARGE: Failure to appear

NAME:&nbsp;Ruffin,Marquez Dayqwaun

REQUESTED CHARGE: Probation Violation

Saline County Jail Bookings, February 11

After a year’s hiatus, a special retreat designed to help children navigate the world of grief is back.

The Healing Kids’ Hearts Retreat has a new sponsor and will be held in a new location. But organizers say its purpose remains the same—to offer children who have suffered the loss of someone close to them a safe place where they can ask questions, express their emotions, and connect with other children going through the same thing.

This year’s retreat will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center, 2510 Canterbury Dr.&nbsp;

Parents must register their children by&nbsp;Sunday, March 1.&nbsp;Families may call Jordan at (785) 623-6200, and a registration form will be mailed to them, she said.

The free retreat is designed for children ages 7 through 12 and will include lunch, said Myrna Jordan with Hospice of HaysMed, the new sponsor.

The day will include crafts, games, and other activities. Each child will be assigned a specially trained adult “buddy” for the day.

Doris Schmidt of Victoria, who helped organize the first retreat in 2015, said the event began after a grief support group called Healing Hearts was established in Ellis County to help families who had lost a child.

“This group brought together mothers, fathers, siblings, and grandparents, allowing them to share stories of their beloved child who had passed away. These families, united by grief, sought to support one another through the sharing of experience of their loss.&nbsp;

&nbsp;“Discussion many times was about the feelings the child’s siblings had. How could we create a space where children could express their emotions, ask questions, and connect with other children who were going through the same thing?” Schmidt recalled.

A task force was created, and soon the first retreat took form. 

“The retreat would provide healing activities and guided conversation with a caring adult. Each child has an adult buddy with them to listen when they talk about their loss because so often the children don’t want to talk to mom or dad because they may make them cry.” The kids have already seen their parents cry a lot.

The retreat “quickly gained support from various community organizations, excited to help with the funding to help the children find healing,” Schmidt said.

That community support is still there, which is one reason the retreat has never charged families any registration fees through the years, Schmidt said.

In 2015, that first year, 17 children attended the retreat. Organizers now put a cap on enrollment at 20 children. These can be children who have lost a sibling, parent, grandparent, teacher, or close friend. Children who have attended previous retreat are welcome to attend again, as long as they fall within the 7-to-12 age range, organizers said.

One “adult buddy” recalled that the last time the retreat was held in 2024, the children made memorial stepping-stones to honor their lost loved ones.

One little boy asked if he could make some additional stones. When the “buddy” asked him why, the little boy replied that Grandpa had died, but his grave didn’t yet have a marker. There just hadn’t been enough money to pay for one, the little boy said.

The child wanted additional stones to make a marker for his grandpa’s grave. He got them, and the “adult buddy,” a senior citizen, got a big hug.

Healing Kids' Hearts designs retreat to help children deal with grief

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

Salina Post understands the importance of honoring the deceased and welcomes all submissions of obituaries with a full summary of their life, survivors, services, website of the funeral home and a photo.

Salina Post accepts all obituaries&nbsp;free of charge&nbsp;and you can email all obituaries:&nbsp;<a href="https://newstips@salinapost.com/">newstips@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>&nbsp;and will be posted on the website within 24 business hours.

If you have an issue outside of business hours, if your obituary has not been published within 24 business hours, or if have any questions, please email:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://newstips@salinapost.com/">newstips@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>

Recent obituaries and service times, how to submit an obituary

High School Sports LIVE STREAMS

This weekend (Feb. 14 - Feb. 15, 2026) marks the&nbsp;final opportunity&nbsp;to donate to the Souper Bowl of Hope, supporting six local agencies that serve our community: Salina Grace, DVACK, Salina Rescue Mission, The Ashby House, The Salvation Army, and the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank.

To date, volunteers have collected&nbsp;6,165 cans of soup&nbsp;and&nbsp;$3,555.23 in cash donations. All soup donations are being distributed directly to the six agencies listed above. Cash donations will be held and made available later in the year so agencies can purchase soup as needs arise.

The goal is to collect&nbsp;60,000 cans&nbsp;in honor of the&nbsp;60th Super Bowl. Based on current cash donations, an additional&nbsp;5,925 cans&nbsp;can be purchased—bringing our total to&nbsp;12,090 cans so far.&nbsp;

According to Project Salina at the end of the collection period, all six partner agencies are invited to take as many cans of soup as they need or as their warehouse space allows. If an agency does not need soup at that time or does not have storage capacity, the cash donations collected will be used to purchase soup for that agency later—when they need it.

Additionally, individuals and families in need can access the soup by utilizing services provided by the above listed partner agencies. Food is not distributed directly, but through the agencies that are already serving people in need in the community, according to Project Salina.

Volunteers will be at all three Dillons locations:

- Saturday, February 14:&nbsp;10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

- Sunday, February 15:&nbsp;1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

If you miss the volunteers, donations can still be made in the following ways:

- Mail checks&nbsp;(payable to&nbsp;Souper Bowl of Hope) to: Souper Bowl of Hope,&nbsp;PO Box 2861, Salina, KS 67402-2861. 

- Drop off cash or check donations&nbsp;at Central National Bank, 454 S. Ohio (by Water’s True Value).&nbsp;Please place donations in an envelope marked&nbsp;“Kristina Litchman, Souper Bowl”&nbsp;and include the name of the business or individual making the donation so proper credit can be given. Donations may be dropped off via drive-through or inside the bank.

The Souper Bowl of Hope and Project Salina are separate from Food Bank–hosted events. While the Food Bank does receive a portion of the donated food, it is&nbsp;not&nbsp;the coordinator of these drives and is&nbsp;not&nbsp;the sole recipient of soup or cash donations. The Project Salina Board organizes and manages these efforts.

The Food Bank is&nbsp;not a drop-off location&nbsp;for Souper Bowl of Hope or Project Salina donations. Bringing soup or cash directly to the Food Bank disrupts their daily operations and client meetings.

If you have any questions about the Souper Bowl of Hope, send an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:souperbowlhopesalina@gmail.com">souperbowlhopesalina@gmail.com</a>

Can donations still needed for Souper Bowl of Hope to reach 60k goal, approaching last weekend 

Field maintenance is one of Kansas agriculture's most constant needs, and a new professional training through&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://salina.ksu.edu/">Kansas State University Salina</a>&nbsp;— the premier drone educator in the region — will help agricultural producers learn how to use drone protect plants, manage weeds and pests and boost yields.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1D85KP7MCZ/">Go to the Salina Post Facebook page to see visuals of drone training.</a>

With K-State Salina's new professional training on aerial applications and regulations with Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), farmers can acquire skills that will save them both time and money in their agricultural operations.

The campus is providing two options —&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://reg.learningstream.com/view/cal4a.aspx?ek=&amp;ref=&amp;aa=&amp;sid1=&amp;sid2=&amp;as=38&amp;wp=378&amp;tz=&amp;ms=&amp;nav=&amp;cc=&amp;cat1=&amp;cat2=&amp;cat3=&amp;aid=KSU-S&amp;rf=&amp;pn=">March 9-10 or May 28-29</a>&nbsp;— for the two-day training.

As a part of the training, attendees will gain hands-on experience in everything from drone setup and maintenance to the preflight inspection process and compass and flowmeter calibration, (preflight inspection, ensures the aircraft is airworthy and ready to operate and flowmeter calibration teaches attendees to read/monitor spraying readings while operating the drone).

Also included will be instruction from K-State Salina’s expert drone educators in mastering both manual and automated spray missions using multiple spray types, which equips users with the skills to excel in precision agriculture and aerial spraying operations.

Hunter Allison, a K-State Salina UAS flight instructor pilot who will be instructing the Aerial Applications and Regulations course, said the course will teach drone operators how to confidently plan and execute legally compliant aerial application operations while ensuring personal and aircraft safety.

"Not everybody can say that they spray with these ag drones or even drones in general," Allison said. "This course will instruct users to operate larger drones—some up to 400 pounds, if not bigger as the industry goes that direction. But you will be learning about the regulatory environment, going through the step-by-step process, as well as flying one of these drones as well."

Attendees are strongly encouraged to have a Remote Pilot Certificate or have completed the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/professional-education/uncrewed-training/part-107/">sUAS Commercial Remote Pilot Training program</a>&nbsp;through K-State Salina before enrolling. Those considering attending without the training are asked to contact&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/professional-education/">K-State Salina Professional Education and Outreach</a>&nbsp;for training options.

K-State Salina offers a wide-range of UAS training courses through its Professional Education and Outreach program&nbsp;that teams up with the campus’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/research-engagement/applied-aviation-research-center/">Applied Aviation Research Center</a>, or AARC. This collaboration provides drone expertise and instruction to professionals who can gain the skills to advance their careers and organization’s capabilities across the public safety, agriculture, engineering, utility and other industries.

AARC provides professional flight instructors, cutting-edge applied and unique flight instruction locations that make for elite UAS training opportunities. Courses are available to help prepare the training professionals for the Federal Aviation Administration knowledge exam, develop or enhance flight skills, and collect and process quality data and imagery. Many organizations and businesses across the country&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/professional-education/uncrewed-training/">have trusted K-State Salina’s UAS expertise</a>&nbsp;to help develop their drone capabilities.

Those interested in the professional training may learn more and register for one of the two course date options at the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/professional-education/uncrewed-training/aerial-application/">UAS Aerial Applications and Regulations</a>&nbsp;website.

🎥 Farmers can learn how to use drone spraying technology through K-State Salina professional training

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

*No image available for&nbsp;Clark,Christopher Michael (40)*

NAME:&nbsp;Clark,Christopher Michael

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Violation of protection order; Unknown circumstance

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

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

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving While Suspended; Driving while habitual violator; No Proof Of Insurance

NAME:&nbsp;Reavis,Alesha Valentina

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Theft of prop/services:Value less than $1,500; Theft of prop/services;Value $1,500 to $25,000

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs Unknown severity

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Violation of protection order (2); Unknown circumstance (2)

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

NAME:&nbsp;Vaughns,Courtney Lashay

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Criminal Damage to Property; Value Unknown; Domestic Battery: rude physical contact

Saline County Jail Bookings, February 10

Great opportunity for community members to learn how to play guitar and end with a group recital at the Stiefel Theatre.

Enroll now for eight-week group guitar classes at the Stiefel Theatre with classes beginning Monday, February 16, for complete beginners through experienced guitar players and continue every Monday through the April 13 recital, eight weeks of music.

· Beginner class is 4:00 pm -4:50 pm , with teacher Daryn Garman.

· “Monday Night Hootenanny” is the 5:00 pm -5:50 pm class for all levels with teacher Matt Gerry.

· Intermediate Guitar is 6:00 pm -6:50 pm , also taught by Matt Gerry.

Gerry is an award-winning guitar teacher who started the flourishing guitar program at South Middle School.

 Garman is a junior at South High and former student of Gerry. She began teaching beginner classes last year.

The Monday Night Hootenanny is an innovative format that Gerry started last year. Students receive chords and lyrics for familiar songs – oldies, popular songs, folk songs, songs that most people know – and class members play and sing the songs together in class. 

“You don’t have to be a good singer or a great guitar player – this is singing and playing for the joy of it,” says the Stiefel’s Music School manager, Ann Zimmerman, a Salina attorney who is also a singer-songwriter. “The atmosphere is very supportive for all ages and playing abilities.”

Students are asked to bring their own guitars – the Stiefel has guitars available for students without guitars.

The cost is $200 for each eight-week class.

Scholarships are available. The Stiefel urges adults and youth to seek scholarships if they do not have money to spare. Request a scholarship application by calling (785) 827-1998.

According to Mr. Gerry, “We want young and old to have the opportunity to enrich their lives through music, especially guitar playing.”

Jane Gates, Stiefel Theatre Executive Director, says “We want to foster a musical community in Salina. Great music is what the Stiefel is all about, and greatness can start with people taking guitar lessons.”

Individual lessons offered through the school include Hammond B-3 organ from Kansas Music Hall of Famer Paul Draper and classical guitar lessons from Kansas college guitar professor Howard Glanton. Piano, harmonica, ukulele, harmony singing, and songwriting classes are some of the other opportunities the school of music offers from time to time. Shortened classes and music “camps” are held in the summer; more classes will happen in the fall semester.

The Stiefel’s “Mike Finnigan School of Music” is named for the world-renowned player of the Hammond B-3 organ, Mike Finnigan, whose untimely death from cancer inspired his family to support the Stiefel’s school of music.&nbsp;

<a href="https://stiefeltheatre.org/school-of-music">Enroll now here</a>&nbsp;or by calling the Stiefel Theatre,&nbsp;(785) 827-1998.

Great opportunity: Learn to play guitar and end with group recital at Stiefel Theatre

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 9 - February 11

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 6 - February 8

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 4 - February 6

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 1 - February 3

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 30 - February 1

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 28 - January 30

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 26 - January 28

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 23 - January 25

Saline County Emergency Management&nbsp;

The National Weather Service in Wichita reports an&nbsp;Arctic outbreak and winter weather&nbsp;will impact Saline County&nbsp;beginning Friday and continuing through Monday morning, bringing&nbsp;dangerous cold, hazardous travel conditions, and&nbsp;accumulating snow.

Arctic air is expected to move into the area early Friday morning and persist through the weekend, with&nbsp;dangerous wind chills between -10°F and -20°F&nbsp;likely from Friday morning through Monday morning. The coldest conditions are expected during the overnight and early morning hours.

Snow&nbsp;is expected to begin late Friday afternoon or Friday evening and continue through Saturday night, with&nbsp;slick roads&nbsp;and&nbsp;hazardous travel&nbsp;possible. While higher snowfall totals are more likely south of Saline County, confidence is high that snow will affect the area.&nbsp;Travel impacts are expected&nbsp;due to&nbsp;reduced visibility, slick roads,&nbsp;and&nbsp;prolonged cold conditions.

A&nbsp;Winter Storm Watch&nbsp;remains in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday night, and an&nbsp;Extreme Cold Watch&nbsp;has been issued for the entire forecast area through Monday morning. Confidence is high in the timing and severity of the cold, with medium confidence in exact snowfall amounts due to potential shifts in the heaviest snow band.&nbsp;

<a href="https://files.constantcontact.com/55d47694801/2b6fb17f-1676-4697-ac6f-7c32ed6b5928.pdf?rdr=true">Click here to view the full packet of the upcoming severe weather</a>

Arctic outbreak & winter weather to impact Saline Co. Friday - Monday

NEW YORK (AP) — James Van Der Beek, a heartthrob who starred in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/television">coming-of-age dramas</a>&nbsp;at the dawn of the new millennium, shooting to fame playing the titular character in “Dawson’s Creek” and in later years mocking his own hunky persona, has died. He was 48.

A statement posted on the actor’s official Instagram page Wednesday said Van Der Beek died earlier in the day. “He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” the statement said.

Van Der Beek revealed in 2024 that he was being treated for colorectal cancer.

Van Der Beek made a surprise video appearance in September at a “Dawson's Creek” reunion charity event in New York City after previously dropping out due to illness.

He appeared projected onstage at the Richard Rodgers Theatre during a live reading of the show’s pilot episode to benefit F Cancer and Van Der Beek. Lin-Manuel Miranda subbed for him on stage. "Thank you to every single person here,” Van Der Beek said.

A one-time theater kid, Van Der Beek would star in the movie “Varsity Blues” and on TV in “CSI: Cyber” as FBI Special Agent Elijah Mundo, but was forever connected to “Dawson’s Creek,” which ran from 1998 to 2003 on The WB.

The series followed a high school group of friends as they learned about falling in love, creating real friendships and finding their footing in life. Van Der Beek, than 20, played 15-year-old Dawson Leery, who aspired to be a director of Steven Spielberg quality.

“Dawson’s Creek,” with the moody theme song Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Want To Wait,” helped define The WB as a haven for teens and young adults who related to its hyper-articulate dialogue and frank talk about sexuality. And it made household names of Van Der Beek, Joshua Jackson, Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams.

The show caused a stir when one of the teens embarked on a racy affair with a teacher 20 years his senior and when Holmes' character climbs through Dawson's bedroom window and they curl up together. Racier shows like “Euphoria” and “Sex Education” owe a debt to “Dawson's Creek.”

Van Der Beek sometimes struggled to get out from under the shadow of the show but eventually leaned into lampooning himself, like on Funny Or Die videos and on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFWX0hWCbng">Kesha's “Blow” music video,</a>&nbsp;which included his laser gun battle with the pop star in a nightclub and dead unicorns.

“It’s tough to compete with something that was the cultural phenomenon that ‘Dawson’s Creek’ was,” he told Vulture in 2013. “It ran for so long. That’s a lot of hours playing one character in front of people. So it’s natural that they associate you with that.”

'Dawson's Creek' star, who mocked his own hunky persona, has died at 48

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — CoreCivic argued Tuesday for the right to begin holding prisoners in its closed Leavenworth facility, even as the company is working through a local permit process that could make the court case irrelevant.

CoreCivic challenged an injunction in the Kansas Court of Appeals that was made last year by the Leavenworth County District Court. The injunction kept the private prison from taking detainees from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while CoreCivic and the City of Leavenworth fought in court about reopening the company’s prison facility.

Complicating the issue, the two are now working through the city’s planning process as CoreCivic has applied for a special use permit that would allow it to reopen.&nbsp;

“This is a difficult case because it feels like there are all of these slippery parts that are not part of the matter before us,” said Chief Judge Sarah Warner. “There’s a separate lawsuit. There are ongoing administrative proceedings.”&nbsp;

CoreCivic operated a private prison in Leavenworth until 2021 when it lost a contract with the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2025, the company announced it planned to reopen the prison as the Midwest Regional Detention Center and house ICE detainees.&nbsp;

The city required CoreCivic to obtain a special use permit through its planning and zoning process before reopening, which is where the court cases originated last year. The two entities have been fighting it out in court, with CoreCivic insisting it did not need a permit.&nbsp;

After losses in Kansas district court, CoreCivic bowed to the city’s demands and began the process of obtaining the permit. Last week, the city’s planning commission&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/03/corecivic-receives-leavenworth-planning-commission-approval-in-contentious-meeting/" target="_blank">approved the permit</a>&nbsp;and sent it to the city commission for a final determination.&nbsp;

Although one court case between the two ended and one remains open but inactive, the Nashville-based private prison company continued its appeal Tuesday to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/06/04/leavenworth-wins-restraining-order-barring-corecivic-from-taking-ice-detainees/" target="_blank">argue the injunction prohibiting</a>&nbsp;it from taking prisoners immediately should be reversed.

Sara Fevurly, an attorney for CoreCivic, said the district court didn’t properly grant the injunction, and even if the decision were rendered moot after the permit was approved, the company may be entitled to fees and damages associated with an improper temporary injunction.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the short hearing focused on legal technicalities of the case, both sides argued about the definition of “irreparable harm” and whether CoreCivic abandoned use of its property because it did not house prisoners there for about three years.&nbsp;

Joseph Hatley, an attorney for Leavenworth, told the court it was difficult to determine what “irreparable harm” would mean for the city, listing challenges the city had with CoreCivic during its operations before 2021. Those included not alerting local police to crimes at the facility and public works issues created by sewage.&nbsp;

Fevurly argued that past behavior cannot be used to determine harm.&nbsp;

“I don’t know how you calculate damages based on the police inability to investigate crimes,” Hatley said. “There are people who get hurt by that, there are victims in the facility who are hurt by that. Irreparable harm is the inability to calculate damages, and that’s what we have here.”

Warner said the judges would render a written opinion as soon as they could.&nbsp;

CoreCivic will know by March 10 whether the city will approve its special use permit to reopen the prison, Hatley said after the hearing. That will be the city commission’s second consideration of the permit, with the first consideration occurring Feb. 24. A public hearing is held as part of the process.&nbsp;

David Waters, the Leavenworth city attorney, said after the hearing that the public’s input is “certainly” part of determining whether the permit goes through.&nbsp;

“That is why we hold a public hearing,” he said. “The planning commission holds that public hearing to get the citizen input on that. It’s one of the most important parts of the zoning and planning process is to get that input from the residents as to what is best for the public health and safety and welfare of the community.”

Waters said CoreCivic has the option to appeal to the district court if the city commission refuses to grant the permit.

CoreCivic argues to overturn injunction keeping it from housing ICE detainees in Kansas prison

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen who admitted his role in a deadly drive-by shooting will learn his fate Wednesday.

Elias Cerda, 15,&nbsp; will appear in Judge Christopher Magana's courtroom for a sentencing hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In November, Cerda, who was charged as an adult, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, second degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery, according to the district attorney's office.

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