Commissioners voted to approve the increase of funding for the log jam removal due to recent flooding events.

After the recent events of heavy rain throughout the city, increased flows of tree debris were flushed into the Smoky Hill River.&nbsp;

Throughout last month's flooding events, <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/88b240c6-d08d-4e87-9819-742b12fe4783">DIEHL Enterprises Inc.</a> placed&nbsp; rock equipment pad for the removal of the log jam, but portions of it were washed away.&nbsp;The additional cost for rebuilding the rock equipment pad was $35,086, which is added to the original&nbsp;$452,351 contract for DIEHL to remove it.

Moreover, the city stated the number of storm events and force of the water packed the logs into the mud bottom of the river channel. Additional costs added up to&nbsp;$43,412.&nbsp;

Furthermore, additional length of log jam increased from July to September up to 550 feet.

According to the City, <a href="https://www.kansastag.gov/101/KDEM">Kansas Emergency Management</a>&nbsp;confirmed federal funding was not approved for June's flooding events. However, July's events are at the federal level for approval, and approval is anticipated. September's events has not been sent federally just yet, but is anticipating approval once set as well.

Total project costs for removing 550 feet of log jam added up to&nbsp;$1,212,169.

The work is estimated to be completed by the end of November 2025.&nbsp;In the event work is completed sooner, the cost savings will be shared with the city.

Click <a href="https://agendasuite.org/iip/salina/file/getfile/14296">here</a> to view the full agenda of Monday's log jam item.

Commissioners approve project costs for log jam of upwards to $1 million due to recent flooding

This fall the YMCA is excited to partner with Kansas Wesleyan University and the Salina Tennis Alliance, to offer a dynamic tennis clinic designed just for kids. 

Open to ages 5–12, this program is perfect for young players at any skill level. With amazing coaching, engaging drills and a focus on fun, this clinic is a great way to learn the game and build confidence on the court.

Clinics will be held inside the YMCA Basketball Gyms every Tuesday and Thursday from October 21 to November 20.

Families can choose the time that works best for them:

4:30–5:30 pm or 5:30–6:30 pm. Registration ends on October 20, with a fee of $60 for members and $85 for non-members.

Learn more or register at: <a href="https://www.salinaymca.org/sports/sports-camps">https://www.salinaymca.org/sports/sports-camps</a>

Salina YMCA teams up with KWU and the Salina Tennis Alliance for Youth Tennis Clinic, registration open

City Attorney, Greg Bengtson will be stepping down from his lead role by the end of the year.

As announced by City Manager Jacob Wood, Bengston will not be fully retiring, but is planning to slow down his practice and the firm’s work for the City. As part of the transition, the role will be&nbsp;shared among other municipal attorneys within the Clark, Mize, &amp; Linville (CML) firm.&nbsp;

Back in 1986, the city partnered with CML&nbsp;that appointed Bengtson as attorney.

"It has been a privilege to serve in this role," said Bengston during Monday's City Commission meeting.

The city will seek for a full-time, in-house City Attorney.

Greg Bengtson steps down from lead role as City Attorney after 39 years

RILEY COUNTY—Four people were injured in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Monday in Riley County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Nissan Sentra driven by Ella R.&nbsp;Thalmann, 20, Palmer was eastbound on U.S. 24 just&nbsp;west of Lasita Road.

The car came upon a a 2014 Ford Focus driven by Brian L.&nbsp;Shane, 61, Alta Vista and a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer driven by Paden G. Taylor, 21, Clay Center who were stopped to turn left onto Lasita Road. The Sentra rear-ended the Ford. The Mitsubishi was also involved in the crash, according to KHP dispatch.

After impact the Sentra bounced off the Ford and struck a westbound 2012 Dodge Ram driven by Trevor A. Clark, 33, Manhattan.

EMS transported Thalmann to&nbsp;Ascension Via Christi Hospital. EMS transported Shane and a passenger in the Ford Jacque L. Shane, 58, Alta Visa, to Stormont Vail in Topeka. EMS transported Taylor and a passenger in the Mitsubishi Martin R. Dylan, 23, Clay Center, to the Clay County Medical Center. Clark was not injured. All six were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

5 hospitalized after 4-vehicle crash

The Salina City Commission will hold its regular meeting on&nbsp;September 22, 2025. The meeting will begin at&nbsp;4:00 pm&nbsp;inside&nbsp;Room 107&nbsp;of the&nbsp;City-County Building,&nbsp;300 West Ash Street.

For those who cannot attend the meeting, you can watch the livestream today on YouTube at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas">https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas</a>.

1.&nbsp;Consider approval of the minutes of the September 22, 2025, regular meeting.

2.&nbsp;Consider approval of Resolution No. 25-8314 appointing members to the Salina-Saline County Opioid Settlement Grant Review Committee and the Arts and Humanities Commission.

3.&nbsp;Consider approval of Change Order No. 3 to Project Number 20029, Phase 2, Project Rise Centennial Road and Arnold Avenue Improvements

4.&nbsp;Consider approval of Resolution 25-8313 appointing members of the Planning Commission to the Board of Zoning Appeals and Heritage Commission.

1.&nbsp;Consider approval of, and authorize the Mayor to sign, the Second Amendment to the Agreement with Salina Baseball Enterprises relating to Wilbur Field and James Matson Field.

2.&nbsp;Consider authorizing the Mayor to execute an amendment to the agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to remove the KDOT funding upper limit from the Magnolia Road Trail project from Ohio Street to 9th Street.

3.&nbsp;Consider amending the Agreement with DIEHL Enterprises, Inc. for removal of sediment and tree debris in the Smoky Hill River in Bill Burke Park to an amount not to exceed $1,212,169.75.

4.&nbsp;Consider approval of Ordinances 25-11258 and 25-11259 required to transition from a Contracted City Attorney to an In-House City Attorney and a Resolution approving an amendment to the Staffing Table.

Residents are invited to share their comments with the commission.

For more information about each item listed, click <a href="https://agendasuite.org/iip/salina/meeting/details/1255">here</a>.

Members to be appointed for Opioid Settlement Committee at Salina City Commission Oct. 13 meeting

A man faces several charges after assaulting a woman and possessing multiple illegal drugs.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Saturday, October 11 at around 5:00 pm, a 39-year old male and a 44-year old female in a relationship, got into an argument behind Sky Trampoline Park on&nbsp;1820 S. 9th St. 

The couple then left the area and went to their home in West Salina, where the argument continued. During the argument, the man allegedly assaulted the woman and broke her cellphone.

Afterwards, the woman left the home and arrived to her relative's house. SPD were then notified about the incident and went to where the woman was located. Once officers spoke with her, it was determined she needed medical treatment and was medically transported.

According to SPD, officers arrived to the home where the suspect was, but were not able to engage, due to needing a search warrant.

The following day, officers went back to the home with a search warrant and arrested the suspect identified as, Aron Hinojos. 

During the search, law enforcement found 1,200 grams of Marijuana, 25 grams of Cocaine, 44 THC cartridges, 15 containers of THC wax and significant amounts of Drug Paraphernalia.

Hinojos was booked into the Saline County Jail on the following requested charges:

Aggravated Battery, Domestic Battery, Criminal Threat, Criminal Damage of Property, Distribution of Marijuana, Distribution of Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Certain Narcotics, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with intent to distribute and Drug Tax Stamp Violation.

The victim was later was released from Salina Regional Health Center after treatment.

Assailant of woman faces numerous assault and illegal drug charges

A male driving recklessly and allegedly under the influence, crashed into a man before his arrest.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on the evening of Saturday, October 11, police received various calls concerning a driver operating a 2002 Cadillac DeVille was potentially under the influence. 

The driver reportedly was traveling at a high rate of speed on S. 9th Street and eventually collided with a Ford Mustang. The driver of the Mustang, a 22-year old man, was hit off the road into an area of drainage culverts around Belmont and 9th.

According to SPD, he did not suffer any significant injuries.

Officers arrived to the scene and arrested 22-year old Jaymie Hicks. Hicks was booked into the Saline County Jail for the requested charges of:

DUI, No Proof of Insurance, Reckless Driving and Following too Close.

Reckless driving ends in crash and suspect facing DUI charge

<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, October 13 - October 15

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;Aggravated battery; Recklessly cause great bodily harm/disfigurement; Criminal Damage to Property; Value Unknown; Criminal threat; Unknown circumstance; Distribute marijuana; 450 grams - &lt; 30 kilograms; Distribute certain stimulant; 3.5 - &lt; 100 grams; Domestic Battery: rude physical contact; Use/poss drug paraphernalia/human body; Poss para w/intent to manuf contr subst; Poss of marijuana; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Taxation; Drugs; No drug tax stamp for marijuana or cont substance

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Domestic Battery: rude physical contact; Interfere w/ LEO; unknown circ; misd

Saline County Jail Bookings, October 13

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 obituary policy (subject to change)

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="mailto:admin@salinapost.com">admin@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.

Recent obituaries and service times

Born and raised in the KC Metro, I graduated from the public school system before venturing off to Denver for college. When my husband and I were looking for a place to raise our family, we needed a place we both felt comfortable with him being from Western Kansas and me from the KC metro. Salina checked all the boxes. We chose to make Salina our home over ten years ago, drawn by its sense of community and friendly people. Since then, we’ve put down deep roots and become fully invested in the future of our town, schools and neighborhoods. When my oldest started kindergarten, I wanted to support our schools after seeing how much teachers give each day. I began substitute school nursing for USD 305 in the fall of 2022.

These days, you can find me working part time in the community as a nurse and substitute school nurse, volunteering my time at school, church and the local arts organizations, and running all over town with pick ups and drop offs.

As both a healthcare professional and a parent, I understand the importance of supporting the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally. My background gives me a unique perspective on the challenges families face and the value of creating safe, inclusive, and high-quality learning environments.

When a mentor suggested I serve on the school board a few years ago, I thought I was neither qualified nor was my experience and perspective needed. Since then, I now understand that strong schools are led by strong leaders and strong school boards.

As a parent of children in USD 305 and active volunteer in our schools, I would bring a unique perspective to the board. Presently, no board members are parents of current students. While not every board member needs to be a parent, I believe the voice of a current parent plays a vital role on the board. This allows me to have my finger on the pulse of our student, parent, and teacher needs.

I believe my strongest preparation for serving on the school board comes from my daily life being a parent with two children currently in our schools. I see every day how decisions made at the board, from district calendars and school events to test scores and teacher emails, affect families through conversations at my dinner table. This is my daily experience.

Beyond that, my experience as a substitute school nurse for USD 305 has given me a unique perspective on the health, safety, and well-being of students and staff across the district. I’ve seen the challenges our kids face, like mental health needs and food and clothing insecurities, and how important it is that we support the whole child. Each student must be given the resources and opportunities to be successful. I will ensure that the academic, physical, and mental health needs as well as socioeconomic and family support system differences are considered when making each decision.

My years of volunteering in many different school roles has shown me how hard our teachers and staff work every day, and how much families want to be part of the team. Those experiences have taught me the value of listening, building relationships, and solving problems together—skills I’ll carry into every board discussion as I work hard to strengthen USD 305.

Should Salinans choose me to serve on the USD 305 School Board, I will focus my efforts in three areas: recruitment and retention, communication and engagement, and strategic budgeting.

First, teacher recruitment and retention issues are not unique to Salina. The USD 305 School Board has focused on this in the past, but must continue to focus its efforts towards attracting and retaining the best teachers and staff. Our students can thrive with improved educator continuity when our best educators are appropriately resourced and valued and choose to stay in our district.

Second, parent and community communication and engagement is vital to the success of our district. Clear and consistent communication at all levels builds community and trust. This trust and communication will help us avoid similar divisions in the community we saw over the past few years.

Third, budgets in any organization are often a hot topic, and public education is no different. The funding sources, at both the state and federal level, have been changing in recent years, and we should expect those changes to continue. Our district must be prepared to navigate the challenges ahead and make bold and strategic choices when necessary. Perhaps most important, funding and budget decisions directly affect student to teacher ratios. Student to teacher ratios have direct impacts on test scores, classroom management, and graduation rates.

Teacher satisfaction, parent engagement, and funding management impact our families’ lives and our Salina community daily. Fulfilled and balanced teachers are able to show up consistently, create a positive learning environment, and build relationships with students. Teacher retention builds community within a school when families can share positive experience of past years with rising students.

Meet USD 305 School Board Candidate: Dana Johnson

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 10 - October 12

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 8 - October 10

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 6 - October 8

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 3 - October 5

Three day weather forecast Salina, October 1 - October 3

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 29 - October 1

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 26 - September 28

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/">weathe</a>

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 24 - September 26

As Tuesday morning's showers continue throughout Central Kansas,&nbsp; flooding remains a possibility.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS) the severity remains low for these scattered showers and storms throughout the region on Tuesday. However, heavy rainfall amounts and flooding are a possibility.&nbsp;

Please stay alert on the roadways and be safe while driving.

Flooding remains possible with Tuesday morning's showers 

HARVEY COUNTY — A Kansas felon with over a dozen previous convictions is going back to prison.

Earlier this month, Senior Judge Nancy Parrish sentenced a Matthew Ratzlaff, 38, of Burrton, Kansas to 301 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections.&nbsp; In August he pled guilty to Kidnapping and two counts of Aggravated Indecent Solicitation of a Child involving sexual crimes against a child under the age of 10, according to a media release from the Harvey County Attorney.

In addition to the time served in the Kansas Department of Corrections, Ratzlaff will be subject to lifetime post-release supervision and lifetime registration as a sexual offender.&nbsp; He has 17 previous convictions for burglary, aggravated burglary, theft, giving worthless checks, forgery and criminal use of a financial card, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Sex crimes committed against children in our community are some of the most terrible crimes we see committed and my office is dedicated to holding the offenders accountable while achieving justice for the most vulnerable members of our community.

The successful prosecution of this case was made possible with the dedicated assistance of the Halstead Police Department, USD 440, and the Heart to Heart Child Advocacy Center.

Kan. man with over a dozen convictions going to prison for child sex crimes

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Wichita Police Department continues asking for the community’s help in identifying and locating the woman in this video. She was last seen being taken by force on October 12, 2025, at approximately 2 AM., in the 1400 block of North Volutsia.&nbsp;

Police worked throughout Monday on this investigation, following up on numerous leads, and appreciate the public's help. 

At this time, police have not been able to identify the woman and man seen in the video. Exploring all options, police reached out to regional and federal law enforcement partners for additional assistance.

The Wichita Police team has processed the audio, reducing background noise, hoping that someone will recognize her voice. Please take a moment to review the video.

&nbsp;If you recognize her or have any information about her identity or whereabouts, please contact 911 immediately.

You may also reach out to WPD Investigations at 316-268-4407, or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

🎥Police: Search continues for woman allegedly taken by force

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/ali-swenson">ALI SWENSON</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/jonel-aleccia">JONEL ALECCIA</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — Hundreds of federal employees working on mental health services, disease outbreaks and disaster preparedness were among those hit by the Trump administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-federal-worker-firings-0439e8d0979d9a32e021c5c851fea1cf">mass firings</a>&nbsp;over the weekend, current and laid-off workers said Monday, as the administration aimed to pressure Democratic lawmakers to give in and end the nearly two-week-long&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-obamacare-republicans-democrats-b6b59cae2ec28b39e57fbb703704f46a">government shutdown</a>.

The government-wide reduction-in-force initiative that began Friday roiled the massive U.S. Department of Health and Human Services just six months after it went through an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-human-services-layoffs-restructuring-rfk-jr-ec4d7731695e4204970c7eab953b2289">earlier round of cuts</a>&nbsp;and as many staffers already were disconnected from work because of the shutdown.

The situation turned even more chaotic over the weekend, when more than half of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees who’d gotten layoff notices learned they received them in error and were still employed with the agency.

HHS, through its agencies, is responsible for tracking health trends and disease outbreaks, conducting and funding medical research, and monitoring the safety of food and medicine, as well as for administering health insurance programs for nearly half the country. Among the HHS agencies facing staff cuts were the CDC, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, or ASPR, according to current and laid-off employees who spoke with The Associated Press.

Former staffers and health professionals said they were concerned the layoffs could have negative health impacts and make it difficult for HHS agencies to fulfill their obligations set by Congress.

Government shutdownThe AP has journalists around the country covering the shutdown of the federal government.&nbsp;<a href="https://modules.wearehearken.com/associated-press/embed/12545/share" target="_blank">What questions do you have for them?</a>

HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said the laid off employees were deemed nonessential. He added the agency is working to “close wasteful and duplicative entities, including those that are at odds with the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again agenda.”

Nixon declined to share which HHS agencies saw layoffs or how many HHS employees were affected. However, a Friday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71502325/39/american-federation-of-government-employees-afl-cio-v-united-states/" target="_blank">court filing</a>&nbsp;from the Trump administration gave an estimate, saying about 1,100 to 1,200 of the nearly 80,000 staffers at HHS were receiving dismissal notices.

CDC is hit with layoffs — and reversals

About 600 workers at the CDC remained fired Monday in conjunction with the federal government shutdown after hundreds more had originally been targeted, according to the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2883, which represents CDC employees in Atlanta.

Of more than 1,300 CDC employees who received reduction-in-force notices Friday, about 700 later received emails revoking their terminations, the union said.

The AFGE Local 2883 called the action a “politically-motivated stunt” to illegally fire agency workers.

“These reckless actions are disrupting and destroying the lives of everyday working people, who are constantly being used as bargaining chips,” AFGE President Yolanda Jacobs said in a statement Monday.

A federal health official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter with the media said the incorrect RIF notices resulted from a glitch in the system.

Among those targeted for dismissal and then reinstated were the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service officers, the “disease detectives” who are deployed to respond to outbreaks that threaten public health, said Dr. Anne Schuchat, former principal deputy director of the CDC, who said she was in touch with EIS officers in that situation.

“These are people who go into really scary places,” Schuchat said. “Usually you think it’s nature that’s going to be giving you a hard time, the viruses, not the government.”

Mental health services cut in sweeping dismissals at agency

SAMHSA, an agency within HHS devoted to addressing mental illness and addiction, also saw cuts, according to two employees of the agency with knowledge of the layoffs who weren’t authorized to speak publicly.

While the full scope of the firings wasn’t clear, some of the departments affected included the agency’s Office of Communications and the Center for Mental Health Services, where dozens were let go from multiple areas, according to one of the employees.

Within CMHS, one of two branches that oversaw millions of dollars in grants for community health clinics was mostly terminated, the employees said.

Dakota Jablon, a public health analyst and former employee of SAMHSA, said the loss of more staff at SAMHSA, primarily a grantmaking agency, would have “devastating ripple effects across the behavioral health field.”

“Even if the grants continue, the loss of experienced staff means those who remain will be stretched far too thin, often outside their areas of expertise,” she said.

Dr. Eric Rafla-Yuan, a psychiatrist and the chair of the Committee to Protect Public Mental Health, said staff cuts at SAMHSA could put state safety nets for people with mental illness at risk, because the agency provides significant funding and support to state programs.

Latest layoffs build on earlier cuts as HHS looks to restructure

The mass layoffs come six months after thousands of researchers, scientists, doctors, support staff and senior leaders were either&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-human-services-layoffs-restructuring-rfk-jr-ec4d7731695e4204970c7eab953b2289">laid off from HHS</a>&nbsp;or took early retirement or volunteer separation offers.

The department’s staff was listed at just under 80,000 employees in a contingency plan before the government shutdown began, down more than 2,000 from its staffing level earlier in the year.

The cuts are part of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s sweeping effort to remake the department by consolidating agencies that oversee billions of dollars for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hhs-addiction-mental-health-rfk-samsha-e83db20b4ef801971cd25d07eb41bcf9">addiction services</a>&nbsp;and community health centers under a new office called the Administration for a Healthy America. The plan has been delayed amid ongoing legislation and congressional pushback.

Aleccia reported from Southern California. AP medical writer Mike Stobbe contributed to this report.

New details on the federal employees in weekend firings

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating&nbsp; a 2-vehicle crash that injured a juvenile.

At approximately 6 p.m. on Monday, emergency crews responded to an injury crash on Lee Boulevard just north of W 103rd Street, according to a media release from Leawood Police.

 The crash involved a vehicle and a juvenile on an electric scooter. EMS transported the juvenile to an area hospital in critical condition. The Leawood Police Department Major Crash Investigation Unit is investigating the crash. Lee Boulevard was closed north of W 103rd St while the investigation was underway.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

 Anyone who may have witnessed this crash is requested to contact the Leawood Police Department at 913-642-7700.

Police: Juvenile hospitalized after car, electric scooter crash

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal 2-vehicle crash and have made an arrest.

Just before 5:30p.m. Oct. 10, police were dispatched to an injury accident at the intersection of 9th&nbsp;and Kansas in Great Bend, according to a media release.

Investigators determined a&nbsp;2018 Suzuki GSX-R750 driven by 25-year-old Nathaniel Larkin was southbound in the 900 Block of Kansas Avenue and struck a westbound 2015 Ford F150 driven by&nbsp;&nbsp;51-year-old Oscar Munoz. 

Great Bend EMS transported&nbsp; Larkin to the hospital in Great Bend where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;

Munoz was arrested on requested charges of involuntary manslaughter, DUI and No Driver’s License.&nbsp; Munoz is being held on a $100,000.00 bond.&nbsp;

Kansas man jailed for alledged DUI in fatal 2-vehicle crash

By MARCIA DUNN &nbsp;AP Aerospace Writer

SpaceX launched another of its mammoth&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-starbase-488416a6085cc64d8288d0a025602f28">Starship rockets</a>&nbsp;on a test flight Monday, successfully making it halfway around the world while releasing mock satellites like last time.

Starship — the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-elon-musk-moon-mars-5f02ab8e4b794e518fe99905adaa7471">biggest and most powerful rocket</a>&nbsp;ever built — thundered into the evening sky from the southern tip of Texas. The booster peeled away and made a controlled entry into the Gulf of Mexico as planned, with the spacecraft skimming space before descending into the Indian Ocean. Nothing was recovered.

“Hey, welcome back to Earth, Starship,” SpaceX's Dan Huot announced as employees cheered. “What a day.”

It was the 11th test flight for a full-scale Starship, which SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk intends to use to send people to Mars. NASA’s need is more immediate. The space agency cannot land astronauts on the moon by decade's end without the 403-foot (123-meter) Starship, the reusable vehicle meant to get them from lunar orbit down to the surface and back up.

Instead of remaining inside Launch Control as usual, Musk said that for the first time he was going outside to watch — “much more visceral.”

The previous test flight in August — a success after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-elon-musk-moon-mars-5f02ab8e4b794e518fe99905adaa7471">a string of explosive failures</a>&nbsp;— followed a similar path with similar goals. More maneuvering was built in this time, especially for the spacecraft. SpaceX conducted a series of tests during the spacecraft's entry over the Indian Ocean as practice for future landings back at the launch site.

Like before, Starship carried up eight mock satellites mimicking SpaceX’s Starlinks. The entire flight lasted just over an hour, originating from Starbase near the Mexican border.

NASA’s acting administrator Sean Duffy praised Starship’s progress. “Another major step toward landing Americans on the moon’s south pole,” he said via X.

SpaceX is modifying its Cape Canaveral launch sites to accommodate Starships, in addition to the much smaller Falcon rockets used to transport astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station for NASA.

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.

🎥SpaceX launches 11th test flight of its mega Starship rocket with another win

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations and have him in custody for the second time in just over a month.

Just before 8:30p.m. Saturday an officer on patrol observed 54-year-old Dwight Downing in the 600 block South 7th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp; The officer took&nbsp;him into custody on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court. During the arrest Downing was found to be in possession of methamphetamine.

In August,&nbsp; police conducted a traffic stop in the 500 block U.S.59 in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. A passenger in the vehicle, identified as Downing, was arrested on outstanding warrants for failure to appear in court. During his arrest he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana, according to Wilson.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kan. man accused again of skipping court, drug possession

SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;called for a new era of harmony in the Middle East on Monday during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-israel-hamas-egypt-gaza-war-bb2d95ea815ef6a4a2771c46b73f1e11">a global summit on Gaza's future</a>, trying to advance broader peace in the region after visiting Israel to celebrate a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hamas.

“We have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to put the old feuds and bitter hatreds behind us," Trump said, and he urged leaders “to declare that our future will not be ruled by the fights of generations past.”

The whirlwind trip, which included the summit in Egypt and a speech at the Knesset in Jerusalem earlier in the day, comes at a fragile moment of hope for ending two years of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">war between Israel and Hamas</a>.

“Everybody said it's not possible to do. And it's going to happen. And it is happening before your very eyes," Trump said alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.

Nearly three dozen countries, including some from Europe and the Middle East, were represented at the summit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited but declined, with his office saying it was too close to a Jewish holiday.

Trump, el-Sissi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani signed a document that Trump said would lay the groundwork for Gaza's future. However, a copy was not made public.

Despite unanswered questions about next steps in the Palestinian enclave, which has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-palestinians-drone-footage-destruction-ceasefire-4a03097279002889573791ecd0112df8">devastated during the conflict</a>, Trump is determined to seize an opportunity to chase an elusive regional harmony.

He expressed a similar sense of finality about the Israel-Hamas war in his speech at the Knesset, which welcomed him as a hero.

“You’ve won,” he told Israeli lawmakers. “Now it is time to translate these victories against terrorists on the battlefield into the ultimate prize of peace and prosperity for the entire Middle East.”

Trump promised to help rebuild Gaza, and he urged Palestinians to “turn forever from the path of terror and violence.”

“After tremendous pain and death and hardship," he said, "now is the time to concentrate on building their people up instead of trying to tear Israel down.”

Trump even made a gesture to Iran, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fordo-us-strike-trump-israel-nuclear-sites-320a85327f94ed7496f09564261f3148">he bombed three nuclear sites</a>&nbsp;during the country's brief war with Israel earlier this year, by saying “the hand of friendship and cooperation is always open.”

Trump arrived in Egypt hours late because speeches at the Knesset continued longer than expected.

"They might not be there by the time I get there, but we’ll give it a shot," Trump joked after needling Israeli leaders for talking so much.

Twenty hostages were released Monday as part of an agreement intended to end the war that began on Oct. 7, 2023, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-hostages-2-years-10-07-2025-6f19cb2eee5e05091c74f0e6f1bc356a">an attack by Hamas-led militants</a>. Trump talked with some of their families at the Knesset.

"Your name will be remembered to generations," a woman told him.

Israeli lawmakers chanted Trump's name and gave him standing ovation after standing ovation. Some people in the audience wore red hats that resembled his “Make America Great Again” caps, although these versions said “Trump, The Peace President.”

Netanyahu hailed Trump as “the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House," and he promised to work with him going forward.

“Mr. President, you are committed to this peace. I am committed to this peace," he said. “And together, Mr. President, we will achieve this peace.”

Trump, in an unexpected detour during his speech, called on the Israeli president to pardon Netanyahu, whom he described as “one of the greatest” wartime leaders. Netanyahu faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-netanyahu-corruption-trial-gaza-478c957c7749986d5b8b2d039f670d54">corruption charges</a>, although several hearings have been postponed during the conflict with Hamas.

The Republican president also used the opportunity to settle political scores and thank his supporters, criticizing Democratic predecessors and praising a top donor,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/miriam-adelson-mark-cuban-dallas-mavericks-las-vegas-6cc268d924dc4083161322753efe5ceb">Miriam Adelson</a>, in the audience.

The moment remains fragile, with Israel and Hamas still in the early stages of implementing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/egypt-gaza-talks-kushner-witkoff-israel-hamas-news-10-08-2025-ac80d3ed50ff2a9b4106ab5e13156651">the first phase</a>&nbsp;of Trump's plan.

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement calls for the release of the final hostages held by Hamas; the release of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-updates-10-9-2025#00000199-c89b-d8db-af9f-e8bfdea40000">hundreds of Palestinian prisoners</a>&nbsp;held by Israel; a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza; and a partial pullback by Israeli forces from Gaza’s main cities.

Trump has said there's a window to reshape the region and reset long-fraught relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

“The war is over, OK?” Trump told reporters traveling with him aboard Air Force One.

“I think people are tired of it,” he said, emphasizing that he believed the ceasefire would hold because of that.

He said the chance of peace was enabled by his Republican administration’s support of Israel’s decimation of Iranian proxies, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The White House said momentum is also building because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gaza-war-ceasefire-israel-hamas-819c9999cc4f3157c729fdc5a02f4df5">Arab and Muslim states</a>&nbsp;are demonstrating a renewed focus on resolving the broader, decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict and, in some cases, deepening relations with the United States.

In February, Trump had predicted that Gaza could be redeveloped into what he called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-netanyahu-washington-ceasefire-1c8deec4dd46177e08e07d669d595ed3">“the Riviera of the Middle East.”</a>&nbsp;But on Sunday aboard Air Force One, he was more circumspect.

“I don’t know about the Riviera for a while,” Trump said. “It’s blasted. This is like a demolition site.” But he said he hoped to one day visit the territory. “I’d like to put my feet on it, at least,” he said.

The sides&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-ceasefire-next-steps-israel-palestinians-9c2044da8a891e87aaa3b127d9fb9724">have not agreed</a>&nbsp;on Gaza’s postwar governance, the territory’s reconstruction and Israel’s demand that Hamas disarm.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-ceasefire-next-steps-israel-palestinians-9c2044da8a891e87aaa3b127d9fb9724">Negotiations over those issues</a>&nbsp;could break down, and Israel has hinted it may resume military operations if its demands are not met.

<a href="https://apnews.com/video/before-and-after-videos-show-much-of-gaza-reduced-to-ruins-by-israeli-bombardment-and-offensive-097ebc3b1683486fbea2c4586194b8b3">Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble</a>, and the territory’s roughly 2 million residents continue to struggle in desperate conditions. Under the deal, Israel agreed to reopen five border crossings, which will help ease the flow of food and other supplies into Gaza, parts of which are experiencing famine.

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