The Administrator of maintenance for the Saline County Road and Bridge Department provided clarification to a Facebook post from a member of the public presumably having issues with an employee.

The post was shared by Chad Koehn on Saturday, which stated he was "threatened" by a Saline County employee they were going to "call law enforcement on me (Koehn) for clearing snow on a county road so we could feed our horses." 

He further added the employee "called me (Koehn) every name in the book as well."

Darren Fishel, Road and Bridge administrator responsible for maintenance provided transparency to the situation.

He stated there is a Kansas statute, <a href="https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch68/068_005_0045.html">68-545</a>&nbsp;which says it is unlawful for a citizen to obstruct any portion of a public highway, right-of-way, with intent of preventing free use.&nbsp;The statute ends by stating a citizen can only plow a public owned county road unless they have been approved by the county engineer and the township board of highway commissioners acting jointly.

Fishel made it clear, he only assumes this was the statute the employee was referring to.

He added unless a citizen is tearing up the roadways or creating any sort of obstruction, they typically allow them to plow the snow.

According to Koehn, he was plowing snow out off the roadway to feed horses and to clear roadways for three of his neighbors.

"They need to get to their livestock, and this happens all the time. I am aware of that and we do not as a department, threaten people with law enforcement," said Fishel.

Fishel stated the employee was "out of line" for threatening to call law enforcement on Koehn.

"That is not how we treat people and we are here to treat them respectfully," said Fishel.

People can get utility permits, which allows citizens to work within the right-of-way for any reason.

Fishel has already spoken with the employee about the situation and apologized to Koehn.&nbsp;

Salina Post has reached out to Koehn for a comment.

Saline Co. Road & Bridge department provides transparency about issue with citizen and employee during winter weather

The City of Salina has postponed a consideration to partner with a non profit recycling business.

<a href="https://www.reuseitsalina.org/">ReUseIt Salina</a>&nbsp;has leased out a building on North Ohio and plans to sell items online and accept donations such as home remodeling materials and&nbsp;hardware in effort to reduce landfill.

The City Commission is reviewing and has postponed a decision on providing funding to the building.&nbsp;The request is for the funding to come from the City's Solid Waste Fund, which currently has a balance of $6,631,213.08. 

ReUse It anticipates diverting multiple tons from the landfill by accepting these donations and then reselling them.

City Commissioners will discuss this topic at a later study session.

Salina postpones consideration of partnership with nonprofit recycling center 

The approval of the 2026-2030 City of Salina&nbsp;Capital Improvement Program (CIP) included several road design, construction, painting and improvements.

Design and construction to improve the functionality and safety for all users of the intersection in support of continued expansion of the area along S. Ohio Street and Schilling Road.

Improvements&nbsp;to replace the existing bridge with a wider,&nbsp;that will accommodate the hike and bike trail connection from the Soccer fields to Markley Road.&nbsp;

Berkley Family Recreation Area Runway Repairs&nbsp;

Several road improvement projects approved to occur in Salina

Salina Arts &amp; Humanities is looking to expand cultural footprint in the arts with an out of state consultant.

Salina Arts &amp; Humanities received proposals from 38 regional and national organizations that took place in November resulting in 5 qualified bids, for a strategic plan in advancing local cultural arts.

The proposals were evaluated in a variety of areas including:

- Level of professional presentation of proposals.

- Methodology of the outlined scope of work.

- Demonstrated ability to complete the work on time. 

- Professional qualifications of staff and research personnel. 

- Experience with cultural planning in similar sized communities. 

- Ability to engage with local and rural residents and the overall cost. 

The recommendation of <a href="https://www.keenindependent.com/">Keen Independent Research, Inc</a>. was unanimous by the evaluation committee, which also had the lowest preliminary bid of $49,910.

According to the Salina Arts &amp; Humanities, this initiative is essential for developing a comprehensive community cultural plan that will enhance Salina’s cultural and artistic vitality and contribute to its economic prosperity.

The key components of this community cultural plan includes:

• Develop a strategic vision that aligns cultural initiatives with community goals.

• Foster an inclusive cultural landscape that reflects Salina's diverse population.

• Leverage cultural planning to boost local tourism and economic activities.

• Attract new investments and workforce by positioning Salina as a vibrant cultural hub in Kansas.

• Facilitate broad community participation and support for cultural initiatives.

• Strengthen community identity and pride through collaborative efforts.

• Maximize the use of available resources by identifying synergistic partnerships with new and existing cultural organizations.

• Prioritize cultural investments to ensure balanced and effective development as the community’s needs change.

The requested amount will cover contracting fees and related project expenses, including a 10% contingency, ensuring the delivery of a robust and actionable cultural plan. It also includes up to $5,000 of contingency funds to cover the possibility of representatives from Keen Independent being on-site for the final presentation of the plan to the City Commission.

Commissioner Doug Rempp did not support the move to hire an out of state consultant to provide resources for the arts department.

"Myself and others in the community feel we hire outside consultant firms too often. Salina has had more than its fair share of pioneers in the past and I know we have them now. It seems like a group from the community can be brought together and do alot of the things that a consulting group would come in and do," said Rempp.&nbsp;

He further brought up the over $1.2 million budget the arts department has, with salaries of half a million and did not agree with bringing in Keen Independent to consult the plan.

Director of Salina Arts &amp; Humanities, Brad Anderson stated that with himself and his staff's workload, it would be difficult to bring a fresh perspective on this strategic plan.&nbsp;

He thinks the consulting firm would bring in the vision and qualified research to ensure the plan is successful.

"We all hear about consultants and reports that end up on a shelf and gather dust, but that is not the case," said Anderson. "Between SculptureTour, The Garage, BOOM, the upcoming river project and major economic development happening in our community, that's far surpassed what any of us had thought was possible...we are going to put this work."

"I think getting an outside opinion is good because we are never going to be any smarter than the smartest person that we have at the table," said Dr. Davis. "We are not marketing to ourselves but to others and you don't know till you research it. We may find out we are doing everything that we need to be doing and pat ourselves on the back."

The funding will come from the $100,000 budgeted in the Sales Tax Capital Fund for Capital Planning.

Salina Arts & Humanities working with out of state consulting firm to expand cultural footprint

Sparks coming out from a vehicle going down a north Saline County road to blame for 10 acre grassfire near fire station.

According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office on January 23 a grassfire occurred in north Hedville, near the Rural FD #3 station.

The fire occurred on grassland property owned by an 86-year old man of Salina.&nbsp;

The suspected cause of fire was due to a mechanical issue from a vehicle that was going northbound on Hedville Road. Sparks coming out from the vehicle started fires along the road near the grassland, which consumed about 10 acres before it was extinguished.

No structure of any kind was involved in the fire and no injuries were reported.

The vehicle was not on scene at the time the fire spread.

Sparks coming from vehicle to blame for grassfire near Rural FD #3 station

North Saline County home uninhabitable after suffering from electrical related fire.

According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office on January 23 in the afternoon, a house fire occurred in north Saline County.&nbsp;

The female homeowner stated she heard a "popping" noise and smelled electrical burning in her house. She was able to exit out of the house safely with her pet.

The house had significant damage from the fire and smoke, which made it uninhabitable.&nbsp;

Rural FD #5 responded to the fire and extinguished it.

The cause of fire is suspected to be an electrical issue. According to the Sheriff's Office the homeowner had space heaters and a television on, before the fire.

Saline County home uninhabitable after suffering from electrical related fire

Truck fire consumes about 30 acres of grass in Saline County, after an accident occurred in one of the exhaust pipes.

According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office on the morning of January 23, deputies were dispatched to southwest Saline County for the report of a grassfire that occurred from a truck.

Reportedly, a disposal truck going southbound on Burma road caught on fire and it was suspected that a piece of cardboard got stuck in one of the exhaust pipes. The fire then started and spread to a nearby grassfield.

The fire burned up about 30 acres of grass, but no monetary loss since it was only pasture ground.

The vehicle suffered minor damage after the fire.

Truck fire consumes 30 acres of grass in Saline County

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;Theft by deception;Value less than $1,500; Theft of prop/services:Value less than $1,500; Theft of prop/serv;&lt;$1500 3 business in 72 hrs; Theft of prop/services:Value less than $1,500

Saline County Jail Bookings, January 26

Kansas Department of Transportation

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) expresses its appreciation for employees celebrating state service anniversaries in February. 

KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas. 

Listed below are the employees and their hometowns.&nbsp;

Abilene and Salina residents celebrate KDOT service anniversaries, 10 plus years of work

<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, January 26 - January 28

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 (subject to change)&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

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

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 21 - January 23

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 19 - January 21

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 16 - January 18

High wind gusts are expected to make its way through Salina and central Kansas on Friday.

According to the US National Weather Service, gusty&nbsp;northwest winds are forecasted during the day on Friday. Wind gusts are expected to range from 40-50 mph.

This is also paired with dry conditions, which there will be a very high grassland fire danger in the afternoon.

Russell is expected to have the highest speed of wind gusts with the range being 45-50 mph.

High temperatures for Salina is 41 degrees.

Stay updated with local weather on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NWSWichita">US National Weather Service Wichita Kansas</a>&nbsp;Facebook page.

High wind gusts and grassland fire danger expected throughout central Kansas, Salina on Friday

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 14 - January 16

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 12 - January 14

A chance of light rain Friday afternoon is expected to gradually transition into light snow towards the evening.

According to the US National Weather Service, a chance of rain is expected after 1:00 pm with a 50% chance to mix with snow after 4:00 pm.

Portions of central and south-central Kansas could see light snow accumulations up to 1 inch, and slick spots on bridges and overpasses are possible tonight.&nbsp;

A little after 7:00 pm, the mix will likely become all snow.

Higher accumulations are expected across southwest Kansas.

Light snow up to 1 inch expected late Friday afternoon and into the evening in central Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — A daylong hearing on Tuesday should make clear&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-plane-crash-army-helicopter-ntsb-cause-f2e87b625583c077acfca694700de37f">what factors played</a>&nbsp;the biggest role in causing last January's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-investigation-american-airlines-helicopter-ntsb-acc8bf751427eb6824d9d1fad30895b8">midair collision</a>&nbsp;near Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people, and the National Transportation Safety Board will recommend what should be done to prevent similar tragedies.

Everyone aboard an American Airlines jet flying from Wichita, Kansas, and an Army Black Hawk helicopter died when the two aircraft ran into each other and plummeted into the icy Potomac River on Jan. 29, 2025. It was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-crashes-history-washington-ee55776ea0c5f9e322fc77ea1ea452d1">deadliest plane crash</a>&nbsp;on U.S. soil since 2001.

The Federal Aviation Administration made a number of changes shortly after the crash to ensure that helicopters and planes no longer share the same crowded airspace around the nation's capital, and last week it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aviation-safety-dc-plane-crash-faa-helicopters-07ea495a557b8a2767d0eca4277e8be1">made those changes permanent</a>. But the NTSB will recommend additional action, and the families of the victims have said they hope that leads to meaningful changes.

“I hope that we see a clear path through the recommendations they offer to ensure that this never happens again,” said Rachel Feres, who lost her cousin Peter Livingston and his wife and two young daughters in the crash. “That nobody else has to wake up to hear that an entire branch of their family tree is gone or their wife is gone or the child is gone. That’s what I hope coming out of this. I hope we have clarity and urgency.”

Whether that happens will depend on how Congress, the Army and the Trump administration respond after the hearing. But the victims' families say they will keep the pressure on officials to act.

Young Alydia and Everly Livingston were among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-079cca60567e6929f4b84a8e9d6c330d">28 members of the figure skating community</a>&nbsp;who died in the crash. Many of them had been in Wichita for a national skating competition and development camp.

The NTSB has already spelled out many of the key factors that contributed to the crash and detailed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/army-helicopter-crash-american-airlines-e7f82e0eac79ad1d8771cb6d7a4fc7e5">what happened that night</a>. That includes a poorly designed helicopter route past Reagan Airport, the fact that the Black Hawk was flying 78 feet (23.7 meters) higher than it should have been, the warnings that the FAA ignored in the years beforehand and the Army’s move to turn off a key system that would have broadcast the helicopter’s location more clearly.

A number of other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-india-crash-aviation-safety-76215f9d429274f3b5089e81baa97d6a">high-profile crashes and close calls</a>&nbsp;followed the D.C. collision last year and worried the flying public. But NTSB statistics show that the total number of crashes last year was actually the lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 with 1,405 crashes nationwide.

Fields reported from Washington. Funk contributed from Omaha, Nebraska and White reported from Detroit. AP Airlines writer Rio Yamat contributed from Las Vegas.

Final hearing: NTSB to highlight what led to a deadly midair collision

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a commercial building in Kansas City.

Just before 11p.m. Monday, Kansas City Fire Department companies were dispatched to a reported building fire in the 1100 block of West 8th Street in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan. 

On arrival, crews reported heavy smoke showing from a&nbsp;6-story commercial building and initiated an offensive fire attack.

The fire was found to be in an open elevator shaft and burning on the roof of the structure.&nbsp;

Crews advanced 3 hose lines to extinguish the fire, which was placed under control at 11:55 p.m.The cause of the fire is under investigation by KCFD. &nbsp;

Dangerous Buildings and City Planning were requested to the scene. No injuries have been reported from this incident.

Crews fight fire in elevator shaft of 6-story building in Kansas City

WASHINGTON —A federal officer on Saturday shot and killed a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis&nbsp;amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.&nbsp; &nbsp;Two Kansas lawmakers have finally broken their silence on what happened.

On his social media feed, Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran wrote, "I am deeply troubled by the shootings in Minneapolis involving federal agents. Our Constitution provides citizens protection from the government. We have a right to free speech, to peaceably assemble and to bear arms."

"We also expect government to protect us from lawless behavior. Enforcing immigration laws that remove dangerous criminals from our streets and neighborhoods makes us safer and increases our national security. This can only be accomplished if local, state and federal officials work together to uphold the law."

"Law enforcement must reflect our nation’s values, and citizens should obey the law. This tragic circumstance should be investigated to the fullest extent to ensure transparency and accountability."

Kansas 2nd District Congressman Derek Schmidt also used his social media account to sound off on the tragedy and give his opinion.

"America's immigration laws must be enforced, and many of the current difficulties are rooted in the prior administration's allowing at least 9 million people to enter and remain in our country illegally."

"At the same time, enforcing the law professionally and with clear focus and common sense is vital to public confidence in the rule of law. The events in Minnesota are distressing –both senior state officials' refusal to cooperate with federal authorities to enforce the law and the reported actions of some federal officials."

"In my view, there needs to be a transparent and thorough review and factfinding regarding the officer involved shootings in Minnesota – as there should be in every officer involved shooting anywhere." 

"I support Chairman Garbarino's decision to convene a House Homeland Security Committee oversight hearing to question ICE, CBP, and USCIS leaders."

"I have raised questions about the reported use of administrative, as opposed to judicial, warrants to enter homes and continue to do so. And I encourage swift enactment of the provisions I voted for last week in the Homeland Security appropriations bill to fund ICE and CBP body cameras and expand deescalation training."

On Sunday, Kansas 3rd District Congresswoman Sharice Davids shared her thoughts on the shooting.

Kansas GOP lawmakers sound off on fatal Minneapolis shooting 

PLATTE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an alleged road rage shooting in a Kansas City suburb.

&nbsp;The shooting happened at approximately 9 a.m. Monday in Parkville, involving a Parkville Special Road District snowplow and a black SUV, according to a statement from the city.

Shots were fired during the incident in the Thousand Oaks subdivision, with no injuries reported. The SUV driver fled Parkville following the incident and was later located in Kansas City, Missouri. Sgt. Sean Allwood, Parkville detective interviewed the suspect, who admitted to firing the weapon.

&nbsp;Parkville Police Department did release the name of the suspect or the possible requested charges the suspect faces.

Road rage: Driver admits shooting at KC area snow plow driver

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/konstantin-toropin">KONSTANTIN TOROPIN</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and three accompanying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-middle-east-iran-protests-b7a56659d708f2f11f66a18135f44c40">warships have arrived in the Middle East</a>, bringing a renewed potential that President Donald Trump could opt to order airstrikes on Iran over its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-us-aircraft-carrier-crackdown-yemen-e0a6b3c72775348c553ad185af5bfb20">crackdown on protesters</a>.

The carrier, along with three destroyers, “is currently deployed to the Middle East to promote regional security and stability,” U.S. Central Command said Monday on social media.

The strike group was in the Indian Ocean, Central Command said, and not in the Arabian Sea, which borders Iran. It will bring thousands of additional service members to the region, which has not had a U.S. aircraft carrier since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-carriers-trump-venezuela-middle-east-a458b9c4f1a5690e19d7c532dd6b7fd7">the USS Gerald R. Ford</a>&nbsp;was ordered in October to sail to the Caribbean as part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-drug-cartels-military-timeline-91e242e5c56eec39b6b7d72bf55dbd2d">pressure campaign on then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro</a>.

Trump told reporters last week that the ships were sent to the region “just in case.” “We have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it,” he said.

Trump earlier had threatened military action if Iran carried out mass executions of prisoners or killed peaceful demonstrators during a crackdown on protests that began in late December. At least 5,973 people have been killed and more than 41,800 detained, according to activists. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-araghchi-trump-threat-crackdown-299375ebfd004dd6098c77a6bb8079a5">official Iranian death toll</a>&nbsp;is far lower, at 3,117 dead.

More recently, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-hangings-protests-dae7dca429c9823f4f5690b368ebfe15">appeared to have backed away</a>&nbsp;from possible action, claiming Iran halted the hangings of 800 detained protesters. He has not elaborated on the source of the claim, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-crackdown-death-toll-acb1968a973f19be217ea28b4a7adb0b">Iran’s top prosecutor called “completely false.”</a>

However, Trump appears to be keeping his options open. On Thursday aboard Air Force One, he said his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-middle-east-allies-strikes-diplomat-24f75a6b2ab3716be47163fcb0817bc7">threatened military action</a>&nbsp;would make last year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fordo-us-strike-trump-israel-nuclear-sites-320a85327f94ed7496f09564261f3148">U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites</a>&nbsp;“look like peanuts” if the government proceeded with planned executions of some protesters.

The aircraft carrier hosts multiple squadrons of aircraft, including F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets. Meanwhile, the destroyers bring with them hundreds of missiles, which could include dozens of Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles.

In addition to the aircraft carrier and its hardware, the U.S. military said the Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet now has a presence in the region.

Analysts who follow flight-tracking data have noticed dozens of U.S. military cargo planes also heading to the region.

The activity is similar to last year when the U.S. moved in air defense hardware, including a Patriot missile system, in anticipation of an Iranian counterattack following the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-talks-geneva-news-06-21-2025-a7b0cdaba28b5817467ccf712d214579">bombing of three key nuclear sites</a>. Iran launched over a dozen missiles at Al Udeid Air Base days after the strikes.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Two Iranian-backed militias in the Mideast are signaling their willingness to launch new attacks, likely trying to back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">Iran</a>&nbsp;on Monday as it worried about an approaching U.S. aircraft carrier after President Donald Trump threatened military action over its crackdown on nationwide protests.

Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels signaled a willingness to resume attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. That came just after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-navy-warship-missiles-intercepted-2f5fc9c8a3737f762b29d5c53ec08a5b">Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah paramilitary group</a>, long supported by Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, issued a direct threat late Sunday toward any attack targeting Iran, warning a “total war” in the region would be a result.

However, both the Houthis and Kataib Hezbollah sat out from Israel's 12-day war on Iran in June that saw the United States bomb Iranian nuclear sites. The hesitancy to get involved shows the disarray still affecting Iran's self-described “Axis of Resistance” after facing attacks from Israel during its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

A short video by the Houthis included images of a ship on fire, with the caption: “Soon.” It later aired footage Monday from its January 2024 attack in the Gulf of Aden on the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Marlin Luanda, one of the over 100 ships attacked as part of a campaign the Houthis said pressured Israel over its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Houthis halted their fire after a ceasefire in the conflict, though they've repeatedly warned they could resume fire if needed.

Meanwhile, Ahmad “Abu Hussein” al-Hamidawi of Kataib Hezbollah issued his own threat in a statement.

“We affirm to the enemies that the war on the (Islamic) Republic will not be a picnic; rather, you will taste the bitterest forms of death, and nothing will remain of you in our region,” he said.

The threats came as the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other guided missile destroyers with it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-military-middle-east-iran-protests-b7a56659d708f2f11f66a18135f44c40">move toward the region</a>. Trump has said the ships are being moved “just in case” he decides to take action against Iran. Trump already has laid out two red lines for attack — the killing of peaceful protesters and Tehran conducting mass executions of those it has arrested in a massive crackdown over the demonstrations.

The “Axis of Resistance” alliances had allowed Iran to project its power across the Mideast but also was seen as a defensive buffer, intended to keep conflict away from Iranian borders.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-war-future-protests-unrest-nuclear-46b86a14319d5ae44ae090c9d58b0637">But it has collapsed</a>&nbsp;after Israel targeted Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon and others during the Gaza war. Meanwhile, rebels in 2024 overthrew Syria's Bashar Assad after a yearslong, bloody war in which Iran backed his rule.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, also warned Iraq late Sunday about Iran's influence.

“A government controlled by Iran cannot successfully put Iraq’s own interests first, keep Iraq out of regional conflicts or advance the mutually beneficial partnership between the United States and Iraq,” a statement on Rubio's behalf read.

The United Arab Emirates announced on Monday that it would not allow its airspace, territory, or territorial waters to be used for military action against Iran. The UAE said it would stress dialogue and diplomatic resolutions.

Iran renews threats and limits smaller flights

Iranian Defense Ministry spokesperson Gen. Reza Talaei-Nik renewed warnings Monday to both Israel and the U.S. over any possible attack, saying it would “be met with a response that is more painful and more decisive than in the past.” Iranian state television quoted Talaei-Nik as adding that threats from the two countries required Iran “to maintain full and comprehensive preparedness.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei separately told journalists: “Regional countries fully know that any security breach in the region will not affect Iran only. The lack of security is contagious.”

Iran over the weekend unveiled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-trump-mural-protests-military-4b2ceb8aff9dc448036341e86023b6c8">a new banner in Tehran's Enghelab Square</a>&nbsp;threatening the Lincoln, showing an aircraft carrier strewn with bodies and streaked with blood with the warning: “If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind.” However, Iran is still reeling from the 12-day war launched in June that saw its air defense systems broadly destroyed and top military leaders killed, as well as its nuclear enrichment sites bombed by the U.S.

As a sign of concern over its airspace, Iran issued a notice to pilots Sunday that banned small private aircraft from flying in the country, with carveouts for the oil industry and emergency medical flights.

Many Western airlines have started to avoid Iranian airspace entirely due to the tensions, though Gulf Arab carriers flying to Moscow still rely on the route. Iranian air defense troops in 2020&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-21f4a92a2dfbc38581719664bdf6f38e">shot down a Ukrainian commercial airliner</a>, killing 176 people on board.

The protests in Iran began on Dec. 28, sparked by the fall of the Iranian currency, the rial, and quickly spread across the country. They were met by a violent crackdown by Iran’s theocracy, the scale of which is only starting to become clear as the country has faced more than two-week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-crackdown-internet-business-costs-a0bd2df1d13355dcc28f46e5b5b3c893">internet blackout</a>&nbsp;— the most comprehensive in the nation's history.

The U.S.-based&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-death-toll-ec00ffa50f818d4a66aec5942aec629b">Human Rights Activists News Agency</a>&nbsp;on Monday put the death toll at 5,973, with the number expected to increase. It says more than 41,800 people have been arrested.

The group’s figures have been accurate in previous unrest and rely on a network of activists in Iran to verify deaths. That death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest there in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. The Associated Press has not been able to independently verify the toll.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-araghchi-trump-threat-crackdown-299375ebfd004dd6098c77a6bb8079a5">Iran’s government</a>&nbsp;has put the death toll at a far lower 3,117, saying 2,427 were civilians and security forces, and labeled the rest “terrorists.” In the past, Iran’s theocracy has undercounted or not reported fatalities from unrest.

US aircraft carrier arrives in the Middle East as tensions with Iran remain high

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a fatal crash that occurred just after 9p.m. January 22 have released the name of the victim as 36-year-old Jared Wilcox of Topeka, according to a media release from police.

The single vehicle accident occurred in the 500 block of SW 21st Street.&nbsp; First responders located Wilcox who was deceased at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing and no additional information has been provided.

Police release name of victim in fatal Kansas crash

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

After a preliminary hearing in Ellis County District Court on Monday, a WaKeeney man was bound over for trial for attempted first-degree murder for allegedly strangling his partner on July 17, 2025.

Cody Evan Garrett is charged with three felonies: attempted first-degree murder, aggravated domestic battery,&nbsp;criminal threat, and two misdemeanors: domestic battery and criminal damage to property.

The state presented its evidence in November, but the preliminary hearing was continued until Monday, when the defense presented its case.

Garrett drove his truck to an area of Hopewell Road in Ellis County. He&nbsp;allegedly told the victim he was going to kill her, throw her in a ditch, and she would never see her kids again, according to court records.

The victim told authorities that Garrett threw her up against the truck hard enough to dent the truck, pulled her hair, held her down on the ground and strangled her, according to court records and testimony.

The victim told authorities Garrett strangled her to the point she saw bright lights and heard ringing in her ears.

Garrett allegedly released the victim when another couple approached the area in another vehicle. She ran toward that vehicle, and law enforcement was called.

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