After five executive sessions, the Salina Commission has announced a new City Manager.

During the Salina City Commission meeting on Monday, Commissioners officially appointed Jacob Wood as the new City Manager.

According to Commissioner Mike Hoppock, the Commission made the decision on <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5106497e-8227-4adb-9d83-5c279472700b">Tuesday, August 12</a> to appoint Wood as the new City Manager. Hoppock added that 'time was needed' to put an agreement together, as to why no announcement was made two weeks ago.

"The reason nothing was finalized, was because today is the first time we can get all the commissioners together with some of us having other obligations," said Hoppock. "I would like to congratulate Mr. Wood as our new City Manager. I think he brings fresh perspectives to the job and it is always good to have change. I feel very comfortable with where we are as a community as of today."

Wood gave his remarks after his new appointed role.

"I would like to thank the Mayor and Commissioners for putting your confidence in me," said Wood. "This is a position I wanted for a really long time and I look forward to making the City of Salina a better place."

Mayor Greg Lenkiewicz gave his comments as well.

"I have no doubt that you are the man to take us to the next step and I am very pleased with our selection," said Lenkiewicz.

Wood enters the employment with an annual base salary of $235,000.

Wood was the interim city manager who took over for Mike Schrage on February 7, 2025. Schrage resigned during the December 23, 2024 meeting to accept a similar position in Warrensburg, Missouri.&nbsp;

View the clip of the appointment of Jacob Wood as Salina City Manager below:

🎥 UPDATE: Salina City Manager officially announced after five executive sessions

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced $550,000 in grant funding is now available to support the expansion of registered apprenticeship programs across Kansas.

The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship grant, will be divided into two distinct opportunities aimed at attracting and retaining more skilled employees:

The first, is a continuation of the established registered apprenticeship sponsor funding, available to state educational institutions, joint-labor organizations, businesses, nonprofits and workforce boards to support projects that expand their reach. 

The second is a new opportunity for small businesses to help them adopt registered apprenticeship programs.

“We have been intentional with our approaches to increase the reach and impact of registered apprenticeship programs in Kansas for one simple reason – they work,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “In the last three years, we’ve made extraordinary progress — with employer participation increasing from 280 companies to more than 1,000. These grants will help ensure even more employers can take advantage of the power of apprenticeships, and their ability to attract and retain talent.”

The existing program offers grant awards up to $150,000 which can be used to support technical instruction, outreach, staffing, partnerships and administrative costs. In addition, small business grants of $7,000 also will be available to companies with fewer than 10 employees that register at least one apprentice by the end of the grant period. 

Both applications must be completed by September 20, 2026.

“This grant opportunity has played a key role in expanding high-wage and high-demand registered apprenticeship programs across Kansas,”&nbsp;Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship Director Shonda Anderson said. “We’ve been extremely successful in expanding not only union-based apprenticeships but adding new industries such as agriculture, healthcare and manufacturing. We want to ensure businesses of all sizes get access to these opportunities.”

The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship grant program is one of many tools offered by the Kansas Department of Commerce to support workforce development for high-wage, high-demand occupations statewide. 

To apply or learn more about the office, the program and other resources offered, click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kansascommerce.gov%2Fworkforce%2Fkansasregisteredapprenticeship%2F/1/01010198e2e3043c-79eef36d-2788-4c05-9152-8cc6619d01e2-000000/EEJyuha8MJoibXu3xY98DfuszCHZ6YxhqMNLpRo41Bc=419">here</a>.

KDOC announces over $500,000 in grants available to support apprentice program expansion  

In an effort to improve safety for motorists, the City of Salina will implement new parking restrictions along 5th Street, between Prescott Avenue and South Street.&nbsp;

A recent review of traffic data, crash history, and field observations determined that vehicles parked close to driveways and intersections were limiting visibility and increasing the risk of collisions.&nbsp;

As part of the improvements, “No Parking” signs will be installed on the west side of 5th Street from Prescott Avenue north to South Street, and on the east side of 5th Street from Prescott Avenue north to a point 300 feet north of Center Street.&nbsp;

Installation of the new parking restrictions is expected to be completed by Friday, September 5th.

City of Salina announces new parking restrictions to improve safety for motorists

Revised bus routes and stops for OCCK's fixed-route public bus system, "CityGo" was approved by the Salina Commission and will be implemented.

For about 20 years OCCK has been serving the community with CityGo and since then, has experienced a positive trend in ridership.

OCCK Director of Transportation, Trell Grinter presented to Salina Commissioners on Monday a revised bus route layout, along with new proposed bus stop locations. According to Grinter, this proposal was due to the increase of different movements of businesses and travel patterns.&nbsp;

"We absolutely recognized the need was to change our routes," said Grinter.

With this new plan, a majority of all bus stops will continue to be in operation. The revised routes presented were color-coded to distinguish each different travel pattern and connecting points.

Grinter stated a few current stops will no longer be in operation. 

However, she said OCCK will do what they can to help residents get to their desired destination, in the event a stop is out of service.&nbsp;

Throughout the process of revising the bus routes and stops, OCCK reviewed the historical data of the amount of residents using each bus stop.&nbsp;According to Grinter, the stops that are going to be removed had less than 1 rider a day over the last 5 years. 

She added the revised routes will benefit people when it comes to travel time.

"There are some stops since the maps have come through, that people will really benefit if a bus was in the area or closer, so they did not have to travel as far," she said. "The efficiencies and effectiveness that we are going to be reaching by changing these routes, is going to allow us to expand without undue hardship on the city and taxpayers as we go forward."

OCCK communicated and received feedback from the public before moving forward with the revision.

Grinter said OCCK plans to keep staying in communication with the public, about any comments on the revised bus stops and routes.

Salina Commission approves OCCK's revised CityGo bus routes and stops to be implemented

MANHATTAN - Kansas State University's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/">McCain Performance Series</a>,&nbsp;will welcome celebrated solo artist Ben Folds at 7:30 pm Tuesday, September 9 to perform at the McCain Auditorium at the Kansas State University Manhattan Campus.

This performance will be&nbsp;part of Fold's "ben folds and a piano" tour.

An Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter, Folds has built an extensive portfolio of genre-wide music, from pop albums with Ben Folds Five and collaborative records to a holiday album and multiple solo albums. Known for his musical versatility, Folds performs as both a pop artist and alongside world-acclaimed symphony orchestras.

In addition to performing, Folds is a New York Times bestselling author and composer for film, television and theater. Folds' expertise has also reached mainstream audiences on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC">NBC</a>&nbsp;a cappella singing contest "<a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sing-Off">The Sing-Off</a>," where he served as a judge for five seasons.

A firm believer in engagement through the arts, Folds advocates nationally for arts and arts education through Americans for the Arts and the Arts Action Fund, and he launched his charitable initiative "Keys For Kids," funding nonprofits that provide free or low-cost piano lessons to children in need, in 2022.

The community can look forward to a memorable kickoff to the McCain Performance Series as Folds brings his signature musicianship and masterful storytelling to the McCain Auditorium stage. Whether performing heartfelt ballads, pop hits or on-the-spot improvisations, "ben folds and a piano" promises an unforgettable concert experience.

The evening will also feature special guest Lindsey Kraft.

Tickets are available online at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mccain.k-state.edu/">mccain.k-state.edu</a>&nbsp;or at the ticket office in the McCain Auditorium lobby from noon to 4 pm,&nbsp;Wednesday through Friday.

Tickets are also available by phone at (785) 532-6428 during those hours. Discounts are available for bundling seven or more events as a package or purchasing as a group of 10 or more.

Call the ticket office for more information regarding available discounts.

For more information, email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mccain@k-state.edu">mccain@k-state.edu</a>.

Emmy nominated singer to perform and kick off KSU's McCain Performance Series

OCCK Inc. Transportation will be closed on Monday, September 1st&nbsp;in observance of Labor Day.&nbsp;&nbsp;

No vehicles will run on Monday, September 1st. Transportation services will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, September 2nd.&nbsp;&nbsp;

OCCK, Inc. provides services in north central Kansas to anyone with any type of long or short-term disability, starting as early as birth and following people through their whole lives.&nbsp; OCCK provides an array of supports for success at home and in the community, including independent living skills and supports, employment and career training, Alzheimer’s supports, autism services, assistive technology, children’s services, transportation, specialized therapies, and home health care.

OCCK is committed to providing transportation services to the general public, seniors, and persons with disabilities, through a variety of programs, including a fixed route service in Salina, CityGo, a regional paratransit service that serves fourteen counties, non emergency medical transportation for people with Medicaid, as well as non emergency medical transportation for clients of Salina Regional Health Center, a regional fixed route service, 81 Connection, KANcycle – the regional bike sharing program, GoAbilene public transportation, GoConcordia public transportation, KanConnect regional fixed route, and the newest program, OCCK OnDemand.

For more information about OCCK, Inc., visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.occk.com/">www.occk.com</a>.&nbsp;

For more information about CityGo and OCCK Transportation, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.salinacitygo.com/">www.salinacitygo.com</a>.

Or, contact the OCCK Transportation Center at (785) 826-1583.

OCCK closing transportation services for Labor Day, resumes following day

Fall-like temps, along with isolated and scattered showers are expected to occur this week throughout Central Kansas.

Temperatures are listed to drop this week, along with isolated and scattered showers in Central Kansas. According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), the best chances for rainfall will be on Wednesday, August 27 and into Thursday, August 28, after Monday's showers.

Severe weather is not expected, but there are possibilities some of the weather could produce brief periods of heavy rainfall.&nbsp;

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

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

Temperatures drop this week, along with isolated and scattered showers throughout Central Kansas 

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.

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;<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>

You can also call:&nbsp;(785) 656-9856 during business hours.

Recent obituaries and service times

ABILENE - A pharmacy in Abilene suffered a fire in its building, causing a temporary closure.

According to the&nbsp;Patterson Health Care Pharmacy (105 NW 3rd St), a fire occurred on Sunday night and prompted damage to the business. Abilene first responders immediately arrived to the scene and extinguished the fire.

The fire happened during closed hours and there were no reports of any injuries.

The pharmacy will remain closed until further notice. 

The pharmacy stated they will provide updates on their Facebook page and phone system as soon as possible.

Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pattersonhealthcarepharmacy">https://www.facebook.com/pattersonhealthcarepharmacy</a>

Abilene pharmacy suffers weekend fire 

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

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 25 - August 27

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.

NAME:&nbsp;Gamache, Brandon Michael

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Criminal Damage to Property; Misdemeanor; Viol. protection order; Pre-trial order

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Probation Violation; Interf. w/LEO; obstr./resist/oppose. felony warrant

NAME:&nbsp;Richardson, Jordan Demichael

REQUESTED CHARGE: Failure to appear

Saline County Jail Bookings, August 25

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 22 - August 24

Cooler temperatures are looking to transpire with isolated storms for this upcoming weekend in Central Kansas.

According to the&nbsp;US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS) after Friday, August 22, temperatures are expected to drop, starting Saturday - Monday. Isolated storms are anticipated to occur in the event of the cooler weather this weekend.

Monday, August 25 is listed as the coolest day with highs only reaching to the mid 70's.

Cooler temps with isolated storms expected for the weekend in Central Kansas

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 20 - August 22

After the high temperatures and over 100 heat indices, a possibility of rain is expected to occur throughout Central Kansas this week.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), an anticipation of showers and thunderstorms are expected to happen throughout Central Kansas. Reportedly, there is a better chance on Tuesday, August 19 and into the following day on Wednesday.

Slightly cooler weather is expected for Wednesday and Thursday with highs being in the range of 89-93.

Chances of showers and t-storms expected for Tuesday & Wednesday

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 18 - August 20

High temperatures and breezy winds are expected to occur throughout Central Kansas this weekend and into Monday, August 18.&nbsp;

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), heat indices are expected to reach as high as 105 in Central Kansas this weekend. Breezy conditions are anticipated to occur as well.

Hot and dry weather will remain through the weekend before chances rain return moving into next week on Monday.

High temps returning this weekend with breezy conditions, rain expected on Monday  

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 15 - August 17

Three day weather forecast Salina, August 13 - August 15

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Donald Trump signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/08/taking-steps-to-end-cashless-bail-to-protect-americans/" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;on Monday threatening to withhold or revoke federal funding to local and state governments that offer cashless bail, arguing that it is a threat to public safety.

“No cash. Come back in a couple of months, we’ll give you a trial. You never see the person again,” he said, moments before signing the order.

Attorney General Pam Bondi must submit a list of jurisdictions that have “substantially eliminated cash bail as a potential condition of pretrial release from custody for crimes that pose a clear threat to public safety and order” within 30 days, as stipulated in the order.

Proponents of eliminating cash bail describe it as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-michigan-detroit-76a38e8bd1c0432103068d0837aa2a0b">penalty on poverty</a>, suggesting that the wealthy can pay their way out of jail to await trial while those with fewer financial resources have to sit it out behind bars. Critics of the cashless route&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cash-bail-criminal-justice-supreme-court-pretrial-jail-poverty-55f1d3e71714151eb19cc2fbc10677d5">have argued</a>&nbsp;that bail is a time-honored way to ensure defendants released from jail show up for court proceedings. They warn that violent criminals will be released pending trial, giving them license to commit other crimes.

Cashless bail refers to policies that allow people to be released from jail without paying any money while they await trial. It is an alternative to the traditional cash bail system in which which people pay money to be released and get their money back if they return to court when they are supposed to. The&nbsp;<a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-8/" target="_blank">Eighth Amendment</a>&nbsp;of the Constitution prohibits excessive bail.

In 2023, Illinois became&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cash-bail-criminal-justice-supreme-court-pretrial-jail-poverty-55f1d3e71714151eb19cc2fbc10677d5">the first state</a>&nbsp;to eliminate cash bail when the state Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law abolishing it. The move was part of an expansive criminal justice overhaul adopted in 2021 known as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/publicacts/101/PDF/101-0652.pdf" target="_blank">SAFE-T Act</a>. Under the change, a judge decides whether to release the defendant prior to their trial, weighing factors such as their criminal charges, if they could pose any danger to others and if they are considered a flight risk.

A number of&nbsp;<a href="https://bailproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CLIENT-Bail-Project-Beyond-Bail-Report-FINAL-3.1.25.pdf" target="_blank">other jurisdictions</a>, including New Jersey, New Mexico and Washington, D.C., have nearly eliminated cash bail or limited its use. Some&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/99166/supporting_individual_agency_in_the_pretrial_release_process.pdf" target="_blank">have used</a>&nbsp;practices&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanprogress.org/article/ending-cash-bail/" target="_blank">such as</a>&nbsp;court date reminders, transportation vouchers, flexible scheduling and on-site child care to increase court attendance for people who have been released without bail.

<a href="https://bailproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CLIENT-Bail-Project-Beyond-Bail-Report-FINAL-3.1.25.pdf" target="_blank">Policies vary</a>&nbsp;by jurisdiction, but many exclude the use of cashless bail for more serious crimes such as murder and other violent offenses. Cashless bail might also be denied if there is concern an individual might flee before trial. In some cases, it is granted automatically for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies.

Studies have shown mixed results regarding the impact of cashless bail on crime. Many focus on the recidivism of individual defendants rather than overall crime rates.

Loyola University of Chicago’s Center for Criminal Justice&nbsp;<a href="https://pfa-1yr.loyolaccj.org/" target="_blank">published a 2024 report</a>&nbsp;on Illinois’ new cashless bail policy, one year after it went into effect. It acknowledges that there is not yet enough data to know what impact the law has had on crime, but that crime in Illinois did not increase after its implementation. Violent and property crime declined in some counties.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/bail-reform-and-public-safety" target="_blank">2024 report</a>&nbsp;published by the Brennan Center for Justice saw “no statistically significant relationship” between bail reform and crime rates. It looked at crime rate data from 2015 through 2021 for 33 cities across the U.S., 22 of which had instituted some type of bail reform. Researchers used a statistical method to determine if crime rates had diverged in those with reforms and those without. The report found that “put simply” there was no “significant difference in crime rates between cities that reformed their bail policies and those that did not.”

Asked last month what data Trump was using to support his claim that cashless bail leads to increase in crime, the White House pointed to a&nbsp;<a href="https://yoloda.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Emergency-Bail-Analysis.pdf" target="_blank">2022 report</a>&nbsp;from the district attorney’s office in Yolo County, California, that looked at how a temporary cashless bail system implemented across the state to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in courts and jails impacted recidivism. It found that out of 595 individuals released between April 2020 and May 2021 under this system, 70.6% were arrested again after they were released. A little more than half were rearrested more than once.

Details on President Trump's order aimed at ending cashless bail nationwide

The Powerball® jackpot has soared to an estimated $815 million for the next drawing on Wednesday night, making it the seventh-largest prize in game history, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association.&nbsp; The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $367.9 million.

The Powerball jackpot rolled Monday night after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn – white balls 16, 19, 34, 37, 64 and red Powerball 22. The Power Play® multiplier was 3.

While the jackpot evaded players, two tickets in Georgia and Texas won $1 million prizes after matching all five white balls. There were also 26 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and five tickets that won $150,000 prizes.

In the Double Play® drawing, a ticket in Maryland won a $500,000 prize after matching all five black balls. Double Play® is a $1 add-on feature that allows players to play their Powerball numbers, again, in a separate drawing for a chance to win up to $10 million. Double Play drawings are live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com&nbsp;</a>after the main drawing.

Wednesday’s Powerball drawing will be the 38th drawing since the jackpot was last won in California on May 31, 2025. If a player wins Wednesday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $815 million or a lump sum payment estimated at $367.9 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $36 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on Powerball.com.

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

Powerball jackpot soars to seventh largest in game history

CRAWFORD COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on&nbsp;

Just before 6p.m. August 23, police were dispatched to Americas Best Value Inn, 3108 N Broadway Street, in Pittsburg, in reference to a report of a sexual assault that just occurred, according to a media release.

Upon arrival, officers met with the reporting party about the incident, which involved a juvenile victim and an adult male. While the officers were on scene, they were made aware that the suspect, identified as 50-year-old Damien Dorien Yarbrough of Pittsburg, was attempting to leave the hotel. 

Police found Yarbrough with his luggage attempting to leave, and officers detained him. Detectives with the police department’s Criminal Investigations Division were contacted and responded to assist with the investigation.

The victim and their family were interviewed about the incident, and the victim was referred to local medical providers for further attention. 

A search warrant application was prepared for Yarbrough’s hotel room to look for evidence relating to the incident. The search warrant was granted, and items of suspected evidence were collected.

Yarbrough was arrested and transported to jail at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office for booking. He is in being held on a&nbsp;a $500,000 bond on requested charges of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated criminal sodomy, and rape.

Kansas man accused of kidnapping, child rape at hotel

WICHITA– Earlier this month, the&nbsp;Democratic Caucus of the Kansas House of Representatives and Senate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Immediate-Demand-to-Cease-Illegal-Raids-and-Detentions-in-Kansas-.docx4_.pdf">sent a letter</a>&nbsp;to U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall accusing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of being “bloated and reckless” and exhibiting “unprofessional behavior” while apprehending dangerous, illegal immigrants from Kansas communities. &nbsp;

Unlike Kansas Democrats, Senator Marshall’s office reached out to DHS officials to confirm details of the targeted enforcement events cited in the letter.&nbsp; Marshall's response is below

“Our federal law enforcement officials have safely and legally removed dozens of illegal immigrants from our communities,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“President Trump promised to make America safe again, and he is delivering on that promise. For Democrats to make unfounded and false accusations against our hardworking law enforcement officials is not only unprofessional but also against the American people's goal of closing our borders and keeping communities safe from illegal and dangerous criminals.”

Contrary to the allegations leveled by the Kansas Democratic Caucus, agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted the targeted enforcement operations legally and judiciously.&nbsp;

During the July 30, 2025, targeted enforcement operations in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties:

“Our agents were executing a&nbsp;lawful and targeted operation. When agitators spread false narratives or interfere with law enforcement, it undermines public safety and puts both the community and law enforcement personnel at risk,”&nbsp;said HSI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Mark Zito.&nbsp;“Make no mistake: individuals who violate federal immigration law by being unlawfully present in the United States may be subject to detention and removal proceedings under the law. And let me be clear, assaults on officers have surged dramatically, and anyone who dares to obstruct, assault, or interfere with federal agents will face immediate consequences, including arrest and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”

Kan. U.S. Senator responds to accusation levied against DHS by Democrats

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Two more suspects accused in connection with the death of a 1-year-old Kansas boy were to go to trial Monday. Both trials were continued until 2026, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Roames Bonner, who was 17 at the time of the crime, was set to face a bench trial Monday afternoon in Judge Jeffery Goering's courtroom. The Judge earlier this year  ruled Bonner can be tried as an adult, according to the District Attorney's office.

Jonathan Tillery-Matthais, 21, was to face a jury trial on Monday morning in Judge Jeffery Goering's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Bonner, 21-year-old Jonathan Tillery-Matthias and&nbsp;26-year-old K’Veion Richard all of Wichita, were charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and criminal discharge of a firearm for the death of 1-year-old Taidyn Anderson, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 7p.m. February 19, police responded to a shooting in the 2500 block of South Oliver, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses. Through the investigation, officers learned that two adult females were struck by gunfire and 1-year-old Taidyn Anderson was also struck by gunfire and died of his injuries.

Police identified three suspects in the case and the following day arrested&nbsp; Bonner, Richard and&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=746317">Tillery-Matthias&nbsp;</a>.

At the time of the crime,&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=746317">Tillery-Matthias</a>&nbsp;was on pre-trial supervision for Criminal Discharge of a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle stemming from a Wichita Police investigation.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=232072">&nbsp;Richard&nbsp;</a>was on Parole for Criminal Discharge of a Firearm, Aggravated Burglary, Aggravated Assault x2, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon.

Police believe that this was a targeted event which led to the death of the boy. In April, Richard was sentenced to life in prison for the boy's death.

Kan. teen's trial for death of 1-year-old did not begin as planned

The Democrat National Committee opened their summer meetings on Monday in Minneapolis. Those in attendance are discussing the future of the party and criticizing President Trump.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Former Vice Presidential candidate and current Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said, " If Kamala Harris had won in 2024: "We wouldn't wake up everyday to a bunch of s%X$# on TV and a bunch of nonsense. We would wake up to an adult with compassion and dignity and vision and leadership doing the work. May his fat ankles find something today."

More than 400 elected party officials from all 50 states and several territories are attending the meetings at a downtown hotel in Minneapolis.

🎥Former VP candidate insults President Trump during DNC speech

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a shooting&nbsp; in Wichita are asking the public for help to locate&nbsp;16-year-old Cesar Govea, according to a statement from Wichita Police.

Govea is wanted in connection with a shooting that injured his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend and a 17-year-old boy. The victims were inside a vehicle near Wichita and Waterwalk when Govea opened fire. 



Govea is considered armed and dangerous. Do not approach him.


 
If you know his whereabouts, do not approach him and call 911 immediately. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

Still at large: Kan. teen wanted for shooting ex-girlfriend

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump fired&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-reserve-rates-354ddf9b0b2a78eabbe7ebd361bf2e05">Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook</a>&nbsp;late Monday, a sharp escalation in his battle to exert greater control over what has long been considered an institution&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fed-federal-reserve-powell-trump-63c3e35e8606b7b73455b08aa21456dd">independent from day-to-day politics</a>.

Trump said in a letter posted on his Truth Social platform that he is firing Cook because of allegations that she committed mortgage fraud. Bill Pulte, a Trump appointee to the agency that regulates mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, made the accusations last week.

Pulte alleged that Cook had claimed two primary residences -- in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Atlanta -- in 2021 to get better mortgage terms. Mortgage rates are often higher on second homes or those purchased to rent.

The announcement came days after Cook said she wouldn’t leave her post despite Trump previously calling for her to resign. The Fed’s board has seven members, meaning Trump’s move could have deep economic and political ramifications.

Trump said in announcing the move that he had the constitutional authority to remove Cook, but doing so will raise questions about control of the Fed as an independent entity.

The firing is likely to touch off a legal battle and Cook could be allowed to remain in her seat while the case plays out. Cook would have to fight the legal battle herself, as the injured party, rather than the Fed.

It is the latest effort by the administration to take control over one of the few remaining independent agencies in Washington. Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-powell-federal-reserve-building-renovation-2393d9ac9fdb9508f285d0faa5f4de41">repeatedly attacked</a>&nbsp;the Fed’s chair, Jerome Powell, for not cutting its short-term interest rate, and even threatened to fire him.

Forcing Cook off the Fed’s governing board would provide Trump an opportunity to appoint a loyalist. Trump has said he would only appoint officials who would support cutting rates.

Trump fires Fed Governor Lisa Cook in fight for control over central bank

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man who admitted to a deadly knife attack learned his fate last Friday.

Judge William Woolley sentence William Ball, 24 of Wichita, to&nbsp;55 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections with 15 percent Good Time Credit and 36 months post-release surpervision, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;

In June Ball pleaded guilty to charges of 2nd degree murder.

On March 10, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a report of a stabbing in the 4100 block of East Whitney Lane, according to Wichita Police Lt. Aaron Moses. The caller reported someone had been stabbed in the street.

Officers from the Wichita Police Department responded to the scene and located 51- year-old Brian Edwards from Wichita suffering from stab wound to the torso.&nbsp; EMS transported Edwards to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Officers at the scene quickly identified a suspect in this case and took William Ball into custody without incident. There were multiple individuals at the scene who were later interviewed by Wichita Police Department Homicide investigators.

&nbsp;Police booked Ball into the Sedgwick County Jail. This was the third criminal homicide in Wichita in 2025.

Prison for deadly Kansas knife attack

MANHATTAN —Kansas State University is the latest target in a series of swatting incidents nationwide.

Late Monday afternoon Kansas State University was a target of a swatting attack intended to be disruptive to our Manhattan campus, according to a&nbsp; social media report from the university.

Riley County Dispatch received a call on their administrative line of a message stating active violence at Hale Library.

Officers immediately responded and determined the call was a hoax and there was no threat or danger. The building is safe, and the Manhattan campus is under normal operations.

This appears to be similar to other swatting reports happening at universities across the country.

K-State a target of swatting incident

CHICAGO (AP) — Shane Smith allowed one hit in a career-high seven innings, Korey Lee hit a two-run homer, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 7-0 on Monday night.

Smith (4-7) pitched into the seventh inning for the first time in his career, facing just 23 batters on 80 pitches.

Lee, in his first start since getting called up from Triple-A Charlotte, drove a shot over the left-field wall for his first home run of the season for a 5-0 lead in the fourth. Brooks Baldwin followed with a home run near the same spot for a six-run lead.

Chicago has won three straight games after losing 14 of 18.

Kansas City dropped to 13-10 in August. The Royals entered having scored at least five runs in 20 of 34 games (58.8%) since the All-Star break, tied with Milwaukee for the most in the majors.

Kansas City starter Noah Cameron (7-6) allowed six earned runs and eight hits in five innings.

Mike Yastrzemski hit a double in the third and Bobby Witt Jr. had one in the ninth for the Royals' two hits.

Chicago scored three runs on four hits in the first inning. Edgar Quero hit a shot into the gap in left-center field to score Chase Meidroth from first to open the scoring. Lenyn Sosa followed with a hit into the right-field gap for back-to-back doubles. Curtis Mead added Chicago’s third double for his third RBI of the season and a 3-0 lead.

Chicago scored in the first inning for the third time in four games after doing so just once in the previous nine.

Royals RHP Michael Lorenzen (5-8, 4.50) is scheduled to make his 21st start of the season while White Sox LHP Martín Pérez (1-3, 2.51) will be making his sixth start.

⚾ Shane Smith gives up 1 hit in 7 innings as White Sox beat the Royals 

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Major League Baseball announced today that&nbsp;Vinnie Pasquantino&nbsp;has been named American League Player of the Week, presented by Chevrolet, for the period of Aug. 18-24.

This is Pasquantino’s third career American League Player of the Week honor, following June 2-8 this season and Aug. 8-14, 2022. His three such awards are tied with&nbsp;Carlos Beltrán&nbsp;for the 6th most in Royals history, trailing only&nbsp;George Brett&nbsp;(12),&nbsp;Hal McRae&nbsp;(5),&nbsp;Billy Butler&nbsp;(5),&nbsp;Mike Sweeney&nbsp;(4) and&nbsp;Bret Saberhagen&nbsp;(4).

Pasquantino, 27, hit .379 (11-for-29) in 7 games last week and led the Major Leagues in home runs (6) while leading the American League in RBI (12) and ranking 2nd in the AL in slugging (1.069) and OPS (1.506).

He homered in 5 straight games last Monday through Friday to match a franchise record, previously done by Sweeney from June 25-29, 2002 and&nbsp;Salvador Perez&nbsp;from Aug. 25-29, 2021. It was the second 5-game HR streak in the Majors this season, following&nbsp;Shohei Ohtani, who did it from July 19-23.

Half of his 6 HR last week gave the Royals a lead, and his 15 go-ahead HR this season rank tied for 5th in the Majors. He has 26 go-ahead RBI on the season, tied with&nbsp;Cal Raleigh&nbsp;for the Major League lead.

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