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

Stan Razak remembers Gerald Lilly as one of the first people he knew as a young boy.

"I knew Gerald quite well; he knew me longer than I knew him," Razak said. "My dad started school (at Kansas Wesleyan) in 1952, and we lived out in Mentor where all the Lillys lived so I've really known Gerald my whole life."

Their relationship deepened through their association as devoted fans and longtime contributors to the university. Lilly was a fixture at all things KWU as was Razak until his sons then grandsons started competing in middle and high school athletics. Even then he remained a frequent face in the stands, press box and at the scorer's table.

Lilly passed away in 2016 after 68 years as an ardent Coyote supporter. In recognition of his devotion KWU established the Gerald Lilly Award. Fittingly, Razak and his wife Kathy are the 2025 recipients.

The Razaks met while attending Wesleyan in the early 1970s. Stan played basketball, tennis and competed in track while Kathy earned a degree in English education.

"It really touches my heart because I've known Gerald for so long and we lived in 'Lillyville,'" Stan said of his time in Mentor with the Lillys. "One of his brothers lived right in our backyard, the other brother lived nearby so we've known the Lilly family forever.

"It's a big, big honor to get this. It feels like you've accomplished something even though I've just been doing what I enjoy doing - going to ballgames."

"It's an honor because the Lilly family has always been important," said Kathy who works with the KWU Auxiliary. "Gerald was a good friend of Stan's and so that's what makes it special."

Stan said he cannot remember when he became a Coyote fan.

"Supposedly, I went to my first basketball game down in Memorial Hall when I was less than three weeks old so basically, I've been a Coyote my entire life," he said.

After graduating from KWU in 1973 Stan went to work for the Solomon school district and taught sixth grade for more than 30 years. He was a longtime assistant varsity basketball coach at Solomon High School and resides in Solomon.

"My favorite coach to be," he said of his coaching role. "I didn't have to do the paperwork; I didn't have to make schedules; I didn't have to schedule the bus. I just showed up and I enjoyed that very much."

Razak kept the scorebook, ran the time clock and scoreboard and was the announcer for Solomon High basketball games after he left coaching and before retiring from teaching. He performs some of the same duties today at KWU.

"You have the best seat in the house," he said. "You're inside, you don't have to worry about the rain, and they feed you so it's always enjoyable ... except for basketball.

"Everybody thinks that sitting at that scorer's table is the best seat in the house but it's really not because you're so close to the action that you've got the officials in front of you, the coaches in front of you. We're constantly saying, 'who did that, could you see it?'"

Kathy, who hails from Tescott, coordinates the Auxiliary's popular survival kits given to students near the end of the fall semester as they prepare for and take their final exams.

She taught at Ellsworth and Abilene Middle Schools, worked for School Specialty, the district court in Abilene and spent 19 years with the USD Natural Resources Conservation Service before retiring in 2011.

"Wesleyan was an important part of my life because I met Stan, but I've also got some lifelong friends that you just can't beat," she said. "I think this small school and living in the dormitory and all that was what made it special."

Stan says KWU athletics has vastly improved through the years.

"I think it's just gotten better and better as far as the coaches," he said. "The athletes, of course, are much better than they were when I played here - I was a 6-foot big man - and the facilities have gotten a lot better.

"When I played basketball, we didn't even have a gym. We played our games at Sacred Heart (High School), and we practiced out at Schilling (Air Force Base). We just hoped we got back to the cafeteria in time before it closed so we could get supper."

Not surprisingly basketball is his favorite sport but "I enjoy any of them."

Much the same as Lilly who was in attendance regardless of which team was competing. And his fandom went well beyond KWU.

"It was Wesleyan and the surrounding high schools," Razak said. "It wasn't just Wesleyan, and it wasn't just (Salina) Central or (Salina) South, it was anybody. That was his life.

Razaks thrilled to received award named in honor of longtime friend Gerald Lilly

ELLSWORTH COUNTY —On Tuesday, the Ellsworth County Sheriff reported his office continues investigating a shooting that sent a central Kansas teen to the hospital last month.

Just before 10p.m. on&nbsp;September 28, the Ellsworth County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call stating a shot had been fired and a man was down on the ground at 1341 Avenue F, according to Sheriff&nbsp;Kenny M. Bernard.

Responding officers arrived and found 18-year-old Holden Slaight lying on the floor in the kitchen area suffering from what appeared to be a non-self-inflicted single gunshot wound to the upper area of his right leg. 

EMS treated and transported Holden to Ellsworth County Medical Center where he was then air-lifted to Wichita.

Sheriff IDs central Kansas teen air lifted to hospital after shooting

To tell you a bit about myself, I come from a family of teachers as my grandma and mom both taught in the one room schoolhouse. I have a bachelors and masters in education and have taught in the public school system for 15 years as well as have substituted in our district before retiring. My two sons married&nbsp;teachers and I have ten beautiful grandchildren.

Having&nbsp;been a teacher most of my life, I know that education is very important for the building of a society and a nation as well as providing the students with the skills to learn and lead a productive life. With the district, parents and community working together, we can help educate our children to be all they can be and to help them find their gifts and talents.

&nbsp;As we come alongside our students, they can be given the tools they need to be able to read, do math, discover science, communicate with others, love their country and give them the opportunity to be the best they can be. I've seen that it takes a team effort and vision to keep improving and reaching goals in our education system here in Salina.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This past term I have encouraged people to become volunteers or foster grandparents in our schools.&nbsp; Community involvement can&nbsp;make a huge difference in a child's life. Knowing, caring, listening and responding can help a child's self image and encourage them to keep trying.&nbsp;

Also since there is a lack of funding for the Special Ed program, I have talked to legislators and others about fully financing this program.&nbsp;&nbsp;

I am running for re-election as I believe&nbsp;in the vision and mission of our district. Having been an educator in the public schools, I believe my experience as a teacher helps bring insight to the board to help make decisions and to see our district through an educator's eyes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Meet USD 305 School Board Candidate: Bonnie Schamberger

The Smoky Hill Museum has announced the opening of a new exhibit, that explores postwar America.

"The 1950s: An American Dream?"&nbsp;opened on October 10 at the Smoky Hill Museum. This intriguing, immersive, traveling exhibit explores the optimism, tension and cultural shifts that shaped postwar America.

Memories are a funny thing—we rarely recall life exactly as it was, but often through a haze of nostalgia. Even bad times can lose their bite given enough time. This is especially true of eras where joy and optimism coexisted with struggle and conflict. Perhaps the 1950s stands as a moment in the twentieth century that captures this duality better than any other in American history.

On one hand, a thriving youth culture explored newfound freedom and embraced a new era of Rock &amp; Roll. Chrome gleamed on the streets, and pastel appliances hummed in freshly built homes. On the other hand, there was stress at home as traditional gender roles began to shift and stir tension. Society was worried about communism and the threat of nuclear war. The growing tensions of civil rights were reaching a boiling point, and America was again at war – this time in Korea.

Does that mean the 1950s wasn’t all it was cracked up to be? Not necessarily. It reminds us that nostalgia often glosses over complexity—and that every era holds contradictions worth exploring. It’s important to see the whole picture and not just a snapshot in time.

To dive deeper into this fascinating era, visit the Museum’s newest traveling exhibit, 1950s: An American Dream? – on exhibit in the center gallery October 10, 2025 - February, 21, 2026.

Smoky Hill Museum opens new exhibit exploring post WWII America

For the 34th time, the Smoky Hill Museum has their annual Poinsettia sale now through November.

The Museum’s poinsettias are long-lasting, nursery-grown plants, available in six vibrant varieties for this year. The flowering plants will brighten home, office or church, to encourage loved ones or shut-ins, and to reduce holiday stress for yourself and others.

The full, multi-stem plants are available in three sizes:

The 18-inch small plants are $15, and are available in solid red, pink or white, plus three special varieties: Marble (cream leaves with bold pink stripes or striations; pictured); Jingle Bell (red leaves with cream speckles) and Christmas Mouse (red with rounded petals). 

The luxurious, 24-inch Medium plants are $30, and are available in red, pink or white, Marble, and Jingle Bell. 

The stunning 36-inch Large is only available in Christmas red for $45. It is ideal for fireplace, foyer or doorway use.

You can order 30 plants and take $2 off per plant. Members of the Smoky Hill Museum Friends receive a special discount of $1 off each plant. 

Pick up your plants on Saturday, December 6 between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. Or, doorstep delivery to your home, office, church or to someone you know, is just $15 per stop in the Salina metro area.

The annual Poinsettia Sale helps make possible the Smoky Hill Museum’s educational programs and events that benefit many students, children and families. 

Pre-order your plants from now through November 15.

To order, go <a href="https://www.smokyhillmuseum.org/poinsettia_sale.html">here</a>&nbsp;to order online or download a printable order form.

For more information, call (785) 833-8021, or email rosa.delacruz@salina.org.

When picking up your poinsettias in early December, visit the Museum store for creative holiday gift ideas. From gourmet Kansas food products to local artwork, including stunning wheat weaving, artist-made greeting cards and handmade pottery, the Museum Store has something for everyone on your list, including those who love or have lived in the Sunflower State.

Smoky Hill Museum launches Poinsettia sale now through November

A candidate forum for three contested races of the Southeast of Saline USD 306 Board of Education has announced to be held next Wednesday.

At&nbsp;6:30 pm on Wednesday, October 22&nbsp;the forum will occur at the Southeast of Saline USD 306 theater. The forum will allow the public an opportunity to identify candidates for each seat, ask questions of candidates and listen to candidate responses.&nbsp;

Running for Position #4, covering Zone 1 which includes Assaria, Mentor and Bridgeport is Kenny Costigan and Skylar Hanson.&nbsp;

Running for Position #5, covering Zone 2 which includes Gypsum is Jill Ade and Drew Rathbun.

Running for Position #6, covering Zone 3 which includes Kipp, and northern territory of the school district running east to west is Stephanie Markle and Jessica Goubeaux.&nbsp;

Individuals interested in hearing a response to a specific question can submit their question at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://forms.gle/avXy5yEE7yzu3Mwm9">https://forms.gle/avXy5yEE7yzu3Mwm9</a>&nbsp;prior to the event.

The forum will include each candidate presenting an opening statement, answering questions produced from the public and then presenting a closing statement. The forum will be moderated by Southeast of Saline graduate, Kevin Hall of Gypsum.&nbsp;

Southeast of Saline graduate, Lori Blake of Assaria, will be hosting the candidates and providing consultation prior to the event.&nbsp;

A public reception will follow outside of the theater with refreshments provided by the Southeast of Saline Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.

Southeast of Saline USD 306 Board contested candidate forum to be held

A man was arrested after lying about his name and having warrants in two counties, during a traffic stop.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Monday at around 9:00 pm, an officer on patrol conducted a traffic stop on a male riding his bicycle in the area of State and Broadway.

Reportedly, the man did not have reflectors on his bike.

During the traffic stop, SPD stated the man provided a name that did not identify with himself. Afterwards, the officer identified the man as 23-year old Jason Lester.

Lester reportedly has warrants out of Shawnee and Geary counties. Lester was then arrested after he tried to get away from law enforcement. 

He was booked into the Saline County Jail for the warrants, and requested charges of Improper bike equipment and Interference with Law Enforcement Officer.

Man lies about name during traffic stop before arrest

USD 327 Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo

ELLSWORTH -&nbsp;USD 327 Superintendent Deena Hilbig has announced her retirement at the conclusion of the current school year, marking the culmination of a distinguished career in education and leadership.&nbsp;

Since 2022, Hilbig has led USD 327 Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo with vision, collaboration and a steadfast commitment to students, staff, and the community. 

During her tenure, she guided the district&nbsp; through the development of a new strategic plan, vision, and mission to ensure that USD 327 remains&nbsp; Better Together, Striving for Excellence.&nbsp;

Under her leadership, the district has:&nbsp;

• Authored and secured more than $1 million in competitive grant awards to expand Career &amp; Technical Education pathways, enhance facilities, and increase student opportunities.&nbsp;

• Strengthened partnerships with teachers, staff, and families to create a unified, student-centered culture.&nbsp;

• Advanced district-wide initiatives in literacy, curriculum alignment, technology, and facilities planning.&nbsp;

• Elevated staff development through mentorship, coaching, and a strong focus on instructional excellence.&nbsp;

Hilbig’s impact extends well beyond USD 327. Over her 33-year career, she has also served in USD 305 as an instructional assistant, teacher, lead teacher, and principal, providing leadership in school&nbsp; improvement, professional development, and state-level initiatives. She has also contributed through&nbsp; roles on the Kansas Commissioner of Education’s Superintendent Advisory Council, the Kansas&nbsp; Association of School Boards Advocacy Network, and as a mentor for new administrators through the&nbsp; Kansas Educational Leadership Institute.&nbsp;

Reflecting on her time in Ellsworth, Hilbig shared:&nbsp;

“My years at USD 327 have reminded me of the very best parts of small-town life—the sense of&nbsp; belonging, the spirit of community, and the shared belief that together we can accomplish great things.&nbsp; It has been an honor to serve this district and community, and I am proud of what we have&nbsp; &nbsp;accomplished side by side.”&nbsp;

Hilbig will leave USD 327 with deep gratitude for the Board of Education, staff, students, families, and&nbsp; the community, confident that the district is positioned for continued growth and success.

USD 327 Superintendent retiring by the end of the 2025-2026 school year

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 CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

*No image available for Lester, Jason Isaiah*

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit; Improper bike lamps,brakes,reflectors; Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose misd warrant

NAME:&nbsp;Nambo Dominguez, Karen Estefany

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

NAME:&nbsp;Young, Richard Benedict

Saline County Jail Bookings, October 14

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

<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

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 

By JUAN A. LOZANO and JOHN O'CONNOR&nbsp;

BONNE TERRE, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man who long maintained his innocence was executed Tuesday for the fatal shooting of a state trooper more than 20 years ago.

<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-98b9be3f3c3c4d408f907ba61c9897d3">Lance Shockley</a>, 48, was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m. following a lethal injection at the state prison in Bonne Terre.

Shockley was convicted of killing Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Carl Dewayne Graham Jr. in March 2005. Prosecutors said he waited for hours near Graham’s home in Van Buren, in southeast Missouri, and shot him with a rifle and shotgun after the trooper exited his patrol vehicle.

Shockley’s execution was one of two in the country Tuesday. Samuel Lee Smithers, 72,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-execution-samuel-lee-smithers-cf17079bd1228ab58f7ee61de81924a0">died by lethal injection</a>&nbsp;in Florida for the killings of two women whose bodies were found in a rural pond in 1996.

In the death chamber, Shockley’s head was elevated on a pillow, and he raised his head off the pillow and communicated with loved ones in the witness room to his left. A woman there appeared to try to carry on a detailed conversation with him from his soundproof room.

After about 90 seconds, he laid his head back on the pillow and appeared to stop talking.

There were seven witnesses present for Shockley, 12 for Graham and 13 for the state. The woman who was communicating with him dropped her head and stopped motioning after he laid his head back. At least two women wiped tears from the eyes, and other witnesses largely sat stoic and expressionless.

Shockley's final visits, meal and statement

He was visited by his daughters and a friend in the morning, according to prison officials. His last meal consisted of items from the canteen: peanut butter, three packs of oatmeal, water and two sports drinks.

In a written final statement, he said: “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”

The execution was carried out after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final appeals earlier in the day. GOP Gov. Mike Kehoe turned down his request for clemency Monday.

“Violence against those who risk their lives every day to protect our communities will never be tolerated. Missouri stands firmly with our men and women in uniform,” Kehoe said in a statement.

Graham's family issued a statement saying the grief from his loss “has left a profound emptiness in all of us that touches every part of our daily lives.

“No court proceeding, nor what happened here today can ever bring Dewayne back, or heal the hole left in our hearts,” it continued. “But after all these years, there is some measure of peace in knowing that this part of the process is over.”

Col. Michael Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said Graham represented the very best of the force, was respected by co-workers and the community and was “unwavering in his commitment to helping others.”

Shockley’s attorneys were unsuccessful in their efforts to have state appeals courts stop his execution in order to allow DNA testing of evidence found at the scene of the killing. His lawyers argued that much of that evidence had never been tested and could have helped exonerate Shockley.

“Even a small chance of exoneration is enough to warrant testing,” his lawyers said in court documents.

They also asked the Supreme Court for a stay, arguing that his First Amendment rights were being violated since the Missouri Department of Corrections prohibited his daughter from being his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-state-government-missouri-legal-proceedings-religion-dbc253bef85af688a63a42a836e00028">spiritual adviser</a>&nbsp;during the execution. In March 2022 the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-texas-executions-john-roberts-fcd32356dbb867063d324d7d33d6a21f">Supreme Court ruled</a>&nbsp;that states must allow spiritual advisers to accompany inmates in the death chamber.

Missouri officials argued that state prison policy prevents family members from having direct contact with inmates during an execution due to security concerns they might interfere with the process.

Authorities said Shockley shot Graham because he was investigating him for involuntary manslaughter after leaving the scene of a deadly accident in which Shockley’s best friend was killed. Prosecutors said Shockley borrowed his grandmother’s red Pontiac Grand Am, which was seen near Graham’s home the day of the killing.

Shockley first shot Graham with a rifle, severing his spinal cord and causing him to fall to the ground and fracture his skull, according to prosecutors. He then approached and shot Graham in the face and shoulder with a shotgun.

Shockley owned a .243-caliber rifle, and .243-caliber rounds were recovered from Graham’s body. Bullet fragments found on the property of Shockley’s uncle matched the rounds recovered from the trooper’s body, according to court documents filed by the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.

Jeremy Weis, one of Shockley’s attorneys, said prosecutors presented no direct evidence connecting him to the killing.

“The state’s case remained circumstantial,” Weis said last week while discussing the case during a forum at the University of Missouri School of Law. “The murder weapons were never found. There were disagreements between the ballistics experts hired by the prosecution.”

Shockley’s attorney also said witnesses placed him about 14 miles (23 kilometers) from Graham’s home at a time when prosecutors said he was lying in wait there.

Prosecutors said Shockley inquired about where Graham lived beforehand and tried to get rid of a box of .243-caliber ammunition around the time of the killing, according to court documents.

Favorable DNA test results, “even if obtained, would not tend to undermine Shockley’s conviction,” prosecutors said.

Shockley is the first person put to death this year in Missouri, where no other executions are scheduled for 2025. The last one in the state took place Dec. 3, 2024, when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-christopher-collings-f5a027c86c53725556a5a66751abd36d">Christopher Collings</a>&nbsp;died by lethal injection for the sexual assault and killing of a 9-year-old girl.

Man executed for killing State Trooper wrote final statement

JOHNSON COUNTY — A man who admitted intentionally contaminating food at a Kansas steak house is going to prison.

Earlier this month, Judge Kelly Ryan sentenced Jace Christian Hanson, 22, of Kansas City, to 136 months in prison, according to Johnson County District Attorney's office.

In July, Hanson entered a plea of guilty as charged on the 33 counts of food adulteration carges. The crime occurred at the Hereford House steakhouse, 5001 Town Center Drive in Leawood, Kansas between March 26 and April 24, 2024.

On April 25, the Leawood Police Department received a tip that the restaurant may have someone intentionally contaminating food.

Police immediately began an investigation that led to the Hereford House where detectives spoke with restaurant management to identify a suspect 21-year-old&nbsp;Jace Christian Hanson of Kansas City.

Customers who ate at the steakhouse between those dates and experienced health issues were asked to contact Leawood police.

Prison time for intentionally contaminating food at Kan. steakhouse

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday posthumously awarded America's highest civilian honor to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-conservative-activist-shot-546165a8151104e0938a5e085be1e8bd">Charlie Kirk</a>, the assassinated activist who inspired a generation of young conservatives and helped push the nation's politics further to the right.

Receiving the award on Kirk's behalf was his widow, Erika. Her voice cracking and often falling to a whisper as she wiped away tears, Erika Kirk talked about her late husband's life, political beliefs and legacy.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for honoring my husband, in such a profound and meaningful way. And thank you for making this event a priority," she said. “Your support of our family and the work that Charlie devoted his life to will be something I cherish forever.”

The ceremony coincided with what would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday. It came about a month after the Turning Point USA founder was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-utah-university-republicans-8357c3d102de09e3320fde761258131a">fatally shot</a>&nbsp;while speaking to a crowd at Utah Valley University.

In a sign of Kirk's close ties to the administration, he was the first recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in Trump’s second term. The president also spoke at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-trump-memorial-service-b5469086954908b162f464da966cf238">Kirk’s funeral</a>&nbsp;in September, calling him a “great American hero” and “martyr” for freedom, while Vice President JD Vance accompanied his body home to Arizona on Air Force Two along with Erika Kirk.

“We’re here to honor and remember a fearless warrior for liberty, beloved leader who galvanized the next generation like nobody I’ve ever seen before, and an American patriot of the deepest conviction, the finest quality and the highest caliber," Trump said during the medal ceremony.

Of Kirk's killing, the president said, “He was assassinated in the prime of his life for boldly speaking the truth, for living his faith and relentless fighting for a better and stronger America."

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ben-carson-presidential-medal-96c072b07289f147a14ba6805681b6fa">Presidential Medal of Freedom</a>&nbsp;was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 for individuals making exceptional contributions “to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

Trump returned to the U.S. in the pre-dawn hours Tuesday after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-israel-hamas-war-ceasefire-hostages-egypt-6347e7da64f6c97b95109558096c0b6c">whirlwind trip to Israel and Egypt</a>&nbsp;to celebrate a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-hamas-hostages-ceasefire-10-14-2025-665a1cbe249f08c8513ceceaa04db201">ceasefire agreement</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza</a>&nbsp;that his administration was instrumental in brokering. The president joked that he almost requested to reschedule the ceremony because of the trip.

“I raced back halfway around the globe," Trump said. “I was going to call Erika and say, ‘Erika, could you maybe move it to Friday?' And I didn’t have the courage to call. But you know why I didn’t call? Because I heard today was Charlie’s birthday.”

Argentine President Javier Milei,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/argentina-donald-trump-javier-milei-imf-c6f37a00c96f8aa321324ff443147b4e">who had been visiting with the president at the White House earlier,</a>&nbsp;stayed on to attend the ceremony.

Trump has awarded a string of presidential medals going back to his first term, including to golf legend&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tiger-woods">Tiger Woods</a>, ex-football coach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-college-football-donald-trump-nfl-football-982cc801d15e8a7209a0aafaedf40124">Lou Holtz</a>&nbsp;and conservative economist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-art-laffer-auto-tariff-warning-ba62f55af070e40e9d6eddf5d8433ad1">Arthur Laffer</a>&nbsp;as well as to Yankees Hall of Fame closer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/albert-pujols-mariano-rivera-baseball-alex-rodriguez-carlos-pena-812e5535ff74311f941b7b860610594a">Mariano Rivera</a>&nbsp;and conservative radio host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-talk-radio-politics-entertainment-d79a7eead68d6a304d38b665e6f89c2a">Rush Limbaugh</a>, the latter of which came during the 2020 State of the Union. He awarded posthumous medals to Babe Ruth and Elvis Presley.

This term, Trump has also announced his intentions to award the medals to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/rudy-giuliani">Rudy Giuliani</a>, the former New York City mayor and a close former adviser, and to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ben-carson">Ben Carson</a>, who served as Trump's first-term secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012 and Trump praised him as one of the key reasons he was reelected last year.

But Kirk's politics were also often&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-turning-point-trump-cf2a68e4303c5628299ffe383d09c1e9">divisive</a>. He sharply criticized gay and transgender rights while inflaming racial tensions. Kirk also repeated Trump’s false claims that former Vice President Kamala Harris was responsible for policies that encouraged immigrants to come to the U.S. illegally and called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/george-floyd">George Floyd</a>, a Black man whose killing by a Minneapolis police officer sparked a national debate over racial injustice, a “scumbag.”

As Tuesday's ceremony was underway, the Trump administration said it had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-charlie-kirk-visas-revoked-455f43467c0c50e84d3857c1e9c81458">revoked the visas</a>&nbsp;of six foreigners who U.S. officials deemed had made derisive or mocking comments about Kirk’s assassination. The six who had their visas revoked were from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay and South Africa.

The move comes as the Trump administration and its supporters have zeroed in on people who made critical comments about Kirk, leading to firings and other discipline.

Trump wrote in a social media post hours before it started that he was moving the ceremony from the White House’s East Room to the Rose Garden to accommodate a crowd he said would be “so big and enthusiastic.”

Trump paved over the grass there and put in a patio area, and talked happily about the medal ceremony being one of the first major events in the new space. He noted how the weather had cleared up after it was expected to be raining, saying: “I was telling Erika, God was watching. And he didn’t want that for Charlie.”

Kirk’s widow said she asked their 3-year-old daughter what she might have given her father for his birthday, and she responded a stuffed animal and a cupcake while saying he hoped he'd get a birthday surprise. Erika Kirk said her husband was sometimes hard to buy presents for, but the medal was the perfect gift.

Erika Kirk said her husband might one day have run for president "but not out of ambition. He would only have done it if that was something that he believed that his country needed from his servant’s heart.”

She said God began a “mighty work” through her husband, and she intends to see it through. She finished her remarks by saying Charlie’s story reminds us that “to live free is the greatest gift but to die free is the greatest victory.”

🎥Trump posthumously awards Charlie Kirk the Medal of Freedom

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement have located the woman from the doorbell video.

Just after 3 p.m. Tuesday Wichita Police Investigators received a phone call, from a woman claiming to be the individual investigators were attempting to identify. Investigators immediately responded to her location, made contact, and transported her to City Hall so detectives could conduct a victim interview.

Investigators are conducting interviews and have identified the woman as a 35-year-old who lives in the area where the video was captured. At this stage of the investigation, police believe this incident is a case of domestic violence where the woman was victimized by her boyfriend. The woman does not have any significant injuries.

Police thanked the public for sharing the video and still images that generated additional attention about this incident, we do believe it led the woman to call and saying she was the person police were looking for.

Police stressed they do not have any reason to believe there is ongoing danger to the general public.

Police are continuing their investigation into the video and the case will be presented to the appropriate attorney’s office for formal charging consideration.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A $2,000 reward from Crimestoppers is now being offered for helping police identify a man and woman seen in a video of an alleged abduction that occurred in Wichita.

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

Police worked throughout Monday on this investigation, following up on numerous leads. They also received 15 additional tips overnight Monday, according to a statement from Wichita Police during a Tuesday morning news conference.

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