The former Roosevelt-Lincoln Junior High School, now turned apartment complex in downtown Salina is currently under a $20 million renovation.

According to management company <a href="https://www.vanbllc.com/rental_property/pioneer-presidents-place/">Van Binsbergen &amp; Associates</a> (who used to manage the complex), the former "Pioneer President's Place" apartment complex on 220 S. 7th St., is currently undergoing renovation to improve livability.

The complex was recently bought by <a href="https://www.flinthillsusa.com/">Flint Hills Holdings Group</a>&nbsp;(FHHG) from <a href="https://www.apartments.com/pioneer-presidents-place-salina-ks/wkxtc1j/">Pioneer Property Group</a>, who initially owned the complex and named it "Pioneer President's Place."

The former Pioneer President's Place, was an apartment complex that housed 61 units only available for 55 and older residents.

According to&nbsp;Tony Krsnich of FHHG, the now under renovation apartment complex that will be named "RL Lofts," will include renovations to all 61 units, windows, roof, flooring and much more other amenities.

Krsnich stated they acquired the complex from Pioneer Property Group about a year ago.&nbsp;According to Krsnich, about 5 years ago, the owner of Pioneer Property Group passed away and the complex since then has been experiencing 'deferred maintenance.'

When FHHG purchased the property, they made an application to keep the complex at affordable housing and to also open the apartment complex for all ages.

"The problem you have with an apartment complex that is for 55 and older only, is 2 out of 3 people who apply, you have to say no to them," said&nbsp;Krsnich. "There can be someone who is 54 years old that works at the hospital and you have to say no to them, but instead we are opening it up to everyone."

Krsnich added that the renovation should have been done 5 years ago.

According to Krsnich, FHHG was awarded $17 million in tax credits by the <a href="https://kshousingcorp.org/about/">Kansas Housing Resource Corporation</a>&nbsp;(KHRC)<a href="https://kshousingcorp.org/about/"></a> for renovation. <a href="https://www.salina-ks.gov/">The City of Salina </a>also awarded FHHG with a 95% tax rebate, making this project to be around a $20 million investment.

Krsnich stated the reason they received these funds was to keep the complex at affordable housing, with 80% of it being affordable for an additional 30 years, once the renovation is complete.

FHHG is known to perform state and federal historic tax credit developments and affordable housing tax credit developments across the Midwest.

When the renovation was originally initiated, each of the residents were informed and updated about it by FHHG.

According to Vans Binsbergen &amp; Associates, they have a list of the residents who are wishing to come back once the renovation is completed. Once the renovation happened, each of the residents were relocated to other living sites across the Salina area.

The residents also received incentives and their full security deposit back by FHHG, when the residents were moved out.

Krsnich said they coordinated with the <a href="https://www.salinahousing.org/">Salina Housing Authority</a>&nbsp;and the City of Salina during the move out process. He added they gave residents extra time stay if necessary when the renovation was about to take place as well.

"We went above and beyond to make sure everyone in the building had a place to go," said a&nbsp;Vans Binsbergen &amp; Associates representative.

OCCK Transportation also assisted the residents during the relocation.

"I wish I can fast forward a year and see what I believe is going to be national award winning project," said Krsnich.

Salina Arts &amp; Humanities will also be curating the artwork that will be displayed at "RL Lofts" once completed.

A completion date for "RL Lofts" is anticipated for October 2026.

Former Roosevelt-Lincoln school, now apartment complex under $20 million renovation 

Governor Kelly has announced the date for flags to be flown at half-staff for Judge Bruce Brown.

According to Governor Kelly, on Saturday, August 30, Judge Brown will be interred after funeral services. Flags are to remain at half-staff until sundown during this day.

ORIGINAL: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/1e908985-23ac-4512-ac5c-337e3910342a">Governor directs flags lowered at half-staff in honor of Judge Bruce Brown, date TBA</a>

According to a biography from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dc18.org/division-10">18th Judicial District Court</a>, Judge Brown started his career as an Assistant D.A. in Woodward, OK from 1986-1987. In 1987 he went to work as an Assistant D.A. in Tulsa, OK until 1988. He worked as an Attorney for Pray, Walker, Jackman, et, al., in Tulsa, OK in 1989.

In 1990 Judge Brown worked as an Attorney for the U.S. Army JAG Corps until he became a Prosecutor for the Salina Municipal Court in 1994. 1995 saw Judge Brown become a prosecutor for the Wichita Municipal Court until 1997, where he became a Judge of the Wichita Municipal Court serving until 2009.&nbsp;

Judge Brown received his undergraduate degree from ORU receiving his B.A in 1983&nbsp;and his Juris Doctorate from the Pepperdine University School of Law in 1986.

Judge Brown passed away on Thursday, August 21.

UPDATE: Date announced for half-staff flag order for Judge Bruce Brown

As the drone industry continues to advance and develop new regulations at a rapid pace,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://salina.ksu.edu/">Kansas State University Salina's</a>&nbsp;Applied Aviation Research Center,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/research-training/applied-aviation-research-center/">or AARC</a>, prepares the next generation of drone pilots to be Federal Aviation Administration compliant through world-class uncrewed aircraft systems training and education.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is planning new regulations aimed at standardizing operations beyond the visual line of sight for commercial drones. 

Currently, Part 107 regulations with the FAA do not permit drones to fly beyond the visual line of sight of the operator without a special waiver.

The new set of regulations will allow for more expansive Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), operations beyond the visual line of sight, impacting all industries, including agriculture, engineering and public safety.

Upcoming webinar from K-State Salina explains proposed UAS regulations

With this immense change coming to the industry, the Applied Aviation Research Center will provide a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/professional-education/uncrewed-training/part-108-webinar.html">free informational webinar</a>&nbsp;explaining the proposed regulations on Thursday, September 4.

The webinar will discuss the new regulations, including guidance on detect-and-avoid, minimum operational standards, certification and training requirements and integration into the national airspace.

"The AARC has a close connection to the FAA from our years of UAS experience," said Kurt Carraway, executive director of the Applied Aviation Research Center. "As the first university to receive a waiver of beyond visual line-of-sight UAS operations back in 2018, we have proven to be detailed and system-oriented with our operations. Training and operations on the new set of regulations are the next step in K-State Salina's strategic goals that enable technologies to advance us in our work and connect the world in new ways."

To stay up to date with the FAA and advance your training in UAS technology,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/professional-education/uncrewed-training/part-108-webinar.html">register by Tuesday, September 2</a>&nbsp;for the free webinar with the AARC drone experts at noon on Thursday, September 4.

In alignment with K-State's mission to become a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.k-state.edu/next-gen/">next-generation land-grant university</a>, the Salina campus has been tasked with leading exploration, integration and operation of next-generation, revolutionary drone technologies and air transport systems known as advanced air mobility — a rapidly emerging, new sector of the aerospace industry that aims to safely and efficiently integrate highly automated aircraft into the national airspace system.

Advanced air mobility is not just a single technology; it's a collection of new and emerging technologies being applied to the aviation transportation system, including urban mobility, public services and cargo delivery.

K-State Salina is in a unique position to positively impact the aerospace industry by training thousands of drone pilots through the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/academics/degree-options/uas-flight/">bachelor's degree program</a>&nbsp;and providing instruction to learners from many industries through&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/professional-education/">professional education</a>. The Applied Aviation Research Center is also conducting groundbreaking research into drone operations in natural disasters.

As the industry flies forward with advancement, K-State's advanced air mobility research and education will help transform the lives of Kansans and those around the world.

KSU Salina offers free webinar for drone pilots about proposed FAA regulation updates

Salina Police are investigating an attempted burglary that occurred at a convenience store.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) in the morning hours of Monday, August 25, employees of the Rod's 5 convenience store (680 S. Phillips Ave) reported about an attempted burglary that occurred from the roof.

Reportedly, the employees noticed the roof was damaged at around 10:30 am, when rain was coming through it. The employees then went to observe the roof and noticed that someone may have possibly attempted to cut a hole in the roof.

Damage to the roof was listed to be around $900.

SPD stated there was no entry made into the store and are currently following up with Rod's 5 to obtain surveillance video.

Salina PD investigating attempted burglary at convenience store

A woman was arrested after she allegedly stabbed a man inside a Salina home.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Monday, August 25 at around 8:30 am, a 44-year old man reported about being stabbed by a 49-year old woman identified as, Angela Inscho.

Reportedly, the man and Inscho got into an argument at his home in the 1300 block of Faith. As the argument boiled, Inscho allegedly grabbed a knife and stabbed the man in his upper right arm.&nbsp;

Inscho then exited the home, but authorities were able to find her 20 minutes later in a vehicle in the 100 block of S. 10th. Officers arrested Inscho without incident and booked her into the Saline County Jail on the following requested charge of Aggravated Battery.

The man went to Salina Regional Health Center to be treated for non-life threatening injuries he sustained.

Woman arrested after stabbing a man inside a Salina home

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;Blythe, Kylee Ann Marie

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Cruelty to animals; Fail to provide well being; 1st

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Use/poss. drug paraphernalia/human body; Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs Unknown severity; Poss. of marijuana

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

NAME:&nbsp;Hostetter, Trent Austin

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Agg. battery; Knowingly use deadly weapon

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

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

*No image available for&nbsp;Werner, Aaron Thomas*

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Battery; Phys. contact rude/insult/angry manner; Battery on LEO; Physical contact with county or city officer on duty; Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner

Saline County Jail Bookings, August 26

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

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

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

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 

<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

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

JOHNSON COUNTY—A Kansas man faces charges for a fatal crash that killed a Kansas teen last summer.

On Thursday Matthew Thomas Bray, 49,&nbsp; was charged with aggravated battery while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident involving great bodily harm, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

In July of 2024, a vehicle driven by Bray struck and killed&nbsp; a pedestrian identified as&nbsp; Benjamin D.&nbsp;Van Buskirk, 17, Olathe, who ran across lanes of traffic to offer assistance to a driver involved in another accident.&nbsp; 

&nbsp;Van Buskirk had been a passenger in a 2008 Honda CRV driven by Ammar M.&nbsp;Aljishi, 17, Spring Hill, that was stopped on the right shoulder of the highway.

Van Buskirk was pronounced dead at the scene. Bray is due back in court August 27, according to the district attorney's office.

Man charged in crash that killed 17-year-old Good Samaritan

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/christina-larson">CHRISTINA LARSON</a> Associated Press

SpaceX launched the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-musk-starship-launch-test-flight-11de145e989e0534b6399640bc437b8e">latest test</a>&nbsp;of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-elon-musk-moon-mars-5f02ab8e4b794e518fe99905adaa7471">mega rocket Starship</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday night and completed the first-ever deployment of a test payload — eight dummy satellites — into space. After just over an hour coasting through space, Starship splashed down as planned in the Indian Ocean.

Starship blasted off from Starbase, SpaceX’s launch site in South Texas, just after 6:30 p.m. It was the 10th test for the world’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-elon-musk-0c260a324f597a172300315c6486b9df">biggest and most powerful rocket</a>, which SpaceX and NASA hope to use to get astronauts back on the moon.

NASA has ordered two Starships to land astronauts on the moon later this decade, and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s ultimate goal is Mars.

No crew members were aboard the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-elon-musk-starship-e165e81ed2350ce684c7ed8d9357d7ba">demo launch</a>.

The Starship itself continued to orbit the Earth — passing from daylight in Texas through night and back into daytime again — ahead of the planned splashdown. Before the craft hit the waves, its engines fired, flipping its position so it entered the water upright with the nose cone pointed upward.

The successful demo came after a year of mishaps. Back-to-back tests in January and March ended just minutes after liftoff, raining wreckage into the ocean. The most recent test in May — the ninth try — ended when the spacecraft tumbled out of control and broke apart.

SpaceX later redesigned the Super Heavy booster with larger and stronger fins for greater stability, according to a company post on the social platform X this month.

The first Starship exploded minutes into its inaugural test flight in 2023.

SpaceX’s first batch of Starlink satellites were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/0f3ba6930459401ca9bf68902753bc5e">launched in 2019</a>&nbsp;from a Falcon rocket that lifted off from Cape Canaveral.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

🎥SpaceX's mega rocket Starship nails critical test flight in stunning comeback

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating the theft of an expensive bicycle have made an arrest.

On August 8,&nbsp; a 76 year old man from Williamsburg, Virginia stopped in Atchison, Kansas, as h traveled across America on his&nbsp;Surly Disc Trucker bicycle on his way to Oregon, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The bicycle was stolen at 11:00AM in the 700 block Commercial as the victim was in a local laundromat. Police recovered the bicycle a short time later just across the bridge in Missouri. 

Just after 8:30a.m. Tuesday, police arrested 50-year-old Jody B. Erickson of Atchison in the 700 block M Street on a District Court warrant charging him with felony theft. Erickson was taken to the County Jail and is being held on a $10,000 bond.

Kan. man accused of bicycle theft from man riding cross-county

Cracker Barrel said late Tuesday it's returning to its old logo after critics — including President Donald Trump — protested the company's plan to modernize.

In a post on its website, Cracker Barrel said it will retain its old logo, which features an older man in overalls sitting next to a barrel and the words “Old Country Store.”

“We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel,” the company said in a statement. “Our new logo is going away and our ‘Old Timer’ will remain.”

The tempest over the logo&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cracker-barrel-new-logo-rebrand-efforts-67f3181a144cd639eb33d1066f85ef08">began last week</a>, when the company announced plans for a simplified design featuring only the company's name. Lebanon, Tennessee-based Cracker Barrel made the change as part of a wider plan to modernize its restaurants and appeal to younger customers.

But many protested the change. Earlier Tuesday, Trump said via Truth Social that Cracker Barrel should “admit a mistake based on customer response (the ultimate Poll), and manage the company better than ever before,” saying doing so could wield “a Billion Dollars worth of free publicity” to their advantage.

Cracker Barrel relents, says its old logo will return

BOLIVAR, Missouri (AP) — One of the few Republican U.S. House members making in-person appearances embarked on a town hall tour of his district to meet with constituents Monday, and a civil conversation broke out.

Rep. Mark Alford and an audience of about 100 in west central Missouri spent an hour bantering politely about Medicaid, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-wes-moore-baltimore-sharpton-national-guard-6cdfd82a1a0dc14e85518c750e8bcc48">National Guard being deployed in Washington, D.C.,</a>&nbsp;and the extended run of aggressive executive action being taken by President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>.

But gone from the slightly Democratic-leaning audience in the small auditorium on Southwest Baptist University campus in Boliver were the screams of “liar!" that have marked other Republican town halls, notably Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood's in Lincoln on Aug. 5.

“I don't think you're lying to me,” a woman told Alford, a second-term member, as she disagreed on whether cuts to Medicaid in Trump's signature tax-break and spending-cut bill enacted last month would affect services for children.

In return, Alford referred only once to the measure by the name given to it by Trump, One Big Beautiful Bill, before quickly noting, “I know some people don’t like that name. So I’m just going to call it HR1."

Alford, who represents a district widely believed to be safely Republican, was safely referring to it by its congressional designation.

There were occasional moments of conflict. Groans and laughter surfaced in response to Alford's suggestion that the tax cuts in the measure would benefit the working class. Polls show most Americans believe the tax cuts in the bill will largely benefit wealthy Americans.

And longtime Bolivar resident Fred Higginbotham shouted angrily when he suggested to Alford that he was coddling Trump. “I am pissed, and I am pissed at you,” he said. “Get Trump out of office. The man is a dictator. He knows nothing about what he talks about.”

But Alford, a former veteran Kansas City, Missouri, television news anchor, thanked him by name and responded calmly, as he did with each person who spoke during the hour-long, question and answer session.

Alford's demeanor did little to ease the concerns of Darwina Stewart, a 67-year-old trained nurse who runs a pet-care business in Bolivar, a town of about 11,500 in a rolling swath of forests, rivers and farmland about 140 miles (225 kilometers) southeast of Kansas City.

“You cut Medicaid, you are closing rural hospitals around here,” Stewart said.

Pivoting to describe the congressman, she said: “He seems sincere about his beliefs. But you can't deny the effect on poor people around here.”

Alford was holding the first of six formal, town hall meetings scheduled throughout Missouri's 4th District this week, but he had taken questions at less formal stops throughout the day at a cafe, VFW hall and ice cream shop.

Alford has not shied away from open forums with constituents and has faced more confrontational audiences, notably in February and June. But, unlike Republicans in more competitive districts who have kept far lower profiles, Alford has had little to risk in facing frustrated Democrats in the west-central Missouri district where he won 70% of the vote last year.

Nebraska's Flood has held similar events throughout the year. On Aug. 5, roughly 700 hundred attended his public meeting in Democratic-heavy Lincoln and shouted at the three-term Republican House member for nearly all of a 90-minute forum.

Alford's audience applauded when he entered, even Dusty Ross, a Bolivar Democrat who told his representative he wanted him to do more to ease energy costs for small business.

“Thanks for being here," Ross said, after asking his question. "I appreciate you giving everyone a chance to speak.”

Something different, civility at GOP congressman's town hall

CHEYENNE COUNTY, Nebraska —Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested a California man after finding 60 pounds of suspected methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Cheyenne County,&nbsp;

At approximately 9:00 p.m. August 18, a trooper performed a traffic stop on a Honda CRV for driving on the shoulder of Interstate 80 near Sidney, according to a statement from the Nebraska State Patrol. During the traffic stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity.

During a search of the vehicle, troopers found dozens of packages of suspected methamphetamine in a suitcase. The total weight of the packages was 60 pounds.

The driver, Elmer Posadas Castro, 29, of El Monte, California was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver. He was lodged in Cheyenne County Jail.&nbsp;

Troopers found 60 pounds of meth during traffic stop

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas officials refused persistent demands from the federal government for access to residents’ personal data solely based on the legal responsibility to protect that data, a state leader says.

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