With potential weather expected to begin early morning on Wednesday, March 19, the City of Salina will have salt trucks and staff on standby ready to deploy if the need arises to respond.

· As precipitation is arriving in the morning, there will be a brief chance for some light rain before a quick change to wet snow.

· Roads are expected to stay above freezing.

· Snow may be strong enough to produce minor slush on bridges &amp; elevated surfaces in Salina &amp; Manhattan.

· Strong northwest winds will reduce visibility to below 1 mile during the heaviest snow.

· Snow will taper off during the afternoon hours, ending by early evening.

· Still no refreeze concerns Wednesday night as gusty winds will quickly dry pavements in the evening.

For additional information on the storm or snow removal operations, please visit the City’s website at <a href="http://www.salina-ks.gov/">http://www.salina-ks.gov/</a>, the City’s Facebook page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salina.ks.gov/">https://www.facebook.com/salina.ks.gov/</a> or call the General Services office at (785) 309-5750.

City of Salina preparing for potential snow event

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📨 Sign up today for Salina Post's Noon News Update!

Looking for a new podcast to keep you informed and connected within your local community? Look no further than Eagle Media's latest podcast, "King in the Community."&nbsp;

Join Eagle Media Salina News Director Nate King as he talks with local and regional government officials, first responders, non-profit leaders and unique individuals with fascinating stories from north central Kansas and beyond. Learn about how organizations in your neighborhood leverage their partnerships to create a more interconnected community.

Available on all your favorite platforms, including&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/king-in-the-community/id1687185014">Apple podcasts,</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kinginthecommunity.podbean.com/">Podbean</a>,<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZeCj4TK3kaOZEvgQaDlio">&nbsp;Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c78f2e2e-c714-4aaf-ad4c-4864a4038889">Amazon Audible</a>, TuneIn + Alexa,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/king-in-the-community-5324914">Podchaser,</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boomplaymusic.com/podcasts/62430">Boomplay</a>.&nbsp;

No matter what streaming service you use, we've got you covered with engaging discussions and insightful interviews that will help you understand the issues that matter most to you.&nbsp; So why wait? Tune in to the "King in the Community" podcast today and discover a new way to stay connected.

For a full list of episodes<a href="https://kinginthecommunity.podbean.com/page/2/">&nbsp;click here</a>. Thanks for listening!

🎙The latest from 'King in the Community' with Nate King

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our news tip email address. Have a breaking news story, a community event, or a feel-good story that deserves to be shared? 

Submit your news tips via email to <a href="http://newstips@salinapost.com">newstips@salinapost.com</a>

Whether you're a Salina local, a native Kansan, or have moved out of state, we want to hear from you. Your contributions help us keep our community informed and engaged. 

So, if you have a story to tell or a photo of breaking news we should know about, send it to newstips@salinapost.com.

Salina Post news tip email address

Salina Post is thrilled to announce an exciting update - we are now accepting letters to the editor from our readers. We believe that our community's voices deserve to be heard, and providing a platform for open dialogue and constructive discussions is essential to a strong free press.&nbsp;

With the new letters to the editor offering, we aim to create a space where readers can express their thoughts, concerns, and ideas on a wide range of local topics that impact their daily lives.&nbsp;

Submitting a letter to the editor is simple. Just email your letter to <a href="mailto:admin@salinapost.com">admin@salinapost.com</a>

Ensure that your letter is concise and respectful. We value thoughtful and constructive discussions, so please make sure to present your arguments in a clear and coherent manner.

While we appreciate and encourage diverse perspectives, we also have certain guidelines in place. Letters should be free from hate speech, name-calling or any form of discrimination. We believe in promoting a respectful and inclusive environment for all readers.

Our editorial team will review all submissions and select letters that align with our guidelines and contribute positively to the conversation. We may edit letters for clarity, grammar, and length, but we will strive to maintain the essence of your message.

We are excited about this new opportunity to amplify your voice and encourage you to take advantage of this platform.

So, whether you have a burning issue or an important message to share, we invite you to submit a letter to the editor. Let's come together, learn from each other, and build a stronger community through the power of words.

All letters must include the author's name. No anonymous letters to the editor will be published, but if you have a news tip or an issue you would like us to know about still reach out via email at newstips@salinapost.com

<a href="https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/advocacy/direct-action/letters-to-editor/main">Information Courtesy University of Kansas Community Toolbox</a>

You feel strongly about an issue, and you want to let people know what you think. You believe you can even influence people to take some action if you speak your mind. But, you want to reach an audience larger than just your friends or your group membership. Letters to the editor can be an effective way to get the word out.

A letter to the editor is a written way of talking to a newspaper, magazine, or other regularly printed publication. Letters to the editor are generally found in the first section of the newspaper, or towards the beginning of a magazine, or in the editorial page. They can take a position for or against an issue, or simply inform, or both. They can convince readers by using emotions, or facts, or emotions and facts combined. 

Letters to the editor are usually short and tight, rarely longer than 300 words.

Using a few carefully placed letters, you can generate plenty of community discussion. You can also keep an issue going by preventing it from disappearing from the public eye. You can stimulate the interest of the news media and create more coverage for the matters you're working on. You can also send a "good news" letter to bring recognition to people who deserve it or acknowledge the success of an effort.

Salina Post accepting letters to the editor

The Salina League of Women Voters held its 2024 General Election Forum on Oct. 20 at 1:30 in the Watson Room at the Stiefel Theatre in Salina. 

Click the link above to watch the candidates answer questions from the media and the public. Candidates present at the forum included Senate District 24-John Baker, House District 69-Lori Blake, and Clarke Sanders; Saline County Commission District 2-Annie Grevas and Kathleen Malone Crouch.

Noticeably absent from the forum was State Senator J.R. Claeys, whose empty chair and name card can be seen on the far left of the table of candidates.&nbsp;

Check Salina Post for an article about the candidate's responses on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

2024 League of Women Voters General Election Candidate Forum

Due to damages from Sunday's severe weather, the bridge and road south of Wilson, Kansas will NOT be open by Memorial Day, May 27.&nbsp;

According to the Ellsworth County Highway Department, a date has not been set for the road/bridge to reopen.&nbsp;

Plan an alternate route if you plan to travel in the area.&nbsp;

READ MORE<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/3969fc82-b07d-4d4e-885d-fe75a7799560">:&nbsp;🎥UPDATED: Severe weather coverage May 19 — Salina Airport reports 100 mph winds</a>

River bridge, road project south of Wilson closed indefinetly 

Cope Notes is a text message-based service that provides individuals with randomly timed messages that contain anything from psychology facts to exercises and journaling prompts. Every subscriber’s text sequence is unique so that no two users ever receive the same message at the same time. 

Each <a href="https://copenotes.com/">Cope Notes</a> text must first undergo a thorough review process by a panel of peer-support advocates and mental health professionals, in order to ensure that the messages will have a positive effect on the subscriber’s health. The ultimate goal of the service is to train the brain to disrupt negative thoughts and promote a more positive pattern of thinking.

"We believe in the importance of mental health. We want to ensure our residents have access to the resources they need to stay healthy and thriving," said Saline County Health Officer Jason Tiller. "In my own personal experience with Cope Notes, I have found that the right messages seem to come at exactly the right time. It was been an uplifting experience for me, and I am thrilled we get to continue this service to our residents."

In 2022, Saline County initially offered the service for free to 300 residents. Because of the overwhelming response and in an effort to provide the service to more Saline County residents, the program is being offered at a 50 percent discount, according to information from the county.

To sign up for Cope Notes, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001scLNLAEK27GI7j38iOkmbBLY7glKLN0Wy6uF_d-8TLam2TPUzrfQlc9LS5oNICbDRUIbIxFeAe9F9t_3cBzqfldl0v4T9wLfMfxV5qLVYcHiyw0WBSsZFYJWzG17ByUTXv2fd3MbRsZWmxNokDZI85TAvv_DybpQ8u3RGpTS-VoOBpVKw3mIuQf0KEWbdEz2&amp;c=e8h8gccDrdCcdY1GLzjAyWQ83iic1YREdFKlJQ0cHZXKLBBGRtWzSA==&amp;ch=qH131SvBWUOQqWkIzjrjNennoWrg5mcmyLAePutxO-lGfSWshstgHw==" target="_blank">this link&nbsp;</a>and enter code&nbsp;SACOHALF&nbsp;and your credit or debit card information.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Saline County continues to offer Cope Notes at 50-percent discount

Not seeing precipitation totals from your area after a rain or snow event? Consider becoming a CoCoRaHS volunteer.

"CoCoRaHS is an acronym for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. CoCoRaHS is a unique, non-profit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow). By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive website, our aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications," the organization noted on its website.

After rain, hail, or snow storms, CoCoRaHS volunteers take precipitation measurements. Those totals are then recorded on the CoCoRaHS&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cocorahs.org/ViewData/StateDailyPrecipReports.aspx?state=KS">website</a>&nbsp;(Kansas reporting).

The precipitation totals are used by various organizations and individuals, including the National Weather Service, other meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, insurance adjusters, farmers and ranchers, and, of course, Salina Post.

For more information about CoCoRaHS and its March recruiting efforts or to sign up as a CoCoRaHS volunteer,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cocorahs.org/marchmadness.aspx">click here</a>.

Precipitation reporting organization seeks local, area volunteers

By ROSARIO MENDEZ Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

What’s worse than a bogus charity? A bogus charity with a dishonest fundraiser. The FTC has sued and stopped dishonest charity fundraisers that&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2020/09/spot-and-stop-dishonest-charity-fundraisers">called people</a>&nbsp;to get them to donate to fake charities. Some prey on your kindness and desire to help people impacted by weather emergencies or a disaster. But when you get a call from a charity fundraiser, how do you know the caller is telling you the truth?

Ask the caller specific questions.

What is the charity’s name, phone number, or address? Write these down so you can confirm them later. Keep in mind that many charity names sound alike, and that sham charities often use names that are sound and look like names of legitimate charities.

How much of your donation will go directly to the programs you want to support?

Will your donation be tax-deductible? Not every call seeking a donation is from a charity. Some calls might be from Political Action Committees or other groups where donations are not deductible. See more questions to ask here.

Resist the pressure to donate on the spot.

After you’ve listened to the caller, hang up the phone and think about what they said. Then, go online and do your own research:

Search for the organization’s name and phone number, plus the word “scam” or “complaint.” What you find might help you decide if you want to make that donation.

Look up the organization’s name and address. Does it show up? If it doesn’t, that could be a sign the caller was lying to you.

See what these rating organizations say about the charity: BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, and Candid.

If you get a donation request in the mail, do some research online before you donate. And if you spot a charity scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If you get a donation request in the mail,&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/charity">do some research online</a>&nbsp;before you donate. And if you spot a charity scam, report it to the FTC at&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2020/09/www.reportfraud.ftc.gov">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>.

FTC: How to spot and stop dishonest charity fundraisers

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The start of a new school year is an expensive time for families. If you are struggling to pay for phone and internet services, there are programs to help you stay connected.

During Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week, the Kansas Corporation Commission joins utility regulators nationwide in encouraging those in need of assistance to apply for Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program.&nbsp; Both programs help low-income individuals and families stay connected so they can access health care, attend classes, find employment, and call for help in an emergency.

Lifeline provides federal and state discounts up to $17.02 per month on phone service (wireless or residential) and broadband. Seven million Americans currently benefit from the program, including approximately 30,000 Kansans.

The Federal Communication Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Plan&nbsp; provides a monthly internet service discount of up to $30 and a one-time device discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer or tablet. According to FCC data, more than 20 million U.S. households are currently enrolled, including approximately 120,000 in Kansas.

Eligibility&nbsp;is based on income&nbsp;(at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for Lifeline and at or below 200% for Affordable Connectivity Plan)&nbsp;or participation in certain assistance programs&nbsp;such as:

•&nbsp;&nbsp;Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) •&nbsp; Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) •&nbsp; Federal Public Housing Assistance (FHPA) •&nbsp; Veterans Pensions &amp; Survivors Pension Benefit •&nbsp; Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance •&nbsp; Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families •&nbsp; Head Start Tribal Programs (income based) •&nbsp; Food Distribution Program on Tribal Lands&nbsp;&nbsp;

Anyone who qualifies for Lifeline is automatically eligible to participate in Affordable Connectivity Plan. Others may still qualify for the plan if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Are approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including the&nbsp;USDA Community Eligibility Provision.&nbsp; • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.&nbsp; • Meet the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income program.&nbsp;

Due to higher income maximums, Affordable Connectivity Plan  also has the potential to help families that may not qualify for other types of assistance. The maximum income for a family of four to qualify for the&nbsp; program is&nbsp;$60,000 per year compared to $40,500 for Lifeline. Both Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Plan offer additional discounts for subscribers living on tribal lands.

More information on income eligibility, participating providers, and the enrollment process is available on the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmtjYy5rcy5nb3YvdGVsZWNvbW11bmljYXRpb25zL2xpZmVsaW5lP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzA5MTEuODIzOTEwMjEifQ.SgutPMf7jc8B89ZmFqxVxA5ZBkjKYdszBMiWwbYC7oo/s/1510803030/br/225606126077-l" target="_blank">KCC’s website</a>.

Plans available to help Kansans unable to pay for phone, internet services stay connected

Due to the incoming winter weather, Rolling Hills Zoo’s Spring Break Camp on Wednesday, March 19th has been cancelled.&nbsp;

Rolling Hills Zoo Spring Break Camp announcement 

Enter the Landscape Consultants $500 Bracket Challenge before tip-off on Thursday!

College basketball fans, it's time to put your prediction skills to the test. The Landscape Consultants $500 Bracket Challenge is your chance to score big by filling out a perfect March Madness bracket. One lucky winner will take home $500, courtesy of Landscape Consultants LLC and Salina Wholesale Liquor.

Fill out your bracket before the first game tips off on Thursday morning.

Make your picks and see how they stack up throughout the tournament.

Don’t miss your shot at bracket glory and a cash prize!&nbsp;

Bracket Challenge

Central Kansas is bracing for powerful northwest winds on Wednesday, bringing gusts up to 65 mph in areas along and west of the Flint Hills. Southeast Kansas will also see significant wind gusts, reaching around 55 mph throughout the day.

These strong winds will usher in much colder air, with the potential for snow flurries in central Kansas by Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for Russell and Lincoln counties, where blizzard conditions are expected early Wednesday.

The warning includes portions of Interstate 70, where travel could become hazardous due to reduced visibility and strong winds. Motorists are urged to use caution and check road conditions before traveling.

Strong winds tonight, blizzard conditions expected Wednesday in central Kansas

By NATE KING Salina Post

<a href="https://stutzmans.com/about-us/">Stutzmans Garden Center </a>is preparing to open its new location at Salina Central Mall parking lot in early April, pending weather conditions.

The garden center,<a href="https://greatbendpost.com/posts/e50ca546-c26a-41c1-9b00-c23314186033"> known for its wide selection of plants, flowers, and gardening supplies,</a> is moving into a 20,000-square-foot space near the mall’s newly developed concrete pad site.

“We will be right at the entrance of the Salina Central Mall, so as you drive in, you’ll see us,” said Stutzmans President and CEO Ben Miller. “If you’re coming from Starbucks, you’ll be looking right at us.”

In the days leading up to the store’s tentative April 1 opening, Stutzmans employees will begin assembling a shade structure, a familiar feature from its former location at Ninth and Cloud streets.

On March 18, Randy Parks, who manages maintenance and trucking operations for Stutzmans, worked with a team to assemble the structure. As part of the final preparations, employees will also install fencing around the new site to enhance security.

“When we're all done there, we're gonna come back and build a fence all the way around with five eight-foot gates,” Parks said. “At night, in the dark, it could be a grab-and-go deal on the backside. So for security, we'd lock the gates up.”

With multiple locations to prepare, Stutzman's employees are balancing setup work across several garden centers.

“We got this sitting here, but we're running over to Wichita to get those ready to open. We’ve got three there—we don’t normally set this one [Salina] because it stays up all year,” Parks said. “We’ve got 11 garden centers, so we go through and get all the shade cloth, all the water lines open, all that stuff ready to roll.”

In addition to the move, Stutzmans is hosting its annual spring, summer, and fall garden show from 7:30 to 8 a.m. on Saturdays on 910 KINA.

On March 22 at 9:30 a.m., Miller will be a guest on the <a href="http://910kina.com">910 KINA Saturday Morning Show </a>with Dave and Nate to discuss the relocation and the company’s long-standing presence in north-central Kansas.

For more information about Stutzmans Garden Center, <a href="https://stutzmans.com/about-us/0-c23314186033">visit here.</a>

Stutzmans in Salina relocating to Central Mall parking lot

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement continues to investigate weekend vandalism at a church in Wichita. On Monday while meeting with the media during a tour of the&nbsp;Kennedy Center, President Trump was asked about the crime.

Police in Wichita arrested a 23-year-old Saline County man identified as Michael Angel Gonzalez, according to Sedgwick County booking records, for the vandalism.

Just after 8:30 Saturday, police responded to a reported burglary at St. Patrick Catholic Church, located in the 2000 block of N. Arkansas Street in Wichita, according to Wichita Police spokesman Brad Wright.

Officers discovered significant vandalism, including hate speech and damage to items such as statues, candles, and glass. Notably, a United States flag had been burned.

Recognizing the severity of this crime, Wichita Police and investigators—alongside federal law enforcement partners including the FBI and ATF—immediately launched a full-scale investigation. The Wichita Police dedicated Crime Scene Investigation team worked diligently to analyze evidence, leading to the swift identification of a suspect.

Officers from the Wichita Police Field Community Response Teams were provided with critical intelligence and began searching for the suspect. At approximately 2:20 a.m. Sunday, officers located and arrested Gonzalez in the 2800 block of N. Hillside in Wichita without incident.

Gonzalez is being held in the Sedgwick County Jail on a bond of over $500,000 on requested charges of Burglary, Criminal Desecration, and Criminal Damage to Property. The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney and federal prosecutors for formal charging considerations.

🎥President comments on church vandalism arrest involving Saline Co. man

A high-speed chase through Salina early Sunday morning ended in a crash and the arrest of a 30-year-old driver after he fled from Salina Police Department officers.&nbsp;

According to Salina Police Capt. Mike Miller, an officer attempted to pull over a red 2010 Chevy Equinox around 2:25 a.m. on March 16 in the 300 block of South Phillips Avenue for a turn signal violation. Instead of stopping, the driver fled, leading police on a pursuit through multiple streets, including Hancock, Republic, South Ohio, Martin Avenue, and Sunrise Drive.

The chase continued until the 400 block of South Ninth Street, where the driver attempted to turn onto Lincoln Avenue at a high speed where the driver lost control causing the vehicle to crash into a utility pole.

Officers reported that the driver fled on foot and was captured within a block of the crash. The two passengers—a 24-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man—remained in the vehicle and were taken into custody at gunpoint.

"We're going to take everybody out of the car at gunpoint [following a high-speed pursuit] because we don't know if they're armed or not until we get them out and get them in our custody," Miller said.&nbsp;

 Miller said the two passengers were not charged.

The driver, identified as Codi Fairbanks, 30, of Salina, was arrested.&nbsp; faces multiple charges, including:

⦁ Felony fleeing and eluding ⦁ Felony interference with law enforcement ⦁ Reckless driving. Driving while revoked ⦁ Habitual traffic violator ⦁ 13 counts of failing to yield at stop signs ⦁ Five stoplight violations

Miller said Fairbanks ran from police because he had an active felony probation violation. The pursuit lasted about five minutes, reaching estimated speeds of 70 to 80 mph before the crash. No injuries were reported.

High-speed chase in Salina ends in crash; driver arrested

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(S):&nbsp;Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGE(S): criminal possession of a firearm, outside warrant

REQUESTED CHARGE(S): outside warrant&nbsp;

Saline County Jail Bookings, March 18

Lindsborg will serve waffles and fun on March 22 to celebrate <a href="http://Våffeldagen">Våffeldagen</a>, a Swedish tradition with deep roots and a delicious twist.

Våffeldagen, or Waffle Day, originates from Sweden. It falls on the same date as the Christian observance of the Annunciation, March 25. The holiday was once known as "Vårfrudagen" (Our Lady Day), but over time, the name blended with the Swedish word for waffle, turning it into a celebration centered on the beloved breakfast treat.

In Lindsborg, Våffeldagen is celebrated on the closest Saturday to the 25th and is a day where waffles are for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as desserts and drinks. From Belgian breakfast waffles with bacon to waffle ice cream sandwiches, a variety of waffle-inspired flavors will be available across multiple locations from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, the "Lindsborg Waffle People" will roam downtown from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., greeting visitors and offering photo opportunities. A free photo booth, waffle-themed games, and interactive waffle art for children will also be part of the day's entertainment.

Lindsborg encourages attendees to embrace the spirit of Våffeldagen by wearing waffle-themed clothing, accessories, or costumes. The first-ever "Walk of the Waffle Wearables," showcasing creative waffle-inspired outfits, will take place at noon in front of Farley’s Bar and Grill at the northwest corner of Main and Lincoln streets.

For more details, the official <a href="https://www.visitlindsborg.com/media/Event%20Images/Vaffeldagen/VaffeldagenFlyer%202025.pdf">2025 Lindsborg Våffeldagen Guid</a>e is available on the Lindsborg Våffeldagen and<a href="https://www.facebook.com/VisitLindsborg"> Visit Lindsborg Facebook</a> pages.

Celebrate Våffeldagen in Lindsborg this Saturday

<a href="http://www.rollinghillszoo.org">Rolling Hills Zoo</a> is thrilled to announce the arrival of Bettina, a 1.5-year-old female snow leopard, from the Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Society. Born on June 7, 2023, Bettina was one of two cubs in her litter. Her move to Kansas is part of a breeding recommendation with Sherman, Rolling Hills Zoo’s resident male snow leopard.

Weighing 59 pounds, Bettina is not only beautiful but also trained to participate in her own health care. She is accustomed to voluntary medical behaviors, such as standing on a scale and accepting injections, which will assist in her ongoing care at the zoo.

Bettina’s personality is as captivating as her stunning coat. Described as sweet, playful, energetic, and curious—but also cautious—she enjoys observing new surroundings before fully engaging. At the Bronx Zoo, she often waited for her mother or brother to explore first before confidently joining in. Once comfortable, however, she becomes quite excitable and animated. While she is naturally cautious around unfamiliar snow leopards, she does not display aggression, making her an ideal new addition to Rolling Hills Zoo’s snow leopard habitat.

Though still young, Bettina’s arrival marks an important step in the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan (SSP), a collaborative conservation effort among accredited zoos to ensure the long-term survival of this endangered species. While she may not be ready to breed just yet, her presence at Rolling Hills Zoo will help raise awareness about snow leopard conservation and the challenges these elusive cats face.

Serving as an ambassador for snow leopards species, Bettina’s wild kin live in the mountains of Central Asia, and their range is approximately the size of Greenland or Mexico. It is believed there are fewer than 6,400 snow leopards left in their native habitat.

This elusive cat faces several threats, including poaching, not only for them but their prey. Snow leopards and their prey may also share habitat with domestic livestock, leading to conflicts with herders whose livelihood depends on ranching. For the herders, who are often economically disadvantaged, such losses can be catastrophic. To protect their herds and livelihoods, herders sometimes retaliate against the snow leopards.

Guests will have the opportunity to watch Bettina as she acclimates to her new home, with careful introductions planned between her and Sherman in the coming months. Rolling Hills Zoo invites the community to come visit this remarkable young snow leopard and learn more about efforts to protect her wild counterparts.

Rolling Hills Zoo in Saline County welcomes Bettina the Snow Leopard

The Salina Area United Way continues to hold intake appointments for the&nbsp; Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, providing free tax preparation services for qualifying individuals and families. Intake for the program runs through Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

Location:&nbsp;Salina Area United Way, 113 N 7th St., Salina, KS

Intake Hours:&nbsp;Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Intake Forms:&nbsp;Available starting January 31, 2025, outside the Salina Area United Way doors.

Intake and scheduling of appointments&nbsp;are first come, first served.

Doors to the Salina Area United Way will remain locked except during intake hours.

Final Intake Deadline: Intake&nbsp;will firmly&nbsp;close on April 2 2, 2025, at 1:00 PM. After that date, no&nbsp;new tax return clients will be accepted.

The VITA program&nbsp;is staffed by IRS-Certified&nbsp;volunteers. VITA&nbsp;is designed to help individuals and families with low-to-moderate incomes file their taxes accurately and on time while ensuring they receive the credits and&nbsp;refunds&nbsp;they are entitled to. This service is offered free of charge by IRS-certified volunteers committed to strengthening our community.

“Tax season can be stressful, and our goal with VITA is to ease that burden for those who qualify by offering professional, reliable, and free assistance,” said Christina Small, Executive Director of the Salina Area United Way. “We’re proud to continue this vital service that helps so many in our community.”

For more information about the VITA program or to learn about other services provided by the Salina Area United Way, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unitedwaysalina.org/vita-program%20">https://www.unitedwaysalina.org/vita-program</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;call 785-827-1312

The Salina Area United Way works to improve lives and strengthen communities by addressing the&nbsp;critical needs of individuals and families in Salina and the surrounding areas. Through collaborative programs like VITA, the organization continues its mission of fostering lasting change.

Time running out — get free tax prep services with United Way’s VITA program 

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas football will be well-represented at the second Big 12 Pro Day, hosted inside the Ford Center at the Star in Dallas, Texas, from March 18-21, as 29 Jayhawks will showcase their skills in front of nearly 300 NFL scouts and personnel.

Operated in partnership with the NFL, the 2025 Big 12 Pro Day will be televised on NFL Network with expert commentary and analysis of the event from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. CT on March 19 and 20. Coverage will also be featured within additional NFL Network programming and promoted across NFL+ and NFL digital and social channels.

Player workouts will begin at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19 with the offensive linemen followed by defensive linemen and linebackers. Running backs and tight ends will kick off the action on Thursday, March 20 at 9:15 a.m., followed by quarterbacks and defensive backs. Friday will be the specialists’ morning on the field.

More than 200 athletes across the 16 Big 12 schools will participate in the Big 12 Pro Day. Among Kansas’ representatives are, Tevita Ahoafi-Noa, Taiwan Berryhill Jr., JB Brown, Logan Brown, Bryce Cabeldue, Javier Derritt, Dylan Downing, Michael Ford, Ronald McGee, Alex Raich, Jereme Robinson, Darrell Simmons Jr., Caleb Taylor, Cornell Wheeler, Dylan Wudke, Lawrence Arnold, Cobee Bryant, O.J. Burroughs, Jared Casey, Mello Dotson, Marvin Grant Jr., Luke Grimm, Trevor Kardell, Torry Locklin, Devin Neal, Quentin Skinner, Trevor Wilson, Tabor Allen and Luke Hosford.

Big 12 Pro Day is open to the public on March 19 and March 20 from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT with the March 21 session open from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Parking will be available in any of the public garages and lots surrounding The Star.

PRO DAY SCHEDULE (All Times CT)Wednesday, March 19

Kansas to be Represented by 29 Jayhawks at Big 12 Pro Day

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Senior David N’Guessan was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-Central Region Second Team on Tuesday morning (March 18) as the organization announced its All-District honors. The honors are voted on by NABC-member coaches across Division I.

It was the first NABC award for N’Guessan, who was named to the coaches’ All-Big 12 honorable mention team on March 9. He is the first Wildcat to earn all-district accolades since Keyontae Johnson and Markquis Nowell were selected to the first team in 2023.

A 6-foot-9, 220-pound wing from De Lier, The Netherlands, N’Guessan was the Wildcats’ leading scorer and rebounder for most of the season, as he averaged 13.3 points on a Big 12-best 64.4 percent (179-of-278) shooting from the field with 7.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.9 blocks in 29.7 minutes per game. He scored in double figures in a team-best 26 games, including a team-best six 20-point performance. He has also collected a team-best 7 double-doubles, including 5 in Big 12 play. In addition to being the league’s leader in field goal percentage, he ranked in the Big 12’s top 20 in both scoring and rebounding.

N’Guessan was joined on the second team by Creighton’s Steven Ashworth, Missouri’s Tamar Bates, Caleb Grill and Mark Mitchell, Kentucky’s Lamont Butler and Amari Williams, Vanderbilt’s Jason Edwards, Iowa State’s Keshon Gilbert and Lipscomb’s Jacob Ognacevic.

First team honorees included Kansas’ Hunter Dickinson, Memphis’ P.J. Haggerty, Louisville’s Chucky Hepburn, Iowa State’s Curtis Jones, Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner, Tennessee’s Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler, Kentucky’s Otega Oweh, Drake’s Bennett Stirtz and Nebraska’s Brice Williams.

The Central Region Coach of the Year was Missouri’s Dennis Gates.

N’Guessan Named to NABC All-Central Region Second Team

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;The University of Kansas, Kansas Athletics and the KU Alumni Association announced several key dates for the 2025 Kansas football season, as the school’s 113th&nbsp;Homecoming game presented by Central Bank will take place the weekend of Nov. 1 vs. Oklahoma State and Family Weekend will take place the weekend of Sept. 27 vs. Cincinnati.

The pair of events will welcome Jayhawks of all ages back to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, which features an action-packed&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/news/2025/2/4/back-in-the-booth-kansas-football-2025-schedule-announced.aspx" target="_blank">seven-game slate</a>&nbsp;in the new and improved stadium.

More information regarding activities around Family Weekend will be released in the future.

Celebrating its 113th&nbsp;Homecoming, the Jayhawks will host the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday, Nov. 1 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. As planning continues, the KU Alumni Association will update Homecoming information on their website at&nbsp;<a href="http://kualumni.org/homecoming" target="_blank">kualumni.org/homecoming</a>.

Under fifth year head coach Lance Leipold, the Jayhawks have won their last three homecoming games, including a 42-14 win over Houston in 2024. Kansas’ roster features a new-look, talented squad, led by an accomplished set of returning starters in Jalon Daniels, Bryce Foster, Kobe Baynes, Dean Miller, Tommy Dunn and DJ Withers, among others, as well as a nationally recognized transfer class and a group of emerging playmakers poised to make a difference in 2025.

University of Kansas Sets 2025 Homecoming, Family Weekend Dates

SURPRISE, Ariz.—The Kansas City Royals and FanDuel Sports Network today announced the team’s 2025 regular season television schedule, with all 162 games airing regionally or nationally.

FanDuel Sports Network will televise 154 regular season games. Eight other games are scheduled for Major League Baseball’s national television package:

Five games will be co-exist telecasts on FanDuel Sports Network and other national networks:

Monday, April 14 at Yankees (MLB Network)

Thursday, June 12 vs. Yankees (MLB Network)

Ten additional games will be simulcast on FanDuel Sports Network and Grey Media’s KCTV5/KSMO:

Sunday, April 6 vs. Baltimore (KCTV5/KSMO)

Monday, May 26 vs. Cincinnati (KCTV5/KSMO)

Sunday, June 15 vs. Athletics (KCTV5/KSMO)

Sunday, Aug. 17 vs. White Sox (KCTV5/KSMO)

FanDuel Sports Network is entering its 18th season as the exclusive regional television home of Royals baseball. Every game on FanDuel Sports Network will be preceded by a 30-minute pregame show, “Price Chopper Royals Live,” and followed by the “Rally House Royals Live” postgame show.

Both the pre and postgame shows at Kauffman Stadium will originate from FanDuel Sports Network’s set on the left field concourse adjacent to the Royals Hall of Fame.

Regular season coverage will begin when FanDuel Sports Network airs Opening Day on Thursday, March 27, from Kauffman Stadium vs. the Cleveland Guardians at 3:10 p.m. CT. Live coverage of the opener on FanDuel Sports Network will begin at 2:00 p.m. with an expanded pregame show that features the on-field ceremonies from The K.

HOW TO WATCH AND STREAM THE ROYALS IN 2025

Fans can watch the Royals and other programming available within their zip code via FanDuel Sports Network’s direct-to-consumer streaming service. The service is available for purchase with monthly ($19.99), Season Pass ($99.99 starting March 20) and annual ($189.99) subscription options at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fanduelsportsnetwork.com/packages" target="_blank">http://www.FanDuelSportsNetwork.com/packages</a>.

FanDuel Sports Network is also available on cable, satellite, and streaming TV providers throughout the Royals television footprint. Options include Charter Spectrum, Comcast Xfinity, Cox, DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Mediacom and U-verse TV. If you watch the Royals on FanDuel Sports Network with your TV provider, you can also stream the games on the FanDuel Sports Network app and FanDuelSportsNetwork.com for no additional charge by signing in with their provider login and password.

The FanDuel Sports Network app is available for download on Apple and Android devices and through a number of connected device platforms and Smart TVs. For a complete list, click&nbsp;<a href="https://help.fanduelsportsnetwork.com/answer/detail/000001374" target="_blank">here</a>.

New this season, Amazon Prime customers can subscribe to stream FanDuel Sports Network through Prime Video as an add-on subscription priced at $19.99 per month.

For all ways to watch, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.royals.com/tunein" target="_blank">http://www.royals.com/tunein</a>.

Ryan Lefebvre, in his 27th season, will call the majority of regular season games for FanDuel Sports Network, and&nbsp;Jake Eisenberg&nbsp;will provide the play-by-play on the remaining games.&nbsp;Rex Hudler&nbsp;will return for his 14th season as the analyst, and Royals Hall of Famer&nbsp;Jeff Montgomery&nbsp;will provide analysis throughout the season on “Royals Live” with host&nbsp;Joel Goldberg. 2015 World Series champion&nbsp;Jeremy Guthrie&nbsp;will return on FanDuel Sports Network as analysts on select series.

Royals and FanDuel Sports Network Announce 2025 Television Schedule

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Following its second straight 26-win season, Kansas State women's basketball was rewarded with an at-large bid and a five-seed in the Spokane 4 Regional in the 2025 NCAA Tournament during Sunday night's NCAA Women's Basketball Selection Show on ESPN. This is the program's 19th NCAA Tournament appearance in school history and the sixth under the direction of head coach Jeff Mittie.

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