The Fire Department has deemed the <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/a6f14a2d-04f4-4355-a1f2-df849488f55a">significant fire that occurred at Ridge of Salina apartments on Wednesday afternoon</a> "accidental" and "likely careless discarding of smoking materials."

Original:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/a6f14a2d-04f4-4355-a1f2-df849488f55a">Significant fire at Chapel Ridge apartments, cause of fire unknown</a>

This information comes after the Fire Department released a city-wide statement regarding the incident.

Below you will find the statement by the Salina Fire Department:

The Salina Fire Department was dispatched to The Ridge Apartment complex located at 2363 Chapel Ridge at approximately 3:00 p.m., the afternoon of January 14th, 2026, after receiving reports of fire and smoke coming from the front of a two-story apartment building at the complex.

Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy fire and smoke conditions extending from the front of the building into the soffit with fire already extending into the attic and through the roof. 

Crews immediately began fire suppression operations while also conducting a search for occupants in the affected apartment units.

Due to the amount of active fire and potential for life safety issues, a second alarm was struck upon the arrival of the on-duty Battalion Chief. 

The fire was brought under control within approximately 30 minutes, with crews remaining on scene for an extended period to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and to check for any extension into neighboring units.

While several residents were displaced as a result of the fire, all occupants were able to safely exit the building and there are no injuries to report. 

The cause of the fire has been ruled as accidental and likely due to the careless discarding of smoking materials near the front of the building. 

The Salina Fire Department was assisted by the Salina Police Department, Evergy and the Salvation Army. 

We thank our partner agencies for their assistance and the public for their cooperation during the incident.

UPDATE: Cause of fire at Ridge apartments deemed "accidental" and likely "careless discarding of smoking materials" 

Following is recent booking activity for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salinecountyks.gov/Sheriff-Office/Online-search/Booking-Activities">Saline County Jail</a>, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving While Suspended; Poss of marijuana

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

NAME:&nbsp;Hammon,Elijah Christopher

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Duty of driver to report; Unattended veh/prop;unkn; Operate a MV w/o a valid license; Poss of stolen property;Value $1,500 to $25,000

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human bodyNo Proof Of Insurance; Poss of marijuana; 1 prior conviction; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Fail to yield at stop or yield sign

REQUESTED CHARGE: Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Driving While Suspended

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human body; Poss of marijuana; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant

Saline County Jail Bookings, January 15

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Salina General Services offices, Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center (SDRC) and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) will be closed on Monday, January 19.

Regular office hours, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, will resume on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Despite the closure, trash service will not be affected, and all normal routes will run as scheduled from Monday through Friday.

Additionally, the Salina Municipal Solid Waste Landfill will remain open during its regular hours, 7:00 am to 4:30 pm, on Monday January 19.

For further information, please contact Salina General Services at (785) 309-5750.

Salina General Services announces MLK Day holiday hours

A one of a kind tanning &amp; spa business that is Christian based is making its glow within the community.

Natural Beauty Tanning &amp; Spa is located on&nbsp;1823 S. 9th St. in Salina and to book an appointment, visit <a href="https://www.facebook.com/naturalbeautysalina">Facebook</a>.

Watch the video above to learn all about Natural Beauty Tanning &amp; Spa and the owner Kenzie Johnson.

🎥 One of a kind tanning & spa Christian based business growing in Salina

The upcoming&nbsp;<a href="https://bgchutch.com/s/salina">Boys and Girls Club of Salina</a>&nbsp;(BGCS)&nbsp;facility that is anticipated to be installed at the&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/66463ccc-e432-4f16-9e4c-f860782dd349">Bondy field complex</a>, is being considered to be placed at a different location.

City Manager Jacob Wood confirmed the initial location of the facility, which was set just south of Sunset Park on baseball fields is up for consideration. This was based on concerns from the Salina baseball community who use those fields often.

"Based on the discussion we had with the baseball community, staff felt like it was probably pertinent for us to look at other options," said Wood.

BGCS Director, Heather Neuhofel-Tracy also confirmed this consideration as well. 

She stated the site that was proposed at the ballfields was being used alot more than what the organization and the City was aware of. Neuhofel-Tracy said there are more than one options of locations for the facility. 

Those include the former tennis courts area at Sunset Park, a portion Centennial Park and still the initial baseball field location as of now.

Nothing is finalized yet, but will be brought forth to the <a href="https://www.salina-ks.gov/salina-city-commission">City Commission</a>&nbsp;for a decision either end of February or start of March during one of the public meetings.

Summer 2027 is the goal for the facility to open.

BGCS are actively fundraising for this project and from now until the end of the year. Every dollar given toward their endowment at Greater Salina Community Foundation, will be matched for operations by the&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/7e1ae6a9-a421-4d7e-8bca-786ca8519788">Ted and Almita Augustine Donor Advised Fund</a>&nbsp;with a goal of getting $500,000 in matching funds to support this project.

To donate or for more information about BGCS go to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://bgcsalina.com/">bgcsalina.com</a>.

Boys & Girls Club of Salina facility considering other options for installment

Law enforcement are investigating a stolen vehicle that was taken from a central Salina home.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Tuesday at around 6:30 am, a 40-year-old male reported his 2017 white KIA Optima,&nbsp;KS tag:&nbsp;JABOA, had been stolen from his driveway near central Salina.

The only other descriptors for the vehicle were that it had tinted windows, and the wheels are a gun metal gray with black accents.

The vehicle was last seen at about 9:00 pm on Monday. The keys were not in the vehicle when it was stolen.

The vehicle was valued at approximately $9,000.

Law enforcement investigating stolen vehicle taken from central Salina home

NAME:&nbsp;Arneson-Worley,Ashlee Nichole

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Battery; Knowing/recklessly causing bodily harm; Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Distribute opiate/opium/narcotic/stimulant/heroin; Dosage 10 - &lt; 100 units; Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human body; Poss of depressant; Poss of marijuana; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Taxation; Drugs; No drug tax stamp for marijuana or cont substance

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human body; Poss of depressant; Poss of marijuana; 2 or more prior convictions; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Taxation; Drugs; No drug tax stamp for marijuana or cont substance

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Domestic Battery: rude physical contact&nbsp;

Saline County Jail Bookings, January 14

Two Salina organizations have been awarded state funding through the Governor's office, as part of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant.

Governor Kelly announced on January 7 that over $10.4 million in federal VOCA grant funding will be awarded to 64 community-based organizations and local and state agencies.&nbsp;

The VOCA grant funding comes from the Federal Crime Victims Fund, which is financed by fines and penalties from convictions in federal cases.&nbsp;

Those organizations include&nbsp;<a href="https://capsofsalina.org/">Child Advocacy &amp; Parenting Services </a>(CAPS) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dvack.org/">Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas</a> (DVACK).&nbsp;&nbsp;

DVACK was awarded&nbsp;$369,402 and CAPS&nbsp;$67,677.

"This funding is essential to CAPS being able to provide services to children and families in our community," said Executive Director, Paul Forrester. 

A portion of these funds are used for Chris’s Place Child Advocacy Center and allows the organization to conduct forensic interviews for law enforcement and the Department of Children and Families.&nbsp; 

The other portion will fund their Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program, providing advocacy and guidance for youth in the Foster Care system.&nbsp;&nbsp; 

"The grant provides just a small portion of the funding necessary to fund both programs, and the funding provided has been continually declining over the past several years resulting in CAPS becoming more and more dependent on private donations and fundraising," said Forrester.

For more info about CAPS, click <a href="https://capsofsalina.org/">here</a>.

For DVACK, the grant will enable the organization to provide comprehensive, high-quality services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and elder abuse. The funding supports immediate response services that address both the emotional and physical needs of survivors, as well as ongoing support to help victims stabilize their lives in the aftermath of crime. 

In addition to direct services for primary and secondary victims, DVACK will conduct outreach presentations throughout the service area to identify and connect with crime victims who may need assistance. 

"This funding allows us to continue our mission of providing immediate, compassionate support when victims need it most," said Andrea Quill, CEO of DVACK. "By investing in both our services and our staff, we're ensuring that every person who comes to us receives the comprehensive care they deserve as they work to rebuild their lives." DVACK serves victims of crime throughout North Central Kansas, offering emergency shelter, advocacy, counseling, and other essential services to those affected by violence.

Moreover, The grant includes a professional development component, providing training opportunities for DVACK personnel who deliver direct services to ensure the highest quality care for survivors.

DVACK serves victims of crime throughout North Central Kansas, offering emergency shelter, advocacy, counseling, and other essential services to those affected by violence.

For more info about DVACK, click <a href="https://www.dvack.org/">here</a>.

“The&nbsp;services&nbsp;these 64&nbsp;organizations&nbsp;provide&nbsp;are&nbsp;essential&nbsp;to&nbsp;Kansans impacted by crime,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“This&nbsp;crucial&nbsp;funding&nbsp;is vital to these organizations’&nbsp;ability to continue providing the&nbsp;assistance&nbsp;crime victims and survivors&nbsp;need&nbsp;as they&nbsp;rebuild&nbsp;their lives, navigate the criminal justice system, and regain a sense of&nbsp;normality.”&nbsp;

The grant funds are made available through the&nbsp;Office for Victims of Crime,&nbsp;a key&nbsp;component&nbsp;of the&nbsp;Office of Justice Programs at the U.S.&nbsp;Department&nbsp;of Justice.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A total of $10,484,525 was awarded to 64 organizations across the state.

Two Salina organizations awarded state grants to further services and mission

Salina South High School has released the names of all the students who earned Honor Roll for the 2025-2026 fall semester.

The requirements for students to earn Honor Roll is to finish the semester with a 3.0 GPA and no failing grades.

Below you will find a lengthy list of students in alphabetical order by last name, from 9th-12th grades.

Salina South releases lengthy list of students earning Honor Roll for 2025-2026 Fall semester

City-wide celebrations will occur in Salina to observe the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.

On Sunday, January 18 at Theatre Salina (303 E Iron Ave)&nbsp;starting at 3:00 pm, there will be a Musical presentation featuring the Salina Symphony Youth Choir, Coro Juvenil Sagrado Corazón and Xcel Ensemble&nbsp;

The theme of the program is "Passing of the torch to the younger generation of civil leaders, as we commemorate the resilience and principles for which Dr. King lived and died."

On Monday, January 19 at&nbsp;St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church&nbsp;(215 S. Chicago St.) starting at 12:00 pm, the annual youth - centered celebration will occur.

Music will include Salina South and Salina Central choirs. Guest speakers are Minister Rodney Garrett, Jr. and Tamia Cheeks, who serves as the State Youth and College President for NAACP Kansas. Cheeks is also the KWU NAACP College Chapter President.

City-wide celebrations for MLK, Jr. Holiday to occur in Salina Jan. 18-19

<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.

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 14 - January 16

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

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 12 - January 14

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

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

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

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

Higher accumulations are expected across southwest Kansas.

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

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

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 9 - January 11

After an activity of showers and thunderstorms to occur late Wednesday night through Thursday, a storm system is expected follow that with light to modest snow accumulations across the region Friday afternoon through night.

The greatest potential for at least a half inch of rain is primarily along and east of I-135.

This is according to the US National Weather Service, but there remains some uncertainty as the weather agency will refine forecast details the next few days.

Chance of snow to occur Friday after upcoming showers and thunderstorms 

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 7 - January 9

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 5 - January 7

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 2 - January 4

Three day weather forecast Salina: New Years Eve & Day, Jan 2.

Three day weather forecast Salina, December 29 - New Years Eve

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Federal prosecutors charged 20 people on Thursday, including 15 former college basketball players, in what they called a betting scheme to rig NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association games.

<a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/981641066/Sports-Betting-Indictment-in-Philadelphia">Click here to read the </a>full indictment

Of the defendants, 15 played basketball for Division 1 NCAA schools as recently as the 2024-25 season. School included in the indictment are Nicholls State, Tulane, Northwestern State, St. Louis, La Salle, Fordham, DePaul, Robert Morris, Southern Miss, North Carolina A&amp;T, Kennesaw State, Coppin State, New Orleans, Abilene Christian, Eastern Michigan and Alabama State.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423601/dl?inline">Indictment - U.S. v. J. Smith et al</a>

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423721/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. Blakeney</a>

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423746/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. Adams</a>

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423751/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. Etienne</a>

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423756/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. Gray</a>

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423761/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. Hines</a>

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/media/1423766/dl?inline">Information - U.S. v. D. Smith</a>

The other five defendants were described by authorities as fixers.

They include two men who prosecutors say worked in the training and development of basketball players. Another was a trainer and former coach, one was a former NCAA player and two were described as gamblers, influencers and sports handicappers.

The charges, filed in federal court in Philadelphia, include wire fraud.

In the 70-page indictment, authorities say the fixers recruited the college basketball players with “bribe payments” usually ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.

The indictment follows a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-sports-betting-college-players-415d6d8987237fd1393819460986db47">NCAA investigations</a>&nbsp;that led to at least 10 players receiving lifetime bans this year for bets that sometimes involved their own teams and their own performances. And the NCAA has said that at least 30 players have been investigated over gambling allegations.

See the names, schools: Former NCAA players charged in betting scheme

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Court records show Rachel M. Perkins, the former director of the Hutchinson Kids Wrestling Club, has been charged with one count of theft by deception involving an alleged loss of between $1,500 and $25,000.

According to Reno County booking records, Perkins was booked into the Reno County Detention Center on Jan. 2. She made her first appearance in Reno County District Court on Jan. 9. As of now, no additional court date has been announced.

Charging documents allege Perkins stole approximately $10,000 from the wrestling club. Further details surrounding the allegations were not immediately available in court filings.

She met the requirement for bond and is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

Former director accused of theft from kids wrestling club in Kansas

By:<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/max-nesterak/">Max Nesterak</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/alyssachen/">Alyssa Chen</a> <a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a>

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday morning to send the military into Minnesota to stop protests, following another shooting by immigration agents that injured one person, seven days after an agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis.

Writing on his own social media platform, Trump said he would invoke the Insurrection Act, a 19th-century law empowering the government to deploy the military domestically to “repress insurrections and repel invasions.”

“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State. Thank you for you attention to this matter! President DJT,” Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115899252938886431" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on Truth Social.

The law grants an exception to the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the military from performing domestic law enforcement.

The Insurrection Act was last invoked in 1992 under President George H. W. Bush in response to civil unrest that included the deaths of 63 people, following the acquittal of four white police officers charged with beating to death Black driver Rodney King. The statute has been used about 30 times since the country’s founding, according to records kept by the Brennan Center for Justice.

Protests erupted across the Twin Cities after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/07/ice-officer-fatally-shoots-driver-through-car-window-in-minneapolis/">shot and killed</a>&nbsp;37-year-old Renee Good in south Minneapolis on Jan. 7.

The demonstrations escalated Wednesday night after a federal immigration agent shot and injured a man in north Minneapolis.&nbsp;

According to a statement issued by the Department of Homeland Security, a man crashed his vehicle and ran away as agents were “conducting a targeted traffic stop” at 6:50 p.m. Central time. An agent fired “a defensive shot to defend his life” after the man and two bystanders “attacked the law enforcement officer with a snow shovel and broom handle,” according to the statement.&nbsp;

The agent shot the man in the leg, according to the department. The statement described the man as “an illegal alien from Venezuela who was released into the country by Joe Biden in 2022.”

States Newsroom’s Minnesota Reformer was unable to confirm the account.&nbsp;

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said in a late-night press conference that the man was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Reformer&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/14/second-person-in-a-week-shot-by-federal-immigration-agent-in-minneapolis/">reported</a>&nbsp;that scores of demonstrators arrived at the scene, sparking a back-and-forth with agents, who deployed tear gas and flash bangs. Agents detained at least two people after someone threw fireworks at the agents. At least two vehicles believed to be used by federal officers were vandalized. The clashes largely stopped by 11:30 p.m., according to the Reformer.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey asked for calm and reiterated his call for the Trump administration to remove ICE from the city.

Trump surged more ICE agents to Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Good, bringing the total to roughly 3,000 — far outnumbering the city’s 600 local police officers.&nbsp;

President Trump threatens to use Insurrection Act, deploy military in Minnesota

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. forces in the Caribbean Sea have seized another sanctioned oil tanker the Trump administration says has ties to Venezuela, part of a broader U.S. effort to take control of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-explosions-caracas-ca712a67aaefc30b1831f5bf0b50665e">the South American country’s oil</a>.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote Thursday on social media, “Motor Tanker Veronica had previously passed through Venezuelan waters, and was operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.”

A social media post from U.S. Southern Command on the capture said that Marines and sailors launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to make the capture while Noem’s post noted that, like in previous raids, a U.S. Coast Guard tactical team conducted the boarding and seizure.

Noem posted a brief video that appeared to show part of the ship’s capture. The black-and-white footage showed helicopters hovering over the deck of a merchant vessel while armed troops dropped down on the deck by rope.

The Veronica is the sixth tanker that has been seized by U.S. forces as part of the effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to control the production, refining and global distribution of Venezuela’s oil products, and the fourth since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-maduro-what-to-know-a57528ff315a7f70ed51a1721f5e0bc2">the U.S. ouster of Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;in a surprise nighttime raid almost two weeks ago.

Noem, in her social media post, said that the raid was carried out with “close coordination with our colleagues” in the military as well as the State and Justice departments.

“Our heroic Coast Guard men and women once again ensured a flawlessly executed operation, in accordance with international law,” Noem added.

As with prior posts, Noem and the military framed the seizure as part of an effort to enforce the law. Noem argued that the multiple captures show that “there is no outrunning or escaping American justice.”

However, other officials in Trump's Republican administration have made clear they see it as a way to generate cash as they seek to rebuild Venezuela’s battered oil industry and restore its economy.

Last week, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-oil-chevron-exxonmobil-conocophillips-0e0619a991e92fd546504f1a613161e7">met with executives from oil companies</a>&nbsp;to discuss his goal of investing $100 billion in Venezuela to repair and upgrade its oil production and distribution. His administration has said it expects to sell at least&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-trump-democrats-9d16138866bebdc2644eb009c6326066">30 million to 50 million barrels</a>&nbsp;of sanctioned Venezuelan oil.

🎥  US seizes in Caribbean Sea another sanctioned oil tanker

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man charged in the death of his pregnant girlfriend is scheduled to return to court.

On Thursday, 20-year-old Matthew Wayne Criscenzo will attend a preliminary hearing in Judge Jeffrey Goering's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In September, Criscenzo pleaded not guilty to charges of 1st degree murder and aggravated battery, in the shooting death of 20-year-old Naomi Oglesby.

On May 25, police arrested&nbsp; Criscenzo in the 700 Block of Laura Street in Wichita in connection with the shooting death. At the time of the incident,&nbsp;Oglesby was pregnant, according to Wichita Police Officer Rick Pena. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, she was pronounced deceased.

Doctors were able to deliver her infant who was transported to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at a Wichita hospital.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Kan. man accused of killing pregnant girlfriend is due back in court

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) is aware of a recent event where a skimming device was used in a Wichita store resulting in the theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from 46 Kansas households, according to a media release from the agency.

&nbsp;An investigation by DCF, it was discovered a skimming device had been placed on a point of sale terminal at a Wichita store to steal Kansas Benefits Card (electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card) information. That stolen information was then used to drain the SNAP benefits from the cards. 

The impacted cards were all used at the same store.Currently, this event is affecting 46 SNAP recipients with a total of approximately $9,800 in stolen SNAP benefits.

On Jan. 5, 2026, DCF received notification from several Kansans that their benefits were being used in Pennsylvania. 

DCF immediately began investigating and deactivating cards that had been used at a suspected location as a precaution to prevent additional theft of benefits.Further investigation by DCF indicates possible skimming activity associated with Kansas Benefits Cards (electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards) in the Kansas City, Kansas area. 

The investigation is ongoing and DCF is working with law enforcement on this case.

Affected cardholders should receive notice in the mail. Cardholders with Self-Service Portal (SSP) accounts who have opted in to receive communications will also get a text message or email prompting them to review a message in the portal.​ Affected cardholders will receive new Kansas Benefits Cards mailed to their homes.

<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/skimming" target="_blank">Skimmers</a>&nbsp;are devices criminals use to steal data from credit, debit and EBT cards. These devices are illegally placed on point-of-sale terminals to capture card data. The criminals then use the data to create fake cards and make illegal purchases. Criminals may use the stolen card information to make purchases in other states because skimming events are often part of a larger theft ring.

How to help prevent EBT card theft

Stolen benefits cannot be replaced. DCF strongly encourages cardholders to use the free ebtEDGE app from DCF’s EBT contractor, Fidelity Information Services (FIS), or the ebtEDGE Cardholder Portal at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ebtedge.com/gov/portal/PortalHome.do" target="_blank">ebtedge.com</a>&nbsp;to monitor their account and help further safeguard their benefits by using the following features:

Third-party EBT apps do not provide the same protection features as ebtEDGE. The ebtEDGE app can be accessed in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

Cardholders are also encouraged to beware of phishing attempts, and they should not share their card info or the PIN over the phone or via text message. DCF and FIS will never call or text cardholders and explicitly ask for their card number or PIN. 

Learn more about protecting EBT cards at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EBT-Online.aspx" target="_blank">ebtcards.dcf.ks.gov</a>.What should cardholders do if they suspect their card has been compromised?If a cardholder suspects their EBT card has been compromised,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ebtedge.com/gov/portal/PortalHome.do" target="_blank">ebtedge.com</a>.Will stolen benefits be replaced?Federally funded replacement for stolen SNAP and TANF benefits ended in December 2024. In addition, there is no state money available for reimbursement. This means stolen SNAP and TANF benefits cannot be replaced.

DCF investigating EBT card skimming across Kansas

JOHNSON COUNTY—Police are asking help in identifying an individual in connection with a burglary spree in Lenexa.

Since the first of the year, multiple work vehicles at local businesses have been broken into, with tools and equipment stolen. These crimes don’t just result in stolen property—they also cause vehicle damage and disrupt daily business operations. The burglaries occurred in the 8100 Lenexa Drive, in the 8200 block of Melrose, at 95th and Pflumm at 10100 Marshall among other locations, according to police.

If you recognize this person or have information about their identity, please contact our detective at 913-825-8120.

The suspect has been seen driving a dark Honda CR-V, which is shown at the end of this video.

Police ask for help to ID Kansas burglary suspect

THOMAS COUNTY—Law enforcement in northwest Kansas are investigating six suspects on multiple drug allegations after a drug enforcement investigation.

On Tuesday, the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office concluded a six-month investigation into the trafficking and distribution of narcotics in Thomas County, according to&nbsp;Sheriff Joel Nickols.

 As part of this investigation, deputies executed a total of five residential search warrants within Thomas County during December 2025. As the investigation progressed, the Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI). 

On January 13, 2026, the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office executed two additional search warrants in Colby, Kansas. Deputies served a search warrant on multiple storage units located within the city limits of Colby, while the Kansas Bureau of Investigation simultaneously executed a search warrant at a residence also located in Colby.

As a result of these investigations, multiple pounds of controlled substances were seized. Items recovered included large quantities of methamphetamine, marijuana, THC products, psilocybin mushrooms, Suboxone, and other illicit opiates and stimulants. 

A total of six suspects have been arrested in connection with these cases. The sheriff office did not release the names of the suspects or possible charges in the case.

Sheriff: 6 arrested after large drug bust in northwest Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans voted to dismiss a war powers resolution Wednesday that would have limited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;ability to conduct further attacks on Venezuela after two GOP senators reversed course on supporting the legislation.

Trump put intense pressure on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-war-powers-venezuela-trump-maduro-greenland-e1c5c8390eb2331779504b710fe85025">five Republican senators</a>&nbsp;who joined with Democrats to advance the resolution last week and ultimately prevailed in heading off passage of the legislation. Two of the Republicans — Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana — flipped under the pressure.

Vice President JD Vance had to break the 50-50 deadlock in the Senate on a Republican motion to dismiss the bill.&nbsp; Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall also voted to dismiss the bill.

The outcome of the high-profile vote demonstrated how Trump still has command over much of the Republican conference, yet the razor-thin vote tally also showed the growing concern on Capitol Hill over the president’s aggressive foreign policy ambitions.

Democrats forced the debate after U.S. troops captured Venezuelan leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-maduro-capture-trump-attack-military-ceb21da088f0a06b1813e66922def9a3">Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;in a surprise nighttime raid earlier this month

“Here we have one of the most successful attacks ever and they find a way to be against it. It’s pretty amazing. And it’s a shame,” Trump said at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-michigan-manufacturing-8843cdb26cdfcdf9bf8c8273823c6d84">speech in Michigan</a>&nbsp;Tuesday. He also hurled insults at several of the Republicans who advanced the legislation, calling Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky a “stone cold loser” and Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine “disasters.” Those three Republicans stuck to their support for the legislation.

Trump’s latest comments followed earlier phone calls with the senators, which they described as terse. The president’s fury underscored how the war powers vote had taken on new political significance as Trump also threatens military action to accomplish his goal of possessing Greenland.

The legislation, even if it had cleared the Senate, had virtually no chance of becoming law because it would eventually need to be signed by Trump himself. But it represented both a test of GOP loyalty to the president and a marker for how much&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-strikes-congress-6c0061bf5a9c417e66f76fcc6ee57405">leeway the Republican-controlled Senate</a>&nbsp;is willing to give Trump to use the military abroad. Republican angst over his recent foreign policy moves — especially threats of using military force to seize Greenland from a NATO ally — is still running high in Congress.

Hawley, who helped advance the war powers resolution last week, said Trump’s message during a phone call was that the legislation “really ties my hands.” The senator said he had a follow-up phone call with Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marco-rubio">Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;Monday and was told “point blank, we’re not going to do ground troops.”

The senator added that he also received assurances that the Trump administration will follow constitutional requirements if it becomes necessary to deploy troops again to the South American country.

“We’re getting along very well with Venezuela,” Trump told reporters at a ceremony for the signing of an unrelated bill Wednesday.

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