SALINE COUNTY —A well known Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper used social media to announce his retirement Monday evening.

KHP Trooper Ben Gardner wrote he was deeply fatigued after 26-years with the Patrol.&nbsp; The news comes after the Patrol earlier this month was forced to issue a statement involving&nbsp;confusion over a personal social media post by Gardner. The KHP wrote, "The KHP is aware of a social media post by an employee who appears to be either soliciting or accepting donations in furtherance of personal travel."

On his private social media page September 1, <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/55d07e51-697f-4176-9206-a43710f4937a">Gardner wrote that he was</a> driving his Jeep back and forth to Michigan and using a lot of gas. He wrote, "folks had already reached out, so he shared ways that others could help."

Not everyone believed the post was actually from beloved Trooper Ben.

The Kansas Highway Patrol responded, "Because the employee's private posts are often difficult to distinguish from their professional posts, the messages can be confusing and are neither approved by nor associated with KHP business."

On Monday night, Gardner wrote about his retirement.

"Of all the posts I’ve ever made, this one may be the most important. A significant shift from what life has been…"

"This evening, I sat at my laptop and typed the words that made it real. I sent the email. My official notice of retirement.For years, I’ve struggled with this decision. Do I hold on longer, or do I take the step forward?

"So many of us wait.Wait until 5 PM.Wait for Friday.Wait for summer.Wait for adulthood. Wait for happiness.Always waiting for the right moment. But in the waiting, we miss living in the now."

"After over 26 years of service, I am fatigued. Deeply fatigued…That fatigue does not come from the people of Kansas or the countless lives I’ve had the honor of serving."

"Being a servant has been one of the greatest joys of my life.The strain has come from within. From the inner spaces I’ve devoted myself to. Spaces I have deeply loved, but also where I have faced some of my greatest challenges.Through my entire career, I’ve always tried to make decisions that were about purpose, not paycheck. I never sought promotion. I rarely looked for overtime."

"The choices I made were always about moments where I could make a meaningful impact with the people around me. To break the mold a little.To blaze a trail.To show what I believe the service of this position was always meant to be.￼To leave the space I held better than when I received it.I have full faith that I have done just that.It seems that so many individuals in this profession exit long before they ever make it to retirement."

And standing here now, I can understand why. It has been such an honor to serve as I have over these last 26 years. Pride, laughter, fear, embarrassment, and deep sadness have all been part of my journey."

"After traveling to Michigan for my dad’s graveside ceremony, I found some clarity."

"Being there reminded me that the time we have is so, so valuable.This will work out. It might be bumpy for a little bit, but eventually we grow past the tightness, the worry, and the fatigue of trying to fit in."

"It’s my belief, two weeks is what I have left of this career. It’s hard. It’s emotional. But it’s time." 

"The past will always be part of me, but the future is calling. And I’m choosing to live it now.When the time is right, I want to be more transparent. To share more openly about what I have experienced throughout my career, and especially over these last five years leading up to retirement.  In that moment, you will see my heart more clearly than ever before."

"What I haven’t shared over the last five years… I will.To those who have openly supported me, cheered for me, and defended me when I wasn’t around, thank you. You have carried me further than you know."

Well known State Trooper makes emotional announcement

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;Ambrosio Ruiz, Rigobero

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Operate a MV w/o a valid license

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving While Suspended; Driving while habitual violator

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Viol protection order; Pre-trial order

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

NAME:&nbsp;McMillin, Shane Douglas

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Contempt of Court; Direct; Failure to appear (2 requested charges)

&nbsp;NAME:&nbsp;Meadows, Theodore Clovis

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

NAME:&nbsp;Reimler, Austen Michael

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving While Suspended; No Proof Of Insurance; Unlawful acts: vehicle registration violation

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Failure to appear; Outside warrant/NCIC hit (2 requested charges)&nbsp;

*No image available for&nbsp;Rose, Justin Michael*

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Crim damage to prop;without consent &gt;$25K; Disorderly conduct; Brawling or fighting

Saline County Jail Bookings, September 16

GEARY COUNTY— Two people were injured in an accident just before 7p.m. Monday in Geary County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Ram 2500 driven by Sean Anthony&nbsp;Cole, 18, Chapman, was southbound on U.S. 77 at Kansas 57 with a green traffic light.&nbsp; A 2016 Toyota Tacoma driven by Christian Alonso Hernandez, 28, McKinney, texas was westbound on U.S. 57 with a red traffic light. The vehicles collided in the intersection.

EMS transported both drivers to Stormont Vail. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas teen hospitalized after 2-vehicle crash

The Saline County Sheriff's Office has released Salina's Most Wanted list for August 2025.&nbsp;

All photos provided are courtesy of the Saline County Sheriff's Office.&nbsp;All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Brown, Robert Todd

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Poss. Opiate

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Criminal Threat / Agg. Domestic Battery

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Aggravated Battery / Battery on LEO / Interference w/ LEO / Aggravated Intimidation of a witness / Reckless Driving

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony Bond Violation / Poss. Opiate / Poss. Para.

NAME:&nbsp;Dyson, Michael Dewayne Jr.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony / Poss. Opiate / Interfere w/ LEO / Contribute to Child Misconduct x2 / Poss. Marijuana / Poss. Para.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Agg. Domestic Batt.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony / Att Distribution of Methamphetamine / Paraphernalia / Possess Hydrocodone / Possess Marijuana / Use of cell phone in Felony / No drug tax stamp

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony / Forgery / Att. Forgery / Theft / Att. Theft

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Poss. Opiate x2 / Poss. Marijuana / Interfere w/ LEO

NAME:&nbsp;Jones, Darryl Dowan Jr.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony Bond Violation / Agg. DV / Criminal Threat / DV / Poss. Opiate / DUI / Operate MV w/o DL

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Forgery / Att. Theft of Prop.

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Att. Agg. Burglary

NAME:&nbsp;Martinez, Amanda Nicole

NAME:&nbsp;Murdoch, Johnny Anthony

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony FTA / Criminal Threat / Battery

NAME:&nbsp;Ponting, Trenton James Lloyd

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony FTA / Agg. Assault / Crim. Restraint / Att. Flee &amp; Elude / DUI / Interfere w/ LEO / Poss. MJ x3 / Intimidate Witness

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Making False Info.

NAME:&nbsp;Stebbins, Christopher Joel

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp; Felony PV / Burglary / Theft / Crim. Damage to Property

Saline County Sheriff's Office Most Wanted — September 2025

<a href="https://www.tidalwaveautospa.com/location/salina-ks/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=20623614143&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACqY-6ZU_h2N8vpqFVAO9iXIrDbcM&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw8p7GBhCjARIsAEhghZ30auTQKDuDS9_goAC__uHZEqbpGrVX6Ggc5kI6fMAwQFM9ZZVwTHEaAvdGEALw_wcB">Tidal Wave Auto Spa</a> is pleased to announce its 17th annual Charity Day event will be held on Friday, September 19.

As part of the company’s long-standing commitment to giving back, Tidal Wave will donate 100% of wash proceeds made during the one-day philanthropic event to local charities and non-profit organizations.

Tidal Wave Auto Spa (2351 S. 9th St.) is pleased to partner with <a href="https://www.unitedwaysalina.org/">Salina Area United Way</a> (SAUW) for this year’s event. Salina Area United Way’s mission is to strengthen North Central Kansas by uniting people and resources to build resilient, thriving communities. This marks the second year SAUW has been selected as the local charity recipient, and proceeds will directly support programs that strengthen the Salina community.

Salina Area United Way will receive 50% of all single car wash sales made during the September 19th event. The remaining 50% will be donated to the company’s longtime corporate partner, Annandale Village, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing progressive life assistance to adults with developmental disabilities.

This year, Salina Area United Way is making the event even bigger by hosting a "Give Back Block Party" alongside "Tidal Wave Charity Day." The community is invited to enjoy food, music and fun while supporting a great cause.

Throughout the day, the Block Party will feature even more ways to give back and enjoy:

o Panera Bread – 20% of sales donated back to SAUW with flyer or code FUND4U at checkout.

o IHOP – 20% of all sales benefiting SAUW.

o Wanderlust Foodie Truck – Serving smashburgers and drinks, with 10% of sales supporting SAUW.

o Purchase a single wash or make a donation to be entered into a $100 Tidal Wave gift card drawing.

“Being selected for a second year as Tidal Wave’s charity partner is such an honor,” said Christina Small, Executive Director of Salina Area United Way. “This year, we wanted to go even bigger by turning Charity Day into a Give Back Block Party where the whole community can celebrate, have fun, and directly support programs that strengthen Salina.”

The Give Back Block Party will run from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at Tidal Wave Auto Spa.

All proceeds raised will support Salina Area United Way’s mission is to strengthen North Central Kansas by uniting people and resources to build resilient, thriving communities.

Over the event’s 16-year history, Tidal Wave has donated over $2 million to charitable organizations, with $686,353 raised at last year’s event. 2025 is set to be the company’s largest Charity Day event yet, with 295 participating locations across their 30-state footprint.

Tidal Wave Auto Spa is dedicated to making a positive difference in the communities it serves and was honored as a Champion of Charity by Professional Carwashing &amp; Detailing. Beyond its annual Charity Day event, the company also gives back year-round through its fundraising program, which has helped raise over $5 million for local schools, organizations, churches, civic groups, and more.

Salina Area United Way receiving proceeds from local philanthropic event, along with hosting give back party

Becky Orlin from Salina, was arrested at the Dirksen Senate Building on September 10, and held overnight. A group of fourteen activists, from across the country, including nine Kansans, were arrested by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department protesting the impending loss of assistance for housing across the country. 

The group disrupted lunch in the busy Dirksen Cafeteria, setting tents in the lunchroom and chanting “housing is a human right.” Thirteen of the group were arrested and released in hours, Becky was held overnight on additional charges of AOP Resisting Arrest. 

Arraigned the next day she was released to an enthusiastic cheer from the crowd for her action.

“I am from the heartland of America, the middle of America, the line in Kansas and I want the world to know that there is a spark in the middle – even - of the United States,” Norlin said. “I am in love with the people in my country and my community, and the people that I work with every day. This was a no-brainer for me.”

The Free State Advocates travelled to Washington D.C. for an act of civil disobedience protesting proposed cuts to the Housing and Urban Renewal in the recently proposed appropriations bills. The Free State Advocates are a coalition of ten state-wide political organizations: ORGS. 

Represented by fourteen Kansans from across the state, nine members provided jail and court support for Hermosillo while the rest headed back to Capitol Hill to continue their advocacy. 

With a meeting scheduled with the office of Senator Jerry Moran, and after being met with silence after weeks of outreach to their remaining federal delegation, they were determined to bring the voices of their neighbors to their elected leaders.

The Free State Advocates travelled from House offices to Senate offices, popping in to ask to talk with their leadership or aides. In Congresswoman Sharice Davids’s office, they were allowed a comfortable impromptu meeting with Senior staff who heard feedback on the needs to protect immigrants, the poor, and the queer community. 

In Ron Estes’s offices aides met the group with a sense of reservation, asking them to state their issues and were quickly asked to depart. For their meeting with Senator Moran’s staff, they were brought to an internal conference room where they sat around the table discussing concerns about National Guard deployments to Wichita – where the crime rate is four times worse than in D.C. – about education, and about preservation of the federal safety net.

“I’m the only trans member of the group, I need to push my voice just as much as I’m helping to push everyone else's," says Jesseka Greene, from Abilene, who travelled with the group to advocate for special education funding. “There is no difference between my civil rights and your civil rights. Some people feel uncomfortable with me, but that’s their deal and has nothing to do with me. In Moran’s office, I felt heard. I felt the emotional response I got when I got into the details of my experience as a trans woman looking for a job, after a lifetime of struggling through school needing more support.”

On Friday, September 12 the final day of advocacy for the coalition of organizers and activists, they spent the day on Capitol Hill. In Kansas, at meetings and protests across the state they gathered hundreds of yellow notecards with handwritten notes asking the federal government to meet the needs of the average Kansas. 

They lined the steps to the United States Capitol with the voices of their community, constructing a yellow brick road in hopes that their members of Congress will be able to follow the will of the people home.

Local arrested and released by law enforcement after protesting in D.C.

Bar burglary leads to ongoing investigation for a suspect(s), who stole an undisclosed amount of money from an arcade game.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Sunday, September 14, SPD received a call from an employee at "The Hideaway" on&nbsp;540 Willis Ave. The call was made at around 8:30 am, about an unknown suspect(s) who broke into the bar and stole money from an arcade game called "Dragon's Ascent."

Reportedly, the suspect(s) gained entry by breaking a window at around 6:00 am.&nbsp;The amount of money taken from the game is unknown. 

Estimated damage to the bar and arcade game was $8,000.

Bar burglary in South Salina leads to ongoing investigation

Teenager arrested after assaulting and trying to kidnap a woman from a home in South Salina.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Sunday, September 14 at around 3:00 am, a report was made about an 18-year old male suspect who attempted to break into a home in the 1400 block of Teakwood. Reportedly, a 17-year old woman who lives at the residence heard banging on the front door. When she walked to the door to see who it was, she recognized the suspect. SPD stated the suspect and the woman are acquaintances.

Moreover, the suspect wanted the woman to leave the house with him, but she refused. SPD stated the woman 'slightly cracked the door open' and the suspect pushed his way inside the house. He then grabbed a dog at the residence and put the dog in his truck, along with dragging the woman out of the house throwing her onto the front porch. Allegedly, the suspect hit the woman as well.

Afterwards, the suspect forcibly put the woman inside his truck, but she was able to get away and ran back inside the house. The victim's family members then awoke from their sleep and realized what had happened. When the&nbsp;victim's family members called 9-1-1, the suspect left the area.

Later that same morning, officers found and arrested the suspect in the 900 block of Maple. Arrested was, Moses Breadon and he is currently facing requested charges of:&nbsp;

Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Burglary, Criminal Threat, Domestic Battery and Robbery.

The victim suffered injuries with marks on her arms, along with a bloody nose. She was medically treated.

SPD stated the report is not completely done and could not confirm whether Breadon drove away with the dog.

Teenager arrested after attempting to kidnap a woman from a home 

Nearly 50 years after it was built, Kansas State University's&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ksvhc.org/">Veterinary Health Center</a>&nbsp;has renovated and enlarged its&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ksvhc.org/services/specialty-services/surgery/">small animal surgery</a>&nbsp;center. The construction efforts occurred with relatively swift surgical precision thanks to a concerted team effort. The results will increase the surgical capabilities at K-State while enhancing its educational mission.

Elizabeth Davis, interim dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony where she acknowledged all those who participated in the renovation.

"We've had the dream to upgrade our small animal surgery center for a long time, and it took a dream team to make this happen," Davis said. "It began with a design drawn up by Dr. Walter Renberg, the section head for small animal surgery, and turned into actual blueprints by Hadley Stolte, the lead architect and K-State alumnus, at Clark and Enerson. BHS Construction turned it into a reality at lightning speed."

Renberg said the renovation of the surgical suites is a huge step forward for the hospital. The construction took the center from three small operating rooms to five large ones, with centralized induction and recovery rooms that will increase efficiency.

During construction, the small animal surgical services had to be temporarily rehoused in Mosier Hall. Davis said the flexibility of the college's faculty and staff during the period of nine months — from Nov. 25, 2024-Aug. 29, 2025 — allowed the Veterinary Health Center to provide uninterrupted service to clients.

"We anticipate the care for patients will be better, and we should be able to accommodate more, and different, cases," Renberg said. "Ophthalmologic surgery suite improvements and the nurses' workspace changes will benefit our mission tremendously."

More information about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ksvhc.org/services/specialty-services/surgery/">the small animal surgery service</a>, including a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ksvhc.org/services/specialty-services/surgery/SAS-expansion-2025.html">photo gallery of the renovated space</a>, is available at the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ksvhc.org/services/specialty-services/surgery/">Veterinary Health Center website</a>.

K-State Veterinary Health Center launches expanded, renovated small animal surgery center

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

Salina Post obituary policy (subject to change)

Salina Post understands the importance of honoring the deceased and welcomes all submissions of obituaries with a full summary of their life, survivors, services, website of the funeral home and a photo.

Salina Post accepts all obituaries&nbsp;free of charge&nbsp;and you can email all obituaries:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@salinapost.com">admin@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>&nbsp;and will be posted on the website within 24 business hours.

If you have an issue outside of business hours, if your obituary has not been published within 24 business hours, or if have any questions, please email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@salinapost.com">admin@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>

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

Recent obituaries and service times

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

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

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

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 15 - September 17

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 12 - September 14

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 10 - September 12

The US National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Saline County, that has officially taken into effect now and will remain until Wednesday of this week.

According to Saline County Emergency Management, water levels for rivers and creeks have continued to rise from Monday's heavy rainfall. It was estimated between 4 to 10 inches of rain have already fallen across the county, leading to&nbsp;flooded roadways in Brookville&nbsp;and&nbsp;many rural routes that are waterlogged or impassable.

Additional rainfall is expected to occur late tonight (Monday, September 8) into Tuesday morning.&nbsp;Scattered showers and storms are possible, mainly east of Saline County.

Moreover, additional showers and storms are expected to develop from the west on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, bringing extra heavy rainfall.

Then late Wednesday night into Thursday morning, another round of storms are possible.

Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel, allow extra time for commutes and use alternate routes where needed.

Expected to crest at 26.5 feet late tonight into Tuesday afternoon (Moderate Flood Stage). At this level, widespread agricultural flooding is expected. If high flow continues on the Saline River, water could back up on Mulberry Creek, flooding properties including the KOA campground.

Expected to crest at 26.6 feet late Wednesday morning or early afternoon (Minor Flood Stage).

UPDATE: Flood warning issued through Wednesday in Saline County

Storms from this morning throughout Central KS are expected to now continue past noon.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS) the scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout Central KS are expected to now continue past noon on Monday.

The National Weather Service also expects a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms to occur tonight in Salina.

Please be aware of the roads as localized flooding is possible.

UPDATE: Central KS storms continue past noon

W. Old 40 Highway between S. Reese and S. Wyman roads in Saline County, are reportedly closed due to flooding.

According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has placed road-closed barricades on W. Old 40 Highway between S. Reese and S. Wyman due to flooding.

The Sheriff's Office will update Salina Post once the highway reopens.

Flooding causes Saline County highway to close

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 8 - September 10

Cold temperatures are expected during the evening hours this weekend, with lows in the 40s.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), after a cold front passed through Central Kansas on early Friday morning, evening lows for tonight and Saturday evening are expected to be from 48-56 degrees.

Temperatures tonight and Saturday evening drop 20-25 degrees below normal, with highs in the 60s for Friday.

Temperatures dropping to the 40s during the evening hours this weekend

Three day weather forecast Salina, September 5 - September 7

Possibilities of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected to occur throughout Central Kansas this evening.

According to the US National Weather Service (Wichita, KS), these storms will gradually increase from the west later tonight and persist through early to mid-evening on Friday. Pockets of heavy rainfall are likely, with a few isolated storms capable of dime to nickel size hail.

Salina has a 68% chance of showers and thunderstorms for tonight.

Another round of thunderstorms anticipated throughout Central Kansas tonight

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-redford">Robert Redford,</a>&nbsp;the Hollywood golden boy who became an Oscar-winning director, liberal activist and godfather for independent cinema under the name of one of his best-loved characters, died Tuesday at 89.

Redford died “at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah — the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved,” publicist Cindi Berger said in a statement. No cause of death was provided.

After rising to stardom in the 1960s, Redford was one of the biggest stars of the ’70s with such films as “The Candidate,” “All the President’s Men” and “The Way We Were,” capping that decade with the best director Oscar for 1980's “Ordinary People,” which also won best picture in 1980. His wavy blond hair and boyish grin made him the most desired of leading men, but he worked hard to transcend his looks — whether through his political advocacy, his willingness to take on unglamorous roles or his dedication to providing a platform for low-budget movies.

His roles ranged from Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward to a mountain man in “Jeremiah Johnson” to a double agent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and his co-stars included Jane Fonda, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise. But his most famous screen partner was his old friend and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4df55845e1c7469e99fb92d5808dfd22">fellow activist and practical joker Paul Newman,</a>&nbsp;their films a variation of their warm, teasing relationship off screen. Redford played the wily outlaw opposite Newman in 1969’s “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” a box-office smash from which Redford's Sundance Institute and festival got its name. He also teamed with Newman on 1973’s best picture Oscar winner, “The Sting,” which earned Redford a best-actor nomination as a young con artist in 1930s Chicago.

Film roles after the ’70s became more sporadic as Redford concentrated on directing and producing, and his new role as patriarch of the independent-film movement in the 1980s and ’90s through his Sundance Institute. But he starred in 1985’s best picture champion “Out of Africa” and in 2013 received some of the best reviews of his career as a shipwrecked sailor in “All is Lost,” in which he was the film’s only performer. In 2018, he was praised again in what he called his farewell movie, “The Old Man and the Gun.”

“I just figure that I’ve had a long career that I’m very pleased with. It’s been so long, ever since I was 21,” he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6ad1d531fd11493794306e96b0dd51e4">told The Associated Press shortly before the film came out.</a>&nbsp;“I figure now as I’m getting into my 80s, it’s maybe time to move toward retirement and spend more time with my wife and family.”

Redford had watched Hollywood grow more cautious and controlling during the 1970s and wanted to recapture the creative spirit of the early part of the decade. Sundance was created to nurture new talent away from the pressures of Hollywood, the institute providing a training ground and the festival, based in Park City, Utah, where Redford had purchased land with the initial hope of opening a ski resort. Instead, Park City became a place of discovery for such previously unknown filmmakers as Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Paul Thomas Anderson and Darren Aronofsky.

“For me, the word to be underscored is ‘independence,’” Redford told the AP in 2018. “I’ve always believed in that word. That’s what led to me eventually wanting to create a category that supported independent artists who weren’t given a chance to be heard.

“The industry was pretty well controlled by the mainstream, which I was a part of. But I saw other stories out there that weren’t having a chance to be told and I thought, ‘Well, maybe I can commit my energies to giving those people a chance.’ As I look back on it, I feel very good about that.”

Sundance was even criticized as buyers swarmed in looking for potential hits and celebrities overran the town each winter.

“We have never, ever changed our policies for how we program our festival. It’s always been built on diversity,” Redford told the AP in 2004. “The fact is that the diversity has become commercial. Because independent films have achieved their own success, Hollywood, being just a business, is going to grab them. So when Hollywood grabs your films, they go, ‘Oh, it’s gone Hollywood.’”

By 2025, the festival had become so prominent that organizers decided they had outgrown Park City and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sundance-film-festival-boulder-move-562a7b1b8081f0ca7a616b64c357d0ae">approved relocating to Boulder, Colorado,</a>&nbsp;starting in 2027. Redford, who had attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, issued a statement saying that “change is inevitable, we must always evolve and grow, which has been at the core of our survival.”

Redford was married twice, most recently to Sibylle Szaggars. He had four children, two of whom have died — Scott Anthony, who died in infancy, in 1959; and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/james-redford-liver-disease-death-7e3bebe274c92a9a5a0a73487f79fee4">James Redford,</a>&nbsp;an activist and filmmaker who died in 2020.

Robert Redford was born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on Aug. 18, 1937, in Santa Monica, a California boy whose blond good looks eased his way over an apprenticeship in television and live theater that eventually led to the big screen.

Redford attended college on a baseball scholarship and would later star as a middle-aged slugger in 1984’s “The Natural,” the adaptation of Bernard Malamud’s baseball novel. He had an early interest in drawing and painting, then went on to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, debuting on Broadway in the late 1950s and moving into television on such shows as “The Twilight Zone,” “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and “The Untouchables.”

After scoring a Broadway lead in “Sunday in New York,” Redford was cast by director Mike Nichols in a production of Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park,” later starring with Fonda in the film version. Redford did miss out on one of Nichols’ greatest successes, “The Graduate,” released in 1967. Nichols had considered casting Redford in the part eventually played by Dustin Hoffman, but Redford seemed unable to relate to the socially awkward young man who ends up having an affair with one of his parents’ friends.

“I said, ‘You can’t play it. You can never play a loser,’” Nichols said during a 2003 screening of the film in New York. “And Redford said, ‘What do you mean? Of course I can play a loser.’ And I said, ‘OK, have you ever struck out with a girl?’ and he said, ‘What do you mean?’ And he wasn’t joking.”

Robert Redford, Oscar-winning actor and director, dies at 89

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a double homicide in Kansas City have released the name of one of the victims as 49-year-old Gande A. Salamed, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Just after&nbsp;7a.m. Sunday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 6800 block of Longview Road on a reported shooting.

Upon arrival officers were directed to the front of a grocery store where they located Salamed suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers began to render aid as KCFD Medics simultaneously arrived. He was pronounced deceased on scene.

Other officers arriving were directed to the north side of the grocery store parking lot where they located an additional male victim, also suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance, with life threatening injuries. Just before 9 a.m., investigators were notified that he died of his injuries at the hospital. Police have not released his name.

&nbsp;Preliminary information indicates there was an interaction outside of the grocery store between multiple individuals just prior to the shots being fired.&nbsp;This is being investigated as a homicide, and no one is in custody.

Police ID victim in KC grocery store parking lot gunfight

WASHINGTON (AP) —Vice President JD Vance on Monday jumped onto the conservative movement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kirk-trump-cancel-culture-assassination-4d69649e382ea46d8dcf794150a1d3c9">demanding consequences</a>&nbsp;for those who have cheered Charlie Kirk's killing, calling on the public to turn in anyone who says distasteful things about the assassination of his friend and political ally.

“When you see someone celebrating Charlie’s murder, call them out,” Vance urged listeners on the slain activist’s podcast Monday. “And hell, call their employer.”

Vance's call also included a vow to target some of the biggest funders of liberal causes as conservatives stepped up their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-workplace-speech-firing-29717a8612ccedebabc7cba29e7ef627">targeting of private individuals</a>&nbsp;for their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dowd-msnbc-kirk-comments-e08f349022c9d69171cd575664141075">comments about the killing</a>. It marked an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dowd-msnbc-kirk-comments-e08f349022c9d69171cd575664141075">escalation in a campaign</a>&nbsp;that some warned invoked some of the darkest chapters of American history.

“The government involvement in this does inch this closer to looking like McCarthyism,” said Adam Goldstein of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, referring to the 1950s campaign to root out communists that led to false allegations and ruined careers. “It was not a shining moment for free expression.”

Campaign broadens to those who quote Kirk critically

Republican-controlled states such as Florida, Oklahoma and Texas have launched investigations of teachers accused of inappropriate statements after last week’s assassination. The U.S. military has invited members of the public to report those who “celebrate or mock” the killing and said some troops have already been removed for their comments.

At the same time, the Trump administration has vowed to target what it contends is a “vast” liberal network that inspired the shooter, even as authorities maintain it appears he acted alone and the investigation is ongoing.

The campaign has broadened to include even those whose statements were critical of Kirk without celebrating his assassination.

The Washington Post fired Karen Attiah, an opinion columnist, for posts on the day of the shooting that lamented how “white America” was not ready to solve gun violence and that quoted Kirk denigrating the intelligence of prominent Black women such as Michelle Obama.

PEN America, a press freedom group, warned in a statement that firings like Attiah's “risk creating a chilling effect.”

Goldstein worried there were many cases of people targeted for simply quoting Kirk or failing to mourn his passing adequately. “That’s one of the key symptoms of cancel culture,” he said. “Trying to paint everyone with the same brush.”

Conservatives coined the term cancel culture for what they claimed was persecution of those on the right for their views, especially related to the COVID-19 pandemic and Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, leading to campaigns to get regular people fired.

It was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-free-speech-first-amendment-columbia-student-3d4c835a673a24b793b2b045405231e6">significant cause for President Donald Trum</a>&nbsp;p, who pledged to end it during his campaign last year. But after the Kirk killing, he and his administration have instead&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-free-speech-first-amendment-columbia-student-3d4c835a673a24b793b2b045405231e6">leaned into it from the right</a>.

A hero to conservatives, a provocateur to many Democrats

A father of two and a Christian conservative, Kirk was a hero to many Trump Republicans for his fiery warnings about the dangers of Democrats and ability to organize young voters. But Kirk also was a provocateur and supporter of Trump’s attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss who left a long record of partisan quips that enraged many on the left.

“According to Kirk, empathy is a made-up new-age term, so keep the jokes coming. It’s what he would have wanted,” read one post on X that Melvin Villaver Jr., a Clemson University music professor, re-posted the day of the killing, according to a screenshot circulated by college Republicans demanding his firing. Clemson eventually fired one staffer and suspended Villaver and another professor after intense pressure from elected South Carolina Republican officials.

Other targeted posters, such as Army Lt. Col. Christopher Ladnier, simply quoted Kirk on the day of his assassination. This included Kirk calling the Civil Rights Act a “beast” that “has now turned into an anti-white weapon," his criticism of Martin Luther King Jr. and his statement that some gun deaths are the cost of a robust Second Amendment.

Ladnier, who has been targeted by conservative activists online, said in a Facebook message to The Associated Press that he would respond “when/if” his chain of command takes action.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott approvingly posted a video of a Texas Tech University student who was arrested Friday after a confrontation at a campus vigil for Kirk, writing: “This is what happened to the person who was mocking Charlie Kirk’s assassination at Texas Tech."

Some people targeted have been victims of mistaken identity.

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