Watch the full public forum on the Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) ban that took place on February 3 at Salina Area Technical College.

*Video courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MeanDeanDJ/">Mean Dean Productions</a>*

<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/681065fe-8d36-43fc-8a8a-85720811ebdc">Click here to learn more about the voting process and how to vote.</a>

To check voting status go to:&nbsp;<a href="https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/VoterView">Kansas Secretary of State’s Voter View Website</a>.

🎥 Watch: Public forum on Breed Specific Legislation ban in Salina

Central Kansas United (CKU) soccer club put together their first ever annual fundraising-charity event in Salina, seeking to expand and impact local soccer athletes.

On Saturday, January 31 CKU hosted the "Night of the Champions" fundraising gala for the purpose of raising funds and providing helpful information about the soccer club.&nbsp;

Sergio Correa and Victor Devora of CKU stated the club was not always on everyone's radar, but has now expanded reaching multiple athletes, parents and community partners.&nbsp;

"A few years ago, soccer was fading away in Salina and at one point we did not even have Pre-K soccer," said Devora. "We just could not get a clear direction of where we wanted to go and it all started with a conversation with our club founder and president, Juan Maldonado. This is where we agreed where the club should go and fast forward three years later, we now have 30 teams and 350 players."

Established in 2017, CKU has grown since then and plans to continue with many goals/visions in mind.

Their 30 teams and 350 players comprise of age groups from Pre-K to United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) college and adult athletes. Primarily the youth teams play at the Magnolia Soccer Complex in Salina, as the competitive teams (high school, college and adult) travel to play in various places including Wichita, Kansas City and out of state.

"The ultimate goal for us is not about the numbers, but having quality and giving the opportunity for the players to play," said Correa.

CKU is a nonprofit local soccer club and operate financially off of donations.

"This club is nothing without or community members," said Devora. "The biggest thing is we want to keep everything affordable."

For more information on how to become a sponsor, pricing or about CKU, <a href="https://www.centralkansassoccer.org/">visit their website</a>&nbsp;or email: centralkansasunited@gmail.com

Registration is now available for Spring soccer season as well.

Local soccer club holds first ever fundraising event, seeking to expand and impact athletes

The missing teen in Abilene has been found and is safe, according to Abilene Police Department social media page.

ABILENE - The Abilene Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing juvenile.

The following information is from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069239108579">Abilene Police Department's Facebook page</a>

Fifteen-year-old Tenley Smith was last seen leaving her residence in Abilene, Kansas, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at approximately 3:00 p.m. Tenley was last observed wearing black leggings, a gray hoodie with a bright pink logo, and carrying an orange duffel bag.

Anyone with information regarding Tenley’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Abilene Police Department non-emergency line at 785-263-1213 or the Dickinson County Communication Center at 785-263-1212.

Missing 15-year old from Abilene found, is safe

The Souper Bowl of Hope continues to collect soup for six local agencies serving our community: 

Salina Grace, DVACK, Salina Rescue Mission, The Ashby House, The Salvation Army, and the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank.

The first weekend of collections was impacted by severe winter weather. Due to snow and frigid temperatures, volunteers were instructed to stay home for safety, and we were unable to collect cash donations at Dillons locations. Even so, the generosity of Salina residents shined through, with canned soup donations still being left for the cause.

On Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1, volunteers returned to Dillons stores and collected&nbsp;3,235 cans of soup and $1,689.23&nbsp;in cash donations. All soup donations are being distributed directly to the six agencies listed above. Cash donations will be held and made available later in the year so agencies can purchase soup as needs arise.

Volunteers will be at all three Dillons locations on&nbsp;Saturday, February&nbsp;7, from&nbsp;10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Because we were unable to collect cash donations the weekend of January 24, collection times have been extended.

Volunteers (as available) will also be at all three locations on:

Saturday, February 14&nbsp;| 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.Sunday, February 15&nbsp;| 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

If you miss the volunteers, donations can still be made in the following ways:

Mail checks (payable to Souper Bowl of Hope) to: Souper Bowl of Hope, PO Box 2861, Salina, KS 67402-2861.

Or drop off cash/check donations at Central National Bank at 454 S. Ohio (by Water’s True Value). 

Please place donations in an envelope marked “Kristina Litchman, Souper Bowl” and include the name of the business or individual making the donation so proper credit can be given. Donations may be dropped off via drive-through or inside the bank.

On behalf of the Project Salina Board, thank you for your continued support and generosity in helping feed the citizens of Salina. Your partnership truly makes a difference.

Cash and can donations still rising after winter weather halt: Project Salina provides updates on Souper Bowl of Hope

Saline County Food Action Community Team

The Saline County Food Action Community Team (FACT) has released the final Saline County Food System Assessment, a comprehensive, countywide report examining how food is produced, processed, distributed, accessed, consumed, and recovered across Saline County.

Conducted in partnership with Wichita State University’s Community Engagement Institute and Center for Applied Research and Evaluation, the assessment combines public data with extensive community input, including a countywide survey, interviews with producers and food businesses, and public listening sessions held in Salina. 

The goal is to better understand the local food system, identify strengths and gaps, and provide a foundation for coordinated community action.

· Access was identified as the greatest unmet need in Saline County’s food system, with cost cited as the primary barrier to healthy food.

· Half of the survey respondents reported struggling to stretch their food budget through the end of the month.

· Residents expressed strong personal value for healthy and local food, but perceived that community-wide support for local food is lower than individual interest.

· Participants consistently called for more education, stronger local food infrastructure, and increased affordability of healthy and locally produced foods.

The report evaluates six interconnected sectors of the food system: 

Produce, Process, Distribute, Access, Consume, and Recover, highlighting opportunities to strengthen local agriculture, improve access to nutritious food, reduce food waste, and better support producers and consumers alike.

FACT emphasizes that this assessment is not intended to be a static document, but a living resource to inform policy discussions, guide grant funding, support collaboration, and shape future initiatives aimed at building a healthier, more equitable food system in Saline County. 

<a href="http://bit.ly/SaCoFood25">To view the full Saline County Food Assessment, visit here. </a>

To stay updated on FACT initiatives and activities, and learn how to get involved, visit <a href="http://eatwellsalinecounty.com">eatwellsalinecounty.com</a>.

Saline County Food Action Community Team releases final food system assessment, identifying strengths and gaps

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 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="https://newstips@salinapost.com/">newstips@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;&nbsp;<a href="https://newstips@salinapost.com/">newstips@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>

Recent obituaries and service times, how to submit an obituary

<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, February 4 - February 6

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.

NAME:&nbsp;Allen,Benjamin Ecclesiastes

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Probation Violation; Agg assault; w/ deadly weapon; Agg battery; Knowingly cause great body harm; Aggravated burglary; Dwelling for felony, theft, domestic violence, or sexually motivated crime; Aggravated robbery; dangerous weapon

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Driving While Suspended; Driving while habitual violator; No Proof Of Insurance; Fail to yield at stop or yield sign

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Distr heroin/certain stim/fent;3.5 - &lt;100grams; Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human body; Unlawful to aquire proceeds from drug transaction; Value &lt; $5,000; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Poss para w/intent to manuf/plant/cult; Taxation; Drugs; No drug tax stamp for marijuana or cont substance; Use communication facility; In the commission of a felony drug violation

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

*No image available for&nbsp;Larson,Joyce Darlene*

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

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

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Unlawful acts: vehicle registration violation; Viol protection order; Abuse order

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Distr heroin/certain stim/fent;3.5 - &lt;100grams; Use/poss drug paraphernalian/human body; Unlawful to aquire proceeds from drug transaction; Value &lt; $5,000; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Poss para w/intent to manuf/plant/cult; Taxation; Drugs; No drug tax stamp for marijuana or cont substance; Use communication facility; In the commission of a felony drug violation

NAME:&nbsp;Riffle,Brian Christopher

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Failure to appear; Driving While Suspended; Duty of driver to report; Unattended veh/prop;unkn; Unlawful acts: vehicle registration violation

NAME:&nbsp;Santos Milan,Nicole Andreina

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit; No Proof Of Insurance; Operate a MV w/o a valid license

REQUESTED CHARGE: Probation Violation

Saline County Jail Bookings, February 4

Greater Salina Community Foundation

As a local youth baseball coach, Jason Wells has seen families struggle to support their child’s love of the game, due to the rising cost of youth sports.

“Equipment, uniforms, league fees and tournament fees can make baseball an expensive youth sport,” said Wells. “Our team does whatever it can to keep costs reasonable, yet there has always been a significant fee per player to participate.”

In 2000, longtime youth baseball coach Larry Britegam wanted to help families who struggle with the financial demands of organized sports, so he established the Youth Baseball Fund at the Greater Salina Community Foundation. This fund, along with the community foundation’s Sunflower Softball Fund, provides support for local youth who want to participate in baseball or softball but are limited by a lack of funds. Grants may be used to cover registration fees, tournament fees, equipment, uniforms, and clinics.

“This fund truly has an impact on the kids that love baseball and need some financial help to participate,” Wells said. “While most of these kids will never earn a baseball scholarship, they may create experiences and friendships they will remember the rest of their lives.”

Since the baseball and softball funds were started, 364 young baseball and softball players in the Salina area have received a combined total of $99,018.12.

“I would like to thank all those who put forth the time and money to keep this fund going,” Wells said. “Thanks for helping kids in Salina have an opportunity to be a part of these teams.”

This season, $16,000 is available for baseball and more than $3,000 is available for softball. 

Applications open February 1, with deadlines of February 15, March 15, April 15 and May 15, 2026.

Funding will be awarded on a first come, first served basis and decisions will be announced after each grant deadline. 

<a href="http://gscf.org/search-apply-for-a-grant/">Apply online here.</a>

Youth baseball and softball grants available for 2026 season

Before you cast your vote on the mail-in ballot for the pitbull ban in Salina, here are some things to note.

- The last day to register to vote is Tuesday, February 3.

- If you registered to vote after January 26, you will need to request and fill out an application to receive a ballot.

- Anyone who registered before&nbsp;January 26, will receive a ballot in the mail.

- Ballots go out in the mail on February 4.

- Ballots are due at 12:00 pm on February 24.

In the case you receive a ballot with someone else's name not living at your home address, please write "return to sender" and place it back in the mailbox.

Ballots are to be dropped off at the Saline County Clerk’s Office, or deposited in the secure drop box outside the Salina City-County Building. No late ballots will be accepted.

Additionally, there will be a public forum on Tuesday, February 3 for those who want to learn more about the pitbull ban before casting in the "yes or no" vote on Wednesday, February 4.

<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/0573dbc9-d75c-4eba-8dc7-1a2a586317f4">Go here to learn more about Tuesday's public forum.</a>

To receive a ballot or if you have any questions visit the <a href="https://www.salinecountyks.gov/election">Saline County Election Office website</a>&nbsp;or call (785) 309-5820.

What to know about the mail-in ballot pitbull ban vote

Saline County Commissioners agreed to eliminate the advisory council for the Health Department.

On Tuesday during the Saline Co. Commission meeting, Director of the Health Department Jason Tiller brought forth the consideration of ending the advisory council.

The reason across the board was due to a lack of engagement in past meetings and lack of participation.

In 2025, there were a total of six scheduled meetings with three of them canceled due to a significant number of absences.

"Staff time would be spent better doing something else," said Commissioner Monte Shadwick. "The time has come to move on and I don't see relevancy anymore."

Other challenges in the past have been trying to fill vacant positions in the council as well.

In order for the advisory council to officially be removed, Commissioners would need to vote on a resolution during a public meeting to come.&nbsp;

Advisory council for Saline Co. Health Department to be eliminated

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 1 - February 3

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 30 - February 1

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 28 - January 30

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 26 - January 28

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 23 - January 25

Saline County Emergency Management&nbsp;

The National Weather Service in Wichita reports an&nbsp;Arctic outbreak and winter weather&nbsp;will impact Saline County&nbsp;beginning Friday and continuing through Monday morning, bringing&nbsp;dangerous cold, hazardous travel conditions, and&nbsp;accumulating snow.

Arctic air is expected to move into the area early Friday morning and persist through the weekend, with&nbsp;dangerous wind chills between -10°F and -20°F&nbsp;likely from Friday morning through Monday morning. The coldest conditions are expected during the overnight and early morning hours.

Snow&nbsp;is expected to begin late Friday afternoon or Friday evening and continue through Saturday night, with&nbsp;slick roads&nbsp;and&nbsp;hazardous travel&nbsp;possible. While higher snowfall totals are more likely south of Saline County, confidence is high that snow will affect the area.&nbsp;Travel impacts are expected&nbsp;due to&nbsp;reduced visibility, slick roads,&nbsp;and&nbsp;prolonged cold conditions.

A&nbsp;Winter Storm Watch&nbsp;remains in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday night, and an&nbsp;Extreme Cold Watch&nbsp;has been issued for the entire forecast area through Monday morning. Confidence is high in the timing and severity of the cold, with medium confidence in exact snowfall amounts due to potential shifts in the heaviest snow band.&nbsp;

<a href="https://files.constantcontact.com/55d47694801/2b6fb17f-1676-4697-ac6f-7c32ed6b5928.pdf?rdr=true">Click here to view the full packet of the upcoming severe weather</a>

Arctic outbreak & winter weather to impact Saline Co. Friday - Monday

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 21 - January 23

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 19 - January 21

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 16 - January 18

Washington&nbsp;– On Tuesday, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026," into law. The legislation advances several key healthcare priorities long championed by Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall.

“The legislation provides $418 million for rural health, strengthens our healthcare workforce, maintains critical funding for Community Health Centers, and extends telehealth and hospital-at-home flexibilities that Kansans rely on,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“It also invests in maternal and child health, mental health services, and life-saving medical research, while cutting over $100 million in unnecessary HHS bureaucracy.”

Senator Marshall also emphasized that Republicans stepped in to prevent Medicaid spending from continuing on an unsustainable trajectory that threatened the program’s future.&nbsp;

Prior proposals would have allowed unchecked growth, threatening long-term access for the most vulnerable. This package introduces responsible reforms that protect beneficiaries while ensuring Medicaid remains viable for future generations.

“Medicaid was on a path to bust – crowding out care for the truly vulnerable and burdening states and taxpayers,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“Republicans fought to protect this vital safety-net program by improving oversight, targeting resources appropriately, and ensuring Medicaid remains available for those who need it most today and for generations to come.”

Labor, Health and Human Services (L/HHS) Appropriations Highlights

The package provides a&nbsp;discretionary total of $116.6 billion&nbsp;for the Department of Health and Human Services while reducing unnecessary federal bureaucracy by&nbsp;over $100 million.

Senator Marshall championed several of the provisions included in the package. These include:

Health Extenders Package: Strengthening Medicaid and Medicare Medicaid Reforms

The package includes targeted reforms to Medicaid while improving access and accountability:

The legislation delivers long-term certainty for providers and expanded access for seniors by:

Public Health Extenders and Programs

The package extends and strengthens critical public health initiatives, including:

The package includes commonsense reforms to lower prescription drug costs and increase transparency for patients and taxpayers, including:

Senator Marshall delivers healthcare wins for Kansas in FY26 appropriations 

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — An ongoing battle between the attorney general and Kansas governor about releasing Kansans’ personal data to the federal government made its way to a Tuesday committee hearing on a bill intended to force the governor’s hand.

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb428/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 428</a>&nbsp;requires the secretary of the Department for Children and Families to respond to federal data requests from the U.S. Department of Agriculture of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and release the data within 90 days.&nbsp;

The bill results from the Department for Children and Family’s&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/09/22/kansas-governors-office-disputes-accuracy-of-kobachs-claims-about-snap-funding/">refusal to share private data&nbsp;</a>of food program applicants and recipients with the USDA, Attorney General Kris Kobach told the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency, or COGE.

“They don’t want the USDA to share the names of (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients with other federal agencies,” Kobach said. “Now, why would they not want that? I’m almost certain they don’t want it to be shared with the Justice Department so that a SNAP recipient who is fraudulently getting this money could be prosecuted.”

Kobach also said the governor didn’t want the data shared because the Department of Homeland Security could use it to identify people in the country illegally who receive food assistance.&nbsp;

People who are legal permanent residents can qualify for SNAP.

Gov. Laura Kelly’s spokeswoman, Olivia Taylor-Puckett, said DCF has concerns about whether USDA’s stated intent on using the data is legal.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The Governor’s administration has been repeatedly raising concerns about the legality of the USDA’s data request as it pertains to the ‘Routine Use 8′ provision, which includes sharing Kansans’ personal private data, including full Social Security numbers, with foreign entities,” she said in an emailed statement. “It is both disappointing and disturbing that the Attorney General still doesn’t know the basic issues with the USDA’s request.”

Taylor-Puckett’s statement referred to a USDA notice published in the Federal Register that detailed how the data would be used. One section allowed the information to be shared with foreign entities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansas is one of 21 states, all of which are participants in a Massachusetts lawsuit, that question whether the USDA’s intended use of the data is allowed in their data sharing contract. The case is still being decided.&nbsp;

Kobach told the committee the state will lose $20.8 million as part of its SNAP program because DCF did not release the data. DCF appealed the penalty so no money has been withheld from state SNAP administrative funds.&nbsp;

A hearing on the state’s appeal will be held Feb. 17, a governor’s office spokesperson said.&nbsp;

Travis Couture-Lovelady, a lobbyist with FGA Action, testified in favor of the bill, citing concerns with the integrity of the SNAP program.&nbsp;

“The goal is simple — reserve benefits for truly needy families and hold the fraudsters accountable,” he said.

Couture-Lovelady said the food assistance program has been “plagued” with improper payments, eligibility errors and fraud, as well as large-scale losses to benefit card theft and hacking schemes.&nbsp;

“In 2024, as the attorney general said, that’s the most recent data we have, Kansas’ SNAP error rate was nearly 10%, meaning roughly one out of every $10 in benefits was issued improperly, and that level of error is completely unacceptable,” he said.&nbsp;

The state’s SNAP error rate is not tied to fraud but instead tracks data entry errors, incomplete or inaccurate applicant information and other problems,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/08/26/kansas-official-defends-refusal-to-turn-over-private-food-program-data-in-face-of-political-attacks/">according to DCF secretary Laura Howard</a>. Fraud cases are handled through a separate department and aren’t included in the SNAP error rate.&nbsp;

DCF is working to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/01/22/kansas-agency-working-to-improve-accuracy-of-snap-payments-to-avoid-costly-federal-sanction/">drop the error rate</a>, which was under the 6% federally set threshold in August, at 5.5%.&nbsp;

Haley Kottler, an anti-hunger campaign director with Kansas Appleseed, submitted written testimony opposing the bill.&nbsp;

“This most recent conflict between 21 states and the federal government illustrates the extreme risk Kansas would be taking by enacting SB 428,” she said. “The provisions of this bill would not allow DCF and KDHE to contest federal data requests, despite the potential for serious concerns regarding privacy protection, the burden imposed on state resources and administrators, the misuse of data, liability, and compliance with eventual court decisions.”

She also raised concerns that threats to privacy would deter eligible households from seeking food assistance.&nbsp;

Proposed bill would require Kansas gov. to submit personal food assistance data to feds

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — A man convicted of trying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-routh-guilty-c56e9dbdc640cfc377aa2267107697df">to assassinate President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on a Florida golf course in 2024 was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-smith-c66d5ffb7ba86c1b991f95e89bdeba0c">U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon</a>&nbsp;pronounced Ryan Routh’s fate in the same Fort Pierce courtroom that erupted into chaos in September when he tried to stab himself shortly after jurors&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-attempt-d49985a690e678a9ccbf3610c102704d">found him guilty</a>&nbsp;on all counts.

Prosecutors had asked for life without parole, saying Routh is unrepentant and has never apologized. A defense attorney brought in for his sentencing asked for 27 years, noting that Routh is already turning 60.

Routh also received a consecutive seven-year sentence for one of his gun convictions.

Routh's sentencing had initially been scheduled for December, but Cannon agreed to move the date back after Routh decided to use an attorney during the sentencing phase instead of representing himself as he did for most of the trial.

Prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum that Routh has yet to accept any responsibility and should spend the rest of his life in prison, in accordance with federal sentencing guidelines. He was convicted of trying to assassinate a major presidential candidate, using a firearm in furtherance of a crime, assaulting a federal officer, possessing a firearm as a felon and using a gun with a defaced serial number.

“Routh remains unrepentant for his crimes, never apologized for the lives he put at risk, and his life demonstrates near-total disregard for law,” the memo said.

Routh's new defense attorney, Martin L. Roth, asked for a variance from sentencing guidelines: 20 years in prison on top of a seven-year, mandatory sentence for one of the gun convictions.

“The defendant is two weeks short of being sixty years old,” Roth wrote in a filing. “A just punishment would provide a sentence long enough to impose sufficient but not excessive punishment, and to allow defendant to experience freedom again as opposed to dying in prison.”

Prosecutors said Routh spent weeks plotting to kill Trump before aiming a rifle through shrubbery as the Republican presidential candidate played golf on Sept. 15, 2024, at his West Palm Beach country club.

At Routh’s trial, a Secret Service agent helping protect Trump on the golf course testified that he spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and run away without firing a shot.

In the motion requesting an attorney, Routh offered to trade his life in a prisoner swap with people unjustly held in other countries, and said an offer still stood for Trump to “take out his frustrations on my face.”

“Just a quarter of an inch further back and we all would not have to deal with all of this mess forwards, but I always fail at everything (par for the course),” Routh wrote.

In her decision granting Routh an attorney, Cannon chastised the “disrespectful charade” of Routh's motion, saying it made a mockery of the proceedings. But the judge, nominated by Trump in 2020, said she wanted to err on the side of legal representation.

Cannon signed off last summer on Routh’s request to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-attempt-florida-644c71bc607e4ebad5115f2a490b314c">represent himself</a>&nbsp;at trial. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that criminal defendants have the right to represent themselves in court proceedings, as long as they can show a judge they are competent to waive their right to be defended by an attorney.

Routh’s former federal public defenders served as standby counsel and were present during the trial.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fbi-assassination-attempt-fee81d8bcf737bfcde2ee8e5cea88465">Routh had multiple previous felony convictions</a>&nbsp;including possession of stolen goods, and a large online footprint demonstrating his disdain for Trump. In a self-published book, he encouraged Iran to assassinate him, and at one point wrote that as a Trump voter, he must take part of the blame for electing him.

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — Federal prosecutors are seeking a sentence of life without parole for the man convicted of trying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-routh-guilty-c56e9dbdc640cfc377aa2267107697df">to assassinate President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on a Florida golf course in 2024.

Ryan Routh was scheduled to appear Wednesday before U. S. District Judge Aileen Cannon in Fort Pierce. Her courtroom erupted into chaos in September when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-attempt-d49985a690e678a9ccbf3610c102704d">Routh tried to stab</a>&nbsp;himself in the neck with a pen shortly after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-attempt-d49985a690e678a9ccbf3610c102704d">jurors found him guilty</a>&nbsp;on all counts.

Judge sentences President Trump's would-be assassin

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A suspected biolaboratory found in a Las Vegas home and now under investigation by authorities is linked to the owner of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chinese-lab-biological-weapons-fears-california-5ca5824b09ad5b8c2c65b639743e8507">unauthorized California biolab</a>&nbsp;who was arrested in 2023, officials said Monday.

SWAT officers served a search warrant on Saturday after receiving a tip that a biolab was located at the house on the city’s east side, according to a statement from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Officers took one person, the property manager of the residence, into custody but there was no immediate information about possible charges.

Investigators “located evidence of possible biological material, including refrigerators containing vials with unknown liquids,” the statement said.

Authorities said there is no threat to the public.

Sheriff Kevin McMahill said the home is owned by a man who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-biolab-covid19-test-kits-china-arrest-3ee30af1548356e017276860ebb21f53">arrested in 2023 on charges</a>&nbsp;of not obtaining the proper permits to manufacture tests for COVID-19, pregnancy and HIV, and mislabeling some of the kits for a biolab in Reedley, California.

The owner, Jia Bei Zhu, is scheduled to go on trial in that case in April. His attorney Anthony Capozzi said Monday that his client has been in federal custody for three years.

“He is not involved in any kind of a biolab being conducted in a home in Las Vegas,” Capozzi said. “What went on in that residence we are unaware of.”

Law enforcement took special precautions when serving the warrant on the Las Vegas home, including using a robot to clear the home and taking multiple air samples, McMahill said. Hazmat teams worked to remove items from the home.

Police discover massive bio lab at a home in Nevada

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect charged in connection with a violent abduction shown on a doorbell video in Wichita is due back in court.

 Daniel T. Espitia Guevara, 22, will appear Judge Tyler Roush's courtroom for a preliminary hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Espitia Guevara was charged with&nbsp;aggravated domestic battery and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery and&nbsp; criminal restraint, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. He is also on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.

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

Just after 3p.m. October 14, Wichita Police Investigators received a phone call, from a woman claiming to be the individual investigators were attempting to identify. Investigators immediately responded to her location, made contact, and transported her to City Hall so detectives could conduct a victim interview. Police confirmed the identity of the woman as a 35-year-old who lives in the area where the video was captured. Police determined the incident is a case of domestic violence where the woman was victimized by her boyfriend. The woman did not have any significant injuries.

Just after 7 p.m. October 14, officers with the Wichita Police Domestic Intervention and Violence Reduction team (DIVRT) located and arrested Guevara and booked him into jail.

He remains in custody on a $75,000 bond, according to the district attorney's office.

Preliminary hearing for suspect in Kan. doorbell camera abduction video 

By DAVID A. LIEB, HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH and MORGAN LEE Associated Press

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