Salina Police Department officers responded to a call in the 300 block of Maple Street yesterday afternoon after it recieved a report of someone violating a protection order. 

According to Salina Police Cpt. James Feldman, the incident occurred around 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10.&nbsp;

"Contact was made with a 42-year-old female who lives in the 300 block of Maple Street. She indicated that a 44-year-old Tyson Marfise had showed up at the residence and refused to leave," Feldman said. "He then pushed his way past the victim, and entered the residence."

While Marfise remained at the residence, the victim went to a bedroom to get away from him.&nbsp;

"He kicked in the door of the bedroom, damaging the door, and he was present when officers arrived and took him into custody without incident," Feldman said.&nbsp;

Marfise now faces multiple charges, including violation of a protection order, aggravated burglary, domestic battery, criminal damage to property, and stalking. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726057284420.jpeg" alt="Marfise,Tyson Allen" />
 <figcaption>Marfise,Tyson Allen</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTSalina Police Department officers responded to a call in the 300 block of Maple Street yesterday afternoon after it recieved a report of someone violating a protection order. According to Salina Police Cpt. James Feldman, the incident occurred around 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10.&nbsp;"Contact was made with a 42-year-old female who lives in the 300 block of Maple Street. She indicated that a 44-year-old Tyson Marfise had showed up at the residence and refused to leave," Feldman said. "He then pushed his way past the victim, and entered the residence."While Marfise remained at the residence, the victim went to a bedroom to get away from him.&nbsp;"He kicked in the door of the bedroom, damaging the door, and he was present when officers arrived and took him into custody without incident," Feldman said.&nbsp;Marfise now faces multiple charges, including violation of a protection order, aggravated burglary, domestic battery, criminal damage to property, and stalking.

SPD arrests Salina man for violating protection order, battery, stalking 

At 7:46 a.m. on the morning of September 11, 2024 Salina Fire Department firefighters saluted the lives of those lost on September 11, 2001.&nbsp;

In total nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in the terrorist attacks directed towards America on September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center in NYC, the Pentagon, and Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/dad8a903-43f0-49eb-a046-52c8dca6d8a6">Salina Community to honor lives lost on 9/11 at ‘A Night of Remembrance’</a>

Earlier this week, New York officials revealed a sobering statistic. For the first time, more FDNY first responders have died from their exposure to toxins at Ground Zero (370) than were killed on the day of the attacks (343), including 28 in the past year. 

Union leaders are imploring Congress to extend funding for the World Trade Center Health Program, which runs out in 2028, through 2090, to ensure that every survivor is able to receive care.

The FDNY said urgency is needed before 9/11 fades from people’s memories: It soon plans to hire people born after Sept. 11, 2001.

<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsalinafire%2Fvideos%2F478184688386497%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>By SALINA POSTAt 7:46 a.m. on the morning of September 11, 2024 Salina Fire Department firefighters saluted the lives of those lost on September 11, 2001.&nbsp;In total nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in the terrorist attacks directed towards America on September 11, 2001, at the World Trade Center in NYC, the Pentagon, and Somerset County, Pennsylvania.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/dad8a903-43f0-49eb-a046-52c8dca6d8a6">Salina Community to honor lives lost on 9/11 at ‘A Night of Remembrance’</a>Earlier this week, New York officials revealed a sobering statistic. For the first time, more FDNY first responders have died from their exposure to toxins at Ground Zero (370) than were killed on the day of the attacks (343), including 28 in the past year. Union leaders are imploring Congress to extend funding for the World Trade Center Health Program, which runs out in 2028, through 2090, to ensure that every survivor is able to receive care.The FDNY said urgency is needed before 9/11 fades from people’s memories: It soon plans to hire people born after Sept. 11, 2001.

🎥SFD salutes lives lost during the terrorist attacks on 9/11

The City of Salina announces the introduction of a new water usage tracking portal, designed to help Salina water customers easily monitor how much water they use.

“The new water usage tracking portal is a feature that customers will want to use frequently to keep track of their water usage, quickly detect unexpected increases in water usage, and help keep their water bills within their monthly budgets,” said Debbie Pack, Director of Finance and Administration for the City of Salina.

The water usage tracking portal contains several customer-friendly features:

- a dashboard showing billing cycle usage and data, as well as alerts;

- water usage details, including customizable graphs to show use by day, week, month, and year; and

- a section where a user can set alerts and be notified when usage exceeds certain levels over a day, week, month, or a specified period of time. To sign up for a free account, please visit <a href="https://www.salina-ks.gov/water-department">https://www.salina-ks.gov/water-department</a> and click on “Water Usage Tracking Portal”. Have your water billing account number and customer number handy. These can be found on your most recent water bill.

For questions or more information, please call the Salina Water Department at 785-309-5740. Choose option 3 to speak with a customer service representative

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717164495725.jpeg" alt="Water Image Courtesy City of Salina" />
 <figcaption>Water Image Courtesy City of Salina</figcaption>
 </figure>City of SalinaThe City of Salina announces the introduction of a new water usage tracking portal, designed to help Salina water customers easily monitor how much water they use.“The new water usage tracking portal is a feature that customers will want to use frequently to keep track of their water usage, quickly detect unexpected increases in water usage, and help keep their water bills within their monthly budgets,” said Debbie Pack, Director of Finance and Administration for the City of Salina.The water usage tracking portal contains several customer-friendly features:- a dashboard showing billing cycle usage and data, as well as alerts;- water usage details, including customizable graphs to show use by day, week, month, and year; and- a section where a user can set alerts and be notified when usage exceeds certain levels over a day, week, month, or a specified period of time. To sign up for a free account, please visit <a href="https://www.salina-ks.gov/water-department">https://www.salina-ks.gov/water-department</a> and click on “Water Usage Tracking Portal”. Have your water billing account number and customer number handy. These can be found on your most recent water bill.For questions or more information, please call the Salina Water Department at 785-309-5740. Choose option 3 to speak with a customer service representative

City of Salina introduces new water usage tracking portal

Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed announced today that 40 local and off-system bridge projects across the state will receive a combined total of $40.25 million as part of two local bridge improvement programs capitalizing on new revenue from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

“Kansas’ local bridges are critical to connecting communities and to economic opportunities,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “These projects increase infrastructure stability and safety across the state by enabling needed bridge maintenance, repair, and replacement.”

Combined with matching funds from the awarded cities and counties, the total project value is over $45.2 million. By reshaping the local bridge programs to take advantage of BIL, the Kansas Department of Transportation more than doubled its annual funding as part of the existing Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE).

There are more than 19,000 bridges on local road systems across Kansas. And nearly 5,000 of those bridges need updates for today’s standards.

“Local bridges play an important role in moving people and goods through our state,”&nbsp;Secretary Reed said.&nbsp;“With IKE, we have been able to increase the investment in local bridges and provide opportunities to improve these vital connections for our communities.”&nbsp;

KDOT is awarding $20.45 million through the Off-System Bridge program (OSB) in Fiscal Year 2026 to fund 21 projects across the state. About $19.8 million will be awarded by KDOT through the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program (KLBIP) in Fiscal Year 2025. The funds will go to 19 bridge replacement projects, and an additional four bridges will be permanently removed from local systems.

The OSB and KLBIP are targeted for city and county bridges in need of replacement or repair that are not on the state highway system. Funds for both programs are awarded through an application process and, in most cases, require a local contribution. KDOT uses selection criteria that include bridge condition, detour length, inability to carry legal loads, and past project history.

For this cycle of the local bridge programs, KDOT received a combined total of 170 applications requesting $162.3 million.

The list of recipients and project locations for KLBIP and OSB are below. A link to a map showing the projects can be found&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.ksdot.gov%2FAssets%2Fwwwksdotorg%2FHeadquarters%2FPDF_Files%2Fpressrelease2024%2FKLBIP_26OSB_Combined_Map.pdf/1/01010191e1ed1462-802b5db6-7aff-4bb8-bbfd-71741dcdd0a8-000000/xlRt9iKDgHawh_-37w6Ly1CaYLtakGSV7ORIPdRAR9E=370">here</a>.

Nickel Road, 2.0 miles east of Belleville

M Road, 2.0 miles south and 3.0 miles west of Smith Center

Maximum Funds Awarded:&nbsp;$1,000,000

1900 Avenue, 2.0 miles south and 1.6 miles east of Abilene

Broughton Road over Finney Creek south of 17th Road

Total Funds Awarded:&nbsp;$1,100,000

Arapaho Road, 3.0 miles south and 0.5 miles west of Inman

Avenue J, 0.5 miles east and 1.3 miles south of Black Wolf

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726073118052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedGovernor Laura Kelly and Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed announced today that 40 local and off-system bridge projects across the state will receive a combined total of $40.25 million as part of two local bridge improvement programs capitalizing on new revenue from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).“Kansas’ local bridges are critical to connecting communities and to economic opportunities,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “These projects increase infrastructure stability and safety across the state by enabling needed bridge maintenance, repair, and replacement.”Combined with matching funds from the awarded cities and counties, the total project value is over $45.2 million. By reshaping the local bridge programs to take advantage of BIL, the Kansas Department of Transportation more than doubled its annual funding as part of the existing Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE).There are more than 19,000 bridges on local road systems across Kansas. And nearly 5,000 of those bridges need updates for today’s standards.“Local bridges play an important role in moving people and goods through our state,”&nbsp;Secretary Reed said.&nbsp;“With IKE, we have been able to increase the investment in local bridges and provide opportunities to improve these vital connections for our communities.”&nbsp;KDOT is awarding $20.45 million through the Off-System Bridge program (OSB) in Fiscal Year 2026 to fund 21 projects across the state. About $19.8 million will be awarded by KDOT through the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program (KLBIP) in Fiscal Year 2025. The funds will go to 19 bridge replacement projects, and an additional four bridges will be permanently removed from local systems.The OSB and KLBIP are targeted for city and county bridges in need of replacement or repair that are not on the state highway system. Funds for both programs are awarded through an application process and, in most cases, require a local contribution. KDOT uses selection criteria that include bridge condition, detour length, inability to carry legal loads, and past project history.For this cycle of the local bridge programs, KDOT received a combined total of 170 applications requesting $162.3 million.The list of recipients and project locations for KLBIP and OSB are below. A link to a map showing the projects can be found&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.ksdot.gov%2FAssets%2Fwwwksdotorg%2FHeadquarters%2FPDF_Files%2Fpressrelease2024%2FKLBIP_26OSB_Combined_Map.pdf/1/01010191e1ed1462-802b5db6-7aff-4bb8-bbfd-71741dcdd0a8-000000/xlRt9iKDgHawh_-37w6Ly1CaYLtakGSV7ORIPdRAR9E=370">here</a>.<h2>Projects in our listening area:</h2><h2>Republic County</h2>Nickel Road, 2.0 miles east of BellevilleLocal Contribution: $62,791Local Cost Percentage: 8.1%Maximum Funds Awarded: $800,000<h2>Smith County</h2>M Road, 2.0 miles south and 3.0 miles west of Smith CenterLocal Contribution:&nbsp;$54,601Local Cost Percentage:&nbsp;6.0%Maximum Funds Awarded:&nbsp;$1,000,000<h2>Dickinson County</h2>1900 Avenue, 2.0 miles south and 1.6 miles east of AbileneLocal Contribution:&nbsp;$186,922Local Percentage Match:&nbsp;10%KDOT Match Funds: $1,230,000Funds for Bridge Removal:$170,000Total Funds Awarded: $1,400,000<h2>Clay County</h2>Broughton Road over Finney Creek south of 17th RoadLocal Contribution:&nbsp;$188,374Local Percentage Match:&nbsp;10%KDOT Match Funds:&nbsp;$1,100,000Funds for Bridge Removal:Total Funds Awarded:&nbsp;$1,100,000<h2>McPherson County</h2>Arapaho Road, 3.0 miles south and 0.5 miles west of InmanLocal Contribution: $209,953Local Percentage Match: 15%KDOT Match Funds: $950,000Total Funds Awarded: $950,000<h2>Ellsworth County</h2>Avenue J, 0.5 miles east and 1.3 miles south of Black WolfLocal Contribution: $136,776Local Percentage Match: 5%KDOT Match Funds: $1,250,000Total Funds Awarded: $1,250,000

Gov. Kelly announces 40 bridge projects receive more than $40M

Movie lovers are in for a treat at the <a href="https://www.salinaartcenter.org/nowplaying">Salina Art Center Cinema</a>, 150 S Santa Fe Avenue this week, with multiple exciting films on the lineup.

The cinema will first offer a free showing of the 1985 adventure-comedy classic The Goonies tonight Thursday, September 12 as part of its “Throwback Thursday” series.&nbsp; 

Admission is free and a donation to the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank is encouraged making it a perfect opportunity for families and fans to relive the beloved tale of a group of kids on a treasure hunt, while also helping a local non-profit.&nbsp;

Stay for the Late Night Arthouse Retrospective at 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 13 for “The Outsiders” sponsored by Red Fern Booksellers.

A teen gang in rural Oklahoma, the Greasers are perpetually at odds with the Socials, a rival group. When Greasers Ponyboy (C. Thomas Howell) and Johnny (Ralph Macchio)&nbsp;get into a brawl that ends in the death of a Social member, the boys are forced to go into hiding. Soon Ponyboy and Johnny, along with the intense Dallas (Matt Dillon) and their other Greaser buddies, must contend with the consequences of their violent lives. While some Greasers try to achieve redemption, others meet tragic ends.

Following the nostalgic throwback, the cinema will debut Good One, a highly anticipated indie drama, running from September 13 to 18. Directed by India Donaldson, the film delves into the complexities of family dynamics, focusing on the strained relationship between teenage daughter Sam (Lily Collias) and her distant father Chris (James Le Gros).

Set during a camping trip in the Catskills, Good One explores how humor and sarcasm act as barriers between people who should be closest. The film tackles themes of broken relationships and miscommunication, particularly between parents and children. The presence of Chris’ carefree friend Matt (Danny McCarthy) further complicates the father-daughter dynamic, adding tension to an already fragile bond.

With stunning cinematography by Wilson Cameron, Good One uses the expansive wilderness setting to emphasize the emotional isolation of its characters. The performances, particularly Collias’ portrayal of 17-year-old Sam, have been lauded as authentic and deeply affecting. While Sam’s vulnerability and struggles with her identity are central to the story, Chris and Matt are portrayed with nuance, making for a powerful exploration of missed connections and unspoken tensions.

Good One is rated R for profanity. Tickets are available on the Salina Art Center Cinema website.

For more information on both screenings and ticket prices for Good One, visit the Salina Art Center Cinema’s website <a href="https://www.salinaartcenter.org/">here</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726155299964.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy Salina Art Center Cinema" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy Salina Art Center Cinema</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTMovie lovers are in for a treat at the <a href="https://www.salinaartcenter.org/nowplaying">Salina Art Center Cinema</a>, 150 S Santa Fe Avenue this week, with multiple exciting films on the lineup. The cinema will first offer a free showing of the 1985 adventure-comedy classic The Goonies tonight Thursday, September 12 as part of its “Throwback Thursday” series.&nbsp; Admission is free and a donation to the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank is encouraged making it a perfect opportunity for families and fans to relive the beloved tale of a group of kids on a treasure hunt, while also helping a local non-profit.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726155559169.jpeg" alt="The Outsiders" />
 <figcaption>The Outsiders</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The Outsiders</h2>Stay for the Late Night Arthouse Retrospective at 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 13 for “The Outsiders” sponsored by Red Fern Booksellers.About “The Outsiders”A teen gang in rural Oklahoma, the Greasers are perpetually at odds with the Socials, a rival group. When Greasers Ponyboy (C. Thomas Howell) and Johnny (Ralph Macchio)&nbsp;get into a brawl that ends in the death of a Social member, the boys are forced to go into hiding. Soon Ponyboy and Johnny, along with the intense Dallas (Matt Dillon) and their other Greaser buddies, must contend with the consequences of their violent lives. While some Greasers try to achieve redemption, others meet tragic ends.Rated PG | 114 min<h2>Good One</h2>Sept. 13- Sept. 18&nbsp;<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sfgjVKoMb4M?si=HfRQz4EmBBXhCxXi" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Following the nostalgic throwback, the cinema will debut Good One, a highly anticipated indie drama, running from September 13 to 18. Directed by India Donaldson, the film delves into the complexities of family dynamics, focusing on the strained relationship between teenage daughter Sam (Lily Collias) and her distant father Chris (James Le Gros).Set during a camping trip in the Catskills, Good One explores how humor and sarcasm act as barriers between people who should be closest. The film tackles themes of broken relationships and miscommunication, particularly between parents and children. The presence of Chris’ carefree friend Matt (Danny McCarthy) further complicates the father-daughter dynamic, adding tension to an already fragile bond.With stunning cinematography by Wilson Cameron, Good One uses the expansive wilderness setting to emphasize the emotional isolation of its characters. The performances, particularly Collias’ portrayal of 17-year-old Sam, have been lauded as authentic and deeply affecting. While Sam’s vulnerability and struggles with her identity are central to the story, Chris and Matt are portrayed with nuance, making for a powerful exploration of missed connections and unspoken tensions.Good One is rated R for profanity. Tickets are available on the Salina Art Center Cinema website.For more information on both screenings and ticket prices for Good One, visit the Salina Art Center Cinema’s website <a href="https://www.salinaartcenter.org/">here</a>.&nbsp;

Salina Art Center Cinema to feature throwback classic, indie drama and more this weekend

Hello and happy Wednesday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine…

On Tuesday Seth Lugo struck out 10 in seven masterful innings and Salvador Perez hit two run-scoring singles to reach 100 RBIs for the second time as the Kansas City Royals beat the New York Yankees 5-0.

Tommy Pham homered and Bobby Witt Jr. had an RBI single for the Royals, who began the night trailing first-place Cleveland by 3 1/2 games in the AL Central. They held a 2 1/2-game edge over Minnesota for the second AL wild card.

Earlier this week we also got updated Big 12 kickoff times as it was announced that In a rematch of the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, the Kansas Jayhawks return to Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, to host the UNLV Rebels on Friday night, Sept. 13.

Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. on ESPN with Anish Shroff, Andre Ware and Paul Carcaterra on the call.

Meanwhile K-states’ Big 12-opening contest at BYU on September 21 will kick at 9:30 p.m., and will be televised by ESPN. It will be the Wildcats’ first game to kick off past 9 p.m. (CT) since a contest at UCLA in 2009.

This will be the ninth all-time meeting between the Wildcats and Cougars and the first since the 1997 (post-1996 season) Cotton Bowl.

And finally don’t forget to tune into KINA this evening at 6:00 for the third installment of the Kansas Wesleyan Coaches show ahead of a contest with Southwestern this Saturday.

That’s your sports update for today, but for even more great area sports content like this, check out Salina Post and stay tuned to KINA.

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIK7gBVEerc"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY SALINA POST(Transcript)Hello and happy Wednesday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine…_________On Tuesday Seth Lugo struck out 10 in seven masterful innings and Salvador Perez hit two run-scoring singles to reach 100 RBIs for the second time as the Kansas City Royals beat the New York Yankees 5-0.Tommy Pham homered and Bobby Witt Jr. had an RBI single for the Royals, who began the night trailing first-place Cleveland by 3 1/2 games in the AL Central. They held a 2 1/2-game edge over Minnesota for the second AL wild card._________Earlier this week we also got updated Big 12 kickoff times as it was announced that In a rematch of the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, the Kansas Jayhawks return to Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, to host the UNLV Rebels on Friday night, Sept. 13.Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. on ESPN with Anish Shroff, Andre Ware and Paul Carcaterra on the call.Meanwhile K-states’ Big 12-opening contest at BYU on September 21 will kick at 9:30 p.m., and will be televised by ESPN. It will be the Wildcats’ first game to kick off past 9 p.m. (CT) since a contest at UCLA in 2009.This will be the ninth all-time meeting between the Wildcats and Cougars and the first since the 1997 (post-1996 season) Cotton Bowl._________And finally don’t forget to tune into KINA this evening at 6:00 for the third installment of the Kansas Wesleyan Coaches show ahead of a contest with Southwestern this Saturday._________That’s your sports update for today, but for even more great area sports content like this, check out Salina Post and stay tuned to KINA.

910 KINA Sports Headlines — September 11

Central Kansas Mental Health Center Central Kansas Mental Health Center (CKMHC) is joining organizations across the country in recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention Month. This month-long observance serves as a vital opportunity to raise awareness about suicide prevention, educate the public about the warning signs of suicide, and promote the importance of behavioral health care.

At CKMHC, we are dedicated to fostering the behavioral health and well-being of the communities we serve. We strive to deliver compassionate, comprehensive care to individuals facing behavioral health challenges, and throughout September, we are intensifying our outreach to ensure that everyone is aware of the support and resources available to them.

“We&nbsp;have been working diligently over the last year&nbsp;to expand our crisis&nbsp;services and&nbsp;reduce barriers in accessing care in our communities,” said Crisis Director Esther&nbsp;Kency.&nbsp;"This includes not only enhancingCKMHC’s&nbsp;mobile crisis and 24/7 services but also strengthening partnerships across the region. We also want to raise awareness of valuable resources&nbsp;such as&nbsp;the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Veterans Crisis Line, the Trevor Project, and the Farm Aid Lifeline. Help is available whenever and wherever it&nbsp;is&nbsp;needed."

Understanding the Warning Signs of Suicide

Throughout National Suicide Prevention Month, CKMHC will be sharing important information on recognizing the warning signs of suicide, which may include:

•Talking about wanting to die or expressing feelings of hopelessness•Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities•Displaying extreme mood swings or sudden changes in behavior•Increased use of alcohol or drugs•Engaging in risky or self-destructive behavior

It’s crucial to take these signs seriously and act quickly. If you or someone you know is exhibiting these signs, don’t wait—reach out to a behavioral health professional&nbsp;for support.

CKMHC's Ongoing Commitment to Suicide Prevention

As a leading provider of behavioral health services, CKMHC is dedicated to suicide prevention through various programs and initiatives, including:

•24/7 Crisis Services: Our crisis team is available around the clock to provide immediate assistance to individuals in distress.•Community Education and Outreach: We offer speaking and training opportunities,includingMental Health First Aid ,to educate the community about behavioral health, suicide prevention, and how to support those in crisis.•Coordination of Care: CKMHC integrates behavioral health services with primary care to provide holistic support to those at risk.

CKMHC encourages&nbsp;our communities&nbsp;to participate in National Suicide Prevention Month by learning more about suicide prevention, sharing resources, and supporting those who may be struggling. Together, we can break the stigma surrounding behavioral health and ensure that everyone has access to the care they need.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available. Contact CKMHC&nbsp;24/7 crisis services&nbsp;at&nbsp;785-823-6322.&nbsp;You can also call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, for immediate support anytime, anywhere.

Crisis and Support Hotlines:&nbsp;

•988 Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for immediate support 24/7 for anyone experiencing a mental health or suicidal crisis.•Farm Aid Hotline: Call 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243) for assistance with farm-related financial, legal, and crisis support.•Veterans Crisis Line: Call988and press 1to connect with a trained responder for veteran-specific crisis support.•National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) or text "START" to 88788 for confidential support and resources for those affected by domestic violence.•The Trevor Project: Call 1-866-488-7386, text "START" to 678678, or chat online at <a href="http://thetrevorproject.org">thetrevorproject.org</a> for LGBTQ+ youth in crisis.•Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis support via text messaging.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726058560260.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy CKMHC" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy CKMHC</figcaption>
 </figure>Central Kansas Mental Health Center Central Kansas Mental Health Center (CKMHC) is joining organizations across the country in recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention Month. This month-long observance serves as a vital opportunity to raise awareness about suicide prevention, educate the public about the warning signs of suicide, and promote the importance of behavioral health care.At CKMHC, we are dedicated to fostering the behavioral health and well-being of the communities we serve. We strive to deliver compassionate, comprehensive care to individuals facing behavioral health challenges, and throughout September, we are intensifying our outreach to ensure that everyone is aware of the support and resources available to them.“We&nbsp;have been working diligently over the last year&nbsp;to expand our crisis&nbsp;services and&nbsp;reduce barriers in accessing care in our communities,” said Crisis Director Esther&nbsp;Kency.&nbsp;"This includes not only enhancingCKMHC’s&nbsp;mobile crisis and 24/7 services but also strengthening partnerships across the region. We also want to raise awareness of valuable resources&nbsp;such as&nbsp;the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Veterans Crisis Line, the Trevor Project, and the Farm Aid Lifeline. Help is available whenever and wherever it&nbsp;is&nbsp;needed."Understanding the Warning Signs of SuicideThroughout National Suicide Prevention Month, CKMHC will be sharing important information on recognizing the warning signs of suicide, which may include:•Talking about wanting to die or expressing feelings of hopelessness•Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities•Displaying extreme mood swings or sudden changes in behavior•Increased use of alcohol or drugs•Engaging in risky or self-destructive behaviorIt’s crucial to take these signs seriously and act quickly. If you or someone you know is exhibiting these signs, don’t wait—reach out to a behavioral health professional&nbsp;for support.CKMHC's Ongoing Commitment to Suicide PreventionAs a leading provider of behavioral health services, CKMHC is dedicated to suicide prevention through various programs and initiatives, including:•24/7 Crisis Services: Our crisis team is available around the clock to provide immediate assistance to individuals in distress.•Community Education and Outreach: We offer speaking and training opportunities,includingMental Health First Aid ,to educate the community about behavioral health, suicide prevention, and how to support those in crisis.•Coordination of Care: CKMHC integrates behavioral health services with primary care to provide holistic support to those at risk.How You Can Get InvolvedCKMHC encourages&nbsp;our communities&nbsp;to participate in National Suicide Prevention Month by learning more about suicide prevention, sharing resources, and supporting those who may be struggling. Together, we can break the stigma surrounding behavioral health and ensure that everyone has access to the care they need.If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available. Contact CKMHC&nbsp;24/7 crisis services&nbsp;at&nbsp;785-823-6322.&nbsp;You can also call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, for immediate support anytime, anywhere.Crisis and Support Hotlines:&nbsp;•988 Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for immediate support 24/7 for anyone experiencing a mental health or suicidal crisis.•Farm Aid Hotline: Call 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243) for assistance with farm-related financial, legal, and crisis support.•Veterans Crisis Line: Call988and press 1to connect with a trained responder for veteran-specific crisis support.•National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) or text "START" to 88788 for confidential support and resources for those affected by domestic violence.•The Trevor Project: Call 1-866-488-7386, text "START" to 678678, or chat online at <a href="http://thetrevorproject.org">thetrevorproject.org</a> for LGBTQ+ youth in crisis.•Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis support via text messaging.

Central Kansas Mental Health Center Recognizes September as National Suicide Prevention Month

K-State Salina <a href="http://salina.ksu.edu/">Kansas State University Salina</a>&nbsp;is hosting a community discussion about free expression as part of the campus's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/about/visitor-information/civic-lecture/">Civic Lecture Series</a>. The community is invited to attend&nbsp;"Free Expression: What it is, how it applies and practical tips for navigating difficult conversations"&nbsp;at 11:30 a.m.&nbsp;Thursday, September 12, to&nbsp;explore the principles and history underlying the First Amendment and how it applies&nbsp;to&nbsp;public college campuses. The discussion, held in K-State Salina's College Center Conference Room,&nbsp;will have tips for engaging in difficult conversations and responding to offensive speech in communities.&nbsp; Erin Sommer Good, K-State senior associate general counsel, and Corey Williamson, K-State assistant vice president for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, are the featured speakers,&nbsp;and both&nbsp;have&nbsp;extensive experience navigating how the&nbsp;First&nbsp;Amendment applies in everyday life. Good advises K-State administrators on a wide array of legal issues. The First Amendment and free expression are of particular interest because of Good's background as a journalist.&nbsp;Williamson also serves as&nbsp;chair of K-State's Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Campus Center.

Admission is free, and guests can bring an outside lunch or purchase a meal from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/academic-success-student-affairs/housing/dining/">K-State Salina's Centennial Dining</a>.For more information, visit the&nbsp;<a href="http://salina.k-state.edu/civic-lecture">Civic Lecture Series website</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726058335228.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>K-State Salina <a href="http://salina.ksu.edu/">Kansas State University Salina</a>&nbsp;is hosting a community discussion about free expression as part of the campus's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/about/visitor-information/civic-lecture/">Civic Lecture Series</a>. The community is invited to attend&nbsp;"Free Expression: What it is, how it applies and practical tips for navigating difficult conversations"&nbsp;at 11:30 a.m.&nbsp;Thursday, September 12, to&nbsp;explore the principles and history underlying the First Amendment and how it applies&nbsp;to&nbsp;public college campuses. The discussion, held in K-State Salina's College Center Conference Room,&nbsp;will have tips for engaging in difficult conversations and responding to offensive speech in communities.&nbsp; Erin Sommer Good, K-State senior associate general counsel, and Corey Williamson, K-State assistant vice president for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, are the featured speakers,&nbsp;and both&nbsp;have&nbsp;extensive experience navigating how the&nbsp;First&nbsp;Amendment applies in everyday life. Good advises K-State administrators on a wide array of legal issues. The First Amendment and free expression are of particular interest because of Good's background as a journalist.&nbsp;Williamson also serves as&nbsp;chair of K-State's Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Campus Center.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726058252253.jpeg" alt="Corey Williamson, K-State assistant vice president for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, is a featured speaker at the upcoming Civic Lecture Series discussion " />
 <figcaption>Corey Williamson, K-State assistant vice president for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, is a featured speaker at the upcoming Civic Lecture Series discussion </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726058169184.jpeg" alt="Erin Sommer Good" />
 <figcaption>Erin Sommer Good</figcaption>
 </figure> Admission is free, and guests can bring an outside lunch or purchase a meal from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/academic-success-student-affairs/housing/dining/">K-State Salina's Centennial Dining</a>.For more information, visit the&nbsp;<a href="http://salina.k-state.edu/civic-lecture">Civic Lecture Series website</a>.

K-State Salina kicks off fall Civic Lecture Series with discussion about free expression

The Salina community will gather on September 11, 2024, to honor the lives lost and affected by the tragic events of September 11, 2001. A special memorial event, "A Night of Remembrance," will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Great Life Salina, located at 1800 S. Marymount Road.

The event will pay tribute to the first responders, civilians, and military personnel who bravely responded to the attacks. Attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on the nearly 3,000 lives lost and honor the survivors, their families, and the heroes who selflessly risked their own lives to save others.

Local musician Tony Bowell will provide live music, creating a poignant atmosphere for reflection and unity. Food will be generously donated by Martinelli's Little Italy to attendees.&nbsp;

Admission to the event is $10 per person, with all proceeds benefiting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

This memorial event serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength displayed in the face of tragedy, ensuring that the heroic sacrifices made on that day are forever enshrined in our nation’s history.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576278537018.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The Salina community will gather on September 11, 2024, to honor the lives lost and affected by the tragic events of September 11, 2001. A special memorial event, "A Night of Remembrance," will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Great Life Salina, located at 1800 S. Marymount Road.The event will pay tribute to the first responders, civilians, and military personnel who bravely responded to the attacks. Attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on the nearly 3,000 lives lost and honor the survivors, their families, and the heroes who selflessly risked their own lives to save others.Local musician Tony Bowell will provide live music, creating a poignant atmosphere for reflection and unity. Food will be generously donated by Martinelli's Little Italy to attendees.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725905806821.jpeg" alt="Remeber" />
 <figcaption>Remeber</figcaption>
 </figure>Admission to the event is $10 per person, with all proceeds benefiting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.This memorial event serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength displayed in the face of tragedy, ensuring that the heroic sacrifices made on that day are forever enshrined in our nation’s history.&nbsp;

Salina Community to honor lives lost on 9/11 at ‘A Night of Remembrance’

Join host Nate King and guest Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab on the latest episode of the "King in the Community" podcast as they discuss Kansas’ election security laws and important dates/deadlines for the upcoming Primary and General elections this year.&nbsp;

Schwab emphasizes his office's robust security measures to prevent fraud and reiterates his appreciation and commendation of the work being done by county clerks to ensure elections run smoothly at the local level.

In this episode, you'll learn from Schwab how difficult it is to vote illegally in Kansas.&nbsp;

Believe it or not, overseeing statewide elections is just a small part of what Schwab does as Secretary of State. In addition to serving as the state's Chief Elections Officer, Schwab is also in charge of maintaining business filings.&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Kansas Secretary of State, Scott Schwab" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=gzntm-161abef-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=60a0c8" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>By SALINA POSTJoin host Nate King and guest Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab on the latest episode of the "King in the Community" podcast as they discuss Kansas’ election security laws and important dates/deadlines for the upcoming Primary and General elections this year.&nbsp;Schwab emphasizes his office's robust security measures to prevent fraud and reiterates his appreciation and commendation of the work being done by county clerks to ensure elections run smoothly at the local level.In this episode, you'll learn from Schwab how difficult it is to vote illegally in Kansas.&nbsp;Believe it or not, overseeing statewide elections is just a small part of what Schwab does as Secretary of State. In addition to serving as the state's Chief Elections Officer, Schwab is also in charge of maintaining business filings.&nbsp;<h2>More podcast episodes</h2><div><iframe title="King in the Community" allowtransparency="true" height="315" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:315px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=skmut-558a99-pbblog-playlist&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&order=episodic&limit=10&filter=publish_time&publish_start=2023-11-01&publish_end=2024-05-16&ss=529e65f6691d9b7dddebedc34e283cbe&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=315" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</div>

🎙King in the Community — Kansas Secretary of State, Scott Schwab

The Fe for A Cure 5K Race/Walk is one of the biggest, most fun, and most affordable races in Salina and it is just around the corner. 

The 2024 Fe for A Cure race will be held on Saturday, September 21 and will start and finish at Tammy Walker Cancer Center. The race planning committee has set a goal of being the second race in Salina to have 1,000 registered participants.

Registration is $25.00 for anyone 12 and older and $10.00 for anyone 11 and younger and includes a race t-shirt and breakfast food provided by Salina Regional Health Center Food Services. Register at <a href="http://feforacure.com">feforacure.com</a>.

New One Mile Fun Run Option &amp; New Start Time

This year the Fe for A Cure will be offer a 1-Mile Fun Run. This was the number one recommendation from last year's post-race survey results and will make the Fe for A Cure 5K Race Walk an event the entire family can participate in. 

The 1-Mile Fun Run race also starts at 8:00 a.m. which will provide cooler temperatures for participants and make it easier for participants and volunteers to get to youth sporting events and other activities. 

“Cancer has touched us all in some way. Fe for a Cure not only raises funds to help those in the midst of their battle but also gives us the opportunity to show our support for cancer patients and their families,” said Marla McElderry, Executive Director at the Salina Regional Health Foundation.

The USATF Certified 5K begins and ends at the Tammy Walker Cancer Center on Santa Fe Avenue. The course takes runners north on Santa Fe, with a turnaround between Elm and Pine Streets leading runners back south on Santa Fe. Runners then turn onto Walnut Street leading to Oakdale Park. A loop in the park leads runners to Mulberry Street, then they take a left back onto Santa Fe Avenue to finish at the Cancer Center.

Volunteer forms for Fe for A Cure are available by emailing Daniel Craig at <a href="mailto:dacraig@srhc.com">dacraig@srhc.com</a>. Volunteers are needed along the course to help block entrances and exits, provide pedestrians/runners with course direction, and encourage participants along the course. Volunteers are also need to help with registration and event setup. Volunteers will receive a volunteer shirt and instructions/contact information for key race personnel. Most volunteer shifts are two hours or less and volunteers are welcome to enjoy the great food provided by Salina Regional Food Services after their shift is complete.

"Volunteers are what separate the very best races from other events. We were blown away by both the number of individuals who volunteered for last year's race as well as their passion and commitment to ensuring that every runner had an amazing experience," said Daniel Craig, volunteer coordinator Fe for A Cure.

USATF Certified Races Bring Runners to the Community

Being USATF Certified means that the course has been accurately measured (multiple times) by an approved USATF Certifier to ensure the distance. Many runners like to compare performances run on different courses, and such comparisons are difficult if course distances are not reliable. According to race organizers, runners cannot truly establish a personal best if the course distance is not accurate. The 2022 Fe for A Cure 5K Race/Walk was the first ever USATF Certified event held in Salina. Being USATF Certified is a great way to bring runners from other communities to Salina. In 2023, the Fe for A Cure had 228 registered participants from outside of Salina with 791 total registered participants.

Want to participate or support cancer patients, but have a conflict? Register as a Couch Potato ($25 adults/$10 kids) and secure yourself a commemorative t-shirt from the event. Register at <a href="http://feforacure.com">feforacure.com</a>.

100% of entry fees support patients at TWCC

Last year there were 791 registered participants in the Fe for a Cure, which made it the second largest running event in Salina! The event raised $26,260 through registrations, donations, and ribbons sales. An anonymous donor also contributed $30,000, bringing the total raised to a record $56,260! 

Here are just a few of the ways fundraising events help support patients at Tammy Walker Cancer Center.

· Patient meal program-Patients undergoing long chemotherapy infusions are offered a meal (lunch), Monday thru Thursday. The patient meal program started on November 28 and over 2000 meals have been served. What an amazing gift to our patients! During the school year, the patient meal program provides our Project Search interns the opportunity to learn work skills and business soft-skills with the goal of helping them gain employment. During the summer, we have volunteers who help.

· Appearance center-Patients are able to get wigs, hats, scarves, and other items at no cost. Wigs and other items from the appearance center can help empower patients and help them feel more comfortable and confident as well, as provide a sense of normalcy during treatment.

· Transportation Assistance-Transportation should not be a roadblock to cancer treatment. Our partnership with OCCK allows us to offer transportation services to those who need it at no cost.

· Morrison House-The Morrison House is a guest residence for those living outside Salina with a loved one who is a patient at Salina Regional Health Center and outpatients undergoing treatment at the Tammy Walker Cancer Center.

Tammy Walker, of Salina, died of lung cancer in 1973 at the young age of 11. The fifth child of the late Charlie Walker and Margie Walker, Tammy was a friendly, lively child who loved school and animals—especially her horse and her dog. The Walker family was pleased to honor Tammy’s memory with the lead gift for the construction of the Tammy Walker Cancer Center.

The 2024 Fe for a Cure is organized and put on by Salina Regional Health Foundation, Meridian Media, and North Salina Community Development. Those who would like more information about the race or the Tammy Walker Cancer Center can contact Craig at 785-452-4848 or dacraig@srhc.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695228529262.png" alt="A photo from the 2023 Tammy Walker Cancer Center Fe For a Cure Mural created by Colin Benson. Photo by Nate King" />
 <figcaption>A photo from the 2023 Tammy Walker Cancer Center Fe For a Cure Mural created by Colin Benson. Photo by Nate King</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTThe Fe for A Cure 5K Race/Walk is one of the biggest, most fun, and most affordable races in Salina and it is just around the corner. The 2024 Fe for A Cure race will be held on Saturday, September 21 and will start and finish at Tammy Walker Cancer Center. The race planning committee has set a goal of being the second race in Salina to have 1,000 registered participants. Registration is $25.00 for anyone 12 and older and $10.00 for anyone 11 and younger and includes a race t-shirt and breakfast food provided by Salina Regional Health Center Food Services. Register at <a href="http://feforacure.com">feforacure.com</a>.New One Mile Fun Run Option &amp; New Start TimeThis year the Fe for A Cure will be offer a 1-Mile Fun Run. This was the number one recommendation from last year's post-race survey results and will make the Fe for A Cure 5K Race Walk an event the entire family can participate in. The 1-Mile Fun Run race also starts at 8:00 a.m. which will provide cooler temperatures for participants and make it easier for participants and volunteers to get to youth sporting events and other activities. “Cancer has touched us all in some way. Fe for a Cure not only raises funds to help those in the midst of their battle but also gives us the opportunity to show our support for cancer patients and their families,” said Marla McElderry, Executive Director at the Salina Regional Health Foundation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715632794675.jpeg" alt="And we're off! Racers in a previous Fe for a Cure set off from the starting line.&nbsp;&nbsp;Photo courtesy Salina Regional Health Foundation" />
 <figcaption>And we're off! Racers in a previous Fe for a Cure set off from the starting line.&nbsp;&nbsp;Photo courtesy Salina Regional Health Foundation</figcaption>
 </figure>The CourseThe USATF Certified 5K begins and ends at the Tammy Walker Cancer Center on Santa Fe Avenue. The course takes runners north on Santa Fe, with a turnaround between Elm and Pine Streets leading runners back south on Santa Fe. Runners then turn onto Walnut Street leading to Oakdale Park. A loop in the park leads runners to Mulberry Street, then they take a left back onto Santa Fe Avenue to finish at the Cancer Center.Volunteers Needed Volunteer forms for Fe for A Cure are available by emailing Daniel Craig at <a href="mailto:dacraig@srhc.com">dacraig@srhc.com</a>. Volunteers are needed along the course to help block entrances and exits, provide pedestrians/runners with course direction, and encourage participants along the course. Volunteers are also need to help with registration and event setup. Volunteers will receive a volunteer shirt and instructions/contact information for key race personnel. Most volunteer shifts are two hours or less and volunteers are welcome to enjoy the great food provided by Salina Regional Food Services after their shift is complete. "Volunteers are what separate the very best races from other events. We were blown away by both the number of individuals who volunteered for last year's race as well as their passion and commitment to ensuring that every runner had an amazing experience," said Daniel Craig, volunteer coordinator Fe for A Cure.USATF Certified Races Bring Runners to the CommunityBeing USATF Certified means that the course has been accurately measured (multiple times) by an approved USATF Certifier to ensure the distance. Many runners like to compare performances run on different courses, and such comparisons are difficult if course distances are not reliable. According to race organizers, runners cannot truly establish a personal best if the course distance is not accurate. The 2022 Fe for A Cure 5K Race/Walk was the first ever USATF Certified event held in Salina. Being USATF Certified is a great way to bring runners from other communities to Salina. In 2023, the Fe for A Cure had 228 registered participants from outside of Salina with 791 total registered participants.Can’t join us?Want to participate or support cancer patients, but have a conflict? Register as a Couch Potato ($25 adults/$10 kids) and secure yourself a commemorative t-shirt from the event. Register at <a href="http://feforacure.com">feforacure.com</a>.100% of entry fees support patients at TWCCLast year there were 791 registered participants in the Fe for a Cure, which made it the second largest running event in Salina! The event raised $26,260 through registrations, donations, and ribbons sales. An anonymous donor also contributed $30,000, bringing the total raised to a record $56,260! Here are just a few of the ways fundraising events help support patients at Tammy Walker Cancer Center.· Patient meal program-Patients undergoing long chemotherapy infusions are offered a meal (lunch), Monday thru Thursday. The patient meal program started on November 28 and over 2000 meals have been served. What an amazing gift to our patients! During the school year, the patient meal program provides our Project Search interns the opportunity to learn work skills and business soft-skills with the goal of helping them gain employment. During the summer, we have volunteers who help.· Appearance center-Patients are able to get wigs, hats, scarves, and other items at no cost. Wigs and other items from the appearance center can help empower patients and help them feel more comfortable and confident as well, as provide a sense of normalcy during treatment.· Transportation Assistance-Transportation should not be a roadblock to cancer treatment. Our partnership with OCCK allows us to offer transportation services to those who need it at no cost.· Morrison House-The Morrison House is a guest residence for those living outside Salina with a loved one who is a patient at Salina Regional Health Center and outpatients undergoing treatment at the Tammy Walker Cancer Center.Who was Tammy Walker?Tammy Walker, of Salina, died of lung cancer in 1973 at the young age of 11. The fifth child of the late Charlie Walker and Margie Walker, Tammy was a friendly, lively child who loved school and animals—especially her horse and her dog. The Walker family was pleased to honor Tammy’s memory with the lead gift for the construction of the Tammy Walker Cancer Center.The 2024 Fe for a Cure is organized and put on by Salina Regional Health Foundation, Meridian Media, and North Salina Community Development. Those who would like more information about the race or the Tammy Walker Cancer Center can contact Craig at 785-452-4848 or dacraig@srhc.com

Fe for a Cure 5K Race/Walk on Sept. 21 challenges community to reach goal of 1,000 participants

An early morning traffic stop in Solomon led to the arrest of a Salina man on multiple charges, according to a media release from Dickinson County Sheriff's Office.

At approximately 4:30 a.m. on September 6, Dickinson County Sheriff's deputies pulled over a 2002 GMC Sierra pickup in the 300 block of West Fourth Street of Solomon for a defective tail lamp. 

The driver, identified as Dan Leroy McConnell, 53, of Salina, was found to have a suspended driver’s license. Upon further investigation, deputies discovered methamphetamine inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle also uncovered a shotgun, which had a barrel shorter than the legal limit of 18 inches.

McConnell was arrested and booked into the Dickinson County Detention Facility. His charges include driving while suspended, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and criminal carry of a weapon.

Anyone with information regarding the use/distribution of illegal drugs or any other crime can contact the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office at 785-263-4081. 

Citizens can also submit an anonymous tip online at <a href="http://www.p3tips.com">www.p3tips.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726004535571.jpeg" alt="Dan McConnell" />
 <figcaption>Dan McConnell</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTAn early morning traffic stop in Solomon led to the arrest of a Salina man on multiple charges, according to a media release from Dickinson County Sheriff's Office.At approximately 4:30 a.m. on September 6, Dickinson County Sheriff's deputies pulled over a 2002 GMC Sierra pickup in the 300 block of West Fourth Street of Solomon for a defective tail lamp. The driver, identified as Dan Leroy McConnell, 53, of Salina, was found to have a suspended driver’s license. Upon further investigation, deputies discovered methamphetamine inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle also uncovered a shotgun, which had a barrel shorter than the legal limit of 18 inches.McConnell was arrested and booked into the Dickinson County Detention Facility. His charges include driving while suspended, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and criminal carry of a weapon.Anyone with information regarding the use/distribution of illegal drugs or any other crime can contact the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office at 785-263-4081. Citizens can also submit an anonymous tip online at <a href="http://www.p3tips.com">www.p3tips.com</a>.

Salina man arrested after traffic stop in Dickinson Co. uncovers meth, illegal firearm

A 30-year-old man from San Antonio, Texas, was involved in a single-vehicle crash on Saturday afternoon on I-70 in Saline County. 

According to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan at about 3:15 p.m., an out-of-state driver was heading westbound on I-70 in his 2007 Volvo when he allegedly fell asleep at the wheel. When the driver woke up, he realized the vehicle had veered into the median and was approaching oncoming traffic.

"This happened right at milepost 243, right before the Mulberry Creek Bridge," Soldan said. "He went in between the median, there's a flat guardrail, he he was kind of going back towards the northwest, when he went through the guard rail, struck the side of the bridge, and then went kind of backward down the embankment, facing eastbound."

The driver sustained a head injury and was transported by Salina EMS to Salina Regional Health Center for treatment. 

The Sheriff's Office did not report any other vehicles involved in the crash.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726001590411.jpeg" alt="A driver from San Antonio, Texas was injured following a single-vehicle crash on Saturday afternoon on I-70 in Saline County.&nbsp; Photo Courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>A driver from San Antonio, Texas was injured following a single-vehicle crash on Saturday afternoon on I-70 in Saline County.&nbsp; Photo Courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTA 30-year-old man from San Antonio, Texas, was involved in a single-vehicle crash on Saturday afternoon on I-70 in Saline County. According to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan at about 3:15 p.m., an out-of-state driver was heading westbound on I-70 in his 2007 Volvo when he allegedly fell asleep at the wheel. When the driver woke up, he realized the vehicle had veered into the median and was approaching oncoming traffic.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726002589594.jpeg" alt="The crash occurred at milepost 243 on I-70. Photo Courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>The crash occurred at milepost 243 on I-70. Photo Courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure> "This happened right at milepost 243, right before the Mulberry Creek Bridge," Soldan said. "He went in between the median, there's a flat guardrail, he he was kind of going back towards the northwest, when he went through the guard rail, struck the side of the bridge, and then went kind of backward down the embankment, facing eastbound."The driver sustained a head injury and was transported by Salina EMS to Salina Regional Health Center for treatment. The Sheriff's Office did not report any other vehicles involved in the crash.

Out-of-state driver involved in single vehicle crash on I-70

A motorcyclist was injured Friday morning after striking a sheet of wire mesh on I-70 near the Ohio Street exit, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

The accident occurred around 7:20 a.m. when a 53-year-old motorcyclist from Abilene was traveling westbound on a 2015 Harley Davidson Road Glide when he encountered a 4-by-8-foot sheet of wire mesh in the roadway. 

The rider reported seeing the debris too late to avoid it. The mesh became tangled in the motorcycle, causing the rider to crash.

"He [motorcyclist] said he checked his mirror and when he looked up, it was right in front of him," Soldan said. "Wasn't able to avoid striking it. It got bound up in his bike and put him down almost at the Ohio Street exit. He came to rest on the shoulder, on the north shoulder right at the ramp entrance."

Soldan said that the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

He was unconscious at the scene but regained consciousness before being transported to Salina Regional Health Center by EMS.

Salina Post will update this story as new information becomes available.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725984004843.jpeg" alt="The 2015 Harley Davidson Road Glide was driven by a 53-year-old motorcyclist from Abilene. The crash happened at 7:20 a.m. on Friday.&nbsp; Photo Courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The 2015 Harley Davidson Road Glide was driven by a 53-year-old motorcyclist from Abilene. The crash happened at 7:20 a.m. on Friday.&nbsp; Photo Courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTA motorcyclist was injured Friday morning after striking a sheet of wire mesh on I-70 near the Ohio Street exit, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.The accident occurred around 7:20 a.m. when a 53-year-old motorcyclist from Abilene was traveling westbound on a 2015 Harley Davidson Road Glide when he encountered a 4-by-8-foot sheet of wire mesh in the roadway. The rider reported seeing the debris too late to avoid it. The mesh became tangled in the motorcycle, causing the rider to crash."He [motorcyclist] said he checked his mirror and when he looked up, it was right in front of him," Soldan said. "Wasn't able to avoid striking it. It got bound up in his bike and put him down almost at the Ohio Street exit. He came to rest on the shoulder, on the north shoulder right at the ramp entrance."Soldan said that the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.He was unconscious at the scene but regained consciousness before being transported to Salina Regional Health Center by EMS.Salina Post will update this story as new information becomes available.&nbsp;

Motorcyclist injured after striking debris on I-70 near Salina

Hello and happy Tuesday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine…

On Monday Major League Baseball announced that&nbsp;Salvador Perez&nbsp;was named the Kansas City Royals 2024 nominee for the&nbsp;Roberto Clemente&nbsp;Award, baseball’s most prestigious individual honor for Major Leaguers. This is Salvy’s third nomination in four years.

The Roberto Clemente Award is the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.

On the field, the World Series winning catcher was named to his ninth all-star game, making him the second most decorated player in Royals history while off the field Salvy creates opportunities for those in need in his home country of Venezuela

Monday also saw Kansas Wesleyan's&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2d2fc557-e151-4517-9b13-c1c24bf0f8f5?elinkdata=11998">Luke Armstrong</a>&nbsp;selected as the KCAC Football Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts in a Coyote win.

Armstrong rushed eight times for 168 yards and two touchdowns, which included a 90-yard run. He averaged 21.0 yards per rush for the game. He also was a key part of Wesleyan's successes on special teams as he returned a kickoff 85 yards for a score immediately after Bethany had scored a touchdown.

And finally the Kansas City Royals fell 10-4 at the hands of the Yankees last night after Austin Wells hit a 3-run go-ahead homer in the 7th

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 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PasFi4uKXvM"></iframe>
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 </figure>BY SALINA POST(Transcript)Hello and happy Tuesday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine…_________On Monday Major League Baseball announced that&nbsp;Salvador Perez&nbsp;was named the Kansas City Royals 2024 nominee for the&nbsp;Roberto Clemente&nbsp;Award, baseball’s most prestigious individual honor for Major Leaguers. This is Salvy’s third nomination in four years.The Roberto Clemente Award is the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.On the field, the World Series winning catcher was named to his ninth all-star game, making him the second most decorated player in Royals history while off the field Salvy creates opportunities for those in need in his home country of Venezuela_________Monday also saw Kansas Wesleyan's&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2d2fc557-e151-4517-9b13-c1c24bf0f8f5?elinkdata=11998">Luke Armstrong</a>&nbsp;selected as the KCAC Football Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts in a Coyote win.Armstrong rushed eight times for 168 yards and two touchdowns, which included a 90-yard run. He averaged 21.0 yards per rush for the game. He also was a key part of Wesleyan's successes on special teams as he returned a kickoff 85 yards for a score immediately after Bethany had scored a touchdown._________And finally the Kansas City Royals fell 10-4 at the hands of the Yankees last night after Austin Wells hit a 3-run go-ahead homer in the 7thKC is back in action tonight at 6:05_________

910 KINA Sports Headlines — September 10

At approximately 9 p.m. on Sept. 6, Salina Police Department (SPD) officers were dispatched to the Chapel Ridge Apartments, 2363 Chapel Ridge Place, in response to a domestic disturbance. 

"Contact was made with a Yesenia Buenrostro, she's a 21-year-old female of Salina. She reported that she got into an argument with the 22-year-old male who also lives in the apartment," said SPD Cpt. James Feldman. "It was determined from both parties that during this argument, Buenrostro pulled a knife and threatened the 22-year-old male."

&nbsp;Feldman said the argument began after Buenrostro allegedly discovered that she was missing an item, and said the 22-year-old victim was responsible. It was later determined that the knife used to threaten the victim was a pocketknife.&nbsp;

Buenrostro was arrested and booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of aggravated assault.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725714933971.jpeg" alt="Buenrostro,Yesenia" />
 <figcaption>Buenrostro,Yesenia</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTAt approximately 9 p.m. on Sept. 6, Salina Police Department (SPD) officers were dispatched to the Chapel Ridge Apartments, 2363 Chapel Ridge Place, in response to a domestic disturbance. "Contact was made with a Yesenia Buenrostro, she's a 21-year-old female of Salina. She reported that she got into an argument with the 22-year-old male who also lives in the apartment," said SPD Cpt. James Feldman. "It was determined from both parties that during this argument, Buenrostro pulled a knife and threatened the 22-year-old male."&nbsp;Feldman said the argument began after Buenrostro allegedly discovered that she was missing an item, and said the 22-year-old victim was responsible. It was later determined that the knife used to threaten the victim was a pocketknife.&nbsp;Buenrostro was arrested and booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of aggravated assault.

Salina woman arrested for threatening roommate with knife

ELLSWORTH COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Monday in Ellsworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder driven by&nbsp;Londa D.&nbsp;Sanderson, 69, Tulsa, Oklahoma, was southbound on Kansas Highway 14 at Kansas 156.

The driver ran the stop sign. An eastbound 2000 Kenworth semi driven by Nicholas G. Meng, 71,&nbsp;Cimarron, struck the Nissan.

EMS transported both drivers to the Ellsworth County Medical Center. They were both properly restrained, according to the KHP.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Monday in Ellsworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder driven by&nbsp;Londa D.&nbsp;Sanderson, 69, Tulsa, Oklahoma, was southbound on Kansas Highway 14 at Kansas 156.The driver ran the stop sign. An eastbound 2000 Kenworth semi driven by Nicholas G. Meng, 71,&nbsp;Cimarron, struck the Nissan.EMS transported both drivers to the Ellsworth County Medical Center. They were both properly restrained, according to the KHP.

2 hospitalized after semi, SUV crash

Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, 9:00 a.m.300 W Ash Room 107 Salina, Kansas 67401 

Saline County Board of County Commissioners

Monte Shadwick - District 1 Robert Vidricksen II - District 2 Rodger Sparks - District 3 James Weese - District 4 Chairman, Joe Hay Jr. - District 5

Unless otherwise noted, county offices will be open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

If you need any assistance in participating in any meeting or event due to a disability as defined under ADA, please call the County’s ADA Coordinator at (785) 309-5812 or email <a>leamerm@salinecountyks.gov</a> prior to the scheduled meeting or event to request accommodations.

Board of County Commissioners meetings are live-streamed on YouTube. For a library of past meetings and to view this week's meeting, click here.

B. Flag Salute &amp; Moment of Silence

Approval of County Commission Minutes for September 3, 2024

Application for Emergency Management Performance Grant 2024

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697467290838.jpeg" alt="The Saline County and Salina City building at 300 West Ash Street in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>The Saline County and Salina City building at 300 West Ash Street in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTTuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, 9:00 a.m.300 W Ash Room 107 Salina, Kansas 67401 Saline County Board of County CommissionersMonte Shadwick - District 1 Robert Vidricksen II - District 2 Rodger Sparks - District 3 James Weese - District 4 Chairman, Joe Hay Jr. - District 5<h2>Meeting Information</h2>Unless otherwise noted, county offices will be open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.If you need any assistance in participating in any meeting or event due to a disability as defined under ADA, please call the County’s ADA Coordinator at (785) 309-5812 or email <a>leamerm@salinecountyks.gov</a> prior to the scheduled meeting or event to request accommodations.Board of County Commissioners meetings are live-streamed on YouTube. For a library of past meetings and to view this week's meeting, click here.<h2>Regular Meeting Agenda</h2>A. Call To OrderB. Flag Salute &amp; Moment of SilenceC. Public ForumD. Consent AgendaApproval of Tax Roll AdjustmentsApproval of Accounts PayableApproval of Public Forum AgendaApproval of County Commission Minutes for September 3, 2024Approval of PayrollApplication for Emergency Management Performance Grant 2024E. Action ItemsNational Co-Responder Week ProclamationF. Informational ItemsCommissioner CommentsAnnouncementsG. Executive SessionNon-Elected PersonnelH. September 17th Agenda ItemsCommunity Corrections UpdateRFD #1 Bid AwardI. Adjournment

Saline County Board of Commissioners Sept. 10 Regular Meeting agenda

By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/kavahn-mansouri">KAVAHN MANSOURI</a> St. Louis Public Radio

For days, Amy Gholson tracked a shipment of baby turkeys she ordered from an Ohio hatchery. She kept tabs online as the birds began the more than 500-mile trip to her home near St. Charles, Missouri, via the U.S. Postal Service.

The 10 birds needed to arrive in two days to ensure they’d survive the trip. It was late March and temperatures were still low, making the speed of the delivery more crucial than usual. But the baby turkeys, or poults, hadn’t even left Ohio when progress halted.

“I was going to be able to watch these babies digitally, basically, and they went to the Cleveland distribution warehouse, and they stayed there and stayed there,” Gholson said.

Postal Service delays have become more persistent in the years following the pandemic and a new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/usps-mail-slowdown-postmaster-louis-dejoy/" target="_blank">10-year plan was put in place by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy</a>&nbsp;aimed at ending losses in the billions of dollars a year. Slowing delivery is integral to the plan.

For days, the poults Gholson ordered remained at the Cleveland warehouse. By the time the shipment arrived, three days overdue, she knew what to expect inside the package marked “live birds.”

“I had already assumed they were dead. Our beloved mail lady just set a box of dead birds outside of our garage,” Gholson said. “I got home. I mean, you know what the situation was. A silent box is a dead box.”

Gholson said that inside the package, the fledgling turkeys were as “stiff as rocks.”

This wasn’t the first time that Gholson and her family received a Postal Service shipment of dead or dying birds. Once, after a delivery arrived during a cold spell, they warmed towels in the microwave, bundling the chicks inside the heated towels in hopes of saving them. Only four of the 10 in that shipment survived, and the chicks now roam the Gholsons’ backyard farm.

The Gholsons are a 4-H family, having participating in agricultural programs for years. They have a tradition of showing animals at the St. Charles County Fair, where Evie, now 18, planned to show the turkeys in that doomed March delivery. In the 4-H community, families talk about receiving shipments with dead birds all the time, said&nbsp;Amy Gholson.

In 2020,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-20/thousands-of-baby-chicks-die-in-mail-in-latest-postal-imbroglio" target="_blank">more than 4,800 chicks died in a single Postal Service shipment to a Maine customer.</a>&nbsp;And the problem has persisted far past the height of the pandemic as concerns mounted about the future of the Postal Service and its performance since DeJoy’s plan kicked off in 2021.

The Midwest Newsroom interviewed four hatchery owners and four backyard farmers in different parts of the U.S. who all say they’ve seen a marked increase in deaths while baby birds are in transit with the Postal Service over the past year.

One hatchery owner described 2024 as “hell” for shipping birds and said customer complaints over shipments arriving with more dead birds than usual are on the rise.

It is hard to know just how many Postal Service shipments of birds arrive at their destinations too late for survival.

In response to a records request from the Midwest Newsroom, the Postal Service said that after a “diligent search,” it could not locate any documents referring to the total number of animals that die while in transit with the Postal Service. The response stated the agency does not compile or track that sort of information.

Delivering birds through the mail is a longstanding practice in the U.S., and hatchers who spoke to the Midwest Newsroom said it’s an effective way for hatcheries to make money, with customers ranging from large-scale operations to backyard farmers.

A hatchery can make anywhere from a few hundred dollars to more than $1,000 per shipment, depending on the breed and number of birds.

In an email to the Midwest Newsroom, communications specialist Mark Inglett said the Postal Service has worked for more than 100 years with hatcheries to “safely transport mail-order chicks seamlessly.”

“The U.S. Postal Service is one of just a few carriers that ship live animals, and we have established procedures for the safe handling of live animals,” the email read. “When properly packaged and labeled, these live parcels are given special handling outside of our normal automated process.”

The hatcheries and buyers interviewed by the Midwest Newsroom said that special handling hasn’t saved their animals.

The Postal Service declined a request for an interview.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725638081548.png" alt="Evie Gholson, 18, speaks about her Broad Breasted White turkey while showing the bird to judge Mark Cunningham on July 24 at the St. Charles County Fair in Wentzville. The turkey was a replacement bird after the one ordered died in transit while in the hands of the U.S. Postal Service. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Evie Gholson, 18, speaks about her Broad Breasted White turkey while showing the bird to judge Mark Cunningham on July 24 at the St. Charles County Fair in Wentzville. The turkey was a replacement bird after the one ordered died in transit while in the hands of the U.S. Postal Service. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/kavahn-mansouri">KAVAHN MANSOURI</a> St. Louis Public RadioFor days, Amy Gholson tracked a shipment of baby turkeys she ordered from an Ohio hatchery. She kept tabs online as the birds began the more than 500-mile trip to her home near St. Charles, Missouri, via the U.S. Postal Service.The 10 birds needed to arrive in two days to ensure they’d survive the trip. It was late March and temperatures were still low, making the speed of the delivery more crucial than usual. But the baby turkeys, or poults, hadn’t even left Ohio when progress halted.“I was going to be able to watch these babies digitally, basically, and they went to the Cleveland distribution warehouse, and they stayed there and stayed there,” Gholson said.Postal Service delays have become more persistent in the years following the pandemic and a new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/usps-mail-slowdown-postmaster-louis-dejoy/" target="_blank">10-year plan was put in place by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy</a>&nbsp;aimed at ending losses in the billions of dollars a year. Slowing delivery is integral to the plan.For days, the poults Gholson ordered remained at the Cleveland warehouse. By the time the shipment arrived, three days overdue, she knew what to expect inside the package marked “live birds.”“I had already assumed they were dead. Our beloved mail lady just set a box of dead birds outside of our garage,” Gholson said. “I got home. I mean, you know what the situation was. A silent box is a dead box.”Gholson said that inside the package, the fledgling turkeys were as “stiff as rocks.”This wasn’t the first time that Gholson and her family received a Postal Service shipment of dead or dying birds. Once, after a delivery arrived during a cold spell, they warmed towels in the microwave, bundling the chicks inside the heated towels in hopes of saving them. Only four of the 10 in that shipment survived, and the chicks now roam the Gholsons’ backyard farm.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725638174393.png" alt="A market chicken is displayed ahead of being judged in July at the St. Charles County Fair in Wentzville. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio" />
 <figcaption>A market chicken is displayed ahead of being judged in July at the St. Charles County Fair in Wentzville. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>'Hell' for bird shipments</h2>The Gholsons are a 4-H family, having participating in agricultural programs for years. They have a tradition of showing animals at the St. Charles County Fair, where Evie, now 18, planned to show the turkeys in that doomed March delivery. In the 4-H community, families talk about receiving shipments with dead birds all the time, said&nbsp;Amy Gholson.In 2020,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-20/thousands-of-baby-chicks-die-in-mail-in-latest-postal-imbroglio" target="_blank">more than 4,800 chicks died in a single Postal Service shipment to a Maine customer.</a>&nbsp;And the problem has persisted far past the height of the pandemic as concerns mounted about the future of the Postal Service and its performance since DeJoy’s plan kicked off in 2021.The Midwest Newsroom interviewed four hatchery owners and four backyard farmers in different parts of the U.S. who all say they’ve seen a marked increase in deaths while baby birds are in transit with the Postal Service over the past year.One hatchery owner described 2024 as “hell” for shipping birds and said customer complaints over shipments arriving with more dead birds than usual are on the rise.It is hard to know just how many Postal Service shipments of birds arrive at their destinations too late for survival.In response to a records request from the Midwest Newsroom, the Postal Service said that after a “diligent search,” it could not locate any documents referring to the total number of animals that die while in transit with the Postal Service. The response stated the agency does not compile or track that sort of information.Delivering birds through the mail is a longstanding practice in the U.S., and hatchers who spoke to the Midwest Newsroom said it’s an effective way for hatcheries to make money, with customers ranging from large-scale operations to backyard farmers.A hatchery can make anywhere from a few hundred dollars to more than $1,000 per shipment, depending on the breed and number of birds.In an email to the Midwest Newsroom, communications specialist Mark Inglett said the Postal Service has worked for more than 100 years with hatcheries to “safely transport mail-order chicks seamlessly.”“The U.S. Postal Service is one of just a few carriers that ship live animals, and we have established procedures for the safe handling of live animals,” the email read. “When properly packaged and labeled, these live parcels are given special handling outside of our normal automated process.”The hatcheries and buyers interviewed by the Midwest Newsroom said that special handling hasn’t saved their animals.The Postal Service declined a request for an interview.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725638240710.png" alt="Evie Gholson, 18, listens to instructions ahead of showing a series of birds in July at the St. Charles County Fair in Wentzville. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio" />
 <figcaption>Evie Gholson, 18, listens to instructions ahead of showing a series of birds in July at the St. Charles County Fair in Wentzville. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Left on a loading dock</h2>Kelly Warren owns and operates Cocktown Funky Orpingtons in Lillington, North Carolina. She breeds Orpington chickens, which are popular as show birds. The small business relies heavily on shipping birds.Warren estimates she’s lost at least a third of the birds she’s shipped this year to delays and other problems. A recent shipment saw her lose 80 chicks worth about $800. When birds die in transit, Warren has to refund her customers’ money.“One box last week arrived three days late,” Warren said. “The whole box was dead. All I could do was get my shipping costs back. I lost the rest of it out of pocket.”Warren said the Postal Service shipping delays greatly impact her business, which relies mainly on customers far from her rural North Carolina location.“Some breeders are lucky enough to have enough (local customers) to get by. I don't,” Warren said. “All of mine are everywhere: California, Maine, New York, Nevada, Wisconsin, Washington. You name it, I ship there. So it kind of kills me.”Not all bird deaths happen during transit, Warren said. One shipment arrived in time at a customer's local post office. But, she said, the customer reported the box of chicks had been left out on a loading dock during a thunderstorm. By the time the customer arrived to pick up the shipment, the chicks were dead.“The babies were drenched,” she said, while sharing photos with a Midwest Newsroom reporter. “They were dead. The box was soaked. There’s nothing you can do about it.”A statement from the Postal Service said its guidelines require delivery of poultry within 72 hours of hatching. All birds must be shipped using Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail services, which are designed to meet specific timing standards.Tracy Brown Kelly owns a small hatchery near Warren's called Satin and Silk Ranch. She said she’s completely stopped shipping her chicks because of Postal Service problems. Now she relies only on local buyers to sustain her hatchery.“We've been shipping for a very long time, and we rarely have any death or loss when we ship chicks,” she said. “But this year has been a nightmare, and it's not just me and Kelly; it's everybody.”Hatcheries that rely on shipping chicks, poults and other live baby birds to customers have no choice but to use the Postal Service. Neither FedEx or UPS offers the service. However, FedEx planes are used to transport live birds across the country when needed as part of an agreement between the Postal Service and FedEx.Blaze Baxter, who operates Bad Baxter Farms in Pottawatomie County, Okla., stopped ordering animals through the mail in 2017 after boxes full of ducks showed up at her farm looking like they were “used as pinatas.”Of the 200 birds in the box, only 20 survived the journey. She remembers her mail carrier crying as she delivered the package.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725638310582.png" alt="Evie Gholson, 18, holds her 3-year-old rooster Napoleon III ahead of showing the bird in July at the St. Charles County Fair in Wentzville. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio" />
 <figcaption>Evie Gholson, 18, holds her 3-year-old rooster Napoleon III ahead of showing the bird in July at the St. Charles County Fair in Wentzville. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio</figcaption>
 </figure>Baxter decided she and her family would hatch and raise their own chickens to avoid more birds dying while in Postal Service transit. But in early August, roughly eight years after the failed shipment, she took a chance, placing an order for 10 ducks from a hatchery in August. She said she’s still beating herself up about it.“I made the mistake and decided to try and trust the Postal Service one more time and completely regretted it,” Baxter said.On the second day of tracking her shipment, she saw the package had made its way to California and stalled. From there, she knew what she would find when her shipment arrived. Only two of the eight ducks survived the trip.“I told my post office lady last week that that would be the last time she’ll see me picking up birds from her,” she said.Baxter isn’t the only person raising ethical concerns about the shipment of baby birds. Animal safety advocacy group&nbsp;<a href="https://www.upc-online.org/" target="_blank">United Poultry Concerns</a>&nbsp;and other organizations have called for the end of the long-standing tradition, calling it a cruelty to the animals.In a 2020 post on its website, United Poultry Concerns said newborn chicks&nbsp;<a href="https://www.upc-online.org/pp/winter2020/urge_usps_to_stop_shipping_baby_chicks_and_other_animals.html" target="_blank">“quietly” die while in transit with the Postal Service.&nbsp;</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725638364261.png" alt="A young Broad Breasted White turkey sits in its cage in July at the St. Charles County Fair. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio" />
 <figcaption>A young Broad Breasted White turkey sits in its cage in July at the St. Charles County Fair. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio</figcaption>
 </figure>“Recent postal service changes have caused many thousands more baby chicks to suffer and die in transit,” a post by the group read. “Shipment of live birds and other animals through the Postal Service is one of the many hidden cruelties inflicted on chickens and other animals.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725638422462.png" alt="Evie Gholson, 18, adjusts her first-place ribbon after showing her Broad Breasted White turkey in July at the St. Charles County Fair in Wentzville. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio" />
 <figcaption>Evie Gholson, 18, adjusts her first-place ribbon after showing her Broad Breasted White turkey in July at the St. Charles County Fair in Wentzville. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘A huge problem’</h2>In July, the Postal Service inspector general’s office conducted an audit in the Kansas City region. The audit concluded that mail delays have been caused by a lack of management oversight and staffing shortages.The audit also found that employees were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article290342734.html" target="_blank">skipping important steps in the processing and transportation</a>&nbsp;of mail and that management allowed such practices to persist.According to Postal Regulatory Commission data, roughly 83% of first-class mail arrived on time in Kansas and Missouri in the first three months of 2024. That rate was the sixth worst of the 50 postal districts in the country.Further mail delays may be ahead for rural communities as a new Postal Service plan announced in late August aims to shave even more costs from its operations.<a href="https://about.usps.com/newsroom/usps-operational-improvements-08-21-2024.pdf" target="_blank">Part of that plan includes overhauling logistics,</a>&nbsp;a move DeJoy said could increase slowdowns in mail deliveries, especially in rural areas where delivery could take an additional 12 to 24 hours.It’s a decision that’s drawn the ire of customers and lawmakers.U.S. Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri said complaints about the mail are a top concern for his constituents in the northern third of the state, which is largely rural. He told the Midwest Newsroom that mail delays and delivery problems are among the most common complaints his office receives, especially from rural communities and farmers.“Other members of Congress all over the country are getting the same sort of complaint,” Graves said. ”It is something that the government should do, and should do well. And right now, it's not being done well at all.”Graves blamed management at all levels of the Postal Service, noting that local mail carriers are caught in a system that’s working against them.“It's just a huge management problem,” Graves said. “(Postal Service management) is not doing the job when it comes to doing what it is that they do, and that is getting the mail out to the post offices so it could be delivered on time.”Graves, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver and U.S. Rep. Mark Alford, also of Missouri,&nbsp;<a href="https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-cleaver-graves-alford-introduce-pony-act-hold-usps-accountable" target="_blank">introduced the Pony Up Act to Congress to offer consumers protection from mail delays</a>. If passed, the act would require the Postal Service to pay late fees incurred due to delayed delivery service.<h2>Blue-ribbon bird</h2>The Gholsons’ story didn’t end with a package of dead turkeys. The Ohio-based breeder they ordered from sent a new package that arrived on time and with all 10 birds alive and well.Evie Gholson can’t forget the dead turkeys that arrived in March.“It’s not fun,” she said. “You have to sort through the box and see which ones are stiff and which ones are floppy, essentially. There’s only so much you can do.”Evie Gholson showed one of the replacement turkeys at the St. Charles County Fair in July.“It makes me very happy,” she said of her nameless bird. “She’s not too big. She’s just the right age. She can walk around well and I can pick her up. It’s perfect.”The turkey earned a blue ribbon.Isa Luzarraga contributed to this report.This story comes from the Midwest Newsroom, an investigative journalism collaboration that includes&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iowapublicradio.org/" target="_blank">Iowa Public Radio</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/" target="_blank">KCUR</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/" target="_blank">Nebraska Public Media</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://news.stlpublicradio.org/" target="_blank">St. Louis Public Radio</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/" target="_blank">NPR</a>.