Showers and thunderstorms are possible each day this week with the best chances late Thursday into Friday morning.&nbsp; In addition, temperatures will gradually warm throughout the week with highs approaching 90 degrees Thursday through Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686853046621.jpeg" alt="NWS Wichita weather outlook through Saturday " />
 <figcaption>NWS Wichita weather outlook through Saturday </figcaption>
 </figure>NWS WichitaShowers and thunderstorms are possible each day this week with the best chances late Thursday into Friday morning.&nbsp; In addition, temperatures will gradually warm throughout the week with highs approaching 90 degrees Thursday through Saturday.

NWS Wichita weather outlook through Saturday

Salina Juneteenth Celebration Committee The Salina, Kansas Juneteenth Celebration Committee (SKJCC) would like to invite you to support the City of Salina's City-Wide Juneteenth Celebration. The Celebration takes place on Saturday, June 17, 2023. We are excited about this year's Celebration under the direction of a new chairperson, Ms. Margaret Dixon.

Event organizers have planned activities that include a Juneteenth parade, history, health assessments, giving away scholarships, fun and food.&nbsp; Food Vendors Keeping with honoring the culture, food options at the Salina Juneteenth Celebration include, KC Food Truck, BBQ, Street Tacos, Faith Cuisine, Mesquite and Texas Soul Food. June 17 schedule of events The celebration promises to be a full day of vibrant activities presenting opportunities for companies to market their products and services. Individuals and companies can receive two free Juneteenth Dance tickets for their contribution of $250 or&nbsp;more.

PROCLAMATION READING - 9:30 AM, CITY LIGHTS STAGE, 126 S. SANTA FE

Celebration at Oakdale Park will feature vendors, live music, poetry, games, activities for kids SKJCC

There will also be a dance at the Quality Inn, 2110 W. Crawford Street from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.&nbsp;

DJ Monroe will be providing music for the evening.

Contact Vi Moffett, &nbsp;785-787-0410, for more information about the dance.&nbsp;

One hundred percent of the donations will go to funding this year's celebration and scholarships for high school age youth. Donations can be mailed to: SKICC, 502 Berkshire Dr., Salina, KS&nbsp;67401

Donations can also be made via our website: <a href="https://salinajuneteenth.org/">https://salinajuneteenth.org/</a>

Greater&nbsp;Salina&nbsp;Community&nbsp;Foundation

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686851315364.jpeg" alt="Salina Juneteenth Poster" />
 <figcaption>Salina Juneteenth Poster</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Juneteenth Celebration Committee The Salina, Kansas Juneteenth Celebration Committee (SKJCC) would like to invite you to support the City of Salina's City-Wide Juneteenth Celebration. The Celebration takes place on Saturday, June 17, 2023. We are excited about this year's Celebration under the direction of a new chairperson, Ms. Margaret Dixon.Event organizers have planned activities that include a Juneteenth parade, history, health assessments, giving away scholarships, fun and food.&nbsp; Food Vendors Keeping with honoring the culture, food options at the Salina Juneteenth Celebration include, KC Food Truck, BBQ, Street Tacos, Faith Cuisine, Mesquite and Texas Soul Food. June 17 schedule of events The celebration promises to be a full day of vibrant activities presenting opportunities for companies to market their products and services. Individuals and companies can receive two free Juneteenth Dance tickets for their contribution of $250 or&nbsp;more. PROCLAMATION READING - 9:30 AM, CITY LIGHTS STAGE, 126 S. SANTA FEPARADE -10:00 AMCELEBRATION - 12:00 - 4:00 PM,Celebration at Oakdale Park will feature vendors, live music, poetry, games, activities for kids SKJCCThere will also be a dance at the Quality Inn, 2110 W. Crawford Street from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.&nbsp;DJ Monroe will be providing music for the evening.Dance Ticket Price$35/Couple$20 for single ticketContact Vi Moffett, &nbsp;785-787-0410, for more information about the dance.&nbsp;One hundred percent of the donations will go to funding this year's celebration and scholarships for high school age youth. Donations can be mailed to: SKICC, 502 Berkshire Dr., Salina, KS&nbsp;67401Donations can also be made via our website: <a href="https://salinajuneteenth.org/">https://salinajuneteenth.org/</a>EVENT SPONSORS:City of SalinaAccessible&nbsp;Home HealthGreater&nbsp;Salina&nbsp;Community&nbsp;Foundationadi SystemsMAHASKA

Juneteenth city-wide celebration planned for Saturday

It may feel a bit "gloomy" to pick off fading flowers from the yard’s plants.

But Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham said you’re actually setting plants up for success by pinching off spent flowers, a process called deadheading.

“Some plants will bloom more profusely if the old, spent flowers are removed,” Upham said.

“Annuals, especially, focus their energy on seed production to insure that the species survives. If you remove the old flowers, the energy normally used to produce seed is now available to produce more flowers.”

Normally, gardeners can deadhead flowers by simply pinching them off with a thumb and finger, but some tougher stems may require scissors or pruning shears.

Upham said some perennials also benefit from deadheading, which essentially extends the blooming season by encouraging an additional burst of flowers. But in the case of perennials, he said, “some gardeners actually enjoy the look of spent flowers, such as sedum or purple coneflower. And the seed produced can be a good food source for birds.”

Some of the plants that increase blooms in response to deadheading include:

● Hard geraniums ● Coreopsis ● Petunias ● Marigolds ● Snapdragons ● Begonias ● Roses ● Campanulas ● Blanket flowers ● Delphiniums ● Zinnias ● Sweet peas ● Salvia ● Scabiosa ● Annual heliotrope ● Geraniums&nbsp; ● Yarrow

Other plants that do not need to be deadheaded include sedum (Autumn Joy), melampodium, impatiens, most flowering vines, Lythrum, periwinkle (Catharanthus) and wishbone flower (Torenia).

Upham and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes. The newsletter is&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html">available to view online</a>&nbsp;or can be delivered by email each week.

Interested persons can also send their garden- and yard-related questions to Upham at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:wupham@ksu.edu">wupham@ksu.edu</a>, or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686775691606.jpeg" alt="Ward Upham Extension Associate Horticultural Rapid Response Center. Photo Courtesy K-State Research and Extension" />
 <figcaption>Ward Upham Extension Associate Horticultural Rapid Response Center. Photo Courtesy K-State Research and Extension</figcaption>
 </figure>K-State Research and ExtensionIt may feel a bit "gloomy" to pick off fading flowers from the yard’s plants.But Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham said you’re actually setting plants up for success by pinching off spent flowers, a process called deadheading.“Some plants will bloom more profusely if the old, spent flowers are removed,” Upham said.“Annuals, especially, focus their energy on seed production to insure that the species survives. If you remove the old flowers, the energy normally used to produce seed is now available to produce more flowers.”Normally, gardeners can deadhead flowers by simply pinching them off with a thumb and finger, but some tougher stems may require scissors or pruning shears.Upham said some perennials also benefit from deadheading, which essentially extends the blooming season by encouraging an additional burst of flowers. But in the case of perennials, he said, “some gardeners actually enjoy the look of spent flowers, such as sedum or purple coneflower. And the seed produced can be a good food source for birds.”Some of the plants that increase blooms in response to deadheading include:● Hard geraniums ● Coreopsis ● Petunias ● Marigolds ● Snapdragons ● Begonias ● Roses ● Campanulas ● Blanket flowers ● Delphiniums ● Zinnias ● Sweet peas ● Salvia ● Scabiosa ● Annual heliotrope ● Geraniums&nbsp; ● YarrowOther plants that do not need to be deadheaded include sedum (Autumn Joy), melampodium, impatiens, most flowering vines, Lythrum, periwinkle (Catharanthus) and wishbone flower (Torenia).Upham and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes. The newsletter is&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html">available to view online</a>&nbsp;or can be delivered by email each week.Interested persons can also send their garden- and yard-related questions to Upham at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:wupham@ksu.edu">wupham@ksu.edu</a>, or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.

K-State horticulture expert: Plants that benefit from a little pinching

Abilene Smoky Valley Railroad In 1993, two Abilene railfans, Joe Minick and Fred Schmidt, had an idea. The tracks of the bankrupt Rock Island Railroad that run through Dickinson County were about to be taken out by the Union Pacific, the monolithic railroad company that absorbed the assets of the Rock Island's successor, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad.&nbsp;

Determined to preserve the Rock Island's memory, Minick and Schmidt approached the U.P. about buying the Rock Island rails between Abilene and Woodbine. After raising $250,000 from a consortium of banks in Dickinson County, the men established the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad Association, a non-profit, all-volunteer railroad doubling as a transportation museum featuring antique railroad cars and engines.

This "museum on wheels" ran its first trains in 1994.

And the rest is history. In that time, A&amp;SV trains have hauled over 280,000 passengers from all points in Kansas, from every state in the Union and from several foreign countries.&nbsp;

“I don't know if anyone back in 1993 would have&nbsp;dared predict that this railroad would haul over&nbsp;280,000 passengers and serve as such a major&nbsp;Abilene tourist attraction," said A&amp;SV President and&nbsp;General Manager Ross Boelling.

"But every year, we grow in terms of passengers, and&nbsp;in terms of educational programs that we offer to the community. We do more than just offer train rides to&nbsp;people. We provide an experiential learning&nbsp;environment that makes us the most unique museum in Kansas."

This Saturday, the A&amp;SV wants to add you to the passenger count, as they host their special "Birthday Cookout." dinner train powered by the iconic Santa Fe steam locomotive.&nbsp;

The train leaves the depot at 6 p.m. Ride in air conditioned comfort and enjoy the Hitching Post Restaurant's menu of hamburgers, brats and hotdogs, potato salad, baked beans and more.

As part of the A&amp;SV birthday present to you, they are reducing the price of the cookout on the rails to $60/ adult and $40/child aged 3-11. Free drawing onboard for two people to win a free locomotive cab ride from Enterprise to Abilene.

A&amp;SV will also host a 2 p.m. train on Sunday. It is now an extended-run Father's Day/A&amp;SVRR Birthday Train. The train will depart the o1887 Rock Island Depot in Abilene,&nbsp;200 SE 5th St, Abilene for our trip to Enterprise at 2 p.m.

Next on the itinerary is a hamburger cookout for you and everyone else present at the Hoffman Grist Mill (Meal Cost is your donation). As  you dine, the “Fiddlers From Chapman” will serenade you with some great music At 4 p.m.

After the program, around 4:30 p.m., the program will head into the sunset to Abilene, arriving there around 5:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

The A&amp;SV is thriving at thirty and proud to be Kansas' only steam powered railroad and a partner in Abilene's "Five Star" museum district. The train leaves Abilene's historic Rock Island Depot at 6:00 p.m. Tickets: <a href="http://asvrr.org">asvrr.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686571051595.jpeg" alt="Santa Fe 3415 steam locomotive. Photo Courtesy A&amp;SV" />
 <figcaption>Santa Fe 3415 steam locomotive. Photo Courtesy A&amp;SV</figcaption>
 </figure>Abilene Smoky Valley Railroad In 1993, two Abilene railfans, Joe Minick and Fred Schmidt, had an idea. The tracks of the bankrupt Rock Island Railroad that run through Dickinson County were about to be taken out by the Union Pacific, the monolithic railroad company that absorbed the assets of the Rock Island's successor, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad.&nbsp; Determined to preserve the Rock Island's memory, Minick and Schmidt approached the U.P. about buying the Rock Island rails between Abilene and Woodbine. After raising $250,000 from a consortium of banks in Dickinson County, the men established the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad Association, a non-profit, all-volunteer railroad doubling as a transportation museum featuring antique railroad cars and engines.This "museum on wheels" ran its first trains in 1994.And the rest is history. In that time, A&amp;SV trains have hauled over 280,000 passengers from all points in Kansas, from every state in the Union and from several foreign countries.&nbsp; “I don't know if anyone back in 1993 would have&nbsp;dared predict that this railroad would haul over&nbsp;280,000 passengers and serve as such a major&nbsp;Abilene tourist attraction," said A&amp;SV President and&nbsp;General Manager Ross Boelling."But every year, we grow in terms of passengers, and&nbsp;in terms of educational programs that we offer to the community. We do more than just offer train rides to&nbsp;people. We provide an experiential learning&nbsp;environment that makes us the most unique museum in Kansas."This Saturday, the A&amp;SV wants to add you to the passenger count, as they host their special "Birthday Cookout." dinner train powered by the iconic Santa Fe steam locomotive.&nbsp;The train leaves the depot at 6 p.m. Ride in air conditioned comfort and enjoy the Hitching Post Restaurant's menu of hamburgers, brats and hotdogs, potato salad, baked beans and more.As part of the A&amp;SV birthday present to you, they are reducing the price of the cookout on the rails to $60/ adult and $40/child aged 3-11. Free drawing onboard for two people to win a free locomotive cab ride from Enterprise to Abilene.<h2>Sunday, Father's Day on the train</h2>A&amp;SV will also host a 2 p.m. train on Sunday. It is now an extended-run Father's Day/A&amp;SVRR Birthday Train. The train will depart the o1887 Rock Island Depot in Abilene,&nbsp;200 SE 5th St, Abilene for our trip to Enterprise at 2 p.m.Next on the itinerary is a hamburger cookout for you and everyone else present at the Hoffman Grist Mill (Meal Cost is your donation). As you dine, the “Fiddlers From Chapman” will serenade you with some great music At 4 p.m.After the program, around 4:30 p.m., the program will head into the sunset to Abilene, arriving there around 5:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.The A&amp;SV is thriving at thirty and proud to be Kansas' only steam powered railroad and a partner in Abilene's "Five Star" museum district. The train leaves Abilene's historic Rock Island Depot at 6:00 p.m. Tickets: <a href="http://asvrr.org">asvrr.org</a>.

Abilene Smoky Valley Railroad celebrates 30 years

BY NATE KING Salina Post

One of the fastest growing sports in the country, pickleball, is officially coming to Salina Parks and Recreation. 

At their meeting Monday, City commissioners approved an entirely privately funded $444,762 project to place permanent pickleball court overlays at Oakdale park.&nbsp;

According to USA Pickleball,&nbsp; pickleball can be played as a singles or doubles game and it is easy to quickly learn the basic rules of the sport. No special apparel or equipment is needed, except for a ball, net, racket and place to play.&nbsp;

Jeff Hammond, Salina Parks and Recreation director, spoke during the meeting about the national rise in pickleball popularity.&nbsp;

" 2023 marks the 58th anniversary of pickleball which was invented in the United States in 1965. Approximately 130 new locations are appearing each month to play pickleball," Hammond said. "Pickleball grew in 2021 to 4.8 million players."&nbsp;

Pickleball is not new to Salina. Salina Parks and Recreation Director, Jeff Hammond said temporary courts have been put up at Oakdale Park.&nbsp;

"The South courts are currently being used by the Salina Pickleball group and outlines are painted onto the courts, creating four pickleball areas and additional nets," Hammond said.

Seeking a more permanent way to play this beloved sport, a group of donors approached Salina Parks and Recreation with the proposal of fully funding the pickleball court project at Oakdale Park.

Hammond said city staff worked to obtain quotes for overlaying the new courts on the existing south tennis court slab. He also noted that the north courts will be demolished.

"The north tennis courts have been identified for demolition, which would allow for the future use of the Smoky Hill River Festival."&nbsp;

Hammond added that the project would include new pickleball posts, nets, court fencing and perimeter fencing.

Commissioner Karl Ryan said he is excited to see this addition to Oakdale Park.&nbsp;

"It is a great sport, I play it and it is growing fast," Ryan said. " I think there will be plenty of people to appreciate this facility."&nbsp;

Mayor Mike Hoppock said since being elected to the commission six years ago, the most frequently asked question he gets is, "When are we going to get pickleball?"

"When I look at the parks master plan and it [pickleball courts] were that low on the list because six years to be out of the commission, I think it's the most asked question I get."&nbsp;

The commissioners voted 4-0 in favor of awarding the bid and they expressed their thanks for both the public's support in this sport and the group of anonymous donors for their generous donation.&nbsp;

Hammond said the new pickleball courts will be ready by the end of the year.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686758001282.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY NATE KING Salina PostOne of the fastest growing sports in the country, pickleball, is officially coming to Salina Parks and Recreation. At their meeting Monday, City commissioners approved an entirely privately funded $444,762 project to place permanent pickleball court overlays at Oakdale park.&nbsp;According to USA Pickleball,&nbsp; pickleball can be played as a singles or doubles game and it is easy to quickly learn the basic rules of the sport. No special apparel or equipment is needed, except for a ball, net, racket and place to play.&nbsp;Jeff Hammond, Salina Parks and Recreation director, spoke during the meeting about the national rise in pickleball popularity.&nbsp;" 2023 marks the 58th anniversary of pickleball which was invented in the United States in 1965. Approximately 130 new locations are appearing each month to play pickleball," Hammond said. "Pickleball grew in 2021 to 4.8 million players."&nbsp;Pickleball is not new to Salina. Salina Parks and Recreation Director, Jeff Hammond said temporary courts have been put up at Oakdale Park.&nbsp;"The South courts are currently being used by the Salina Pickleball group and outlines are painted onto the courts, creating four pickleball areas and additional nets," Hammond said.Seeking a more permanent way to play this beloved sport, a group of donors approached Salina Parks and Recreation with the proposal of fully funding the pickleball court project at Oakdale Park.Hammond said city staff worked to obtain quotes for overlaying the new courts on the existing south tennis court slab. He also noted that the north courts will be demolished."The north tennis courts have been identified for demolition, which would allow for the future use of the Smoky Hill River Festival."&nbsp;Hammond added that the project would include new pickleball posts, nets, court fencing and perimeter fencing.Commissioner Karl Ryan said he is excited to see this addition to Oakdale Park.&nbsp;"It is a great sport, I play it and it is growing fast," Ryan said. " I think there will be plenty of people to appreciate this facility."&nbsp;Mayor Mike Hoppock said since being elected to the commission six years ago, the most frequently asked question he gets is, "When are we going to get pickleball?""When I look at the parks master plan and it [pickleball courts] were that low on the list because six years to be out of the commission, I think it's the most asked question I get."&nbsp;The commissioners voted 4-0 in favor of awarding the bid and they expressed their thanks for both the public's support in this sport and the group of anonymous donors for their generous donation.&nbsp;Hammond said the new pickleball courts will be ready by the end of the year.&nbsp;

Salina City Commission approves permanent pickleball courts

In 1996, Ella Fitzgerald, the “first lady of song,” died in Beverly Hills, California, at age 79.

On June 15, 1775, the Second Continental Congress voted unanimously to appoint George Washington head of the Continental Army.In 1215, England’s King John put his seal to Magna Carta (“the Great Charter”) at Runnymede.

In 1864, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton signed an order establishing a military burial ground which became Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.&nbsp;

In 1904, more than 1,000 people died when fire erupted aboard the steamboat General Slocum in New York’s East River.&nbsp;

In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an act making the National Guard part of the U.S. Army in the event of war or national emergency.&nbsp;

In 1938, Johnny Vander Meer pitched his second consecutive no-hitter, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-0 victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers in the first night game at Ebbets Field, four days after leaving the Boston Bees hitless by a score of 3-0.

In 1944, American forces began their successful invasion of Saipan (sy-PAN’) during World War II. B-29 Superfortresses carried out their first raids on Japan.&nbsp;

In 1960, the Billy Wilder movie “The Apartment,” starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine, premiered in New York.

In 1985, the Shiite Muslim hijackers of a TWA Boeing 727 beat and shot one of their hostages, U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem (STEE’-them), 23, throwing him out of the plane to die on the tarmac at Beirut airport.&nbsp;

In 1991, Mount Pinatubo in the northern Philippines exploded in one of the biggest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century, killing about 800 people.

In 2002, an asteroid with a diameter of between 50 and 120 yards narrowly missed the Earth by 75,000 miles — less than a third of the distance to the moon.

In 2012, President Barack Obama eased enforcement of immigration laws as he announced a new policy, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. An armored car heist at the University of Alberta in Canada left three armed guards dead; fellow guard Travis Baumgartner later pleaded guilty to murder charges and was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 40 years.&nbsp;

In 2018,&nbsp;Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was jailed to await two criminal trials; a federal judge revoked his house arrest over allegations of witness tampering in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. (Manafort would be sentenced to more than seven years in prison on federal charges.) President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on up to $50 billion in Chinese imports, to take effect July 6. Rene Boucher, a neighbor of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, was sentenced to 30 days in prison for tackling Paul while he was out doing yard work at his Kentucky home.

In 2020, the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, ruled that a landmark civil rights law protects gay, lesbian and transgender people from discrimination in employment. U.S. regulators revoked emergency authorization for malaria drugs promoted by President Donald Trump for treating COVID-19 amid evidence that they didn’t work and could cause serious side effects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said death rates for coronavirus patients with chronic illnesses were 12 times higher than for others who became infected.

In 2022, the Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate by three-quarters of a point — its largest hike in nearly three decades in an effort to curb inflation. The U.S. said it would send an additional $1 billion in military aid to Ukraine, as America and its allies worked to provide longer-range weapons they said could make a difference in a fight where Ukrainian forces were outnumbered and outgunned by Russian invaders. John Hinckley Jr., who shot and wounded President Ronald Reagan in 1981, was freed from court oversight, officially concluding decades of supervision by legal and mental health professionals.

Singer Ruby Nash Garnett of Ruby and the Romantics is 89. Guitarist Leo Nocentelli of The Meters is 77. Actor Simon Callow (“Amadeus,” ″Shakespeare in Love”) is 74. Singer Russell Hitchcock of Air Supply is 74. Singer Steve Walsh (Kansas) is 72. Country singer Terri Gibbs is 69. Actor Jim Belushi is 69. Actor Julie Hagerty (“Airplane”) is 68. Actor Polly Draper (“thirtysomething”) is 68. Guitarist Brad Gillis of Night Ranger is 66. Actor Eileen Davidson (“The Young and the Restless,” “Days of Our Lives”) is 64. Drummer Scott Rockenfield of Queensryche is 60 Actor Helen Hunt is 60. Guitarist Tony Ardoin of River Road is 59. Actor Courteney Cox (“Friends”) is 59. Guitarist Michael Britt of Lonestar is 57. Drummer Rob Mitchell of Sixpence None The Richer is 57. Rapper-actor Ice Cube is 54. Actor Leah Remini (“King of Queens”) is 53. Actor Jake Busey (“Starship Troopers”) is 52. Trombone player T-Bone Willy of Save Ferris is 51. Actor Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother,” ″Doogie Howser, M.D.”) is 50. Actor Greg Vaughan (“Days of Our Lives,” “General Hospital”) is 50. Actor Elizabeth Reaser (“Twilight”) is 48. Singer Dryden Mitchell of Alien Ant Farm is 47. Former child actor Christopher Castile (“Step By Step,” ″Beethoven” films) is 43. Guitarist Billy Martin of Good Charlotte is 42. Actor Jordi Vilasuso (“The Young and the Restless”) is 42. Guitarist Wayne Sermon of Imagine Dragons is 39. Actor Denzel Whitaker is 33. Actor Sterling Jerins (“The Conjuring” films) is 19.

<h2>Today’s Highlight in History: </h2>In 1996, Ella Fitzgerald, the “first lady of song,” died in Beverly Hills, California, at age 79.<h2>On this date: </h2>On June 15, 1775, the Second Continental Congress voted unanimously to appoint George Washington head of the Continental Army.In 1215, England’s King John put his seal to Magna Carta (“the Great Charter”) at Runnymede. In 1864, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton signed an order establishing a military burial ground which became Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.&nbsp;In 1904, more than 1,000 people died when fire erupted aboard the steamboat General Slocum in New York’s East River.&nbsp;In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an act making the National Guard part of the U.S. Army in the event of war or national emergency.&nbsp;In 1938, Johnny Vander Meer pitched his second consecutive no-hitter, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-0 victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers in the first night game at Ebbets Field, four days after leaving the Boston Bees hitless by a score of 3-0.In 1944, American forces began their successful invasion of Saipan (sy-PAN’) during World War II. B-29 Superfortresses carried out their first raids on Japan.&nbsp;In 1960, the Billy Wilder movie “The Apartment,” starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine, premiered in New York.In 1985, the Shiite Muslim hijackers of a TWA Boeing 727 beat and shot one of their hostages, U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem (STEE’-them), 23, throwing him out of the plane to die on the tarmac at Beirut airport.&nbsp;In 1991, Mount Pinatubo in the northern Philippines exploded in one of the biggest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century, killing about 800 people.In 2002, an asteroid with a diameter of between 50 and 120 yards narrowly missed the Earth by 75,000 miles — less than a third of the distance to the moon.In 2012, President Barack Obama eased enforcement of immigration laws as he announced a new policy, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. An armored car heist at the University of Alberta in Canada left three armed guards dead; fellow guard Travis Baumgartner later pleaded guilty to murder charges and was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 40 years.&nbsp;In 2018,&nbsp;Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was jailed to await two criminal trials; a federal judge revoked his house arrest over allegations of witness tampering in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. (Manafort would be sentenced to more than seven years in prison on federal charges.) President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on up to $50 billion in Chinese imports, to take effect July 6. Rene Boucher, a neighbor of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, was sentenced to 30 days in prison for tackling Paul while he was out doing yard work at his Kentucky home.In 2020, the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, ruled that a landmark civil rights law protects gay, lesbian and transgender people from discrimination in employment. U.S. regulators revoked emergency authorization for malaria drugs promoted by President Donald Trump for treating COVID-19 amid evidence that they didn’t work and could cause serious side effects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said death rates for coronavirus patients with chronic illnesses were 12 times higher than for others who became infected.In 2022, the Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate by three-quarters of a point — its largest hike in nearly three decades in an effort to curb inflation. The U.S. said it would send an additional $1 billion in military aid to Ukraine, as America and its allies worked to provide longer-range weapons they said could make a difference in a fight where Ukrainian forces were outnumbered and outgunned by Russian invaders. John Hinckley Jr., who shot and wounded President Ronald Reagan in 1981, was freed from court oversight, officially concluding decades of supervision by legal and mental health professionals.<h2>Famous Birthdays</h2>Singer Ruby Nash Garnett of Ruby and the Romantics is 89. Guitarist Leo Nocentelli of The Meters is 77. Actor Simon Callow (“Amadeus,” ″Shakespeare in Love”) is 74. Singer Russell Hitchcock of Air Supply is 74. Singer Steve Walsh (Kansas) is 72. Country singer Terri Gibbs is 69. Actor Jim Belushi is 69. Actor Julie Hagerty (“Airplane”) is 68. Actor Polly Draper (“thirtysomething”) is 68. Guitarist Brad Gillis of Night Ranger is 66. Actor Eileen Davidson (“The Young and the Restless,” “Days of Our Lives”) is 64. Drummer Scott Rockenfield of Queensryche is 60 Actor Helen Hunt is 60. Guitarist Tony Ardoin of River Road is 59. Actor Courteney Cox (“Friends”) is 59. Guitarist Michael Britt of Lonestar is 57. Drummer Rob Mitchell of Sixpence None The Richer is 57. Rapper-actor Ice Cube is 54. Actor Leah Remini (“King of Queens”) is 53. Actor Jake Busey (“Starship Troopers”) is 52. Trombone player T-Bone Willy of Save Ferris is 51. Actor Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother,” ″Doogie Howser, M.D.”) is 50. Actor Greg Vaughan (“Days of Our Lives,” “General Hospital”) is 50. Actor Elizabeth Reaser (“Twilight”) is 48. Singer Dryden Mitchell of Alien Ant Farm is 47. Former child actor Christopher Castile (“Step By Step,” ″Beethoven” films) is 43. Guitarist Billy Martin of Good Charlotte is 42. Actor Jordi Vilasuso (“The Young and the Restless”) is 42. Guitarist Wayne Sermon of Imagine Dragons is 39. Actor Denzel Whitaker is 33. Actor Sterling Jerins (“The Conjuring” films) is 19.

Today in history, June 15

BY SALINA POST Award-winning duo Maddie &amp; Tae are scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 5 in the Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.&nbsp;

Tickets start at $28and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Buy in person at the Stiefel Theatre Box Office or online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org/">www.stiefeltheatre.org</a>. The box office phone number is 785-827-1998.

About the artist Maddie &amp; Tae channel their unbreakable bond, honest songwriting and “some of the tightest harmonies on Music Row” (Rolling Stone) into their new collection of songs&nbsp;Through The Madness Vol. 2,out now.&nbsp; Together as longtime friends and music collaborators, Maddie Font and Taylor Kerr co-wrote each of the project’s tracks, as well as all 8 songs on&nbsp;Through The Madness Vol.&nbsp;1.&nbsp; The pair drew praise for their Gold-certified&nbsp;The Way It Feels&nbsp;album, including the Double Platinum-certified No. 1 hit, “Die From A Broken Heart.” With “Die From A Broken Heart” topping the country airplay charts, Maddie &amp; Tae became the first and only female twosome with multiple No. 1s.&nbsp;

Maddie &amp; Tae first broke out in 2013 with their brilliant counter to bro-country, the Platinum-selling smash, “Girl In A Country Song,” which took Country radio by storm, skyrocketing to the top of the charts and establishing them as only the third female duo in 70 years to top the Country Airplay charts. They recently took home Group/Duo Video of the Year (“Woman You Got”) at the CMT Music Awards and are nominated an eighth time for Vocal Duo of the Year at the 56th&nbsp;CMA Awards. They have earned trophies from the Radio Disney Music Awards and CMA Awards, along with multiple ACM, Billboard and CMT Award nominations.&nbsp; Maddie &amp; Tae have received widespread praise from&nbsp;Associated Press,&nbsp;Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, The Tennessean, The Washington Post, Glamour&nbsp;and others. The celebrated duo has toured with country music’s hottest stars including Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, and Brad Paisley. They recently headlined the&nbsp;CMT Next Women of Country Tour Presents: All Song No Static Tour&nbsp;in 2022,hitting major markets coast-to-coast.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686787422401.jpeg" alt="Maddie and Tae " />
 <figcaption>Maddie and Tae </figcaption>
 </figure>BY SALINA POST Award-winning duo Maddie &amp; Tae are scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 5 in the Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.&nbsp; Tickets start at $28and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Buy in person at the Stiefel Theatre Box Office or online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org/">www.stiefeltheatre.org</a>. The box office phone number is 785-827-1998. About the artist Maddie &amp; Tae channel their unbreakable bond, honest songwriting and “some of the tightest harmonies on Music Row” (Rolling Stone) into their new collection of songs&nbsp;Through The Madness Vol. 2,out now.&nbsp; Together as longtime friends and music collaborators, Maddie Font and Taylor Kerr co-wrote each of the project’s tracks, as well as all 8 songs on&nbsp;Through The Madness Vol.&nbsp;1.&nbsp; The pair drew praise for their Gold-certified&nbsp;The Way It Feels&nbsp;album, including the Double Platinum-certified No. 1 hit, “Die From A Broken Heart.” With “Die From A Broken Heart” topping the country airplay charts, Maddie &amp; Tae became the first and only female twosome with multiple No. 1s.&nbsp;Maddie &amp; Tae first broke out in 2013 with their brilliant counter to bro-country, the Platinum-selling smash, “Girl In A Country Song,” which took Country radio by storm, skyrocketing to the top of the charts and establishing them as only the third female duo in 70 years to top the Country Airplay charts. They recently took home Group/Duo Video of the Year (“Woman You Got”) at the CMT Music Awards and are nominated an eighth time for Vocal Duo of the Year at the 56th&nbsp;CMA Awards. They have earned trophies from the Radio Disney Music Awards and CMA Awards, along with multiple ACM, Billboard and CMT Award nominations.&nbsp; Maddie &amp; Tae have received widespread praise from&nbsp;Associated Press,&nbsp;Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, The Tennessean, The Washington Post, Glamour&nbsp;and others. The celebrated duo has toured with country music’s hottest stars including Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, and Brad Paisley. They recently headlined the&nbsp;CMT Next Women of Country Tour Presents: All Song No Static Tour&nbsp;in 2022,hitting major markets coast-to-coast.

Maddie & Tae set to perform at Stiefel Theatre in August

Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers

This is Day One of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

Wheat harvest in Kansas started off slow, with some farmers test cutting in south central Kansas as early as June 7. The outlook of rain in the forecast really got combines rolling on June 13, but storms moved through the area again Tuesday evening and sent farmers out of the fields. Rainfall amounts ranged from .70 of an inch in Hutchinson to over 2 inches in Newton.

Martin Kerschen, a Garden Plain area wheat farmer, reported that he received an inch of rain Wednesday morning, but he has no complaints. He has harvested about 15,000 bushels so far, and yields are ranging from 30 to 45 bushels per acre on&nbsp;continuous wheat&nbsp;fields.

“We’ve received only 6 inches of rain on this wheat, with 3.5 inches coming in the last month and salvaging a dismal crop,” Kerschen said, crediting excellent genetics for its drought tolerance. Before the rain, he started harvesting a double crop field of wheat after corn, and it was averaging only about 15 bushels per acre.

Corey Meal of MKC’s Castleton location reported that they took in their first load on June 9. While it’s very early in harvest, so far test weights are averaging 61 pounds and protein 11.5%. Moisture is still high, with Tuesday’s wheat at 14-15% moisture.&nbsp;

Meal expects the location will see fewer bushels this year, only 60 to 75% of last year. While a few fields in the area have been baled for straw, the lower bushels are primarily due to lower yields this year caused by the ongoing drought. He said he’s seen fields in the area with some weed pressure coming in.

Chris Stevens of Farmers Coop Grain Assn in Conway Springs reported they took in their first load on June 7, but they’re only 5-8% complete so far.&nbsp;

“Harvest just can’t get going,” he said, reporting that they’ve received hit and miss showers over the last week. Stevens expects to take in only half of the bushels they normally receive, saying yields in the area aren’t good and will probably average about half of last year’s yields.&nbsp;

One potential bright spot is that the test weights are decent, above 60 pounds per bushel so far, and he thought yields may end up being a bit better than farmers expected before they received some early summer rains.

He says harvest will wrap up in about 14 days once it gets started. Forecasts for next week are calling for hot and dry weather, but they called for that this week and it ended up raining several days. Stevens said weeds are coming into the fields.

For farmers who are seeing weed pressure, there are a few options available. Farmers should contact their local extension office or agronomist for herbicide choices. In addition, Sarah Lancaster, KSU Weed Management Specialist, authored an article on pre-harvest weed control in wheat. It’s available here. at&nbsp;<a href="https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu/article_new/pre-harvest-weed-control-in-wheat-496">https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu/article_new/pre-harvest-weed-control-in-wheat-496</a>.

The 2023 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on Twitter, use #wheatharvest23. Tag us at @kansaswheat on&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QBxy_tdgfYe_OBTn08R4-s3PM_i9kJaPFJUqUYydInkC7-qoNIj8z_0mtm2nbGxGif9OP1SnlnJqdp-U26Y1APIVM21qOhyJiDgQb8j4oYYYmFJZyuRgzoNCH-vxW59Yv1oAzUa-qX6us9RHhMt44x0I_N_OXzOT&amp;c=fSXa_XycXTMWpdeHLqsBdoYE_Bxx7F6poubIb1b950kdagaJTA10Nw==&amp;ch=VNCIM7KRp8b-_Ui9XUgZKJIZtNJf3C6rJmI-gaNgxuuN4oVah7hN5w==" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QBxy_tdgfYe_OBTn08R4-s3PM_i9kJaPFJUqUYydInkC7-qoNIj8zyx-wiwsUYH7eI4IbFjcOMALP_j5N6P-tQdAtfPa1vlrQHiuOqgcz7PPv2V8v8M_BZ9ed_ZMV5sKghfPhGqyAvAJ_y88stMsiFk6sEnMHGpf&amp;c=fSXa_XycXTMWpdeHLqsBdoYE_Bxx7F6poubIb1b950kdagaJTA10Nw==&amp;ch=VNCIM7KRp8b-_Ui9XUgZKJIZtNJf3C6rJmI-gaNgxuuN4oVah7hN5w==" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QBxy_tdgfYe_OBTn08R4-s3PM_i9kJaPFJUqUYydInkC7-qoNIj8z53dHvnyS5sH3bjl9KH8AmS2mFwvg_rGaOSSAiNiu18HkwV51cnXSSi9vkrC0LHF8kMAw9i5LSxymQJ_mJV52F9peDtHaP0p2n95w9aoBxWL&amp;c=fSXa_XycXTMWpdeHLqsBdoYE_Bxx7F6poubIb1b950kdagaJTA10Nw==&amp;ch=VNCIM7KRp8b-_Ui9XUgZKJIZtNJf3C6rJmI-gaNgxuuN4oVah7hN5w==" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat GrowersThis is Day One of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.Wheat harvest in Kansas started off slow, with some farmers test cutting in south central Kansas as early as June 7. The outlook of rain in the forecast really got combines rolling on June 13, but storms moved through the area again Tuesday evening and sent farmers out of the fields. Rainfall amounts ranged from .70 of an inch in Hutchinson to over 2 inches in Newton.Martin Kerschen, a Garden Plain area wheat farmer, reported that he received an inch of rain Wednesday morning, but he has no complaints. He has harvested about 15,000 bushels so far, and yields are ranging from 30 to 45 bushels per acre on&nbsp;continuous wheat&nbsp;fields.“We’ve received only 6 inches of rain on this wheat, with 3.5 inches coming in the last month and salvaging a dismal crop,” Kerschen said, crediting excellent genetics for its drought tolerance. Before the rain, he started harvesting a double crop field of wheat after corn, and it was averaging only about 15 bushels per acre.Corey Meal of MKC’s Castleton location reported that they took in their first load on June 9. While it’s very early in harvest, so far test weights are averaging 61 pounds and protein 11.5%. Moisture is still high, with Tuesday’s wheat at 14-15% moisture.&nbsp;Meal expects the location will see fewer bushels this year, only 60 to 75% of last year. While a few fields in the area have been baled for straw, the lower bushels are primarily due to lower yields this year caused by the ongoing drought. He said he’s seen fields in the area with some weed pressure coming in.Chris Stevens of Farmers Coop Grain Assn in Conway Springs reported they took in their first load on June 7, but they’re only 5-8% complete so far.&nbsp;“Harvest just can’t get going,” he said, reporting that they’ve received hit and miss showers over the last week. Stevens expects to take in only half of the bushels they normally receive, saying yields in the area aren’t good and will probably average about half of last year’s yields.&nbsp;One potential bright spot is that the test weights are decent, above 60 pounds per bushel so far, and he thought yields may end up being a bit better than farmers expected before they received some early summer rains.He says harvest will wrap up in about 14 days once it gets started. Forecasts for next week are calling for hot and dry weather, but they called for that this week and it ended up raining several days. Stevens said weeds are coming into the fields.For farmers who are seeing weed pressure, there are a few options available. Farmers should contact their local extension office or agronomist for herbicide choices. In addition, Sarah Lancaster, KSU Weed Management Specialist, authored an article on pre-harvest weed control in wheat. It’s available here. at&nbsp;<a href="https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu/article_new/pre-harvest-weed-control-in-wheat-496">https://eupdate.agronomy.ksu.edu/article_new/pre-harvest-weed-control-in-wheat-496</a>.The 2023 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates on Twitter, use #wheatharvest23. Tag us at @kansaswheat on&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QBxy_tdgfYe_OBTn08R4-s3PM_i9kJaPFJUqUYydInkC7-qoNIj8z_0mtm2nbGxGif9OP1SnlnJqdp-U26Y1APIVM21qOhyJiDgQb8j4oYYYmFJZyuRgzoNCH-vxW59Yv1oAzUa-qX6us9RHhMt44x0I_N_OXzOT&amp;c=fSXa_XycXTMWpdeHLqsBdoYE_Bxx7F6poubIb1b950kdagaJTA10Nw==&amp;ch=VNCIM7KRp8b-_Ui9XUgZKJIZtNJf3C6rJmI-gaNgxuuN4oVah7hN5w==" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QBxy_tdgfYe_OBTn08R4-s3PM_i9kJaPFJUqUYydInkC7-qoNIj8zyx-wiwsUYH7eI4IbFjcOMALP_j5N6P-tQdAtfPa1vlrQHiuOqgcz7PPv2V8v8M_BZ9ed_ZMV5sKghfPhGqyAvAJ_y88stMsiFk6sEnMHGpf&amp;c=fSXa_XycXTMWpdeHLqsBdoYE_Bxx7F6poubIb1b950kdagaJTA10Nw==&amp;ch=VNCIM7KRp8b-_Ui9XUgZKJIZtNJf3C6rJmI-gaNgxuuN4oVah7hN5w==" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QBxy_tdgfYe_OBTn08R4-s3PM_i9kJaPFJUqUYydInkC7-qoNIj8z53dHvnyS5sH3bjl9KH8AmS2mFwvg_rGaOSSAiNiu18HkwV51cnXSSi9vkrC0LHF8kMAw9i5LSxymQJ_mJV52F9peDtHaP0p2n95w9aoBxWL&amp;c=fSXa_XycXTMWpdeHLqsBdoYE_Bxx7F6poubIb1b950kdagaJTA10Nw==&amp;ch=VNCIM7KRp8b-_Ui9XUgZKJIZtNJf3C6rJmI-gaNgxuuN4oVah7hN5w==" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

Day One, Kansas Wheat Harvest Report

TOPEKA, Kan. – The 2024 Class 1A DI State Basketball Championships are headed to the Colby Event Center March&nbsp; 6-9, 2024, while class 2A will compete at the United Wireless Arena in Dodge City. The KSHSAA maintains a very strong relationship with Visit Manhattan and Kansas State University however this year’s KSHSAA State Basketball Championships conflict with the final week of the Big 12 Conference regular season. Kansas State expressed desire to host a home game for one or both of their basketball teams should that opportunity arise. Accordingly, it was necessary for the KSHSAA to consider alternative locations to conduct the seven basketball tournaments. “After conversations with many around the state, the Colby Event Center is the best facility to host a state basketball tournament in 2024 as we work through the 2024 season with Bramlage Coliseum not being an option,” said Kyle Doperalski, KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director. “The City of Colby along with its events center staff will do a marvelous job hosting a state tournament for our athletes, coaches and fans to enjoy. The facility has been in operation for two years and boasts a lot of features and amenities our teams and fans will appreciate and will make a perfect fit for Class 1A-DI’s state tournament. Dodge City will continue it’s tradition of top notch event management providing Class 2A a championship level experience in United Wireless Arena.” <a href="https://www.cityofcolby.com/299/Colby-Event-Center">The Colby Event Center in Colby, KS&nbsp;</a>was opened in 2021 and plays host to Colby Community College and the Orange and Black basketball tournament along with many other events year-round. This will be the first KSHSAA State Basketball Championship held in Colby. United Wireless Arena has hosted many state events since 2015 including hosting 1A DI State Basketball Championship last year as well as the 2A and 1A DI State Volleyball Championships the last four years. 2024 State Basketball Locations: 6A - Wichita - Koch Arena 5A - Emporia - White Auditorium 4A - Salina - Tony’s Pizza Events Center 3A - Hutchinson - Hutchinson Sports Arena 2A - Dodge City - United Wireless Arena 1A DI - Colby - Colby Events Center 1A DII - Great Bend - Barton Community College&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592866481388.jpeg" alt="Tony's Pizza Events Center will host the 4A 2024 State Basketball Contest. Salina Post Photo" />
 <figcaption>Tony's Pizza Events Center will host the 4A 2024 State Basketball Contest. Salina Post Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. – The 2024 Class 1A DI State Basketball Championships are headed to the Colby Event Center March&nbsp; 6-9, 2024, while class 2A will compete at the United Wireless Arena in Dodge City. The KSHSAA maintains a very strong relationship with Visit Manhattan and Kansas State University however this year’s KSHSAA State Basketball Championships conflict with the final week of the Big 12 Conference regular season. Kansas State expressed desire to host a home game for one or both of their basketball teams should that opportunity arise. Accordingly, it was necessary for the KSHSAA to consider alternative locations to conduct the seven basketball tournaments. “After conversations with many around the state, the Colby Event Center is the best facility to host a state basketball tournament in 2024 as we work through the 2024 season with Bramlage Coliseum not being an option,” said Kyle Doperalski, KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director. “The City of Colby along with its events center staff will do a marvelous job hosting a state tournament for our athletes, coaches and fans to enjoy. The facility has been in operation for two years and boasts a lot of features and amenities our teams and fans will appreciate and will make a perfect fit for Class 1A-DI’s state tournament. Dodge City will continue it’s tradition of top notch event management providing Class 2A a championship level experience in United Wireless Arena.” <a href="https://www.cityofcolby.com/299/Colby-Event-Center">The Colby Event Center in Colby, KS&nbsp;</a>was opened in 2021 and plays host to Colby Community College and the Orange and Black basketball tournament along with many other events year-round. This will be the first KSHSAA State Basketball Championship held in Colby. United Wireless Arena has hosted many state events since 2015 including hosting 1A DI State Basketball Championship last year as well as the 2A and 1A DI State Volleyball Championships the last four years. 2024 State Basketball Locations: 6A - Wichita - Koch Arena 5A - Emporia - White Auditorium 4A - Salina - Tony’s Pizza Events Center 3A - Hutchinson - Hutchinson Sports Arena 2A - Dodge City - United Wireless Arena 1A DI - Colby - Colby Events Center 1A DII - Great Bend - Barton Community College&nbsp;&nbsp;

2024 State Basketball sites selected, Tony's Event Center to host 4A

Do you have a passion for helping children? Are you a team player and problem solver? If so, we are looking for essential Individuals to join our team!

Behavioral Health Technicians (BHT) make a difference every day for youth who have been through trauma and who struggle with behavioral health challenges. These youth come to Saint Francis Ministries for help, and you can be a core member of the team that reaches out to them as they rebuild trust, learn coping skills, and begin to shape a bright future. Direct care support professionals are at the heart of our work, bringing compassion and dependability. If you want to make an impact and help young people, join our team. Make a difference and #InspireTheFuture. See below for more detail.

<a href="https://recruiting.adp.com/srccsh/public/RTI.home?r=5000923555600&amp;c=2187507&amp;d=SFMExternalCareerSite&amp;_dissimuloSSO=Z8hGE4aZHKc:p-74bj3V6hDT0_MUJEeq-lph_Wk&amp;_fromPublish=true">Click here</a> to view the job listing.&nbsp;

Responsibilities of the Behavioral Health Tech:

· Supervises and monitors youth at all times.

· Serves as an adult role model and a source of feedback to the youth.

· Provides positive interaction with the youth and demonstrates appropriate de- escalation techniques.

· Responsible for keeping residential homes safe, clean, and orderly.

· Administers prescribed medication, documents, and observes its effects.

· Demonstrates professional ethics, boundaries, and confidentiality with the youth.

· Documents significant behaviors and contact with youth.

· Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills/ability to work as a team.

· High school diploma or general education (GED) from an accredited high school

· Medical, Dental, Vision, and Supplemental Insurance

· Training for the job including MANDT and CPR

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662152675167.png" alt="The Salina, Kansas-based Saint Francis Ministries, which provides foster care services.&nbsp;(Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The Salina, Kansas-based Saint Francis Ministries, which provides foster care services.&nbsp;(Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Do you have a passion for helping children? Are you a team player and problem solver? If so, we are looking for essential Individuals to join our team!Behavioral Health Technicians (BHT) make a difference every day for youth who have been through trauma and who struggle with behavioral health challenges. These youth come to Saint Francis Ministries for help, and you can be a core member of the team that reaches out to them as they rebuild trust, learn coping skills, and begin to shape a bright future. Direct care support professionals are at the heart of our work, bringing compassion and dependability. If you want to make an impact and help young people, join our team. Make a difference and #InspireTheFuture. See below for more detail.<a href="https://recruiting.adp.com/srccsh/public/RTI.home?r=5000923555600&amp;c=2187507&amp;d=SFMExternalCareerSite&amp;_dissimuloSSO=Z8hGE4aZHKc:p-74bj3V6hDT0_MUJEeq-lph_Wk&amp;_fromPublish=true">Click here</a> to view the job listing.&nbsp;Responsibilities of the Behavioral Health Tech:· Supervises and monitors youth at all times.· Serves as an adult role model and a source of feedback to the youth.· Provides positive interaction with the youth and demonstrates appropriate de- escalation techniques.· Responsible for keeping residential homes safe, clean, and orderly.· Administers prescribed medication, documents, and observes its effects.· Demonstrates professional ethics, boundaries, and confidentiality with the youth.· Documents significant behaviors and contact with youth.· Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills/ability to work as a team.Requirements/ Qualifications:· High school diploma or general education (GED) from an accredited high school· Valid driver license· Must be at least 21 years of agePreferred Experience:· 1-2 years of experienceBenefits package includes:· Medical, Dental, Vision, and Supplemental Insurance· 401 k retirement plan· Paid time off· Sick time off· Training for the job including MANDT and CPR

INSIGHT: Round tables and common ground

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

Salina Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos at no cost to families.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686768282453.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Click&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.&nbsp;&nbsp;Salina Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos at no cost to families.

Recent obituaries and service times

By RON WILSON Director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University

From Tampa, Kansas to Tampa Bay, Florida. That’s quite a journey and quite a contrast.

Today, in the conclusion of our series about Tampa, we’ll learn about the remarkable connection that was made between these two communities – one small and rural, the other large and urban.

During the last two weeks, we’ve learned about Dave Mueller, a Marion County farmer who has purchased and renovated several buildings in Tampa, Kansas. He shared the story of this amazing urban-rural connection.

This all began with the creative staff at the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Tampa Bay, Florida, which is located on the west coast of the state along the Gulf of Mexico.

The Tampa Bay tourism staff was just wrapping up a conference in Orlando, a couple of hours away. As many of us do these days, they asked their phones how long it would take to drive home to Tampa. When the answer came back, “23 hours,” they were amazed.

Was something wrong with their GPS? No, the phone had correctly calculated the drive time from their location to Tampa…Kansas.

“There’s a Tampa in Kansas?” they asked incredulously. That piqued their curiosity, caused them to learn about the Kansas version of Tampa, and sparked an audacious idea to gain publicity.

What if they could bring the entire population of Tampa, Kansas to its namesake city in Florida for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation?

This idea was novel enough – and crazy enough - that a number of community partner businesses in Florida were willing to give it a try. The Tampa Bay CVB got support in this effort from Southwest Airlines, the Tampa Bay International Airport, and a number of other local tourism businesses and sponsors.

“In mid-summer 2022, we got a call from the Visit Tampa Bay organization in Florida,” Mueller said. “They said, ‘We want to fly the entire town of Tampa, Kansas to Tampa Bay.’”

That’s not the type of call one receives every day. Visit Tampa was offering an all-expense paid trip. Such an idea would only be practical to implement for a rural community such as Tampa, Kansas, population 105 people. Now, that’s rural.

After exploring the details and verifying that this was real, both communities agreed. “Then later they called and said, ‘We want to do this in two months,’” Mueller said.

The community mobilized to take advantage of this unique opportunity. The Tampa city council took applications of people who wanted to make the trip. More than 100 applied. A few couldn’t make the trip at the last minute. On December 5, 2023, 98 citizens of Tampa, Kansas embarked on the journey.

“It was amazing,” Mueller said. “We had 98 people including 30 kids, many of whom had not been on a plane before.”

Big passenger buses picked up the people in Tampa, Kansas and drove them to the Kansas City airport where they boarded a Southwest Airlines flight to Tampa Bay.

“They rolled out the red carpet for us,” Mueller said. “We got the VIP treatment. There was a welcoming reception. We got free passes to Busch Gardens and other attractions.”

All meals, lodging, and travel were paid. After four days of fun in the sun, they flew back to Kansas City and then rode the buses home. “Everybody had a blast,” Mueller said.

Did this trip accomplish the CVB staff’s goal of generating visibility? Yes.

“We did 97 media interviews,” Mueller said. There were lots of stories online, and the story was included in the CNN Internet news, for example.

“They estimated that, if they had to purchase all the publicity that this story generated, it would have cost them $1.7 million,” Mueller said.

“We have been able to develop a human connection between two communities and raise the profile of both,” said Santiago Corrada, president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay in Florida.

From Tampa, Kansas to Tampa Bay, Florida. What a journey and what a contrast. We commend the people of both Tampas for making a difference by building an urban-rural connection. They helped connect the backroads with the beachfront.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686760533584.jpeg" alt="Tampa, Kansas Trip to Tampa, Florida. Image Courtesy Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University" />
 <figcaption>Tampa, Kansas Trip to Tampa, Florida. Image Courtesy Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State UniversityFrom Tampa, Kansas to Tampa Bay, Florida. That’s quite a journey and quite a contrast.Today, in the conclusion of our series about Tampa, we’ll learn about the remarkable connection that was made between these two communities – one small and rural, the other large and urban.During the last two weeks, we’ve learned about Dave Mueller, a Marion County farmer who has purchased and renovated several buildings in Tampa, Kansas. He shared the story of this amazing urban-rural connection.This all began with the creative staff at the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Tampa Bay, Florida, which is located on the west coast of the state along the Gulf of Mexico.The Tampa Bay tourism staff was just wrapping up a conference in Orlando, a couple of hours away. As many of us do these days, they asked their phones how long it would take to drive home to Tampa. When the answer came back, “23 hours,” they were amazed.Was something wrong with their GPS? No, the phone had correctly calculated the drive time from their location to Tampa…Kansas.“There’s a Tampa in Kansas?” they asked incredulously. That piqued their curiosity, caused them to learn about the Kansas version of Tampa, and sparked an audacious idea to gain publicity.What if they could bring the entire population of Tampa, Kansas to its namesake city in Florida for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation?This idea was novel enough – and crazy enough - that a number of community partner businesses in Florida were willing to give it a try. The Tampa Bay CVB got support in this effort from Southwest Airlines, the Tampa Bay International Airport, and a number of other local tourism businesses and sponsors.“In mid-summer 2022, we got a call from the Visit Tampa Bay organization in Florida,” Mueller said. “They said, ‘We want to fly the entire town of Tampa, Kansas to Tampa Bay.’”That’s not the type of call one receives every day. Visit Tampa was offering an all-expense paid trip. Such an idea would only be practical to implement for a rural community such as Tampa, Kansas, population 105 people. Now, that’s rural.After exploring the details and verifying that this was real, both communities agreed. “Then later they called and said, ‘We want to do this in two months,’” Mueller said.The community mobilized to take advantage of this unique opportunity. The Tampa city council took applications of people who wanted to make the trip. More than 100 applied. A few couldn’t make the trip at the last minute. On December 5, 2023, 98 citizens of Tampa, Kansas embarked on the journey.“It was amazing,” Mueller said. “We had 98 people including 30 kids, many of whom had not been on a plane before.”Big passenger buses picked up the people in Tampa, Kansas and drove them to the Kansas City airport where they boarded a Southwest Airlines flight to Tampa Bay.“They rolled out the red carpet for us,” Mueller said. “We got the VIP treatment. There was a welcoming reception. We got free passes to Busch Gardens and other attractions.”All meals, lodging, and travel were paid. After four days of fun in the sun, they flew back to Kansas City and then rode the buses home. “Everybody had a blast,” Mueller said.Did this trip accomplish the CVB staff’s goal of generating visibility? Yes.“We did 97 media interviews,” Mueller said. There were lots of stories online, and the story was included in the CNN Internet news, for example.“They estimated that, if they had to purchase all the publicity that this story generated, it would have cost them $1.7 million,” Mueller said.“We have been able to develop a human connection between two communities and raise the profile of both,” said Santiago Corrada, president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay in Florida.From Tampa, Kansas to Tampa Bay, Florida. What a journey and what a contrast. We commend the people of both Tampas for making a difference by building an urban-rural connection. They helped connect the backroads with the beachfront.

NOW THAT'S RURAL: Kansas profile series-Dave Mueller, Tampa 

MANHATTAN — Nearly 4,000 Kansas State University students have earned semester honors for their academic performance in the spring 2023 semester. Students earning a grade point average for the semester of 3.75 or above on at least 12 graded credit hours receive semester honors along with commendations from their deans. The honors are also recorded on their permanent academic records. The following students earned semester honors for the spring 2023 semester from Kansas State University:

Assaria: Rebecca Kuhn, Hope Nurnberg, Anya Pohl

Salina:&nbsp;Benjamin Monday, Reese Altman, Karsyn Arnold, Kaitlyn Bergmann, Leya Bixby, Sadie Bradley, Tyler Breeding, Ethan Brown, Lindsay Brown, Hayden Chamberlain, Ralston Chumchal, Chad Corcoran, Kyle Crickman, Malachi Dehaan, Kameron Demars, Vanessa Dickson, Alexander Disberger, Marcello Dodd-Holliday, Jade Duke, Isaac French, Kelsie Gack, Guadalupe Gonzalez, Bryce Griffin, Kaden Griffin, Lilyian Hanks, Greyson Hardesty, Eli Harris, Samuel Haynes, Leah Hennes, Noah Hopkins, Blair Huffman, Ryan Ingrassia, Abigail Johnson, Douglass Johnson, Jaden Johnson, Landon Johnson, Aubrey Kaiser, Michael Kerr, Hannah Kipp, Caleb Kline, Clayton Knipp, Nicholas Lake, Sophie Lenkiewicz, Tristan Lilly, Robyn Logan, Logan Losey, Cielo Lubaton, Makenzie Maring, America Martin-Escobedo, Isabella Matteucci, Jared McCartney, Alexander Mull, Jorge Navarro, Brennan Norwood, Kailyn Olson, Olivia Opat, Ella Payne, Aidan Pilcher, Keat Robinson, Kiersten Rogers, Jonathan Ryan, Samantha Scrivner, Wendy Serrano, Elizabeth Shugart, Emma Shulda, Zachary Smith, Sarah Snyder, Nolan Soukup, Aidan Speer, Nathan Streeter, Luke Streit, Annie Taggart, Bailey Talbott, Molly Temple, Seth Thompson, Travis Truong, Douglas Turney, Bailey Underwood, Adam Vaupel, Samantha Vogan, Andrew Wallace, Addelyn Weishaar, Nathan Weiss, Max Wellbrock-Talley, Mallorie Wisbey, Demi Wolters, Ellie Woodall, Jordan Zimmerman, Joshua Zrubek

Clyde:&nbsp;Marissa Francis, Emily Genereux, Douglas Koch, Emma Nobert

Concordia:&nbsp;Juana Ayala, Ashley Bartlett, Katelin Donovan, Abby Fredrickson, Tyler Hobrock, Macy McMillan, Ivon Owen, Phillip Shirkey, Cole Stahlman, Isaiah Steffen, Joshua Timme, Wyatt Trost, Jacob Williams

Abilene:&nbsp;Harley Adams, Josiah Brundage, Joy Clemence, Lucas Cook, Addison Hasenbank, Jose Holguin-Ruiz, Lauren Hoover, Alyvia Johnson, Serenity Knauss, Jasmine Seiler, Joshua Stuber, Grant Weishaar, Anna Zey

Herington:&nbsp;Lucas Anschutz, Sarah Biehler, Makayla Coup, Nathen Hover

Hope:&nbsp;Meghan Brockmeier, Tanner Medrano, Katelyn Reiff

McPherson County McPherson:&nbsp;Ceanna Allen, Samuel Boese, Tyler Bontrager, Tanner Cheatham, Naomi Grubbs, Avery Howard, Alexander Ko, Kaytlynn Kuder, Tanner Pacey, Kelvin Peterson, Harper Smith, Andrea Sweat, Mason Thrash, Wesley Wurm

Canton:&nbsp;Keaton Littrell, Carson Orpin

Inman:&nbsp;Cross Allen, Jennifer Hagen, Rachel Harman, Ashtyn Schroeder, Lily Tatro

Lindsborg:&nbsp;Cole Brumbaugh, Ava Goss, Zoe Grace, Timothy Lambert, Emma Littich, Michael Mace, Andrew Peters, Joshua Peterson, Lane Schrag, Jacqueline Waugh

Marquette:&nbsp;Pierce Hamma, Madison Loder, Michelle Loder

Goessel:&nbsp;Bryce Ledford, Dylan Lindeman

Hillsboro:&nbsp;Madison Daniels, Caleb Diener, Anna Guhr, Samantha Schwindt

Marion:&nbsp;Quinten Bina, Macy Sigel, Carter Wiens, Tristan Williams

Lyons:&nbsp;Liberty Belote, Rebecca Konda, Christian Mendez, Blake Seidel-Pinson&nbsp;

Sterling:&nbsp;Wyatt Beltz, Ty Fulbright, Brooklyn Linden

MANHATTAN — Nearly 4,000 Kansas State University students have earned semester honors for their academic performance in the spring 2023 semester. Students earning a grade point average for the semester of 3.75 or above on at least 12 graded credit hours receive semester honors along with commendations from their deans. The honors are also recorded on their permanent academic records. The following students earned semester honors for the spring 2023 semester from Kansas State University:Saline CountyAssaria: Rebecca Kuhn, Hope Nurnberg, Anya PohlMentor:&nbsp;Olivia PerrySalina:&nbsp;Benjamin Monday, Reese Altman, Karsyn Arnold, Kaitlyn Bergmann, Leya Bixby, Sadie Bradley, Tyler Breeding, Ethan Brown, Lindsay Brown, Hayden Chamberlain, Ralston Chumchal, Chad Corcoran, Kyle Crickman, Malachi Dehaan, Kameron Demars, Vanessa Dickson, Alexander Disberger, Marcello Dodd-Holliday, Jade Duke, Isaac French, Kelsie Gack, Guadalupe Gonzalez, Bryce Griffin, Kaden Griffin, Lilyian Hanks, Greyson Hardesty, Eli Harris, Samuel Haynes, Leah Hennes, Noah Hopkins, Blair Huffman, Ryan Ingrassia, Abigail Johnson, Douglass Johnson, Jaden Johnson, Landon Johnson, Aubrey Kaiser, Michael Kerr, Hannah Kipp, Caleb Kline, Clayton Knipp, Nicholas Lake, Sophie Lenkiewicz, Tristan Lilly, Robyn Logan, Logan Losey, Cielo Lubaton, Makenzie Maring, America Martin-Escobedo, Isabella Matteucci, Jared McCartney, Alexander Mull, Jorge Navarro, Brennan Norwood, Kailyn Olson, Olivia Opat, Ella Payne, Aidan Pilcher, Keat Robinson, Kiersten Rogers, Jonathan Ryan, Samantha Scrivner, Wendy Serrano, Elizabeth Shugart, Emma Shulda, Zachary Smith, Sarah Snyder, Nolan Soukup, Aidan Speer, Nathan Streeter, Luke Streit, Annie Taggart, Bailey Talbott, Molly Temple, Seth Thompson, Travis Truong, Douglas Turney, Bailey Underwood, Adam Vaupel, Samantha Vogan, Andrew Wallace, Addelyn Weishaar, Nathan Weiss, Max Wellbrock-Talley, Mallorie Wisbey, Demi Wolters, Ellie Woodall, Jordan Zimmerman, Joshua ZrubekSmolan:&nbsp;Bryanna FowlerCloud CountyClyde:&nbsp;Marissa Francis, Emily Genereux, Douglas Koch, Emma NobertConcordia:&nbsp;Juana Ayala, Ashley Bartlett, Katelin Donovan, Abby Fredrickson, Tyler Hobrock, Macy McMillan, Ivon Owen, Phillip Shirkey, Cole Stahlman, Isaiah Steffen, Joshua Timme, Wyatt Trost, Jacob WilliamsJamestown:&nbsp;Taegen LarsenMiltonvale:&nbsp;Bailey BlackwoodDickinson CountyAbilene:&nbsp;Harley Adams, Josiah Brundage, Joy Clemence, Lucas Cook, Addison Hasenbank, Jose Holguin-Ruiz, Lauren Hoover, Alyvia Johnson, Serenity Knauss, Jasmine Seiler, Joshua Stuber, Grant Weishaar, Anna ZeyChapman:&nbsp;Erik WoodburyEnterprise:&nbsp;Joseph SzeligaHerington:&nbsp;Lucas Anschutz, Sarah Biehler, Makayla Coup, Nathen HoverHope:&nbsp;Meghan Brockmeier, Tanner Medrano, Katelyn ReiffMcPherson County McPherson:&nbsp;Ceanna Allen, Samuel Boese, Tyler Bontrager, Tanner Cheatham, Naomi Grubbs, Avery Howard, Alexander Ko, Kaytlynn Kuder, Tanner Pacey, Kelvin Peterson, Harper Smith, Andrea Sweat, Mason Thrash, Wesley WurmMoundridge:&nbsp;Emma Blough, Ethan RiceCanton:&nbsp;Keaton Littrell, Carson OrpinGalva:&nbsp;Megan MaltbieInman:&nbsp;Cross Allen, Jennifer Hagen, Rachel Harman, Ashtyn Schroeder, Lily TatroLindsborg:&nbsp;Cole Brumbaugh, Ava Goss, Zoe Grace, Timothy Lambert, Emma Littich, Michael Mace, Andrew Peters, Joshua Peterson, Lane Schrag, Jacqueline WaughMarquette:&nbsp;Pierce Hamma, Madison Loder, Michelle LoderMarion CountyGoessel:&nbsp;Bryce Ledford, Dylan LindemanHillsboro:&nbsp;Madison Daniels, Caleb Diener, Anna Guhr, Samantha SchwindtMarion:&nbsp;Quinten Bina, Macy Sigel, Carter Wiens, Tristan WilliamsTampa:&nbsp;Cassandra MeyerRice County&nbsp;Bushton:&nbsp;Jerred BieberleLittle River:&nbsp;Tabitha EllwoodLyons:&nbsp;Liberty Belote, Rebecca Konda, Christian Mendez, Blake Seidel-Pinson&nbsp;Sterling:&nbsp;Wyatt Beltz, Ty Fulbright, Brooklyn Linden

Area students earn semester honors at Kansas State University

K-State Research and Extension news service

Certain parts of Kansas have received enough moisture this spring to cause mushroom growth in home lawns and gardens. Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham said most are relatively harmless to other plant life.

“Some of these mushrooms are associated with arc-like or circular patterns in turfgrass called fairy rings. The ring pattern is caused by the outward growth of fungal mycelium,” Upham said. “The mycelium forms a dense, mat-like structure in the soil that decomposes organic matter.”

Upham said this decomposition releases nitrate into the soil, which in turn stimulates the growth of the grass at the outer portion of the ring. This results in a dark green appearance of the grass at the margin of the ring.&nbsp;

“Unfortunately, the thick fungal mat formed by the fungus interferes with water infiltration. The fungus also may release certain byproducts that are toxic to the turf,” Upham said. “This may lead to dieback of the turf close to the ring.”

Upham said fairy rings are difficult to control.

“You can sometimes eliminate the ring by digging to a depth of 6-12 inches and 12 inches wide on both sides of the ring, refilling the hole with non-infested soil,” Upham said.

Commercial growers can use fungicides to control fairy rings but these products are not available to homeowners.

“Some mushrooms in lawns are not associated with fairy rings. These may be mycorrhizal (symbiotic association with tree roots) or saprophytic (live on dead organic matter such as wood or other material) in the soil,” Upham said.

Upham recommended not killing these mushrooms because they can be beneficial.

“A fungicide spray to the mushroom itself does little good. Remember the mushroom is simply the fruiting structure of the organism,” he said. “Most of the fungus is below ground and inaccessible to the chemical.”

If mushrooms are a nuisance, Upham encourages picking them and disposing of them as soon as they appear. If there are too many for that to be practical, mow them off.&nbsp;

“Mushrooms tend to go away as soil dries. Patience may be the best control,” he said.

Upham warns that some of the mushrooms in the lawn are edible, but others are poisonous. Never eat mushrooms unless you are sure of their identity.

Upham and his colleagues in K-State's Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html">Horticulture Newsletter</a>&nbsp;with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens. The newsletter is available to view online or can be delivered by email each week.

Interested persons can also send their garden and yard-related questions to Upham at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:wupham@ksu.edu">wupham@ksu.edu</a>, or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686746804436.jpeg" alt="Mushroom Photo Courtesy K-State Research and Extension" />
 <figcaption>Mushroom Photo Courtesy K-State Research and Extension</figcaption>
 </figure> By MADDY ROHRK-State Research and Extension news serviceCertain parts of Kansas have received enough moisture this spring to cause mushroom growth in home lawns and gardens. Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham said most are relatively harmless to other plant life.“Some of these mushrooms are associated with arc-like or circular patterns in turfgrass called fairy rings. The ring pattern is caused by the outward growth of fungal mycelium,” Upham said. “The mycelium forms a dense, mat-like structure in the soil that decomposes organic matter.”Upham said this decomposition releases nitrate into the soil, which in turn stimulates the growth of the grass at the outer portion of the ring. This results in a dark green appearance of the grass at the margin of the ring.&nbsp;“Unfortunately, the thick fungal mat formed by the fungus interferes with water infiltration. The fungus also may release certain byproducts that are toxic to the turf,” Upham said. “This may lead to dieback of the turf close to the ring.”Upham said fairy rings are difficult to control.“You can sometimes eliminate the ring by digging to a depth of 6-12 inches and 12 inches wide on both sides of the ring, refilling the hole with non-infested soil,” Upham said.Commercial growers can use fungicides to control fairy rings but these products are not available to homeowners.“Some mushrooms in lawns are not associated with fairy rings. These may be mycorrhizal (symbiotic association with tree roots) or saprophytic (live on dead organic matter such as wood or other material) in the soil,” Upham said.Upham recommended not killing these mushrooms because they can be beneficial.“A fungicide spray to the mushroom itself does little good. Remember the mushroom is simply the fruiting structure of the organism,” he said. “Most of the fungus is below ground and inaccessible to the chemical.”If mushrooms are a nuisance, Upham encourages picking them and disposing of them as soon as they appear. If there are too many for that to be practical, mow them off.&nbsp;“Mushrooms tend to go away as soil dries. Patience may be the best control,” he said.Upham warns that some of the mushrooms in the lawn are edible, but others are poisonous. Never eat mushrooms unless you are sure of their identity.Upham and his colleagues in K-State's Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html">Horticulture Newsletter</a>&nbsp;with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens. The newsletter is available to view online or can be delivered by email each week.Interested persons can also send their garden and yard-related questions to Upham at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:wupham@ksu.edu">wupham@ksu.edu</a>, or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.

What is in my yard? Tips to remove mushrooms from your lawn

OCCK Transportation, including CityGo, 81 Connection, KanConnect, GoAbilene, GoConcordia, and Regional Paratransit services, will be closed on June 19 in recognition of Juneteenth.

Transportation services will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, June 20.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686752939837.jpeg" alt="Juneteenth OCCK 2023" />
 <figcaption>Juneteenth OCCK 2023</figcaption>
 </figure>OCCK Transportation, including CityGo, 81 Connection, KanConnect, GoAbilene, GoConcordia, and Regional Paratransit services, will be closed on June 19 in recognition of Juneteenth. Transportation services will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, June 20.

OCCK closed on June 19 in observance of Juneteenth

On June 14, 1940, German troops entered Paris during World War II; the same day, the Nazis began transporting prisoners to the Auschwitz (OWSH’-vitz) concentration camp in German-occupied Poland.

In 1775, the Continental Army, forerunner of the United States Army, was created.

In 1777, the Second Continental Congress approved the design of the original American flag.

In 1846, a group of U.S. settlers in Sonoma proclaimed the Republic of California.&nbsp;

In 1911, the British ocean liner RMS Olympic set out on its maiden voyage for New York, arriving one week later. (The ship’s captain was Edward John Smith, who went on to command the ill-fated RMS Titanic the following year.)&nbsp;

<h2>Today’s Highlight in History: </h2>On June 14, 1940, German troops entered Paris during World War II; the same day, the Nazis began transporting prisoners to the Auschwitz (OWSH’-vitz) concentration camp in German-occupied Poland.<h2>On this date:</h2>In 1775, the Continental Army, forerunner of the United States Army, was created.In 1777, the Second Continental Congress approved the design of the original American flag.In 1846, a group of U.S. settlers in Sonoma proclaimed the Republic of California.&nbsp;In 1911, the British ocean liner RMS Olympic set out on its maiden voyage for New York, arriving one week later. (The ship’s captain was Edward John Smith, who went on to command the ill-fated RMS Titanic the following year.)&nbsp;In 1919, John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown embarked on the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. (Flying a Vickers Vimy biplane bomber, they took off from St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada and arrived 16 1/2 hours later in Clifden, Ireland.)In 1943, the U.S. Supreme Court, in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, ruled 6-3 that public school students could not be forced to salute the flag of the United States.&nbsp;In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a measure adding the phrase “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance.&nbsp;In 1967, California Gov. Ronald Reagan signed a bill liberalizing his state’s abortion law.In 1972, the Environmental Protection Agency ordered a ban on domestic use of the pesticide DDT, to take effect at year’s end.In 1982, Argentine forces surrendered to British troops on the disputed Falkland Islands.&nbsp;In 1993, President Bill Clinton nominated Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.&nbsp;In 2005, Michelle Wie, 15, became the first female player to qualify for an adult male U.S. Golf Association championship, tying for first place in a 36-hole U.S. Amateur Public Links sectional qualifying tournament.In 2012, in dueling speeches in the battleground state of Ohio, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, speaking in Cincinnati, described the Obama administration as the very “enemy” of people who create jobs; President Barack Obama, going second in Cleveland, asked the nation to buy into his vision for four more years or face a return to the recession-era “mistakes of the past.”In 2017, a rifle-wielding gunman opened fire on Republican lawmakers at a congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, wounding House Whip Steve Scalise (skuh-LEES’) and several others; the assailant died in a battle with police.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fires-ap-top-news-london-international-news-europe-56910d8e87304023954534f44b5ccade">Fire ripped through the 24-story Grenfell Tower in West London</a>, killing 71 people.In 2021, Joe Biden used his first appearance as president at the NATO summit in Brussels to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-donald-trump-joe-biden-china-russia-962ddadf219a8ff0412d662163a33d81">call on Russian President Vladimir Putin to step back from provocative actions targeting the U.S. and allies</a>. U.S. health officials announced a one-year ban on bringing in dogs from more than 100 countries where rabies was still a problem. The Senate voted to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the nation’s second most powerful court, the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. (Jackson would win Senate confirmation to the Supreme Court in April 2022.)In 2022,&nbsp;Ukrainian officials said Russian troops controlled about 80% of the fiercely contested eastern city of Sievierodonetsk and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-government-and-politics-01f6d1c027ce68791667ffaafb61e30c">destroyed all three bridges leading out of it</a>&nbsp;but authorities were still trying to evacuate the wounded. Raging floodwaters that pulled houses into rivers and forced rescues by air and boat across the Yellowstone region began to recede, but tourists and others were still stranded after roads and bridges were knocked out by torrential rains. New York’s top court rejected an effort to free Happy the elephant from the Bronx Zoo. The court decided she did not meet the definition of a “person” who was being illegally confined. Notable Birthdays&nbsp;June 14: Actor Marla Gibbs is 92. Singer Rod Argent of The Zombies and Argent is 78. Singer Janet Lennon of The Lennon Sisters is 77. Guitarist Barry Melton of Country Joe and the Fish is 76. Actor Will Patton is 69. Jazz bassist Marcus Miller is 64. Singer Boy George of Culture Club is 62. Actor Traylor Howard (“Monk,” ″Two Guys And A Girl”) is 57. Actor Yasmine Bleeth is 55. Actor Faizon Love (“The Parent ’Hood”) is 55. Actor Stephen Wallem (“Nurse Jackie”) is 55. Actor Sullivan Stapleton (“Blindspot”) is 46. Screenwriter Diablo Cody (“Juno”) is 45. Actor Lawrence Saint-Victor (“The Bold and the Beautiful,” ″Guiding Light”) is 41. Actor Torrance Coombs (“Reign,” “The Tudors”) is 40. Actor J.R. Martinez (“All My Children”) is 40. Actor Kevin McHale (“Glee”) is 35. Actor Lucy Hale (“Pretty Little Liars”) is 34. Singer Jesy Nelson of Little Mix is 32. Actor Daryl Sabara (“Spy Kids”) is 31.

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