With summer fun comes summer-related hazards for our pets, according to a Kansas State University veterinarian. "Summer is a time for all to enjoy, and by following these precautions, you and your pet will be able to enjoy it safely and to the fullest," said Susan Nelson, clinical professor at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksvhc.org/">Veterinary Health Center</a>&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/">College of Veterinary Medicine</a>. Nelson suggests pet owners begin flea, tick and heartworm preventive care now if they haven't already, before numbers start increasing. Ticks bring many tick-borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Fleas can cause flea bite anemia, flea allergy dermatitis, plague, tapeworms and Bartonella henslae, which is the cause of cat scratch fever in people. Mosquitoes are behind heartworm disease for both dogs and cats, which is often fatal if left untreated. Nelson recommends year-round protection against all of these parasites. There are many choices available for both dogs and cats. Many of the heartworm preventives deworm against several intestinal parasites as well, which are also more prevalent during warmer weather. "Make sure to treat all pets in the household for fleas and ticks, even if they don't go outdoors, as these pets are often a source of a persistent infestation and a reason for failure to rid them from your environment," Nelson said. "If you are not sure which product to use, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation." In addition to flea, tick and heartworm prevention, Nelson offers the following recommendations so that people and their pets can safely enjoy all the fun that summer offers. • Remember to reintroduce your dog slowly to exercise if they have been less active over the past months or they may succumb to injury, Nelson said. In addition, look for signs of heat stress, including heavy panting, weakness, thick ropey saliva, dark red gums and collapse. • Before going to a dog park, make sure dogs are current on recommended vaccinations and review dog park etiquette. Be sure to watch your dog closely when interacting with other dogs so that play does not become too rough. •&nbsp;Protect your dog's eyes from injury by not allowing them to stick out their heads when you're driving. Keep them buckled up or secure in a crate to help avoid injury if there is an accident and to keep them from getting underfoot of the driver. Avoid having them ride in the bed of a truck so they do not jump out or get ejected in the case of an accident. •&nbsp;Never leave your pet confined to the car when temperatures start to rise, as heat stroke is too often a fatal consequence. Even temperatures in the 80s can lead to fatalities. •&nbsp;Hot weather also means hot pavement. Dogs can experience severe burns to the pads of their feet when walking on hot cement or asphalt pavements. •&nbsp;Running on rocky ground or other rough surfaces, such as cement, also can be hard on tender feet that aren't used to being on these surfaces. The outer pad covering can be worn off, leading to exposure and trauma of the tender surfaces below, Nelson said. She recommends short amounts of time at first on these surfaces until the pads toughen or have your pet wear protective booties. Products can be applied to the pads to help them toughen up. •&nbsp;Pools should be properly gated to avoid accidental drownings. If dogs go boating with you, make sure they wear life jackets if they cannot swim or if you will be far from shore. Make sure your dog is vaccinated against Leptospirosis, a potentially deadly disease caused by a type of bacteria often found in lakes, ponds and standing water. If you take your dog fishing with you, keep bated and unbaited hooks and lures out of reach. Dogs have been known to swallow them or get them stuck in a lip, which are both situations that often end with a trip to the veterinarian. •&nbsp;Many summer plants are toxic to your pets, including azaleas and rhododendrons. All parts of lilies, including the pollen, are toxic to cats. Keep herbicides, fertilizers and insecticides out of reach from pets and strictly follow all instructions for use. Some mulches contain parts of the cocoa bean, which can be toxic to dogs if ingested. •&nbsp;Pets also can have allergies peak during this season, which can lead to itchy skin, sneezing and watery eyes. Talk to your veterinarian about products that can help your pet combat seasonal allergies, Nelson said. •&nbsp;Grass also produces grass seeds, or awns, which often get caught up in the dog's coat, ear canals or between the toes, and can migrate a great distance in the body and cause serious infections. Be sure to check your dog's body and feet daily for these annoying, and possibly deadly, pieces of plant material. • Pets can be bitten and react to chigger bites just like humans. These pesky mites live in the grass, and their prevalence increases as temperatures and humidity levels rise. Their bites can cause inflammation and skin infections in both dogs and cats, Nelson said. •&nbsp;Make sure pets are properly identified with a tag, collar and microchip to ensure, if lost, they will be returned to you. Even if your pet is kept indoors or is not prone to wandering, proper identification is always a good idea. •&nbsp;Make sure your pet always has access to fresh water and shade this time of year. Food should be changed out at least twice daily, especially if left outside, because it will spoil more quickly and attract flies and other insects. Weak, debilitated animals should not be left outside, as wounds and soiling of the skin with urine and feces can lead to maggot infestations. Be aware that very young and old animals cannot tolerate extreme temperatures very well, so special care should be taken with them during periods of higher temperatures.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629766545157.jpeg" alt="K-State Powercat" />
 <figcaption>K-State Powercat</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas State UniversityWith summer fun comes summer-related hazards for our pets, according to a Kansas State University veterinarian. "Summer is a time for all to enjoy, and by following these precautions, you and your pet will be able to enjoy it safely and to the fullest," said Susan Nelson, clinical professor at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksvhc.org/">Veterinary Health Center</a>&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vet.k-state.edu/">College of Veterinary Medicine</a>. Nelson suggests pet owners begin flea, tick and heartworm preventive care now if they haven't already, before numbers start increasing. Ticks bring many tick-borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Fleas can cause flea bite anemia, flea allergy dermatitis, plague, tapeworms and Bartonella henslae, which is the cause of cat scratch fever in people. Mosquitoes are behind heartworm disease for both dogs and cats, which is often fatal if left untreated. Nelson recommends year-round protection against all of these parasites. There are many choices available for both dogs and cats. Many of the heartworm preventives deworm against several intestinal parasites as well, which are also more prevalent during warmer weather. "Make sure to treat all pets in the household for fleas and ticks, even if they don't go outdoors, as these pets are often a source of a persistent infestation and a reason for failure to rid them from your environment," Nelson said. "If you are not sure which product to use, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation." In addition to flea, tick and heartworm prevention, Nelson offers the following recommendations so that people and their pets can safely enjoy all the fun that summer offers. • Remember to reintroduce your dog slowly to exercise if they have been less active over the past months or they may succumb to injury, Nelson said. In addition, look for signs of heat stress, including heavy panting, weakness, thick ropey saliva, dark red gums and collapse. • Before going to a dog park, make sure dogs are current on recommended vaccinations and review dog park etiquette. Be sure to watch your dog closely when interacting with other dogs so that play does not become too rough. •&nbsp;Protect your dog's eyes from injury by not allowing them to stick out their heads when you're driving. Keep them buckled up or secure in a crate to help avoid injury if there is an accident and to keep them from getting underfoot of the driver. Avoid having them ride in the bed of a truck so they do not jump out or get ejected in the case of an accident. •&nbsp;Never leave your pet confined to the car when temperatures start to rise, as heat stroke is too often a fatal consequence. Even temperatures in the 80s can lead to fatalities. •&nbsp;Hot weather also means hot pavement. Dogs can experience severe burns to the pads of their feet when walking on hot cement or asphalt pavements. •&nbsp;Running on rocky ground or other rough surfaces, such as cement, also can be hard on tender feet that aren't used to being on these surfaces. The outer pad covering can be worn off, leading to exposure and trauma of the tender surfaces below, Nelson said. She recommends short amounts of time at first on these surfaces until the pads toughen or have your pet wear protective booties. Products can be applied to the pads to help them toughen up. •&nbsp;Pools should be properly gated to avoid accidental drownings. If dogs go boating with you, make sure they wear life jackets if they cannot swim or if you will be far from shore. Make sure your dog is vaccinated against Leptospirosis, a potentially deadly disease caused by a type of bacteria often found in lakes, ponds and standing water. If you take your dog fishing with you, keep bated and unbaited hooks and lures out of reach. Dogs have been known to swallow them or get them stuck in a lip, which are both situations that often end with a trip to the veterinarian. •&nbsp;Many summer plants are toxic to your pets, including azaleas and rhododendrons. All parts of lilies, including the pollen, are toxic to cats. Keep herbicides, fertilizers and insecticides out of reach from pets and strictly follow all instructions for use. Some mulches contain parts of the cocoa bean, which can be toxic to dogs if ingested. •&nbsp;Pets also can have allergies peak during this season, which can lead to itchy skin, sneezing and watery eyes. Talk to your veterinarian about products that can help your pet combat seasonal allergies, Nelson said. •&nbsp;Grass also produces grass seeds, or awns, which often get caught up in the dog's coat, ear canals or between the toes, and can migrate a great distance in the body and cause serious infections. Be sure to check your dog's body and feet daily for these annoying, and possibly deadly, pieces of plant material. • Pets can be bitten and react to chigger bites just like humans. These pesky mites live in the grass, and their prevalence increases as temperatures and humidity levels rise. Their bites can cause inflammation and skin infections in both dogs and cats, Nelson said. •&nbsp;Make sure pets are properly identified with a tag, collar and microchip to ensure, if lost, they will be returned to you. Even if your pet is kept indoors or is not prone to wandering, proper identification is always a good idea. •&nbsp;Make sure your pet always has access to fresh water and shade this time of year. Food should be changed out at least twice daily, especially if left outside, because it will spoil more quickly and attract flies and other insects. Weak, debilitated animals should not be left outside, as wounds and soiling of the skin with urine and feces can lead to maggot infestations. Be aware that very young and old animals cannot tolerate extreme temperatures very well, so special care should be taken with them during periods of higher temperatures.

 K-State veterinarian offers pet safety tips for summer

On June 13, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Solicitor-General Thurgood Marshall to become the first Black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.&nbsp;

In 1865, Nobel Prize-winning poet-playwright William Butler Yeats was born in Dublin, Ireland.

In 1942, a four-man Nazi sabotage team arrived on Long Island, New York, three days before a second four-man team landed in Florida. (All eight men were arrested after two members of the first group defected.) President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Office of Strategic Services and the Office of War Information.&nbsp;

In 1966, the Supreme Court ruled in Miranda v. Arizona that criminal suspects had to be informed of their constitutional right to consult with an attorney and to remain silent.

In 1971, The New York Times began publishing excerpts of the Pentagon Papers, a secret study of America’s involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967 that had been leaked to the paper by military analyst Daniel Ellsberg.

In 1977, James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., was recaptured following his escape three days earlier from a Tennessee prison.

In 1981, a scare occurred during a parade in London when a teenager fired six blank shots at Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1983, the U.S. space probe Pioneer 10, launched in 1972, became the first spacecraft to leave the solar system as it crossed the orbit of Neptune.&nbsp;

In 1996, the 81-day-old Freemen standoff ended as 16 remaining members of the anti-government group surrendered to the FBI and left their Montana ranch.&nbsp;

In 1997, a jury voted unanimously to give Timothy McVeigh the death penalty for his role in the Oklahoma City bombing. The Chicago Bulls captured their fifth NBA championship in seven years with a 90-86 victory over the Utah Jazz in game six.&nbsp;

In 2005, a jury in Santa Maria, California, acquitted Michael Jackson of molesting a 13-year-old cancer survivor at his Neverland ranch.&nbsp;

In 2012, federal prosecutors dropped all charges against former Democratic vice-presidential candidate John Edwards after his corruption trial ended the previous month in a deadlocked jury. Matt Cain pitched the 22nd perfect game in major league history and the first for the San Francisco Giants, beating the Houston Astros 10-0.

In 2016, a day after the Orlando, Florida, nightclub shooting rampage that claimed 49 victims, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton offered drastically different proposals for stemming the threat of terrorism and gun violence; Trump focused heavily on the nation’s immigration system (even though the shooter was U.S. born) and redoubled his call for temporarily banning Muslims from the United States, while Clinton said that as president she would prioritize stopping “lone wolf” attackers and reiterated her call for banning assault weapons.

In 2017,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-us-news-ap-top-news-north-korea-otto-warmbier-55e1018d3b114c8f8e09a7d0a798e17e">comatose Otto Warmbier (WARM’-beer)</a>, released by North Korea after more than 17 months in captivity, arrived in Cincinnati aboard a medevac flight; the 22-year-old college student, who had suffered severe brain damage, died six days later. Rolling Stone magazine agreed to pay $1.65 million to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by a University of Virginia fraternity over a debunked story about a rape on campus.

In 2020,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-us-news-top-news-police-minneapolis-4a297ba576eb60e77e8c302686a877e7">Atlanta’s police chief resigned, hours after the fatal police shooting of Rayshard Brooks</a>; protests over the shooting grew turbulent, and the Wendy’s restaurant at the scene of the shooting was gutted by flames.

In 2021,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-knesset-benjamin-netanyahu-naftalia-bennett-deea22832a1cb2d95736f342958083fd">Israel’s parliament narrowly approved a new coalition government</a>, ending the historic 12-year rule of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and sending the polarizing leader into the opposition; Naftali Bennett, a former ally of Netanyahu, became prime minister after the 60-59 vote. Character actor Ned Beatty, whose films included “Deliverance,” “Network” and “Superman,” died at his Los Angeles home at 83. Novak Djokovic came all the way back after dropping the first two sets to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the French Open final for his 19th Grand Slam title. A Pekingese named Wasabi won best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club, notching a fifth-ever win for the toy breed. (Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the event was held outdoors in a New York suburb in June instead of at Madison Square Garden in February, and it was closed to the public.)

In 2022, the committee investigating the Capitol attack was told that Donald Trump’s closest campaign advisers, top government officials and even his family were dismantling his false claims of 2020 election fraud ahead of Jan. 6, but the defeated president was becoming “detached from reality” and clinging to outlandish theories to stay in power.&nbsp;

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-crime-oregon-portland-romance-novels-ade9acd17d97a8e8b89e000d4b4668e4">Nancy Brophy, a self-published romance novelist who once wrote an online essay called “How to Murder Your Husband,</a>” was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in Portland, Oregon for murdering her husband in 2018. Philip Baker Hall, a character actor of film and theater who memorably hunted down a long-overdue library book in “Seinfeld,” died at age 90.

<h2>Today’s Highlight in History: </h2>On June 13, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Solicitor-General Thurgood Marshall to become the first Black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.&nbsp;<h2>On this date:&nbsp;</h2>In 1865, Nobel Prize-winning poet-playwright William Butler Yeats was born in Dublin, Ireland.In 1942, a four-man Nazi sabotage team arrived on Long Island, New York, three days before a second four-man team landed in Florida. (All eight men were arrested after two members of the first group defected.) President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Office of Strategic Services and the Office of War Information.&nbsp;In 1966, the Supreme Court ruled in Miranda v. Arizona that criminal suspects had to be informed of their constitutional right to consult with an attorney and to remain silent.In 1971, The New York Times began publishing excerpts of the Pentagon Papers, a secret study of America’s involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967 that had been leaked to the paper by military analyst Daniel Ellsberg.In 1977, James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., was recaptured following his escape three days earlier from a Tennessee prison. In 1981, a scare occurred during a parade in London when a teenager fired six blank shots at Queen Elizabeth II.In 1983, the U.S. space probe Pioneer 10, launched in 1972, became the first spacecraft to leave the solar system as it crossed the orbit of Neptune.&nbsp;In 1996, the 81-day-old Freemen standoff ended as 16 remaining members of the anti-government group surrendered to the FBI and left their Montana ranch.&nbsp;In 1997, a jury voted unanimously to give Timothy McVeigh the death penalty for his role in the Oklahoma City bombing. The Chicago Bulls captured their fifth NBA championship in seven years with a 90-86 victory over the Utah Jazz in game six.&nbsp;In 2005, a jury in Santa Maria, California, acquitted Michael Jackson of molesting a 13-year-old cancer survivor at his Neverland ranch.&nbsp;In 2012, federal prosecutors dropped all charges against former Democratic vice-presidential candidate John Edwards after his corruption trial ended the previous month in a deadlocked jury. Matt Cain pitched the 22nd perfect game in major league history and the first for the San Francisco Giants, beating the Houston Astros 10-0.In 2016, a day after the Orlando, Florida, nightclub shooting rampage that claimed 49 victims, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton offered drastically different proposals for stemming the threat of terrorism and gun violence; Trump focused heavily on the nation’s immigration system (even though the shooter was U.S. born) and redoubled his call for temporarily banning Muslims from the United States, while Clinton said that as president she would prioritize stopping “lone wolf” attackers and reiterated her call for banning assault weapons.In 2017,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-us-news-ap-top-news-north-korea-otto-warmbier-55e1018d3b114c8f8e09a7d0a798e17e">comatose Otto Warmbier (WARM’-beer)</a>, released by North Korea after more than 17 months in captivity, arrived in Cincinnati aboard a medevac flight; the 22-year-old college student, who had suffered severe brain damage, died six days later. Rolling Stone magazine agreed to pay $1.65 million to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by a University of Virginia fraternity over a debunked story about a rape on campus. In 2020,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-us-news-top-news-police-minneapolis-4a297ba576eb60e77e8c302686a877e7">Atlanta’s police chief resigned, hours after the fatal police shooting of Rayshard Brooks</a>; protests over the shooting grew turbulent, and the Wendy’s restaurant at the scene of the shooting was gutted by flames.In 2021,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-knesset-benjamin-netanyahu-naftalia-bennett-deea22832a1cb2d95736f342958083fd">Israel’s parliament narrowly approved a new coalition government</a>, ending the historic 12-year rule of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and sending the polarizing leader into the opposition; Naftali Bennett, a former ally of Netanyahu, became prime minister after the 60-59 vote. Character actor Ned Beatty, whose films included “Deliverance,” “Network” and “Superman,” died at his Los Angeles home at 83. Novak Djokovic came all the way back after dropping the first two sets to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the French Open final for his 19th Grand Slam title. A Pekingese named Wasabi won best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club, notching a fifth-ever win for the toy breed. (Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the event was held outdoors in a New York suburb in June instead of at Madison Square Garden in February, and it was closed to the public.)In 2022, the committee investigating the Capitol attack was told that Donald Trump’s closest campaign advisers, top government officials and even his family were dismantling his false claims of 2020 election fraud ahead of Jan. 6, but the defeated president was becoming “detached from reality” and clinging to outlandish theories to stay in power.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-crime-oregon-portland-romance-novels-ade9acd17d97a8e8b89e000d4b4668e4">Nancy Brophy, a self-published romance novelist who once wrote an online essay called “How to Murder Your Husband,</a>” was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in Portland, Oregon for murdering her husband in 2018. Philip Baker Hall, a character actor of film and theater who memorably hunted down a long-overdue library book in “Seinfeld,” died at age 90.

Today in History, June 13

ELLSWORTH COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Monday in Ellsworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Volvo&nbsp;XC60 driven by Brian Robert&nbsp;Schrader, 60, Grand Island, Nebraska, was westbound on Interstate 70 and drove into the rest area near the K 156 exit due to a medical emergency. 

The Volvo struck an unoccupied 2020 Rav4 that was legally parked.

EMS transported&nbsp;Schrader to the hospital in Salina.&nbsp;

ELLSWORTH COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Monday in Ellsworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Volvo&nbsp;XC60 driven by Brian Robert&nbsp;Schrader, 60, Grand Island, Nebraska, was westbound on Interstate 70 and drove into the rest area near the K 156 exit due to a medical emergency. The Volvo struck an unoccupied 2020 Rav4 that was legally parked.EMS transported&nbsp;Schrader to the hospital in Salina.&nbsp;

Driver hospitalized in Salina after I-70 rest area crash

During their meeting Tuesday morning, Saline County Commissioners are scheduled to address a proclamation pertaining to Elder Abuse Awareness Month, an update on the county jail construction project and possible changes to indigent funeral fees.&nbsp;

Saline County Commission is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday in room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 W. Ash Street. The meetings also can be viewed on Saline County’s YouTube channel:

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwwZp_cTSJ3Nepp_5rOGevA">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwwZp_cTSJ3Nepp_5rOGevA</a>.

To participate in the meetings, citizens will need to use the Zoom link. Use the following link and put in the Meeting ID and passcode:

<a href="https://zoom.us/j/96835819901?pwd=bUEvaExUb2ppMEFaUnd6cUd6MmNMUT09">https://zoom.us/j/96835819901?pwd=bUEvaExUb2ppMEFaUnd6cUd6MmNMUT09</a>

Meeting ID: 968&nbsp;<a href="tel:3581 9901">3581 9901</a>

For further information, contact the County Commission’s Office at&nbsp;<a href="tel:(785) 309-5825">(785) 309-5825</a>.

-A resolution establishing reasonable cremation or burial fees for unclaimed bodies required to be paid from the county’s general fund in accordance with k.S.A. 22a-216 Background info:

In 2022, County Administration was approached by one of the mortuaries requesting that the $750 fee that was established by that Resolution be increased to $1,000. Information was brought to the Commission on April 11th and June 6th about the history of the fee establishment, what other counties’ fees are, and alternative options.&nbsp;This request for action is to make an Amendment to Resolution 11-2066 that increases the fee for indigent cremations to $1,000.

-Amending the County Commission’s meeting schedule

The Commission adopted a schedule of meetings for this year on December 6, 2022. That schedule calls for a regular meeting on October 31 and a study session on November 7. Due to the schedule for completion of the jail, and in order to provide time for correctional staff to be trained on operation of the new facility, staff recommends “swapping” these two meetings. Commissioners would hold a study session on October 31 at the new jail facility, which would kick of several days of public events to dedicate the new facility. Then a regular meeting would be scheduled in the City/County Building for November 7.

-Update on construction of new county jail

The new Saline County Jail and Sheriff's Office is an $89.655 million project that was approved by voters in November of 2020. Construction on the project began in November 2021 and is scheduled to be completed in September 2023. The County Administrator will be providing monthly updates during construction.

To see the full Saline County Commission agenda for Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://pub-salinecounty.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=d88dc649-5ed1-477b-8259-758353315008&amp;Agenda=Merged&amp;lang=English&amp;Item=23&amp;Tab=attachments">click here</a>&nbsp;and then click on the June 6 link.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

By SALINA POSTDuring their meeting Tuesday morning, Saline County Commissioners are scheduled to address a proclamation pertaining to Elder Abuse Awareness Month, an update on the county jail construction project and possible changes to indigent funeral fees.&nbsp;About the meetingSaline County Commission is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday in room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 W. Ash Street. The meetings also can be viewed on Saline County’s YouTube channel:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwwZp_cTSJ3Nepp_5rOGevA">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwwZp_cTSJ3Nepp_5rOGevA</a>.To participate in the meetings, citizens will need to use the Zoom link. Use the following link and put in the Meeting ID and passcode:<a href="https://zoom.us/j/96835819901?pwd=bUEvaExUb2ppMEFaUnd6cUd6MmNMUT09">https://zoom.us/j/96835819901?pwd=bUEvaExUb2ppMEFaUnd6cUd6MmNMUT09</a>Meeting ID: 968&nbsp;<a href="tel:3581 9901">3581 9901</a>Passcode: 144636For further information, contact the County Commission’s Office at&nbsp;<a href="tel:(785) 309-5825">(785) 309-5825</a>.<h2>Agenda items</h2>-A resolution establishing reasonable cremation or burial fees for unclaimed bodies required to be paid from the county’s general fund in accordance with k.S.A. 22a-216 Background info: In 2022, County Administration was approached by one of the mortuaries requesting that the $750 fee that was established by that Resolution be increased to $1,000. Information was brought to the Commission on April 11th and June 6th about the history of the fee establishment, what other counties’ fees are, and alternative options.&nbsp;This request for action is to make an Amendment to Resolution 11-2066 that increases the fee for indigent cremations to $1,000.-Amending the County Commission’s meeting scheduleBackground information:The Commission adopted a schedule of meetings for this year on December 6, 2022. That schedule calls for a regular meeting on October 31 and a study session on November 7. Due to the schedule for completion of the jail, and in order to provide time for correctional staff to be trained on operation of the new facility, staff recommends “swapping” these two meetings. Commissioners would hold a study session on October 31 at the new jail facility, which would kick of several days of public events to dedicate the new facility. Then a regular meeting would be scheduled in the City/County Building for November 7.-Update on construction of new county jailBackground information: The new Saline County Jail and Sheriff's Office is an $89.655 million project that was approved by voters in November of 2020. Construction on the project began in November 2021 and is scheduled to be completed in September 2023. The County Administrator will be providing monthly updates during construction.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686607218302.jpeg" alt="Saline County Jail construction photos. Photos courtesy Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Saline County Jail construction photos. Photos courtesy Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686607357595.jpeg" alt="Saline County Jail construction " />
 <figcaption>Saline County Jail construction </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686607391349.jpeg" alt="Saline County Jail construction " />
 <figcaption>Saline County Jail construction </figcaption>
 </figure>To see the full Saline County Commission agenda for Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://pub-salinecounty.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=d88dc649-5ed1-477b-8259-758353315008&amp;Agenda=Merged&amp;lang=English&amp;Item=23&amp;Tab=attachments">click here</a>&nbsp;and then click on the June 6 link.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Jail construction update, proclamation and indigent fees on county agenda

BY SALINA POST Check out the Coach Heron O'Neal Show tonight!

The show begins at 6 p.m. in AJ's at the Alley. If you can't be there, listen on KINA (910AM and 107.5FM) or watch it live here. Click on the link below.

BY SALINA POST Check out the Coach Heron O'Neal Show tonight!The show begins at 6 p.m. in AJ's at the Alley. If you can't be there, listen on KINA (910AM and 107.5FM) or watch it live here. Click on the link below.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BGCrwlK4M8I" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

🎥Watch the Coach Heron O'Neal Show live at 6 p.m. on Salina Post

Jim DuBois, Saline County Treasurer&nbsp; I want to remind anyone who has unpaid property taxes that by Kansas Statute(s) (K.S.A. 79-2302 and 79-2303), all properties names of the owners of the real estate, as recorded in the Register of Deeds Office, will be published in the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tPhAqhhqrWL2NTtXVV1q17neL42OV1Ggl-iqT5P70olyeeZqABuYdkRL77l0OoW6XldmmBhl_y-BieEq5jBM4sdmcUOfUKqpeqhkdzx-OhzThS8FOvq6sGusS8q1t8eBSxISHIQ6nq0=&amp;c=jdM0NH1uzvN5QVlAh6MZWiIXnlYMDN5yhk-noXPM4_yjJM7js_PZ1A==&amp;ch=EQNVajXhZ2sas2GoT07wHuxutQsfswC1aifj3PBlPhdxLf6rFYJHyA==" target="_blank">Salina 311&nbsp;</a>newspaper during the month of August. Payments with up to date taxes made prior to&nbsp;August 1st&nbsp;will not be published.&nbsp;

If you have questions regarding whether taxes have been paid, or is up to date, please feel free to call the Treasurer’s Office at&nbsp;(785) 309-5860&nbsp;or email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sc.treasurer@salinecountyks.gov" target="_blank">sc.treasurer@salinecountyks.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625956960011.png" alt="Saline County Treasurer Jim DuBois" />
 <figcaption>Saline County Treasurer Jim DuBois</figcaption>
 </figure>Jim DuBois, Saline County Treasurer&nbsp; I want to remind anyone who has unpaid property taxes that by Kansas Statute(s) (K.S.A. 79-2302 and 79-2303), all properties names of the owners of the real estate, as recorded in the Register of Deeds Office, will be published in the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001tPhAqhhqrWL2NTtXVV1q17neL42OV1Ggl-iqT5P70olyeeZqABuYdkRL77l0OoW6XldmmBhl_y-BieEq5jBM4sdmcUOfUKqpeqhkdzx-OhzThS8FOvq6sGusS8q1t8eBSxISHIQ6nq0=&amp;c=jdM0NH1uzvN5QVlAh6MZWiIXnlYMDN5yhk-noXPM4_yjJM7js_PZ1A==&amp;ch=EQNVajXhZ2sas2GoT07wHuxutQsfswC1aifj3PBlPhdxLf6rFYJHyA==" target="_blank">Salina 311&nbsp;</a>newspaper during the month of August. Payments with up to date taxes made prior to&nbsp;August 1st&nbsp;will not be published.&nbsp;If you have questions regarding whether taxes have been paid, or is up to date, please feel free to call the Treasurer’s Office at&nbsp;(785) 309-5860&nbsp;or email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sc.treasurer@salinecountyks.gov" target="_blank">sc.treasurer@salinecountyks.gov</a>.

Saline County treasurer, unpaid property tax PSA

Memorial Health System Impact Sports and Fitness in Abilene, an affiliate of <a href="http://mhsks.org/">Memorial Health System</a>, has named a familiar face as the new manager of the facility.&nbsp; Anita Larson began her role as manager in May, taking over for RaeLyn Racy who stepped down from her position as Impact Sports and Fitness Director.

Larson has worked as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor at Impact Sports and Fitness for over 27 years. She has been around the community her entire life as a Dickinson County native and graduate of Chapman High School.

“I enjoy being around people and working out,” Larson said. “I’m excited for this new journey as the manager of Impact Sports and Fitness.”

She is married to Mark and they have two grown sons, Dustin and Brady. Dustin is married to Megan and they have two children, Harper and Emma. Brady is married to Shauni, and they have two children, Trace and Kylar.

In her free time, Anita loves spending time with family and friends, working out, and walking her dog.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686601795365.jpeg" alt="Anita Larson Photo Courtesy Memorial Health System" />
 <figcaption>Anita Larson Photo Courtesy Memorial Health System</figcaption>
 </figure>Memorial Health System Impact Sports and Fitness in Abilene, an affiliate of <a href="http://mhsks.org/">Memorial Health System</a>, has named a familiar face as the new manager of the facility.&nbsp; Anita Larson began her role as manager in May, taking over for RaeLyn Racy who stepped down from her position as Impact Sports and Fitness Director.Larson has worked as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor at Impact Sports and Fitness for over 27 years. She has been around the community her entire life as a Dickinson County native and graduate of Chapman High School.“I enjoy being around people and working out,” Larson said. “I’m excited for this new journey as the manager of Impact Sports and Fitness.”She is married to Mark and they have two grown sons, Dustin and Brady. Dustin is married to Megan and they have two children, Harper and Emma. Brady is married to Shauni, and they have two children, Trace and Kylar.In her free time, Anita loves spending time with family and friends, working out, and walking her dog.

 Impact Sports and Fitness announces new manager

Salina Public Library is seeking volunteers to adopt its Little Libraries. Clubs, organizations, groups or families are encouraged to tend one of the nine free book exchanges around Salina.

Volunteers are asked to commit to one year of caring for a Little Library. They would be responsible for stocking the library with books provided by Salina Public Library and keeping the library clean and tidy. Volunteers would need to check the library about once a week. Adopters may be thanked for their work on the library website and in Little Library materials.

Little Libraries allow the public to pick up gently used books and to give books from their own collections. The small boxes have been created by community members and act as an extension of the library’s mission to connect people to information, learning and culture.

If interested in adopting a Little Library, contact Lori, outreach librarian, at <a href="mailto:infoservices.lori@salinapublic.org">infoservices.lori@salinapublic.org</a> or (785) 825-4624, ext. 243.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686601193504.jpeg" alt="An example of one of Salina’s Little Libraries. Photo courtesy Salina Public Library" />
 <figcaption>An example of one of Salina’s Little Libraries. Photo courtesy Salina Public Library</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Public Library Salina Public Library is seeking volunteers to adopt its Little Libraries. Clubs, organizations, groups or families are encouraged to tend one of the nine free book exchanges around Salina.Volunteers are asked to commit to one year of caring for a Little Library. They would be responsible for stocking the library with books provided by Salina Public Library and keeping the library clean and tidy. Volunteers would need to check the library about once a week. Adopters may be thanked for their work on the library website and in Little Library materials.Little Libraries allow the public to pick up gently used books and to give books from their own collections. The small boxes have been created by community members and act as an extension of the library’s mission to connect people to information, learning and culture.If interested in adopting a Little Library, contact Lori, outreach librarian, at <a href="mailto:infoservices.lori@salinapublic.org">infoservices.lori@salinapublic.org</a> or (785) 825-4624, ext. 243.

Salina Public Library seeks volunteers to adopt little libraries

NWS WICHITA A few storms are possible through Tuesday night, mainly west of I-135.&nbsp; Additional storm chances arrive Thursday into Thursday night. Otherwise, a warming trend is expected through the week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686598362500.jpeg" alt="Four Day Forecast &nbsp;Image Courtesy NWSW" />
 <figcaption>Four Day Forecast &nbsp;Image Courtesy NWSW</figcaption>
 </figure>NWS WICHITA A few storms are possible through Tuesday night, mainly west of I-135.&nbsp; Additional storm chances arrive Thursday into Thursday night. Otherwise, a warming trend is expected through the week.

NWS Wichita, four day weather forecast

Before you think about throwing away your Smoky River Festival wristband, consider redeeming it for a FREE one year membership to the Salina Art Center.

The art center said festival goers redeeming two arm bands will receive&nbsp; a family membership ($100 value.)

The membership, which is a $50 value, includes:

● Notification of all exhibitions, classes, films, and workshops ● Early enrollment with 10% discount on all classes and ARTy pARTy events ● $4 discount on Art Center Cinema general admission tickets ($200 Value) ● Invitation to special events and openings ● Discount at participating Art House Theaters nationwide ●Name included on membership list on cinema previews

Family Membership extends class discounts to the whole family, includes a 10% discount on gift shop purchases, and families can take advantage of NARM &amp; MCRM membership benefits while visiting participating museums across the country.

Festival goers have until June 18 at 3:00 p.m. to bring their wristbands, in person, to the Salina Art Center, 242 S. Santa Fe Avenue.&nbsp;

Those interested in redeeming their wristbands must do so in person during regular hours of operation:

Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.

All memberships valid June 2023 - June 2024

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686586680458.png" alt="Redeem your SHRF wristbands by June 18. Image Courtesy Salina Arts Center" />
 <figcaption>Redeem your SHRF wristbands by June 18. Image Courtesy Salina Arts Center</figcaption>
 </figure>BY SALINA POSTBefore you think about throwing away your Smoky River Festival wristband, consider redeeming it for a FREE one year membership to the Salina Art Center.The art center said festival goers redeeming two arm bands will receive&nbsp; a family membership ($100 value.)The membership, which is a $50 value, includes:● Notification of all exhibitions, classes, films, and workshops ● Early enrollment with 10% discount on all classes and ARTy pARTy events ● $4 discount on Art Center Cinema general admission tickets ($200 Value) ● Invitation to special events and openings ● Discount at participating Art House Theaters nationwide ●Name included on membership list on cinema previewsFamily Membership extends class discounts to the whole family, includes a 10% discount on gift shop purchases, and families can take advantage of NARM &amp; MCRM membership benefits while visiting participating museums across the country.Festival goers have until June 18 at 3:00 p.m. to bring their wristbands, in person, to the Salina Art Center, 242 S. Santa Fe Avenue.&nbsp;Those interested in redeeming their wristbands must do so in person during regular hours of operation:Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.All memberships valid June 2023 - June 2024

Salina Art Center: Redeem your river festival wristband

Proclamations,2024 Budget discussions, pickleball courts and other issues are on the Salina City Commission agenda for Monday.

Study Sessions and City Commission meetings will take place in–person at the City/County Building in Room 107 and via Zoom until further notice. Meetings can be viewed at the City of Salina YouTube channel,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas">https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas</a>.

To participate via Zoom, citizens will need to use the following link:&nbsp;<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89275984587">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89275984587</a>.

The meeting can also be accessed by phone at&nbsp;<a href="tel:1-346-248-7799">1-346-248-7799</a>. Enter Meeting ID: 892&nbsp;<a href="tel:7598 4587">7598 4587</a>&nbsp;when prompted.

If citizens wish to speak, either during the public forum or when the mayor requests public comment on an item, citizens attending via Zoom must raise their hand so that the meeting host can allow them to speak. Those who attend the in-person meeting will have the opportunity to speak at the podium.

Citizens can also send written comments or questions to City Commissioners by visiting the City of Salina’s website at<a href="http://www.salina-ks.gov/">&nbsp;www.salina-ks.gov</a>&nbsp;and using the “Email City Commission” icon on the home page.

In order for the commissioners to have an opportunity to review comments in advance of the meeting, please email your comments or questions by 5 p.m. the Sunday prior to the Monday meetings.

Commissioners are scheduled to meet in a study session at 2:30 p.m. Monday to discuss the 2024 Budget.&nbsp;

To see the meeting packet for the study session,&nbsp;<a href="http://weblink.salina.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=508261&amp;dbid=0&amp;repo=Salina">click here</a>.

The commission's regular meeting is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

Commissioners are being asked to approve the following four proclamations.

●Recognition of June as Elder Abuse Awareness month in the City of Salina.

●Relay For Life of Saline County Proclamation proclaiming June 17 as “Relay for Life Day”●PRIDE Month, proclaiming June as LGBTQIA+ PRIDE Month.

Other items on the Salina City Commission agenda for Monday include the following.

●Ordinance No. 23-11154,&nbsp;Second reading of Ordinance No. 23-11154, authorizing amendment and supplemental documents relating to Taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds, Series 2021. (Great Plains Project)

●Editorial clarification to the Smoky Hill Museum's Collections Policy.

●Consider awarding the bid for project number #23022 for pickleball court overlay construction at Oakdale Park to Multicon, Inc. in the amount of $444,762.00 and authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Multicon, Inc. under circumstances in which both the bid award and the authorization for the City Manager to execute the contract are contingent upon fulfillment of the preconditions of (a) receipt by the City of donated funds totaling $444,762.00 on or before July 12, 2023, and (b) fulfillment of all prerequisites under the bid documents.

●Consider award of bid for Project No. 22021, Cedar Point Addition, for water, sanitary sewer, street, and drainage improvements to TR, Inc. ba T&amp;R Construction (T&amp;R) of Salina in the amount of $969,409.19 with a $48,500.00 (5%) construction contingency for a total project authorization not to exceed $1,017,909.19 and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with T&amp;R upon fulfillment of all prerequisites under the bid documents.

●A resolution declaring that a structure located at 901 N. 7th St. is unsafe and dangerous and must be removed, and establishing a reasonable deadline for removal of the dangerous structure.

To see the full Salina City Commission agenda for Monday,&nbsp;<a href="http://weblink.salina.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=509017&amp;dbid=0&amp;repo=Salina">click her</a>e.

By SALINA POSTProclamations,2024 Budget discussions, pickleball courts and other issues are on the Salina City Commission agenda for Monday.<h2>About the meeting</h2>Study Sessions and City Commission meetings will take place in–person at the City/County Building in Room 107 and via Zoom until further notice. Meetings can be viewed at the City of Salina YouTube channel,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas">https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas</a>.To participate via Zoom, citizens will need to use the following link:&nbsp;<a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89275984587">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89275984587</a>.The meeting can also be accessed by phone at&nbsp;<a href="tel:1-346-248-7799">1-346-248-7799</a>. Enter Meeting ID: 892&nbsp;<a href="tel:7598 4587">7598 4587</a>&nbsp;when prompted.If citizens wish to speak, either during the public forum or when the mayor requests public comment on an item, citizens attending via Zoom must raise their hand so that the meeting host can allow them to speak. Those who attend the in-person meeting will have the opportunity to speak at the podium.Citizens can also send written comments or questions to City Commissioners by visiting the City of Salina’s website at<a href="http://www.salina-ks.gov/">&nbsp;www.salina-ks.gov</a>&nbsp;and using the “Email City Commission” icon on the home page.In order for the commissioners to have an opportunity to review comments in advance of the meeting, please email your comments or questions by 5 p.m. the Sunday prior to the Monday meetings.<h2>Study session</h2>Commissioners are scheduled to meet in a study session at 2:30 p.m. Monday to discuss the 2024 Budget.&nbsp;To see the meeting packet for the study session,&nbsp;<a href="http://weblink.salina.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=508261&amp;dbid=0&amp;repo=Salina">click here</a>.<h2>Regular meeting</h2>The commission's regular meeting is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.Commissioners are being asked to approve the following four proclamations.●Recognition of June as Elder Abuse Awareness month in the City of Salina.●Relay For Life of Saline County Proclamation proclaiming June 17 as “Relay for Life Day”●PRIDE Month, proclaiming June as LGBTQIA+ PRIDE Month.●Juneteenth proclamationOther items on the Salina City Commission agenda for Monday include the following.●Ordinance No. 23-11154,&nbsp;Second reading of Ordinance No. 23-11154, authorizing amendment and supplemental documents relating to Taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds, Series 2021. (Great Plains Project)●Editorial clarification to the Smoky Hill Museum's Collections Policy.●Consider awarding the bid for project number #23022 for pickleball court overlay construction at Oakdale Park to Multicon, Inc. in the amount of $444,762.00 and authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Multicon, Inc. under circumstances in which both the bid award and the authorization for the City Manager to execute the contract are contingent upon fulfillment of the preconditions of (a) receipt by the City of donated funds totaling $444,762.00 on or before July 12, 2023, and (b) fulfillment of all prerequisites under the bid documents.●Consider award of bid for Project No. 22021, Cedar Point Addition, for water, sanitary sewer, street, and drainage improvements to TR, Inc. ba T&amp;R Construction (T&amp;R) of Salina in the amount of $969,409.19 with a $48,500.00 (5%) construction contingency for a total project authorization not to exceed $1,017,909.19 and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with T&amp;R upon fulfillment of all prerequisites under the bid documents.●A resolution declaring that a structure located at 901 N. 7th St. is unsafe and dangerous and must be removed, and establishing a reasonable deadline for removal of the dangerous structure.To see the full Salina City Commission agenda for Monday,&nbsp;<a href="http://weblink.salina.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=509017&amp;dbid=0&amp;repo=Salina">click her</a>e.

Pickleball, proclamations, 2024 budget, city commission agenda

Salina Public Schools Salina Public Schools’ (SPS) next Mini Job Fair will take place&nbsp;on June 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.&nbsp;at the Operations Center Conference Room on 1835 S. Broadway.&nbsp; This job fair offers a unique opportunity for those interested in joining the district’s team of passionate and dedicated staff.&nbsp;

“At SPS, we understand that our employees are our greatest asset,” said Tiffany Snyder, director of recruitment and retention at SPS. “That’s why we provide an array of career opportunities ranging from part-time, full-time, seasonal or year-round positions. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, life insurance and disability as well as paid leave plans to meet the needs of our staff members both professionally and personally.”

The job fair will offer potential applicants an opportunity to meet with hiring managers and discuss available positions in detail while learning more about Salina Public Schools' culture and core values.&nbsp;

“We invite everyone to join us at this job fair,” Snyder expressed. “Whether you are looking for a career change or just starting out in your professional journey, come explore what Salina Public Schools has to offer you!” For more information, please reach out to Tiffany Snyder at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:tiffany.snyder@usd305.com">tiffany.snyder@usd305.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578755105849.jpeg" alt="Salina USD 305" />
 <figcaption>Salina USD 305</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Public Schools Salina Public Schools’ (SPS) next Mini Job Fair will take place&nbsp;on June 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.&nbsp;at the Operations Center Conference Room on 1835 S. Broadway.&nbsp; This job fair offers a unique opportunity for those interested in joining the district’s team of passionate and dedicated staff.&nbsp; “At SPS, we understand that our employees are our greatest asset,” said Tiffany Snyder, director of recruitment and retention at SPS. “That’s why we provide an array of career opportunities ranging from part-time, full-time, seasonal or year-round positions. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, life insurance and disability as well as paid leave plans to meet the needs of our staff members both professionally and personally.”The job fair will offer potential applicants an opportunity to meet with hiring managers and discuss available positions in detail while learning more about Salina Public Schools' culture and core values.&nbsp;“We invite everyone to join us at this job fair,” Snyder expressed. “Whether you are looking for a career change or just starting out in your professional journey, come explore what Salina Public Schools has to offer you!” For more information, please reach out to Tiffany Snyder at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:tiffany.snyder@usd305.com">tiffany.snyder@usd305.com</a>.

Salina Public Schools to Host Mini Job Fair on June 16

OCCK Transportation is teaming up with transportation systems nationwide to celebrate the 18th annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 15, 2023, by offering free rides on all services, including CityGo, 81 Connection, Regional Paratransit, GoAbilene, GoConcordia, and KanConnect.

"Dump the Pump is a great opportunity to experience the benefit of public transportation. It saves the passenger money and helps the environment with less vehicles on the streets," said Michelle Griffin, Mobility Manager for North Central Kansas.

The Dump the Pump campaign is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (ATA).

APTA first started National Dump the Pump Day in June 2006 when gas prices had reached $3 per gallon and the public demand for public transportation was growing in response to high gas prices.

OCCK Transportation wants the public to know that riding public transit is an economical way to save money, particularly when gas prices are high. Public transportation doesn't just help people save money, it also helps communities grow and prosper. Additionally, public transportation helps to make a community economically strong and competitive. For example, for every $1 invested in public transportation, $5 is returned in economic returns.

With having a free ride day, our hope is to entice new riders, so leave your car behind that day and ride with us." Griffin said.

OCCK, Inc. provides services in north central Kansas to anyone with any type of long or short-term disability, starting as early as birth and following people through their whole lives. OCCK provides an array of supports for success at home and in the community, including independent living skills and supports, employment and career training, Alzheimer's supports, autism services, assistive technology, children's services, transportation, specialized therapies, and home health care.

OCCK is committed to providing transportation services to the general public, seniors, and persons with disabilities, through a variety of programs, including a fixed route service in Salina, CityGo, a regional paratransit service that serves fourteen counties, non emergency medical transportation for people with Medicaid, as well as non emergency medical transportation for clients of Salina Regional Health Center, a regional fixed route service, 81 Connection, KANcycle - the regional bike sharing program, GoAbilene public transportation, GoConcordia public transportation, and, KanConnect.

For more information about OCCK, Inc., visit <a href="http://www.ock.com">www.ock.com</a>. For more information about CityGo and OCCK Transportation, visit <a href="http://www.salinacitygo.com">www.salinacitygo.com</a>. Or, contact the OCCK Transportation Center at 785-826-1583.

OCCK Transportation OCCK Transportation is teaming up with transportation systems nationwide to celebrate the 18th annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday, June 15, 2023, by offering free rides on all services, including CityGo, 81 Connection, Regional Paratransit, GoAbilene, GoConcordia, and KanConnect."Dump the Pump is a great opportunity to experience the benefit of public transportation. It saves the passenger money and helps the environment with less vehicles on the streets," said Michelle Griffin, Mobility Manager for North Central Kansas.The Dump the Pump campaign is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (ATA).APTA first started National Dump the Pump Day in June 2006 when gas prices had reached $3 per gallon and the public demand for public transportation was growing in response to high gas prices.OCCK Transportation wants the public to know that riding public transit is an economical way to save money, particularly when gas prices are high. Public transportation doesn't just help people save money, it also helps communities grow and prosper. Additionally, public transportation helps to make a community economically strong and competitive. For example, for every $1 invested in public transportation, $5 is returned in economic returns.With having a free ride day, our hope is to entice new riders, so leave your car behind that day and ride with us." Griffin said.OCCK, Inc. provides services in north central Kansas to anyone with any type of long or short-term disability, starting as early as birth and following people through their whole lives. OCCK provides an array of supports for success at home and in the community, including independent living skills and supports, employment and career training, Alzheimer's supports, autism services, assistive technology, children's services, transportation, specialized therapies, and home health care.OCCK is committed to providing transportation services to the general public, seniors, and persons with disabilities, through a variety of programs, including a fixed route service in Salina, CityGo, a regional paratransit service that serves fourteen counties, non emergency medical transportation for people with Medicaid, as well as non emergency medical transportation for clients of Salina Regional Health Center, a regional fixed route service, 81 Connection, KANcycle - the regional bike sharing program, GoAbilene public transportation, GoConcordia public transportation, and, KanConnect.For more information about OCCK, Inc., visit <a href="http://www.ock.com">www.ock.com</a>. For more information about CityGo and OCCK Transportation, visit <a href="http://www.salinacitygo.com">www.salinacitygo.com</a>. Or, contact the OCCK Transportation Center at 785-826-1583.

OCCK Transportation offers free rides on ‘Dump the Pump Day’

On June 12, 2016, a gunman opened fire at the Pulse nightclub, a gay establishment in Orlando, Florida, leaving 49 people dead and 53 wounded; Omar Mateen pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group during a three-hour standoff before being killed in a shootout with police.

In 1630, Englishman John Winthrop, leading a fleet carrying Puritan refugees, arrived at the Massachusetts Bay Colony, where he became its governor.&nbsp;

In 1776, Virginia’s colonial legislature adopted a Declaration of Rights.

In 1942, Anne Frank, a German-born Jewish girl living in Amsterdam, received a diary for her 13th birthday, less than a month before she and her family went into hiding from the Nazis.&nbsp;

In 1963, civil rights leader Medgar Evers, 37, was shot and killed outside his home in Jackson, Mississippi. (In 1994, Byron De La Beckwith was convicted of murdering Evers and sentenced to life in prison; he died in 2001.)

In 1964, South African Black nationalist Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison along with seven other people, including Walter Sisulu, for committing sabotage against the apartheid regime (all were eventually released, Mandela in 1990).

In 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Loving v. Virginia, unanimously struck down state laws prohibiting interracial marriages.&nbsp;

In 1978, David Berkowitz was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for each of the six “Son of Sam” .44-caliber killings that terrified New Yorkers.&nbsp;

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan, during a visit to the divided German city of Berlin, exhorted Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev to “tear down this wall.”

In 1991, Russians went to the polls to elect Boris N. Yeltsin president of their republic.&nbsp;

In 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were slashed to death outside her Los Angeles home. (O.J. Simpson was later acquitted of the killings in a criminal trial but was eventually held liable in a civil action.)&nbsp;

In 2004, former President Ronald Reagan’s body was sealed inside a tomb at his presidential library in Simi Valley, California, following a week of mourning and remembrance by world leaders and regular Americans.

In 2012, Democrat Ron Barber, who almost lost his life in the Arizona shooting rampage that seriously wounded former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, won a special election to succeed her. Former mobster Henry Hill, the subject of the movie “Goodfellas,” died in Los Angeles a day after his 69th birthday.

In 2017,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moscow-russia-ap-top-news-international-news-arrests-35b2b23545fb4abb8f7e4f86b45b2896">tens of thousands of protesters held anti-corruption rallies across Russia</a>; more than a thousand were arrested, including opposition leader and protest organizer Alexei Navalny. The Golden State Warriors brought home the NBA championship, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 in Game 5.

In 2020,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-us-news-ap-top-news-police-atlanta-e5741e6b7d1a3c9be991201d21b90e13">Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old Black man, was shot and killed&nbsp;</a>by one of the two white officers who responded after he was found asleep in his car in the drive-thru lane of a Wendy’s restaurant in Atlanta; police body camera video showed Brooks struggling with the officers and grabbing a Taser from one of them, firing it as he fled. (An autopsy found that Brooks had been shot twice in the back. Officer Garrett Rolfe faces charges including murder.)

In 2021,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-ef3a5d8c3bac429c3b47d8cf5d3866d7">a federal judge threw out a lawsuit filed by employees of a Houston hospital system</a>&nbsp;over its requirement that all of its staff be vaccinated against COVID-19; the Houston Methodist Hospital system had suspended 178 employees without pay over their refusal to get vaccinated. (More than 150 employees who refused to get the vaccine would resign or be fired after the suit was dismissed.) Saudi Arabia announced that the next hajj pilgrimage would be limited to no more than 60,000 people, all of them from within the kingdom, due to the pandemic.

In 2022,&nbsp;Senate bargainers announced a bipartisan framework responding to a series of mass shootings, a modest breakthrough offering measured gun curbs and bolstered efforts to improve school safety and mental health programs. The proposal fell far short of tougher steps sought by President Joe Biden. Members of the House committee investigating the Capitol riot&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-adam-schiff-government-and-politics-presidential-elections-d87892379e7e81c2907edef81a3b2b86">said they had uncovered enough evidence for the Justice Department to consider a criminal indictment against former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;for seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 election. J. Joseph “Joe” Grandmaison, a larger-than-life Democratic operative who ran numerous campaigns and served as an appointee under three presidents, died at age 79.

<h2>Today’s Highlight in History </h2>On June 12, 2016, a gunman opened fire at the Pulse nightclub, a gay establishment in Orlando, Florida, leaving 49 people dead and 53 wounded; Omar Mateen pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group during a three-hour standoff before being killed in a shootout with police.<h2>On this date:&nbsp;</h2>In 1630, Englishman John Winthrop, leading a fleet carrying Puritan refugees, arrived at the Massachusetts Bay Colony, where he became its governor.&nbsp;In 1776, Virginia’s colonial legislature adopted a Declaration of Rights.In 1942, Anne Frank, a German-born Jewish girl living in Amsterdam, received a diary for her 13th birthday, less than a month before she and her family went into hiding from the Nazis.&nbsp;In 1963, civil rights leader Medgar Evers, 37, was shot and killed outside his home in Jackson, Mississippi. (In 1994, Byron De La Beckwith was convicted of murdering Evers and sentenced to life in prison; he died in 2001.)In 1964, South African Black nationalist Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison along with seven other people, including Walter Sisulu, for committing sabotage against the apartheid regime (all were eventually released, Mandela in 1990).In 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Loving v. Virginia, unanimously struck down state laws prohibiting interracial marriages.&nbsp;In 1978, David Berkowitz was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for each of the six “Son of Sam” .44-caliber killings that terrified New Yorkers.&nbsp;In 1987, President Ronald Reagan, during a visit to the divided German city of Berlin, exhorted Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev to “tear down this wall.”In 1991, Russians went to the polls to elect Boris N. Yeltsin president of their republic.&nbsp;In 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were slashed to death outside her Los Angeles home. (O.J. Simpson was later acquitted of the killings in a criminal trial but was eventually held liable in a civil action.)&nbsp;In 2004, former President Ronald Reagan’s body was sealed inside a tomb at his presidential library in Simi Valley, California, following a week of mourning and remembrance by world leaders and regular Americans.In 2012, Democrat Ron Barber, who almost lost his life in the Arizona shooting rampage that seriously wounded former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, won a special election to succeed her. Former mobster Henry Hill, the subject of the movie “Goodfellas,” died in Los Angeles a day after his 69th birthday.In 2017,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moscow-russia-ap-top-news-international-news-arrests-35b2b23545fb4abb8f7e4f86b45b2896">tens of thousands of protesters held anti-corruption rallies across Russia</a>; more than a thousand were arrested, including opposition leader and protest organizer Alexei Navalny. The Golden State Warriors brought home the NBA championship, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-120 in Game 5.In 2020,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-us-news-ap-top-news-police-atlanta-e5741e6b7d1a3c9be991201d21b90e13">Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old Black man, was shot and killed&nbsp;</a>by one of the two white officers who responded after he was found asleep in his car in the drive-thru lane of a Wendy’s restaurant in Atlanta; police body camera video showed Brooks struggling with the officers and grabbing a Taser from one of them, firing it as he fled. (An autopsy found that Brooks had been shot twice in the back. Officer Garrett Rolfe faces charges including murder.)In 2021,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-ef3a5d8c3bac429c3b47d8cf5d3866d7">a federal judge threw out a lawsuit filed by employees of a Houston hospital system</a>&nbsp;over its requirement that all of its staff be vaccinated against COVID-19; the Houston Methodist Hospital system had suspended 178 employees without pay over their refusal to get vaccinated. (More than 150 employees who refused to get the vaccine would resign or be fired after the suit was dismissed.) Saudi Arabia announced that the next hajj pilgrimage would be limited to no more than 60,000 people, all of them from within the kingdom, due to the pandemic. In 2022,&nbsp;Senate bargainers announced a bipartisan framework responding to a series of mass shootings, a modest breakthrough offering measured gun curbs and bolstered efforts to improve school safety and mental health programs. The proposal fell far short of tougher steps sought by President Joe Biden. Members of the House committee investigating the Capitol riot&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-adam-schiff-government-and-politics-presidential-elections-d87892379e7e81c2907edef81a3b2b86">said they had uncovered enough evidence for the Justice Department to consider a criminal indictment against former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;for seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 election. J. Joseph “Joe” Grandmaison, a larger-than-life Democratic operative who ran numerous campaigns and served as an appointee under three presidents, died at age 79.

Today in History, June 12

The Salina Public Library (SPL) is excited to announce Allyson Walker as Head of Fundraising and Development. Both Allyson and the position are new to the library.

Walker was raised in Lindsborg, Kansas, graduated from Smoky Valley High School, and in 2018, received her Marketing degree from Emporia State University. Walker focused on fulfilling her mission of helping people, leading her to the nonprofit arena. In early 2023, Walker returned to her roots when the Salina Public Library was in search of a team member to strengthen its relationship with the community and build the foundation for future growth. With the combination of Walker’s experience in the entrepreneurship space and business development, SPL was eager to have her unique fundraising insight.

“We are thrilled to welcome Allyson to the Salina Public Library. Her experience and passion for community building are exactly what we are looking for as we work to expand our capacity to offer quality library services in Salina,” Melanie Hedgespeth, SPL’s director, said. “The library’s tax-payer funded annual budget is sufficient for our day-to-day operations, but as we look to the future and consider the continuing spread of our community, aging of our building and opportunity to help Salina address future challenges we recognize additional support is needed.”

Since 1868, the Salina Public Library operated without a position designed specifically for Fundraising and Development. While programming, resources, outreach, and patrons continue to increase, the building itself has remained the same for many years. The relationship the Salina Public Library has already cultivated with the community has helped propel Walker’s efforts to meet with local leaders and formulate plans for future growth. Walker has plans to embark on a “Listening Tour” in which she will listen to the stories of local community members and stakeholders and learn how the mission of the library and the community intertwine.

The Salina Public Library’s mission is “Connecting people to information, learning, and culture”. “Regardless of age, background or circumstances, everyone has access to the knowledge and resources they need to thrive. SPL offers education, entertainment, innovation and so much more to empower the community,” explained Walker. To uphold and further their mission, fundraising is necessary. “Donations give us the freedom to support special projects or allow us to campaign for larger projects that public funds cannot fully fund. We are planning to embark on exciting new chapters, but we can't write them alone, we need the community's support,” said Walker.

When asked what the community can do to help, Walker gave the following three suggestions:

1. Champion the library. Use your voice to advocate for us - spread the word and let the community know what you love about the library and the value you see in our services. By amplifying our message you are creating awareness and helping us reach a wider audience to attract more supporters.

2.&nbsp;&nbsp;Open doors for us by facilitating introductions and connections. If you have friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, or others that might be valuable to our success, share their names and connect with us.

3.&nbsp;&nbsp;Make a donation. While not everyone may be able to contribute financially, gifts of any size have a lasting impact and are an incredibly valuable way to support our mission. Through our secure online donation portal, you can choose to give a one-time donation or set up recurring support or you can give through mail by sending cash or check to the library.&nbsp;Donations are put towards enhancing the collection, expanding technology, improving facilities, supporting programs, outreach and community engagement, and other special projects.

Because of the support from the community both past and present, the library has seen great success and growth. “On behalf of the Salina Public Library, I want to thank everyone who has donated, including our patrons who donate their time to volunteer,” said Walker.

Walker continues to grow her roots in Salina alongside her husband Seth, two cats, Ivan and Odin, and two dogs, Froya and Oskar. She invites community members to reach out with questions or to make a community connection at<a href="mailto:giving@salinapublic.org" target="_blank">giving@salinapublic.org</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;785-833-9211. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="http://salinapubliclibrary.org/donate" target="_blank">salinapubliclibrary.org/donate</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686577492026.jpeg" alt="Allyson Walker Photo Courtesy Salina Public Library" />
 <figcaption>Allyson Walker Photo Courtesy Salina Public Library</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Public Library The Salina Public Library (SPL) is excited to announce Allyson Walker as Head of Fundraising and Development. Both Allyson and the position are new to the library.Walker was raised in Lindsborg, Kansas, graduated from Smoky Valley High School, and in 2018, received her Marketing degree from Emporia State University. Walker focused on fulfilling her mission of helping people, leading her to the nonprofit arena. In early 2023, Walker returned to her roots when the Salina Public Library was in search of a team member to strengthen its relationship with the community and build the foundation for future growth. With the combination of Walker’s experience in the entrepreneurship space and business development, SPL was eager to have her unique fundraising insight.“We are thrilled to welcome Allyson to the Salina Public Library. Her experience and passion for community building are exactly what we are looking for as we work to expand our capacity to offer quality library services in Salina,” Melanie Hedgespeth, SPL’s director, said. “The library’s tax-payer funded annual budget is sufficient for our day-to-day operations, but as we look to the future and consider the continuing spread of our community, aging of our building and opportunity to help Salina address future challenges we recognize additional support is needed.”Since 1868, the Salina Public Library operated without a position designed specifically for Fundraising and Development. While programming, resources, outreach, and patrons continue to increase, the building itself has remained the same for many years. The relationship the Salina Public Library has already cultivated with the community has helped propel Walker’s efforts to meet with local leaders and formulate plans for future growth. Walker has plans to embark on a “Listening Tour” in which she will listen to the stories of local community members and stakeholders and learn how the mission of the library and the community intertwine.The Salina Public Library’s mission is “Connecting people to information, learning, and culture”. “Regardless of age, background or circumstances, everyone has access to the knowledge and resources they need to thrive. SPL offers education, entertainment, innovation and so much more to empower the community,” explained Walker. To uphold and further their mission, fundraising is necessary. “Donations give us the freedom to support special projects or allow us to campaign for larger projects that public funds cannot fully fund. We are planning to embark on exciting new chapters, but we can't write them alone, we need the community's support,” said Walker.When asked what the community can do to help, Walker gave the following three suggestions:1. Champion the library. Use your voice to advocate for us - spread the word and let the community know what you love about the library and the value you see in our services. By amplifying our message you are creating awareness and helping us reach a wider audience to attract more supporters.2.&nbsp;&nbsp;Open doors for us by facilitating introductions and connections. If you have friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, or others that might be valuable to our success, share their names and connect with us.3.&nbsp;&nbsp;Make a donation. While not everyone may be able to contribute financially, gifts of any size have a lasting impact and are an incredibly valuable way to support our mission. Through our secure online donation portal, you can choose to give a one-time donation or set up recurring support or you can give through mail by sending cash or check to the library.&nbsp;Donations are put towards enhancing the collection, expanding technology, improving facilities, supporting programs, outreach and community engagement, and other special projects.Because of the support from the community both past and present, the library has seen great success and growth. “On behalf of the Salina Public Library, I want to thank everyone who has donated, including our patrons who donate their time to volunteer,” said Walker.Walker continues to grow her roots in Salina alongside her husband Seth, two cats, Ivan and Odin, and two dogs, Froya and Oskar. She invites community members to reach out with questions or to make a community connection at<a href="mailto:giving@salinapublic.org" target="_blank">giving@salinapublic.org</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;785-833-9211. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="http://salinapubliclibrary.org/donate" target="_blank">salinapubliclibrary.org/donate</a>.

Salina Public Library welcomes new head of fundraising 

Kansas wheat farmers will reap the smallest harvest in more than 60 years. Persistent drought withered much of the crop.

&nbsp;By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/people/frank-morris">Frank Morris</a> <a href="https://www.kcur.org/">KCUR</a>

SYLVAN GROVE— Kansas is “the wheat state,” the officially adopted moniker that embraces its place as the country’s breadbasket.

Tall white grain elevators, some decorated with wheat murals, loom over tiny farm towns. For decades, Kansas led the nation in wheat production, and the U.S. led the world in wheat exports.

But this year’s meager wheat harvest turns that proud tradition on its head.

Kansas flour mills will likely buy wheat grown in Eastern Europe. It’s like Texas importing oil, West Virginia hauling in coal, or the Saudis shipping in sand.

Aaron Harries, vice president of research and operations at Kansas Wheat, said it’s never happened before.

“That truly is unfortunate,” he said. “And it’s another hit against our domestic farmers.”

The High Plains is dry in the best of times. For the last two years, a deep drought withered much of this prime wheat-producing region.

This year’s Kansas wheat harvest is shaping up to be the smallest since 1957 when the Eisenhower administration intentionally suppressed wheat production.

It’s much the same in Oklahoma. The crop is so poor, some farmers are dousing their measly crops with herbicide to contain their losses and collect insurance.

That creates searing economic pain radiating through prairie towns where summer wheat sales are the staff of life.

Seen from a highway, the wheat crop doesn’t look horrible. A lot of it’s green. But step into one of the fields that John Thaemert farms near Sylvan Grove and you start to see the damage.

“All of my wheat looks pretty bad, but this is by far the worst. Thin. Short. Dead spots,” Thaemert said. “You could not justify taking this crop to harvest.”

The surviving plants here are less than half as tall as they should be this year and have hardly produced any grain. It isn’t worth the cost of harvesting, let alone all the money Thaemert spent on seed, chemicals and fuel to plant and nurture this wheat.

About a quarter of the wheat fields in Kansas are in the same abysmal state. They’re worth more dead than alive.

Farmer Mike McClellan in Palco said he’ll probably kill his entire 1,500-acre wheat crop with herbicide. That will cost him another $20,000, but it will allow him to collect crop insurance. It will also keep the failed plants from drawing any more water from the parched soil and help check soil erosion.

McClellan said he’s got nothing but bad options.

“You’re seeing a lot of depression out here in farm country because of it,” McClellan said. “It’s a hard decision to destroy your crop.”

Like many farmers, McClellan said he’s never seen a worse wheat crop. That’s a problem for the whole region. The regional economy depends on wheat to bring an influx of money in the summer. When the wheat dries up, so does the local economy.

Most farmers have crop insurance to keep them in business in bad years, but other rural businesses don’t have the same government-subsidized cushion against bad times. Farm cooperatives that make their money buying and selling grain and farm supplies have laid off employees at a time of year when most would be staffing up for harvest, according to a COOP manager.

Clothing shops, restaurants and equipment dealerships are hunkering down. Dave Marmie, who’s been selling Fords in downtown Great Bend for more than half a century, said sales have already slumped.

“It gets felt up and down Main Street,” he said. “When you have no wheat crop, a lot of people suffer. It’s not just the farmer.”

The short wheat crop in Kansas and Oklahoma comes at a terrible time for the global wheat supply. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates wheat stocks among major exporting countries will sink to a 16-year<a href="https://www.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/Executive_Briefings/2023/05-12-2023.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;low</a>&nbsp;next year.

Wheat prices spiked last year because of disruptions caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Those prices dropped, but they still hover above historical averages and the lousy harvest in Kansas helps to sustain higher prices.

Still, Kansas wheat farmers are already making plans for next year. McClellan, who’s harvesting none of his crop this summer, said he’ll probably plant even more wheat for next year’s harvest.

“We’re always optimistic,” he said. “All droughts come to an end. I just hope we’re around to see it when it does.”

<h2>Kansas wheat farmers will reap the smallest harvest in more than 60 years. Persistent drought withered much of the crop.</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686237402124.png" alt="Drought-stricken wheat that’s been finished off with herbicide in Ellsworth County Kansas.&nbsp;Frank Morris/KCUR/NPR" />
 <figcaption>Drought-stricken wheat that’s been finished off with herbicide in Ellsworth County Kansas.&nbsp;Frank Morris/KCUR/NPR</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/people/frank-morris">Frank Morris</a> <a href="https://www.kcur.org/">KCUR</a> SYLVAN GROVE— Kansas is “the wheat state,” the officially adopted moniker that embraces its place as the country’s breadbasket.Tall white grain elevators, some decorated with wheat murals, loom over tiny farm towns. For decades, Kansas led the nation in wheat production, and the U.S. led the world in wheat exports.But this year’s meager wheat harvest turns that proud tradition on its head.Kansas flour mills will likely buy wheat grown in Eastern Europe. It’s like Texas importing oil, West Virginia hauling in coal, or the Saudis shipping in sand.Aaron Harries, vice president of research and operations at Kansas Wheat, said it’s never happened before.“That truly is unfortunate,” he said. “And it’s another hit against our domestic farmers.”Thank Mother Nature.The High Plains is dry in the best of times. For the last two years, a deep drought withered much of this prime wheat-producing region.This year’s Kansas wheat harvest is shaping up to be the smallest since 1957 when the Eisenhower administration intentionally suppressed wheat production.It’s much the same in Oklahoma. The crop is so poor, some farmers are dousing their measly crops with herbicide to contain their losses and collect insurance.That creates searing economic pain radiating through prairie towns where summer wheat sales are the staff of life.<h2>Thin Short Dead</h2>Seen from a highway, the wheat crop doesn’t look horrible. A lot of it’s green. But step into one of the fields that John Thaemert farms near Sylvan Grove and you start to see the damage.“All of my wheat looks pretty bad, but this is by far the worst. Thin. Short. Dead spots,” Thaemert said. “You could not justify taking this crop to harvest.”The surviving plants here are less than half as tall as they should be this year and have hardly produced any grain. It isn’t worth the cost of harvesting, let alone all the money Thaemert spent on seed, chemicals and fuel to plant and nurture this wheat.About a quarter of the wheat fields in Kansas are in the same abysmal state. They’re worth more dead than alive.Farmer Mike McClellan in Palco said he’ll probably kill his entire 1,500-acre wheat crop with herbicide. That will cost him another $20,000, but it will allow him to collect crop insurance. It will also keep the failed plants from drawing any more water from the parched soil and help check soil erosion.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686237455118.png" alt="Farmer John Thaemert enjoys the first big rain in months on his farm near Sylvan Grove. Photo by&nbsp;Frank Morris/KCUR" />
 <figcaption>Farmer John Thaemert enjoys the first big rain in months on his farm near Sylvan Grove. Photo by&nbsp;Frank Morris/KCUR</figcaption>
 </figure>McClellan said he’s got nothing but bad options.“You’re seeing a lot of depression out here in farm country because of it,” McClellan said. “It’s a hard decision to destroy your crop.”Like many farmers, McClellan said he’s never seen a worse wheat crop. That’s a problem for the whole region. The regional economy depends on wheat to bring an influx of money in the summer. When the wheat dries up, so does the local economy.Most farmers have crop insurance to keep them in business in bad years, but other rural businesses don’t have the same government-subsidized cushion against bad times. Farm cooperatives that make their money buying and selling grain and farm supplies have laid off employees at a time of year when most would be staffing up for harvest, according to a COOP manager.Clothing shops, restaurants and equipment dealerships are hunkering down. Dave Marmie, who’s been selling Fords in downtown Great Bend for more than half a century, said sales have already slumped.“It gets felt up and down Main Street,” he said. “When you have no wheat crop, a lot of people suffer. It’s not just the farmer.”The short wheat crop in Kansas and Oklahoma comes at a terrible time for the global wheat supply. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates wheat stocks among major exporting countries will sink to a 16-year<a href="https://www.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/Executive_Briefings/2023/05-12-2023.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;low</a>&nbsp;next year.Wheat prices spiked last year because of disruptions caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Those prices dropped, but they still hover above historical averages and the lousy harvest in Kansas helps to sustain higher prices.Still, Kansas wheat farmers are already making plans for next year. McClellan, who’s harvesting none of his crop this summer, said he’ll probably plant even more wheat for next year’s harvest.“We’re always optimistic,” he said. “All droughts come to an end. I just hope we’re around to see it when it does.”

High plains drought so bad Kansas importing wheat from Europe

ELLSWORTH COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a drowning at Kanopolis State Lake.

Just before 6:30 p.m. Saturday, deputies and other first responders arrived at the lake on report of a potential kayak-related drowning, according to Ellsworth County Sheriff Murray Marston.

Authorities recovered the body of 47-year-old Brannon Curiel. The&nbsp; Ellsworth County Coroner pronounced him deceased.

In addition to deputies from the Ellsworth County, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Marquette EMS; McPherson Fire Department-Swift Water Rescue; and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol &amp; Rescue Squad responded to the lake.

Authorities released no additional details on Sunday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624299843082.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ELLSWORTH COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a drowning at Kanopolis State Lake.Just before 6:30 p.m. Saturday, deputies and other first responders arrived at the lake on report of a potential kayak-related drowning, according to Ellsworth County Sheriff Murray Marston.Authorities recovered the body of 47-year-old Brannon Curiel. The&nbsp; Ellsworth County Coroner pronounced him deceased.In addition to deputies from the Ellsworth County, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Marquette EMS; McPherson Fire Department-Swift Water Rescue; and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol &amp; Rescue Squad responded to the lake. Authorities released no additional details on Sunday.

Kansas man drowns at Kanopolis Lake

By SALINA POST Following are the sports programs and events scheduled for KINA (910 AM and 107.5 FM) this week.

Monday The Coach Heron O'Neal Show at AJ's in the Alley at &nbsp;6 p.m.

Salina Liberty Champions Bowl 8 Champions Indoor Football Pregame Show at 6 p.m.&nbsp; Salina Liberty VS Omaha Beef Champions Bowl 8 Champions Indoor Football at Liberty First Credit Union Arena, Omaha, Nebraska at 6:30 p.m.&nbsp;

Sunday PRN The Pit Reporters&nbsp;9 a.m.

By SALINA POST Following are the sports programs and events scheduled for KINA (910 AM and 107.5 FM) this week. Monday The Coach Heron O'Neal Show at AJ's in the Alley at &nbsp;6 p.m. SaturdayMRN Nascar Live at 8 a.m.Salina Liberty Champions Bowl 8 Champions Indoor Football Pregame Show at 6 p.m.&nbsp; Salina Liberty VS Omaha Beef Champions Bowl 8 Champions Indoor Football at Liberty First Credit Union Arena, Omaha, Nebraska at 6:30 p.m.&nbsp;Sunday PRN The Pit Reporters&nbsp;9 a.m.

Sports on KINA this week 

National Weather Service Rainfall varied from a trace in multiple counties to 0.78 of an inch in Saline County.

According to the National Weather Service, 1.11 of an inch of rain was recorded in Salina since 9 p.m. on Friday.&nbsp;

Measurement recorded at Salina Regional Airport ———————— Thursday Less than half an inch was reported at the Salina Regional Airport, with 0.72 of an inch.&nbsp;

Following are 24-hour rainfall totals as of 7 a.m. Friday (unless otherwise noted) from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cocorahs.org/ViewData/StateDailyPrecipReports.aspx?state=KS">Community Collaborative Rain, Hail &amp; Snow Network</a>. &nbsp;&nbsp;

National Weather Service Rainfall varied from a trace in multiple counties to 0.78 of an inch in Saline County.According to the National Weather Service, 1.11 of an inch of rain was recorded in Salina since 9 p.m. on Friday.&nbsp;Measurement recorded at Salina Regional Airport ———————— Thursday Less than half an inch was reported at the Salina Regional Airport, with 0.72 of an inch.&nbsp;Following are 24-hour rainfall totals as of 7 a.m. Friday (unless otherwise noted) from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cocorahs.org/ViewData/StateDailyPrecipReports.aspx?state=KS">Community Collaborative Rain, Hail &amp; Snow Network</a>. &nbsp;&nbsp;

UPDATE: NWS precipitation totals 

Salina Animal Services Willie is a big sweet boy with a big heart for loving you, a big bark for protecting you, and a big tongue for kissing you.&nbsp; He gets along with dogs, cats, and humans, knows sit, stay, and lay down but he does need work with these commands. He is easily excitable and distracted. He is not kennel trained but a lay down command will have him on his cot all night. He does like to snuggle on the couch, but he can make room for a human and his foster sisters when necessary.

His handlers haven't had him around a lot of kids, but he is calm when meeting them on walks. He can be territorial, he needs to be properly introduced to people. He barked like crazy at the Fed Ex man but did not try to rush the door when I opened it to get the package.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686422612736.jpeg" alt="Willie Image&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Willie Image&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure> Salina Animal Services Willie is a big sweet boy with a big heart for loving you, a big bark for protecting you, and a big tongue for kissing you.&nbsp; He gets along with dogs, cats, and humans, knows sit, stay, and lay down but he does need work with these commands. He is easily excitable and distracted. He is not kennel trained but a lay down command will have him on his cot all night. He does like to snuggle on the couch, but he can make room for a human and his foster sisters when necessary.His handlers haven't had him around a lot of kids, but he is calm when meeting them on walks. He can be territorial, he needs to be properly introduced to people. He barked like crazy at the Fed Ex man but did not try to rush the door when I opened it to get the package.He is excited to meet new dogs and can make some interesting noises when he wants say Hi, this can sound scary at times, but he has always behaved well when we have introduced him to other dogs.&nbsp; Proper introductions are always preferred. A random dog did approach during a walk day, he just sniffed, wagged his tail and continued on when the dog walked away.All in all Willie is a great dog who needs someone who understands he is a big boy who needs love and training.Willie is 2 year old large breed lab mix.Call to make an appointment to meet Willie at&nbsp;<a href="tel:785-826-6535">785-826-6535</a>Please plan to bring your already forever dog friends if you have any, he would love to meet them before you take him home. &nbsp;The shelter is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.More animals are up for adoption find your next fur-ever friend <a href="https://www.salinaanimalservices.com/">here</a>.&nbsp;

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