By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Two people were injured in a three-vehicle wreck at a busy south Salina intersection Thursday afternoon.

Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning that Pamela Robinson, 61, of Texas, was northbound on S. Ninth Street in a 2018 Nissan Rogue and attempting to turn left onto W. Magnolia Road when she struck a southbound 2018 Subaru Forester driven by Douglas Klimek, 69, of Salina. The impact caused the Forester to strike a southbound 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 driven by Dustin Lauffer, 23, of Salina, sending the pickup into a city traffic light pole, Forrester said.

The wreck occurred at approximately 2:35 p.m. Thursday.

Both Robinson and Lauffer suffered minor injuries, but were not transported to the hospital, Forrester said.

All three vehicles sustained front-end damage and were removed from the scene by a wrecker service.

Forrester said Robinson was cited for failure to yield the right-of-way.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677791869998.png" alt="First responders work the wreck at W. Magnolia Road and S. Ninth Street Thursday afternoon.&nbsp;Photo by Nate King/Salina Post&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>First responders work the wreck at W. Magnolia Road and S. Ninth Street Thursday afternoon.&nbsp;Photo by Nate King/Salina Post&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostTwo people were injured in a three-vehicle wreck at a busy south Salina intersection Thursday afternoon.Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning that Pamela Robinson, 61, of Texas, was northbound on S. Ninth Street in a 2018 Nissan Rogue and attempting to turn left onto W. Magnolia Road when she struck a southbound 2018 Subaru Forester driven by Douglas Klimek, 69, of Salina. The impact caused the Forester to strike a southbound 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 driven by Dustin Lauffer, 23, of Salina, sending the pickup into a city traffic light pole, Forrester said.The wreck occurred at approximately 2:35 p.m. Thursday.Both Robinson and Lauffer suffered minor injuries, but were not transported to the hospital, Forrester said.All three vehicles sustained front-end damage and were removed from the scene by a wrecker service.Forrester said Robinson was cited for failure to yield the right-of-way.

Two injured in three-vehicle wreck in south Salina Thursday

On Saturday, officers with the Salina Police Department responded to Laundro Mutt, 1322 E. Iron Avenue, Salina, in regard to damage to property. 

The owner reported earlier in the week two snack vending machines had been damaged due to the locking mechanism being drilled out. The vending machines did not contain money, but the damages are estimated to be $4,000.

Later in the week, the owner arrived at the business to find someone had damaged the coin-operated pet wash machines in attempt to steal the coins inside. The suspects were not able to gain entry into the machines, but the damages are estimated to be $7,000.

If you have any information concerning this incident or identification of the individual involved, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS. You can also make an online tip at: <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210, or Officer Dickerson, case 2023-5442.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677850980384.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Crimestoppers" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Crimestoppers</figcaption>
 </figure>CrimestoppersOn Saturday, officers with the Salina Police Department responded to Laundro Mutt, 1322 E. Iron Avenue, Salina, in regard to damage to property. The owner reported earlier in the week two snack vending machines had been damaged due to the locking mechanism being drilled out. The vending machines did not contain money, but the damages are estimated to be $4,000.Later in the week, the owner arrived at the business to find someone had damaged the coin-operated pet wash machines in attempt to steal the coins inside. The suspects were not able to gain entry into the machines, but the damages are estimated to be $7,000.If you have any information concerning this incident or identification of the individual involved, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS. You can also make an online tip at: <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210, or Officer Dickerson, case 2023-5442.

Crimestoppers seeks tips about damage at Laundro Mutt

Superintendent/ Foreman/ Carpenter/ Concrete Finisher/ Construction Laborer

Lancaster Construction, a local contractor in the concrete and light commercial construction is seeking driven individuals in the areas of concrete, carpentry, and general labor. Individuals successfully gaining employment will be willing and able to assist in any aspect of the project at hand. The willingness to learn and develop a wide range of skills will be imperative.

●Ability to perform general labor tasks, demolition, clean up, shovel/raking, and material handling

●Assist project foreman or superintendent with the task at hand

●Form, place, and finish different types of concrete structures and slabs

●Frame and construct different types of structures: wood framing, metal stud framing, metal building, post frame building

●Follow and abide by all safety rules and regulations.

●Be a valuable team member with a good attituded and strong work ethic.

●Employment is conditional upon successfully passing drug screening.

●Starting wage of $20.00-30.00/HR based on experience

<a href="https://lancasterci.com/employment">https://lancasterci.com/employment</a>

Elias Grant <a href="mailto:elias@lancasterci.com">elias@lancasterci.com</a> (785) 643-1795

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660877847716.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Superintendent/ Foreman/ Carpenter/ Concrete Finisher/ Construction LaborerFull TimeLancaster Construction, a local contractor in the concrete and light commercial construction is seeking driven individuals in the areas of concrete, carpentry, and general labor. Individuals successfully gaining employment will be willing and able to assist in any aspect of the project at hand. The willingness to learn and develop a wide range of skills will be imperative.Responsibilities●Ability to perform general labor tasks, demolition, clean up, shovel/raking, and material handling●Assist project foreman or superintendent with the task at hand●Form, place, and finish different types of concrete structures and slabs●Frame and construct different types of structures: wood framing, metal stud framing, metal building, post frame buildingRequirements●Valid driver’s license●Ability to meet quality expectations●Follow and abide by all safety rules and regulations.●Be a valuable team member with a good attituded and strong work ethic.●Employment is conditional upon successfully passing drug screening.●Basic hand tools and tool pouch.Benefits●Starting wage of $20.00-30.00/HR based on experience●Sign on Bonus●Vacation and sick days●Insurance program●Retirement program<a href="https://lancasterci.com/employment">https://lancasterci.com/employment</a>To apply, please reach out to:Elias Grant <a href="mailto:elias@lancasterci.com">elias@lancasterci.com</a> (785) 643-1795

Salina South student named National Merit Scholarship finalist

I have an uncle who wants to gift some property to one of his sons, myself and my sister. The property is about two-and-a-half acres, and it’s probably worth around $125,000. My wife and I are trying to pay off debt in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/dave-ramsey-7-baby-steps" target="_blank">Baby Step 2</a>&nbsp;of your plan, and we’re not sure how we feel about the situation. What do you think?

If your uncle asked me if he should do this, my answer would be no. The thing is, you’ve got three different sets of people with different lives and very different situations. Not only that, but these three potential co-owners probably have differing ideas about the land and what should or shouldn’t be done with it. To me, the whole thing sounds like a big family fight just waiting to happen.

If I were in his shoes, I’d just sell the property and split the money equally between the three of you. It’d be a lot easier that way, and you’d avoid the chance of hard feelings between you and your relatives down the road. Don’t get me wrong, your uncle sounds like a kind and generous man. He’s trying to be a blessing to all three of you, but it has a very real possibility of causing unintended problems he may not see coming.

That’s the way I’d handle it, Dave. A couple of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/real-estate/how-to-buy-land" target="_blank">acres</a>&nbsp;of dirt split between three people isn’t worth all the squabbles and bad feelings it could cause.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648176857529.png" alt="Dave Ramsey" />
 <figcaption>Dave Ramsey</figcaption>
 </figure>Dear Dave,I have an uncle who wants to gift some property to one of his sons, myself and my sister. The property is about two-and-a-half acres, and it’s probably worth around $125,000. My wife and I are trying to pay off debt in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/dave-ramsey-7-baby-steps" target="_blank">Baby Step 2</a>&nbsp;of your plan, and we’re not sure how we feel about the situation. What do you think?DaveDear Dave,If your uncle asked me if he should do this, my answer would be no. The thing is, you’ve got three different sets of people with different lives and very different situations. Not only that, but these three potential co-owners probably have differing ideas about the land and what should or shouldn’t be done with it. To me, the whole thing sounds like a big family fight just waiting to happen.If I were in his shoes, I’d just sell the property and split the money equally between the three of you. It’d be a lot easier that way, and you’d avoid the chance of hard feelings between you and your relatives down the road. Don’t get me wrong, your uncle sounds like a kind and generous man. He’s trying to be a blessing to all three of you, but it has a very real possibility of causing unintended problems he may not see coming.That’s the way I’d handle it, Dave. A couple of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/real-estate/how-to-buy-land" target="_blank">acres</a>&nbsp;of dirt split between three people isn’t worth all the squabbles and bad feelings it could cause.Dave

DAVE SAYS: I wouldn’t do it that way

Today is Friday, March 3, the 62nd day of 2023. There are 303 days left in the year.

On March 3, 1974, a Turkish Airlines DC-10 crashed shortly after takeoff from Orly Airport in Paris, killing all 346 people on board.

In 1791, Congress passed a measure taxing distilled spirits; it was the first internal revenue act in U.S. history.

In 1849, the U.S. Department of the Interior was established.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed a measure creating the National Academy of Sciences.

In 1931, "The Star-Spangled Banner" became the national anthem of the United States as President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional resolution.

In 1943, in London's East End, 173 people died in a crush of bodies at the Bethnal Green tube station, which was being used as a wartime air raid shelter.

In 1945, the Allies fully secured the Philippine capital of Manila from Japanese forces during World War II.

In 1960, Lucille Ball filed for divorce from her husband, Desi Arnaz, a day after they had finished filming the last episode of "The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show."

In 1966, death claimed actors William Frawley at age 79 and Alice Pearce at age 48 in Hollywood.

In 1969, Apollo 9 blasted off from Cape Kennedy on a mission to test the lunar module.

In 1991, motorist Rodney King was severely beaten by Los Angeles police officers in a scene captured on amateur video. Twenty-five people were killed when a United Airlines Boeing 737-200 crashed while approaching the Colorado Springs airport.

In 2017, The Nintendo Switch, a hybrid game machine that works as both a console at home and a portable tablet on the go, made its debut.

In 2020, in a surprise move, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by a half-point, its largest cut in more than a decade, to support the economy in the face of the spreading coronavirus.

Ten years ago: Vice President Joe Biden led civil rights leaders and national political figures in a ceremonial crossing of a Selma, Alabama, bridge where voting rights marchers were beaten by law enforcement officers in 1965. The SpaceX company's Dragon capsule made good on its latest shipment to the International Space Station, overcoming earlier mechanical difficulty to deliver a ton of supplies. Bobby Rogers, a founding member of Motown group The Miracles and a songwriting collaborator with Smokey Robinson, died at his suburban Detroit home at age 73.

Five years ago: Actor David Ogden Stiers, best known for playing a surgeon on the "M.A.S.H." television series, died at his Oregon home at the age of 75. Coastal communities in the northeastern United States saw damaging high tide flooding and the lingering effects of powerful, gusting winds in the aftermath of a vicious nor'easter. Roger Bannister, the British athlete who, while a medical student, became the first person to run a mile in under 4 minutes, died in Oxford, England at the age of 88.

One year ago: Amid a wave of cultural protest to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, an Amsterdam museum cut its close links to the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, and the Swedish Academy that hands out the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature broke its long tradition of not making political statements and condemned the invasion. In New York, soprano Anna Netrebko withdrew from her future engagements at the Metropolitan Opera rather than repudiate support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, costing the company one of its best box-office draws. OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma reached a nationwide settlement over its role in the opioid crisis, with the Sackler family members who own the company boosting their cash contribution to as much as $6 billion in a deal intended to staunch a flood of lawsuits.

Today's birthdays: Singer-musician Mike Pender (The Searchers) is 82. Movie producer-director George Miller is 78. Actor Hattie Winston is 78. Singer Jennifer Warnes is 76. Actor-director Tim Kazurinsky is 73. Singer-musician Robyn Hitchcock is 70. Actor Robert Gossett is 69. Rock musician John Lilley is 69. Actor Miranda Richardson is 65. Radio personality Ira Glass is 64. Actor Mary Page Keller is 62. Olympic track and field gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee is 61. Former NFL player and College Football Hall of Famer Herschel Walker is 61. Actor Laura Harring is 59. Contemporary Christian musician Duncan Phillips (Newsboys) is 59. Rapper-actor Tone Loc is 57. Actor Julie Bowen is 53. Country singer Brett Warren (The Warren Brothers) is 52. Actor David Faustino is 49. Gospel singer Jason Crabb is 46. Singer Ronan Keating (Boyzone) is 46. Rapper Lil' Flip is 42. Actor Jessica Biel is 41. Rock musician Blower (AKA Joe Garvey) (Hinder) is 39. Musician Brett Hite (Frenship) is 37. Pop singer Camila Cabello is 26. Actor Thomas Barbusca (TV: "The Mick") is 20. Actor Reylynn Caster is 20.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Friday, March 3, the 62nd day of 2023. There are 303 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On March 3, 1974, a Turkish Airlines DC-10 crashed shortly after takeoff from Orly Airport in Paris, killing all 346 people on board.On this date:In 1791, Congress passed a measure taxing distilled spirits; it was the first internal revenue act in U.S. history.In 1845, Florida became the 27th state.In 1849, the U.S. Department of the Interior was established.In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed a measure creating the National Academy of Sciences.In 1931, "The Star-Spangled Banner" became the national anthem of the United States as President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional resolution.In 1943, in London's East End, 173 people died in a crush of bodies at the Bethnal Green tube station, which was being used as a wartime air raid shelter.In 1945, the Allies fully secured the Philippine capital of Manila from Japanese forces during World War II.In 1960, Lucille Ball filed for divorce from her husband, Desi Arnaz, a day after they had finished filming the last episode of "The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show."In 1966, death claimed actors William Frawley at age 79 and Alice Pearce at age 48 in Hollywood.In 1969, Apollo 9 blasted off from Cape Kennedy on a mission to test the lunar module.In 1991, motorist Rodney King was severely beaten by Los Angeles police officers in a scene captured on amateur video. Twenty-five people were killed when a United Airlines Boeing 737-200 crashed while approaching the Colorado Springs airport.In 2017, The Nintendo Switch, a hybrid game machine that works as both a console at home and a portable tablet on the go, made its debut.In 2020, in a surprise move, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by a half-point, its largest cut in more than a decade, to support the economy in the face of the spreading coronavirus.Ten years ago: Vice President Joe Biden led civil rights leaders and national political figures in a ceremonial crossing of a Selma, Alabama, bridge where voting rights marchers were beaten by law enforcement officers in 1965. The SpaceX company's Dragon capsule made good on its latest shipment to the International Space Station, overcoming earlier mechanical difficulty to deliver a ton of supplies. Bobby Rogers, a founding member of Motown group The Miracles and a songwriting collaborator with Smokey Robinson, died at his suburban Detroit home at age 73.Five years ago: Actor David Ogden Stiers, best known for playing a surgeon on the "M.A.S.H." television series, died at his Oregon home at the age of 75. Coastal communities in the northeastern United States saw damaging high tide flooding and the lingering effects of powerful, gusting winds in the aftermath of a vicious nor'easter. Roger Bannister, the British athlete who, while a medical student, became the first person to run a mile in under 4 minutes, died in Oxford, England at the age of 88.One year ago: Amid a wave of cultural protest to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, an Amsterdam museum cut its close links to the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, and the Swedish Academy that hands out the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature broke its long tradition of not making political statements and condemned the invasion. In New York, soprano Anna Netrebko withdrew from her future engagements at the Metropolitan Opera rather than repudiate support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, costing the company one of its best box-office draws. OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma reached a nationwide settlement over its role in the opioid crisis, with the Sackler family members who own the company boosting their cash contribution to as much as $6 billion in a deal intended to staunch a flood of lawsuits.Today's birthdays: Singer-musician Mike Pender (The Searchers) is 82. Movie producer-director George Miller is 78. Actor Hattie Winston is 78. Singer Jennifer Warnes is 76. Actor-director Tim Kazurinsky is 73. Singer-musician Robyn Hitchcock is 70. Actor Robert Gossett is 69. Rock musician John Lilley is 69. Actor Miranda Richardson is 65. Radio personality Ira Glass is 64. Actor Mary Page Keller is 62. Olympic track and field gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee is 61. Former NFL player and College Football Hall of Famer Herschel Walker is 61. Actor Laura Harring is 59. Contemporary Christian musician Duncan Phillips (Newsboys) is 59. Rapper-actor Tone Loc is 57. Actor Julie Bowen is 53. Country singer Brett Warren (The Warren Brothers) is 52. Actor David Faustino is 49. Gospel singer Jason Crabb is 46. Singer Ronan Keating (Boyzone) is 46. Rapper Lil' Flip is 42. Actor Jessica Biel is 41. Rock musician Blower (AKA Joe Garvey) (Hinder) is 39. Musician Brett Hite (Frenship) is 37. Pop singer Camila Cabello is 26. Actor Thomas Barbusca (TV: "The Mick") is 20. Actor Reylynn Caster is 20.

Today in History - March 3

TOPEKA – A southeast Kansas man has been ordered to repay the Kansas Medicaid program more than $1,200 after pleading guilty to fraud charges. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said William Carl Morris II, 37, of Altamont, was sentenced in Labette County District Court on one count of submitting a false claim, statement or representation to the Kansas Medicaid program. Labette County District Judge Fred W. Johnson sentenced Morris to pay $1,276.95 in restitution and to serve 12 months of supervised probation. Investigators for the attorney general’s Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Division determined that Morris submitted false claims that he was providing personal care attendant services to his mother, a Medicaid beneficiary. Morris stated dates that he allegedly provided the services, but investigators determined that his mother was in fact in another city at the alleged time. Kobach said two other individuals also were recently sentenced in unrelated cases:

●Carrie Elizabeth McPhail, 56, of Saline County, was sentenced on Feb. 13 on one count of mistreatment of a dependent adult and one count of Medicaid fraud. She was ordered to pay $1,807.96 in restitution and serve 36 months of supervised probation. 

●Lisa Gail Hall, 61, of Jewell County, was sentenced on Feb. 14 on one count of possession of hydromorphone and one count of obstruction of a Medicaid fraud investigation. She was sentenced to 12 months of probation.&nbsp;

Kansas Attorney General's OfficeTOPEKA – A southeast Kansas man has been ordered to repay the Kansas Medicaid program more than $1,200 after pleading guilty to fraud charges. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said William Carl Morris II, 37, of Altamont, was sentenced in Labette County District Court on one count of submitting a false claim, statement or representation to the Kansas Medicaid program. Labette County District Judge Fred W. Johnson sentenced Morris to pay $1,276.95 in restitution and to serve 12 months of supervised probation. Investigators for the attorney general’s Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Division determined that Morris submitted false claims that he was providing personal care attendant services to his mother, a Medicaid beneficiary. Morris stated dates that he allegedly provided the services, but investigators determined that his mother was in fact in another city at the alleged time. Kobach said two other individuals also were recently sentenced in unrelated cases:●Carrie Elizabeth McPhail, 56, of Saline County, was sentenced on Feb. 13 on one count of mistreatment of a dependent adult and one count of Medicaid fraud. She was ordered to pay $1,807.96 in restitution and serve 36 months of supervised probation. ●Lisa Gail Hall, 61, of Jewell County, was sentenced on Feb. 14 on one count of possession of hydromorphone and one count of obstruction of a Medicaid fraud investigation. She was sentenced to 12 months of probation.&nbsp;

AG Kobach announces Medicaid fraud sentences

By TIM UNRUH For Saline County

Local talk radio chatter piqued Salina resident Jeff Stone’s interest one Saturday morning in late December.

The guest that morning was Mike Peterson, executive director of the Community Housing Development Corporation of Central Kansas. He explained CHDO’s goal to weatherize 50 homes of low to moderate income families.

Feeling some winter chill at his Salina home he’s owned for more than 30 years, Stone listened in.

“It was kind of drafty, but I wasn’t needing an igloo yet,” said the retired Salina banker, Disability Planning Organization of Kansas assessor, and U.S. Army veteran, originally from Boston.

“I qualified, and the work was stuff I didn’t have to pay for. It was like a no-brainer,” he said. “I figured anything they can do is better than what I had.”

Workers have so far insulated his attic and the crawl space below his house; provided and installed an air conditioner cover, fixed a trap door to his basement, and an access door to the attic.

The crew will return soon to close air leaks around Stone’s front door, replace a window in the laundry room, and perhaps add some sidewall insulation.

While he waits patiently, Stone, 77, has already noticed an improvement.

“My heater runs less frequently, and more efficiently, and it didn’t cost me a penny,” Stone said. “The contractor they hired was excellent, always prompt. He told me what he was doing, and did the work.”

His Salina home is among 50 in Saline County that will be weatherized with a $500,000 grant. The money is part of the county’s $10.532 million from the American Rescue Plant Act. A portion of $65.1 billion was sent to every county in America, to ease economic, governmental and personal effects of COVID-19.

“I want at least 50 houses done by the end of this year. Thirty are on the books and we have room for 20 more,” Peterson said. “We may go deeper than that once we find out our costs. I think we can go into 2024 with the county money”

The target in to spend no more than $7,500 at each home, he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

CHDO’s overall focus is housing for low and moderate income families.

“We buy and renovate homes and resell to qualifying families,” Peterson said.

Crews look for air infiltration and use weather stripping on doors and windows, fix broken windows, fill holes, wrapping insulation blankets around poorly protected water heaters. It’s all aimed to reduce the amount of energy used in those homes.

“We go through the house using a thermal camera, trying to find cold spots, looking for something missing, like attic insulation,” he said. “Standard today are so much higher when most of these homes were built.”

Inspectors comb through homes looking for dangers, and install carbon monoxide detectors, which have become “a pretty routine safety device,” Peterson said. “The nice thing about it is it will help these people save money for years to come. We’re be helping them reduce their energy usage. I’m sure it will help improve their comfort level as well.”

“It was a real blessing to work with Jeff,” Peterson said.

Salina CHDO is still accepting applications at&nbsp;<a href="https://link.zixcentral.com/u/f8138d05/CgXidSK57RG23Nkmh3soMg?u=http%3A%2F%2Fkschdo.com" target="_blank">kschdo.com</a>. Find the weatherization application link and fill it out. To inquire, visit the office at 748B Duvall, call (785) 833-6868, email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mpeterson@kschdo.com" target="_blank">mpeterson@kschdo.com</a>, or visit the Salina CHDO Facebook page, where there are photos available of work being done.

“I really appreciate what Saline County’s doing for its taxpayers,” he said. “It’s a great program.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677797001413.png" alt="Salina resident Jeff Stone stands in the front doorway of his home that is due for weatherization work. Photo by Tim Unruh" />
 <figcaption>Salina resident Jeff Stone stands in the front doorway of his home that is due for weatherization work. Photo by Tim Unruh</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM UNRUH For Saline CountyLocal talk radio chatter piqued Salina resident Jeff Stone’s interest one Saturday morning in late December.The guest that morning was Mike Peterson, executive director of the Community Housing Development Corporation of Central Kansas. He explained CHDO’s goal to weatherize 50 homes of low to moderate income families.Feeling some winter chill at his Salina home he’s owned for more than 30 years, Stone listened in.“It was kind of drafty, but I wasn’t needing an igloo yet,” said the retired Salina banker, Disability Planning Organization of Kansas assessor, and U.S. Army veteran, originally from Boston.“I qualified, and the work was stuff I didn’t have to pay for. It was like a no-brainer,” he said. “I figured anything they can do is better than what I had.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677797106229.png" alt="Workers provided and installed a cover for Stone’s air conditioner. Photo by Tim Unruh" />
 <figcaption>Workers provided and installed a cover for Stone’s air conditioner. Photo by Tim Unruh</figcaption>
 </figure>Workers have so far insulated his attic and the crawl space below his house; provided and installed an air conditioner cover, fixed a trap door to his basement, and an access door to the attic.The crew will return soon to close air leaks around Stone’s front door, replace a window in the laundry room, and perhaps add some sidewall insulation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677797174617.png" alt="Added insulation in Stone’s attic is expected to lower utility bills and make his home more comfortable. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Added insulation in Stone’s attic is expected to lower utility bills and make his home more comfortable. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>While he waits patiently, Stone, 77, has already noticed an improvement.“My heater runs less frequently, and more efficiently, and it didn’t cost me a penny,” Stone said. “The contractor they hired was excellent, always prompt. He told me what he was doing, and did the work.”His Salina home is among 50 in Saline County that will be weatherized with a $500,000 grant. The money is part of the county’s $10.532 million from the American Rescue Plant Act. A portion of $65.1 billion was sent to every county in America, to ease economic, governmental and personal effects of COVID-19.“I want at least 50 houses done by the end of this year. Thirty are on the books and we have room for 20 more,” Peterson said. “We may go deeper than that once we find out our costs. I think we can go into 2024 with the county money”The target in to spend no more than $7,500 at each home, he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;CHDO’s overall focus is housing for low and moderate income families.“We buy and renovate homes and resell to qualifying families,” Peterson said.Crews look for air infiltration and use weather stripping on doors and windows, fix broken windows, fill holes, wrapping insulation blankets around poorly protected water heaters. It’s all aimed to reduce the amount of energy used in those homes.“We go through the house using a thermal camera, trying to find cold spots, looking for something missing, like attic insulation,” he said. “Standard today are so much higher when most of these homes were built.”Inspectors comb through homes looking for dangers, and install carbon monoxide detectors, which have become “a pretty routine safety device,” Peterson said. “The nice thing about it is it will help these people save money for years to come. We’re be helping them reduce their energy usage. I’m sure it will help improve their comfort level as well.”He praised Stone for his cooperation.“It was a real blessing to work with Jeff,” Peterson said.Salina CHDO is still accepting applications at&nbsp;<a href="https://link.zixcentral.com/u/f8138d05/CgXidSK57RG23Nkmh3soMg?u=http%3A%2F%2Fkschdo.com" target="_blank">kschdo.com</a>. Find the weatherization application link and fill it out. To inquire, visit the office at 748B Duvall, call (785) 833-6868, email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mpeterson@kschdo.com" target="_blank">mpeterson@kschdo.com</a>, or visit the Salina CHDO Facebook page, where there are photos available of work being done.“I really appreciate what Saline County’s doing for its taxpayers,” he said. “It’s a great program.”

With county grant, CHDO aims to make 50 homes toasty this winter

JEWELL COUNTY - An electric cooperative recently helped the Jewell County Game Warden free a Bald Eagle from a tree. From the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kdwpgamewardens">Kansas Wildlife &amp; Parks - Game Wardens Facebook page</a>:

JEWELL COUNTY - An electric cooperative recently helped the Jewell County Game Warden free a Bald Eagle from a tree. From the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kdwpgamewardens">Kansas Wildlife &amp; Parks - Game Wardens Facebook page</a>:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fkdwpgamewardens%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0Zn8XRZJDGTmvy9FbwJ3dTKEzoLnhpLv67yNybdJBiCHTrrPmUn2CJosVZdW2iY9Cl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="454" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

Electric cooperative personnel help free trapped Bald Eagle

UPDATE 10:30 a.m. Friday: There's an update to this story.

READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/092ab910-872c-4f49-9cb6-b49a5b1158ac">Two injured in three-vehicle wreck in south Salina Thursday</a>

A reported multi-vehicle wreck snarled traffic in south Salina Thursday afternoon.

The wreck occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of W. Magnolia Road and S. Ninth Street.

Salina Post will have additional information as the Salina Police Department makes it available.

UPDATE 10:30 a.m. Friday: There's an update to this story.READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/092ab910-872c-4f49-9cb6-b49a5b1158ac">Two injured in three-vehicle wreck in south Salina Thursday</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677791869998.png" alt="First responders work the wreck at W. Magnolia Road and S. Ninth Street.&nbsp;Photo by Nate King/Salina Post&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>First responders work the wreck at W. Magnolia Road and S. Ninth Street.&nbsp;Photo by Nate King/Salina Post&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTA reported multi-vehicle wreck snarled traffic in south Salina Thursday afternoon.The wreck occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of W. Magnolia Road and S. Ninth Street.Salina Post will have additional information as the Salina Police Department makes it available.

UPDATE: Wreck congests traffic at busy south Salina intersection

By NATE KING Salina Post

For years, students and business leaders across the country have been trained on what to do during emergency situations, such as a fire or tornado. On Feb. 15, 145 people&nbsp;representing churches, schools, first responders, businesses, and concerned community members, from across central Kansas, gathered for a different kind of training-- active shooter training.&nbsp;

The Saline County Office of Emergency Management hosted the free event and lunch was sponsored by Wilson Security Solutions LLC.

 Presenters included Chuck&nbsp;Clanahan, protective security advisor for Department of Homeland Security, Melissa McCoy, public information officer for Saline County, and Captain Jim&nbsp;Hughes from the Saline County Sheriff's Office.&nbsp;

The all day exercise took place at the Webster Conference Center,&nbsp;2601 N. Ohio Street. Michelle Weis, director of Saline County emergency management, said that she was very surprised by the turnout.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"I told Melissa that I wanted people to register so that way like if I knew there were only 45 people coming I could take some chairs out," Weis said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If anything, more chairs will be needed for the next active shooter training. Weis said event interest was so great there was a wait list of 15 additional people who wanted to attend the event.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As to why there was such an interest in learning about active shooter training and crisis management, Weis said the environment surrounding active shooter situations is becoming more common and more severe.&nbsp;

"Just like natural disasters, some become more severe depending on the climate," Weis said. "I think that unfortunately, the climate for active violence has shifted, and it's now the means for people to vent, whether that be they have mental health issues, or they're disgruntled in some aspect, people now feel like this is the way that they choose to express their feelings or discontent towards a firm, former employer or place of business or school."&nbsp;

Planning for the 2023&nbsp;Active&nbsp;Shooter&nbsp;Security Workshop began shortly after Saline County held its 2019 active shooter training workshop. Weiss said that she and her team at the county level wanted to ensure that they were proactive in providing training.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Planning for this year's active shooter security workshop began in 2020," Weiss said. "Chuck is the only one who does what he does in the state.&nbsp;I also didn't want to drag my feet so long, and then something happened. Then it looks like we were doing this workshop because something happened, I wanted people to know that we've been thinking about this and wanting to train on this before something happened."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Clanahan's presentation focused&nbsp;on the message, "See something say, something." His presentation included videos emphasizing the importance of community involvement in identifying threats and a Q&amp;A session where he asked event attendees hypothetical questions on what they or their business would do in the case of an active shooter.

Clanahan represented DHS's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). CISA's goal is to enhance incident preparedness through a "whole community" approach. Clanahan provided event attendees with materials and information to better prepare themselves and their businesses when dealing with an active shooter situation, focusing on behaviors that represent pre-incident red flags of active shooters, potential attack methods, how to develop emergency plans and what actions to take during an incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Clanahan reiterated multiple times during his presentation, that it isn't a matter of "if" an active shooter situation will occur, but "when."&nbsp;

According to the Gun Violence Archive, in 2022 there were 647 mass shootings.&nbsp;An&nbsp;active shooter&nbsp;is an individual who is engaged in killing, or attempting to kill, people in a confined and populated area. Active shooter incidents are often unpredictable. Amid the chaos, anyone can play an integral role in mitigating the impacts of an active shooter incident.&nbsp;

According to CISA's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf" target="_blank">workshop materials</a>, in many cases, there is no pattern or method to the selection of victims by an active shooter, and these situations are by their very nature unpredictable and evolve quickly. Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.&nbsp;

DHS trained attendees on using the, "run, hide, fight" method when dealing with an active shooter situation&nbsp;

Evacuate/run&nbsp;If there is an accessible escape path. When attempting to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:&nbsp;

•&nbsp;Have an escape route and plan in mind&nbsp;&nbsp; • Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow&nbsp;&nbsp; • Leave your belongings behind&nbsp;&nbsp; • Help others escape, if possible&nbsp; •&nbsp;&nbsp;Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be • Keep your hands visible&nbsp; •&nbsp;&nbsp;Follow the instructions of any police officers&nbsp;&nbsp; • Do not attempt to move wounded people&nbsp;&nbsp; • Call 911 when you are safe&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hide&nbsp;If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you. Your hiding place should:&nbsp;&nbsp;

• Be out of the active shooter’s view&nbsp;&nbsp; • Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked door)&nbsp;

To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:&nbsp;&nbsp;

• Lock the door&nbsp;&nbsp; • Blockade the door with heavy furniture&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;How to respond when an active shooter is in your vicinity

If the active shooter is nearby:&nbsp;&nbsp;

• Lock the door&nbsp;&nbsp; • Silence your cell phone and/or pager&nbsp;&nbsp; • Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions)&nbsp;&nbsp; • Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)&nbsp;&nbsp; • Remain quiet&nbsp;&nbsp;

If evacuation and hiding out are not possible

• Remain calm&nbsp;&nbsp; • Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter’s location&nbsp;&nbsp; • If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen&nbsp;&nbsp;

Take action against the active shooter

As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:&nbsp;&nbsp;

• Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her&nbsp;&nbsp; • Throwing items and improvising weapons&nbsp;&nbsp; • Yelling&nbsp;&nbsp; • Committing to your actions&nbsp;&nbsp; • If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen&nbsp;&nbsp;

McCoy also spoke at the workshop. She conveyed to attendees the importance of establishing a crisis communication plan within their business.

In March of last year, Olathe East had an active shooter situation. In the hours that followed that frightful situation, USD 233 Superintendent Brent Yeager issued a statement. McCoy used <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ARSM3Uz7wY">his remarks</a> following the incident as an example of what businesses should do following a crisis situation.&nbsp;

McCoy also used an example of what businesses should not do following a crisis. The example video was an interview between a daycare administrator and a journalist in Memphis following a crisis situation where a drug dealer attempted to flee police and hide inside a daycare facility. The fleeing suspect knocked on the door of the facility and was let inside, no questions asked.&nbsp;

During the interview the administrator does not take responsibility and blames others, before walking out on the interview.&nbsp;

Both examples helped shine a light on how important a business or entity's message is following any crisis.

The workshop also included a presentation by Hughes on the importance of tactical first aid.

Five years ago, Hughes attended a tactical first aid training in Georgia where he met two instructors who also happened to be veterans. Hughes said that both of the instructors he met were combat veterans and both had were injured in combat. For one of the veterans, what saved his life was a $150 first aid kit he had received in training.&nbsp;

The two veterans Hughes mentioned, teamed up with the <a href="https://www.stopthebleed.org/">STOP THE BLEED </a>campaign and the federal government to create a tactical first aid class for law enforcement officers.&nbsp;

Hughes said that advances made by military medicine and research in hemorrhage control during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have better informed the medical community and first responders.

"Originally it was a class for cops in the field to apply while taking on gunfire," Hughes said "This class teaches cops how to both return gunfire and put a&nbsp;tourniquet, simultaneously."

Hughes said there are eight instructors in the Saline County Sheriff's Office who have been through this training and are qualified to give this training to others.

Hughes and other law enforcement officers in Saline County thought the public could also benefit from this training.&nbsp;

"We decided, to take out all the 'pew, pew' cop stuff and get this basic information out to other people in the community," Hughes said.&nbsp;

Hughes and members of the community got together and created a class based on the tactical first aid class, except designed to teach non-law enforcement individuals.&nbsp;

Hughes said that the tactical first aid training is different than what paramedics learn in their course work.&nbsp;

"We are not teaching people how to be a paramedic," Hughes said. "We are teaching you how to save your life and we are teaching you how to save someone else."

Hughes said that waiting during an active shooter situation for paramedics and EMTs to arrive, dress your wounds and save your life is futile.&nbsp;

"During an active shooter situation it is chaotic and there is a lot of gunfire. For the five to seven minutes that you are in that room, in 45 seconds you could bleed out through arterial bleeding," Hughes said. "'Who is going to be there to save your life?' You are. You are going to have to save your own life. They [paramedics] are not coming in until the threat is neutralized."

Hughes said the Saline County Sheriff's Office will be ready to administer the three hour tactical first aid class in approximately two months.

"The tactical first aid class is not just for active shooter situations," Hughes said. "What if you are cutting wood and a chainsaw gets away from you. If you have a tactical first aid kit and know how to use it, it could save your life. What if you come across someone on the road who got in a car accident and they have a severed hand? We are going to teach you how best to respond to these types of situations."&nbsp;

Hughes said a Kansas trooper recently received an award for saving someone's life using a gun shot wound kit for an arterial wound that occurred during a car accident.&nbsp;

"When we teach this class to law enforcement officers, we add stress and we put soapy water on their hands to replicate blood," Hughes said "We put a little bit of stress into the situation. It isn't military bootcamp, but we show you can do all of that with some training and a tactical first aid kit."

Hughes told Salina Post the tactical first aid class, which will be offered to the public before the end of the year, is entirely hands on.

"By the time you complete the training you will be be able to put a tourniquet on yourself blindfolded," Hughes said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677268271002.jpeg" alt="Salina Emergency Management Active Shooter workshop. Photos by Nate King/Salina Post" />
 <figcaption>Salina Emergency Management Active Shooter workshop. Photos by Nate King/Salina Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By NATE KING Salina PostFor years, students and business leaders across the country have been trained on what to do during emergency situations, such as a fire or tornado. On Feb. 15, 145 people&nbsp;representing churches, schools, first responders, businesses, and concerned community members, from across central Kansas, gathered for a different kind of training-- active shooter training.&nbsp;The Saline County Office of Emergency Management hosted the free event and lunch was sponsored by Wilson Security Solutions LLC. Presenters included Chuck&nbsp;Clanahan, protective security advisor for Department of Homeland Security, Melissa McCoy, public information officer for Saline County, and Captain Jim&nbsp;Hughes from the Saline County Sheriff's Office.&nbsp;The all day exercise took place at the Webster Conference Center,&nbsp;2601 N. Ohio Street. Michelle Weis, director of Saline County emergency management, said that she was very surprised by the turnout.&nbsp;&nbsp;"I told Melissa that I wanted people to register so that way like if I knew there were only 45 people coming I could take some chairs out," Weis said.&nbsp;&nbsp;If anything, more chairs will be needed for the next active shooter training. Weis said event interest was so great there was a wait list of 15 additional people who wanted to attend the event.&nbsp;&nbsp;As to why there was such an interest in learning about active shooter training and crisis management, Weis said the environment surrounding active shooter situations is becoming more common and more severe.&nbsp;"Just like natural disasters, some become more severe depending on the climate," Weis said. "I think that unfortunately, the climate for active violence has shifted, and it's now the means for people to vent, whether that be they have mental health issues, or they're disgruntled in some aspect, people now feel like this is the way that they choose to express their feelings or discontent towards a firm, former employer or place of business or school."&nbsp;Planning for the 2023&nbsp;Active&nbsp;Shooter&nbsp;Security Workshop began shortly after Saline County held its 2019 active shooter training workshop. Weiss said that she and her team at the county level wanted to ensure that they were proactive in providing training.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Planning for this year's active shooter security workshop began in 2020," Weiss said. "Chuck is the only one who does what he does in the state.&nbsp;I also didn't want to drag my feet so long, and then something happened. Then it looks like we were doing this workshop because something happened, I wanted people to know that we've been thinking about this and wanting to train on this before something happened."&nbsp;&nbsp;Clanahan's presentation focused&nbsp;on the message, "See something say, something." His presentation included videos emphasizing the importance of community involvement in identifying threats and a Q&amp;A session where he asked event attendees hypothetical questions on what they or their business would do in the case of an active shooter.Clanahan represented DHS's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). CISA's goal is to enhance incident preparedness through a "whole community" approach. Clanahan provided event attendees with materials and information to better prepare themselves and their businesses when dealing with an active shooter situation, focusing on behaviors that represent pre-incident red flags of active shooters, potential attack methods, how to develop emergency plans and what actions to take during an incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Clanahan reiterated multiple times during his presentation, that it isn't a matter of "if" an active shooter situation will occur, but "when."&nbsp;According to the Gun Violence Archive, in 2022 there were 647 mass shootings.&nbsp;An&nbsp;active shooter&nbsp;is an individual who is engaged in killing, or attempting to kill, people in a confined and populated area. Active shooter incidents are often unpredictable. Amid the chaos, anyone can play an integral role in mitigating the impacts of an active shooter incident.&nbsp;According to CISA's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf" target="_blank">workshop materials</a>, in many cases, there is no pattern or method to the selection of victims by an active shooter, and these situations are by their very nature unpredictable and evolve quickly. Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.&nbsp;DHS trained attendees on using the, "run, hide, fight" method when dealing with an active shooter situation&nbsp;Evacuate/run&nbsp;If there is an accessible escape path. When attempting to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:&nbsp;•&nbsp;Have an escape route and plan in mind&nbsp;&nbsp; • Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow&nbsp;&nbsp; • Leave your belongings behind&nbsp;&nbsp; • Help others escape, if possible&nbsp; •&nbsp;&nbsp;Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be • Keep your hands visible&nbsp; •&nbsp;&nbsp;Follow the instructions of any police officers&nbsp;&nbsp; • Do not attempt to move wounded people&nbsp;&nbsp; • Call 911 when you are safe&nbsp;&nbsp;Hide&nbsp;If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you. Your hiding place should:&nbsp;&nbsp;• Be out of the active shooter’s view&nbsp;&nbsp; • Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked door)&nbsp;To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:&nbsp;&nbsp;• Lock the door&nbsp;&nbsp; • Blockade the door with heavy furniture&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;How to respond when an active shooter is in your vicinityIf the active shooter is nearby:&nbsp;&nbsp;• Lock the door&nbsp;&nbsp; • Silence your cell phone and/or pager&nbsp;&nbsp; • Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions)&nbsp;&nbsp; • Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)&nbsp;&nbsp; • Remain quiet&nbsp;&nbsp;If evacuation and hiding out are not possible• Remain calm&nbsp;&nbsp; • Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter’s location&nbsp;&nbsp; • If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen&nbsp;&nbsp;Take action against the active shooter As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:&nbsp;&nbsp;• Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her&nbsp;&nbsp; • Throwing items and improvising weapons&nbsp;&nbsp; • Yelling&nbsp;&nbsp; • Committing to your actions&nbsp;&nbsp; • If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen&nbsp;&nbsp;McCoy also spoke at the workshop. She conveyed to attendees the importance of establishing a crisis communication plan within their business.In March of last year, Olathe East had an active shooter situation. In the hours that followed that frightful situation, USD 233 Superintendent Brent Yeager issued a statement. McCoy used <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ARSM3Uz7wY">his remarks</a> following the incident as an example of what businesses should do following a crisis situation.&nbsp;McCoy also used an example of what businesses should not do following a crisis. The example video was an interview between a daycare administrator and a journalist in Memphis following a crisis situation where a drug dealer attempted to flee police and hide inside a daycare facility. The fleeing suspect knocked on the door of the facility and was let inside, no questions asked.&nbsp;During the interview the administrator does not take responsibility and blames others, before walking out on the interview.&nbsp;Both examples helped shine a light on how important a business or entity's message is following any crisis.The workshop also included a presentation by Hughes on the importance of tactical first aid.Five years ago, Hughes attended a tactical first aid training in Georgia where he met two instructors who also happened to be veterans. Hughes said that both of the instructors he met were combat veterans and both had were injured in combat. For one of the veterans, what saved his life was a $150 first aid kit he had received in training.&nbsp;The two veterans Hughes mentioned, teamed up with the <a href="https://www.stopthebleed.org/">STOP THE BLEED </a>campaign and the federal government to create a tactical first aid class for law enforcement officers.&nbsp;Hughes said that advances made by military medicine and research in hemorrhage control during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have better informed the medical community and first responders."Originally it was a class for cops in the field to apply while taking on gunfire," Hughes said "This class teaches cops how to both return gunfire and put a&nbsp;tourniquet, simultaneously."Hughes said there are eight instructors in the Saline County Sheriff's Office who have been through this training and are qualified to give this training to others.Hughes and other law enforcement officers in Saline County thought the public could also benefit from this training.&nbsp;"We decided, to take out all the 'pew, pew' cop stuff and get this basic information out to other people in the community," Hughes said.&nbsp;Hughes and members of the community got together and created a class based on the tactical first aid class, except designed to teach non-law enforcement individuals.&nbsp;Hughes said that the tactical first aid training is different than what paramedics learn in their course work.&nbsp;"We are not teaching people how to be a paramedic," Hughes said. "We are teaching you how to save your life and we are teaching you how to save someone else."Hughes said that waiting during an active shooter situation for paramedics and EMTs to arrive, dress your wounds and save your life is futile.&nbsp;"During an active shooter situation it is chaotic and there is a lot of gunfire. For the five to seven minutes that you are in that room, in 45 seconds you could bleed out through arterial bleeding," Hughes said. "'Who is going to be there to save your life?' You are. You are going to have to save your own life. They [paramedics] are not coming in until the threat is neutralized."Hughes said the Saline County Sheriff's Office will be ready to administer the three hour tactical first aid class in approximately two months."The tactical first aid class is not just for active shooter situations," Hughes said. "What if you are cutting wood and a chainsaw gets away from you. If you have a tactical first aid kit and know how to use it, it could save your life. What if you come across someone on the road who got in a car accident and they have a severed hand? We are going to teach you how best to respond to these types of situations."&nbsp;Hughes said a Kansas trooper recently received an award for saving someone's life using a gun shot wound kit for an arterial wound that occurred during a car accident.&nbsp;"When we teach this class to law enforcement officers, we add stress and we put soapy water on their hands to replicate blood," Hughes said "We put a little bit of stress into the situation. It isn't military bootcamp, but we show you can do all of that with some training and a tactical first aid kit."Hughes told Salina Post the tactical first aid class, which will be offered to the public before the end of the year, is entirely hands on."By the time you complete the training you will be be able to put a tourniquet on yourself blindfolded," Hughes said.

Saline Co. Emergency Management hosts active shooter training

The Southeast of Saline girls take on Hoisington in sub-state action from Russell tonight, and if you can't make it to the game, we have you covered!

The game is set to tip at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

You can listen to the game on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM). Devin Hanney has the call. You also can watch a live stream of the game right here on Salina Post, thanks to The Bennington State Bank!

Use the QR code or click the link below to watch the game Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677763949736.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Southeast of Saline girls take on Hoisington in sub-state action from Russell tonight, and if you can't make it to the game, we have you covered!The game is set to tip at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.You can listen to the game on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM). Devin Hanney has the call. You also can watch a live stream of the game right here on Salina Post, thanks to The Bennington State Bank!Use the QR code or click the link below to watch the game Thursday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677764104896.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z7QywKqQByc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

🎥Watch live tonight as the SES girls take on Hoisington

Called a "win-win for everyone," Salina's annual Match Madness giving day is set for March 23.

The 2023 Match Madness will be the 12th consecutive year for the donor event hosted by the Greater Salina Community Foundation (GSCF).

“This event is a win-win for everyone and a great example of community collaboration. Donations of all sizes are pooled together to provide long-term support for our charities, and the match given can be used instantly by the charities to meet urgent needs,” said Jessica Martin, GSCF executive director.

Indeed, since Match Madness' beginning in 2012, 6,416 donors have contributed a record-breaking total of $2,726,606.55 to 104 charities, according to information from GSCF. Additionally, during that time period, the events match and bonus grants have totaled $1,180,579.41 and the total impact to the community has been more than $3.9 million.

This year's Match Madness will include the option for people to donate to 92 participating charities. The list of participating charities can be found online at <a href="http://www.matchmadnessgscf.org">www.matchmadnessgscf.org</a>.

All donations made during Match Madness 2023 will go to each charity’s permanent endowed fund held at the Greater Salina Community Foundation. These funds are permanently invested to produce a steady stream of income that charities can count on every year, which eases the pressure to raise annual funds, the foundation noted.

Thanks to a group of private donors, Match Madness also will have $300,000 in matching funds. Those funds will be used to match proportionally up to 50 percent each donation made to one of the 92 participating charities. Those funds can be accessed instantly by the charities to help meet immediate needs, GSCF noted in a news release.

If you would like to donate during Match Madness on March 23, you have three options:

According to information from GSCF, Match Madness 2023 also will include the following.

●Bill Grevas Memorial Nonprofit Free Throw Contest, sponsored by Salina Regional Health Foundation, where nonprofit representatives will have one minute to shoot free throws for a chance to earn up to $100 in bonus cash for their organization. Competition starts at 11:30 a.m. and will run until 5 p.m. Come down to the fieldhouse and cheer on your favorite nonprofits.

●BE Wealth Half-Court Shot for Charity, where nonprofit representatives will attempt to make a shot from half-court, and the winner will receive an extra $1,000 for their organization. Competition starts at 5:30 p.m. Come down to the fieldhouse and cheer on all the nonprofits with emcee Cash Hollistah.

●Food trucks, including Saddle Jack’s BBQ, and Taco’s Food Truck will be serving food from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. outside of the Salina Fieldhouse.

●Nonprofit booths will be set up from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Visit the nonprofit booths and participate in the “Around the World” booth contest. Get a stamp at five or more booths and be entered to win a special prize at the end of the event.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677778121132.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTCalled a "win-win for everyone," Salina's annual Match Madness giving day is set for March 23.The 2023 Match Madness will be the 12th consecutive year for the donor event hosted by the Greater Salina Community Foundation (GSCF).“This event is a win-win for everyone and a great example of community collaboration. Donations of all sizes are pooled together to provide long-term support for our charities, and the match given can be used instantly by the charities to meet urgent needs,” said Jessica Martin, GSCF executive director.Indeed, since Match Madness' beginning in 2012, 6,416 donors have contributed a record-breaking total of $2,726,606.55 to 104 charities, according to information from GSCF. Additionally, during that time period, the events match and bonus grants have totaled $1,180,579.41 and the total impact to the community has been more than $3.9 million.This year's Match Madness will include the option for people to donate to 92 participating charities. The list of participating charities can be found online at <a href="http://www.matchmadnessgscf.org">www.matchmadnessgscf.org</a>. All donations made during Match Madness 2023 will go to each charity’s permanent endowed fund held at the Greater Salina Community Foundation. These funds are permanently invested to produce a steady stream of income that charities can count on every year, which eases the pressure to raise annual funds, the foundation noted.Thanks to a group of private donors, Match Madness also will have $300,000 in matching funds. Those funds will be used to match proportionally up to 50 percent each donation made to one of the 92 participating charities. Those funds can be accessed instantly by the charities to help meet immediate needs, GSCF noted in a news release.If you would like to donate during Match Madness on March 23, you have three options:<ul>
 <li>In-person from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Salina Fieldhouse, 140 N. Fifth Street.</li><li>Online at <a href="http://www.matchmadnessgscf.org">www.matchmadnessgscf.org</a> from midnight to 11:59 p.m.</li><li>Mail donations postmarked on March 23 to GSCF, PO Box 2876, Salina, KS 67402-2876</li>
 </ul>According to information from GSCF, Match Madness 2023 also will include the following.●Bill Grevas Memorial Nonprofit Free Throw Contest, sponsored by Salina Regional Health Foundation, where nonprofit representatives will have one minute to shoot free throws for a chance to earn up to $100 in bonus cash for their organization. Competition starts at 11:30 a.m. and will run until 5 p.m. Come down to the fieldhouse and cheer on your favorite nonprofits.●BE Wealth Half-Court Shot for Charity, where nonprofit representatives will attempt to make a shot from half-court, and the winner will receive an extra $1,000 for their organization. Competition starts at 5:30 p.m. Come down to the fieldhouse and cheer on all the nonprofits with emcee Cash Hollistah.●Food trucks, including Saddle Jack’s BBQ, and Taco’s Food Truck will be serving food from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. outside of the Salina Fieldhouse.●Nonprofit booths will be set up from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Visit the nonprofit booths and participate in the “Around the World” booth contest. Get a stamp at five or more booths and be entered to win a special prize at the end of the event.

Salina's Match Madness 2023 set for March 23

One driver was cited and the other transported to the hospital after an SUV-motorcycle wreck in south Salina Wednesday afternoon.

Peggy Dean, 84, of Salina, was southbound on Century Plaza Drive and stopped at the stop sign at W. Magnolia Road in a 2016 GMC Acadia. H. Irving, 74, of Salina, was westbound on W. Magnolia Road on a 2000 Honda motorcycle when Dean pulled out in front of the motorcycle, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning. Although Irving was able to lay down the motorcycle, it still collided with the SUV.

The wreck occurred at approximately 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Irving, who was wearing a helmet, suffered injuries and was transported to Salina Regional Health Center, Forrester said. Dean and a 65-year-old male passenger in the SUV were not injured, he said.

The SUV sustained front-end damage but was removed by the driver. The motorcycle also sustained front-end damage and was removed by wrecker.

Forrester said Dean was cited for failure to yield the right-of-way when leaving a stop sign.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677774776573.png" alt="The location of the wreck. Map courtesy Google Maps" />
 <figcaption>The location of the wreck. Map courtesy Google Maps</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostOne driver was cited and the other transported to the hospital after an SUV-motorcycle wreck in south Salina Wednesday afternoon.Peggy Dean, 84, of Salina, was southbound on Century Plaza Drive and stopped at the stop sign at W. Magnolia Road in a 2016 GMC Acadia. H. Irving, 74, of Salina, was westbound on W. Magnolia Road on a 2000 Honda motorcycle when Dean pulled out in front of the motorcycle, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning. Although Irving was able to lay down the motorcycle, it still collided with the SUV.The wreck occurred at approximately 1 p.m. Wednesday.Irving, who was wearing a helmet, suffered injuries and was transported to Salina Regional Health Center, Forrester said. Dean and a 65-year-old male passenger in the SUV were not injured, he said.The SUV sustained front-end damage but was removed by the driver. The motorcycle also sustained front-end damage and was removed by wrecker.Forrester said Dean was cited for failure to yield the right-of-way when leaving a stop sign.

Local man injured when SUV, motorcycle collide in south Salina

Peaceful Body Wellness Retreat, 148 S. Santa Fe Avenue, is continuing the First Friday tradition with a reception for artist Michael Florian Jilg from 5-7 p.m. Friday. The event is open to the public.

Peaceful Body Wellness Retreat, 148 S. Santa Fe Avenue, is continuing the First Friday tradition with a reception for artist Michael Florian Jilg from 5-7 p.m. Friday. The event is open to the public.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677725301713.jpeg" alt="Poster courtesy Salina Downtown, Inc." />
 <figcaption>Poster courtesy Salina Downtown, Inc.</figcaption>
 </figure>

March First Friday to feature reception for artist Michael Florian Jilg

In its 39th year, the 2023 Salina Spring Poetry Series features a lineup of socially minded poets who will read in downtown Salina. 

In-person readings are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesdays in April at Ad Astra Books &amp; Coffee House, 135 N. Santa Fe Avenue.

The series is sponsored by Salina Arts &amp; Humanities and was curated by Huascar Medina, Kansas Poet Laureate Emeritus. Medina selected poets with a broad range of perspectives featuring the perspectives of a migrant farm worker, an award-winning spoken word poet, a poet whose work is centered on comics and graphic novels, and the current Kansas Poet Laureate. Admission to each reading will be $5 at the door and free for students with ID.

"Thank you, Salina Arts &amp; Humanities, for spotlighting poetry. What a gift it is to see poets shine,” said Medina. “The Salina Spring Poetry Series continues to be a poetic lighthouse across Kansas, and this year will be one of the most radiant to date.”

The lineup of poets for the 2023 Salina Poetry Series is as follows.

Traci Brimhall is the author of four poetry collections: Come the Slumberless from the Land of Nod (Copper Canyon); Saudade (Copper Canyon); Our Lady of the Ruins (W.W. Norton), winner of the Barnard Women Poets Prize; and Rookery (Southern Illinois University Press), winner of the Crab Orchard Series in Poetry First Book Award. Her poems have appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, The Believer, The New Republic, Orion, New York Times Magazine, and Best American Poetry. She’s received fellowships from the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing and the National Endowment for the Arts. She currently serves as Poet Laureate of Kansas. Brimhall is scheduled to perform April 4.

Born and raised in Topeka, Gary Jackson is the author of the poetry collections origin story (University of New Mexico Press, 2021) and Missing You, Metropolis (Graywolf Press, 2010), which received the 2009 Cave Canem Poetry Prize. He’s also the co-editor of The Future of Black: Afrofuturism, Black Comics, and Superhero Poetry (Blair Publishing, 2021). His poems have appeared in numerous journals including Callaloo, The Sun, Los Angeles Review of Books, and Copper Nickel. He’s received fellowships and residencies from Cave Canem, Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, and Art Omi. He’s published work in Shattered: The Asian American Comics Anthology and was featured in the 2013 New American Poetry Series by the Poetry Society of America. He’s an associate professor in English and creative writing at the College of Charleston where he’s currently the Director of Undergraduate Creative Writing and teaches in the MFA program and serves as the Poetry editor of swamp pink. Jackson is scheduled to perform April 11.

Miguel M. Morales grew up in Texas working as a migrant and seasonal farmworker. He is a Lambda Literary Fellow and an alum of VONA/Voices and of the Macondo Writers Workshop. Morales’ work appears in Imaniman: Poets Writing in the Anzaldúan Borderlands, Primera Página: Poetry from the Latino Heartland, Cuentos del Centro: Stories from the Latino Heartland, From Macho to Mariposa: New Gay Latino Fiction, The (Other) F Word: A Celebration of the Fat &amp; Fierce, in Duende Journal, Acentos Review, Green Mountains Review, Texas Poetry Review, Hawai’i Review, and World Literature Today among others. Morales is the co-editor of Pulse/Pulso: In Remembrance of Orlando and of Fat &amp; Queer: An Anthology of Queer and Trans Bodies and Lives, which was named the 2021 Book of the Year by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). Morales has earned several awards, including the Society of Professional Journalists First Amendment Award. He is currently co-editing a portfolio of farmworker writing for The Common Magazine’s Fall 2023 print edition. Morales is schedule to perform April 18.

Sheri Purpose Hall is an award-winning spoken word artist, author, radio personality, actress, educator, and minister who uses her work to provide perspective and engage conversational empathy. She has four books: a book of poetry, epistles, and essays titled Black Girl Shattered (2017); two poetry chapbooks Mélange du Femme Noir (2019) and Chosen for Both (2015); and a workbook/workshop Writing Wrongs: Writing to Heal (2016) which won an award from Bike for the Brain, a non-profit organization that works to reduce mental health stigma. She is the founder of Arsyn Spit Fire, East of Red ArtHouse, and PenFire Publishing; executive director of poetry for Personal Power. Hall is scheduled to perform April 25.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677721455901.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy Salina Arts &amp; Humanities" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Salina Arts &amp; Humanities</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Arts &amp; HumanitiesIn its 39th year, the 2023 Salina Spring Poetry Series features a lineup of socially minded poets who will read in downtown Salina. In-person readings are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesdays in April at Ad Astra Books &amp; Coffee House, 135 N. Santa Fe Avenue.The series is sponsored by Salina Arts &amp; Humanities and was curated by Huascar Medina, Kansas Poet Laureate Emeritus. Medina selected poets with a broad range of perspectives featuring the perspectives of a migrant farm worker, an award-winning spoken word poet, a poet whose work is centered on comics and graphic novels, and the current Kansas Poet Laureate. Admission to each reading will be $5 at the door and free for students with ID."Thank you, Salina Arts &amp; Humanities, for spotlighting poetry. What a gift it is to see poets shine,” said Medina. “The Salina Spring Poetry Series continues to be a poetic lighthouse across Kansas, and this year will be one of the most radiant to date.”The lineup of poets for the 2023 Salina Poetry Series is as follows.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677721960267.png" alt="Traci Brimhall. Photos courtesy Salina Arts &amp; Humanities unless otherwise noted" />
 <figcaption>Traci Brimhall. Photos courtesy Salina Arts &amp; Humanities unless otherwise noted</figcaption>
 </figure>Traci Brimhall is the author of four poetry collections: Come the Slumberless from the Land of Nod (Copper Canyon); Saudade (Copper Canyon); Our Lady of the Ruins (W.W. Norton), winner of the Barnard Women Poets Prize; and Rookery (Southern Illinois University Press), winner of the Crab Orchard Series in Poetry First Book Award. Her poems have appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, The Believer, The New Republic, Orion, New York Times Magazine, and Best American Poetry. She’s received fellowships from the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing and the National Endowment for the Arts. She currently serves as Poet Laureate of Kansas. Brimhall is scheduled to perform April 4.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677722019088.png" alt="Gary Jackson. Photo by Sebastian Stuertz" />
 <figcaption>Gary Jackson. Photo by Sebastian Stuertz</figcaption>
 </figure>Born and raised in Topeka, Gary Jackson is the author of the poetry collections origin story (University of New Mexico Press, 2021) and Missing You, Metropolis (Graywolf Press, 2010), which received the 2009 Cave Canem Poetry Prize. He’s also the co-editor of The Future of Black: Afrofuturism, Black Comics, and Superhero Poetry (Blair Publishing, 2021). His poems have appeared in numerous journals including Callaloo, The Sun, Los Angeles Review of Books, and Copper Nickel. He’s received fellowships and residencies from Cave Canem, Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, and Art Omi. He’s published work in Shattered: The Asian American Comics Anthology and was featured in the 2013 New American Poetry Series by the Poetry Society of America. He’s an associate professor in English and creative writing at the College of Charleston where he’s currently the Director of Undergraduate Creative Writing and teaches in the MFA program and serves as the Poetry editor of swamp pink. Jackson is scheduled to perform April 11.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677722060645.png" alt="Miguel M. Morales" />
 <figcaption>Miguel M. Morales</figcaption>
 </figure>Miguel M. Morales grew up in Texas working as a migrant and seasonal farmworker. He is a Lambda Literary Fellow and an alum of VONA/Voices and of the Macondo Writers Workshop. Morales’ work appears in Imaniman: Poets Writing in the Anzaldúan Borderlands, Primera Página: Poetry from the Latino Heartland, Cuentos del Centro: Stories from the Latino Heartland, From Macho to Mariposa: New Gay Latino Fiction, The (Other) F Word: A Celebration of the Fat &amp; Fierce, in Duende Journal, Acentos Review, Green Mountains Review, Texas Poetry Review, Hawai’i Review, and World Literature Today among others. Morales is the co-editor of Pulse/Pulso: In Remembrance of Orlando and of Fat &amp; Queer: An Anthology of Queer and Trans Bodies and Lives, which was named the 2021 Book of the Year by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). Morales has earned several awards, including the Society of Professional Journalists First Amendment Award. He is currently co-editing a portfolio of farmworker writing for The Common Magazine’s Fall 2023 print edition. Morales is schedule to perform April 18.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677722096852.png" alt="Sheri Purpose Hall" />
 <figcaption>Sheri Purpose Hall</figcaption>
 </figure>Sheri Purpose Hall is an award-winning spoken word artist, author, radio personality, actress, educator, and minister who uses her work to provide perspective and engage conversational empathy. She has four books: a book of poetry, epistles, and essays titled Black Girl Shattered (2017); two poetry chapbooks Mélange du Femme Noir (2019) and Chosen for Both (2015); and a workbook/workshop Writing Wrongs: Writing to Heal (2016) which won an award from Bike for the Brain, a non-profit organization that works to reduce mental health stigma. She is the founder of Arsyn Spit Fire, East of Red ArtHouse, and PenFire Publishing; executive director of poetry for Personal Power. Hall is scheduled to perform April 25.

Salina Arts & Humanities announces Spring Poetry Series lineup

Today is Thursday, March 2, the 61st day of 2023. There are 304 days left in the year.

On March 2, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors in a game against the New York Knicks, an NBA record that still stands. Philadelphia won the game, 169-147.

In 1861, the state of Texas, having seceded from the Union, was admitted to the Confederacy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Thursday, March 2, the 61st day of 2023. There are 304 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On March 2, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors in a game against the New York Knicks, an NBA record that still stands. Philadelphia won the game, 169-147.On this date:In 1861, the state of Texas, having seceded from the Union, was admitted to the Confederacy.In 1877, Republican Rutherford B. Hayes was declared the winner of the 1876 presidential election over Democrat Samuel J. Tilden, even though Tilden had won the popular vote.In 1917, actor, producer, director and bandleader Desi Arnaz was born in Santiago de Cuba.In 1932, the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, which moved the date of the presidential inauguration from March 4 to Jan. 20, was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification.In 1939, John Ford's classic Western "Stagecoach," starring Claire Trevor and John Wayne, opened in New York.In 1943, the three-day Battle of the Bismarck Sea began in the southwest Pacific during World War II; U.S. and Australian warplanes were able to inflict heavy damage on an Imperial Japanese convoy.In 1955, nine months before Rosa Parks' famous act of defiance, Claudette Colvin, a Black high school student in Montgomery, Alabama, was arrested after refusing to give up her seat on a public bus to a white passenger.In 1985, the government approved a screening test for AIDS that detected antibodies to the virus, allowing possibly contaminated blood to be excluded from the blood supply.In 1989, representatives from the 12 European Community nations agreed to ban all production of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), the synthetic compounds blamed for destroying the Earth's ozone layer, by the end of the 20th century.In 1990, more than 6,000 drivers went on strike against Greyhound Lines Inc. (The company, later declaring an impasse in negotiations, fired the strikers.)In 1995, the Internet search engine website Yahoo! was incorporated by founders Jerry Yang and David Filo.In 2011, the Supreme Court ruled, 8-1, that a grieving father's pain over mocking protests at his Marine son's funeral had to yield to First Amendment protections for free speech in a decision favoring the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas.In 2012, Some 40 people were killed by tornadoes that struck Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.Ten years ago: The day after $85 billion in across-the-board federal spending cuts went into effect, President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans refused to concede any culpability for failing to stave off the sequester. Alaska's 41st Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race kicked off with a festive ceremonial start in Anchorage.Five years ago: At a funeral before an invitation-only crowd of approximately 2,000 in Charlotte, North Carolina, the children of the Rev. Billy Graham remembered "America's Pastor" as a man devoted to spreading the Gospel, and one who lived his life at home as he preached it in stadiums. A nor'easter pounded the Atlantic coast with hurricane-force winds and sideways rain and snow, grounding flights and leaving more than 2 million homes and businesses without power from North Carolina to Maine.One year ago: Russian forces laid siege to two strategic Ukrainian seaports and pressed their bombardment of the country's second-biggest city, while the huge armored column threatening Kyiv appeared to be stalled outside the capital. Moscow's isolation deepened as most of the world lines up against it at the United Nations. Autherine Lucy Foster, the first Black student to enroll at the University of Alabama, died at age 92.Today's birthdays: Actor John Cullum is 93. Actor Barbara Luna is 84. Author John Irving is 81. Actor Cassie Yates is 72. Actor and comedian Laraine Newman (Saturday Night Live) is 71. Former Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., is 70. Former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is 68. Singer Jay Osmond is 68. Pop musician John Cowsill (The Cowsills) is 67. Former tennis player Kevin Curren is 65. Country singer Larry Stewart (Restless Heart) is 64. Rock singer Jon Bon Jovi is 61. Blues singer-musician Alvin Youngblood Hart is 60. Actor Daniel Craig is 55. Actor Richard Ruccolo is 51. Rock singer Chris Martin (Coldplay) is 46. Actor Heather McComb is 46. Actor Rebel Wilson is 43. Actor Bryce Dallas Howard is 42. Former NFL quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is 41. Actor Robert Iler is 38. Actor Nathalie Emmanuel is 34. Country singer Luke Combs is 33. Singer-rapper-actor Becky G is 26.