𝙉𝙚𝙬&nbsp;𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧&nbsp;𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮: 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀&nbsp;𝗮𝗻𝗱&nbsp;𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲&nbsp;𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿&nbsp;𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨:&nbsp; • 10 years of experience in the farm equipment industry. • Direct experience in working with sales and service personnel at the dealership level. • Experience in setting up and working trade shows. • Willing to travel as needed. • Ability to understand and help solve mechanical problems in the field.&nbsp; • Participate in finding and developing sales and service personnel in a fast-growing young company. • Willing to work with senior management in developing sales programs. • Help in identifying new product opportunities for the company.&nbsp;&nbsp; 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙩𝙨: • A great opportunity for the right person to get involved on the ground floor of a young company with a great future ahead of it. • A good set of employee benefits and a strong salary opportunity.&nbsp; This position is based in Assaria, Kansas, with some travel required - primarily to visit dealers and customers in Western Kansas.&nbsp; 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲&nbsp;𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁&nbsp;𝘂𝘀&nbsp;𝗮𝘁: Applequist Mfg. Inc. Box 355 107 S. Center Assaria, KS 67416 &nbsp; Phone: (785) 667-4210 Email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jobs@applequistmfg.com" target="_blank">jobs@applequistmfg.com</a> <a href="http://www.applequistmfg.com/" target="_blank">www.applequistmfg.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677206674862.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>𝙉𝙚𝙬&nbsp;𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧&nbsp;𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮: 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀&nbsp;𝗮𝗻𝗱&nbsp;𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲&nbsp;𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿&nbsp;𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨:&nbsp; • 10 years of experience in the farm equipment industry. • Direct experience in working with sales and service personnel at the dealership level. • Experience in setting up and working trade shows. • Willing to travel as needed. • Ability to understand and help solve mechanical problems in the field.&nbsp; • Participate in finding and developing sales and service personnel in a fast-growing young company. • Willing to work with senior management in developing sales programs. • Help in identifying new product opportunities for the company.&nbsp;&nbsp; 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙩𝙨: • A great opportunity for the right person to get involved on the ground floor of a young company with a great future ahead of it. • A good set of employee benefits and a strong salary opportunity.&nbsp; This position is based in Assaria, Kansas, with some travel required - primarily to visit dealers and customers in Western Kansas.&nbsp; 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲&nbsp;𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁&nbsp;𝘂𝘀&nbsp;𝗮𝘁: Applequist Mfg. Inc. Box 355 107 S. Center Assaria, KS 67416 &nbsp; Phone: (785) 667-4210 Email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jobs@applequistmfg.com" target="_blank">jobs@applequistmfg.com</a> <a href="http://www.applequistmfg.com/" target="_blank">www.applequistmfg.com</a>

Cold continues; Saturday to bring warmer temps

By LORI BEREZOVSKY Salina Public Library

Salina Public Library’s history began in 1868 when 15 Salinans drew up a formal petition for the charter of the Salina Library Association “for the purpose and object of establishing a public and circulating library.” The Kansas secretary of state granted the charter on March 19, 1868. For 25 years, the library offered minimal hours of service and a browsing collection of fewer than 500 donated books and journals.

In 1893, a call went out to establish a more organized free reading room. Space was secured in the Odd Fellows building at the corner of Seventh Street and W. Iron Avenue. Funds were raised through lectures, teas, and ball games, and a $3 subscription fee was collected from those who supported the reading room.&nbsp;

Around the turn of the 20th century, interest in public libraries was sweeping the nation, and Salina citizens were among those enthusiasts. On April 27, 1899, Mayor T. W. Roach appointed 12 citizens to a board charged with the organization of a Salina Public Library. That same year a city mill levy of one-half mill was established to support the new library. The library opened on the east side of the basement in a building owned by Mr. V. A. Austin at the corner of Eighth Street and W. Iron Avenue (opposite today’s Post Office). A year’s rent totaled $150. Miss Bessie Page was hired as the librarian and was responsible for keeping the library open 48 hours per week with the stipulation that her salary did not go over $25 per month. On Jan. 1, 1900, the library was transferred to the City of Salina. At the reception marking the transfer, the mayor said, “The officers of the city can not make the public library a success. It is your duty to watch it and aid it in every way.”&nbsp; Those words are still true today. The basement space soon proved less than desirable, and in March 1901, the library moved to the first floor of a building on S. Santa Fe Avenue. The rent in this brand-new building was $250 per year.&nbsp;

News of Andrew Carnegie’s support of public libraries reached Salina late in 1901. Carnegie was offering $15,000 for a building with the condition that the city would furnish a site and guarantee support of no less than $1,500 annually. The library board accepted the offer immediately and began a campaign to raise the needed funds. Support was so strong that within five weeks all the money was raised. The City of Salina provided 3,000 books and building maintenance. The southwest corner of S. Eighth Street and W. Iron Avenue was chosen as the new library’s site and was completed and open for business in June 1903. An addition was made to the building in 1922, and the Carnegie Free Library served Salina until 1968. The building was razed in 1969.

Jan. 1, 1904, saw the hiring of Mrs. Delia Brown as the librarian. She went on to serve as librarian for 42 years. “Mrs. Brown’s tenure saw the library weather 3 major depressions, 2 world wars, epidemics of influenza and other contagious diseases, and all of the trials and tribulations of the first half of this century. Despite such hardships, the library gradually grew and improved in materials and service to the community.” – Richard Neuman, Salina Library Began in 1868, Salina Journal, July 4, 1976.

Sept. 29, 1968, saw the dedication of the newest and current library building situated at N. Ninth Street and W. Elm Street. The building cost $928,000 and was financed by a federal grant and city bonds. Things moved along smoothly until the 1990s when the library saw some big changes. 1992 brought the completion of the library’s automated card catalog and circulation system. Computer hardware and software were purchased for staff and public use. The old card catalog still had pride of place and was available to patrons for a few years more, even though it was no longer updated. In 1996, a major renovation began which involved moving the children’s department downstairs, relocating the fiction collection, adding meeting rooms, and installing a grand staircase. The project took 18 months to complete.

In 2003, a $1 million expansion was begun to create a Technology Center to house 14 new internet stations, a computer classroom, a digital design studio, and a meeting room, resulting in 7,000 square feet being added to the library. The addition opened in 2005.

In 2007 the dance studio across Elm Street from the library was purchased to house the library’s Community Learning and Skill Sharing program (CLASS) and provide additional meeting rooms and office space for staff.&nbsp; Originally called the Salina Public Library’s Learning Center, the building was renamed the McKenzie Center when longtime library director Joe McKenzie retired in 2017 after 40 years of service.

Around 2016, the library purchased the vacant house next to the Learning Center and had it razed to create needed parking for staff and library patrons and parking for the neighboring church. The lot to the north of the Learning Center was paved at this time, too.

In 2019, Melanie Hedgespeth took over as director of the library. The main floor layout was updated in 2020, and in 2022 the Salina Public Library App was launched. New improvements are in the works as we are continuously striving to best serve our community. The support of our patrons has allowed us to grow and evolve into the library you see today.

It’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for our library. Stay tuned!

By LORI BEREZOVSKY Salina Public Library Salina Public Library’s history began in 1868 when 15 Salinans drew up a formal petition for the charter of the Salina Library Association “for the purpose and object of establishing a public and circulating library.” The Kansas secretary of state granted the charter on March 19, 1868. For 25 years, the library offered minimal hours of service and a browsing collection of fewer than 500 donated books and journals.In 1893, a call went out to establish a more organized free reading room. Space was secured in the Odd Fellows building at the corner of Seventh Street and W. Iron Avenue. Funds were raised through lectures, teas, and ball games, and a $3 subscription fee was collected from those who supported the reading room.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677124347825.jpeg" alt="The library in 1899 on the southeast corner of S. Eighth Street and W.&nbsp; Iron Avenue. Photos courtesy Salina Public Library" />
 <figcaption>The library in 1899 on the southeast corner of S. Eighth Street and W.&nbsp; Iron Avenue. Photos courtesy Salina Public Library</figcaption>
 </figure>Around the turn of the 20th century, interest in public libraries was sweeping the nation, and Salina citizens were among those enthusiasts. On April 27, 1899, Mayor T. W. Roach appointed 12 citizens to a board charged with the organization of a Salina Public Library. That same year a city mill levy of one-half mill was established to support the new library. The library opened on the east side of the basement in a building owned by Mr. V. A. Austin at the corner of Eighth Street and W. Iron Avenue (opposite today’s Post Office). A year’s rent totaled $150. Miss Bessie Page was hired as the librarian and was responsible for keeping the library open 48 hours per week with the stipulation that her salary did not go over $25 per month. On Jan. 1, 1900, the library was transferred to the City of Salina. At the reception marking the transfer, the mayor said, “The officers of the city can not make the public library a success. It is your duty to watch it and aid it in every way.”&nbsp; Those words are still true today. The basement space soon proved less than desirable, and in March 1901, the library moved to the first floor of a building on S. Santa Fe Avenue. The rent in this brand-new building was $250 per year.&nbsp;News of Andrew Carnegie’s support of public libraries reached Salina late in 1901. Carnegie was offering $15,000 for a building with the condition that the city would furnish a site and guarantee support of no less than $1,500 annually. The library board accepted the offer immediately and began a campaign to raise the needed funds. Support was so strong that within five weeks all the money was raised. The City of Salina provided 3,000 books and building maintenance. The southwest corner of S. Eighth Street and W. Iron Avenue was chosen as the new library’s site and was completed and open for business in June 1903. An addition was made to the building in 1922, and the Carnegie Free Library served Salina until 1968. The building was razed in 1969.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677124788856.jpeg" alt="Salina's&nbsp;Carnegie Free Library on the southwest corner of S. Eighth Street and W. Iron Avenue in mid-1950.&nbsp; The library faced the east. The YMCA is behind the library and the sign for the Rush Smith Funeral Home at S. Ninth Street and W. Iron Avenue can be seen at back right." />
 <figcaption>Salina's&nbsp;Carnegie Free Library on the southwest corner of S. Eighth Street and W. Iron Avenue in mid-1950.&nbsp; The library faced the east. The YMCA is behind the library and the sign for the Rush Smith Funeral Home at S. Ninth Street and W. Iron Avenue can be seen at back right.</figcaption>
 </figure>Jan. 1, 1904, saw the hiring of Mrs. Delia Brown as the librarian. She went on to serve as librarian for 42 years. “Mrs. Brown’s tenure saw the library weather 3 major depressions, 2 world wars, epidemics of influenza and other contagious diseases, and all of the trials and tribulations of the first half of this century. Despite such hardships, the library gradually grew and improved in materials and service to the community.” – Richard Neuman, Salina Library Began in 1868, Salina Journal, July 4, 1976.Sept. 29, 1968, saw the dedication of the newest and current library building situated at N. Ninth Street and W. Elm Street. The building cost $928,000 and was financed by a federal grant and city bonds. Things moved along smoothly until the 1990s when the library saw some big changes. 1992 brought the completion of the library’s automated card catalog and circulation system. Computer hardware and software were purchased for staff and public use. The old card catalog still had pride of place and was available to patrons for a few years more, even though it was no longer updated. In 1996, a major renovation began which involved moving the children’s department downstairs, relocating the fiction collection, adding meeting rooms, and installing a grand staircase. The project took 18 months to complete.In 2003, a $1 million expansion was begun to create a Technology Center to house 14 new internet stations, a computer classroom, a digital design studio, and a meeting room, resulting in 7,000 square feet being added to the library. The addition opened in 2005.In 2007 the dance studio across Elm Street from the library was purchased to house the library’s Community Learning and Skill Sharing program (CLASS) and provide additional meeting rooms and office space for staff.&nbsp; Originally called the Salina Public Library’s Learning Center, the building was renamed the McKenzie Center when longtime library director Joe McKenzie retired in 2017 after 40 years of service.Around 2016, the library purchased the vacant house next to the Learning Center and had it razed to create needed parking for staff and library patrons and parking for the neighboring church. The lot to the north of the Learning Center was paved at this time, too.In 2019, Melanie Hedgespeth took over as director of the library. The main floor layout was updated in 2020, and in 2022 the Salina Public Library App was launched. New improvements are in the works as we are continuously striving to best serve our community. The support of our patrons has allowed us to grow and evolve into the library you see today.It’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for our library. Stay tuned!

A look back at the history of the Salina Public Library

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

An investigation into an unrelated case led to the arrest of a Salina man in connection to multiple damaged vehicles and a missing mailbox.

On Wednesday, an officer was at 1007 W. North Street attempting to contact Michael Sampson, 54, of Salina, concerning a trespassing investigation, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning.

While there, the officer was contacted by Scott Echer who said he believed that Sampson's white Dodge Ram flatbed pickup had been involved in damaging vehicles nearby at The Car Shoppe Service Center, 424 N. Broadway Boulevard, on Tuesday night. The officer observed that the Ram had front bumper damage and blue and gray paint transfer. 

The officer went with Echer to The Car Shoppe Service Center, where a blue 2000 Chevrolet S10 pickup and a blue 2000 Chevrolet Silverado both were damaged. Surveillance video showed the Ram drive through the parking lot at 11:40 p.m. Tuesday and drive behind the building at TCS Auto, 432 N. Broadway. When the Ram reappears on the video, it can be seen striking the S10 pickup and then the Silverado, which was dragged approximately 20 feet by the Ram, Forrester said.

Damage to the S10 and the Silverado was estimated at $3,000 each.

The officer then made contact with a representative of TCS Auto, where a gray 2013 Ford Focus that was parked behind the building had been hit. Forrester said the car had been along the same path that the Ram took when it went behind the building in the video.

Damage to the Focus also was estimated at $3,000.

The officer then was contacted by the owner of Randy's Auto, Randy Otto, who told the officer that there had been a disturbance between himself and Sampson. He told the officer that at the time of the disturbance, he believed there would be some sort of retaliation, Forrester said. Surveillance video from Randy's Auto, 1015 W. North Street, showed the Ram drive through the grass and strike a Chevrolet Tahoe. It then left through the nearby Log Cabin Motel parking lot.

Damage to the Tahoe also was estimated at $3,000.

Earlier on Tuesday, another officer responded to the 1900 block of Valley View Drive, where a mailbox was missing. The four-inch by four-inch post and attached mailbox had been pulled from the ground, Forrester said. Loss was estimated at $25.

Home security video showed the Ram pull up next to the mailbox. Someone got out of the pickup and went around to the other side of the pickup for several minutes. When the person left, the mailbox and post were missing.

Forrester said Sampson was located at his residence at 1007 W. North Street, and arrested on the following requested charges.

●Four counts of felony criminal damage to property

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostAn investigation into an unrelated case led to the arrest of a Salina man in connection to multiple damaged vehicles and a missing mailbox.On Wednesday, an officer was at 1007 W. North Street attempting to contact Michael Sampson, 54, of Salina, concerning a trespassing investigation, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677160961063.jpeg" alt="Michael Sampson. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Michael Sampson. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>While there, the officer was contacted by Scott Echer who said he believed that Sampson's white Dodge Ram flatbed pickup had been involved in damaging vehicles nearby at The Car Shoppe Service Center, 424 N. Broadway Boulevard, on Tuesday night. The officer observed that the Ram had front bumper damage and blue and gray paint transfer. The officer went with Echer to The Car Shoppe Service Center, where a blue 2000 Chevrolet S10 pickup and a blue 2000 Chevrolet Silverado both were damaged. Surveillance video showed the Ram drive through the parking lot at 11:40 p.m. Tuesday and drive behind the building at TCS Auto, 432 N. Broadway. When the Ram reappears on the video, it can be seen striking the S10 pickup and then the Silverado, which was dragged approximately 20 feet by the Ram, Forrester said.Damage to the S10 and the Silverado was estimated at $3,000 each.The officer then made contact with a representative of TCS Auto, where a gray 2013 Ford Focus that was parked behind the building had been hit. Forrester said the car had been along the same path that the Ram took when it went behind the building in the video.Damage to the Focus also was estimated at $3,000.The officer then was contacted by the owner of Randy's Auto, Randy Otto, who told the officer that there had been a disturbance between himself and Sampson. He told the officer that at the time of the disturbance, he believed there would be some sort of retaliation, Forrester said. Surveillance video from Randy's Auto, 1015 W. North Street, showed the Ram drive through the grass and strike a Chevrolet Tahoe. It then left through the nearby Log Cabin Motel parking lot.Damage to the Tahoe also was estimated at $3,000.Earlier on Tuesday, another officer responded to the 1900 block of Valley View Drive, where a mailbox was missing. The four-inch by four-inch post and attached mailbox had been pulled from the ground, Forrester said. Loss was estimated at $25.Home security video showed the Ram pull up next to the mailbox. Someone got out of the pickup and went around to the other side of the pickup for several minutes. When the person left, the mailbox and post were missing.Forrester said Sampson was located at his residence at 1007 W. North Street, and arrested on the following requested charges.●Four counts of felony criminal damage to property●Criminal trespass●Theft

Salina man arrested in connection to multiple damaged vehicles

By NATE KING Salina Post

A product of the school district she now leads, Linn Exline,&nbsp; superintendent and Salina native, has a wealth of experience teaching and changing the lives of students, specifically in USD 305.&nbsp;

Salina Post sat down for an interview with Exline to discuss the USD 305 patrons survey, school safety, mental health, and what encouraged her to pursue a career in education.

Back in October of last year, USD 305 hired K12 Excellence to conduct a statistically valid survey with the goal of providing insight into what residents thought about the district’s strengths, challenges, and other important issues.

Read: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/d1c1165c-4239-44ea-b532-1243b66e9d38">Survey reveals awareness of USD 305 initiatives, support for work being done</a>

The survey included phone calls placed on weekday evenings, and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, as well as an online options for families that didn't get a call.

When analyzing the collected data, Exline said the district asked themselves, "What do we need to do differently?" and "Is it programming we need to add or is it communicating what we are doing more effectively ?"&nbsp;

"One of the concerns that came up, was school safety," Exline said.&nbsp;

Last year at Salina South High School, 730 E. Magnolia Road, Salina Police received information that during lunch a student made a statement to three other boys regarding shooting up the school. The four male students were identified after the school resource officer and school officials reviewed the video recording from the school cafeteria.&nbsp; Police detectives and the school resource officer established probable cause to make arrests and have requested the charge of aggravated criminal threat, a severity level 5 felony person felony, for each of the four students involved.&nbsp;

At the time of the incident, Interim Salina Police Chief Sean Morton said that since the beginning of the school year, the police department had investigated at least 14 criminal threats cases at Salina middle and high schools.&nbsp;

"We are very concerned about school safety," Exline said. "We work really hard on our school safety protocols, because we definitely want for our families to feel like Salina Public Schools is a great place for me to drop my child off to be educated and a safe place for my child to be educated."

One of the things that USD 305 discovered after conducting the survey was that people wanted to know exactly&nbsp; how the district was working to be proactive and what was being done to ensure safety.

"There are 10 actions identified in the school safety working group report to the attorney general to improve school safety. We're going to talk with you [the community] over the next several weeks about these items and how they apply to Salina public schools," Exline said.&nbsp;

The district is responding with a series of school safety videos. The first three videos of the school safety series can be found <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@USD305/videos">here</a>.&nbsp;

Exline said that Salina Public Schools continue to review and build processes to support school safety.&nbsp;

"USD 305 has a school safety plan that is regularly reviewed and practiced at monthly district meetings. Our administrators use tabletop scenarios to practice applying our safety plans. Our principals take these exercises back to their buildings, where they review and practice with school staff," Exline said.&nbsp;

USD 305 utilizes multiple types of communication with families in crisis situations. Alerts and information from USD 305 are delivered using different combinations such as email, text and phone. 

Exline said that USD 305 was very blessed when Salina voters' supported&nbsp; a $110 million bond in 2014.&nbsp;

"At that time, we upgraded our school facilities for a secured entry situation, so that during the school day, anybody that is visiting the building is filtered through the office, signs in, is given a visitor badge so that we know what they're there for and why they're in the building," Exline said.&nbsp;

Also listed in the report to former U.S. Attorney General William Barr were ways school districts can improve the emotional security of students.

"I think it's interesting that one of the top school safety strategies is to make sure that students feel like they belong," Exline said. "A lot of times people think 'Well, that's not a school safety strategy,' but it absolutely is." 

Exline said that the key to school safety is ensuring students have relationships built on trust with adults.&nbsp;

"They [students] are more likely to talk about what they're seeing and what they're hearing, so that we can support students that are maybe needing some more support, and stop a school safety issue before it becomes a real crisis situation."

Adopted in 2020, USD 305's strategic plan identified three goals.&nbsp;

Goal 1&nbsp;- Increase students' communication skills

Goal 2&nbsp;- Increase students' critical thinking skills

Goal 3&nbsp;- Increase students' social-emotional skills

 SPS Chats are part of an active collaboration&nbsp; between Salina residents and their schools. In March 2022, the board of education held an open information and listening session that offered insights about how boards of education work.

The chats feature discussions and conversations about district priorities and are scheduled to be held throughout the school year. In November, the SPS Chat focused on&nbsp;social-emotional learning (SEL), video examples of SEL lessons and question and answer time with a panel.

"We also did a SPS chat on kindergarten readiness, where we shared information about what it looks like to be ready for kindergarten," Exline said. "We know that when children come in to kindergarten, if they're ready, that really does set the trajectory for success."

Exline said that by creating strong and positive experiences in early childhood, students learn better, not only academically but socially and emotionally.&nbsp;

The next chat session will be held at Salina South High School and will cover careers in technical education and post secondary opportunities. 

"We will be talking about different kinds of opportunities we&nbsp; have course wise for students to get dual and concurrent credit. All of these initiatives really came out of feedback that we got from the community," Exline said&nbsp;

During a tour of central Kansas in December of 2022, K-State President Richard Linton spoke at an event hosted by Great Plains Manufacturing. Exline spoke about the importance of preparing students for the what the job market demands.&nbsp;

READ: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/f50df222-d3f8-45d0-b9fc-37b3a227e1bf">K-State president visits central Kansas as part of community tour</a>

"Over 70 percent of the jobs that we're preparing students for today will require either a two-year degree a four-year degree or some kind of industry-recognized credential," Exline said.&nbsp;

Exline said the biggest takeaways from Linton's visit were that the Salina community is unique and "unusual."

"We have community partners, and I knew this because I've lived here my entire life," Exline said. "We have community partners that are willing to work with us to make sure our students get what they need and that really is across the board."

Exline said the goal is connect students with opportunities here in the Salina area.&nbsp;

"We have in place right now, a very strong partnership with Salina Area Technical College where our students, while they're in high school, can actually earn an associate's degree. They can earn industry recognized credentials, they can earn dual credit that can transfer into a four year program, if that's what they want to do."

Exline said many of the programs that USD 305&nbsp; offers are directly related to what the job availability is in central Kansas and specifically in Salina.

"When we did our latest bond issue, we really were looking at what the job market demand was here in Salina when we were developing those programs."

Exline said USD 305's PolyCats program through K-State Salina allows high school students to graduate, with college credits at reduced rate.&nbsp;

"They can transfer into a four year school, they can also get associate's degrees," Exline said. "But those partnerships allows families to save a tremendous amount of money, and help prepare the student for college level classes."

&nbsp;Exline said the district has numerous internships that are available through its career pathways. 

"Career pathways&nbsp; is a series of classes that students can take that end in a capstone internship level class," Exline said. "That's where those community partnerships come to play, is trying to get our students out into the real world work experience, and we have those connections with people here locally, even if they go away to school, if we can get them to think, 'Oh, I'd really like to come back to Salina and work.' That's a good thing for our community."

Much like the nation as a whole, Kansas is grappling with a mental health crisis.&nbsp; Recently, a study by Mental Health America ranked Kansas last in the country on rates of mental illness and access to mental health services. 

Exline said that one of the ways USD 305 is addressing the mental health crisis is by utilizing state funding that was granted nine public schools in 2018.

 The legislative agreement authorized the selected districts to enter into agreements with local community mental health centers. The program was established to address challenges schools were experiencing through increases in students (and families) with mental health needs. The program's goal is to eliminate barriers for students and families which need clinical therapy and to access the local community mental health centers.&nbsp;

"We do have in our schools a mental health liaison that works directly with Central Kansas Mental Health," Exline said. "If we do have a student who is needing to get connected with mental health services, a lot of times that's an immediate need and it's a really challenging thing for families to be able to navigate that system."

Growing up, Exline said she always dreamed of working in the medical field. Her main goal was to work in a career that changed lives and helped people. 

She attended Kansas State University with an emphasis in math and science. Exline's mother, Carolyn Jo Lundgrin, was an educator in the Salina school district, often working as a long-term substitute teacher.

"I took an education class because my mother was an educator and I had come back to Salina and I had observed her in a classroom where she was actually doing a long-term substitute position," Exline said." It was in a classroom for students that had special needs."

Exline said that it was while she observed her mother teaching that she discovered the joy and&nbsp; excitement for helping students grow and reach their goals.&nbsp;

"My mother taught in Kansas City while my father was in dental school, and then she stayed home with us when we were young. And as soon as we were all in school, she went back into education," Exline said. "Most of her time was spent in classrooms where there were students that really needed some special attention. She could interpret sign language... that's kind of a unique skill set."

Unfortunately, Exline's mother passed away in 2018.&nbsp;Exline said that she will always admire her mother's ability to balance both her profession as an educator with her responsibilities as a mother with four kids.

"I ended up taking a class at K-State that was an education class, and I absolutely loved it," Exline said. "It just changed my course. I really knew that I wanted to be in a position where I could help people and I can't imagine a better place to be able to change lives."&nbsp;

After graduating from K-State, Exline returned to Salina where she secured her first job as a teacher.

"I was lucky at the time that I graduated from K State, it was early when they started to allow students to student teach in their hometowns," Exline said. "I came back to Salina to student teach, and was at Heusner Elementary School in first grade. And then I got my first job there teaching fifth grade. Loved teaching fifth graders."

Following her time at Heusner, Exline worked in several different positions in the district.&nbsp;

"I worked K-12 science and math curriculum," Exline said. "Math and science were my two areas of emphasis. I was an elementary principal, I worked as the director of staff development and then was lucky to go out to a high school as an assistant principal , and then moved into a principalship as well."

Exline worked as the district's director of curriculum before she moved to the role of superintendent. 

"I definitely have benefited from all of those different opportunities that I've been given," Exline said. " I think it really has made me better able to know how to engage people in conversations and where their input is really critical in me making good decisions. Just that importance of how do we make sure that everybody's on the same page to move things forward."

<div><iframe title="Linn Exline, USD 305 Superintendent" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=dfq6k-13e511c-pb&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=1b1b1b&size=150"></iframe></div>By NATE KING Salina PostA product of the school district she now leads, Linn Exline,&nbsp; superintendent and Salina native, has a wealth of experience teaching and changing the lives of students, specifically in USD 305.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676996310859.jpeg" alt="USD 305 Superintendent Linn Exline. Photo courtesy USD 305" />
 <figcaption>USD 305 Superintendent Linn Exline. Photo courtesy USD 305</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Post sat down for an interview with Exline to discuss the USD 305 patrons survey, school safety, mental health, and what encouraged her to pursue a career in education.<h2>School community survey</h2>Back in October of last year, USD 305 hired K12 Excellence to conduct a statistically valid survey with the goal of providing insight into what residents thought about the district’s strengths, challenges, and other important issues.Read: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/d1c1165c-4239-44ea-b532-1243b66e9d38">Survey reveals awareness of USD 305 initiatives, support for work being done</a>The survey included phone calls placed on weekday evenings, and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, as well as an online options for families that didn't get a call.When analyzing the collected data, Exline said the district asked themselves, "What do we need to do differently?" and "Is it programming we need to add or is it communicating what we are doing more effectively ?"&nbsp;"One of the concerns that came up, was school safety," Exline said.&nbsp;<h2>School safety</h2>Last year at Salina South High School, 730 E. Magnolia Road, Salina Police received information that during lunch a student made a statement to three other boys regarding shooting up the school. The four male students were identified after the school resource officer and school officials reviewed the video recording from the school cafeteria.&nbsp; Police detectives and the school resource officer established probable cause to make arrests and have requested the charge of aggravated criminal threat, a severity level 5 felony person felony, for each of the four students involved.&nbsp;At the time of the incident, Interim Salina Police Chief Sean Morton said that since the beginning of the school year, the police department had investigated at least 14 criminal threats cases at Salina middle and high schools.&nbsp;"We are very concerned about school safety," Exline said. "We work really hard on our school safety protocols, because we definitely want for our families to feel like Salina Public Schools is a great place for me to drop my child off to be educated and a safe place for my child to be educated."One of the things that USD 305 discovered after conducting the survey was that people wanted to know exactly&nbsp; how the district was working to be proactive and what was being done to ensure safety."There are 10 actions identified in the school safety working group report to the attorney general to improve school safety. We're going to talk with you [the community] over the next several weeks about these items and how they apply to Salina public schools," Exline said.&nbsp;The district is responding with a series of school safety videos. The first three videos of the school safety series can be found <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@USD305/videos">here</a>.&nbsp;Exline said that Salina Public Schools continue to review and build processes to support school safety.&nbsp;"USD 305 has a school safety plan that is regularly reviewed and practiced at monthly district meetings. Our administrators use tabletop scenarios to practice applying our safety plans. Our principals take these exercises back to their buildings, where they review and practice with school staff," Exline said.&nbsp;USD 305 utilizes multiple types of communication with families in crisis situations. Alerts and information from USD 305 are delivered using different combinations such as email, text and phone. Exline said that USD 305 was very blessed when Salina voters' supported&nbsp; a $110 million bond in 2014.&nbsp;"At that time, we upgraded our school facilities for a secured entry situation, so that during the school day, anybody that is visiting the building is filtered through the office, signs in, is given a visitor badge so that we know what they're there for and why they're in the building," Exline said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677006252517.png" alt="List courtesy&nbsp;&nbsp;Office of Community Oriented Policing Services" />
 <figcaption>List courtesy&nbsp;&nbsp;Office of Community Oriented Policing Services</figcaption>
 </figure>Also listed in the report to former U.S. Attorney General William Barr were ways school districts can improve the emotional security of students. "I think it's interesting that one of the top school safety strategies is to make sure that students feel like they belong," Exline said. "A lot of times people think 'Well, that's not a school safety strategy,' but it absolutely is." Exline said that the key to school safety is ensuring students have relationships built on trust with adults.&nbsp;"They [students] are more likely to talk about what they're seeing and what they're hearing, so that we can support students that are maybe needing some more support, and stop a school safety issue before it becomes a real crisis situation."<h2>USD 305 Strategic Plan</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677023544504.png" alt="Salina Public Schools Strategic Plan.&nbsp;Image courtesy USD 305" />
 <figcaption>Salina Public Schools Strategic Plan.&nbsp;Image courtesy USD 305</figcaption>
 </figure>Adopted in 2020, USD 305's strategic plan identified three goals.&nbsp;Goal 1&nbsp;- Increase students' communication skillsGoal 2&nbsp;- Increase students' critical thinking skillsGoal 3&nbsp;- Increase students' social-emotional skills SPS Chats are part of an active collaboration&nbsp; between Salina residents and their schools. In March 2022, the board of education held an open information and listening session that offered insights about how boards of education work.The chats feature discussions and conversations about district priorities and are scheduled to be held throughout the school year. In November, the SPS Chat focused on&nbsp;social-emotional learning (SEL), video examples of SEL lessons and question and answer time with a panel."We also did a SPS chat on kindergarten readiness, where we shared information about what it looks like to be ready for kindergarten," Exline said. "We know that when children come in to kindergarten, if they're ready, that really does set the trajectory for success." Exline said that by creating strong and positive experiences in early childhood, students learn better, not only academically but socially and emotionally.&nbsp;The next chat session will be held at Salina South High School and will cover careers in technical education and post secondary opportunities. "We will be talking about different kinds of opportunities we&nbsp; have course wise for students to get dual and concurrent credit. All of these initiatives really came out of feedback that we got from the community," Exline said&nbsp;During a tour of central Kansas in December of 2022, K-State President Richard Linton spoke at an event hosted by Great Plains Manufacturing. Exline spoke about the importance of preparing students for the what the job market demands.&nbsp;READ: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/f50df222-d3f8-45d0-b9fc-37b3a227e1bf">K-State president visits central Kansas as part of community tour</a>"Over 70 percent of the jobs that we're preparing students for today will require either a two-year degree a four-year degree or some kind of industry-recognized credential," Exline said.&nbsp;Exline said the biggest takeaways from Linton's visit were that the Salina community is unique and "unusual.""We have community partners, and I knew this because I've lived here my entire life," Exline said. "We have community partners that are willing to work with us to make sure our students get what they need and that really is across the board."Exline said the goal is connect students with opportunities here in the Salina area.&nbsp;"We have in place right now, a very strong partnership with Salina Area Technical College where our students, while they're in high school, can actually earn an associate's degree. They can earn industry recognized credentials, they can earn dual credit that can transfer into a four year program, if that's what they want to do."Exline said many of the programs that USD 305&nbsp; offers are directly related to what the job availability is in central Kansas and specifically in Salina."When we did our latest bond issue, we really were looking at what the job market demand was here in Salina when we were developing those programs."Exline said USD 305's PolyCats program through K-State Salina allows high school students to graduate, with college credits at reduced rate.&nbsp;"They can transfer into a four year school, they can also get associate's degrees," Exline said. "But those partnerships allows families to save a tremendous amount of money, and help prepare the student for college level classes."&nbsp;Exline said the district has numerous internships that are available through its career pathways. "Career pathways&nbsp; is a series of classes that students can take that end in a capstone internship level class," Exline said. "That's where those community partnerships come to play, is trying to get our students out into the real world work experience, and we have those connections with people here locally, even if they go away to school, if we can get them to think, 'Oh, I'd really like to come back to Salina and work.' That's a good thing for our community."<h2>Mental health</h2>Much like the nation as a whole, Kansas is grappling with a mental health crisis.&nbsp; Recently, a study by Mental Health America ranked Kansas last in the country on rates of mental illness and access to mental health services. Exline said that one of the ways USD 305 is addressing the mental health crisis is by utilizing state funding that was granted nine public schools in 2018. The legislative agreement authorized the selected districts to enter into agreements with local community mental health centers. The program was established to address challenges schools were experiencing through increases in students (and families) with mental health needs. The program's goal is to eliminate barriers for students and families which need clinical therapy and to access the local community mental health centers.&nbsp;"We do have in our schools a mental health liaison that works directly with Central Kansas Mental Health," Exline said. "If we do have a student who is needing to get connected with mental health services, a lot of times that's an immediate need and it's a really challenging thing for families to be able to navigate that system."<h2>A legacy of educators</h2>Growing up, Exline said she always dreamed of working in the medical field. Her main goal was to work in a career that changed lives and helped people. She attended Kansas State University with an emphasis in math and science. Exline's mother, Carolyn Jo Lundgrin, was an educator in the Salina school district, often working as a long-term substitute teacher."I took an education class because my mother was an educator and I had come back to Salina and I had observed her in a classroom where she was actually doing a long-term substitute position," Exline said." It was in a classroom for students that had special needs."Exline said that it was while she observed her mother teaching that she discovered the joy and&nbsp; excitement for helping students grow and reach their goals.&nbsp;"My mother taught in Kansas City while my father was in dental school, and then she stayed home with us when we were young. And as soon as we were all in school, she went back into education," Exline said. "Most of her time was spent in classrooms where there were students that really needed some special attention. She could interpret sign language... that's kind of a unique skill set."Unfortunately, Exline's mother passed away in 2018.&nbsp;Exline said that she will always admire her mother's ability to balance both her profession as an educator with her responsibilities as a mother with four kids."I ended up taking a class at K-State that was an education class, and I absolutely loved it," Exline said. "It just changed my course. I really knew that I wanted to be in a position where I could help people and I can't imagine a better place to be able to change lives."&nbsp; After graduating from K-State, Exline returned to Salina where she secured her first job as a teacher."I was lucky at the time that I graduated from K State, it was early when they started to allow students to student teach in their hometowns," Exline said. "I came back to Salina to student teach, and was at Heusner Elementary School in first grade. And then I got my first job there teaching fifth grade. Loved teaching fifth graders."Following her time at Heusner, Exline worked in several different positions in the district.&nbsp;"I worked K-12 science and math curriculum," Exline said. "Math and science were my two areas of emphasis. I was an elementary principal, I worked as the director of staff development and then was lucky to go out to a high school as an assistant principal , and then moved into a principalship as well."Exline worked as the district's director of curriculum before she moved to the role of superintendent. "I definitely have benefited from all of those different opportunities that I've been given," Exline said. " I think it really has made me better able to know how to engage people in conversations and where their input is really critical in me making good decisions. Just that importance of how do we make sure that everybody's on the same page to move things forward."

USD 305 Superintendent Linn Exline gives update

&nbsp;ABILENE- Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad (A&amp;SV) officials have received an unexpected present as the railroad nears its 30th anniversary in June.

 After filing the required Federal Railroad Administration papers, it was discovered that the railroad’s iconic 104 year old steam engine, Santa Fe 3415, has one remaining year of operation before it must be taken out of service and undergo its FRA mandated 15 year comprehensive inspection.

 This news comes after the railroad had prepared to begin the roughly two-year inspection process this season. 

 “We’re elated at the news,” said Ross Boelling, president and general manager of Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad. “We are the only operating steam railroad in Kansas and are happy to schedule more trains this coming season with Santa Fe locomotive 3415 providing the power.” 

The steam engine rebuild is a process that begins with a thorough inspection of the boiler and making any needed repairs. Other components of running gear and tender are also examined, repaired and or replaced before the engine is allowed to operate again. 

 The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad will begin its summer operations utilizing its diesel locomotive in May with Santa Fe locomotive 3415 making its first 2023 appearance Memorial Day weekend.

 Even though 3415 will see service in 2023, A&amp;SV has not slowed down its fundraising and grant submissions requests for work on the locomotive. A&amp;SV will continue with major fundraising efforts this year before the engine will indeed be taken out of service in mid-October. 

 “We have established a ‘3415 Fund’ that seeks donations for the rebuild,” said Boelling, who added that donations can be made through the A&amp;SV website or by sending a check to the railroad’s office at 200 SE 5th Street, Abilene, KS 67410. 

Boelling added that the engine is scheduled to make 28 runs this coming season before it is retired. He added that the full 2023 schedule will be posted on the Abilene and Smoky Valley website and social media platforms, as well as in area media outlets, shortly.

Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad&nbsp;ABILENE- Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad (A&amp;SV) officials have received an unexpected present as the railroad nears its 30th anniversary in June. After filing the required Federal Railroad Administration papers, it was discovered that the railroad’s iconic 104 year old steam engine, Santa Fe 3415, has one remaining year of operation before it must be taken out of service and undergo its FRA mandated 15 year comprehensive inspection. This news comes after the railroad had prepared to begin the roughly two-year inspection process this season. “We’re elated at the news,” said Ross Boelling, president and general manager of Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad. “We are the only operating steam railroad in Kansas and are happy to schedule more trains this coming season with Santa Fe locomotive 3415 providing the power.” The steam engine rebuild is a process that begins with a thorough inspection of the boiler and making any needed repairs. Other components of running gear and tender are also examined, repaired and or replaced before the engine is allowed to operate again. The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad will begin its summer operations utilizing its diesel locomotive in May with Santa Fe locomotive 3415 making its first 2023 appearance Memorial Day weekend.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677084457169.jpeg" alt="Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad's diesel engine&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad's diesel engine&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure> Even though 3415 will see service in 2023, A&amp;SV has not slowed down its fundraising and grant submissions requests for work on the locomotive. A&amp;SV will continue with major fundraising efforts this year before the engine will indeed be taken out of service in mid-October. “We have established a ‘3415 Fund’ that seeks donations for the rebuild,” said Boelling, who added that donations can be made through the A&amp;SV website or by sending a check to the railroad’s office at 200 SE 5th Street, Abilene, KS 67410. Boelling added that the engine is scheduled to make 28 runs this coming season before it is retired. He added that the full 2023 schedule will be posted on the Abilene and Smoky Valley website and social media platforms, as well as in area media outlets, shortly.

Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad receives unexpected anniversary present

If two bills moving through the Kansas legislature become law, together they could destabilize public schools, prove disastrous for Kansas students and reduce the state general tax fund.

As currently written, the bills would shift funding to private and home schools plus permit affluent parents to donate enough to an existing scholarship fund to write off the entire cost of private schooling.&nbsp; Yet low income parents with vouchers still could not afford the cost of many private schools.&nbsp;

What is more, there are as many as 60 Kansas counties with no private schools for students to attend.&nbsp;

The bill most publicized and hotly contested is the Kansas Sunflower Education Equity Act HB2218, also called the Education Savings Account voucher bill.&nbsp; It would provide parents the yearly per-pupil state funding amount of nearly $5,000 for their students in grades one to 12&nbsp;and preschoolers with disabilities.

HB2218 vouchers cover a range of expenditures including tuition in accredited and non-accredited private schools and micro-schools where home schoolers form groups to teach their children jointly, often in each other’s homes.

The bill allows for individual home school support and other educational services like online learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Kansas Division of Budget estimates that the yearly loss of state aid to school districts would be approximately $152 million.

The state treasurer’s office (not the Kansas State Department of Education) would administer the program, but administrative cost is unknown due to lack of data for preschool and private school students.

School supporters estimate total cost at $270 million.

HB2218 requires only a mandate for full-time instruction in math, science, reading, grammar and social studies.

In an interview on the National Public Radio 1A program Feb. 13, House Education Committee Chair, Republican Kristey Williams was asked by the moderator if white supremist, racist beliefs would be allowed by HB2218.&nbsp; Williams replied such speech was “abhorrent.”&nbsp;

Noting that recently an Ohio network of micro-schools was discovered to be teaching Nazi propaganda and racism, the moderator repeated the question.&nbsp; Williams said she believes in parents and that most, if not all, parents in Kansas would choose to teach their kids in the best possible way.&nbsp; Find the entire interview at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510316/1a" target="_blank">https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510316/1a</a>

Another bill that would weaken public schools is the scholarship tax credit program originally intended to provide private school tuition for students living in poverty.&nbsp; Bill HB2048 would extend funding to a much larger income group and up the tax credit to 100 percent for corporation or individual donations.&nbsp; If passed, affluent parents could write off the entire cost of private school.&nbsp; Should this bill become law the Kansas Division of Budget expects it to reduce the state general fund around $10 million in the first year.&nbsp;

Such proposals circulating in the Legislature, leave students without standards for curriculum or protection from indoctrination.&nbsp; Besides striping funds from public school budgets, increased tax credits rob the general fund of resources for other state expenditures.&nbsp;&nbsp;

I too believe in Kansas parents to make right decisions.&nbsp; I believe they’ll tell legislators to trash these bills.

Sources used in this report:&nbsp;&nbsp;KSDE reporting list of private accredited and nonaccredited schools, KASB Resources—News, NPR 1A Feb.13, HB2218, HB2048&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita of the Wichita State University College of Education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593719779701.jpeg" alt="Sharon Hartin Iorio" />
 <figcaption>Sharon Hartin Iorio</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHARON HARTIN IORIOIf two bills moving through the Kansas legislature become law, together they could destabilize public schools, prove disastrous for Kansas students and reduce the state general tax fund.As currently written, the bills would shift funding to private and home schools plus permit affluent parents to donate enough to an existing scholarship fund to write off the entire cost of private schooling.&nbsp; Yet low income parents with vouchers still could not afford the cost of many private schools.&nbsp;What is more, there are as many as 60 Kansas counties with no private schools for students to attend.&nbsp;The bill most publicized and hotly contested is the Kansas Sunflower Education Equity Act HB2218, also called the Education Savings Account voucher bill.&nbsp; It would provide parents the yearly per-pupil state funding amount of nearly $5,000 for their students in grades one to 12&nbsp;and preschoolers with disabilities.HB2218 vouchers cover a range of expenditures including tuition in accredited and non-accredited private schools and micro-schools where home schoolers form groups to teach their children jointly, often in each other’s homes.The bill allows for individual home school support and other educational services like online learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kansas Division of Budget estimates that the yearly loss of state aid to school districts would be approximately $152 million.The state treasurer’s office (not the Kansas State Department of Education) would administer the program, but administrative cost is unknown due to lack of data for preschool and private school students.School supporters estimate total cost at $270 million.HB2218 requires only a mandate for full-time instruction in math, science, reading, grammar and social studies.In an interview on the National Public Radio 1A program Feb. 13, House Education Committee Chair, Republican Kristey Williams was asked by the moderator if white supremist, racist beliefs would be allowed by HB2218.&nbsp; Williams replied such speech was “abhorrent.”&nbsp;Noting that recently an Ohio network of micro-schools was discovered to be teaching Nazi propaganda and racism, the moderator repeated the question.&nbsp; Williams said she believes in parents and that most, if not all, parents in Kansas would choose to teach their kids in the best possible way.&nbsp; Find the entire interview at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510316/1a" target="_blank">https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510316/1a</a>Another bill that would weaken public schools is the scholarship tax credit program originally intended to provide private school tuition for students living in poverty.&nbsp; Bill HB2048 would extend funding to a much larger income group and up the tax credit to 100 percent for corporation or individual donations.&nbsp; If passed, affluent parents could write off the entire cost of private school.&nbsp; Should this bill become law the Kansas Division of Budget expects it to reduce the state general fund around $10 million in the first year.&nbsp;Such proposals circulating in the Legislature, leave students without standards for curriculum or protection from indoctrination.&nbsp; Besides striping funds from public school budgets, increased tax credits rob the general fund of resources for other state expenditures.&nbsp;&nbsp;I too believe in Kansas parents to make right decisions.&nbsp; I believe they’ll tell legislators to trash these bills.Sources used in this report:&nbsp;&nbsp;KSDE reporting list of private accredited and nonaccredited schools, KASB Resources—News, NPR 1A Feb.13, HB2218, HB2048&nbsp;&nbsp;Sharon Hartin Iorio is Dean Emerita of the Wichita State University College of Education.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Two bills that could undermine Kansas schools

Today is Thursday, Feb. 23, the 54th day of 2023. There are 311 days left in the year.

On Feb. 23, 1954, the first mass inoculation of schoolchildren against polio using the Salk vaccine began in Pittsburgh as some 5,000 students were vaccinated.

In 1685, composer George Frideric Handel was born in present-day Germany.

In 1822, Boston was granted a charter to incorporate as a city.

In 1836, the siege of the Alamo began in San Antonio, Texas.

In 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln arrived secretly in Washington to take office, following word of a possible assassination plot in Baltimore.

In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed an agreement with Cuba to lease the area around Guantanamo Bay to the United States.

In 1942, the first shelling of the U.S. mainland during World War II occurred as a Japanese submarine fired on an oil refinery near Santa Barbara, California, causing little damage.

In 1945, during World War II, U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima captured Mount Suribachi, where they raised two American flags (the second flag-raising was captured in the iconic Associated Press photograph.)

In 1998, 42 people were killed, some 2,600 homes and businesses damaged or destroyed, by tornadoes in central Florida.

In 2007, a Mississippi grand jury refused to bring any new charges in the 1955 slaying of Emmett Till, the Black teenager who was beaten and shot after being accused of whistling at a white woman, declining to indict the woman, Carolyn Bryant Donham, for manslaughter.

In 2011, in a major policy reversal, the Obama administration said it would no longer defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law banning recognition of same-sex marriage.

In 2020, Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was fatally shot on a residential Georgia street; a white father and son had armed themselves and pursued him after seeing him running through their neighborhood. (Greg and Travis McMichael and neighbor William "Roddie" Bryan were convicted of murder, aggravated assault and other charges and were sentenced to life in prison.)

In 2021, golfer Tiger Woods was seriously injured when his SUV crashed into a median and rolled over several times on a steep road in suburban Los Angeles.

Ten years ago: Some 30 NASCAR fans were injured when rookie Kyle Larson's car was propelled by a crash into the fence at Daytona International Speedway, and large chunks of debris flew into the grandstands. The Ultimate Fighting Championship held its first women's bout as Ronda Rousey beat Liz Carmouche on an armbar, her signature move, with 11 seconds left in the first round of their bantamweight title fight at UFC 157 in Anaheim, California.

Five years ago: Rick Gates, a former senior adviser to Donald Trump's election campaign, pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy and false statements charges, becoming a cooperating witness in the probe of Trump's campaign and Russia's election interference. Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced plans to put more armed guards in schools and make it harder for young adults and some with mental illness to buy guns. Teachers and staff returned to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, for the first time since the shooting that left 17 people dead. Canada's Olympic men's hockey team failed to reach the final at the Winter Olympics in South Korea, losing to Germany 4-3 in the semifinals.

One year ago: The Kremlin said rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine asked Russia for military assistance to help fend off Ukrainian "aggression" while Ukraine declared a nationwide state of emergency amid growing fears of an all-out invasion by Russian troops. (The invasion would become a reality a day later.) Gary Brooker, the Procol Harum frontman who sang one of the 1960s' most enduring hits, "A Whiter Shade of Pale," died at age 76.

Today's birthdays: Football Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff is 80. Author John Sandford is 79. Actor Patricia Richardson is 72. Former NFL player Ed "Too Tall" Jones is 72. Rock musician Brad Whitford (Aerosmith) is 71. Singer Howard Jones is 68. Rock musician Michael Wilton (Queensryche) is 61. Country singer Dusty Drake is 59. Actor Kristin Davis is 58. Former tennis player Helena Sukova is 58. Actor Marc Price is 55. TV personality/businessman Daymond John (TV: "Shark Tank") is 54. Actor Niecy Nash is 53. Rock musician Jeff Beres (Sister Hazel) is 52. Country singer Steve Holy is 51. Rock musician Lasse Johansson (The Cardigans) is 50. Film and theater composer Robert Lopez is 48. Actor Kelly Macdonald is 47. Rapper Residente (Calle 13) is 45. Actor Josh Gad is 42. Actor Emily Blunt is 40. Actor Aziz Ansari is 40. Actor Tye White (TV: "Greenleaf") is 37. Actor Dakota Fanning is 29.

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 <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, Feb. 23, the 54th day of 2023. There are 311 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Feb. 23, 1954, the first mass inoculation of schoolchildren against polio using the Salk vaccine began in Pittsburgh as some 5,000 students were vaccinated.On this date:In 1685, composer George Frideric Handel was born in present-day Germany.In 1822, Boston was granted a charter to incorporate as a city.In 1836, the siege of the Alamo began in San Antonio, Texas.In 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln arrived secretly in Washington to take office, following word of a possible assassination plot in Baltimore.In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed an agreement with Cuba to lease the area around Guantanamo Bay to the United States.In 1942, the first shelling of the U.S. mainland during World War II occurred as a Japanese submarine fired on an oil refinery near Santa Barbara, California, causing little damage.In 1945, during World War II, U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima captured Mount Suribachi, where they raised two American flags (the second flag-raising was captured in the iconic Associated Press photograph.)In 1998, 42 people were killed, some 2,600 homes and businesses damaged or destroyed, by tornadoes in central Florida.In 2007, a Mississippi grand jury refused to bring any new charges in the 1955 slaying of Emmett Till, the Black teenager who was beaten and shot after being accused of whistling at a white woman, declining to indict the woman, Carolyn Bryant Donham, for manslaughter.In 2011, in a major policy reversal, the Obama administration said it would no longer defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law banning recognition of same-sex marriage.In 2020, Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was fatally shot on a residential Georgia street; a white father and son had armed themselves and pursued him after seeing him running through their neighborhood. (Greg and Travis McMichael and neighbor William "Roddie" Bryan were convicted of murder, aggravated assault and other charges and were sentenced to life in prison.)In 2021, golfer Tiger Woods was seriously injured when his SUV crashed into a median and rolled over several times on a steep road in suburban Los Angeles.Ten years ago: Some 30 NASCAR fans were injured when rookie Kyle Larson's car was propelled by a crash into the fence at Daytona International Speedway, and large chunks of debris flew into the grandstands. The Ultimate Fighting Championship held its first women's bout as Ronda Rousey beat Liz Carmouche on an armbar, her signature move, with 11 seconds left in the first round of their bantamweight title fight at UFC 157 in Anaheim, California.Five years ago: Rick Gates, a former senior adviser to Donald Trump's election campaign, pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy and false statements charges, becoming a cooperating witness in the probe of Trump's campaign and Russia's election interference. Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced plans to put more armed guards in schools and make it harder for young adults and some with mental illness to buy guns. Teachers and staff returned to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, for the first time since the shooting that left 17 people dead. Canada's Olympic men's hockey team failed to reach the final at the Winter Olympics in South Korea, losing to Germany 4-3 in the semifinals.One year ago: The Kremlin said rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine asked Russia for military assistance to help fend off Ukrainian "aggression" while Ukraine declared a nationwide state of emergency amid growing fears of an all-out invasion by Russian troops. (The invasion would become a reality a day later.) Gary Brooker, the Procol Harum frontman who sang one of the 1960s' most enduring hits, "A Whiter Shade of Pale," died at age 76.Today's birthdays: Football Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff is 80. Author John Sandford is 79. Actor Patricia Richardson is 72. Former NFL player Ed "Too Tall" Jones is 72. Rock musician Brad Whitford (Aerosmith) is 71. Singer Howard Jones is 68. Rock musician Michael Wilton (Queensryche) is 61. Country singer Dusty Drake is 59. Actor Kristin Davis is 58. Former tennis player Helena Sukova is 58. Actor Marc Price is 55. TV personality/businessman Daymond John (TV: "Shark Tank") is 54. Actor Niecy Nash is 53. Rock musician Jeff Beres (Sister Hazel) is 52. Country singer Steve Holy is 51. Rock musician Lasse Johansson (The Cardigans) is 50. Film and theater composer Robert Lopez is 48. Actor Kelly Macdonald is 47. Rapper Residente (Calle 13) is 45. Actor Josh Gad is 42. Actor Emily Blunt is 40. Actor Aziz Ansari is 40. Actor Tye White (TV: "Greenleaf") is 37. Actor Dakota Fanning is 29.

Today in History - Feb. 23

EDITOR'S NOTE March 2: We've asked for information about this wreck multiple times and are always told that the report isn't ready. We will have more information about this wreck when the Salina Police Department makes it available.

EDITOR'S NOTE Thursday: No additional information about this wreck was available from the Salina Police Department today. We hope to have an update to this story on Friday.

BY NATE KING Salina Post Just before noon Wednesday, the Salina Police Department responded to a three-vehicle injury accident at the intersection of S. Ohio Street and E. Prescott Road.

 One of the vehicles had rolled onto its side.

Salina Police said two people received treatment for minor injuries.&nbsp;

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

EDITOR'S NOTE March 2: We've asked for information about this wreck multiple times and are always told that the report isn't ready. We will have more information about this wreck when the Salina Police Department makes it available.EDITOR'S NOTE Thursday: No additional information about this wreck was available from the Salina Police Department today. We hope to have an update to this story on Friday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677091768942.jpeg" alt="Photo by Nate King/Salina Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Nate King/Salina Post</figcaption>
 </figure>BY NATE KING Salina Post Just before noon Wednesday, the Salina Police Department responded to a three-vehicle injury accident at the intersection of S. Ohio Street and E. Prescott Road. One of the vehicles had rolled onto its side.Salina Police said two people received treatment for minor injuries.&nbsp;<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6iV-Qi_iQCI"></iframe>
 <figcaption>Video courtesy JAB IT LLC</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Post will update this story as more information becomes available.&nbsp;

🎥Three-vehicle accident in Salina leaves two with injuries

ABILENE - Emmanuel Church in Abilene is having an escape room fundraiser for its mission teams Thursday through Saturday.

"It is a super fun escape room event that is challenging enough for adult groups but also kid-friendly," the church noted in information released to Salina Post.

The suggested donation for the event is $10 per person.

Use the QR code below to reserve your time or click here.

By SALINA POSTABILENE - Emmanuel Church in Abilene is having an escape room fundraiser for its mission teams Thursday through Saturday."It is a super fun escape room event that is challenging enough for adult groups but also kid-friendly," the church noted in information released to Salina Post.The suggested donation for the event is $10 per person.Use the QR code below to reserve your time or click here.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677116485520.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Abilene church plans escape room fundraiser for mission teams

S. Burma Road between Parsons Road and Salemsborg Road will be closed daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for tree-trimming operations until Friday.

Driving around road closure barricades is not just unlawful but extremely unsafe. For your safety and the safety of the construction workers, please obey all traffic signs.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Saline County Engineer's OfficeS. Burma Road between Parsons Road and Salemsborg Road will be closed daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for tree-trimming operations until Friday.Driving around road closure barricades is not just unlawful but extremely unsafe. For your safety and the safety of the construction workers, please obey all traffic signs.Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Saline County closing part of S. Burma Road for tree trimming

Calling them "fresh" and "exciting," Salina Arts &amp; Humanities today announced the main stage acts for this year's Smoky Hill River Festival. 

The 47th annual Smoky Hill River Festival is scheduled for June 8-11 in Salina's Oakdale Park. 

“Entertainment will feature an eclectic group of performers this year. Festival goers will hear a variety of genres including country, rock, soul, indie, and innovative fusion groups,” said festival entertainment coordinator Sarah Keck. “We will see the return of some family favorites and experience the largest number of new main stage performers to the festival in recent years. Attendees will get to enjoy both familiar and new sounds across the park.”

Following are the main stage acts as provided by Salina Arts &amp; Humanities.

Paramount – Friday Headliner Traveling with amazing sound and light production, Paramount delivers a live experience of the decade called “The Big 80s!”

Welshly Arms - Saturday Headliner After dropping their anthemic single Legendary in 2017, the indie rock world was quickly introduced to Welshly Arms’ penchant for unleashing larger-than-life alt-rock bangers and spine-tingling live performances.

Howard Mahan &amp; Friends – Sunday Headliner Fresh off the release of their second record, Marigold, Howard Mahan &amp; Friends blend a variety of styles from roots blues to psychedelic rock.

Barnaby Bright Becky and Nathan Bliss make up the critically-acclaimed group Barnaby Bright and have accumulated a dedicated following that feeds on their ability to spin storytelling into sonic treasures.

Gabe Lee Equal parts classic songwriter and modern-day storyteller, Lee has built his own bridge between country, folk, and rock over the course of three acclaimed albums.

King Margo Two lifelong musicians who met in Nashville, Tenn., when they were hired for the same touring band. They are known for their blend of high-energy musicianship, thoughtful lyrics, and soaring harmonies.

Splatt Kansas City’s newest brass innovation. A collaborative pairing of vocalist/trombonists Kadesh Flow and Trevor Turla, Splatt blends soul, hip-hop, jazz, and funk together to generate a powerful, trombone-fronted musical experience.

The Freedom Affair The Freedom Affair is a nine-piece soul juggernaut. The band formed in 2017 with a vision to write original soul music inspired by the traditions of the genre’s past with a universal message looking toward the future.

Caitlin Krisko &amp; The Broadcast Krisko is known for her soaring vocal performances. This group is a powerhouse soul-rock band hailing from Asheville, N.C.

Making Movies A band that makes American music with an asterisk: because Making Movies’ sound encompasses the entirety of the Americas. It’s through this broader perspective that Making Movies crunches classic rock into Latin American rhythms — African-derived percussion and styles like rumba, merengue, mambo, and cumbia — in a way that feels oddly familiar, yet delivers the invigorating chills of hearing something singularly special.

Candice Hill Band An eclectic group highlighting the unique sounds of steelpan (also known as steel drum), mixed with guitars, vocals, bass, and percussion. The band entertains listeners with styles from calypso music, Latin jazz, soca, pop, reggae, and more.

Rudy Love Jr. &amp; The Encore A singer/songwriter/keyboardist with deep musical DNA, Rudy Love Jr. has developed a distinctive voice, giving his all with every performance. Rudy Love Jr. &amp; The Encore provides a seamless blend of R&amp;B, soul, funk, pop, and rock to the festival mainstage.

Latin Grammy-winning music duo 123 Andrés will be featured on the Children's Stage. Their catchy songs and lively performances get the whole family dancing, singing, and learning! These high-energy, joyful shows celebrate the Latinx experience and incorporate Spanish, English, and ASL languages.

Salina Arts &amp; Humanities noted that the entire entertainment roster will be available later this spring.

By SALINA POSTCalling them "fresh" and "exciting," Salina Arts &amp; Humanities today announced the main stage acts for this year's Smoky Hill River Festival. The 47th annual Smoky Hill River Festival is scheduled for June 8-11 in Salina's Oakdale Park. “Entertainment will feature an eclectic group of performers this year. Festival goers will hear a variety of genres including country, rock, soul, indie, and innovative fusion groups,” said festival entertainment coordinator Sarah Keck. “We will see the return of some family favorites and experience the largest number of new main stage performers to the festival in recent years. Attendees will get to enjoy both familiar and new sounds across the park.”Following are the main stage acts as provided by Salina Arts &amp; Humanities.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677102548141.jpeg" alt="Paramount. Photos courtesy Salina Arts &amp; Humanities" />
 <figcaption>Paramount. Photos courtesy Salina Arts &amp; Humanities</figcaption>
 </figure>Paramount – Friday Headliner Traveling with amazing sound and light production, Paramount delivers a live experience of the decade called “The Big 80s!”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677102714947.jpeg" alt="Welshly Arms" />
 <figcaption>Welshly Arms</figcaption>
 </figure>Welshly Arms - Saturday Headliner After dropping their anthemic single Legendary in 2017, the indie rock world was quickly introduced to Welshly Arms’ penchant for unleashing larger-than-life alt-rock bangers and spine-tingling live performances.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677102796722.jpeg" alt="Howard Mahan &amp; Friends" />
 <figcaption>Howard Mahan &amp; Friends</figcaption>
 </figure>Howard Mahan &amp; Friends – Sunday Headliner Fresh off the release of their second record, Marigold, Howard Mahan &amp; Friends blend a variety of styles from roots blues to psychedelic rock.Barnaby Bright Becky and Nathan Bliss make up the critically-acclaimed group Barnaby Bright and have accumulated a dedicated following that feeds on their ability to spin storytelling into sonic treasures.Gabe Lee Equal parts classic songwriter and modern-day storyteller, Lee has built his own bridge between country, folk, and rock over the course of three acclaimed albums.King Margo Two lifelong musicians who met in Nashville, Tenn., when they were hired for the same touring band. They are known for their blend of high-energy musicianship, thoughtful lyrics, and soaring harmonies.Splatt Kansas City’s newest brass innovation. A collaborative pairing of vocalist/trombonists Kadesh Flow and Trevor Turla, Splatt blends soul, hip-hop, jazz, and funk together to generate a powerful, trombone-fronted musical experience.The Freedom Affair The Freedom Affair is a nine-piece soul juggernaut. The band formed in 2017 with a vision to write original soul music inspired by the traditions of the genre’s past with a universal message looking toward the future.Caitlin Krisko &amp; The Broadcast Krisko is known for her soaring vocal performances. This group is a powerhouse soul-rock band hailing from Asheville, N.C.Making Movies A band that makes American music with an asterisk: because Making Movies’ sound encompasses the entirety of the Americas. It’s through this broader perspective that Making Movies crunches classic rock into Latin American rhythms — African-derived percussion and styles like rumba, merengue, mambo, and cumbia — in a way that feels oddly familiar, yet delivers the invigorating chills of hearing something singularly special.Candice Hill Band An eclectic group highlighting the unique sounds of steelpan (also known as steel drum), mixed with guitars, vocals, bass, and percussion. The band entertains listeners with styles from calypso music, Latin jazz, soca, pop, reggae, and more.Rudy Love Jr. &amp; The Encore A singer/songwriter/keyboardist with deep musical DNA, Rudy Love Jr. has developed a distinctive voice, giving his all with every performance. Rudy Love Jr. &amp; The Encore provides a seamless blend of R&amp;B, soul, funk, pop, and rock to the festival mainstage.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677102943441.jpeg" alt="123 Andrés" />
 <figcaption>123 Andrés</figcaption>
 </figure>On the Children's StageLatin Grammy-winning music duo 123 Andrés will be featured on the Children's Stage. Their catchy songs and lively performances get the whole family dancing, singing, and learning! These high-energy, joyful shows celebrate the Latinx experience and incorporate Spanish, English, and ASL languages.Salina Arts &amp; Humanities noted that the entire entertainment roster will be available later this spring.

Smoky Hill River Festival main stage performers announced

Salina Regional Health Center announced today that it is merging its two urgent care clinics - StatCare and Urgent Care - into one facility.

Beginning March 8, all patients will be seen at the 2265 S. Ninth Street facility, SRHC noted in a news release. The clinic will be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. seven days a week. In addition to walk-in visits, patients also will have the option of virtual visits.

"Merging the two clinics allows for improved access and expanding services, such as offering virtual care visits. This move will also allow for future expansion of occupational health services and improved access and opportunities to the patients and companies it serves. Occupational Health Partners currently operates out of the Urgent Care Clinic," SRHC noted.

For more information or to schedule a virtual care visit, go to <a href="http://salinaurgentcare.com">salinaurgentcare.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677085042434.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Health Center is merging its StatCare and Urgent Care clinics into the Urgent Care facility at 2265 S. Ninth Street. Photo courtesy SRHC" />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Health Center is merging its StatCare and Urgent Care clinics into the Urgent Care facility at 2265 S. Ninth Street. Photo courtesy SRHC</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTSalina Regional Health Center announced today that it is merging its two urgent care clinics - StatCare and Urgent Care - into one facility.Beginning March 8, all patients will be seen at the 2265 S. Ninth Street facility, SRHC noted in a news release. The clinic will be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. seven days a week. In addition to walk-in visits, patients also will have the option of virtual visits."Merging the two clinics allows for improved access and expanding services, such as offering virtual care visits. This move will also allow for future expansion of occupational health services and improved access and opportunities to the patients and companies it serves. Occupational Health Partners currently operates out of the Urgent Care Clinic," SRHC noted.For more information or to schedule a virtual care visit, go to <a href="http://salinaurgentcare.com">salinaurgentcare.com</a>.

Salina Regional merging StatCare, Urgent Care clinics

A Salina bicyclist was arrested early this morning on multiple active warrants and requested drug charges.

At approximately 1:10 a.m. Wednesday, an officer on patrol in the area of the N. Ninth Street/W. Euclid Avenue intersection observed a bicyclist who was riding without a front headlight and no rear reflector. Additionally, the officer thought it suspicious that the rider was wearing a ski mask and a heavy coat in 60-degree weather, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning.

When the officer conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of E. Euclid Avenue, the bicyclist allegedly gave the officer a false name and couldn't remember his birthdate, Forrester said.

The bicyclist, identified as Jere Thomas, 40, of Salina, was found to have eight active warrants from Saline County District Court. Additionally, when he was taken into custody, he allegedly was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, Forrester said.

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA Salina bicyclist was arrested early this morning on multiple active warrants and requested drug charges.At approximately 1:10 a.m. Wednesday, an officer on patrol in the area of the N. Ninth Street/W. Euclid Avenue intersection observed a bicyclist who was riding without a front headlight and no rear reflector. Additionally, the officer thought it suspicious that the rider was wearing a ski mask and a heavy coat in 60-degree weather, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning.When the officer conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of E. Euclid Avenue, the bicyclist allegedly gave the officer a false name and couldn't remember his birthdate, Forrester said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677083764994.jpeg" alt="Jere Thomas. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Jere Thomas. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>The bicyclist, identified as Jere Thomas, 40, of Salina, was found to have eight active warrants from Saline County District Court. Additionally, when he was taken into custody, he allegedly was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, Forrester said.In addition to the warrants, Thomas was arrested on the following requested charges, Forrester said.●Felony obstruction●Possession of a stimulant●Possession of drug paraphernalia

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