By JASON GRAVES Central Kansas District&nbsp;horticulture extension agent

If you enjoy gardening, learning, and giving back as a volunteer, consider becoming a Master Gardener in 2022.&nbsp; Central Kansas District K-State Research and Extension will be offering the 2022 Master Gardener Basic Training Course starting Sept. 1.

Master Gardener basic training classes begin Sept. 1 and will run each Thursday from 1-4 p.m. through Dec. 15.&nbsp; This training will primarily be held online through zoom each week, but there will be four in-person meeting days throughout the training as well.&nbsp; Topics covered include basic botany, soil fertility, insects, diseases, tree and shrub care, vegetables, fruit gardening, turf management, wildlife, annual and perennial flowers, and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Master Gardeners are K-State Research &amp; Extension volunteers who enjoy cultivating their own plants and gardens while sharing their skills and knowledge with the community around them to help others grow.&nbsp; Volunteering as an Extension Master Gardener is a wonderful way to enrich your life and the lives of others.

The decision to become a Master Gardener can be very rewarding.&nbsp; It is a decision to take your horticulture knowledge to the next level, and it is also a commitment to find creative ways to make a difference in our community while sharing that knowledge with the people and places around you.

Training is just one great benefit.&nbsp; Master Gardeners receive a 40-hour-plus horticulture training course from K-State Extension specialists and county Extension agents.&nbsp; The basic training provides a great starting point for those new to gardening, but is also in depth enough to apply to gardeners of any skill level.&nbsp; Other benefits of being a Master Gardener include the camaraderie of people who share similar passions, receiving ongoing horticulture training and support through K-State Research and Extension, and other local horticulture opportunities.

Once training is complete, Master Gardeners are encouraged to take their knowledge out to the community to share it with others in unique and meaningful ways.&nbsp; First year Master Gardeners volunteer 40 hours of time and during succeeding years have a commitment of just 20 hours to remain active.

Master Gardener volunteer time can be selected from current Master Gardener projects and can also be tailored to individual abilities and interests.&nbsp; Master Gardeners are encouraged to find their creativity in looking for ways to impact the community.&nbsp; A few activities many Master Gardeners enjoy volunteering on include: &nbsp;the demonstration garden, community gardens, county fairs, and educational garden tours and events.

Space for the course &nbsp;is limited and applications can be filled out online at <a href="http://www.centralkansas.ksu.edu">www.centralkansas.ksu.edu</a> and are due by Aug. 26.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659831241682.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy Jason Graves" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Jason Graves</figcaption>
 </figure>By JASON GRAVES Central Kansas District&nbsp;horticulture extension agentIf you enjoy gardening, learning, and giving back as a volunteer, consider becoming a Master Gardener in 2022.&nbsp; Central Kansas District K-State Research and Extension will be offering the 2022 Master Gardener Basic Training Course starting Sept. 1.Master Gardener basic training classes begin Sept. 1 and will run each Thursday from 1-4 p.m. through Dec. 15.&nbsp; This training will primarily be held online through zoom each week, but there will be four in-person meeting days throughout the training as well.&nbsp; Topics covered include basic botany, soil fertility, insects, diseases, tree and shrub care, vegetables, fruit gardening, turf management, wildlife, annual and perennial flowers, and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Who are Master Gardeners?Master Gardeners are K-State Research &amp; Extension volunteers who enjoy cultivating their own plants and gardens while sharing their skills and knowledge with the community around them to help others grow.&nbsp; Volunteering as an Extension Master Gardener is a wonderful way to enrich your life and the lives of others.Why become a Master Gardener?The decision to become a Master Gardener can be very rewarding.&nbsp; It is a decision to take your horticulture knowledge to the next level, and it is also a commitment to find creative ways to make a difference in our community while sharing that knowledge with the people and places around you.Training is just one great benefit.&nbsp; Master Gardeners receive a 40-hour-plus horticulture training course from K-State Extension specialists and county Extension agents.&nbsp; The basic training provides a great starting point for those new to gardening, but is also in depth enough to apply to gardeners of any skill level.&nbsp; Other benefits of being a Master Gardener include the camaraderie of people who share similar passions, receiving ongoing horticulture training and support through K-State Research and Extension, and other local horticulture opportunities.What about volunteering?Once training is complete, Master Gardeners are encouraged to take their knowledge out to the community to share it with others in unique and meaningful ways.&nbsp; First year Master Gardeners volunteer 40 hours of time and during succeeding years have a commitment of just 20 hours to remain active.Master Gardener volunteer time can be selected from current Master Gardener projects and can also be tailored to individual abilities and interests.&nbsp; Master Gardeners are encouraged to find their creativity in looking for ways to impact the community.&nbsp; A few activities many Master Gardeners enjoy volunteering on include: &nbsp;the demonstration garden, community gardens, county fairs, and educational garden tours and events.Apply onlineSpace for the course &nbsp;is limited and applications can be filled out online at <a href="http://www.centralkansas.ksu.edu">www.centralkansas.ksu.edu</a> and are due by Aug. 26.

Master Gardener training begins Sept. 1

Aug. 13 is apparently National Garage Sale Day. I don’t know who invented it, but more power to them. We live in modern times though, and selling your unwanted stuff&nbsp;online&nbsp;can be way more profitable.

So, if you’re not feeling like posting up in the heat from the crack of dawn until the last straggling thrifters stop showing up, let’s explore your online options. There are&nbsp;plenty&nbsp;of selling sites and apps that can turn your old stuff into someone else’s treasure. Here’s how to do it the right way.

How to Get Started Selling Stuff Online

The process is simple, but there are a few things you’ll need to prep and decide before you start rolling in the dough.

●First, gather the stuff you want to sell and make sure it’s in good condition. Double-check that your gadgets work, clothes don’t have major rips or stains, shoes don’t have holes, and bikes and home items are clean and repaired. The cleaner and newer it looks, the higher the chance of selling.

●Next, take clear, well-lit pictures of your items.

●Then, decide if you’d rather complete sales by meeting buyers at a public place or shipping items from the post office. There’s no right or wrong way—just do what’s convenient for you.

Here are a few of my favorite resale sites in no particular order:

Now, wherever you end up selling your stuff, remember two important words: safety first. Scammers want to take advantage you, so make sure you take precautions. Examine buyer profiles, question details that don’t add up, never mail a product without getting paid first, and meet at a safe, public place. Also,&nbsp;never&nbsp;share your personal information with strangers. Instead, communicate through the app or selling website—not your cell phone or email.

How to Make More Money with Your Online Sales

Creating a post to sell your old stuff is a lot like making a dating profile. With so many fish in the sea—or coffee tables on the Internet—you need to make your posts stand out.&nbsp;Here are some of the best ways to spice up your listing and get a buyer’s attention.

●Add keywords to your posts and include a good description.&nbsp;This is important! Describe your items with keywords that people will search for. If you’re selling a living room rug, describe it as an area rug, throw rug, rectangle rug, oriental rug or carpet—and you can even describe the color or brand name. This way people find your listing under a few different searches.

●Use bright, clear pictures.&nbsp;You don’t&nbsp;need&nbsp;a fancy camera to take good pictures of stuff you’re selling. Your cell phone will be fine. Make sure your pictures are clear and well-lit, and don’t include a distracting background.

●Price pieces to sell and be ready to negotiate. Search for stuff like yours to see how other people priced the item. Asking too much money can turn buyers off, but too little means you’re leaving money on the table. And remember: Your stuff is only worth whatever someone’s willing to pay, so be open to best offers.

So,&nbsp;how good does it feel to make a few extra bucks&nbsp;and&nbsp;create more space in your home? Pretty darn good!&nbsp;It’s time to count up your cash, do a victory dance, and put that money where it needs to go. If you’re not quite sure how to spend it, try out a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/how-to-make-a-zero-based-budget" target="_blank">zero-based budget</a>. Whether you’re working on paying off debt, investing for retirement, or even just saving up for next Christmas, your budget gives every dollar a job to do.

George Kamel&nbsp;is a personal finance expert with a countercultural approach to money. He’s the host of&nbsp;The Fine Print&nbsp;podcast and&nbsp;The EntreLeadership Podcast&nbsp;on the Ramsey Network. Since 2013, George has served at Ramsey Solutions, where his goal is to help people spend less, save more, and avoid consumer traps so they can make the most of their money. Follow George on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/GeorgeKamel?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" target="_blank">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/georgekamel/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialGeorgeKamel" target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;or find out more about him online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/personalities" target="_blank">ramseysolutions.com/personalities</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636603961231.jpeg" alt="George Kamel" />
 <figcaption>George Kamel</figcaption>
 </figure>By GEORGE KAMELAug. 13 is apparently National Garage Sale Day. I don’t know who invented it, but more power to them. We live in modern times though, and selling your unwanted stuff&nbsp;online&nbsp;can be way more profitable.So, if you’re not feeling like posting up in the heat from the crack of dawn until the last straggling thrifters stop showing up, let’s explore your online options. There are&nbsp;plenty&nbsp;of selling sites and apps that can turn your old stuff into someone else’s treasure. Here’s how to do it the right way.How to Get Started Selling Stuff OnlineThe process is simple, but there are a few things you’ll need to prep and decide before you start rolling in the dough.●First, gather the stuff you want to sell and make sure it’s in good condition. Double-check that your gadgets work, clothes don’t have major rips or stains, shoes don’t have holes, and bikes and home items are clean and repaired. The cleaner and newer it looks, the higher the chance of selling.●Next, take clear, well-lit pictures of your items.●Then, decide if you’d rather complete sales by meeting buyers at a public place or shipping items from the post office. There’s no right or wrong way—just do what’s convenient for you.Where to Sell Stuff OnlineHere are a few of my favorite resale sites in no particular order:<ol>
 <li>Facebook Marketplace:&nbsp;Facebook Marketplace is free (thanks, Zuck), and on top of that, you can list your items in local buy/sell groups to expand your reach. With local pickup and shipping options, people can find and buy your listings from just about anywhere—and you can vet them before meeting.</li><li>eBay:&nbsp;eBay is awesome for selling collectible items, electronics and vintage or antique pieces—like the Beanie Babies stuffed under the bed. With auction and Buy Now options, you choose how buyers purchase your goods. Heads up: There are some fees with eBay, so read the fine print and list wisely, my friends.</li><li>ThredUP:&nbsp;ThredUP is a consignment style site where&nbsp;you mail&nbsp;them&nbsp;your items, then they do all the work and give you a cut of the sale. My wife loves ThredUP because she can pack up a giant box of old clothes (and by old, I mean last season, which is apparently already out of style), and it conveniently gets picked up from your front door.</li><li>Decluttr:&nbsp;Decluttr is a fast and free way to sell cell phones, tech, CDs, DVDs and games. The website uses a price generator for listings so you can turn old gadgets into new dollars—and purge your junk drawer of dusty, early generation iPods while you’re at it.</li><li>Mercari:&nbsp;Mercari helps millions of people across the U.S. buy and sell just about anything. With options for prepaid shipping labels and profits added right to your account, this app makes selling clothes, beauty items, shoes and household stuff super easy.</li>
 </ol>Now, wherever you end up selling your stuff, remember two important words: safety first. Scammers want to take advantage you, so make sure you take precautions. Examine buyer profiles, question details that don’t add up, never mail a product without getting paid first, and meet at a safe, public place. Also,&nbsp;never&nbsp;share your personal information with strangers. Instead, communicate through the app or selling website—not your cell phone or email.How to Make More Money with Your Online SalesCreating a post to sell your old stuff is a lot like making a dating profile. With so many fish in the sea—or coffee tables on the Internet—you need to make your posts stand out.&nbsp;Here are some of the best ways to spice up your listing and get a buyer’s attention.●Add keywords to your posts and include a good description.&nbsp;This is important! Describe your items with keywords that people will search for. If you’re selling a living room rug, describe it as an area rug, throw rug, rectangle rug, oriental rug or carpet—and you can even describe the color or brand name. This way people find your listing under a few different searches.●Use bright, clear pictures.&nbsp;You don’t&nbsp;need&nbsp;a fancy camera to take good pictures of stuff you’re selling. Your cell phone will be fine. Make sure your pictures are clear and well-lit, and don’t include a distracting background.●Price pieces to sell and be ready to negotiate. Search for stuff like yours to see how other people priced the item. Asking too much money can turn buyers off, but too little means you’re leaving money on the table. And remember: Your stuff is only worth whatever someone’s willing to pay, so be open to best offers.So,&nbsp;how good does it feel to make a few extra bucks&nbsp;and&nbsp;create more space in your home? Pretty darn good!&nbsp;It’s time to count up your cash, do a victory dance, and put that money where it needs to go. If you’re not quite sure how to spend it, try out a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/how-to-make-a-zero-based-budget" target="_blank">zero-based budget</a>. Whether you’re working on paying off debt, investing for retirement, or even just saving up for next Christmas, your budget gives every dollar a job to do.George Kamel&nbsp;is a personal finance expert with a countercultural approach to money. He’s the host of&nbsp;The Fine Print&nbsp;podcast and&nbsp;The EntreLeadership Podcast&nbsp;on the Ramsey Network. Since 2013, George has served at Ramsey Solutions, where his goal is to help people spend less, save more, and avoid consumer traps so they can make the most of their money. Follow George on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/GeorgeKamel?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" target="_blank">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/georgekamel/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialGeorgeKamel" target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;or find out more about him online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/personalities" target="_blank">ramseysolutions.com/personalities</a>.

KAMEL: Selling stuff online is the new garage sale

Monday through Wednesday, APAC Shears of Salina will complete the City of Salina’s annual ultrathin bonded asphalt surface project. The schedule is as follows, weather permitting:

Motorists are urged to avoid work zones altogether or proceed with caution for the safety of the crews performing the work.

This type of preventative maintenance is fairly new to Salina but has been used to help extend the life of many roads around the State of Kansas. It consists of a thin, coarse aggregate hot mix over a special asphalt membrane similar to a chip seal but placed in one pass with a spray paver. The membrane prevents water intrusion and provides a superior bond to the old asphalt. The overlay can disperse water quickly off the surface, which reduces roadway spray from vehicles and provides greater visibility and traction in wet weather. UBAS has performed well for other cities and provides a good friction surface in wet weather. UBAS can be installed quickly, and asserts a longer life-span (8-10 years) than micro-surfacing (6-7 years).

The $965,000 project is a major part of the City of Salina’s $4.7 million 2022 maintenance capital improvement program.

City of SalinaMonday through Wednesday, APAC Shears of Salina will complete the City of Salina’s annual ultrathin bonded asphalt surface project. The schedule is as follows, weather permitting:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659810177179.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Motorists are urged to avoid work zones altogether or proceed with caution for the safety of the crews performing the work.This type of preventative maintenance is fairly new to Salina but has been used to help extend the life of many roads around the State of Kansas. It consists of a thin, coarse aggregate hot mix over a special asphalt membrane similar to a chip seal but placed in one pass with a spray paver. The membrane prevents water intrusion and provides a superior bond to the old asphalt. The overlay can disperse water quickly off the surface, which reduces roadway spray from vehicles and provides greater visibility and traction in wet weather. UBAS has performed well for other cities and provides a good friction surface in wet weather. UBAS can be installed quickly, and asserts a longer life-span (8-10 years) than micro-surfacing (6-7 years).The $965,000 project is a major part of the City of Salina’s $4.7 million 2022 maintenance capital improvement program.

City of Salina: Ultrathin bonded asphalt surface work continues

Kansas Wesleyan University has announced four new additions to its Board of Trustees. The board also has shared officers for the 2022-23 year.&nbsp;

The new trustees are Dennis Berndt ’92 (Salina), Dr. Pamela Braxton Davis (Salina), Dr. Karen Franzen Johnson ’68 (Lincoln, Calif.), and Rev. Karen Rice Ratzlaff (Hutchinson).&nbsp;

“These four individuals join an excellent Board of Trustees,” said Matt Thompson, KWU president. “The leadership and acumen that the board has shown in recent years will be magnified by the talents of this group. We are thrilled to welcome them and look forward to their work on behalf of Kansas Wesleyan.”&nbsp;

The board’s officers are led by chair Barry Weis ’10, a local resident and director of sales and support at Blue Beacon Truck Wash. Jeffrey H. Bieber ’71 (Castle Rock, Colo.) is the immediate past chair, while Marilyn Foster Kirk ’68 (Evanston, Ill.) is the board’s vice chair. Emily-May Richards (Peoria, Ariz.) is the treasurer and Ken Ebert (Salina) is the secretary. Both Richards and Ebert are past recipients of the Alumni by Choice distinction from the university.&nbsp;

At the final meeting for 2021-22, the board recognized Rev. Nathan Stanton ’91 in a special presentation to his widow, Brenda Stanton, and son Isaac Stanton. Stanton passed away in March after serving seven years on the board.&nbsp;

Four trustees were recognized as outgoing board members: Byron Norris ’72 (Salina), Rev. Glenn Tombaugh ’74 (Wichita), Steve Michel (Salina), and Mary Quinley ’98 (Salina). Together, these individuals represent 37 years of service to KWU and the board.&nbsp;

Full capsules on each of the new trustees appear below.&nbsp;

Dennis Berndt ’92 – Salina Berndt is the owner/manager of B&amp;K Bail Bonds in Salina. He has a long family connection to KWU, as he is the grandson of former trustee Walker Briney. Both of his parents were alumni, as were an aunt, an uncle and several other family members.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Berndt holds his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from KWU. He just completed nine years on the KWU Foundation Board, where he served as the treasurer, chaired the Audit Committee, and served on the Finance and Investment Committee.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pamela Braxton Davis, M.D. – Salina Davis’ specialty is diagnostic radiology, and she is affiliated with the Salina Regional Health Center and several regional medical facilities. She continues a family tradition of service to the KWU board, following her brother Dr. Mace Braxton, Jr., who served as trustee from 1999 until his death in 2005. Davis brings with her a deep commitment to serve her community.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Davis received her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine.&nbsp;

Karen Franzen Johnson ’68, Ed.D. – Lincoln, Calif.&nbsp; Johnson is a retired education consultant and former school principal. The Franzen family has a deep KWU legacy. Its Coyote lineage dates back 60 years, and seven members of her family are KWU alumni. The Franzen family established a scholarship at KWU in honor of their mother, Ruby, to provide other first-generation college students the opportunity that was provided to them.&nbsp;

Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in History at KWU, her master’s degree from Syracuse University and her doctorate in Education Policy and Administration from the University of Southern California.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Rev. Karen Rice Ratzlaff – Hutchinson&nbsp; Following a career path into various forms of ministry extending more than 25 years, Rice Ratzlaff was installed as the district superintendent for Salina and Hutchinson for the United Methodist Church’s Great Plains Conference in 2021. Her leadership and ministry will continue the rich connection KWU has with the UMC.&nbsp;

Rice Ratzlaff earned a bachelor’s degree from Bethel College and her master’s degree from Saint Paul School of Theology. Her experience in working with underserved populations, as well as both large and small churches, demonstrates her passion for contributing to her community and church.&nbsp;

The Board of Trustees meets three times each year. The essential function of the Kansas Wesleyan University Board of Trustees is policymaking and assurance of sound management. The Board has initial and ultimate responsibility in determining general, educational, financial and related policies deemed necessary for the administration and development of Kansas Wesleyan University in accordance with its stated purposes and goals.&nbsp;

KWUKansas Wesleyan University has announced four new additions to its Board of Trustees. The board also has shared officers for the 2022-23 year.&nbsp;The new trustees are Dennis Berndt ’92 (Salina), Dr. Pamela Braxton Davis (Salina), Dr. Karen Franzen Johnson ’68 (Lincoln, Calif.), and Rev. Karen Rice Ratzlaff (Hutchinson).&nbsp;“These four individuals join an excellent Board of Trustees,” said Matt Thompson, KWU president. “The leadership and acumen that the board has shown in recent years will be magnified by the talents of this group. We are thrilled to welcome them and look forward to their work on behalf of Kansas Wesleyan.”&nbsp;The board’s officers are led by chair Barry Weis ’10, a local resident and director of sales and support at Blue Beacon Truck Wash. Jeffrey H. Bieber ’71 (Castle Rock, Colo.) is the immediate past chair, while Marilyn Foster Kirk ’68 (Evanston, Ill.) is the board’s vice chair. Emily-May Richards (Peoria, Ariz.) is the treasurer and Ken Ebert (Salina) is the secretary. Both Richards and Ebert are past recipients of the Alumni by Choice distinction from the university.&nbsp;At the final meeting for 2021-22, the board recognized Rev. Nathan Stanton ’91 in a special presentation to his widow, Brenda Stanton, and son Isaac Stanton. Stanton passed away in March after serving seven years on the board.&nbsp;Four trustees were recognized as outgoing board members: Byron Norris ’72 (Salina), Rev. Glenn Tombaugh ’74 (Wichita), Steve Michel (Salina), and Mary Quinley ’98 (Salina). Together, these individuals represent 37 years of service to KWU and the board.&nbsp;Full capsules on each of the new trustees appear below.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659805260967.png" alt="Dennis Berndt. Photos courtesy KWU" />
 <figcaption>Dennis Berndt. Photos courtesy KWU</figcaption>
 </figure>Dennis Berndt ’92 – Salina Berndt is the owner/manager of B&amp;K Bail Bonds in Salina. He has a long family connection to KWU, as he is the grandson of former trustee Walker Briney. Both of his parents were alumni, as were an aunt, an uncle and several other family members.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Berndt holds his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from KWU. He just completed nine years on the KWU Foundation Board, where he served as the treasurer, chaired the Audit Committee, and served on the Finance and Investment Committee.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659805322481.jpeg" alt="Dr. Pamela Braxton Davis" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Pamela Braxton Davis</figcaption>
 </figure>Pamela Braxton Davis, M.D. – Salina Davis’ specialty is diagnostic radiology, and she is affiliated with the Salina Regional Health Center and several regional medical facilities. She continues a family tradition of service to the KWU board, following her brother Dr. Mace Braxton, Jr., who served as trustee from 1999 until his death in 2005. Davis brings with her a deep commitment to serve her community.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Davis received her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659805382720.png" alt="Karen Franzen Johnson" />
 <figcaption>Karen Franzen Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>Karen Franzen Johnson ’68, Ed.D. – Lincoln, Calif.&nbsp; Johnson is a retired education consultant and former school principal. The Franzen family has a deep KWU legacy. Its Coyote lineage dates back 60 years, and seven members of her family are KWU alumni. The Franzen family established a scholarship at KWU in honor of their mother, Ruby, to provide other first-generation college students the opportunity that was provided to them.&nbsp;Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in History at KWU, her master’s degree from Syracuse University and her doctorate in Education Policy and Administration from the University of Southern California.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659805433577.png" alt="The Rev Karen Rice Ratzlaff" />
 <figcaption>The Rev Karen Rice Ratzlaff</figcaption>
 </figure>The Rev. Karen Rice Ratzlaff – Hutchinson&nbsp; Following a career path into various forms of ministry extending more than 25 years, Rice Ratzlaff was installed as the district superintendent for Salina and Hutchinson for the United Methodist Church’s Great Plains Conference in 2021. Her leadership and ministry will continue the rich connection KWU has with the UMC.&nbsp;Rice Ratzlaff earned a bachelor’s degree from Bethel College and her master’s degree from Saint Paul School of Theology. Her experience in working with underserved populations, as well as both large and small churches, demonstrates her passion for contributing to her community and church.&nbsp;The Board of Trustees meets three times each year. The essential function of the Kansas Wesleyan University Board of Trustees is policymaking and assurance of sound management. The Board has initial and ultimate responsibility in determining general, educational, financial and related policies deemed necessary for the administration and development of Kansas Wesleyan University in accordance with its stated purposes and goals.&nbsp;

KWU announces newest additions to Board of Trustees 

The First Amendment doesn’t specify whom it protects. So that means anyone of any background, so long as their feet are on United States soil, is covered. That includes our very youngest.

Some brave kids have harnessed their First Amendment power to make themselves heard, seen and recognized.

Here are six kids from ages 6 to 16 who have shaped our country by using their First Amendment rights.

Timmy is a part of the Little Lobbyists. Along with his parents and other families, he went to Congress to petition lawmakers to protect the Affordable Care Act in 2017. Many of the children who are part of the Little Lobbyists have special medical needs and relied on the protections that the ACA provided. Thanks to the efforts of Timmy and petitioners like him, the Affordable Care Act survived.

The water in Mari Copeny’s hometown of Flint, Mich., was so dangerous that she couldn’t take a bath. So, the 8-year-old used her First Amendment right to petition then-President Barack Obama.

In 2016, she wrote him a letter about Flint’s lead-filled water. Obama flew there a month later to meet Mari and hear the complaints of many in the community.

Obama later signed legislation that gave $100 million to help fix Flint’s broken water system that endangered more than 25,000 kids, most of whom were Black. Mari raised awareness of environmental racism. Today, she uses her platform to bring clean water to people all over the country.

Pledging allegiance to the U.S. flag was against Billy’s religion. As a Jehovah’s Witness, he believed it was a form of idol worship. But in 1935, his right to choose to recite the pledge wasn’t protected. Billy was expelled from school for exercising his religious beliefs.

He wrote a letter to the school board explaining his beliefs, and his family challenged the school’s decision in court, but the Supreme Court said the decision didn’t violate Billy’s First Amendment rights.

Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.loc.gov/resource/mcc.016/?sp=1&amp;st=image" target="_blank">the letter Billy wrote to his school board</a>, petitioning for his right to practice his faith freely.

Nashala started wearing her hijab, a headwrap worn by some Muslim women and girls, to her Oklahoma elementary school when she was 11. At first, everything was fine. But on Sept. 11, 2003, the school claimed her religious clothing violated the dress code, which prohibited hats and head coverings. She was suspended twice because she refused to remove her hijab.

Nashala continued wearing her hijab to school. Eventually, the U.S. Department of Justice sued the school district for discriminating and interfering with Nashala’s right to exercise her religion by wearing a hijab. She won. Now students can practice their faith at school, even if there’s a dress code.

In 2017, Brandi cursed school, softball and her cheerleading squad in a rant on Snapchat. She posted from a convenience store outside of school hours, but her junior varsity cheer squad suspended her for violating its code of conduct.

Brandi and her parents took the school district to court, arguing it didn’t have the right to punish off-campus speech.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/2021/06/30/perspective-students-parents-and-free-speech-win-in-cheerleading-case/" target="_blank">The Supreme Court agreed</a>. But the court said schools can punish off-campus speech such as cyberbullying and threats – if that speech disrupts the school setting.

We spoke to Brandi about her journey to the Supreme Court and what her win means to students across the country.

Barbara organized a walkout at her all-Black Virginia high school in 1951 because the underfunded, overcrowded school lacked such basics as desks and a gym. More than 450 students left school to protest.

The students also sued the school system over the shoddy facilities. It was one of the five cases that was decided under the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. That case ended legal segregation in America’s public schools.

Children have played a critical role in how our country has grown and changed. Many kids have used the freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition to make change.

The First Amendment has no age limit. No matter your age, you can take action – big or small – to build a better future for us all.

“The First Amendment and You(th),” the Freedom Forum’s newest exhibit, is now open at Reagan National and Dulles International airports in the Washington, D.C. area. Visit the exhibit to see more stories of kids putting their freedoms into action.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659757513031.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Freedom Forum" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Freedom Forum</figcaption>
 </figure>Freedom ForumThe First Amendment doesn’t specify whom it protects. So that means anyone of any background, so long as their feet are on United States soil, is covered. That includes our very youngest.Some brave kids have harnessed their First Amendment power to make themselves heard, seen and recognized.Here are six kids from ages 6 to 16 who have shaped our country by using their First Amendment rights.<h2>TIMMY MORRISON, 6</h2>Timmy is a part of the Little Lobbyists. Along with his parents and other families, he went to Congress to petition lawmakers to protect the Affordable Care Act in 2017. Many of the children who are part of the Little Lobbyists have special medical needs and relied on the protections that the ACA provided. Thanks to the efforts of Timmy and petitioners like him, the Affordable Care Act survived.<h2>MARI COPENY, 8</h2>The water in Mari Copeny’s hometown of Flint, Mich., was so dangerous that she couldn’t take a bath. So, the 8-year-old used her First Amendment right to petition then-President Barack Obama.In 2016, she wrote him a letter about Flint’s lead-filled water. Obama flew there a month later to meet Mari and hear the complaints of many in the community.Obama later signed legislation that gave $100 million to help fix Flint’s broken water system that endangered more than 25,000 kids, most of whom were Black. Mari raised awareness of environmental racism. Today, she uses her platform to bring clean water to people all over the country.<h2>BILLY GOBITAS, 10</h2>Pledging allegiance to the U.S. flag was against Billy’s religion. As a Jehovah’s Witness, he believed it was a form of idol worship. But in 1935, his right to choose to recite the pledge wasn’t protected. Billy was expelled from school for exercising his religious beliefs.He wrote a letter to the school board explaining his beliefs, and his family challenged the school’s decision in court, but the Supreme Court said the decision didn’t violate Billy’s First Amendment rights.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659757137413.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.loc.gov/resource/mcc.016/?sp=1&amp;st=image" target="_blank">the letter Billy wrote to his school board</a>, petitioning for his right to practice his faith freely.<h2>NASHALA HEARNS, 12</h2>Nashala started wearing her hijab, a headwrap worn by some Muslim women and girls, to her Oklahoma elementary school when she was 11. At first, everything was fine. But on Sept. 11, 2003, the school claimed her religious clothing violated the dress code, which prohibited hats and head coverings. She was suspended twice because she refused to remove her hijab.Nashala continued wearing her hijab to school. Eventually, the U.S. Department of Justice sued the school district for discriminating and interfering with Nashala’s right to exercise her religion by wearing a hijab. She won. Now students can practice their faith at school, even if there’s a dress code.<h2>BRANDI LEVY, 14</h2>In 2017, Brandi cursed school, softball and her cheerleading squad in a rant on Snapchat. She posted from a convenience store outside of school hours, but her junior varsity cheer squad suspended her for violating its code of conduct.Brandi and her parents took the school district to court, arguing it didn’t have the right to punish off-campus speech.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/2021/06/30/perspective-students-parents-and-free-speech-win-in-cheerleading-case/" target="_blank">The Supreme Court agreed</a>. But the court said schools can punish off-campus speech such as cyberbullying and threats – if that speech disrupts the school setting.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659757235235.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>We spoke to Brandi about her journey to the Supreme Court and what her win means to students across the country.<h2>BARBARA JOHNS, 16</h2>Barbara organized a walkout at her all-Black Virginia high school in 1951 because the underfunded, overcrowded school lacked such basics as desks and a gym. More than 450 students left school to protest.The students also sued the school system over the shoddy facilities. It was one of the five cases that was decided under the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. That case ended legal segregation in America’s public schools.Children have played a critical role in how our country has grown and changed. Many kids have used the freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition to make change.The First Amendment has no age limit. No matter your age, you can take action – big or small – to build a better future for us all.“The First Amendment and You(th),” the Freedom Forum’s newest exhibit, is now open at Reagan National and Dulles International airports in the Washington, D.C. area. Visit the exhibit to see more stories of kids putting their freedoms into action.

FIRST 5: For our freedoms, age is just a number

ABILENE – This week, Abilene is rodeo central.

That’s because more than 325 cowboys and cowgirls descended on the town for the annual Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo.

Sarah Irvine, from Chapman, will compete in the barrel racing during the Saturday night of rodeo.

It’s not the first time for her to run in the Abilene rodeo arena.

The daughter of Steve and Sherry Johnson, she got her start in 4-H rodeo and competed in the “novice” division of Abilene’s pro rodeo, the Bankes barrel racing, several years.

Three years ago, she bought her permit membership in the Women’s Pro Rodeo Association but hasn’t had a chance to compete as a pro in Abilene, due to the rodeo’s cancelation in 2020 because of COVID and a pregnancy in 2021.

Irvine doesn’t compete full time; she has a fulltime job and is a mother of a nine-month-old son. She goes to the rodeos close to her, and often travels with her mom and sister, who take turns babysitting.

It’s a hobby for her. “I don’t do this for a living,” she said. But it is something she enjoys.

Irvine realized she might have a good enough horse to compete professionally the year, as a Bankes barrel racer, when she had a good enough time to have placed with the professional barrel racers, had she not hit a barrel (and got a five-second penalty.) “I knew I could be competing with these cowgirls if I could keep the barrels up.”

She’ll be riding a fifteen-year-old horse named Jetsmiah. He’s bred for barrel racing and a good horse for the sport. He has his share of idiosyncracies, but she can overlook them. “He’s really quirky but you put up with a lot when they’re the good horses,” she said. 

Purchased by Irvine as a five-year-old, he was trained for the barrels; she put the finishing training and seasoning on him.

She enjoys the rodeo lifestyle, the travel and the equine part of it. “I like taking care of my horses, and going places. It’s an adventure with my mom and my sister and husband, and going somewhere for a fifteen or sixteen-second run. It’s the whole entire part of it. It’s fun.”

For Irvine, it’s not the money or the buckles. “Eighty-five percent of the time you don’t win a check, so it’s not for the money. It’s the memories and the competition and the friendships.”

The Abilene rodeo continues Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the gate for adults; children’s tickets are $5, whether in advance or at the gate.

For more information, visit the website at <a href="http://WildBillHickokRodeo.com">WildBillHickokRodeo.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659758685858.jpeg" alt="Sarah Irvine’s son grins as he pets his mother’s barrel horse. The Chapman woman will compete in barrel racing at the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo Saturday. Photo courtesy Irvine. " />
 <figcaption>Sarah Irvine’s son grins as he pets his mother’s barrel horse. The Chapman woman will compete in barrel racing at the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo Saturday. Photo courtesy Irvine. </figcaption>
 </figure>Wild Bill Hickok RodeoABILENE – This week, Abilene is rodeo central.That’s because more than 325 cowboys and cowgirls descended on the town for the annual Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo.One cowgirl won’t have far to travel.Sarah Irvine, from Chapman, will compete in the barrel racing during the Saturday night of rodeo.It’s not the first time for her to run in the Abilene rodeo arena.The daughter of Steve and Sherry Johnson, she got her start in 4-H rodeo and competed in the “novice” division of Abilene’s pro rodeo, the Bankes barrel racing, several years.Three years ago, she bought her permit membership in the Women’s Pro Rodeo Association but hasn’t had a chance to compete as a pro in Abilene, due to the rodeo’s cancelation in 2020 because of COVID and a pregnancy in 2021.Irvine doesn’t compete full time; she has a fulltime job and is a mother of a nine-month-old son. She goes to the rodeos close to her, and often travels with her mom and sister, who take turns babysitting.It’s a hobby for her. “I don’t do this for a living,” she said. But it is something she enjoys.Irvine realized she might have a good enough horse to compete professionally the year, as a Bankes barrel racer, when she had a good enough time to have placed with the professional barrel racers, had she not hit a barrel (and got a five-second penalty.) “I knew I could be competing with these cowgirls if I could keep the barrels up.”She’ll be riding a fifteen-year-old horse named Jetsmiah. He’s bred for barrel racing and a good horse for the sport. He has his share of idiosyncracies, but she can overlook them. “He’s really quirky but you put up with a lot when they’re the good horses,” she said. Purchased by Irvine as a five-year-old, he was trained for the barrels; she put the finishing training and seasoning on him.She enjoys the rodeo lifestyle, the travel and the equine part of it. “I like taking care of my horses, and going places. It’s an adventure with my mom and my sister and husband, and going somewhere for a fifteen or sixteen-second run. It’s the whole entire part of it. It’s fun.”For Irvine, it’s not the money or the buckles. “Eighty-five percent of the time you don’t win a check, so it’s not for the money. It’s the memories and the competition and the friendships.”The Abilene rodeo continues Saturday at 7:30 p.m.Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the gate for adults; children’s tickets are $5, whether in advance or at the gate.For more information, visit the website at <a href="http://WildBillHickokRodeo.com">WildBillHickokRodeo.com</a>.

Chapman barrel racer to participate in Abilene rodeo for fun, competition

Today is Saturday, Aug. 6, the 218th day of 2022. There are 147 days left in the year.

On Aug. 6, 1945, during World War II, the U.S. B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb code-named "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, Japan, resulting in an estimated 140,000 deaths. (Three days later, the United States exploded a nuclear device over Nagasaki; five days after that, Imperial Japan surrendered.)

In 1806, the Holy Roman Empire went out of existence as Emperor Francis II abdicated.

In 1825, Upper Peru became the autonomous republic of Bolivia.

In 1942, Queen Wilhemina of the Netherlands became the first reigning queen to address a joint session of Congress, telling lawmakers that despite Nazi occupation, her people's motto remained, "No surrender."

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act.

In 1973, entertainer Stevie Wonder was seriously injured in a car accident in North Carolina.

In 1978, Pope Paul VI died at Castel Gandolfo at age 80.

In 1991, the World Wide Web made its public debut as a means of accessing webpages over the Internet. TV newsman Harry Reasoner died in Norwalk, Connecticut, at age 68.

In 1993, Louis Freeh won Senate confirmation to be FBI director.

In 2003, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger used an appearance on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" to announce his successful bid to replace California Gov. Gray Davis.

In 2009, Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed as the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice by a Senate vote of 68-31. John Hughes, 59, Hollywood's youth movie director of the 1980s and '90s, died in New York City.

In 2011 insurgents shot down a U.S. military helicopter during fighting in eastern Afghanistan, killing 30 Americans, most of them belonging to the same elite Navy commando unit that had slain Osama bin Laden; seven Afghan commandos also died.

In 2013, U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan went on trial at Fort Hood, Texas, charged with killing 13 people and wounding 32 others in a 2009 attack. (Hasan, who admitted carrying out the attack, was convicted and sentenced to death.)

Ten years ago: Syria's prime minister, Riad Hijab, defected two months after being forced into the position by President Bashar Assad. Marvin Hamlisch, 68, who composed or arranged the scores for dozens of movies including "The Sting" and the Broadway smash "A Chorus Line," died in Los Angeles.

Five years ago: Vice President Mike Pence, in a statement released by the White House, described as "disgraceful and offensive" a New York Times report suggesting that he was laying the groundwork for a possible presidential bid in 2020 if President Donald Trump were not to run.

One year ago: A New Jersey gym owner, Scott Fairlamb, and a Washington state man, Devlyn Thompson, became the first people charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to plead guilty to assaulting a law enforcement officer. (Fairlamb was sentenced to 41 months in prison; Thompson received nearly four years.) American Allyson Felix won her record 10th Olympic track medal at the Tokyo Games with a bronze in the 400 meters, the most medals won by any woman in Olympic history. (She would win an 11th the following day.) The U.S. team of April Ross and Alix Klineman won gold in beach volleyball.

Today's Birthdays: Children's performer Ella Jenkins is 98. Actor-director Peter Bonerz is 84. Actor Louise Sorel is 82. Actor Michael Anderson Jr. is 79. Actor Ray Buktenica is 79. Actor Dorian Harewood is 72. Actor Catherine Hicks is 71. Rock singer Pat MacDonald (Timbuk 3) is 70. Country musician Mark DuFresne is 69. Actor Stepfanie Kramer is 66. Actor Faith Prince is 65. R&amp;B singer Randy DeBarge is 64. Actor Leland Orser is 62. Actor Michelle Yeoh is 60. Country singers Patsy and Peggy Lynn are 58. Basketball Hall of Famer David Robinson is 57. Actor Jeremy Ratchford is 57. Actor Benito Martinez is 54. Country singer Lisa Stewart is 54. Movie writer-director M. Night Shyamalan is 52. Actor Merrin Dungey is 51. Singer Geri Halliwell Horner is 50. Actor Jason O'Mara is 50. Actor Vera Farmiga is 49. Actor Ever Carradine is 48. Actor Soleil Moon Frye is 46. Actor Melissa George is 46. Rock singer Travis McCoy is 41. Actor Leslie Odom Jr. is 41. Actor Romola Garai is 40. U.S. Olympic and WNBA basketball star A'ja Wilson is 26.

<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 Saturday, Aug. 6, the 218th day of 2022. There are 147 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Aug. 6, 1945, during World War II, the U.S. B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb code-named "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, Japan, resulting in an estimated 140,000 deaths. (Three days later, the United States exploded a nuclear device over Nagasaki; five days after that, Imperial Japan surrendered.)On this date:In 1806, the Holy Roman Empire went out of existence as Emperor Francis II abdicated.In 1825, Upper Peru became the autonomous republic of Bolivia.In 1942, Queen Wilhemina of the Netherlands became the first reigning queen to address a joint session of Congress, telling lawmakers that despite Nazi occupation, her people's motto remained, "No surrender."In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act.In 1973, entertainer Stevie Wonder was seriously injured in a car accident in North Carolina.In 1978, Pope Paul VI died at Castel Gandolfo at age 80.In 1991, the World Wide Web made its public debut as a means of accessing webpages over the Internet. TV newsman Harry Reasoner died in Norwalk, Connecticut, at age 68.In 1993, Louis Freeh won Senate confirmation to be FBI director.In 2003, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger used an appearance on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" to announce his successful bid to replace California Gov. Gray Davis.In 2009, Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed as the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice by a Senate vote of 68-31. John Hughes, 59, Hollywood's youth movie director of the 1980s and '90s, died in New York City.In 2011 insurgents shot down a U.S. military helicopter during fighting in eastern Afghanistan, killing 30 Americans, most of them belonging to the same elite Navy commando unit that had slain Osama bin Laden; seven Afghan commandos also died.In 2013, U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan went on trial at Fort Hood, Texas, charged with killing 13 people and wounding 32 others in a 2009 attack. (Hasan, who admitted carrying out the attack, was convicted and sentenced to death.)Ten years ago: Syria's prime minister, Riad Hijab, defected two months after being forced into the position by President Bashar Assad. Marvin Hamlisch, 68, who composed or arranged the scores for dozens of movies including "The Sting" and the Broadway smash "A Chorus Line," died in Los Angeles.Five years ago: Vice President Mike Pence, in a statement released by the White House, described as "disgraceful and offensive" a New York Times report suggesting that he was laying the groundwork for a possible presidential bid in 2020 if President Donald Trump were not to run.One year ago: A New Jersey gym owner, Scott Fairlamb, and a Washington state man, Devlyn Thompson, became the first people charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to plead guilty to assaulting a law enforcement officer. (Fairlamb was sentenced to 41 months in prison; Thompson received nearly four years.) American Allyson Felix won her record 10th Olympic track medal at the Tokyo Games with a bronze in the 400 meters, the most medals won by any woman in Olympic history. (She would win an 11th the following day.) The U.S. team of April Ross and Alix Klineman won gold in beach volleyball.Today's Birthdays: Children's performer Ella Jenkins is 98. Actor-director Peter Bonerz is 84. Actor Louise Sorel is 82. Actor Michael Anderson Jr. is 79. Actor Ray Buktenica is 79. Actor Dorian Harewood is 72. Actor Catherine Hicks is 71. Rock singer Pat MacDonald (Timbuk 3) is 70. Country musician Mark DuFresne is 69. Actor Stepfanie Kramer is 66. Actor Faith Prince is 65. R&amp;B singer Randy DeBarge is 64. Actor Leland Orser is 62. Actor Michelle Yeoh is 60. Country singers Patsy and Peggy Lynn are 58. Basketball Hall of Famer David Robinson is 57. Actor Jeremy Ratchford is 57. Actor Benito Martinez is 54. Country singer Lisa Stewart is 54. Movie writer-director M. Night Shyamalan is 52. Actor Merrin Dungey is 51. Singer Geri Halliwell Horner is 50. Actor Jason O'Mara is 50. Actor Vera Farmiga is 49. Actor Ever Carradine is 48. Actor Soleil Moon Frye is 46. Actor Melissa George is 46. Rock singer Travis McCoy is 41. Actor Leslie Odom Jr. is 41. Actor Romola Garai is 40. U.S. Olympic and WNBA basketball star A'ja Wilson is 26.

Today in History - Aug. 6

OCCK, Inc. has announced the recipients of its More Than You Think Scholarship for 2022.

The scholarship was established as part of the 50th&nbsp;Anniversary celebration of OCCK in 2020, as a long-term reminder of the good work that past generations have done, and that future generations will do, in working with people with disabilities in north central Kansas.&nbsp;

The following recipients were awarded $500 each:&nbsp;

●Maddison Mills, Clay Center, attending Fort Hays State University

 ●Olivia Lawson, Solomon, attending Kansas State University

●Cayden Cassel, Salina, attending Wichita State University

●Amaro Arceo, Salina, attending Salina Area Technical College

●Ethan Brown, Salina, attending Kansas State University

The More Than You Think Scholarship recognizes and honors students in north-central Kansas from Saline, Ottawa, Cloud, Republic, Jewell, Mitchell, Lincoln, Ellsworth, or Dickinson counties, who have a disability and are looking to further their education by enrolling in some type of post-secondary learning opportunity (college, university, community college, vocational school, cosmetology school, etc.)&nbsp; Any type of credentialed program is considered.&nbsp;

“We are excited to announce our second round of scholarship recipients.&nbsp; We believe in the importance of education for all people, and we’re thankful for the opportunity to help these students,” said Shelia Nelson-Stout, president/CEO of OCCK. “OCCK is very proud of its over 50-year history of service to families and communities, and this scholarship allows us to give back.”

OCCK, Inc. provides services in north central Kansas to anyone with any type of long or short-term disability, starting as early as birth and following people through their whole lives.&nbsp; OCCK provides an array of supports for success at home and in the community, including independent living skills and supports, employment and career training, Alzheimer’s supports, autism services, assistive technology, children’s services, transportation, specialized therapies, and home health care.&nbsp; In 2020, OCCK, Inc. celebrated 50 years of service to north central Kansas.

OCCK, Inc. has announced the recipients of its More Than You Think Scholarship for 2022.The scholarship was established as part of the 50th&nbsp;Anniversary celebration of OCCK in 2020, as a long-term reminder of the good work that past generations have done, and that future generations will do, in working with people with disabilities in north central Kansas.&nbsp;The following recipients were awarded $500 each:&nbsp;●Maddison Mills, Clay Center, attending Fort Hays State University ●Olivia Lawson, Solomon, attending Kansas State University●Cayden Cassel, Salina, attending Wichita State University●Amaro Arceo, Salina, attending Salina Area Technical College●Ethan Brown, Salina, attending Kansas State UniversityThe More Than You Think Scholarship recognizes and honors students in north-central Kansas from Saline, Ottawa, Cloud, Republic, Jewell, Mitchell, Lincoln, Ellsworth, or Dickinson counties, who have a disability and are looking to further their education by enrolling in some type of post-secondary learning opportunity (college, university, community college, vocational school, cosmetology school, etc.)&nbsp; Any type of credentialed program is considered.&nbsp;“We are excited to announce our second round of scholarship recipients.&nbsp; We believe in the importance of education for all people, and we’re thankful for the opportunity to help these students,” said Shelia Nelson-Stout, president/CEO of OCCK. “OCCK is very proud of its over 50-year history of service to families and communities, and this scholarship allows us to give back.”OCCK, Inc. provides services in north central Kansas to anyone with any type of long or short-term disability, starting as early as birth and following people through their whole lives.&nbsp; OCCK provides an array of supports for success at home and in the community, including independent living skills and supports, employment and career training, Alzheimer’s supports, autism services, assistive technology, children’s services, transportation, specialized therapies, and home health care.&nbsp; In 2020, OCCK, Inc. celebrated 50 years of service to north central Kansas.

OCCK, Inc. announces 2022 More Than You Think Scholarship recipients

UPDATE 9 p.m. Friday: Approximately $7,500 was raised by the auction, with more money coming in afterward. If you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, you can do so at The Bank of Tescott.

Keeping true to the principles of 4-H, Kirk Heimer plans to auction off his Grand Champion hog this afternoon to honor a former 4-H leader and to benefit future 4-Hers.

The 4-H Livestock Premium Sale is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Friday in Barn 2 at the Tri-Rivers Fair in Salina.

Kirk plans to donate 100 percent of what he gets for his Grand Champion hog to a scholarship named in memory of Jennifer Wangerin, a Salina woman who was killed July 10 in a head-on crash on E. Magnolia Road four miles east of Salina. According to Becky Heimer, Kirk's mother, Wangerin had been a longtime 4-H leader in Saline County. Wangerin's three children remain active in 4-H, Becky Heimer told Salina Post.

The scholarship will be awarded to a Saline County 4-H livestock showman beginning in 2023, Becky Heimer noted.

Persons interested in donating to the scholarship fund may do so via The Bank of Tescott.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659754645014.jpeg" alt="Saline County 4-Her Kirk Heimer, left, used the proceeds of the auction of his Grand Champion hog to help fund a memorial scholarship in honor of a former 4-H leader. Photo courtesy Becky Heimer" />
 <figcaption>Saline County 4-Her Kirk Heimer, left, used the proceeds of the auction of his Grand Champion hog to help fund a memorial scholarship in honor of a former 4-H leader. Photo courtesy Becky Heimer</figcaption>
 </figure>UPDATE 9 p.m. Friday: Approximately $7,500 was raised by the auction, with more money coming in afterward. If you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, you can do so at The Bank of Tescott.By SALINA POSTKeeping true to the principles of 4-H, Kirk Heimer plans to auction off his Grand Champion hog this afternoon to honor a former 4-H leader and to benefit future 4-Hers.The 4-H Livestock Premium Sale is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Friday in Barn 2 at the Tri-Rivers Fair in Salina.Kirk plans to donate 100 percent of what he gets for his Grand Champion hog to a scholarship named in memory of Jennifer Wangerin, a Salina woman who was killed July 10 in a head-on crash on E. Magnolia Road four miles east of Salina. According to Becky Heimer, Kirk's mother, Wangerin had been a longtime 4-H leader in Saline County. Wangerin's three children remain active in 4-H, Becky Heimer told Salina Post.The scholarship will be awarded to a Saline County 4-H livestock showman beginning in 2023, Becky Heimer noted.Persons interested in donating to the scholarship fund may do so via The Bank of Tescott.

UPDATE: Saline Co. 4-Her auctions prize hog to benefit scholarship

Following is the Saline County COVID-19 update for for July 2022.

There were 584 reported cases of COVID-19 throughout the month of July, up significantly from the 298 cases reported in June.

While hospitalizations remained low for most of the month, Salina Regional Health Center reports that there are currently 14 people in varying condition levels being treated for COVID-19 (up from four reported in-patients at the same time last month). June and July both saw three deaths due to COVID-19.

Medical representatives are concerned over how long many of their patients battled COVID on their own before seeking care; and encourage anyone experiencing symptoms to call their doctor if symptoms continue to worsen after five days.&nbsp;

The CDC rates the community spread of COVID-19 at a medium level.

●If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask or take other precautions.

●Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines.

●Get tested if you have symptoms.

Find out more about the COVID-19 situation in&nbsp;Saline County, Kansas:&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=Kansas&amp;data-type=CommunityLevels&amp;list_select_county=20169">COVID Data Tracker</a>.

Contact your doctor immediately if your COVID-19 symptoms become unmanageable at home or if they continue to worsen after five days.

Following is the Saline County COVID-19 update for for July 2022.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659735602497.png" alt="Image courtesy Saline County Health Department" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Saline County Health Department</figcaption>
 </figure>There were 584 reported cases of COVID-19 throughout the month of July, up significantly from the 298 cases reported in June. While hospitalizations remained low for most of the month, Salina Regional Health Center reports that there are currently 14 people in varying condition levels being treated for COVID-19 (up from four reported in-patients at the same time last month). June and July both saw three deaths due to COVID-19.Medical representatives are concerned over how long many of their patients battled COVID on their own before seeking care; and encourage anyone experiencing symptoms to call their doctor if symptoms continue to worsen after five days.&nbsp;The CDC rates the community spread of COVID-19 at a medium level.●If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask or take other precautions.●Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines.●Get tested if you have symptoms.Find out more about the COVID-19 situation in&nbsp;Saline County, Kansas:&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=Kansas&amp;data-type=CommunityLevels&amp;list_select_county=20169">COVID Data Tracker</a>.Contact your doctor immediately if your COVID-19 symptoms become unmanageable at home or if they continue to worsen after five days.

Saline County Health Department: July COVID-19 update

The Smoky Hill Museum is looking for volunteers to help with the Street Fair on Sept. 24. From the Smoky Hill Museum Facebook page:

Sign up to volunteer for the Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair! The Street Fair is coming up on September 24 this year. The Smoky Hill Museum needs over 60 volunteers to help put on this free community event. Volunteer opportunities abound. Volunteers should be high school age or older, or accompanied by an adult. The typical shift for the day is three hours.

<a href="https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/67007724222410013/false#/invitation">https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/67007724222410013/false#/invitation</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659732826805.png" alt="Image courtesy <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SmokyHillMuseum/">Smoky Hill Museum Facebook page</a>" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SmokyHillMuseum/">Smoky Hill Museum Facebook page</a></figcaption>
 </figure>The Smoky Hill Museum is looking for volunteers to help with the Street Fair on Sept. 24. From the Smoky Hill Museum Facebook page:Sign up to volunteer for the Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair! The Street Fair is coming up on September 24 this year. The Smoky Hill Museum needs over 60 volunteers to help put on this free community event. Volunteer opportunities abound. Volunteers should be high school age or older, or accompanied by an adult. The typical shift for the day is three hours.<a href="https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/67007724222410013/false#/invitation">https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/67007724222410013/false#/invitation</a>

Smoky Hill Museum seeks Street Fair volunteers

Above normal temperatures and below normal rainfall has led to worsening drought the past month over portions of western Kansas, and especially the southeast quarter of Kansas. 

The threat for widespread heavy rainfall looks minimal the next seven days, especially over the southern half of Kansas. Consequently, drought conditions may continue to worsen.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659731844562.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>National Weather ServiceAbove normal temperatures and below normal rainfall has led to worsening drought the past month over portions of western Kansas, and especially the southeast quarter of Kansas. The threat for widespread heavy rainfall looks minimal the next seven days, especially over the southern half of Kansas. Consequently, drought conditions may continue to worsen.

With little heavy rain forecast, drought expected to worsen

ABILENE - If you missed seeing this year's Central Kansas Free Fair parade, click on the link below.

ABILENE - If you missed seeing this year's Central Kansas Free Fair parade, click on the link below.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RGkzcDiRjaw"></iframe>
 <figcaption>Video by Bryan Dennett</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎥Miss the '22 Central Kansas Free Fair parade? Watch it here

From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KHPTroopC">Kansas Highway Patrol Troop C Facebook page</a>&nbsp;late Friday morning:

Salina Post will have additional information as it becomes available.

From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KHPTroopC">Kansas Highway Patrol Troop C Facebook page</a>&nbsp;late Friday morning:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKHPTroopC%2Fposts%2Fpfbid025iZcjriLzM3657d6ffC1y15NpbWDCptvdYwbk4wW5ExEAxRRLRswph1tDc4cjwjvl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="511" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Salina Post will have additional information as it becomes available.

KHP: Pursuit of hit-and-run vehicle ends in Saline County

By LESLIE MANNING Tri-Rivers Fair Board

The 2022 Tri-Rivers Fair board invites folks to be inspired by presentations focused on innovative programming and projects impacting Saline County residents during the Inspiration and Innovation Showcase on Saturday, Aug. 6 in the Great Plains Manufacturing Convention Center of the Tony’s Pizza Event Center. The showcase is partnered with an outdoor event honoring the innovations of the past, with an antique tractor show in the south parking lot of Tony’s Pizza Event Center, featuring tractors owned by members of the Kansas Tractor Club. The Kansas Tractor Club will also provide tractor games during the outdoor show.

“There are a lot of stories behind these tractors,” Michael Boldenow said. "A lot of those tractors came around the war, when the armed forces needed more metal. The tractors have cast iron frames, because the steel was used in the war, and once the war was over they went back to steel tractors.”

Boldenow serves as the president of the Kansas Tractor Club. The club will be showcasing the members’ tractors and sharing stories during the Antique Tractor Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday in the south parking lot of the Tony’s Pizza Event Center.

“The club involves basically anyone who wants to join, and we usually don’t go more than an hour away for shows,” Boldenow said. “It’s fun talking about the history on these tractors. You get a lot of that from everybody who is a member.”

According to Boldenow, the majority of tractors on display were built between the years of 1925 and 1955.

“We enjoy any tractor that shows up,” Boldenow said. “We expect 20 plus tractors from the Kansas Tractor Club on Saturday.”

One tractor Boldenow expects to display is a Ford 8N.

“They made a lot of them,” Boldenow said. “Those are really unique tractors, because there are not a whole lot that are exactly the same. They would change them throughout the year, so they are all kind of different.”

The Kansas Tractor Club will also host tractor games at noon on Saturday. The games will include the chain game which involves a tractor driver dragging the chain back and forth, dropping it in a box; a game with the goal of dropping washers in a bucket while driving; a blind fold driving game, which involves a partner providing directions to a blind folded driver and the teeter totter game, where a tractor drives up on a teeter totter and has to balance for an extended and measured amount of time.

The Kansas Tractor Club involves more than 70 members, some who own antique tractors and some who do not. The club offers a $1,000 scholarship to club members each year to support a restoration project, and offers a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior each year. You can find club information on Facebook.

The Inspiration and Innovation Showcase on Saturday begins at 10 a.m. with a presentation from Lori Blake, executive director at Child Advocacy and Parenting Services, Salina. Parents and guardians attending the presentation will discover the different free services available to support the full-time job of raising children of all ages. The presentation is titled Connections Matter, and Blake hopes to empower good parents to become great parents. The presentation will include information on the value of safe, caring adults in the lives of children.

Tim Bartz, Long McArthur Ford, will take the stage at 11 a.m. to share the details on Ford’s lineup of electrified vehicles. Long McArthur’s communication and marketing team has developed systems allowing Salina’s Ford dealership to ship on average more than 50 vehicles out of state each month. Long McArthur Ford is the No. 1 Ford Maverick dealer in the USA, No. 1 Super Duty Dealer in Kansas, and has won the Ford President Award three years in a row. Bartz will share which electric vehicles are available from the Long McArthur inventory, including the Ford Maverick Hybrid 42mpg truck that can haul 1,500 pounds and tow up to 4,000 pounds; the Ford Mustang Mach-E which is a full electric crossover that drives like a Mustang and uses zero fuel; the Ford F-150 Hybrid offering the best of both worlds with 13,000 pounds of towing and good fuel economy in town; the Ford F-150 Lightning which is the first all electric American made truck with 10,000 pounds towing and 775 pounds of torque; along with other hybrid line-ups like the Escape and Explorer. Several of the electric vehicles will be on display in the circle drive of Tony’s Pizza Event Center during the showcase.

As federal decision makers delegate more and more policy making to states and local governments, a relationship with local representation becomes all the more important. Clarke Sanders will take the stage at noon to share what he has been working on as the District 69 representative in the Kansas House of Representatives, and a question and answer session will be facilitated during the time available.

Speaking of federal action delegated to the state and local level, Phillip Smith-Hanes will present at 1 p.m. regarding the money received by Saline County from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA.) Smith-Hanes collected surveys from Saline County residents to better understand where the people wanted ARPA funding spent, and the highest priority communicated was business recovery. Smith-Hanes has worked with technology companies to provide an app that consumers can download, along with technology businesses can use, to shop and distribute ARPA funds to local participating business.

If you are a local business owner, learn how to earn ARPA dollars by attending this presentation. For consumers, come learn how you can be a part of a grassroots effort to support and provide recovery dollars to the businesses in Saline County.

At 1:30 p.m. Eric Brown from the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce will follow the presentation about the Saline County business recovery, with information about leadership programs available to Saline County business owners. The presentation titled, Ins and Outs of Local Community Leadership Programs,&nbsp; will focus on high level overview of two community leadership programs offered by the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce. The Leadership Salina program and Springboard program are designed to develop leaders who will have the skills and capacities to move our community forward by being trained with the tools necessary to lead at work and non-profit sectors.

The ever changing landscape of technology continues to impact lives in Saline County, and Deven Fortkamp, vice president at WCCiT, will identify ways to navigate these changes at 2:30 p.m. The presentation will discuss aspects of cyber security, including what it is, why it is needed and hot to spot scans and phishing attempts. Fortkamp will also share what can be done to stay safe on the internet. The presentation will include some true, personal stories related to cyber-attacks and some frightening statistics.

Continuing the trend of tech talk, Emanuel Ashiedu of the Salina Code Academy, will present at 3 p.m. on stage. The Saline Code Academy provides hands on learning for elementary aged kids, middle-schoolers and high school students, teaching them math, logical thinking, creativity, persistence, problem solving and strategizing with the power of code. Ashiedu will share information about the classes available, and the results he has observed in the short time the academy has been open in Salina.

Did you know that Saline County and the City of Salina have set a goal together, to reduce solid waste across the county? Learn more about the goal, current efforts and future projects by attending a presentation at 3:30 p.m. from Jim Kowach, City of Salina public works operations manager, about the Zero Waste Initiative efforts. The presentation will define the Zero Waste Initiative goal; explain the Saline County Solid Waste plan and the role of the Saline County Solid Waste committee; describe the current waste diversion efforts in Salina and Saline County; describe the Solid Waste Sort and Recyclables Composition Study completed in the Spring of 2022 and describe the ongoing and planned efforts to develop waste reduction strategies for the community.

Bring your kids to the air conditioning of the Great Plains Manufacturing Convention Center at 4 p.m. to listen to a presentation from Rolling Hills Zoo staff. The presentation will cover a brief history of the zoo, as well as new exhibits and animals; upcoming events and future projects. The presentation will also share the SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program, explaining what it is and how Rolling Hills Zoo is involved. Three Animal Ambassadors will be guests during the presentation, allowing guests to get close to the exhibits safely, without touching.

The showcase is headlined by a free concert and presentation provided by the Peterson Farm Bros at 5 p.m. In 2012, the Peterson Farm Bros published a parody video on YouTube titled,&nbsp;I’m Farming and I Grow It.&nbsp; The video has grown to 12 million views, hitting 50,000 views in the first 48 hours online. To celebrate 10 years since the launch of the Peterson Farm Bros, Greg Peterson, Nathan Peterson and Kendal Peterson will take the stage and perform parodies and share their story.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659716820320.jpeg" alt="An antique tractor show will be part of the Tri-Rivers Fair Saturday. Photos courtesy Tri-Rivers Fair Board" />
 <figcaption>An antique tractor show will be part of the Tri-Rivers Fair Saturday. Photos courtesy Tri-Rivers Fair Board</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE MANNING Tri-Rivers Fair BoardThe 2022 Tri-Rivers Fair board invites folks to be inspired by presentations focused on innovative programming and projects impacting Saline County residents during the Inspiration and Innovation Showcase on Saturday, Aug. 6 in the Great Plains Manufacturing Convention Center of the Tony’s Pizza Event Center. The showcase is partnered with an outdoor event honoring the innovations of the past, with an antique tractor show in the south parking lot of Tony’s Pizza Event Center, featuring tractors owned by members of the Kansas Tractor Club. The Kansas Tractor Club will also provide tractor games during the outdoor show.Honoring history“There are a lot of stories behind these tractors,” Michael Boldenow said. "A lot of those tractors came around the war, when the armed forces needed more metal. The tractors have cast iron frames, because the steel was used in the war, and once the war was over they went back to steel tractors.”Boldenow serves as the president of the Kansas Tractor Club. The club will be showcasing the members’ tractors and sharing stories during the Antique Tractor Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday in the south parking lot of the Tony’s Pizza Event Center.“The club involves basically anyone who wants to join, and we usually don’t go more than an hour away for shows,” Boldenow said. “It’s fun talking about the history on these tractors. You get a lot of that from everybody who is a member.”According to Boldenow, the majority of tractors on display were built between the years of 1925 and 1955.“We enjoy any tractor that shows up,” Boldenow said. “We expect 20 plus tractors from the Kansas Tractor Club on Saturday.”One tractor Boldenow expects to display is a Ford 8N.“They made a lot of them,” Boldenow said. “Those are really unique tractors, because there are not a whole lot that are exactly the same. They would change them throughout the year, so they are all kind of different.”The Kansas Tractor Club will also host tractor games at noon on Saturday. The games will include the chain game which involves a tractor driver dragging the chain back and forth, dropping it in a box; a game with the goal of dropping washers in a bucket while driving; a blind fold driving game, which involves a partner providing directions to a blind folded driver and the teeter totter game, where a tractor drives up on a teeter totter and has to balance for an extended and measured amount of time.The Kansas Tractor Club involves more than 70 members, some who own antique tractors and some who do not. The club offers a $1,000 scholarship to club members each year to support a restoration project, and offers a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior each year. You can find club information on Facebook.Local innovationThe Inspiration and Innovation Showcase on Saturday begins at 10 a.m. with a presentation from Lori Blake, executive director at Child Advocacy and Parenting Services, Salina. Parents and guardians attending the presentation will discover the different free services available to support the full-time job of raising children of all ages. The presentation is titled Connections Matter, and Blake hopes to empower good parents to become great parents. The presentation will include information on the value of safe, caring adults in the lives of children.Tim Bartz, Long McArthur Ford, will take the stage at 11 a.m. to share the details on Ford’s lineup of electrified vehicles. Long McArthur’s communication and marketing team has developed systems allowing Salina’s Ford dealership to ship on average more than 50 vehicles out of state each month. Long McArthur Ford is the No. 1 Ford Maverick dealer in the USA, No. 1 Super Duty Dealer in Kansas, and has won the Ford President Award three years in a row. Bartz will share which electric vehicles are available from the Long McArthur inventory, including the Ford Maverick Hybrid 42mpg truck that can haul 1,500 pounds and tow up to 4,000 pounds; the Ford Mustang Mach-E which is a full electric crossover that drives like a Mustang and uses zero fuel; the Ford F-150 Hybrid offering the best of both worlds with 13,000 pounds of towing and good fuel economy in town; the Ford F-150 Lightning which is the first all electric American made truck with 10,000 pounds towing and 775 pounds of torque; along with other hybrid line-ups like the Escape and Explorer. Several of the electric vehicles will be on display in the circle drive of Tony’s Pizza Event Center during the showcase.As federal decision makers delegate more and more policy making to states and local governments, a relationship with local representation becomes all the more important. Clarke Sanders will take the stage at noon to share what he has been working on as the District 69 representative in the Kansas House of Representatives, and a question and answer session will be facilitated during the time available.Speaking of federal action delegated to the state and local level, Phillip Smith-Hanes will present at 1 p.m. regarding the money received by Saline County from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA.) Smith-Hanes collected surveys from Saline County residents to better understand where the people wanted ARPA funding spent, and the highest priority communicated was business recovery. Smith-Hanes has worked with technology companies to provide an app that consumers can download, along with technology businesses can use, to shop and distribute ARPA funds to local participating business.If you are a local business owner, learn how to earn ARPA dollars by attending this presentation. For consumers, come learn how you can be a part of a grassroots effort to support and provide recovery dollars to the businesses in Saline County.At 1:30 p.m. Eric Brown from the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce will follow the presentation about the Saline County business recovery, with information about leadership programs available to Saline County business owners. The presentation titled, Ins and Outs of Local Community Leadership Programs,&nbsp; will focus on high level overview of two community leadership programs offered by the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce. The Leadership Salina program and Springboard program are designed to develop leaders who will have the skills and capacities to move our community forward by being trained with the tools necessary to lead at work and non-profit sectors.The ever changing landscape of technology continues to impact lives in Saline County, and Deven Fortkamp, vice president at WCCiT, will identify ways to navigate these changes at 2:30 p.m. The presentation will discuss aspects of cyber security, including what it is, why it is needed and hot to spot scans and phishing attempts. Fortkamp will also share what can be done to stay safe on the internet. The presentation will include some true, personal stories related to cyber-attacks and some frightening statistics.Continuing the trend of tech talk, Emanuel Ashiedu of the Salina Code Academy, will present at 3 p.m. on stage. The Saline Code Academy provides hands on learning for elementary aged kids, middle-schoolers and high school students, teaching them math, logical thinking, creativity, persistence, problem solving and strategizing with the power of code. Ashiedu will share information about the classes available, and the results he has observed in the short time the academy has been open in Salina.Did you know that Saline County and the City of Salina have set a goal together, to reduce solid waste across the county? Learn more about the goal, current efforts and future projects by attending a presentation at 3:30 p.m. from Jim Kowach, City of Salina public works operations manager, about the Zero Waste Initiative efforts. The presentation will define the Zero Waste Initiative goal; explain the Saline County Solid Waste plan and the role of the Saline County Solid Waste committee; describe the current waste diversion efforts in Salina and Saline County; describe the Solid Waste Sort and Recyclables Composition Study completed in the Spring of 2022 and describe the ongoing and planned efforts to develop waste reduction strategies for the community.Bring your kids to the air conditioning of the Great Plains Manufacturing Convention Center at 4 p.m. to listen to a presentation from Rolling Hills Zoo staff. The presentation will cover a brief history of the zoo, as well as new exhibits and animals; upcoming events and future projects. The presentation will also share the SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program, explaining what it is and how Rolling Hills Zoo is involved. Three Animal Ambassadors will be guests during the presentation, allowing guests to get close to the exhibits safely, without touching.The showcase is headlined by a free concert and presentation provided by the Peterson Farm Bros at 5 p.m. In 2012, the Peterson Farm Bros published a parody video on YouTube titled,&nbsp;I’m Farming and I Grow It.&nbsp; The video has grown to 12 million views, hitting 50,000 views in the first 48 hours online. To celebrate 10 years since the launch of the Peterson Farm Bros, Greg Peterson, Nathan Peterson and Kendal Peterson will take the stage and perform parodies and share their story.

Current, past innovations focus of Tri-Rivers Fair Saturday

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Police are asking the public's help in identifying the person who fired a 9mm round in a west-central Salina park early Friday.

Patrol Captain David Villanueva said this morning that at approximately 4 a.m. Friday, a 23-year-old Salina man who was in Sunset Park was confronted by a group of people in a dark-colored passenger car. 

After words were exchanged, the car left, but returned a short while later. Someone in the car fired a single round before the car left. No one was hurt by the shot, Villanueva said.

Police found a 9mm shell casing at the scene.

While police do have some surveillance video from the area, Villanueva said they are asking people in the area of the park to check their surveillance video and contact police if they believe they have some video that might provide information about the case.

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostPolice are asking the public's help in identifying the person who fired a 9mm round in a west-central Salina park early Friday.Patrol Captain David Villanueva said this morning that at approximately 4 a.m. Friday, a 23-year-old Salina man who was in Sunset Park was confronted by a group of people in a dark-colored passenger car. After words were exchanged, the car left, but returned a short while later. Someone in the car fired a single round before the car left. No one was hurt by the shot, Villanueva said.Police found a 9mm shell casing at the scene.While police do have some surveillance video from the area, Villanueva said they are asking people in the area of the park to check their surveillance video and contact police if they believe they have some video that might provide information about the case.

Police looking for clues after shot fired in Salina park early Friday

On July 26, Salina Police Officers responded to a report of a catalytic converter theft at Lowe’s, 3035 S. Ninth Street. 

An employee reported the catalytic converter to a Ford SUV she drove to work was cut off and stolen while she was working. The vehicle was parked in the west end of the store’s parking lot. The value of the theft and damages is estimated to be in excess of $2,000.

Surveillance video shows the suspect vehicle, a tan or gray SUV, pulling up next to the Ford at 4:20 p.m.&nbsp;on July 26.

If you have any information concerning this incident or identification of the individuals 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 Detective Constantino, case 2022-21774.

CrimestoppersOn July 26, Salina Police Officers responded to a report of a catalytic converter theft at Lowe’s, 3035 S. Ninth Street. An employee reported the catalytic converter to a Ford SUV she drove to work was cut off and stolen while she was working. The vehicle was parked in the west end of the store’s parking lot. The value of the theft and damages is estimated to be in excess of $2,000.Surveillance video shows the suspect vehicle, a tan or gray SUV, pulling up next to the Ford at 4:20 p.m.&nbsp;on July 26.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659702771413.jpeg" alt="The suspect SUV. Surveillance photo courtesy Crimestoppers" />
 <figcaption>The suspect SUV. Surveillance photo courtesy Crimestoppers</figcaption>
 </figure>If you have any information concerning this incident or identification of the individuals 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 Detective Constantino, case 2022-21774.

Crimestoppers seeks tips about catalytic converter theft at Lowe's

With temperatures rising once again, heat advisories have been issued for counties in our area.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659701893558.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTWith temperatures rising once again, heat advisories have been issued for counties in our area.Heat illnesses may occur due to the high temperatures and high humidity especially for those working or participating in outdoor activities.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623262657876.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a heat advisory in effect from 1 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Saturday for the following counties in our area.Ellsworth CountyLincoln CountyMarion CountyMcPherson CountySaline CountyHeat index values up to 107 are expected.The National Weather Service in Hastings, Neb., has issued two heat advisories: from 1-8 p.m. Friday and from noon-9 p.m Saturday. The advisories include the following counties in our area.Jewell CountyMitchell CountyFor the Friday heat advisory, heat index values mainly as high as 100 to 106 degrees expected in most areas. For the Saturday heat advisory, heat index values as high as 100 to 110 degrees currently expected in most areas.The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a heat advisory in effect from 1 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Saturday for the following counties in our area.Clay CountyCloud CountyDickinson CountyOttawa CountyRepublic CountyHeat index values 105 to 110 are expected.