One person was severely injured in a motorcycle accident on Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Ninth and Cloud Streets in Salina.

Salina Police Sergeant Chad McCary told Salina Post this morning that the accident occurred just before 5 p.m. on May 7 and involved one motorcycle and&nbsp;one&nbsp;vehicle.

READ MORE:<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/bf9894f1-fd8e-4492-a20f-513ff93d772d">&nbsp;UPDATED: Four antique Harley Davidsons stolen from Gypsum buildings, fifth found in pieces</a>

Juan Monreal-Esparza, 22, was riding his motorcycle south on Ninth Street near Cloud Street when a 2011 Ford Edge, driven by McKenzie Cramer, 21, of Salina, crossed Cloud Street and struck Esparza.

"Esparza was transported to Salina Regional Health Center with severe facial and hand injuries and was then transported to&nbsp; in Wichita," McCary said. "According to his family and those close to him say he has a long road to recovery."&nbsp;

McCary said Cramer did not sustain injuries as a result of the accident.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574355645622.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By NATE KING Salina PostOne person was severely injured in a motorcycle accident on Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Ninth and Cloud Streets in Salina.Salina Police Sergeant Chad McCary told Salina Post this morning that the accident occurred just before 5 p.m. on May 7 and involved one motorcycle and&nbsp;one&nbsp;vehicle.<div><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3108.8674667732935!2d-97.61559719582228!3d38.81258995949883!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x87bcc8a7dfe466a5%3A0xf7782040da29af58!2s9th%20St%20%26%20W%20Cloud%20St%2C%20Salina%2C%20KS%2067401!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1715361148428!5m2!1sen!2sus" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe></div>READ MORE:<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/bf9894f1-fd8e-4492-a20f-513ff93d772d">&nbsp;UPDATED: Four antique Harley Davidsons stolen from Gypsum buildings, fifth found in pieces</a>Juan Monreal-Esparza, 22, was riding his motorcycle south on Ninth Street near Cloud Street when a 2011 Ford Edge, driven by McKenzie Cramer, 21, of Salina, crossed Cloud Street and struck Esparza."Esparza was transported to Salina Regional Health Center with severe facial and hand injuries and was then transported to&nbsp; in Wichita," McCary said. "According to his family and those close to him say he has a long road to recovery."&nbsp;McCary said Cramer did not sustain injuries as a result of the accident.&nbsp;

Salina man severely injured in Tuesday motorcycle accident

Salina Public Library launched an online Digital Archive giving the public virtual access to images ranging from the late 1800s to early 1900s from the collection of over 5,000 historic photos housed in the Campbell Room of local history.&nbsp;

These images will be displayed in an online digital archive through the library’s website at&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapubliclibrary.org/research/local-history/">salinapubliclibrary.org/local-history</a>. With easier access and preservation of these photographs, citizens can be better connected to the history and culture of Salina/Saline County.&nbsp;

The Kansas State Historical Records Advisory Board (KSHRAB) awarded Salina Public Library with a Kansas Digital Access to Historic Records (KDAHR) grant of $3,800 for the purchase of a photograph scanner, making this project a reality. The scanner was used to digitize approximately 500 photographs in the library’s collection taken prior to 1900.&nbsp;

“We are thrilled to launch this project that will bring Salina’s past to life by making it more visible.” shared Stefanie Knopp, Head of Information Services.&nbsp;

The KSHRAB works with organizations across Kansas seeking to preserve and increase accessibility to historical records for current and future audiences. The Board established the KDAHR grant program to allow organizations to increase online accessibility to historical records and to increase community engagement with local history.

Salina Public Library has been serving Saline County since 1868 by providing access to information, learning and culture. The library is a community space that provides free internet access, computers, gaming, meeting rooms, events and programs. It features a diverse and expansive collection of materials for patrons to borrow. To learn more about the library, visit the library at 301 W. Elm, go online to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.salinapubliclibray.org/">www.salinapubliclibray.org</a>&nbsp;or call (785) 825-4624.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715359135008.png" alt="Image Courtesy Salina Public Library" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy Salina Public Library</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Public LibrarySalina Public Library launched an online Digital Archive giving the public virtual access to images ranging from the late 1800s to early 1900s from the collection of over 5,000 historic photos housed in the Campbell Room of local history.&nbsp;These images will be displayed in an online digital archive through the library’s website at&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapubliclibrary.org/research/local-history/">salinapubliclibrary.org/local-history</a>. With easier access and preservation of these photographs, citizens can be better connected to the history and culture of Salina/Saline County.&nbsp;The Kansas State Historical Records Advisory Board (KSHRAB) awarded Salina Public Library with a Kansas Digital Access to Historic Records (KDAHR) grant of $3,800 for the purchase of a photograph scanner, making this project a reality. The scanner was used to digitize approximately 500 photographs in the library’s collection taken prior to 1900.&nbsp;“We are thrilled to launch this project that will bring Salina’s past to life by making it more visible.” shared Stefanie Knopp, Head of Information Services.&nbsp;The KSHRAB works with organizations across Kansas seeking to preserve and increase accessibility to historical records for current and future audiences. The Board established the KDAHR grant program to allow organizations to increase online accessibility to historical records and to increase community engagement with local history.About Salina Public LibrarySalina Public Library has been serving Saline County since 1868 by providing access to information, learning and culture. The library is a community space that provides free internet access, computers, gaming, meeting rooms, events and programs. It features a diverse and expansive collection of materials for patrons to borrow. To learn more about the library, visit the library at 301 W. Elm, go online to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.salinapubliclibray.org/">www.salinapubliclibray.org</a>&nbsp;or call (785) 825-4624.

Salina Public Library launches digital archives

On May 10, 1940, during World War II, German forces began invading the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium and France. The same day, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain resigned, and Winston Churchill formed a new government.

In 1775, Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, along with Col. Benedict Arnold, captured the British-held&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/76cf958f43a84292877636b165f65066" target="_blank">fortress at Ticonderoga, New York</a>.

In 1818, American patriot Paul Revere, 83, died in Boston.

In 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis was captured by Union forces in Irwinville, Georgia.

In 1869, a golden spike was driven in Promontory, Utah, marking the completion of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/031acf6d4722419b928d7f4e2cee3c5e">first transcontinental railroad&nbsp;</a>in the United States.

In 1924, J. Edgar Hoover was named acting director of the Bureau of Investigation (later known as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI).

In 1933, the Nazis staged massive public book burnings in Germany.

In 1941, Adolf Hitler’s deputy, Rudolf Hess, parachuted into Scotland on what he claimed was a peace mission. (Hess ended up serving a life sentence at Spandau Prison until 1987, when he apparently committed suicide at age 93.)

In 1994, the state of Illinois executed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-2a5842ef8ee46f8d43799bc50f390ad8">serial killer John Wayne Gacy</a>, 52, for the murders of 33 young men and boys.

In 1995, 104 miners were killed in an elevator accident in Orkney, South Africa.

In 2002, a tense 39-day-old standoff between Israeli troops and Palestinian gunmen at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem ended with 13 suspected militants flown into European exile and 26 released into the Gaza Strip.

In 2013, U.S government scientists said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-carbon-dioxide-hawaii-warming-194da356db37ff4d465c6ffebdf0e3fb">worldwide levels of carbon dioxide</a>, the chief greenhouse gas blamed for global warming, had hit a milestone, reaching an amount never before encountered by humans.

In 2014,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/michael-sam-gay-nfl-players-have-reached-out-to-him-6e091e1763d24b17bea9b9af99309254">Michael Sam</a>&nbsp;was picked by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the NFL draft, becoming the first openly gay player drafted by a pro football team.

In 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-business-nato-moscow-c8e00f7bbc4f24aa40d70a4ac2d97adb">Russia pummeled the vital Ukrainian port of Odesa&nbsp;</a>in an apparent effort to disrupt supply lines and Western weapons shipments critical to the defense of the capital, Kyiv.

In 2023,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-credit-card-fraud-f723e69a777b02a2e6b87595f45c21ce">Rep. George Santos</a>, the New York Republican infamous for fabricating his life story, was indicted on charges that he duped donors, stole from his campaign and lied to Congress about being a millionaire.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715357287666.png" alt="Reconnaissance squads head the German advance into Luxembourg, on May 10, 1940. (AP Photo)" />
 <figcaption>Reconnaissance squads head the German advance into Luxembourg, on May 10, 1940. (AP Photo)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Today in History:</h2>On May 10, 1940, during World War II, German forces began invading the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium and France. The same day, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain resigned, and Winston Churchill formed a new government.<h2>On this date:</h2>In 1775, Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, along with Col. Benedict Arnold, captured the British-held&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/76cf958f43a84292877636b165f65066" target="_blank">fortress at Ticonderoga, New York</a>.In 1818, American patriot Paul Revere, 83, died in Boston.In 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis was captured by Union forces in Irwinville, Georgia.In 1869, a golden spike was driven in Promontory, Utah, marking the completion of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/031acf6d4722419b928d7f4e2cee3c5e">first transcontinental railroad&nbsp;</a>in the United States.In 1924, J. Edgar Hoover was named acting director of the Bureau of Investigation (later known as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI).In 1933, the Nazis staged massive public book burnings in Germany.In 1941, Adolf Hitler’s deputy, Rudolf Hess, parachuted into Scotland on what he claimed was a peace mission. (Hess ended up serving a life sentence at Spandau Prison until 1987, when he apparently committed suicide at age 93.)In 1994, the state of Illinois executed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-2a5842ef8ee46f8d43799bc50f390ad8">serial killer John Wayne Gacy</a>, 52, for the murders of 33 young men and boys.In 1995, 104 miners were killed in an elevator accident in Orkney, South Africa.In 2002, a tense 39-day-old standoff between Israeli troops and Palestinian gunmen at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem ended with 13 suspected militants flown into European exile and 26 released into the Gaza Strip.In 2013, U.S government scientists said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-carbon-dioxide-hawaii-warming-194da356db37ff4d465c6ffebdf0e3fb">worldwide levels of carbon dioxide</a>, the chief greenhouse gas blamed for global warming, had hit a milestone, reaching an amount never before encountered by humans.In 2014,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/michael-sam-gay-nfl-players-have-reached-out-to-him-6e091e1763d24b17bea9b9af99309254">Michael Sam</a>&nbsp;was picked by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the NFL draft, becoming the first openly gay player drafted by a pro football team.In 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-business-nato-moscow-c8e00f7bbc4f24aa40d70a4ac2d97adb">Russia pummeled the vital Ukrainian port of Odesa&nbsp;</a>in an apparent effort to disrupt supply lines and Western weapons shipments critical to the defense of the capital, Kyiv.In 2023,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-credit-card-fraud-f723e69a777b02a2e6b87595f45c21ce">Rep. George Santos</a>, the New York Republican infamous for fabricating his life story, was indicted on charges that he duped donors, stole from his campaign and lied to Congress about being a millionaire.

Today in History, May 10

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Live-Well-Saline-County-100071074639964/">Live Well Saline County</a>&nbsp;members Daniel Craig, Michelle Coats, and Sheila Kjellberg recently attended the Pathways to A Healthy Kansas Spring Convening in Lawrence, Kansas to receive recognition on behalf of Live Well Saline County for successful completion of the four year $500,000 Pathways to A Healthy Kansas grant initiative.

The grant funding included a coordination grant of $200,000 for each community along with the opportunity to apply for non-competitive implementation grants amounting to $300,000, for a total of up to $500,000. Live Well Saline County designated the Tammy Walker Cancer Center as the fiduciary agent. Daniel Craig, Cancer Outreach Coordinator at Tammy Walker Cancer Center, is the current chair of Live Well Saline County and was the lead grant writer and grant manager for the project.

Live Well Saline County allocated $245,288 from the Pathways to A Healthy Kansas grant towards initiatives aimed at increasing access and safety at the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank. 

Projects include solar lighting, a site plan, 12 additional parking spaces, six bike racks, and a sidewalk that connects the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank to the Broadway business corridor including links to two City Go Bus stops. Additional funding went to support worksite wellness programs, create a hospital garden and relaxation area, and provide scholarship opportunities for community members to attend training through the Kansas Leadership Center. 

“The Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant enabled us to bring everyone together so rather than doing a lot of great individual programs and efforts we were able to work more collaboratively as a community,” said Live Well Saline County Chair Daniel Craig. “Being part of the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas cohort provided opportunities for us to learn from other communities and share things that have helped us be successful. Having four years of funding allowed us to be strategic and select projects that will create a long lasting impact on the community.”

Live Well Saline County is planning a community celebration event to highlight the initiatives at the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank. The event will be held in late summer or early fall once the parking lot project at the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank is complete and will serve as a celebration of the 15th anniversary of Live Well Saline County.

 Del Myers and Daniel Craig started live Well Saline County in 2009 with support from Ellen Hogeland and Chris Curtis as a way to bring together community organizations focusing on health and wellness to better align community goals and bring in additional grant funding to the community. 

The coalition has representation from many organizations in the community including the Salina Family YMCA, Saline County Health Department, Prairieland Market, Salina Regional Health Center, Tammy Walker Cancer Center, Kansas State Research and Extension, Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank, Salina Family Healthcare Center, Kansas Center for Rural Health at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Church of the Cross UMC, NAMI Kansas, Kansas Wesleyan University, Central Kansas Mental Health Center, City of Salina, and OCCK, Inc. 

The coalition welcomes participation from individuals and organizations in the community that have an interest in health and wellness. For more information on Live Well Saline County, contact Daniel Craig at 785-452-4848.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715357038067.png" alt="Live Well Saline County Recognition. Pictured above&nbsp; are Virginia Barnes-Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, Daniel Craig-Tammy Walker Cancer Center, Michelle Griffin-OCCK, Inc., and Sheila Kjellberg-Kansas Wesleyan University. Image Courtesy Daniel Craig" />
 <figcaption>Live Well Saline County Recognition. Pictured above&nbsp; are Virginia Barnes-Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, Daniel Craig-Tammy Walker Cancer Center, Michelle Griffin-OCCK, Inc., and Sheila Kjellberg-Kansas Wesleyan University. Image Courtesy Daniel Craig</figcaption>
 </figure>Submitted<a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Live-Well-Saline-County-100071074639964/">Live Well Saline County</a>&nbsp;members Daniel Craig, Michelle Coats, and Sheila Kjellberg recently attended the Pathways to A Healthy Kansas Spring Convening in Lawrence, Kansas to receive recognition on behalf of Live Well Saline County for successful completion of the four year $500,000 Pathways to A Healthy Kansas grant initiative. The grant funding included a coordination grant of $200,000 for each community along with the opportunity to apply for non-competitive implementation grants amounting to $300,000, for a total of up to $500,000. Live Well Saline County designated the Tammy Walker Cancer Center as the fiduciary agent. Daniel Craig, Cancer Outreach Coordinator at Tammy Walker Cancer Center, is the current chair of Live Well Saline County and was the lead grant writer and grant manager for the project.Live Well Saline County allocated $245,288 from the Pathways to A Healthy Kansas grant towards initiatives aimed at increasing access and safety at the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank. Projects include solar lighting, a site plan, 12 additional parking spaces, six bike racks, and a sidewalk that connects the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank to the Broadway business corridor including links to two City Go Bus stops. Additional funding went to support worksite wellness programs, create a hospital garden and relaxation area, and provide scholarship opportunities for community members to attend training through the Kansas Leadership Center. “The Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant enabled us to bring everyone together so rather than doing a lot of great individual programs and efforts we were able to work more collaboratively as a community,” said Live Well Saline County Chair Daniel Craig. “Being part of the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas cohort provided opportunities for us to learn from other communities and share things that have helped us be successful. Having four years of funding allowed us to be strategic and select projects that will create a long lasting impact on the community.”Live Well Saline County is planning a community celebration event to highlight the initiatives at the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank. The event will be held in late summer or early fall once the parking lot project at the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank is complete and will serve as a celebration of the 15th anniversary of Live Well Saline County. Del Myers and Daniel Craig started live Well Saline County in 2009 with support from Ellen Hogeland and Chris Curtis as a way to bring together community organizations focusing on health and wellness to better align community goals and bring in additional grant funding to the community. The coalition has representation from many organizations in the community including the Salina Family YMCA, Saline County Health Department, Prairieland Market, Salina Regional Health Center, Tammy Walker Cancer Center, Kansas State Research and Extension, Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank, Salina Family Healthcare Center, Kansas Center for Rural Health at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Church of the Cross UMC, NAMI Kansas, Kansas Wesleyan University, Central Kansas Mental Health Center, City of Salina, and OCCK, Inc. The coalition welcomes participation from individuals and organizations in the community that have an interest in health and wellness. For more information on Live Well Saline County, contact Daniel Craig at 785-452-4848.

Live Well Saline County recognized for completion of $500,000 grant

The Spray Pad at Jerry Ivey Memorial Park will be closed for an extended period starting May 10 due to repairs needed in the plumbing infrastructure beneath the concrete pad. The closure is necessary to address underground plumbing failures.

According to a statment made on social media, the decision to close the Jerry Ivey Spray Pad was made after careful consideration and exploration of the plumbing infrastructure with a camera designed for internal plumbing. The camera found several plumbing breaks most likely due to settling of the structure. 

Despite regular maintenance and proper winterization, the extent of the repairs required to address the plumbing issues necessitates a more comprehensive approach that requires the facility to be closed for an unknown extended period.

In the meantime, patrons are encouraged to use the other Spray pads in the City of Salina, including Centennial Park and Hawthorne Park. The City remains dedicated to providing safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities for all residents and will work towards solutions for the Jerry Ivey Spray Pad.

For more information and updates, please visit <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.salina-ks.gov%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3H-apqv28DG1vMq36eIQSvlGYHXFyX7L4n_sIBvR4cR9woc2Kmu1yGhqo_aem_ASvoocSNKZA99mCmBEMOpi3B7KEeibmb12tCvQUszENN4MDAWQvzplFV4A0qTT7kpEnyG_GqT3DXCHRQ1Sv8EfAi&amp;h=AT1rC5wiP6xQaimJrpC7JzHht5AHYtKAN95NA83qxnNQZ-G0bGFuv3Feq9gG0RkqgIj3ja7jlbhSX24OqsWVmTHKyLjnVPh_0CFgB3fhTZEGBn2307LOwofAFazM7jgfeier&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT2g9eXEzobFbWXH51TQncMqV06hiJ5Czl1P2dd87U_7mt92D3P7VPbS1NIszj2hKKBnv_ralWZJewKHFxBIGzWt1NxQ6vDdnSkH5GFzSYvTuw0d9sc1J5kKVWjrAjQg4Gsgd8PRS9RdxwvOm-g_3q7TQZIJTmkq3Eic1k0NCZx2Yl7wPUEc4Tmnn5EQcVCWW2TxaAv5yYvcntnH0kH66FChZRm3vajZcoxJ" target="_blank">www.salina-ks.gov</a> or contact Salina Parks and Recreation at 785-309-5765&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574707989403.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTThe Spray Pad at Jerry Ivey Memorial Park will be closed for an extended period starting May 10 due to repairs needed in the plumbing infrastructure beneath the concrete pad. The closure is necessary to address underground plumbing failures.According to a statment made on social media, the decision to close the Jerry Ivey Spray Pad was made after careful consideration and exploration of the plumbing infrastructure with a camera designed for internal plumbing. The camera found several plumbing breaks most likely due to settling of the structure. Despite regular maintenance and proper winterization, the extent of the repairs required to address the plumbing issues necessitates a more comprehensive approach that requires the facility to be closed for an unknown extended period.In the meantime, patrons are encouraged to use the other Spray pads in the City of Salina, including Centennial Park and Hawthorne Park. The City remains dedicated to providing safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities for all residents and will work towards solutions for the Jerry Ivey Spray Pad.For more information and updates, please visit <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.salina-ks.gov%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3H-apqv28DG1vMq36eIQSvlGYHXFyX7L4n_sIBvR4cR9woc2Kmu1yGhqo_aem_ASvoocSNKZA99mCmBEMOpi3B7KEeibmb12tCvQUszENN4MDAWQvzplFV4A0qTT7kpEnyG_GqT3DXCHRQ1Sv8EfAi&amp;h=AT1rC5wiP6xQaimJrpC7JzHht5AHYtKAN95NA83qxnNQZ-G0bGFuv3Feq9gG0RkqgIj3ja7jlbhSX24OqsWVmTHKyLjnVPh_0CFgB3fhTZEGBn2307LOwofAFazM7jgfeier&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT2g9eXEzobFbWXH51TQncMqV06hiJ5Czl1P2dd87U_7mt92D3P7VPbS1NIszj2hKKBnv_ralWZJewKHFxBIGzWt1NxQ6vDdnSkH5GFzSYvTuw0d9sc1J5kKVWjrAjQg4Gsgd8PRS9RdxwvOm-g_3q7TQZIJTmkq3Eic1k0NCZx2Yl7wPUEc4Tmnn5EQcVCWW2TxaAv5yYvcntnH0kH66FChZRm3vajZcoxJ" target="_blank">www.salina-ks.gov</a> or contact Salina Parks and Recreation at 785-309-5765&nbsp;&nbsp;

Salina Parks and Rec announces extended closure of Jerry Ivey Spray Pad

By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Lead Reporter - Salina Post

Just outside city limits, a Saline County resident returned home after being away for a few days and discovered his air conditioner unit upside down, gutted for its copper wiring.

Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said the 600 block of South Holmes Road resident left home on Sunday, May 5, and returned on Wednesday, May 8, where he discovered the large air conditioning unit damaged.

"He was out doing some yard work and noticed that his air conditioner unit was upside down, and someone had cut all the copper out of it," Soldan said. "He's looking like $5 in loss and $6,000 in damages because [the suspect] pretty much destroyed the unit."

Soldan said the unit was large due to the two-story home's size, causing a heavy loss of damages.

Saline County Sheriff's Office deputies continue investigating the crime — however, there are no suspects&nbsp;at this time.

Salina Post will update the story as more information becomes available.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/74cbf2d2-83b6-40e0-b9d2-64c694c985a2">Kansas Storytelling Festival fills downtown Downs with tall tales</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1698873143602.png" alt="The Saline County Sheriff's Office located at 800 E. Pacific Avenue in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>The Saline County Sheriff's Office located at 800 E. Pacific Avenue in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Lead Reporter - Salina PostJust outside city limits, a Saline County resident returned home after being away for a few days and discovered his air conditioner unit upside down, gutted for its copper wiring.Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said the 600 block of South Holmes Road resident left home on Sunday, May 5, and returned on Wednesday, May 8, where he discovered the large air conditioning unit damaged."He was out doing some yard work and noticed that his air conditioner unit was upside down, and someone had cut all the copper out of it," Soldan said. "He's looking like $5 in loss and $6,000 in damages because [the suspect] pretty much destroyed the unit."Soldan said the unit was large due to the two-story home's size, causing a heavy loss of damages.Saline County Sheriff's Office deputies continue investigating the crime — however, there are no suspects&nbsp;at this time.Salina Post will update the story as more information becomes available.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/74cbf2d2-83b6-40e0-b9d2-64c694c985a2">Kansas Storytelling Festival fills downtown Downs with tall tales</a>

Saline County resident returns home, finds large AC unit gutted of copper

The Kansas State University Concrete Canoe team took first place at its regional competition at the Mid-America Student Symposium hosted by Missouri University of Science and Technology in April.

The win at the regional event for the American Society of Civil Engineers, or ASCE, gives the K-State team the opportunity to compete at the national competition held on the campus of Brigham Young University from June 20-22. This will be the team's second trip to the national competition in the last three years.

The event challenges participants to create a functioning canoe made of concrete. The process includes designing a hull, performing structural analysis and designing a concrete mixture that satisfies the strength requirements found in the structural analysis. Teams are judged for their final product, design paper, oral presentation and race results. Races include men's and women's sprints and endurance races.

"The objective of the competition is to 'win the bid' to manufacture 100 concrete canoes for the client, in this case, ASCE," said Cody Meyer, team president. "The canoe must meet all the criteria set forward in the 'request for proposals,' which is essentially the project specs."

This year's team changed up its design, opting to pour the canoe in segments that required multiple pours. The resulting canoe segments were then pieced together by pulling steel cables through the segments, putting tension on the cables and then anchoring the cables to the canoe. The team then put the tension force into the canoe segments and pulled them tightly together, and the finished canoe was named Connected.

"The team this year dedicated many hours to making a successful canoe," said Cody Meyer, team president. "They worked incredibly hard to make 'Connected' a reality, and their success is well deserved."

Members of the 2024-2025 Concrete Canoe team include:

Ethan Holder, senior in construction science management, Andover; Keegan Harris, sophomore in construction science management, Columbus; Elle Dragone, junior in civil engineering, and Ally Hower, sophomore in architectural engineering, both from Council Grove; William Matchell, junior in civil engineering, Leawood; Campbell Gaskill, sophomore in math education, Lindsborg; Alex Ko, junior in civil engineering, McPherson; Lindsay Schupp, senior in chemical engineering, Oskaloosa; Shelby Merkel, senior in civil engineering, Overland Park; Mason Lofton, freshman in mechanical engineering, Piper; Michael Dishman, sophomore in civil engineering, and Jenna Haas, sophomore in accounting, both from Pratt; Cody Meyer, senior in civil engineering, Sabetha; Nathan Streeter, senior in civil engineering, Salina; Aidan Torrez, junior in construction science management, Spring Hill; Abbi Clark, senior in civil engineering, Wamego; Kisan Patel, senior in civil engineering, Wichita.

From out of state: Ben Garnmeister, senior in civil engineering, Arlington Heights, Illinois; Kayleigh Bednar, senior in industrial engineering, Liberty, Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715356039222.jpeg" alt="Members of the K-State Concrete Canoe team pose in the water at the Mid-America Student Symposium in Rolla, Missouri. From left: Nathan Streeter, Campbell Gaskill, Lindsay Schupp and Benjamin Garnmeister. The team won the event and will travel to the national competition hosted by Brigham Young University in June. Photo Courtesy K-State News and Communication" />
 <figcaption>Members of the K-State Concrete Canoe team pose in the water at the Mid-America Student Symposium in Rolla, Missouri. From left: Nathan Streeter, Campbell Gaskill, Lindsay Schupp and Benjamin Garnmeister. The team won the event and will travel to the national competition hosted by Brigham Young University in June. Photo Courtesy K-State News and Communication</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe Kansas State University Concrete Canoe team took first place at its regional competition at the Mid-America Student Symposium hosted by Missouri University of Science and Technology in April.The win at the regional event for the American Society of Civil Engineers, or ASCE, gives the K-State team the opportunity to compete at the national competition held on the campus of Brigham Young University from June 20-22. This will be the team's second trip to the national competition in the last three years.The event challenges participants to create a functioning canoe made of concrete. The process includes designing a hull, performing structural analysis and designing a concrete mixture that satisfies the strength requirements found in the structural analysis. Teams are judged for their final product, design paper, oral presentation and race results. Races include men's and women's sprints and endurance races."The objective of the competition is to 'win the bid' to manufacture 100 concrete canoes for the client, in this case, ASCE," said Cody Meyer, team president. "The canoe must meet all the criteria set forward in the 'request for proposals,' which is essentially the project specs."This year's team changed up its design, opting to pour the canoe in segments that required multiple pours. The resulting canoe segments were then pieced together by pulling steel cables through the segments, putting tension on the cables and then anchoring the cables to the canoe. The team then put the tension force into the canoe segments and pulled them tightly together, and the finished canoe was named Connected."The team this year dedicated many hours to making a successful canoe," said Cody Meyer, team president. "They worked incredibly hard to make 'Connected' a reality, and their success is well deserved."Members of the 2024-2025 Concrete Canoe team include:Ethan Holder, senior in construction science management, Andover; Keegan Harris, sophomore in construction science management, Columbus; Elle Dragone, junior in civil engineering, and Ally Hower, sophomore in architectural engineering, both from Council Grove; William Matchell, junior in civil engineering, Leawood; Campbell Gaskill, sophomore in math education, Lindsborg; Alex Ko, junior in civil engineering, McPherson; Lindsay Schupp, senior in chemical engineering, Oskaloosa; Shelby Merkel, senior in civil engineering, Overland Park; Mason Lofton, freshman in mechanical engineering, Piper; Michael Dishman, sophomore in civil engineering, and Jenna Haas, sophomore in accounting, both from Pratt; Cody Meyer, senior in civil engineering, Sabetha; Nathan Streeter, senior in civil engineering, Salina; Aidan Torrez, junior in construction science management, Spring Hill; Abbi Clark, senior in civil engineering, Wamego; Kisan Patel, senior in civil engineering, Wichita.From out of state: Ben Garnmeister, senior in civil engineering, Arlington Heights, Illinois; Kayleigh Bednar, senior in industrial engineering, Liberty, Missouri.

K-State Concrete Canoe team wins regional competition, advances to nationals

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail.

All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose misd warrant and Violation of protection order; Unknown circumstance

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; &nbsp;Theft of prop/services;Value $1,500 to $25,000

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; &nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; Failure to Appear

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; Probation Violation and Failure to Appear

REQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Failure to appear

Following is recent booking activity for the Saline County Jail, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail.All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715345877225.png" alt="Anderson, Calvin Ray" />
 <figcaption>Anderson, Calvin Ray</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Anderson, Calvin RayREQUESTED CHARGE(S): Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715345984430.png" alt="Chaney, Chris Anthony" />
 <figcaption>Chaney, Chris Anthony</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Chaney, Chris AnthonyREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;&nbsp;Interf w/LEO; obstr/resist/oppose misd warrant and Violation of protection order; Unknown circumstance<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715346033838.png" alt="Hurt, Paul Michael" />
 <figcaption>Hurt, Paul Michael</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Hurt, Paul MichaelREQUESTED CHARGE(S): Probation Violation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715346074246.png" alt="Klinger, Kurt Howard" />
 <figcaption>Klinger, Kurt Howard</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Klinger, Kurt HowardREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; &nbsp;Theft of prop/services;Value $1,500 to $25,000<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715346112870.png" alt="Reidelberger, Emma Rose" />
 <figcaption>Reidelberger, Emma Rose</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Reidelberger, Emma RoseREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; Probation ViolationREAD MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/74cbf2d2-83b6-40e0-b9d2-64c694c985a2">Kansas Storytelling Festival fills downtown Downs with tall tales</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715346155965.png" alt="Rubio, Kevin Raymundo" />
 <figcaption>Rubio, Kevin Raymundo</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Rubio, Kevin RaymundoREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; &nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715346197281.png" alt="Salazar, Breanna Marie" />
 <figcaption>Salazar, Breanna Marie</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;Salazar, Breanna MarieREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; Failure to Appear<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715346244229.png" alt="Trower, Shawn Michael" />
 <figcaption>Trower, Shawn Michael</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp; &nbsp;Trower, Shawn MichaelREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp; Probation Violation and Failure to Appear<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682515155162.jpeg" alt="Blacketer, Grant Douglas" />
 <figcaption>Blacketer, Grant Douglas</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;&nbsp;Blacketer,Grant DouglasREQUESTED CHARGE(S): Failure to Appear<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715346324281.png" alt=" Zach, Casey Paul" />
 <figcaption> Zach, Casey Paul</figcaption>
 </figure>NAME:&nbsp;Zach, Casey PaulREQUESTED CHARGE(S):&nbsp;Failure to appear

Saline County Jail Bookings, May 10

The Granny Brigade will host an informational meeting discussing the topic of Medicaid expansion on May 21, doors open at 5 45 p.m. at Knights of Columbus, 115 N. 10th Street, in Salina.&nbsp;

Event guest speakers include the Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives, Daniel Hawkins.&nbsp;

Americans for Prosperity will be providing a buffet at 6:00 p.m. Event organizers ask to please reserve your spot before May 17.&nbsp;

Reservations can be sent to grmai62@cox.net or 785-577-5918

This event is open to the public and is not a "Republicans only" event. All residents, regardless of political party, are welcome to attend.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686241220831.png" alt="Granny Brigade" />
 <figcaption>Granny Brigade</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe Granny Brigade will host an informational meeting discussing the topic of Medicaid expansion on May 21, doors open at 5 45 p.m. at Knights of Columbus, 115 N. 10th Street, in Salina.&nbsp;Event guest speakers include the Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives, Daniel Hawkins.&nbsp;Americans for Prosperity will be providing a buffet at 6:00 p.m. Event organizers ask to please reserve your spot before May 17.&nbsp;Reservations can be sent to grmai62@cox.net or 785-577-5918This event is open to the public and is not a "Republicans only" event. All residents, regardless of political party, are welcome to attend.&nbsp;

Salina's 'Granny Brigade' monthly meeting to discuss Medicaid expansion

Only three out of 100 Americans donate blood. The American Red Cross&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a9816e&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDM&amp;s=shEXbEqThy6VznEyGnRiD_nnZZyYrZL3IdS4rkXHopI">needs your help</a>&nbsp;to change this statistic. If you or someone you know has never given blood,&nbsp;now’s&nbsp;the time to spring&nbsp;into action.

As thanks for embracing the spirit of spring,&nbsp;you’ll&nbsp;get automatic entry for a chance to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98171&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDM&amp;s=vRYefFOBTPqtxT2u0e9resAiVgKmsK3y28PX_43mRas">win a trip for two and&nbsp;VIP&nbsp;experience to the&nbsp;2024 NASCAR&nbsp;Cup Series&nbsp;and&nbsp;Xfinity Races at&nbsp;Darlington Raceway</a>&nbsp;when you race in to&nbsp;give blood by&nbsp;May 19.

The package includes flights,&nbsp;three-night&nbsp;hotel stay, entry to the&nbsp;Sport Clips&nbsp;racetrack hospitality tent and a $1,000 gift card. Plus, when you come to give by May&nbsp;31&nbsp;you'll&nbsp;also receive a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98172&amp;e=JTI0d2ViX29ubHk9dHJ1ZSZtZWQ9ZW1haWwmc291cmNlPWJpb2Fkb2JlJmNhbXBkZXNjPUVNX0JIUV9NT19XQl9BQk9fRG9ub3JzTmVlZGVkX1NDTkFTMTBHQ19UU1RfTkExX0FDVFJTXzA1MDkyNCZjaWQ9NzY3MTk2MzQ0JmRpZD1QUkRETTUxNTk0MyZiaWQ9ODEyMjIyODY1JnN1Ymo9V2UlMjdyZSUyMEluJTIwTmVlZCUyME9mJTIwWW91ciUyMEhlbHAmcHJ0eT1ub3JtYWwmbmF0PXJlY3J1aXRtZW50JnByb2Q9d2hvbGVibG9vZCZzZW5kZXI9QW1lcmljYW4lMjBSZWQlMjBDcm9zcyZkZWx2SWQ9NzcwNjkxMDM4JiUyNHdlYl9vbmx5PXRydWUmfmNhbXBhaWduPUVNX0JIUV9NT19XQl9BQk9fRG9ub3JzTmVlZGVkX1NDTkFTMTBHQ19UU1RfTkExX0FDVFJTXzA1MDkyNCZ-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDM&amp;s=X-WL_GFJrnBEtX1vI9S0nTxE9-COJYP_ZgiEFBuZYPs">coupon for a free haircut by email,</a>&nbsp;thanks to&nbsp;Sport Clips Haircuts.

<a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98173&amp;e=JTI0d2ViX29ubHk9dHJ1ZSZtZWQ9ZW1haWwmc291cmNlPWJpb2Fkb2JlJmNhbXBkZXNjPUVNX0JIUV9NT19XQl9BQk9fRG9ub3JzTmVlZGVkX1NDTkFTMTBHQ19UU1RfTkExX0FDVFJTXzA1MDkyNCZjaWQ9NzY3MTk2MzQ0JmRpZD1QUkRETTUxNTk0MyZiaWQ9ODEyMjIyODY1JnN1Ymo9V2UlMjdyZSUyMEluJTIwTmVlZCUyME9mJTIwWW91ciUyMEhlbHAmcHJ0eT1ub3JtYWwmbmF0PXJlY3J1aXRtZW50JnByb2Q9d2hvbGVibG9vZCZzZW5kZXI9QW1lcmljYW4lMjBSZWQlMjBDcm9zcyZkZWx2SWQ9NzcwNjkxMDM4JiUyNHdlYl9vbmx5PXRydWUmfmNhbXBhaWduPUVNX0JIUV9NT19XQl9BQk9fRG9ub3JzTmVlZGVkX1NDTkFTMTBHQ19UU1RfTkExX0FDVFJTXzA1MDkyNCZ-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9U2FsaW5hS1M&amp;s=ww5URUKJwmmA5EDg5UxsBNd-UehTZv8QbpEea0B7eYQ">AM RED CROSS FS SALINA</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98174&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9U2FsaW5hS1M&amp;s=S93CN9XDJzJzo-OfLfRNEWWCCaOh277ySJ1VIIaD2wM">120 W. Prescott,&nbsp;Salina, KS</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98174&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9U2FsaW5hS1M&amp;s=S93CN9XDJzJzo-OfLfRNEWWCCaOh277ySJ1VIIaD2wM">Various days and&nbsp;times&nbsp;available.</a> Sponsor Code:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98175&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9U2FsaW5hS1M&amp;s=kM_QqgYWRSiU9StseD9kVA9cAT-2CL13rnLFxpbkwt0">SalinaKS</a>

<a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98175&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9U2FsaW5hS1M&amp;s=kM_QqgYWRSiU9StseD9kVA9cAT-2CL13rnLFxpbkwt0"></a> <a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98176&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9dG9ueXNwaXp6YQ&amp;s=4HfoocZEshynfoYkw6r2zXjWTUt0Vv0MGMyiPVIUZ4Q">Tonys Pizza Service</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98267&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9dG9ueXNwaXp6YQ&amp;s=WbT0Dkt6pW3or7EgZ7b7I01R76NRTqejWmv2V2qlDoY">3123 Centennial Road,&nbsp;Salina, KS</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98267&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9dG9ueXNwaXp6YQ&amp;s=WbT0Dkt6pW3or7EgZ7b7I01R76NRTqejWmv2V2qlDoY">Thursday, May 16, 2024</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98267&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9dG9ueXNwaXp6YQ&amp;s=WbT0Dkt6pW3or7EgZ7b7I01R76NRTqejWmv2V2qlDoY">8:30 AM to 2:30 PM</a> Sponsor Code:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98268&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9dG9ueXNwaXp6YQ&amp;s=KOGmC1D4l_ex4MRQCEzvnOuzpfiEn9UhdFd8SWEuDy4">tonyspizza</a>

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kn4KoCm4i6k?si=WILWoT7ZsLFmV3tF" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>By SALINA POSTOnly three out of 100 Americans donate blood. The American Red Cross&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a9816e&amp;e=JTI0d2ViX29ubHk9dHJ1ZSZtZWQ9ZW1haWwmc291cmNlPWJpb2Fkb2JlJmNhbXBkZXNjPUVNX0JIUV9NT19XQl9BQk9fRG9ub3JzTmVlZGVkX1NDTkFTMTBHQ19UU1RfTkExX0FDVFJTXzA1MDkyNCZjaWQ9NzY3MTk2MzQ0JmRpZD1QUkRETTUxNTk0MyZiaWQ9ODEyMjIyODY1JnN1Ymo9V2UlMjdyZSUyMEluJTIwTmVlZCUyME9mJTIwWW91ciUyMEhlbHAmcHJ0eT1ub3JtYWwmbmF0PXJlY3J1aXRtZW50JnByb2Q9d2hvbGVibG9vZCZzZW5kZXI9QW1lcmljYW4lMjBSZWQlMjBDcm9zcyZkZWx2SWQ9NzcwNjkxMDM4JiUyNHdlYl9vbmx5PXRydWUmfmNhbXBhaWduPUVNX0JIUV9NT19XQl9BQk9fRG9ub3JzTmVlZGVkX1NDTkFTMTBHQ19UU1RfTkExX0FDVFJTXzA1MDkyNCZ-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDM&amp;s=shEXbEqThy6VznEyGnRiD_nnZZyYrZL3IdS4rkXHopI">needs your help</a>&nbsp;to change this statistic. If you or someone you know has never given blood,&nbsp;now’s&nbsp;the time to spring&nbsp;into action.As thanks for embracing the spirit of spring,&nbsp;you’ll&nbsp;get automatic entry for a chance to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98171&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDM&amp;s=vRYefFOBTPqtxT2u0e9resAiVgKmsK3y28PX_43mRas">win a trip for two and&nbsp;VIP&nbsp;experience to the&nbsp;2024 NASCAR&nbsp;Cup Series&nbsp;and&nbsp;Xfinity Races at&nbsp;Darlington Raceway</a>&nbsp;when you race in to&nbsp;give blood by&nbsp;May 19.The package includes flights,&nbsp;three-night&nbsp;hotel stay, entry to the&nbsp;Sport Clips&nbsp;racetrack hospitality tent and a $1,000 gift card. Plus, when you come to give by May&nbsp;31&nbsp;you'll&nbsp;also receive a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98172&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDM&amp;s=X-WL_GFJrnBEtX1vI9S0nTxE9-COJYP_ZgiEFBuZYPs">coupon for a free haircut by email,</a>&nbsp;thanks to&nbsp;Sport Clips Haircuts.<h2>Upcoming opportunities to give blood:</h2><a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98173&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9U2FsaW5hS1M&amp;s=ww5URUKJwmmA5EDg5UxsBNd-UehTZv8QbpEea0B7eYQ">AM RED CROSS FS SALINA</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98174&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9U2FsaW5hS1M&amp;s=S93CN9XDJzJzo-OfLfRNEWWCCaOh277ySJ1VIIaD2wM">120 W. Prescott,&nbsp;Salina, KS</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98174&amp;e=JTI0d2ViX29ubHk9dHJ1ZSZtZWQ9ZW1haWwmc291cmNlPWJpb2Fkb2JlJmNhbXBkZXNjPUVNX0JIUV9NT19XQl9BQk9fRG9ub3JzTmVlZGVkX1NDTkFTMTBHQ19UU1RfTkExX0FDVFJTXzA1MDkyNCZjaWQ9NzY3MTk2MzQ0JmRpZD1QUkRETTUxNTk0MyZiaWQ9ODEyMjIyODY1JnN1Ymo9V2UlMjdyZSUyMEluJTIwTmVlZCUyME9mJTIwWW91ciUyMEhlbHAmcHJ0eT1ub3JtYWwmbmF0PXJlY3J1aXRtZW50JnByb2Q9d2hvbGVibG9vZCZzZW5kZXI9QW1lcmljYW4lMjBSZWQlMjBDcm9zcyZkZWx2SWQ9NzcwNjkxMDM4JiUyNHdlYl9vbmx5PXRydWUmfmNhbXBhaWduPUVNX0JIUV9NT19XQl9BQk9fRG9ub3JzTmVlZGVkX1NDTkFTMTBHQ19UU1RfTkExX0FDVFJTXzA1MDkyNCZ-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9U2FsaW5hS1M&amp;s=S93CN9XDJzJzo-OfLfRNEWWCCaOh277ySJ1VIIaD2wM">Various days and&nbsp;times&nbsp;available.</a> Sponsor Code:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98175&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9U2FsaW5hS1M&amp;s=kM_QqgYWRSiU9StseD9kVA9cAT-2CL13rnLFxpbkwt0">SalinaKS</a><a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98175&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9U2FsaW5hS1M&amp;s=kM_QqgYWRSiU9StseD9kVA9cAT-2CL13rnLFxpbkwt0"></a> <a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98176&amp;e=JTI0d2ViX29ubHk9dHJ1ZSZtZWQ9ZW1haWwmc291cmNlPWJpb2Fkb2JlJmNhbXBkZXNjPUVNX0JIUV9NT19XQl9BQk9fRG9ub3JzTmVlZGVkX1NDTkFTMTBHQ19UU1RfTkExX0FDVFJTXzA1MDkyNCZjaWQ9NzY3MTk2MzQ0JmRpZD1QUkRETTUxNTk0MyZiaWQ9ODEyMjIyODY1JnN1Ymo9V2UlMjdyZSUyMEluJTIwTmVlZCUyME9mJTIwWW91ciUyMEhlbHAmcHJ0eT1ub3JtYWwmbmF0PXJlY3J1aXRtZW50JnByb2Q9d2hvbGVibG9vZCZzZW5kZXI9QW1lcmljYW4lMjBSZWQlMjBDcm9zcyZkZWx2SWQ9NzcwNjkxMDM4JiUyNHdlYl9vbmx5PXRydWUmfmNhbXBhaWduPUVNX0JIUV9NT19XQl9BQk9fRG9ub3JzTmVlZGVkX1NDTkFTMTBHQ19UU1RfTkExX0FDVFJTXzA1MDkyNCZ-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9dG9ueXNwaXp6YQ&amp;s=4HfoocZEshynfoYkw6r2zXjWTUt0Vv0MGMyiPVIUZ4Q">Tonys Pizza Service</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98267&amp;e=JTI0d2ViX29ubHk9dHJ1ZSZtZWQ9ZW1haWwmc291cmNlPWJpb2Fkb2JlJmNhbXBkZXNjPUVNX0JIUV9NT19XQl9BQk9fRG9ub3JzTmVlZGVkX1NDTkFTMTBHQ19UU1RfTkExX0FDVFJTXzA1MDkyNCZjaWQ9NzY3MTk2MzQ0JmRpZD1QUkRETTUxNTk0MyZiaWQ9ODEyMjIyODY1JnN1Ymo9V2UlMjdyZSUyMEluJTIwTmVlZCUyME9mJTIwWW91ciUyMEhlbHAmcHJ0eT1ub3JtYWwmbmF0PXJlY3J1aXRtZW50JnByb2Q9d2hvbGVibG9vZCZzZW5kZXI9QW1lcmljYW4lMjBSZWQlMjBDcm9zcyZkZWx2SWQ9NzcwNjkxMDM4JiUyNHdlYl9vbmx5PXRydWUmfmNhbXBhaWduPUVNX0JIUV9NT19XQl9BQk9fRG9ub3JzTmVlZGVkX1NDTkFTMTBHQ19UU1RfTkExX0FDVFJTXzA1MDkyNCZ-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9dG9ueXNwaXp6YQ&amp;s=WbT0Dkt6pW3or7EgZ7b7I01R76NRTqejWmv2V2qlDoY">3123 Centennial Road,&nbsp;Salina, KS</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98267&amp;e=JTI0d2ViX29ubHk9dHJ1ZSZtZWQ9ZW1haWwmc291cmNlPWJpb2Fkb2JlJmNhbXBkZXNjPUVNX0JIUV9NT19XQl9BQk9fRG9ub3JzTmVlZGVkX1NDTkFTMTBHQ19UU1RfTkExX0FDVFJTXzA1MDkyNCZjaWQ9NzY3MTk2MzQ0JmRpZD1QUkRETTUxNTk0MyZiaWQ9ODEyMjIyODY1JnN1Ymo9V2UlMjdyZSUyMEluJTIwTmVlZCUyME9mJTIwWW91ciUyMEhlbHAmcHJ0eT1ub3JtYWwmbmF0PXJlY3J1aXRtZW50JnByb2Q9d2hvbGVibG9vZCZzZW5kZXI9QW1lcmljYW4lMjBSZWQlMjBDcm9zcyZkZWx2SWQ9NzcwNjkxMDM4JiUyNHdlYl9vbmx5PXRydWUmfmNhbXBhaWduPUVNX0JIUV9NT19XQl9BQk9fRG9ub3JzTmVlZGVkX1NDTkFTMTBHQ19UU1RfTkExX0FDVFJTXzA1MDkyNCZ-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9dG9ueXNwaXp6YQ&amp;s=WbT0Dkt6pW3or7EgZ7b7I01R76NRTqejWmv2V2qlDoY">Thursday, May 16, 2024</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98267&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9dG9ueXNwaXp6YQ&amp;s=WbT0Dkt6pW3or7EgZ7b7I01R76NRTqejWmv2V2qlDoY">8:30 AM to 2:30 PM</a> Sponsor Code:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://b.dl.redcrossblood.org/r/?id=h30698991,2defcfde,16a98268&amp;e=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-dGFncz04MTIyMjI4NjU6UFJERE01MTU5NDMmcDE9dG9ueXNwaXp6YQ&amp;s=KOGmC1D4l_ex4MRQCEzvnOuzpfiEn9UhdFd8SWEuDy4">tonyspizza</a>

Upcoming blood donation dates, why it is important – and who benefits

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) announces several changes to its Board of Directors following its annual meeting on May 9.

Brittni K. Oehmke, Hanover, is the CEO of Hanover Hospital and has been elected to a four-year term Rick D. Baden, Olathe, is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Watco Companies, LLC. and has been re-elected to a second four-year term. Amanda D. Huelskamp, Andover, is Senior HRBP Enterprise Initiatives for VSE Corp and has been re-elected to a second four-year term &nbsp;Gregory V. Binns, Hutchinson, is retired from First National Bank of Hutchinson and has been re-elected to a third four-year term Megan L. Jones, Topeka, is Founder and President of the Jones Advisory Group and has been re-elected to a third four-year term.

Rick C. Jackson, Topeka, was elected to a one-year term as chair of the Board of Directors. He is the Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of Capitol Federal Savings and joined the Board in 2015 Megan L. Jones, Topeka, was elected to a one-year term as Vice Chair. She joined the Board in 2016.

Other members of the board are&nbsp;Matthew D. All, Topeka;&nbsp;Dr. James H. Gilbaugh, Wichita;&nbsp;Leonard R. Hernandez, El Dorado;&nbsp;James A. Klausman, Topeka;&nbsp;Garrett T. Love, Montezuma;&nbsp;Jena&nbsp;K. Lysen, Wichita;&nbsp;Jeff D. Mullen, Wichita;&nbsp;Jeffrey R. Thompson, Salina; and&nbsp;Dr. Angela N. Wilson, Lawrence.

Complete bios can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.pu1PjLGucI6hh7k-2FsTE-2FtgI7lhWIwo9E-2FCzlcQr1sU67MTyKDnQM2iQGav8jfzbjzoWoj7tJR2p-2Fmfu9-2BINS6Q-3D-3DRPMF_IvIwffF0vyXZB-2BDobl6v3t0-2FogTUNFMh2Yjod3HyUO6KzARFx8ZO19Pe0s3gIh6m-2FaFulms5a24K7cFREIJ4i1Mz-2BWjEMbgxAxYRu2kyDolyO2rYdf-2FwZiqjBg-2BWTZZ2cI9gAhO0LjgKR9Orw5WNU12XSgch2ERikLaTYqfYHegqctwRjyQ2NHJD8kCGlTBpYXHSvqeI-2FVFlXTaEMKf3b7IFkpQWBbe08mHC6bEKx0IXpWq1yMge6b9x2cBM8v1lXi2TaFRB16uFXZTnuB90MhSDDvn8d7btN30z1ACV7bqXajta4ElbKPbh-2F3ut-2F9yyhW9OLOsx3dkPMRWktia-2Bnd5kbHvBiHMrKESo6749HdcRK4HWyirDWQfo4mJci-2BXllPezK4-2Fr-2BTVqfK8Fzyaa-2BA-3D-3D" target="_blank">bcbsks.com/Governance.</a>

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597338317192.png" alt="blue cross blue shield kansas.png" />
 <figcaption>blue cross blue shield kansas.png</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) announces several changes to its Board of Directors following its annual meeting on May 9.<h2>New Term Elections</h2>Brittni K. Oehmke, Hanover, is the CEO of Hanover Hospital and has been elected to a four-year term Rick D. Baden, Olathe, is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Watco Companies, LLC. and has been re-elected to a second four-year term. Amanda D. Huelskamp, Andover, is Senior HRBP Enterprise Initiatives for VSE Corp and has been re-elected to a second four-year term &nbsp;Gregory V. Binns, Hutchinson, is retired from First National Bank of Hutchinson and has been re-elected to a third four-year term Megan L. Jones, Topeka, is Founder and President of the Jones Advisory Group and has been re-elected to a third four-year term.<h2>Officer Changes</h2>Rick C. Jackson, Topeka, was elected to a one-year term as chair of the Board of Directors. He is the Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of Capitol Federal Savings and joined the Board in 2015 Megan L. Jones, Topeka, was elected to a one-year term as Vice Chair. She joined the Board in 2016.Other members of the board are&nbsp;Matthew D. All, Topeka;&nbsp;Dr. James H. Gilbaugh, Wichita;&nbsp;Leonard R. Hernandez, El Dorado;&nbsp;James A. Klausman, Topeka;&nbsp;Garrett T. Love, Montezuma;&nbsp;Jena&nbsp;K. Lysen, Wichita;&nbsp;Jeff D. Mullen, Wichita;&nbsp;Jeffrey R. Thompson, Salina; and&nbsp;Dr. Angela N. Wilson, Lawrence.Complete bios can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.pu1PjLGucI6hh7k-2FsTE-2FtgI7lhWIwo9E-2FCzlcQr1sU67MTyKDnQM2iQGav8jfzbjzoWoj7tJR2p-2Fmfu9-2BINS6Q-3D-3DRPMF_IvIwffF0vyXZB-2BDobl6v3t0-2FogTUNFMh2Yjod3HyUO6KzARFx8ZO19Pe0s3gIh6m-2FaFulms5a24K7cFREIJ4i1Mz-2BWjEMbgxAxYRu2kyDolyO2rYdf-2FwZiqjBg-2BWTZZ2cI9gAhO0LjgKR9Orw5WNU12XSgch2ERikLaTYqfYHegqctwRjyQ2NHJD8kCGlTBpYXHSvqeI-2FVFlXTaEMKf3b7IFkpQWBbe08mHC6bEKx0IXpWq1yMge6b9x2cBM8v1lXi2TaFRB16uFXZTnuB90MhSDDvn8d7btN30z1ACV7bqXajta4ElbKPbh-2F3ut-2F9yyhW9OLOsx3dkPMRWktia-2Bnd5kbHvBiHMrKESo6749HdcRK4HWyirDWQfo4mJci-2BXllPezK4-2Fr-2BTVqfK8Fzyaa-2BA-3D-3D" target="_blank">bcbsks.com/Governance.</a>

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas makes changes to board of directors

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina has been recognized as a Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) Growth Award Winner for program excellence in 2023. 

Every year, BBBS agencies are recognized by BBBSA Nationwide Leadership Council, made up of local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency leaders and board members, for excellence in the organization’s signature 1-to-1 youth mentoring program. 

Out of more than 230 Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina is one of 100 organizations to receive this top honor.

The Growth Award recognizes agencies that have demonstrated growth in the number of (“Bigs”) and youth (“Littles”) who are matched through the program, year over year. In the past year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina has served 206 youth and grown its local services by 36% percent.

“I am so proud of our staff for making quality programming a priority for our local children,” said Amanda Otto, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina. “Their hard work equates to more mentorship in our community and a brighter future for area youth.”

For over 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been dedicated to advancing equity, impact, and growth across the organization, making a lasting impact on the lives of young people. Today, the organization creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships, helping build self-confidence and emotional well-being and empowering young people on a path to graduate with a plan for their futures and a mentor whose impact can last a lifetime.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina’s commitment to creating and fostering positive mentoring relationships is a testament to the individuals within their organization. Through a shared dedication to meeting the needs of youth in their communities, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina continues to empower young people to reach their full potential. We are proud to recognize the agency for its excellence in building brighter futures and championing new possibilities.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715281011225.png" alt="The agency is recognized for outstanding team leadership in providing 1-to-1 mentoring programming for local youth." />
 <figcaption>The agency is recognized for outstanding team leadership in providing 1-to-1 mentoring programming for local youth.</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTBig Brothers Big Sisters of Salina has been recognized as a Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) Growth Award Winner for program excellence in 2023. Every year, BBBS agencies are recognized by BBBSA Nationwide Leadership Council, made up of local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency leaders and board members, for excellence in the organization’s signature 1-to-1 youth mentoring program. Out of more than 230 Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina is one of 100 organizations to receive this top honor.The Growth Award recognizes agencies that have demonstrated growth in the number of (“Bigs”) and youth (“Littles”) who are matched through the program, year over year. In the past year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina has served 206 youth and grown its local services by 36% percent.“I am so proud of our staff for making quality programming a priority for our local children,” said Amanda Otto, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina. “Their hard work equates to more mentorship in our community and a brighter future for area youth.”For over 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been dedicated to advancing equity, impact, and growth across the organization, making a lasting impact on the lives of young people. Today, the organization creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships, helping build self-confidence and emotional well-being and empowering young people on a path to graduate with a plan for their futures and a mentor whose impact can last a lifetime.“Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina’s commitment to creating and fostering positive mentoring relationships is a testament to the individuals within their organization. Through a shared dedication to meeting the needs of youth in their communities, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina continues to empower young people to reach their full potential. We are proud to recognize the agency for its excellence in building brighter futures and championing new possibilities.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina honored with 2023 Big BBBS Growth Award

Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 46. North northwest wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Friday Sunny, with a high near 76. Northwest wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 48. West northwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 81. West wind 5 to 9 mph. Saturday Night A 20% chance of rain and thunderstorms after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Sunday A 50% chance of rain and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Sunday Night Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 56. The chance of precipitation is 70%.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715280800440.png" alt="Four Day Weather Outlook" />
 <figcaption>Four Day Weather Outlook</figcaption>
 </figure>NWS WICHITATonight Mostly clear, with a low around 46. North northwest wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Friday Sunny, with a high near 76. Northwest wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 48. West northwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 81. West wind 5 to 9 mph. Saturday Night A 20% chance of rain and thunderstorms after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Sunday A 50% chance of rain and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Sunday Night Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 56. The chance of precipitation is 70%.&nbsp;&nbsp;

NWS-Wichita four day weather forecast, weekend storms possible

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/758f6121-57e2-4310-9f1a-1bac7a6df3c9">By NICK GOSNELL</a> Hutch Post HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann talked to Hutch Post Wednesday afternoon after he spoke Wednesday morning about the Farm Bill on the House Floor again and he really does see movement now.

"It's been very frustrating," Mann said. "I went to the floor for the 27th time, calling on Congress to pass a five-year Farm Bill. It's been delayed. It's been very frustrating, but, what's going to happen is, on the House side, the text has been drafted, it's going to be released here in the next few days. Later this month, we'll have a markup at committee, which means that committee will go through it, we'll consider it, we'll vote on it, vote on the amendments that come up and then pass it on to the House floor. It looks like we're finally starting to make some progress on the Farm Bill."

If current schedules hold, that markup is scheduled for May 23.

"It's important that we get a fiscally responsible Farm Bill," Mann said. "Within that, top priorities for me are crop insurance, trade and research, as well as oversight. Specifically, on crop insurance, and we've talked about this over the last few months, crop insurance is such an important risk management tool for our ag producers and a very successful public private partnership. There will be efforts to weaken, diminish, chip away at crop insurance. I think we need to be strengthening it, fortifying it and making it better. That will be a big priority, also, on trade, when you talk about a fiscally responsible Farm Bill, if you look at the dollars, as a nation, that we spend, in promoting trade and opening up other markets overseas, it's an incredibly high return on that investment. That warrants further investment to make sure that we have robust international markets for ag products, those are going to be big focuses for me at the markup here in a couple weeks."

The extension of the current Farm Bill expires Sept. 30.

Below is a podcast of Mann's interview with Nick Gosnell.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713283946373.jpeg" alt="Tracey Mann Farm Bill April 15, 2024" />
 <figcaption>Tracey Mann Farm Bill April 15, 2024</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/758f6121-57e2-4310-9f1a-1bac7a6df3c9">By NICK GOSNELL</a> Hutch Post HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann talked to Hutch Post Wednesday afternoon after he spoke Wednesday morning about the Farm Bill on the House Floor again and he really does see movement now."It's been very frustrating," Mann said. "I went to the floor for the 27th time, calling on Congress to pass a five-year Farm Bill. It's been delayed. It's been very frustrating, but, what's going to happen is, on the House side, the text has been drafted, it's going to be released here in the next few days. Later this month, we'll have a markup at committee, which means that committee will go through it, we'll consider it, we'll vote on it, vote on the amendments that come up and then pass it on to the House floor. It looks like we're finally starting to make some progress on the Farm Bill."If current schedules hold, that markup is scheduled for May 23."It's important that we get a fiscally responsible Farm Bill," Mann said. "Within that, top priorities for me are crop insurance, trade and research, as well as oversight. Specifically, on crop insurance, and we've talked about this over the last few months, crop insurance is such an important risk management tool for our ag producers and a very successful public private partnership. There will be efforts to weaken, diminish, chip away at crop insurance. I think we need to be strengthening it, fortifying it and making it better. That will be a big priority, also, on trade, when you talk about a fiscally responsible Farm Bill, if you look at the dollars, as a nation, that we spend, in promoting trade and opening up other markets overseas, it's an incredibly high return on that investment. That warrants further investment to make sure that we have robust international markets for ag products, those are going to be big focuses for me at the markup here in a couple weeks."The extension of the current Farm Bill expires Sept. 30.Below is a podcast of Mann's interview with Nick Gosnell.<div><iframe title="Congressman Tracey Mann" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=47scb-1608d23-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

Mann: Farm Bill markup 'in a couple weeks'

Salina Central Mustangs Theatre brought home the win for Outstanding Overall Production and Outstanding Ensemble/Chorus for what is described as a "stellar four-minute performance" of Newsies! at the Jester Awards Show in Wichita on Sunday, May 5. 

Outstanding Overall Production is the highest award given.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715271104867.jpeg" alt="Salina Central Mustangs Theatre was nominated for 15 Jester Awards from Music Theatre of Wichita and 20 total Regional Honors for its production of&nbsp;Newsies!Images courtesy Central Theatre" />
 <figcaption>Salina Central Mustangs Theatre was nominated for 15 Jester Awards from Music Theatre of Wichita and 20 total Regional Honors for its production of&nbsp;Newsies!Images courtesy Central Theatre</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTSalina Central Mustangs Theatre brought home the win for Outstanding Overall Production and Outstanding Ensemble/Chorus for what is described as a "stellar four-minute performance" of Newsies! at the Jester Awards Show in Wichita on Sunday, May 5. Outstanding Overall Production is the highest award given.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715271183442.jpeg" alt="Images courtesy Central Theatre " />
 <figcaption>Images courtesy Central Theatre </figcaption>
 </figure>

Salina Central Mustangs Theatre brings home top award at Jester Awards

The Saline County Commission welcomes the community's active participation in shaping the 2025 Budget. The Commission encourages residents to review the&nbsp;Budget Expenditure Requests&nbsp;and provide feedback.&nbsp;

It should be noted that there will be a public budget hearing in August; however public input received this month will make the biggest impact.&nbsp;

The Saline County Commission is dedicated to transparency and inclusive community participation. Staff and elected officials look forward to your insightful contributions and active involvement.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/bf9894f1-fd8e-4492-a20f-513ff93d772d">Four antique Harley Davidsons stolen from Gypsum buildings, fifth found in pieces</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697467290838.jpeg" alt="The Saline County and Salina City building at 300 West Ash Street in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>The Saline County and Salina City building at 300 West Ash Street in Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe Saline County Commission welcomes the community's active participation in shaping the 2025 Budget. The Commission encourages residents to review the&nbsp;Budget Expenditure Requests&nbsp;and provide feedback.&nbsp;Let's Talk:<ul>
 <li>Review:&nbsp;Access the&nbsp;Budget documents online within the&nbsp;<a href="https://vktowebbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ZetDtLdeSv3uXYEIahyFG4uQCy3w9HeJYrjfQCulKPuVWVilAewk2V5mo-_nmuQvOFWL8SpLiFRZ351Yrib3PtUs5uxCtf5Mv21C921YzYu2TWecG8CWmAvdfPO3FpsHFg6uAHPcKbjXoJJFfTU1ld4KJLz92MyzVvaNu74VEYw-A5FH5OQqUNtFOhtmmqUVpXZVn6ggayqw-y9FG9jIvVTVVgkjqwcq7E7qzwm1fVIVZdTs3NcNX91HNx7YKvQreb9-cXZpUQOmIY1YD8AH8R92feljXp6HkDp6SclTh-Gob_tP6Oxi2N_DpK1jKi8hLbIaLgIVMwr40p-GT-8JHw==&amp;c=52Hz4OceuYV5yFXkGCm2e63wFQ3VfS1oFw3QowNG1nfv-uL73Ft0wA==&amp;ch=eBWonCLqbwLeVSM27wCVpsdWOeuXalzoegyltWn0dQNX9P26e9BZAw==" target="_blank">Saline County Commission Agenda&nbsp;</a>to gain a comprehensive understanding of what is being requested.</li><li>Watch:&nbsp;Tune in to our Commission Meetings live each Tuesday in May on our&nbsp;<a href="https://vktowebbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ZetDtLdeSv3uXYEIahyFG4uQCy3w9HeJYrjfQCulKPuVWVilAewk2V5mo-_nmuQvEK2E_KVlmtezoBNqvWbBrUCXgIDoa-aKbP8v75Joc_pOPw-IS1WfWvf5HIUB3M-3JWf7YmRUcBp5gMav538ZYZo2MgnHGonSoVKYhlXjQZzxcg3_F2eWRTGdg6g3BgA-J2bvT3KGjNzbHTpBkqVrSQ==&amp;c=52Hz4OceuYV5yFXkGCm2e63wFQ3VfS1oFw3QowNG1nfv-uL73Ft0wA==&amp;ch=eBWonCLqbwLeVSM27wCVpsdWOeuXalzoegyltWn0dQNX9P26e9BZAw==" target="_blank">YouTube channel</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://vktowebbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001-C6X5fMqKlc4Aokm52BDSHJyT2vc5JiOi_tMZo8IYbVLbEnyss0M9uMEQhvYypGLyd3n_RdVa14Tgy_HafEaDwnaUirc_5-kb3-LZdkXwVHrP4PLHQmJJGFbS5ZQo0iwzyo3AA3KRKryg60-k858V0Icf7gNDa8p8fyRpQbF7oDlHzLlHL6WDVKYTS9bpJuDU6iQSRzWiudAIGf6Hwc_xgg0v6F_0DTqrBUmWkP61GFBOS1Y4CFDg_rWibuuCfYuPEm-1fffVE36_JfTl3FoVYTsbOo-1vA2JMe1xXijtDPtvpCVsR6y_GK4QyzosGXpeSVEai6HnVs=&amp;c=BSx2eZaoCYwvnhdjePsfCTaJ7_d9IQXP9a1Jbf5cfzDsgj4OVYC-NA==&amp;ch=k_oBOgZhWQVvP2BQjg9IYIO2KfgviZEmyhupSv_nbegtK7UYM119Uw==" target="_blank">Salina TV Channel 20</a>. If these times do not suit your schedule, please view the recordings at your convenience on&nbsp;<a href="https://vktowebbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ZetDtLdeSv3uXYEIahyFG4uQCy3w9HeJYrjfQCulKPuVWVilAewk2V5mo-_nmuQvEK2E_KVlmtezoBNqvWbBrUCXgIDoa-aKbP8v75Joc_pOPw-IS1WfWvf5HIUB3M-3JWf7YmRUcBp5gMav538ZYZo2MgnHGonSoVKYhlXjQZzxcg3_F2eWRTGdg6g3BgA-J2bvT3KGjNzbHTpBkqVrSQ==&amp;c=52Hz4OceuYV5yFXkGCm2e63wFQ3VfS1oFw3QowNG1nfv-uL73Ft0wA==&amp;ch=eBWonCLqbwLeVSM27wCVpsdWOeuXalzoegyltWn0dQNX9P26e9BZAw==" target="_blank">YouTube</a>&nbsp;to stay informed.</li><li>Comment:&nbsp;After reviewing the Budget and watching the discussions, please submit your thoughtful questions and comments via email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:publiccommunications@salinecountyks.gov" target="_blank">publiccommunications@salinecountyks.gov</a>&nbsp;by May 23. The Commission will address any comments made by this date at the May 28 Commission Meeting.</li>
 </ul>Key Dates:<ul>
 <li>May 21&nbsp;- Initial Departmental Budget Review</li><li>May 23&nbsp;- Deadline to digitally submit questions and comments to the commission.&nbsp;Residents are always encouraged to attend public meetings and address the commission.</li><li>May 28&nbsp;- Commission will address budget questions and comments.</li>
 </ul>Your Voice Matters NOW!It should be noted that there will be a public budget hearing in August; however public input received this month will make the biggest impact.&nbsp;The Saline County Commission is dedicated to transparency and inclusive community participation. Staff and elected officials look forward to your insightful contributions and active involvement.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/bf9894f1-fd8e-4492-a20f-513ff93d772d">Four antique Harley Davidsons stolen from Gypsum buildings, fifth found in pieces</a>

Saline County Commission Seeks Community Engagement on ﻿2025 Budget Requests

‘You never know if it’s going to smell like sewage,’ a resident says of her tap water

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/05/08/dirty-water-inconsistent-billing-plague-neighborhood-near-salina/">By ALLISON KITE</a> Kansas Reflector

SALINE COUNTY —&nbsp;Misty Livingston-Holmes has lived most of her life in her subdivision northwest of Salina.

She loved growing up there, and after leaving home for a few years, she moved back to take care of her grandmother in her old age. Much of her family has lived in the modest neighborhood of mobile homes.

But if she had known when she returned that the water would become undrinkable — and&nbsp;at times&nbsp;not run at all — she’s not sure she would have done it.

“You never know if it’s going to smell like sewage, if it’s going to smell like chlorine, if it’s going to come out clear or if it’s going to come out brown or black,” Livingston-Holmes said.

For years now, Livingston-Holmes and her neighbors have been struggling with boil advisories, cloudy or even dark brown water, and inconsistent billing — plus, periods where they don’t have water at all. Earlier this year, when a polar freeze shut down a well pump, some residents of Sundowner West Meadows Mobile Home Park reported not having water for more than a week.

Felicia Sylvia, who moved to Sundowner West with her husband and children 10 years ago, said she doesn’t drink the water or use it to cook. She only uses it for washing clothes and bathing.

“I don’t even feel OK boiling eggs in that water or rinsing my fruit or anything,” Sylvia said.

And when residents try to take their issues up with their water provider, Livingston-Holmes and Sylvia said, they get nowhere.

Over the past few months, the situation has become so dire that residents began reaching out to anyone they could find, catching the attention of state Rep. Susan Concannon, a Republican from Beloit who represents the area. Concannon said she couldn’t imagine it getting any worse.

“It’s a public utility and there were several years here of no oversight whatsoever, and he was just doing whatever he wanted and bullying these families,” Concannon said of Scott Kolling, who acquired the water system at Sundowner in 2021.

Now, Kolling is facing accusations from state regulators that he has run the service without registering with the state, shut off customers’ water in violation of regulations, and failed to consistently monitor the water for contaminants, according to records from the Kansas Corporation Commission and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Kolling referred questions to his attorney, Ed Watson, who did not respond to emails seeking an interview.

In a brief phone conversation, Kolling said the water is safe. He said he was waiting on several test results and will say more in the future.

“Some of the rumors and stuff that’s been going around are not completely the facts,” Kolling said. “When we make a statement, I want to make sure the facts are being told.”

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/474c678e-5363-4835-b4cd-6c00822df466">UPDATED: KDHE replaces boil water advisory with do not drink advisory for Sundowner Community</a>

KDHE, the state agency that regulates water quality, said in a statement that Kolling had hired a contractor to help with treatment of the water and there were no reported water quality issues.

“The agency will continue to monitor this issue as it works closely with the local government, the property owners/operators, and the residents of Sundowner Mobile Home Park,” KDHE’s communications director, Jill Bronaugh, said in an email.

Sundowner, which lies northwest of Salina, is secluded, tucked in between farms along gently sloping country roads. It offers residents a chance to buy a modest residence — a mobile home set on a permanent foundation.

Advertisements in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/2759551/">Salina Journal</a>&nbsp;in the late 1970s beckoned residents with the promise of owning the lot under their mobile homes to “turn rental payments into an investment.”

But of the lots developers drew up in their plans for a large rural neighborhood, only a few dozen were ever built. At one end of the subdivision are rows of mobile homes, but at the other, bare lots surround sporadically placed houses. Looking downhill to the southwest from Livingston-Holmes’ front porch, one can see two mostly empty streets where the homes developers anticipated never materialized.

When Sylvia’s family moved to Sundowner 10 years ago, “everything was great,” she said.

The water was clean and her family paid their bill along with the rent for the lot where their mobile home sits. Sylvia said the quality started to decline just before Kolling took over.

When Sylvia fills her bathtub, the water looks like it contains urine. It leaves a stain where the kitchen faucet drips into the sink. She mixes instant coffee with bottled water rather than using the tap to brew coffee.

She has recommended several loved ones move out to Sundowner, but she always includes a warning about the water.

“You tell your neighbors, ‘Don’t drink it,’ ” Sylvia said.

Even without drinking it, the water takes its toll —&nbsp;drying out her hair and skin.

And in January, Sylvia’s family of six was without water completely for days.

Starting in mid-January when temperatures in Salina plunged below zero, Sundowner residents’ water stopped working. The cold weather caused the pumps that draw groundwater to the surface to lose power, according to a report filed with the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Staff of the KCC said in the report that the issue wasn’t repaired for three to five days and noted residents complained of inadequate service for weeks.

Sylvia said her family were among the last residents to see water service restored.

“I’m an understanding person,” Sylvia said. “I know that we’re all human and things happen, but if you’re going to have something, you have to take care of it.”

In her kitchen, Livingston-Holmes filled a plastic water bottle from the kitchen faucet and set it on the counter next to a glass of water filled from her dispenser of bottled water. The tap water was almost opaque. Next to the clear bottled water, it was obviously cloudy.

Sometimes, Livingston-Holmes said, the water is brown. And it alternates between smelling like sewer water and pool water overloaded with chlorine.

Outside, she fills another bottle from the faucet where the hose connects. She points to the black flecks floating in the water, which she says are manganese. A prolonged struggle with elevated levels of manganese has spurred KDHE to advise residents not to make infant formula with their tap water.

After sampling Livingston-Holmes’ water in January, KDHE gave her literature about the potential risks of manganese, including a warning not to boil the water, cook with it or use it to make ice.

Months later, in April, Sundowner’s water system lost power again, and KDHE issued a boil water advisory despite its previous advice to Livingston-Holmes. Boil water advisories are typical when a water utility loses pressure because bacteria can be introduced into the system.&nbsp;

But within hours, KDHE received updated manganese results at levels high enough that the agency told residents to stop drinking their water at all because boiling it to eliminate bacteria would only concentrate the manganese. The water, KDHE said in a “do not drink” notice, had even higher concentrations of manganese than it did three months before.

LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/aaca2ed1-857d-4744-b012-194270a75e26">🎙King in the Community — Michelle Weis, Saline County Emergency Management Director</a>

Even when the “do not drink” advisory was lifted, KDHE left in place a health advisory about the manganese levels. According to the news release, parts of the distribution system have levels of manganese that could pose a health risk to infants. That remains in place, and the agency is awaiting further manganese testing results.

While manganese is not regulated, the Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of determining whether to set limits for the mineral, according to KDHE.

Manganese is an essential nutrient in small quantities. It’s found naturally in rocks, soil, water and food. But in large quantities, manganese exposure can cause learning or behavioral problems in children and may impact adults’ nervous systems. In large quantities, it can cause “manganism,” a disorder similar to Parkinson’s disease.

At the same time they were struggling with the quality of their water — and despite not using it for anything except bathing and washing clothes —&nbsp;residents at Sundowner have also reported inconsistent bills and high prices.

And Kolling, Livingston-Holmes and Sylvia said, is quick to lock up residents’ meters for nonpayment.

“There’s times that he won’t send you a bill for three months and then it will be a ridiculously high bill,” Livingston-Holmes said. “How do you expect people to pay their bill when you wait three months and then you want the payment tomorrow?”

Livingston-Holmes’ bills arrive inconsistently. A bar chart displaying her monthly usage at the bottom of her bill shows no usage some months compared with huge spikes in other months.

Sylvia and Livingston-Holmes both pay Kolling via Venmo and don’t receive a receipt for their payments, they said.

Sundowner’s water system is not registered as a public utility with the Kansas Corporation Commission. As a result, it’s difficult to know how much Kolling charges per gallon. And the state agency hasn’t been overseeing those rates as it’s supposed to.

“I don’t know how this flew under the radar and continued to fly under the radar even when I was calling … trying to get somebody to tell me that there was some oversight,” Concannon, the state representative, said.

Normally, public utilities —&nbsp;including water providers and electric and gas utilities —&nbsp;are registered with the Kansas Corporation Commission and have to receive state approval over their prices and abide by other regulations.

But Sundowner’s water system isn’t registered with the KCC.

After residents’ and Concannon’s inquiries, the KCC ordered Kolling to either register as a public utility or file documentation explaining why he thinks he shouldn’t have to.

Kolling has requested more time to file a response with the KCC. In the meantime, the order from regulators also requires that Kolling restore service to customers whose water had been shut off and notify customers in writing that their rates are subject to change and refund.

If the Kansas Corporation Commission finds that Kolling must register Sundowner’s water service as a public utility, the rates Kolling charges for water would become governed by the commission and residents could go to the state agency to report potential regulatory violations.

According to KCC documents, the agency has received 12 complaints from Sundowner residents ranging from inconsistent or inaccurate billing to double billing to unjustly shutting off their water service and poor water quality.

The KCC’s order requiring Kolling to explain why Sundowner shouldn’t be required to apply for regulatory oversight also instructed him to provide audited financial statements, water sales, income statements and other information to allow the KCC to review Sundowner’s water rates.

Sylvia said she doesn’t have any faith that problems with the water at Sundowner — both the quality and the billing — will end.

“If you told me today that I could drink my water,” she said, “I don’t think I would drink it.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715264546703.png" alt=" Misty Livingston-Holmes holds up a bottle of water filled from the spout outside her home. Black flecks she says are manganese float at the bottom. Livingston-Holmes and neighbors have been struggling with poor water quality and inconsistent bills. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Misty Livingston-Holmes holds up a bottle of water filled from the spout outside her home. Black flecks she says are manganese float at the bottom. Livingston-Holmes and neighbors have been struggling with poor water quality and inconsistent bills. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘You never know if it’s going to smell like sewage,’ a resident says of her tap water</h2><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/05/08/dirty-water-inconsistent-billing-plague-neighborhood-near-salina/">By ALLISON KITE</a> Kansas ReflectorSALINE COUNTY —&nbsp;Misty Livingston-Holmes has lived most of her life in her subdivision northwest of Salina.She loved growing up there, and after leaving home for a few years, she moved back to take care of her grandmother in her old age. Much of her family has lived in the modest neighborhood of mobile homes.But if she had known when she returned that the water would become undrinkable — and&nbsp;at times&nbsp;not run at all — she’s not sure she would have done it.“You never know if it’s going to smell like sewage, if it’s going to smell like chlorine, if it’s going to come out clear or if it’s going to come out brown or black,” Livingston-Holmes said.For years now, Livingston-Holmes and her neighbors have been struggling with boil advisories, cloudy or even dark brown water, and inconsistent billing — plus, periods where they don’t have water at all. Earlier this year, when a polar freeze shut down a well pump, some residents of Sundowner West Meadows Mobile Home Park reported not having water for more than a week.Felicia Sylvia, who moved to Sundowner West with her husband and children 10 years ago, said she doesn’t drink the water or use it to cook. She only uses it for washing clothes and bathing.“I don’t even feel OK boiling eggs in that water or rinsing my fruit or anything,” Sylvia said.And when residents try to take their issues up with their water provider, Livingston-Holmes and Sylvia said, they get nowhere.Over the past few months, the situation has become so dire that residents began reaching out to anyone they could find, catching the attention of state Rep. Susan Concannon, a Republican from Beloit who represents the area. Concannon said she couldn’t imagine it getting any worse.“It’s a public utility and there were several years here of no oversight whatsoever, and he was just doing whatever he wanted and bullying these families,” Concannon said of Scott Kolling, who acquired the water system at Sundowner in 2021.Now, Kolling is facing accusations from state regulators that he has run the service without registering with the state, shut off customers’ water in violation of regulations, and failed to consistently monitor the water for contaminants, according to records from the Kansas Corporation Commission and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.Kolling referred questions to his attorney, Ed Watson, who did not respond to emails seeking an interview.In a brief phone conversation, Kolling said the water is safe. He said he was waiting on several test results and will say more in the future.“Some of the rumors and stuff that’s been going around are not completely the facts,” Kolling said. “When we make a statement, I want to make sure the facts are being told.”READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/474c678e-5363-4835-b4cd-6c00822df466">UPDATED: KDHE replaces boil water advisory with do not drink advisory for Sundowner Community</a>KDHE, the state agency that regulates water quality, said in a statement that Kolling had hired a contractor to help with treatment of the water and there were no reported water quality issues.“The agency will continue to monitor this issue as it works closely with the local government, the property owners/operators, and the residents of Sundowner Mobile Home Park,” KDHE’s communications director, Jill Bronaugh, said in an email.<h2>‘Don’t drink it’</h2>Sundowner, which lies northwest of Salina, is secluded, tucked in between farms along gently sloping country roads. It offers residents a chance to buy a modest residence — a mobile home set on a permanent foundation.Advertisements in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/2759551/">Salina Journal</a>&nbsp;in the late 1970s beckoned residents with the promise of owning the lot under their mobile homes to “turn rental payments into an investment.”But of the lots developers drew up in their plans for a large rural neighborhood, only a few dozen were ever built. At one end of the subdivision are rows of mobile homes, but at the other, bare lots surround sporadically placed houses. Looking downhill to the southwest from Livingston-Holmes’ front porch, one can see two mostly empty streets where the homes developers anticipated never materialized.When Sylvia’s family moved to Sundowner 10 years ago, “everything was great,” she said.The water was clean and her family paid their bill along with the rent for the lot where their mobile home sits. Sylvia said the quality started to decline just before Kolling took over.When Sylvia fills her bathtub, the water looks like it contains urine. It leaves a stain where the kitchen faucet drips into the sink. She mixes instant coffee with bottled water rather than using the tap to brew coffee.She has recommended several loved ones move out to Sundowner, but she always includes a warning about the water.“You tell your neighbors, ‘Don’t drink it,’ ” Sylvia said.Even without drinking it, the water takes its toll —&nbsp;drying out her hair and skin.And in January, Sylvia’s family of six was without water completely for days.Starting in mid-January when temperatures in Salina plunged below zero, Sundowner residents’ water stopped working. The cold weather caused the pumps that draw groundwater to the surface to lose power, according to a report filed with the Kansas Corporation Commission.Staff of the KCC said in the report that the issue wasn’t repaired for three to five days and noted residents complained of inadequate service for weeks.Sylvia said her family were among the last residents to see water service restored.“I’m an understanding person,” Sylvia said. “I know that we’re all human and things happen, but if you’re going to have something, you have to take care of it.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715264447615.png" alt=" A bottle of water filled from Misty Livingston-Holmes’ kitchen sink appears cloudy compared to the glass of water filled from her dispenser of bottled water. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> A bottle of water filled from Misty Livingston-Holmes’ kitchen sink appears cloudy compared to the glass of water filled from her dispenser of bottled water. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Conflicting instructions</h2>In her kitchen, Livingston-Holmes filled a plastic water bottle from the kitchen faucet and set it on the counter next to a glass of water filled from her dispenser of bottled water. The tap water was almost opaque. Next to the clear bottled water, it was obviously cloudy.Sometimes, Livingston-Holmes said, the water is brown. And it alternates between smelling like sewer water and pool water overloaded with chlorine.Outside, she fills another bottle from the faucet where the hose connects. She points to the black flecks floating in the water, which she says are manganese. A prolonged struggle with elevated levels of manganese has spurred KDHE to advise residents not to make infant formula with their tap water.After sampling Livingston-Holmes’ water in January, KDHE gave her literature about the potential risks of manganese, including a warning not to boil the water, cook with it or use it to make ice.Months later, in April, Sundowner’s water system lost power again, and KDHE issued a boil water advisory despite its previous advice to Livingston-Holmes. Boil water advisories are typical when a water utility loses pressure because bacteria can be introduced into the system.&nbsp;But within hours, KDHE received updated manganese results at levels high enough that the agency told residents to stop drinking their water at all because boiling it to eliminate bacteria would only concentrate the manganese. The water, KDHE said in a “do not drink” notice, had even higher concentrations of manganese than it did three months before.LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/aaca2ed1-857d-4744-b012-194270a75e26">🎙King in the Community — Michelle Weis, Saline County Emergency Management Director</a>Even when the “do not drink” advisory was lifted, KDHE left in place a health advisory about the manganese levels. According to the news release, parts of the distribution system have levels of manganese that could pose a health risk to infants. That remains in place, and the agency is awaiting further manganese testing results.While manganese is not regulated, the Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of determining whether to set limits for the mineral, according to KDHE.Manganese is an essential nutrient in small quantities. It’s found naturally in rocks, soil, water and food. But in large quantities, manganese exposure can cause learning or behavioral problems in children and may impact adults’ nervous systems. In large quantities, it can cause “manganism,” a disorder similar to Parkinson’s disease.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715264373349.png" alt=" Misty Livingston-Holmes flips through water bills and sampling results as she talks about the water quality issues and inconsistent billing in her neighborhood near Salina. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Misty Livingston-Holmes flips through water bills and sampling results as she talks about the water quality issues and inconsistent billing in her neighborhood near Salina. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Billing disputes</h2>At the same time they were struggling with the quality of their water — and despite not using it for anything except bathing and washing clothes —&nbsp;residents at Sundowner have also reported inconsistent bills and high prices.And Kolling, Livingston-Holmes and Sylvia said, is quick to lock up residents’ meters for nonpayment.“There’s times that he won’t send you a bill for three months and then it will be a ridiculously high bill,” Livingston-Holmes said. “How do you expect people to pay their bill when you wait three months and then you want the payment tomorrow?”Livingston-Holmes’ bills arrive inconsistently. A bar chart displaying her monthly usage at the bottom of her bill shows no usage some months compared with huge spikes in other months.Sylvia and Livingston-Holmes both pay Kolling via Venmo and don’t receive a receipt for their payments, they said.Sundowner’s water system is not registered as a public utility with the Kansas Corporation Commission. As a result, it’s difficult to know how much Kolling charges per gallon. And the state agency hasn’t been overseeing those rates as it’s supposed to.“I don’t know how this flew under the radar and continued to fly under the radar even when I was calling … trying to get somebody to tell me that there was some oversight,” Concannon, the state representative, said.Normally, public utilities —&nbsp;including water providers and electric and gas utilities —&nbsp;are registered with the Kansas Corporation Commission and have to receive state approval over their prices and abide by other regulations.But Sundowner’s water system isn’t registered with the KCC.After residents’ and Concannon’s inquiries, the KCC ordered Kolling to either register as a public utility or file documentation explaining why he thinks he shouldn’t have to.Kolling has requested more time to file a response with the KCC. In the meantime, the order from regulators also requires that Kolling restore service to customers whose water had been shut off and notify customers in writing that their rates are subject to change and refund.If the Kansas Corporation Commission finds that Kolling must register Sundowner’s water service as a public utility, the rates Kolling charges for water would become governed by the commission and residents could go to the state agency to report potential regulatory violations.According to KCC documents, the agency has received 12 complaints from Sundowner residents ranging from inconsistent or inaccurate billing to double billing to unjustly shutting off their water service and poor water quality.The KCC’s order requiring Kolling to explain why Sundowner shouldn’t be required to apply for regulatory oversight also instructed him to provide audited financial statements, water sales, income statements and other information to allow the KCC to review Sundowner’s water rates.Sylvia said she doesn’t have any faith that problems with the water at Sundowner — both the quality and the billing — will end.“If you told me today that I could drink my water,” she said, “I don’t think I would drink it.”

Dirty water, inconsistent billing plague neighborhood near Salina

In another unexpected turn of events, Saline County is pleased to announce that the lifespan of the Choose Saline County app has just been extended through&nbsp;June 30, 2024. 

This extension comes as a result of ongoing discussions with the Choose Saline County app developer, Colu and representatives from other firms acquiring Colu's technology.

Earning Stars:&nbsp;Residents can continue to earn Saline Stars by making purchases with their linked cards at participating local merchants until&nbsp;June 17, 2024.

Redeeming Stars:&nbsp;The deadline for redeeming your Saline Stars is now extended to&nbsp;June 30, 2024.

This extension allows more time for users to support local businesses, which will be reimbursed through the County's American Rescue Act Funds.

To date, users have generated over $5.6 million in estimated economic impact by shopping locally with the app.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667708556075.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Submitted by Saline CountyIn another unexpected turn of events, Saline County is pleased to announce that the lifespan of the Choose Saline County app has just been extended through&nbsp;June 30, 2024. This extension comes as a result of ongoing discussions with the Choose Saline County app developer, Colu and representatives from other firms acquiring Colu's technology.<h2>What you need to know:</h2>Earning Stars:&nbsp;Residents can continue to earn Saline Stars by making purchases with their linked cards at participating local merchants until&nbsp;June 17, 2024. Redeeming Stars:&nbsp;The deadline for redeeming your Saline Stars is now extended to&nbsp;June 30, 2024.This extension allows more time for users to support local businesses, which will be reimbursed through the County's American Rescue Act Funds.To date, users have generated over $5.6 million in estimated economic impact by shopping locally with the app.<h2>Looking Ahead</h2>While it is unclear at this time exactly what our shop local loyalty app will look like after June 30, Saline County remains committed to supporting our local businesses and the community. So stay tuned for further announcements.We appreciate your enthusiasm and support for the Choose Saline County app and look forward to bringing more innovative solutions to our community.By SALINA POST<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639621309216.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>This morning, Saline County received word from Colu, the Choose Saline County app developer, that the Choose Saline County app will be discontinued June 1, 2024.This unexpected turn of events does not lessen Saline County's commitment to supporting local businesses and those who shop there. County employees began discussions about ways to continue this kind of support and expect to be able to make an announcement later this month."There'll be some changes, but at the end of the day, our goal is to encourage people to support local businesses," said Melissa McCoy, Saline County Public Information Officer. "People have loved the Choose Saline County app they love earning cashback on local purpose purchases and while that will change while it will look a little bit differently, that will still occur."&nbsp;With the announcement, Saline County residents are sure to have questions about what this means for their Saline Stars. Here are some important dates to keep in mind to make the most of the time we have left with the Choose Saline County app.Friday, May 17&nbsp;will be the final day to&nbsp;earn&nbsp;Saline Stars by making purchases with your linked cards at participating local merchants Friday, May 31 will be the final day to&nbsp;redeem&nbsp;Saline Stars for free-to-you goods and services at redeeming merchants. Remember, your redemptions allow those businesses to be reimbursed using the County's American Rescue Plan Act funds. Any unused Stars in your wallet will expire at midnight Saturday, June 1 the Choose Saline County app will be removed from the app storeUsers currently have over $93,000 worth of Stars in their wallets. This program has a lot of benefits left to give and only one month to give it. If Saline County residents find themselves at the end of the month with dollars in their wallets, please consider donating them to one of the nonprofits on the app."We are so proud of what this app has been able to accomplish over the last two years," McCoy said. "Users have earned more than $300,000 worth of stars by shopping at local businesses generating an estimated economic impact of over $5.6 million. This success is exactly what this app set out to achieve and why we are committed to bringing a similar program in to fill the void."Saline County Commission Chairman Joe Hay Jr. announced on social media that the commission will discuss this at their weekly commission meeting on May 14.&nbsp;

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