K-State horticulturist says food is still a scare resource for your feathered friends&nbsp;

MANHATTAN – Don’t be fooled by the spate of warm weather around many parts of Kansas recently. It really&nbsp;is&nbsp;winter in the Sunflower State, right?&nbsp;

Many bird watchers may be thinking birds have survived the most bitter parts of the season, but Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham urges backyard enthusiasts to keep helping their feathered friends get through the next several weeks.&nbsp;

“Severe winter weather is not only hard on people, but can be a life and death struggle for birds,” he said. “Though birds require water and shelter, food is often the resource most lacking during cold weather.”&nbsp;

Upham noted that many bird food mixes are available depending on what species folks are most interested in attracting to their backyard.&nbsp;

“However, there is one seed that has more universal appeal than any other: black oil sunflower,” Upham said. “If you are new to the bird-feeding game, make sure there is a high percentage of this seed in your mix.”&nbsp;

White proso millet is also preferred by many birds, especially dark-eyed juncos, sparrows and the red-winged blackbird.&nbsp;

By species, here are the grains that many Kansas birds prefer:&nbsp;

Cardinal, evening grosbeak and most finch species&nbsp;– all types of sunflower seeds.

Rufous-sided towhee&nbsp;– white proso millet.

Dark-eyed junco&nbsp;– white and red proso millet, canary seed, fine cracked corn.

Many sparrow species&nbsp;– white and red proso millet.

Bluejay&nbsp;– peanut kernels and all types of sunflower seeds.

Chickadee and tufted titmouse&nbsp;– peanut kernels, black oil and black-striped sunflower seeds.

Red-breasted nuthatch&nbsp;– black oil and black-striped sunflower seeds.

Brown thrasher&nbsp;– hulled and black-striped sunflower seeds.

Red-winged blackbird&nbsp;– white and red proso millet plus German (golden) millet.

Mourning dove&nbsp;– black oil sunflower seeds, white and red proso plus German (golden) millet.&nbsp;

“As you become more interested in bird feeding, you may want to use more than one feeder to attract specific species of birds,” Upham said.&nbsp;

He added that extended cold periods also can make water unavailable. Consider providing a heated birdbath, if available.&nbsp;

More information on backyard birding is&nbsp;<a href="http://gearycountyextension.com/NRMW.htm" target="_blank">available online in publications</a>&nbsp;produced by K-State Research and Extension Geary County extension agent Chuck Otte.&nbsp;

Upham and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes. The newsletter is&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html" target="_blank">available to view online</a>&nbsp;or can be delivered by email each week.&nbsp;

Interested persons can also send their garden- and yard-related questions to Upham at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:wupham@ksu.edu" target="_blank">wupham@ksu.edu</a>, or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html" target="_blank">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612058399197.jpeg" alt="The cardinal is one of many birds that need a little help finding food during the winter months. Photo courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>The cardinal is one of many birds that need a little help finding food during the winter months. Photo courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>K-State horticulturist says food is still a scare resource for your feathered friends&nbsp;</h2>MANHATTAN – Don’t be fooled by the spate of warm weather around many parts of Kansas recently. It really&nbsp;is&nbsp;winter in the Sunflower State, right?&nbsp;Many bird watchers may be thinking birds have survived the most bitter parts of the season, but Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham urges backyard enthusiasts to keep helping their feathered friends get through the next several weeks.&nbsp;“Severe winter weather is not only hard on people, but can be a life and death struggle for birds,” he said. “Though birds require water and shelter, food is often the resource most lacking during cold weather.”&nbsp;Upham noted that many bird food mixes are available depending on what species folks are most interested in attracting to their backyard.&nbsp;“However, there is one seed that has more universal appeal than any other: black oil sunflower,” Upham said. “If you are new to the bird-feeding game, make sure there is a high percentage of this seed in your mix.”&nbsp;White proso millet is also preferred by many birds, especially dark-eyed juncos, sparrows and the red-winged blackbird.&nbsp;By species, here are the grains that many Kansas birds prefer:&nbsp;Cardinal, evening grosbeak and most finch species&nbsp;– all types of sunflower seeds.Rufous-sided towhee&nbsp;– white proso millet.Dark-eyed junco&nbsp;– white and red proso millet, canary seed, fine cracked corn.Many sparrow species&nbsp;– white and red proso millet.Bluejay&nbsp;– peanut kernels and all types of sunflower seeds.Chickadee and tufted titmouse&nbsp;– peanut kernels, black oil and black-striped sunflower seeds.Red-breasted nuthatch&nbsp;– black oil and black-striped sunflower seeds. Brown thrasher&nbsp;– hulled and black-striped sunflower seeds.Red-winged blackbird&nbsp;– white and red proso millet plus German (golden) millet.Mourning dove&nbsp;– black oil sunflower seeds, white and red proso plus German (golden) millet.&nbsp;“As you become more interested in bird feeding, you may want to use more than one feeder to attract specific species of birds,” Upham said.&nbsp;He added that extended cold periods also can make water unavailable. Consider providing a heated birdbath, if available.&nbsp;More information on backyard birding is&nbsp;<a href="http://gearycountyextension.com/NRMW.htm" target="_blank">available online in publications</a>&nbsp;produced by K-State Research and Extension Geary County extension agent Chuck Otte.&nbsp;Upham and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes. The newsletter is&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html" target="_blank">available to view online</a>&nbsp;or can be delivered by email each week.&nbsp;Interested persons can also send their garden- and yard-related questions to Upham at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:wupham@ksu.edu" target="_blank">wupham@ksu.edu</a>, or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html" target="_blank">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.&nbsp;

Mild winter weather? Keep feeding backyard birds 

Today is Sunday, Jan. 31, the 31st day of 2021. There are 334 days left in the year. 

On Jan. 31, 1865, the U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate in passing the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution abolishing slavery, sending it to states for ratification. (The amendment was adopted in December 1865.) 

In 1863, during the Civil War, the First South Carolina Volunteers, an all-Black Union regiment composed of many escaped slaves, was mustered into federal service at Beaufort, South Carolina. 

In 1919, baseball Hall-of-Famer Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Ga. 

In 1929, revolutionary Leon Trotsky and his family were expelled from the Soviet Union. 

In 1945, Pvt. Eddie Slovik, 24, became the first U.S. soldier since the Civil War to be executed for desertion as he was shot by an American firing squad in France. 

In 1950, President Harry S. Truman announced he had ordered development of the hydrogen bomb. 

In 1956, the creator of "Winnie-the-Pooh," British author A.A. Milne, died at age 74.

In 1958, the United States entered the Space Age with its first successful launch of a satellite, Explorer 1, from Cape Canaveral. 

In 1961, NASA launched Ham the Chimp aboard a Mercury-Redstone rocket from Cape Canaveral; Ham was recovered safely from the Atlantic Ocean following his 16 1/2-minute suborbital flight. 

In 1971, astronauts Alan Shepard, Edgar Mitchell and Stuart Roosa blasted off aboard Apollo 14 on a mission to the moon. 

In 2000, an Alaska Airlines MD-83 jet crashed into the Pacific Ocean off Port Hueneme, California, killing all 88 people aboard. 

In 2001, a Scottish court sitting in the Netherlands convicted one Libyan, acquitted a second, in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. (Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi was given a life sentence, but was released after eight years on compassionate grounds by Scotland's government. He died in 2012.) 

In 2005, jury selection began in Santa Maria, California, for Michael Jackson's child molestation trial. (Jackson was later acquitted.) SBC Communications Inc. announced it was acquiring AT&amp;T Corp. for $16 billion.

Ten years ago: A federal judge in Florida declared the Obama administration's health care overhaul unconstitutional, siding with 26 states that argued people cannot be required to buy health insurance. (In 2012 the Supreme Court would uphold most of the health care law, including the requirement that nearly every American have health insurance.) Egypt's military promised not to fire on peaceful protests and recognized "the legitimacy of the people's demands."

Five years ago: A triple bombing killed at least 45 people in a predominantly Shiite Muslim suburb south of the Syrian capital. Israel's Cabinet voted to allow non-Orthodox Jewish prayer at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, marking a historic show of support for liberal streams of Judaism. Novak Djokovic maintained his perfect streak in six Australian Open finals with a 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (3) victory over Andy Murray.

One year ago: The United States declared a public health emergency over the new coronavirus, and President Donald Trump signed an order to temporarily bar entry to foreign nationals, other than immediate family of U.S. citizens, who had traveled in China within the past 14 days. Three U.S. airlines suspended all flights between the U.S. and China. The U.S. government ordered two weeks of quarantine at a California military base for the nearly 200 Americans who'd been evacuated on a charter flight from the Chinese city of Wuhan. The Senate narrowly rejected Democratic demands to summon witnesses for President Donald Trump's impeachment trial. Britain formally left the European Union after 47 years of membership. Author Mary Higgins Clark, known as the "Queen of Suspense," died in Florida at the age of 92. The Food and Drug Administration approved the first treatment for children with peanut allergies.

Today's Birthdays: Composer Philip Glass is 84. Former Interior Secretary James Watt is 83. Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, the former queen regent, is 83. Actor Stuart Margolin is 81. Actor Jessica Walter is 80. Former U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., is 80. Blues singer-musician Charlie Musselwhite is 77. Actor Glynn Turman is 74. Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan is 74. Actor Jonathan Banks is 74. Singer-musician Harry Wayne Casey (KC and the Sunshine Band) is 70. Rock singer Johnny Rotten is 65. Actor Kelly Lynch is 62. Actor Anthony LaPaglia is 62. Singer-musician Lloyd Cole is 60. Actor Paulette Braxton is 56. Rock musician Al Jaworski (Jesus Jones) is 55. Actor Minnie Driver is 51. Actor Portia de Rossi is 48. Actor-comedian Bobby Moynihan is 44. Actor Kerry Washington is 44. Bluegrass singer-musician Becky Buller is 42. Singer Justin Timberlake is 40. Actor Tyler Ritter is 36. Country singer Tyler Hubbard (Florida Georgia Line) is 34. Folk-rock singer-musician Marcus Mumford (Mumford and Sons) is 34. Actor Joel Courtney is 25.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Sunday, Jan. 31, the 31st day of 2021. There are 334 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Jan. 31, 1865, the U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate in passing the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution abolishing slavery, sending it to states for ratification. (The amendment was adopted in December 1865.) On this date: In 1863, during the Civil War, the First South Carolina Volunteers, an all-Black Union regiment composed of many escaped slaves, was mustered into federal service at Beaufort, South Carolina. In 1919, baseball Hall-of-Famer Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Ga. In 1929, revolutionary Leon Trotsky and his family were expelled from the Soviet Union. In 1945, Pvt. Eddie Slovik, 24, became the first U.S. soldier since the Civil War to be executed for desertion as he was shot by an American firing squad in France. In 1950, President Harry S. Truman announced he had ordered development of the hydrogen bomb. In 1956, the creator of "Winnie-the-Pooh," British author A.A. Milne, died at age 74.In 1958, the United States entered the Space Age with its first successful launch of a satellite, Explorer 1, from Cape Canaveral. In 1961, NASA launched Ham the Chimp aboard a Mercury-Redstone rocket from Cape Canaveral; Ham was recovered safely from the Atlantic Ocean following his 16 1/2-minute suborbital flight. In 1971, astronauts Alan Shepard, Edgar Mitchell and Stuart Roosa blasted off aboard Apollo 14 on a mission to the moon. In 2000, an Alaska Airlines MD-83 jet crashed into the Pacific Ocean off Port Hueneme, California, killing all 88 people aboard. In 2001, a Scottish court sitting in the Netherlands convicted one Libyan, acquitted a second, in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. (Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi was given a life sentence, but was released after eight years on compassionate grounds by Scotland's government. He died in 2012.) In 2005, jury selection began in Santa Maria, California, for Michael Jackson's child molestation trial. (Jackson was later acquitted.) SBC Communications Inc. announced it was acquiring AT&amp;T Corp. for $16 billion.Ten years ago: A federal judge in Florida declared the Obama administration's health care overhaul unconstitutional, siding with 26 states that argued people cannot be required to buy health insurance. (In 2012 the Supreme Court would uphold most of the health care law, including the requirement that nearly every American have health insurance.) Egypt's military promised not to fire on peaceful protests and recognized "the legitimacy of the people's demands." Five years ago: A triple bombing killed at least 45 people in a predominantly Shiite Muslim suburb south of the Syrian capital. Israel's Cabinet voted to allow non-Orthodox Jewish prayer at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, marking a historic show of support for liberal streams of Judaism. Novak Djokovic maintained his perfect streak in six Australian Open finals with a 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (3) victory over Andy Murray. One year ago: The United States declared a public health emergency over the new coronavirus, and President Donald Trump signed an order to temporarily bar entry to foreign nationals, other than immediate family of U.S. citizens, who had traveled in China within the past 14 days. Three U.S. airlines suspended all flights between the U.S. and China. The U.S. government ordered two weeks of quarantine at a California military base for the nearly 200 Americans who'd been evacuated on a charter flight from the Chinese city of Wuhan. The Senate narrowly rejected Democratic demands to summon witnesses for President Donald Trump's impeachment trial. Britain formally left the European Union after 47 years of membership. Author Mary Higgins Clark, known as the "Queen of Suspense," died in Florida at the age of 92. The Food and Drug Administration approved the first treatment for children with peanut allergies.Today's Birthdays: Composer Philip Glass is 84. Former Interior Secretary James Watt is 83. Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, the former queen regent, is 83. Actor Stuart Margolin is 81. Actor Jessica Walter is 80. Former U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., is 80. Blues singer-musician Charlie Musselwhite is 77. Actor Glynn Turman is 74. Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan is 74. Actor Jonathan Banks is 74. Singer-musician Harry Wayne Casey (KC and the Sunshine Band) is 70. Rock singer Johnny Rotten is 65. Actor Kelly Lynch is 62. Actor Anthony LaPaglia is 62. Singer-musician Lloyd Cole is 60. Actor Paulette Braxton is 56. Rock musician Al Jaworski (Jesus Jones) is 55. Actor Minnie Driver is 51. Actor Portia de Rossi is 48. Actor-comedian Bobby Moynihan is 44. Actor Kerry Washington is 44. Bluegrass singer-musician Becky Buller is 42. Singer Justin Timberlake is 40. Actor Tyler Ritter is 36. Country singer Tyler Hubbard (Florida Georgia Line) is 34. Folk-rock singer-musician Marcus Mumford (Mumford and Sons) is 34. Actor Joel Courtney is 25.

Today in History -- Jan. 31

K-State’s John C. Pair Horticultural Center is home to National Elm Trial &nbsp;

HAYSVILLE -- It’s been nearly 100 years since Dutch elm disease was unwittingly brought to North America where elm tree varieties had no resistance to the devastating fungal mold that’s spread by elm bark beetles. 

Within a few decades, majestic mature American elm trees along parkways and landscapes were dying by the hundreds of thousands across the country. &nbsp;

In 2007, Kansas State University’s John C. Pair Horticultural Center established a National Elm Trial as part of a larger national effort to evaluate different cultivars for various traits including resistance to Dutch elm disease. The center’s site near Wichita has 18 cultivars that are resistant to Dutch elm disease or DED. Of the 18, four are true American elm cultivars and the remainder are hybrids or other elm species.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The four true American elms at the Pair Center are named Valley Forge, Princeton, New Harmony and Lewis and Clark (Prairie Expedition), according to K-State Research and Extension horticulturist Ward Upham. All four have shown excellent tolerance to DED and have been rated on different characteristics, including survival rate, damage from certain other insects, and storm breakage. &nbsp;

In the trial, the first three have a 100 percent survival rate while Lewis and Clark has an 80 percent survival rate. All have been strong growers, Upham said, with minimal damage from certain other insects, although lacebug damage to the New Harmony cultivar was significant. &nbsp;

Storm damage to the four cultivars can be minimized by pruning when the tree is young, Upham said. &nbsp;

More information from the National Elm Trial about American elms and Dutch elm disease research is&nbsp;<a href="https://webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu/bspm/NationalElmTrial/AUF2017.pdf" target="_blank">available online</a>. Photos and information on hybrids and other species of elm are also available&nbsp;<a href="https://webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu/bspm/ElmKansas.pdf" target="_blank">online</a>.&nbsp;

Upham and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes. The newsletter is&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html" target="_blank">available to view online</a>&nbsp;or can be delivered by email each week.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Interested persons can also send their garden- and yard-related questions to Upham at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:wupham@ksu.edu" target="_blank">wupham@ksu.edu</a>, or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html" target="_blank">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612055136745.jpeg" alt="Photo of American elm Princeton cultivar courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>Photo of American elm Princeton cultivar courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>K-State’s John C. Pair Horticultural Center is home to National Elm Trial &nbsp;</h2>HAYSVILLE -- It’s been nearly 100 years since Dutch elm disease was unwittingly brought to North America where elm tree varieties had no resistance to the devastating fungal mold that’s spread by elm bark beetles. Within a few decades, majestic mature American elm trees along parkways and landscapes were dying by the hundreds of thousands across the country. &nbsp;In 2007, Kansas State University’s John C. Pair Horticultural Center established a National Elm Trial as part of a larger national effort to evaluate different cultivars for various traits including resistance to Dutch elm disease. The center’s site near Wichita has 18 cultivars that are resistant to Dutch elm disease or DED. Of the 18, four are true American elm cultivars and the remainder are hybrids or other elm species.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The four true American elms at the Pair Center are named Valley Forge, Princeton, New Harmony and Lewis and Clark (Prairie Expedition), according to K-State Research and Extension horticulturist Ward Upham. All four have shown excellent tolerance to DED and have been rated on different characteristics, including survival rate, damage from certain other insects, and storm breakage. &nbsp;In the trial, the first three have a 100 percent survival rate while Lewis and Clark has an 80 percent survival rate. All have been strong growers, Upham said, with minimal damage from certain other insects, although lacebug damage to the New Harmony cultivar was significant. &nbsp;Storm damage to the four cultivars can be minimized by pruning when the tree is young, Upham said. &nbsp;More information from the National Elm Trial about American elms and Dutch elm disease research is&nbsp;<a href="https://webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu/bspm/NationalElmTrial/AUF2017.pdf" target="_blank">available online</a>. Photos and information on hybrids and other species of elm are also available&nbsp;<a href="https://webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu/bspm/ElmKansas.pdf" target="_blank">online</a>.&nbsp;Upham and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes. The newsletter is&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html" target="_blank">available to view online</a>&nbsp;or can be delivered by email each week.&nbsp;&nbsp;Interested persons can also send their garden- and yard-related questions to Upham at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:wupham@ksu.edu" target="_blank">wupham@ksu.edu</a>, or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html" target="_blank">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

KSRE: Taking another look at American elm trees

ABILENE -- Impact Sports &amp; Fitness, in Abilene, has added Consualo “Sway” Ptacek as a massage therapist to their team.

She is joining certified massage therapist Kinley Hodgson. 

Sway specializes in deep tissue massage, and is available for weekday and Sunday appointments.

Massages offered at Impact Sports and Fitness include: deep tissue, Swedish, stone, and pre-natal. Call Impact Sports &amp; Fitness, Abilene’s full-service fitness center, at (785) 263-3888, for more information or to schedule an appointment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612054556867.jpeg" alt="Consualo “Sway” Ptacek" />
 <figcaption>Consualo “Sway” Ptacek</figcaption>
 </figure>ABILENE -- Impact Sports &amp; Fitness, in Abilene, has added Consualo “Sway” Ptacek as a massage therapist to their team.She is joining certified massage therapist Kinley Hodgson. Sway specializes in deep tissue massage, and is available for weekday and Sunday appointments.Massages offered at Impact Sports and Fitness include: deep tissue, Swedish, stone, and pre-natal. Call Impact Sports &amp; Fitness, Abilene’s full-service fitness center, at (785) 263-3888, for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Ptacek new massage therapist at Impact Sports & Fitness

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska has agreed to pay millions more to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/salina-kansas-topeka-1b3b0e420e470e18a7dec207441ad8f7">troubled</a>&nbsp;Kansas-based foster care contractor that was rapidly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-omaha-nebraska-4081f394b3b66965af10a148643c188a">running out of money&nbsp;</a>after significantly underbidding the company that used to provide child welfare services in the Omaha area.

The total cost of the new 25-month contract with St. Francis Ministries totals more than $147 million.

St. Francis won the Nebraska job in 2019 by offering to do it for less than 60% of the bid from PromiseShip, the Omaha-based agency that held the previous contract.

At the time, PromiseShip executives and some state lawmakers questioned how St. Francis could provide care in Douglas and Sarpy Counties for that much less money. As it turned out, they couldn’t.

St. Francis said it was in the hole by nearly $35 million over the time it took over services from PromiseShip. State officials say it needs to continue working with St. Francis to ensure continuity of services for the children, families and caseworkers involved in the two counties’ foster care and child welfare system.

The yearly cost for services from St. Francis will now exceed what it would have cost if PromiseShip had been given a renewed contract.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611946908688.jpeg" alt="Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska has agreed to pay millions more to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/salina-kansas-topeka-1b3b0e420e470e18a7dec207441ad8f7">troubled</a>&nbsp;Kansas-based foster care contractor that was rapidly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-omaha-nebraska-4081f394b3b66965af10a148643c188a">running out of money&nbsp;</a>after significantly underbidding the company that used to provide child welfare services in the Omaha area.The total cost of the new 25-month contract with St. Francis Ministries totals more than $147 million.St. Francis won the Nebraska job in 2019 by offering to do it for less than 60% of the bid from PromiseShip, the Omaha-based agency that held the previous contract.At the time, PromiseShip executives and some state lawmakers questioned how St. Francis could provide care in Douglas and Sarpy Counties for that much less money. As it turned out, they couldn’t.St. Francis said it was in the hole by nearly $35 million over the time it took over services from PromiseShip. State officials say it needs to continue working with St. Francis to ensure continuity of services for the children, families and caseworkers involved in the two counties’ foster care and child welfare system.The yearly cost for services from St. Francis will now exceed what it would have cost if PromiseShip had been given a renewed contract.

Troubled Kansas foster care agency gets big boost from Nebraska

Did you feel it? A small earthquake struck eastern Saline County this morning.

According to the Kansas Geological Survey, a 2.1 magnitude quake struck at 6:50 a.m. Saturday. The quake was centered northeast of East Schilling Road and South Gypsum Valley Road.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612034905059.png" alt="Map courtesy KGS" />
 <figcaption>Map courtesy KGS</figcaption>
 </figure>Did you feel it? A small earthquake struck eastern Saline County this morning.According to the Kansas Geological Survey, a 2.1 magnitude quake struck at 6:50 a.m. Saturday. The quake was centered northeast of East Schilling Road and South Gypsum Valley Road.

Minor quake rattles part of eastern Saline County Saturday

WICHITA – Even small speed increases can have huge impacts on crash outcomes and cancel the effectiveness of vehicle safety features, according to new crash tests by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Humanetics. 

The organizations partnered to study the damage from crashes at three different impact speeds (40, 50 and 56 mph). The results showed slightly higher speeds were enough to increase the driver's risk of severe injury or death.

“Motorists often travel faster than posted speed limits. But, when officials raise limits to match those travel speeds, motorists drive even faster,” said Shawn Steward, AAA Kansas spokesman. “When speed limits increase, the protection provided by vehicle safety features is in doubt.”

Today, 41 states allow 70 mph or higher speeds on some roadways, including eight states that have maximum speeds of 80 mph or more. A&nbsp;<a href="http://aaacluballiance.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d83%3b%2f96-%3eLCE59.%3c5%3a%26SDG%3c90%3a.&amp;RE=MC&amp;RI=5430239&amp;Preview=False&amp;DistributionActionID=362214&amp;Action=Follow+Link" target="_blank">2019 IIHS study</a>&nbsp;found that rising speed limits over the past 25 years have cost nearly 37,000 lives. AAA and IIHS urge policymakers to factor in this danger from higher speeds when considering speed limit changes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"We conducted these crash tests to assess the effect of speeds on drivers and learned that a small increase could make a big difference on the harm to a human body," said Dr. David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. "A speeding driver may arrive at their destination a few minutes faster, but is the tradeoff of getting severely injured or even losing one's life worth it, if a crash occurs?

"The AAA Foundation collaborated with IIHS and Humanetics to examine how speed affects the likelihood and severity of occupant injury in a crash. Three 2010 Honda CR-V EX crossovers were used because they represented the average age (11.8 years) of a typical vehicle on U.S. roadways and earned the top rating in the IIHS moderate overlap front test.

As the crash speed increased in the tests, researchers found more structural damage and greater forces on the crash dummy's entire body.

Vehicle safety improvements diminished "Higher speed limits cancel out the benefits of vehicle safety improvements like airbags and improved structural designs," said Dr. David Harkey, IIHS president. "The faster a driver is going before a crash, the less likely it is that they'll be able to get down to a survivable speed even if they have a chance to brake before impact."

The study found that at the 40 mph impact speed, there was minimal intrusion into the driver's space. But at the 50 mph impact speed, there was noticeable deformation of the driver side door opening, dashboard and foot area. At 56 mph, the vehicle interior was significantly compromised, with the crash dummy's sensors registering severe neck injuries and a likelihood of fractures to the long bones in the lower leg.&nbsp;

“Our crash test dummies are equipped with hundreds of sensors to measure the injury risk so that we understand the scientific limits of safety and injury prevention. Understanding that the risk of serious and permanent injury becomes significantly higher in crashes beyond statutory speed limits, clearly demonstrates why there are limits in the first place,” said Jack Jensen, vice president of engineering at Humanetics.

At both 50 and 56 mph, the steering wheel's upward movement caused the crash dummy's head to go through the deployed airbag. This caused the face to smash into the steering wheel. Measurements taken from the dummy showed a high risk of facial fractures and severe brain injury.

Four states―North Dakota, Maryland, Indiana and South Carolina―are currently considering measures that would increase speed limits under specific situations.

Drivers want to save time, and local transportation agencies want to improve traffic flow, but increasing speed limits to address those concerns can come at a deadly cost. When correctly set and enforced, speed limits improve traffic flow and maximize all public road users' safety.&nbsp;

"Cars are safer than they've ever been, but nobody's figured out how to make them defy the laws of physics," said Harkey of IIHS. "Rather than raising speed limits, states should vigorously enforce the limits they have. This includes using proven countermeasures like high-visibility enforcement and carefully implemented speed-camera programs to consistently and equitably enforce speed limits 24/7."

Currently, only 14 states and the District of Columbia have maximum speed limits lower than 65 mph on urban Interstate highways, according to IIHS. Only one state―Hawaii―has speed limits less than 65 mph on rural interstate highways.

Rather than raising and lowering speed limits to manipulate traffic volume on particular roadways, states are urged to use engineering and traffic surveys when setting maximum speed limits.

"Policymakers also need to think beyond enforcement to control speeds and should consider infrastructure changes based on road type to calm traffic flow appropriately so that posted speed limits are followed,” said Jake Nelson, AAA director of traffic safety advocacy and research.

This study is the second part of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety research examining the effect of posted speed limit changes on safety. In the Foundation's&nbsp;<a href="http://aaacluballiance.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d83%3b%2f96-%3eLCE59.%3c5%3a%26SDG%3c90%3a.&amp;RE=MC&amp;RI=5430239&amp;Preview=False&amp;DistributionActionID=362213&amp;Action=Follow+Link" target="_blank">first study</a>, traffic engineers were asked how posted speed limits are set and what factors they consider in changing them.

The research tests were conducted following the same protocol that is used for the IIHS moderate overlap evaluation; only the speed was varied. With a test dummy representing an average-sized male in the driver's seat, the cars were crashed with 40 percent of the vehicle's front on the driver side overlapping the barrier.

IIHS has been conducting this type of test, which simulates a head-on, partial-overlap impact between two vehicles of the same weight and size traveling at the same speed, since 1995. Since 2013, 100&nbsp;percent of new vehicles have earned a good rating when tested at the 40 mph impact speed.

About the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

Established in 1947 by AAA, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a nonprofit, publicly funded, 501(c)(3) charitable research and educational organization. The AAA Foundation's mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by researching their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce injuries when they do occur. This research develops educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing the losses—deaths, injuries and property damage—from motor vehicle crashes. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://aaacluballiance.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d83%3b%2f96-%3eLCE59.%3c5%3a%26SDG%3c90%3a.&amp;RE=MC&amp;RI=5430239&amp;Preview=False&amp;DistributionActionID=362212&amp;Action=Follow+Link" target="_blank">iihs.org</a>.

Humanetics is the global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of biofidelic crash test dummies, calibration equipment, crash sensors instrumentation, software modeling and active safety testing equipment. Its devices and simulation software are used to develop safety systems in vehicles, aviation and space rockets. In the automotive sector, Humanetics serves 100% of the OEMs and Tier I safety suppliers worldwide. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://aaacluballiance.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d83%3b%2f96-%3eLCE59.%3c5%3a%26SDG%3c90%3a.&amp;RE=MC&amp;RI=5430239&amp;Preview=False&amp;DistributionActionID=362211&amp;Action=Follow+Link" target="_blank">humaneticsgroup.com</a>.

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 61&nbsp;million members nationwide and nearly 347,000 members in Kansas. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.&nbsp;AAA is a&nbsp;non-stock, non-profit corporation working&nbsp;on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (<a href="http://aaacluballiance.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d83%3b%2f96-%3eLCE59.%3c5%3a%26SDG%3c90%3a.&amp;RE=MC&amp;RI=5430239&amp;Preview=False&amp;DistributionActionID=362210&amp;Action=Follow+Link" target="_blank">AAA.com/mobile</a>) for iPhone, iPad and Android.&nbsp;For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://aaacluballiance.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d83%3b%2f96-%3eLCE59.%3c5%3a%26SDG%3c90%3a.&amp;RE=MC&amp;RI=5430239&amp;Preview=False&amp;DistributionActionID=362209&amp;Action=Follow+Link" target="_blank">www.AAA.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612032897394.jpeg" alt="Photos courtesy AAA" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy AAA</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA – Even small speed increases can have huge impacts on crash outcomes and cancel the effectiveness of vehicle safety features, according to new crash tests by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Humanetics. The organizations partnered to study the damage from crashes at three different impact speeds (40, 50 and 56 mph). The results showed slightly higher speeds were enough to increase the driver's risk of severe injury or death.“Motorists often travel faster than posted speed limits. But, when officials raise limits to match those travel speeds, motorists drive even faster,” said Shawn Steward, AAA Kansas spokesman. “When speed limits increase, the protection provided by vehicle safety features is in doubt.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612032961106.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Speed limits trend higher Today, 41 states allow 70 mph or higher speeds on some roadways, including eight states that have maximum speeds of 80 mph or more. A&nbsp;<a href="http://aaacluballiance.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d83%3b%2f96-%3eLCE59.%3c5%3a%26SDG%3c90%3a.&amp;RE=MC&amp;RI=5430239&amp;Preview=False&amp;DistributionActionID=362214&amp;Action=Follow+Link" target="_blank">2019 IIHS study</a>&nbsp;found that rising speed limits over the past 25 years have cost nearly 37,000 lives. AAA and IIHS urge policymakers to factor in this danger from higher speeds when considering speed limit changes.&nbsp;&nbsp;"We conducted these crash tests to assess the effect of speeds on drivers and learned that a small increase could make a big difference on the harm to a human body," said Dr. David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. "A speeding driver may arrive at their destination a few minutes faster, but is the tradeoff of getting severely injured or even losing one's life worth it, if a crash occurs?"The AAA Foundation collaborated with IIHS and Humanetics to examine how speed affects the likelihood and severity of occupant injury in a crash. Three 2010 Honda CR-V EX crossovers were used because they represented the average age (11.8 years) of a typical vehicle on U.S. roadways and earned the top rating in the IIHS moderate overlap front test.As the crash speed increased in the tests, researchers found more structural damage and greater forces on the crash dummy's entire body.Vehicle safety improvements diminished "Higher speed limits cancel out the benefits of vehicle safety improvements like airbags and improved structural designs," said Dr. David Harkey, IIHS president. "The faster a driver is going before a crash, the less likely it is that they'll be able to get down to a survivable speed even if they have a chance to brake before impact."The study found that at the 40 mph impact speed, there was minimal intrusion into the driver's space. But at the 50 mph impact speed, there was noticeable deformation of the driver side door opening, dashboard and foot area. At 56 mph, the vehicle interior was significantly compromised, with the crash dummy's sensors registering severe neck injuries and a likelihood of fractures to the long bones in the lower leg.&nbsp;“Our crash test dummies are equipped with hundreds of sensors to measure the injury risk so that we understand the scientific limits of safety and injury prevention. Understanding that the risk of serious and permanent injury becomes significantly higher in crashes beyond statutory speed limits, clearly demonstrates why there are limits in the first place,” said Jack Jensen, vice president of engineering at Humanetics.At both 50 and 56 mph, the steering wheel's upward movement caused the crash dummy's head to go through the deployed airbag. This caused the face to smash into the steering wheel. Measurements taken from the dummy showed a high risk of facial fractures and severe brain injury.Four states―North Dakota, Maryland, Indiana and South Carolina―are currently considering measures that would increase speed limits under specific situations.Drivers want to save time, and local transportation agencies want to improve traffic flow, but increasing speed limits to address those concerns can come at a deadly cost. When correctly set and enforced, speed limits improve traffic flow and maximize all public road users' safety.&nbsp;"Cars are safer than they've ever been, but nobody's figured out how to make them defy the laws of physics," said Harkey of IIHS. "Rather than raising speed limits, states should vigorously enforce the limits they have. This includes using proven countermeasures like high-visibility enforcement and carefully implemented speed-camera programs to consistently and equitably enforce speed limits 24/7."Currently, only 14 states and the District of Columbia have maximum speed limits lower than 65 mph on urban Interstate highways, according to IIHS. Only one state―Hawaii―has speed limits less than 65 mph on rural interstate highways.Rather than raising and lowering speed limits to manipulate traffic volume on particular roadways, states are urged to use engineering and traffic surveys when setting maximum speed limits."Policymakers also need to think beyond enforcement to control speeds and should consider infrastructure changes based on road type to calm traffic flow appropriately so that posted speed limits are followed,” said Jake Nelson, AAA director of traffic safety advocacy and research.This study is the second part of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety research examining the effect of posted speed limit changes on safety. In the Foundation's&nbsp;<a href="http://aaacluballiance.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d83%3b%2f96-%3eLCE59.%3c5%3a%26SDG%3c90%3a.&amp;RE=MC&amp;RI=5430239&amp;Preview=False&amp;DistributionActionID=362213&amp;Action=Follow+Link" target="_blank">first study</a>, traffic engineers were asked how posted speed limits are set and what factors they consider in changing them.About the research testingThe research tests were conducted following the same protocol that is used for the IIHS moderate overlap evaluation; only the speed was varied. With a test dummy representing an average-sized male in the driver's seat, the cars were crashed with 40 percent of the vehicle's front on the driver side overlapping the barrier.IIHS has been conducting this type of test, which simulates a head-on, partial-overlap impact between two vehicles of the same weight and size traveling at the same speed, since 1995. Since 2013, 100&nbsp;percent of new vehicles have earned a good rating when tested at the 40 mph impact speed.About the AAA Foundation for Traffic SafetyEstablished in 1947 by AAA, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a nonprofit, publicly funded, 501(c)(3) charitable research and educational organization. The AAA Foundation's mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by researching their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce injuries when they do occur. This research develops educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users.About IIHSThe Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing the losses—deaths, injuries and property damage—from motor vehicle crashes. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://aaacluballiance.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d83%3b%2f96-%3eLCE59.%3c5%3a%26SDG%3c90%3a.&amp;RE=MC&amp;RI=5430239&amp;Preview=False&amp;DistributionActionID=362212&amp;Action=Follow+Link" target="_blank">iihs.org</a>.About HumaneticsHumanetics is the global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of biofidelic crash test dummies, calibration equipment, crash sensors instrumentation, software modeling and active safety testing equipment. Its devices and simulation software are used to develop safety systems in vehicles, aviation and space rockets. In the automotive sector, Humanetics serves 100% of the OEMs and Tier I safety suppliers worldwide. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://aaacluballiance.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d83%3b%2f96-%3eLCE59.%3c5%3a%26SDG%3c90%3a.&amp;RE=MC&amp;RI=5430239&amp;Preview=False&amp;DistributionActionID=362211&amp;Action=Follow+Link" target="_blank">humaneticsgroup.com</a>.About AAAAAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 61&nbsp;million members nationwide and nearly 347,000 members in Kansas. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.&nbsp;AAA is a&nbsp;non-stock, non-profit corporation working&nbsp;on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (<a href="http://aaacluballiance.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d83%3b%2f96-%3eLCE59.%3c5%3a%26SDG%3c90%3a.&amp;RE=MC&amp;RI=5430239&amp;Preview=False&amp;DistributionActionID=362210&amp;Action=Follow+Link" target="_blank">AAA.com/mobile</a>) for iPhone, iPad and Android.&nbsp;For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://aaacluballiance.pr-optout.com/Tracking.aspx?Data=HHL%3d83%3b%2f96-%3eLCE59.%3c5%3a%26SDG%3c90%3a.&amp;RE=MC&amp;RI=5430239&amp;Preview=False&amp;DistributionActionID=362209&amp;Action=Follow+Link" target="_blank">www.AAA.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

AAA: Slight speed increases still have large impact on crash severity

CONCORDIA -- Cloud County Community College has announced the names of students on the fall 2020 Honor Roll. 

To be named to this honor roll, students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours of college coursework and earned a semester grade point average of 3.6-3.899.

Local and area students earning academic honors include the following.

Cloud County Community College (CCCC) is one of 26 public two-year community and technical colleges in Kansas and is coordinated by the Kansas Board of Regents. CCCC's service area encompasses a 12-county area primarily in north central Kansas with its two physical campuses in Concordia and Junction City.

CONCORDIA -- Cloud County Community College has announced the names of students on the fall 2020 Honor Roll. To be named to this honor roll, students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours of college coursework and earned a semester grade point average of 3.6-3.899.Local and area students earning academic honors include the following.Brandt Bolte of Randall KSArista Bombardier of Concordia KSJocelyn Buller of Delphos KSJacob Burks of Jewell KSMakenna Comstock of Miltonvale KSAbigail Critton of Concordia KSLauren Eitel of Salina KSAlex Fischer of Belleville KSKara Hays of Ellsworth KSHaley Hollon of Clyde KSTryston Jochems of Concordia KSKya Johnson of Bennington KSLacey Mcguire of Concordia KSKevin Mills of Chapman KSJared Mines of Galva KSJordan Murphy of Salina KSAshlyn Norris of Concordia KSTerri Sadler of Randall KSSamantha Sweeney of Abilene KSNicole Turner of Concordia KSKara Weber of Belleville KSCloud County Community College (CCCC) is one of 26 public two-year community and technical colleges in Kansas and is coordinated by the Kansas Board of Regents. CCCC's service area encompasses a 12-county area primarily in north central Kansas with its two physical campuses in Concordia and Junction City.

Cloud County Community College announces fall 2020 Honor Roll

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Riverview Estates in Marquette, where we care for your family like one of our family. Join our team today!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611761229655.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Riverview Estates in Marquette is now hiring for career minded people who care about their jobs.We are now hiring for a full time RN or LPN and full time CNA's and offering a sign on bonus for these positions. A full time Laundry Aide position is also available.Please apply in person at 202 S. Washington in Marquette or download an application at&nbsp;<a href="http://riverviewestatesks.com/">riverviewestatesks.com</a>. Call 785-546-2211 to inquire!Riverview Estates in Marquette, where we care for your family like one of our family. Join our team today!

SPONSORED: Riverview Estates hiring for multiple positions

By KAREN BONAR Kansas Wesleyan University

At&nbsp;the age of&nbsp;60,&nbsp;Dr.&nbsp;Milt&nbsp;Allen is still learning.&nbsp;His most recent classroom, however,&nbsp;was an unlikely one:&nbsp;Mount Kilimanjaro.&nbsp;

The chair of the KWU Department of Music began his ascent of the mountain, which is&nbsp;the highest&nbsp;single free-standing mountain in the world,&nbsp;on&nbsp;Dec. 13 and&nbsp;reached&nbsp;the&nbsp;summit&nbsp;Dec. 18.&nbsp;

“I think you learn from anything,”&nbsp;Allen said.&nbsp;“Without question,&nbsp;(the climb)&nbsp;put things in perspective,&nbsp;especially when&nbsp;you&nbsp;have a life-threatening experience and&nbsp;think you might&nbsp;not come down&nbsp;from the mountain.”&nbsp;

Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano&nbsp;located&nbsp;in Tanzania, Africa.&nbsp;About&nbsp;30,000 people&nbsp;attempt&nbsp;to summit the mountain annually,&nbsp;with&nbsp;about 60&nbsp;percent completing the climb&nbsp;(in a non-pandemic year).&nbsp;

A few days into the climb,&nbsp;Allen&nbsp;began to fight altitude sickness. The&nbsp;severe nausea&nbsp;from Altitude&nbsp;Mountain&nbsp;Sickness (AMS)&nbsp;prohibited him from eating,&nbsp;and he also&nbsp;experienced&nbsp;the beginnings of edema, the buildup of fluid in the brain, lungs and&nbsp;extremities. The health struggles were compounded by the physical reality of climbing a mountain, including lower oxygen levels.&nbsp;

“The&nbsp;third&nbsp;full day of&nbsp;climbing,&nbsp;altitude sickness&nbsp;emotionally got us,” he said. “What was compounding it was we were burning 4,000 to 5,000 calories a day, and I was ingesting nothing. You’re saying to yourself, ‘Don’t think about it, don’t focus on it’ because medical help isn’t there.&nbsp;They carry an oxygen tank, but the only time they use it is if you’re coming down&nbsp;the mountain&nbsp;on a stretcher.&nbsp;

“I kept telling myself,&nbsp;‘30,000 people climb it a year, only 30 die. Victory not without toil. Keep going.’”&nbsp;

The decision to climb&nbsp;Mount Kilimanjaro, also called “Kili,” grew out of a perfect&nbsp;storm.&nbsp;

“It’s been a very challenging 18 months,” Allen said. “This fall, I hit the big 6-0,&nbsp;and we were in the middle of a major pandemic.&nbsp;(Climbing Kilimanjaro) has&nbsp;been something to look forward to.&nbsp;

“I figured, ‘Why not?’&nbsp;I’m&nbsp;a runner,&nbsp;cyclist&nbsp;and former triathlete. That mountain’s been&nbsp;kind of hollering&nbsp;at me since I&nbsp;started going&nbsp;to Africa. I had to see why it was calling.”&nbsp;

While he has been cycling and doing triathlons for almost two decades, Allen&nbsp;is not an experienced mountaineer.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I haven’t climbed a mountain in my adult life,” Allen said, but felt his baseline of physical activity set him up for success.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In addition to his cycling and running, he added&nbsp;trekking&nbsp;to&nbsp;his normal routine, completing between 100 to 130 miles per week.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“With hiking I would go out to&nbsp;Horsethief Trail at&nbsp;Kanopolis&nbsp;Lake, which was the&nbsp;closest thing to&nbsp;Kilimanjaro&nbsp;I could find around here,” he said&nbsp;with a laugh. “I would do the outward loop a couple times&nbsp;and knock out from 12&nbsp;to&nbsp;15 miles in a morning.”&nbsp;

The&nbsp;total&nbsp;distance&nbsp;covering&nbsp;“Kili” was&nbsp;manageable&nbsp;— 42 miles — but Allen said he knew he&nbsp;couldn’t&nbsp;train for the altitude on the flatlands of Kansas.&nbsp;

“It’s one thing to go to&nbsp;Kanopolis&nbsp;and knock out 12 miles. It’s another thing to knock out&nbsp;five&nbsp;miles that contains 40&nbsp;to&nbsp;45 percent grades and vertical drops,” he said.&nbsp;

From the beginning, climbing&nbsp;Kilimanjaro was different than the YouTube video tutorials&nbsp;Allen&nbsp;watched.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We were five minutes in, and the heavens opened up. It just poured,”&nbsp;he&nbsp;said. “Richie&nbsp;(another climber)&nbsp;and I discovered this&nbsp;was&nbsp;not at all like the&nbsp;YouTube&nbsp;videos we had seen. After two hours of pouring rain, there was&nbsp;still&nbsp;an hour to&nbsp;hike to get to&nbsp;our first&nbsp;camp.”&nbsp;

All climbers are required to have a guide and support crew for the ascent.&nbsp;While initially he planned to climb solo&nbsp;with the support crew,&nbsp;Allen&nbsp;was asked&nbsp;to join another climber from Aruba&nbsp;for the adventure&nbsp;once he arrived in Africa.&nbsp;His climbing partner&nbsp;Richie&nbsp;was an experienced&nbsp;trekker,&nbsp;who hiked&nbsp;an average of 20 km per day&nbsp;during previous climbs in&nbsp;Peru and Chile.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“After the first two days, he said ‘This is nothing like (Peru or Chile),’” Allen said. “He said it was way more intense. He did not expect it to be&nbsp;as intense.&nbsp;Neither&nbsp;of us did.”&nbsp;

The&nbsp;grueling&nbsp;experience bonded the climbers and crew quickly.&nbsp;With his&nbsp;shoulder-length&nbsp;mane of white hair and status of oldest in the group, the crew&nbsp;began&nbsp;calling Allen “Papa,”&nbsp;an informal term for “father” in&nbsp;the region’s native language,&nbsp;Swahili.&nbsp;

Following two days of steady climbing, Allen said he awoke the second night&nbsp;“at 2 a.m. and my heart was beating so fast I couldn’t sleep,” he said. “I was trying to calm myself, but the air was getting thin. I thought, ‘This could be it. The trip could be over. This&nbsp;is a&nbsp;really dangerous&nbsp;situation.’”&nbsp;

After a rough night, the group faced a&nbsp;5-mile climb that was supposed to take a maximum of six hours.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We take off,&nbsp;and&nbsp;I’m in bad shape,” Allen said.&nbsp;“The air was getting thinner, I hadn’t eaten breakfast, I couldn’t drink. We were moving&nbsp;very&nbsp;slow. The&nbsp;guides&nbsp;were watching me and checking me, ‘Papa, you good? Papa, don’t sleep.’&nbsp;

“By the time we get to&nbsp;Lava&nbsp;Tower, both of us were pretty rough. I couldn’t talk. I couldn’t eat.”&nbsp;

Because he was fighting altitude sickness, the&nbsp;day’s climb took nine hours. The pattern of longer days of climbing continued for the remainder of the ascent.&nbsp;

Increased altitude was not&nbsp;the only obstacle. The&nbsp;journey involved&nbsp;hiking through&nbsp;five climate zones:&nbsp;rainforest,&nbsp;heather,&nbsp;moorland,&nbsp;alpine&nbsp;desert and&nbsp;arctic zones.&nbsp;

“The ascents and descents were&nbsp;getting&nbsp;tougher — much tougher. The air was thinner,” Allen said. “We were getting anxious because we were getting close.&nbsp;We’re&nbsp;at altitudes&nbsp;higher than Pike’s Peak.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As the days passed and the climbing intensified, the team shifted from the casual “Papa” to the&nbsp;endearing&nbsp;Swahili&nbsp;term of father, “Baba,”&nbsp;when referring to Allen.&nbsp;The affection was&nbsp;mutual. Allen said the expertise of the guide and porters was essential for the climb.&nbsp;A special bond was forged with one of the porters,&nbsp;Hussein.&nbsp;

“On summit night,&nbsp;I would walk three to five minutes, and I would collapse on a rock,” he said. “Hussein&nbsp;would come over and sing&nbsp;me songs and say, ‘Baba don’t sleep.’&nbsp;He and another porter, Saleem,&nbsp;tried to keep me warm. I couldn’t get up&nbsp;to move without their help. They would lift me up. At one point, I&nbsp;just&nbsp;couldn’t&nbsp;move. Those guys, twice, put my arms around them and drug me for 20 yards.&nbsp;Then I found a bit more strength.”&nbsp;

The climb to the summit began on&nbsp;day&nbsp;six&nbsp;of the journey. In order to reach the&nbsp;19,341 foot&nbsp;summit&nbsp;of&nbsp;Uhuru Peak&nbsp;at sunrise, the group set off before midnight.&nbsp;Allen said he knew climbing the final&nbsp;3 miles&nbsp;would be grueling, both physically and emotionally.&nbsp;

“I’d&nbsp;been moving sick for three or four days,&nbsp;and they can see I’m struggling,” he said. “I had already gone deeper than I’ve ever had (to go before).&nbsp;I’ve never gone below the well that far or that much.”&nbsp;

Allen continued his slow climb.&nbsp;About three hours into the&nbsp;pre-dawn ascent, his fellow climber&nbsp;expressed concern.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Richie pulls the head guy over and said, ‘He’s dying, you need to take him down,’” Allen said. “There was a lot of discussion. Amos, the lead guide,&nbsp;came over and asked me if I wanted to go down. I said, ‘No.’&nbsp;

“I was second guessing everything. I told myself, ‘All this time and you’re not going to make it. You’ve come so far and not finished.’&nbsp;My thought was,&nbsp;‘If I bail now,&nbsp;it will be a&nbsp;crushing defeat, but&nbsp;I&nbsp;just&nbsp;can’t do the&nbsp;descent&nbsp;in the dark.’”&nbsp;

The climbers were in an arctic zone,&nbsp;in the dark,&nbsp;with temperatures&nbsp;and wind chill combining for&nbsp;10 to 20 degrees below freezing.&nbsp;

“I thought,&nbsp;‘I’ll keep moving forward until I either pass out or it’s daylight. If it’s daylight, I can&nbsp;descend&nbsp;safely,’” Allen said.&nbsp;

He didn’t pass out, but at one point,&nbsp;Allen said he started to slide sideways&nbsp;off of the path.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I felt&nbsp;Hussein and Saleem&nbsp;reach out and grab me.&nbsp;They just pulled&nbsp;me up,&nbsp;sat&nbsp;me&nbsp;on a rock&nbsp;breathing hard and not&nbsp;saying a word,”&nbsp;he&nbsp;said.&nbsp;“It was pretty clear what almost happened. Finally, after a&nbsp;little&nbsp;bit,&nbsp;Hussein&nbsp;reaches over, puts his arm around me and hugs me really tight and kisses me on the&nbsp;side of my&nbsp;head and says,&nbsp;‘Baba, please take care.’”&nbsp;

The&nbsp;tumultuous&nbsp;climb continued.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Before the sun rose, I felt I wasn’t going to make it,” Allen said. “Not only was I not going to make it, I thought I was going to die on the mountain.&nbsp;Mentally, I was saying my goodbyes.”&nbsp;

As the climb approached the six-hour mark, the sun began to rise.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“For me, daylight, seeing it the peak, I was redeemed,” Allen said. “I thought, ‘Maybe I have a shot.’”&nbsp;

He kept pushing forward, minute by minute, until he heard familiar voices&nbsp;of the rest of the climbing party who completed the summit.&nbsp;

The victory&nbsp;of reaching the summit&nbsp;was, indeed, worth the toil.&nbsp;

“When I reached the top, everything fell away for a brief moment,” he said. “The pain, the tired, the pressure, the fear: I had made it. I had summitted Mount&nbsp;Kilimanjaro. I was&nbsp;literally&nbsp;floating above the clouds.”&nbsp;

Allen said&nbsp;cresting the summit was about more than the physical&nbsp;ascent.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It&nbsp;gives the&nbsp;mountains you climb in your personal life and professional life a little different perspective,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It also taught lessons about leaning into&nbsp;adversity.&nbsp;

“I wanted to make a statement about fear and challenge, patience and perseverance, love and belief,” Allen said. “I am thinking of students and faculty. I thought by at least attempting to climb the mountain and overcome that obstacle, if it even helps one student, say, ‘I can do this&nbsp;(whatever it may be),’ then it’s worth it.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“That’s why&nbsp;we&nbsp;teach. That’s why&nbsp;we’re here.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612023433289.jpeg" alt="Dr. Milt Allen. Photo courtesy KWU" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Milt Allen. Photo courtesy KWU</figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN BONAR Kansas Wesleyan UniversityAt&nbsp;the age of&nbsp;60,&nbsp;Dr.&nbsp;Milt&nbsp;Allen is still learning.&nbsp;His most recent classroom, however,&nbsp;was an unlikely one:&nbsp;Mount Kilimanjaro.&nbsp;The chair of the KWU Department of Music began his ascent of the mountain, which is&nbsp;the highest&nbsp;single free-standing mountain in the world,&nbsp;on&nbsp;Dec. 13 and&nbsp;reached&nbsp;the&nbsp;summit&nbsp;Dec. 18.&nbsp;“I think you learn from anything,”&nbsp;Allen said.&nbsp;“Without question,&nbsp;(the climb)&nbsp;put things in perspective,&nbsp;especially when&nbsp;you&nbsp;have a life-threatening experience and&nbsp;think you might&nbsp;not come down&nbsp;from the mountain.”&nbsp;Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano&nbsp;located&nbsp;in Tanzania, Africa.&nbsp;About&nbsp;30,000 people&nbsp;attempt&nbsp;to summit the mountain annually,&nbsp;with&nbsp;about 60&nbsp;percent completing the climb&nbsp;(in a non-pandemic year).&nbsp;A few days into the climb,&nbsp;Allen&nbsp;began to fight altitude sickness. The&nbsp;severe nausea&nbsp;from Altitude&nbsp;Mountain&nbsp;Sickness (AMS)&nbsp;prohibited him from eating,&nbsp;and he also&nbsp;experienced&nbsp;the beginnings of edema, the buildup of fluid in the brain, lungs and&nbsp;extremities. The health struggles were compounded by the physical reality of climbing a mountain, including lower oxygen levels.&nbsp;“The&nbsp;third&nbsp;full day of&nbsp;climbing,&nbsp;altitude sickness&nbsp;emotionally got us,” he said. “What was compounding it was we were burning 4,000 to 5,000 calories a day, and I was ingesting nothing. You’re saying to yourself, ‘Don’t think about it, don’t focus on it’ because medical help isn’t there.&nbsp;They carry an oxygen tank, but the only time they use it is if you’re coming down&nbsp;the mountain&nbsp;on a stretcher.&nbsp;“I kept telling myself,&nbsp;‘30,000 people climb it a year, only 30 die. Victory not without toil. Keep going.’”&nbsp;The decision to climb&nbsp;Mount Kilimanjaro, also called “Kili,” grew out of a perfect&nbsp;storm.&nbsp;“It’s been a very challenging 18 months,” Allen said. “This fall, I hit the big 6-0,&nbsp;and we were in the middle of a major pandemic.&nbsp;(Climbing Kilimanjaro) has&nbsp;been something to look forward to.&nbsp;“I figured, ‘Why not?’&nbsp;I’m&nbsp;a runner,&nbsp;cyclist&nbsp;and former triathlete. That mountain’s been&nbsp;kind of hollering&nbsp;at me since I&nbsp;started going&nbsp;to Africa. I had to see why it was calling.”&nbsp;While he has been cycling and doing triathlons for almost two decades, Allen&nbsp;is not an experienced mountaineer.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I haven’t climbed a mountain in my adult life,” Allen said, but felt his baseline of physical activity set him up for success.&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition to his cycling and running, he added&nbsp;trekking&nbsp;to&nbsp;his normal routine, completing between 100 to 130 miles per week.&nbsp;&nbsp;“With hiking I would go out to&nbsp;Horsethief Trail at&nbsp;Kanopolis&nbsp;Lake, which was the&nbsp;closest thing to&nbsp;Kilimanjaro&nbsp;I could find around here,” he said&nbsp;with a laugh. “I would do the outward loop a couple times&nbsp;and knock out from 12&nbsp;to&nbsp;15 miles in a morning.”&nbsp;The&nbsp;total&nbsp;distance&nbsp;covering&nbsp;“Kili” was&nbsp;manageable&nbsp;— 42 miles — but Allen said he knew he&nbsp;couldn’t&nbsp;train for the altitude on the flatlands of Kansas.&nbsp;“It’s one thing to go to&nbsp;Kanopolis&nbsp;and knock out 12 miles. It’s another thing to knock out&nbsp;five&nbsp;miles that contains 40&nbsp;to&nbsp;45 percent grades and vertical drops,” he said.&nbsp;From the beginning, climbing&nbsp;Kilimanjaro was different than the YouTube video tutorials&nbsp;Allen&nbsp;watched.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We were five minutes in, and the heavens opened up. It just poured,”&nbsp;he&nbsp;said. “Richie&nbsp;(another climber)&nbsp;and I discovered this&nbsp;was&nbsp;not at all like the&nbsp;YouTube&nbsp;videos we had seen. After two hours of pouring rain, there was&nbsp;still&nbsp;an hour to&nbsp;hike to get to&nbsp;our first&nbsp;camp.”&nbsp;All climbers are required to have a guide and support crew for the ascent.&nbsp;While initially he planned to climb solo&nbsp;with the support crew,&nbsp;Allen&nbsp;was asked&nbsp;to join another climber from Aruba&nbsp;for the adventure&nbsp;once he arrived in Africa.&nbsp;His climbing partner&nbsp;Richie&nbsp;was an experienced&nbsp;trekker,&nbsp;who hiked&nbsp;an average of 20 km per day&nbsp;during previous climbs in&nbsp;Peru and Chile.&nbsp;&nbsp;“After the first two days, he said ‘This is nothing like (Peru or Chile),’” Allen said. “He said it was way more intense. He did not expect it to be&nbsp;as intense.&nbsp;Neither&nbsp;of us did.”&nbsp;The&nbsp;grueling&nbsp;experience bonded the climbers and crew quickly.&nbsp;With his&nbsp;shoulder-length&nbsp;mane of white hair and status of oldest in the group, the crew&nbsp;began&nbsp;calling Allen “Papa,”&nbsp;an informal term for “father” in&nbsp;the region’s native language,&nbsp;Swahili.&nbsp;Following two days of steady climbing, Allen said he awoke the second night&nbsp;“at 2 a.m. and my heart was beating so fast I couldn’t sleep,” he said. “I was trying to calm myself, but the air was getting thin. I thought, ‘This could be it. The trip could be over. This&nbsp;is a&nbsp;really dangerous&nbsp;situation.’”&nbsp;After a rough night, the group faced a&nbsp;5-mile climb that was supposed to take a maximum of six hours.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We take off,&nbsp;and&nbsp;I’m in bad shape,” Allen said.&nbsp;“The air was getting thinner, I hadn’t eaten breakfast, I couldn’t drink. We were moving&nbsp;very&nbsp;slow. The&nbsp;guides&nbsp;were watching me and checking me, ‘Papa, you good? Papa, don’t sleep.’&nbsp;“By the time we get to&nbsp;Lava&nbsp;Tower, both of us were pretty rough. I couldn’t talk. I couldn’t eat.”&nbsp;Because he was fighting altitude sickness, the&nbsp;day’s climb took nine hours. The pattern of longer days of climbing continued for the remainder of the ascent.&nbsp;Increased altitude was not&nbsp;the only obstacle. The&nbsp;journey involved&nbsp;hiking through&nbsp;five climate zones:&nbsp;rainforest,&nbsp;heather,&nbsp;moorland,&nbsp;alpine&nbsp;desert and&nbsp;arctic zones.&nbsp;“The ascents and descents were&nbsp;getting&nbsp;tougher — much tougher. The air was thinner,” Allen said. “We were getting anxious because we were getting close.&nbsp;We’re&nbsp;at altitudes&nbsp;higher than Pike’s Peak.&nbsp;&nbsp;As the days passed and the climbing intensified, the team shifted from the casual “Papa” to the&nbsp;endearing&nbsp;Swahili&nbsp;term of father, “Baba,”&nbsp;when referring to Allen.&nbsp;The affection was&nbsp;mutual. Allen said the expertise of the guide and porters was essential for the climb.&nbsp;A special bond was forged with one of the porters,&nbsp;Hussein.&nbsp;“On summit night,&nbsp;I would walk three to five minutes, and I would collapse on a rock,” he said. “Hussein&nbsp;would come over and sing&nbsp;me songs and say, ‘Baba don’t sleep.’&nbsp;He and another porter, Saleem,&nbsp;tried to keep me warm. I couldn’t get up&nbsp;to move without their help. They would lift me up. At one point, I&nbsp;just&nbsp;couldn’t&nbsp;move. Those guys, twice, put my arms around them and drug me for 20 yards.&nbsp;Then I found a bit more strength.”&nbsp;The climb to the summit began on&nbsp;day&nbsp;six&nbsp;of the journey. In order to reach the&nbsp;19,341 foot&nbsp;summit&nbsp;of&nbsp;Uhuru Peak&nbsp;at sunrise, the group set off before midnight.&nbsp;Allen said he knew climbing the final&nbsp;3 miles&nbsp;would be grueling, both physically and emotionally.&nbsp;“I’d&nbsp;been moving sick for three or four days,&nbsp;and they can see I’m struggling,” he said. “I had already gone deeper than I’ve ever had (to go before).&nbsp;I’ve never gone below the well that far or that much.”&nbsp;Allen continued his slow climb.&nbsp;About three hours into the&nbsp;pre-dawn ascent, his fellow climber&nbsp;expressed concern.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Richie pulls the head guy over and said, ‘He’s dying, you need to take him down,’” Allen said. “There was a lot of discussion. Amos, the lead guide,&nbsp;came over and asked me if I wanted to go down. I said, ‘No.’&nbsp;“I was second guessing everything. I told myself, ‘All this time and you’re not going to make it. You’ve come so far and not finished.’&nbsp;My thought was,&nbsp;‘If I bail now,&nbsp;it will be a&nbsp;crushing defeat, but&nbsp;I&nbsp;just&nbsp;can’t do the&nbsp;descent&nbsp;in the dark.’”&nbsp;The climbers were in an arctic zone,&nbsp;in the dark,&nbsp;with temperatures&nbsp;and wind chill combining for&nbsp;10 to 20 degrees below freezing.&nbsp;“I thought,&nbsp;‘I’ll keep moving forward until I either pass out or it’s daylight. If it’s daylight, I can&nbsp;descend&nbsp;safely,’” Allen said.&nbsp;He didn’t pass out, but at one point,&nbsp;Allen said he started to slide sideways&nbsp;off of the path.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I felt&nbsp;Hussein and Saleem&nbsp;reach out and grab me.&nbsp;They just pulled&nbsp;me up,&nbsp;sat&nbsp;me&nbsp;on a rock&nbsp;breathing hard and not&nbsp;saying a word,”&nbsp;he&nbsp;said.&nbsp;“It was pretty clear what almost happened. Finally, after a&nbsp;little&nbsp;bit,&nbsp;Hussein&nbsp;reaches over, puts his arm around me and hugs me really tight and kisses me on the&nbsp;side of my&nbsp;head and says,&nbsp;‘Baba, please take care.’”&nbsp;The&nbsp;tumultuous&nbsp;climb continued.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Before the sun rose, I felt I wasn’t going to make it,” Allen said. “Not only was I not going to make it, I thought I was going to die on the mountain.&nbsp;Mentally, I was saying my goodbyes.”&nbsp;As the climb approached the six-hour mark, the sun began to rise.&nbsp;&nbsp;“For me, daylight, seeing it the peak, I was redeemed,” Allen said. “I thought, ‘Maybe I have a shot.’”&nbsp;He kept pushing forward, minute by minute, until he heard familiar voices&nbsp;of the rest of the climbing party who completed the summit.&nbsp;The victory&nbsp;of reaching the summit&nbsp;was, indeed, worth the toil.&nbsp;“When I reached the top, everything fell away for a brief moment,” he said. “The pain, the tired, the pressure, the fear: I had made it. I had summitted Mount&nbsp;Kilimanjaro. I was&nbsp;literally&nbsp;floating above the clouds.”&nbsp;Allen said&nbsp;cresting the summit was about more than the physical&nbsp;ascent.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It&nbsp;gives the&nbsp;mountains you climb in your personal life and professional life a little different perspective,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;It also taught lessons about leaning into&nbsp;adversity.&nbsp;“I wanted to make a statement about fear and challenge, patience and perseverance, love and belief,” Allen said. “I am thinking of students and faculty. I thought by at least attempting to climb the mountain and overcome that obstacle, if it even helps one student, say, ‘I can do this&nbsp;(whatever it may be),’ then it’s worth it.&nbsp;&nbsp;“That’s why&nbsp;we&nbsp;teach. That’s why&nbsp;we’re here.”--<a href="http://kwu.edu">KWU</a>--

Climbing Kilimanjaro -- victory not without toil for Dr. Milt Allen

UPDATE: NWS has updated the rain map.

Widespread rain and embedded thunderstorms will impact the area on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita.

Widespread rain is likely today with southern and southeast Kansas likely to see an embedded thunderstorm or two. Rain will come to an end in the afternoon with areas of north-central Kansas possibly seeing a wintry mix before the precipitation ends, NWS noted. No accumulation is expected.

UPDATE: NWS has updated the rain map.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612018820779.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Widespread rain and embedded thunderstorms will impact the area on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita.Widespread rain is likely today with southern and southeast Kansas likely to see an embedded thunderstorm or two. Rain will come to an end in the afternoon with areas of north-central Kansas possibly seeing a wintry mix before the precipitation ends, NWS noted. No accumulation is expected.

UPDATE: Widespread rain forecast for today; a few snowflakes possible

The Greater Salina Community Foundation recently awarded more than $29,000 to eight charitable projects and organizations in Saline County. 

The following organizations received funding:

• Salina Public Library, $3,000 to create several summer youth book clubs to help reduce reading loss over the summer break. The clubs will be led by a certified teacher and will include additional literacy and educational activities.

• City of Gypsum-Gypsum Summer Youth Program $5,000 to launch a summer youth program to ensure at-risk children of the communities have opportunities to learn and stay safe in the summer months.

• Saline County Community Corrections, $2,500 to purchase 10 bikes, helmets/locks, and bike trailers to provide accessible transportation for clients and families to get to employment, educational facilities and to pick up food/essentials.

• Saline County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol &amp; Rescue Squad, $2,500 to purchase required swift water rescue safety equipment to be used in the event of flooding.

• St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, $5,000 to provide required fencing around the playground for Kid Kare childcare programs new services.

• Salina Art Center, $5,000 to assist in the art-in-residency of Tonika Johnson and collaborator Paola Aguirre this summer.

• Salina Innovation Foundation, $1,691.43 to purchase a new ice machine for use of public and private events at The Temple.

• Salina Shares, $5,000 to help fund the Laundry Love program to assist in the washing and drying of people’s clothes in the three laundromats in Salina.

This round of grants was made possible by four funds at the community foundation: the Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, which supports projects and programs that improve the community’s quality of life; the Kansas Health Foundation Fund, which supports preventative programs that support healthy living across Saline County; the Fund for Greater Salina which supports funds used for a variety of charitable causes that positively impact the community; and the YW Legacy Fund, which supports initiatives that align with the mission of the former YWCA in Salina.

Applications for the foundation’s next community grant cycle are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, February 15, 2021. This will be the final grant cycle of our fiscal year. Detailed application and fund criteria are available at <a href="http://www.gscf.org/about-grants">www.gscf.org/about-grants</a>.

The Greater Salina Community Foundation recently awarded more than $29,000 to eight charitable projects and organizations in Saline County. The following organizations received funding:• Salina Public Library, $3,000 to create several summer youth book clubs to help reduce reading loss over the summer break. The clubs will be led by a certified teacher and will include additional literacy and educational activities.• City of Gypsum-Gypsum Summer Youth Program $5,000 to launch a summer youth program to ensure at-risk children of the communities have opportunities to learn and stay safe in the summer months.• Saline County Community Corrections, $2,500 to purchase 10 bikes, helmets/locks, and bike trailers to provide accessible transportation for clients and families to get to employment, educational facilities and to pick up food/essentials.• Saline County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol &amp; Rescue Squad, $2,500 to purchase required swift water rescue safety equipment to be used in the event of flooding.• St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, $5,000 to provide required fencing around the playground for Kid Kare childcare programs new services.• Salina Art Center, $5,000 to assist in the art-in-residency of Tonika Johnson and collaborator Paola Aguirre this summer.• Salina Innovation Foundation, $1,691.43 to purchase a new ice machine for use of public and private events at The Temple.• Salina Shares, $5,000 to help fund the Laundry Love program to assist in the washing and drying of people’s clothes in the three laundromats in Salina.This round of grants was made possible by four funds at the community foundation: the Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, which supports projects and programs that improve the community’s quality of life; the Kansas Health Foundation Fund, which supports preventative programs that support healthy living across Saline County; the Fund for Greater Salina which supports funds used for a variety of charitable causes that positively impact the community; and the YW Legacy Fund, which supports initiatives that align with the mission of the former YWCA in Salina.Applications for the foundation’s next community grant cycle are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, February 15, 2021. This will be the final grant cycle of our fiscal year. Detailed application and fund criteria are available at <a href="http://www.gscf.org/about-grants">www.gscf.org/about-grants</a>.

GSCF awards more than $29,000 in community grants

FRANKLIN COUNTY — Two people died in an accident just after midnight Saturday in Franklin County.

The Kansas State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Jeep Patriot driven by Samuel D. Caldwell, 20, Overland Park, was southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 135 two and one half miles east of Ottawa.

The Jeep stuck a northbound 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle driven by Kaitlen E. Riley, 19, Concordia, head-on in the northbound lanes

Caldwell and Riley were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Frontier Forensics. Riley was properly restrained at the time of the accident. The KHP did not have seat belt usage information for Caldwell.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1563104261595.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FRANKLIN COUNTY — Two people died in an accident just after midnight Saturday in Franklin County.The Kansas State Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Jeep Patriot driven by Samuel D. Caldwell, 20, Overland Park, was southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 135 two and one half miles east of Ottawa.The Jeep stuck a northbound 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle driven by Kaitlen E. Riley, 19, Concordia, head-on in the northbound lanesCaldwell and Riley were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Frontier Forensics. Riley was properly restrained at the time of the accident. The KHP did not have seat belt usage information for Caldwell.

Kan. woman, man dead after wrong-way, head-on crash

CONCORDIA -- Cloud County Health Center's received a boost thanks to the members of a local church.

Members of Trinity United Methodist Church, Concordia, recently presented Cloud County Foundation for Health Care a donation of $100,000 to be used for the new hospital building project, according to information provided by the health center. Church members participating in the presentation were Mark and Dorothy Morgan, Marilyn Flesher, Matt and Deb Lauer, Norman and Sherry Johnson, Lois Johnston, Jeannie Wilson, and Rev. Melanie Adams.

Dorothy Morgan said, “The church is very pleased to provide these funds to assist in the building project that will provide continuing quality health care to the community.” 

Trinity United Methodist Church had monies available through the Fortney estate. Dorothy Morgan said, “I believe the Fortney’s would be very happy to see the church make this donation for a new hospital.”

Brandt Hutchinson, president of the foundation, expressed great appreciation for this generous gift from Trinity Church. 

“This donation, along with those from past donors, is a great testament to the willingness of our community to support our local hospital and healthcare family,” Hutchinson said.

CONCORDIA -- Cloud County Health Center's received a boost thanks to the members of a local church.Members of Trinity United Methodist Church, Concordia, recently presented Cloud County Foundation for Health Care a donation of $100,000 to be used for the new hospital building project, according to information provided by the health center. Church members participating in the presentation were Mark and Dorothy Morgan, Marilyn Flesher, Matt and Deb Lauer, Norman and Sherry Johnson, Lois Johnston, Jeannie Wilson, and Rev. Melanie Adams.Dorothy Morgan said, “The church is very pleased to provide these funds to assist in the building project that will provide continuing quality health care to the community.” Trinity United Methodist Church had monies available through the Fortney estate. Dorothy Morgan said, “I believe the Fortney’s would be very happy to see the church make this donation for a new hospital.”Brandt Hutchinson, president of the foundation, expressed great appreciation for this generous gift from Trinity Church. “This donation, along with those from past donors, is a great testament to the willingness of our community to support our local hospital and healthcare family,” Hutchinson said.