UPDATE: Jack Rex Mildfelt's sister told Salina Post this evening that family members and a friend are offering a $4,000 reward to whoever finds her brother.

The Salina Police Department is seeking assistance in locating Jack Rex Mildfelt.

Mildfelt was reported missing today and was last seen in Salina on the afternoon of Sept. 3.

Mildfelt, a 52-year-old white male, is&nbsp;6 feet tall, weighs 190 pounds, and has brown hair and hazel eyes. He was&nbsp;last seen in his white 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe with Kansas tag 119ECF.

If the public has information about Mildfelt’s whereabouts, they are encouraged to contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210, call Crimestoppers at (785) 825-TIPS (8477), or text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637). Salina Police Department case # 2020-26077

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599772381818.jpeg" alt="Jack Rex Mildfelt. All images courtesy Salina Police Department" />
 <figcaption>Jack Rex Mildfelt. All images courtesy Salina Police Department</figcaption>
 </figure>UPDATE: Jack Rex Mildfelt's sister told Salina Post this evening that family members and a friend are offering a $4,000 reward to whoever finds her brother.The Salina Police Department is seeking assistance in locating Jack Rex Mildfelt.Mildfelt was reported missing today and was last seen in Salina on the afternoon of Sept. 3.Mildfelt, a 52-year-old white male, is&nbsp;6 feet tall, weighs 190 pounds, and has brown hair and hazel eyes. He was&nbsp;last seen in his white 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe with Kansas tag 119ECF.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599772468157.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>If the public has information about Mildfelt’s whereabouts, they are encouraged to contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210, call Crimestoppers at (785) 825-TIPS (8477), or text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637). Salina Police Department case # 2020-26077

UPDATE: Reward offered in case of missing Salina man

OCCK Transportation was awarded an Innovation of the Year Award from the Kansas Public Transit Association at the 2020 annual meeting held virtually in August.

Innovation of the Year Awards were given to OCCK Transportation, Topeka Metro, Dodge City Transportation and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority for their use of free fares during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to provide social equity and are greatly appreciated by the transit dependent.&nbsp;

“We’re thankful for KPTA for recognizing these organizations serving the public,” said Michelle Griffin, mobility manager.&nbsp;&nbsp;“This has been a challenging year in many ways and transit agencies are working hard to continue to provide needed services to passengers, including offering free fares.”

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

OCCK Transportation was awarded an Innovation of the Year Award from the Kansas Public Transit Association at the 2020 annual meeting held virtually in August.Innovation of the Year Awards were given to OCCK Transportation, Topeka Metro, Dodge City Transportation and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority for their use of free fares during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to provide social equity and are greatly appreciated by the transit dependent.&nbsp;“We’re thankful for KPTA for recognizing these organizations serving the public,” said Michelle Griffin, mobility manager.&nbsp;&nbsp;“This has been a challenging year in many ways and transit agencies are working hard to continue to provide needed services to passengers, including offering free fares.”OCCK, Inc. provides services in north central Kansas to anyone with any type of long or short-term disability, starting as early as birth and following people through their whole lives. OCCK provides an array of supports for success at home and in the community, including independent living skills and supports, employment and career training, Alzheimer’s supports, autism services, assistive technology, children’s services, transportation, specialized therapies, and home health care.

OCCK Transportation wins Innovation of the Year Award

MCPHERSON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 6:30a.m. Thursday in McPherson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 F250 pickup driven by Marcus Scott&nbsp;Ehrhardt, 31, Herington,&nbsp;was westbound at 236 U.S. 56 highway in Galva.

The pickup struck a 2007 Kenworth semi driven by Steven Dale&nbsp;Albrecht, 60, Salina, that was pulling out of a driveway to go eastbound on U.S. 56.

The pickup then struck two parked vehicles and a pedestrian identified as Troy Daryl&nbsp;Regier, 62, Canton, in the parking lot of the welding shop.

EMS transported&nbsp;Regier to Wesley Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries.

Ehrhardt and&nbsp;Albrecht were not injured and properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

MCPHERSON COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 6:30a.m. Thursday in McPherson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 F250 pickup driven by Marcus Scott&nbsp;Ehrhardt, 31, Herington,&nbsp;was westbound at 236 U.S. 56 highway in Galva.The pickup struck a 2007 Kenworth semi driven by Steven Dale&nbsp;Albrecht, 60, Salina, that was pulling out of a driveway to go eastbound on U.S. 56.The pickup then struck two parked vehicles and a pedestrian identified as Troy Daryl&nbsp;Regier, 62, Canton, in the parking lot of the welding shop.EMS transported&nbsp;Regier to Wesley Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries.Ehrhardt and&nbsp;Albrecht were not injured and properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kan. man hospitalized after pickup strikes semi, pedestrian

The City of Salina has been awarded $169,200 of CDBG-CV dollars for both economic development ($119,200) and meal program ($35,000) activities.

Beginning immediately, organizations are encouraged to apply for the meal program portion of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) -CV Grant funds.

The meal program fund applications are due by 5 p.m. on Oct. 9, 2020.

To learn more about eligibility and how to apply, visit the City’s <a href="http://www.ci.salina.ks.us/">homepage</a> and click the APPLY NOW: CommunityDevelopment Block Grant - Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) link under the Featured Items tab.

There you will find application materials, guidelines, and additional information for both the meal program and the economic development activities under the CDBG-CV grant.

Economic development applications have been previously released and are due by 5 p.m. on Friday.

The City of Salina has been awarded $169,200 of CDBG-CV dollars for both economic development ($119,200) and meal program ($35,000) activities.Beginning immediately, organizations are encouraged to apply for the meal program portion of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) -CV Grant funds.The meal program fund applications are due by 5 p.m. on Oct. 9, 2020.To learn more about eligibility and how to apply, visit the City’s <a href="http://www.ci.salina.ks.us/">homepage</a> and click the APPLY NOW: CommunityDevelopment Block Grant - Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) link under the Featured Items tab.There you will find application materials, guidelines, and additional information for both the meal program and the economic development activities under the CDBG-CV grant.Economic development applications have been previously released and are due by 5 p.m. on Friday.

City seeks applications for meal program block grant funds

Much of the area recieved a good soaking as rains continued overnight.

Salina Regional Airport reported 1.35 inches for the 24-hour period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. In southeast Salina, near the Eagle Radio Studios, 1.55 inches was reported.

Following are 24-hour rainfall totals as of 7 a.m. Thursday from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cocorahs.org/ViewData/StateDailyPrecipReports.aspx?state=KS">Community Collaborative Rain, Hail &amp; Snow Network</a>.

READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5ee4ce44ebfb13423b27a8f4">Volunteers needed to help collect weather data</a>

Much of the area recieved a good soaking as rains continued overnight.Salina Regional Airport reported 1.35 inches for the 24-hour period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. In southeast Salina, near the Eagle Radio Studios, 1.55 inches was reported.Following are 24-hour rainfall totals as of 7 a.m. Thursday from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cocorahs.org/ViewData/StateDailyPrecipReports.aspx?state=KS">Community Collaborative Rain, Hail &amp; Snow Network</a>.READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5ee4ce44ebfb13423b27a8f4">Volunteers needed to help collect weather data</a>CLAY COUNTYClay Center 12.4 NNE, 1.00 inchClay Center 6.7 WNW, 1.18 inchesCLOUD COUNTYJamestown 2.4 NW, 0.63 of an inchConcordia 1.8 S, 0.84 of an inchDICKINSON COUNTYAbilene 0.7 E, 1.50 inchesChapman 6.0 NNE, 1.34 inchesAbilene 5.9 NNW, 1.05 inchesSolomon 0.2 W, 1.75 inchesCarlton 2.1 NNW, 1.41 inchesHope 7.5 NNW, 1.48 inchesAbilene 10.3 S, 1.44 inchesAbilene 0.7 W, 1.07 inchesEnterprise 2.1 SW, 1.28 inchesAbilene 1.1 NNE, 1.09 inchesAbilene 9.4 S, 1.35 inchesCarlton 3.6 WSW, 1.25 inches ELLSWORTH COUNTYKanopolis 0.8 SW, 0.84 of an inchEllsworth 0.3 E, 0.60 of an inchLorraine 1.4 S, 0.79 of an inchBrookville 5.5 W, 1.00 inchLorraine 2.5 ESE, 0.80 of an inchKanopolis 4.5 NE, 0.96 of an inch JEWELL COUNTYWebber 2.6 ENE, 0.53 of an inchFormoso 0.3 W, 0.62 of an inchLINCOLN COUNTYBeverly 4.6 S, 1.04 inchesMARION COUNTYTampa 3.2 ESE, 1.59 inchesHillsboro 8.5 SW, 1.30 inchesHillsboro 5.3 S, 1.57 inchesNewton 9.4 N, 1.37 inchesNewton 12.6 N, 1.26 inchesMCPHERSON COUNTYMcPherson 6.6 WSW, 1.59 inchesLindsborg 5.6 W, 1.50 inchesLindsborg 3.7 SSW, 1.32 inchesInman 0.8 WSW, 1.81 inchesMoundridge 5.3 WSW, 1.52 inchesMoundridge 0.4 SW, 1.27 inchesMarquette 3.0 WSW, 1.17 inchesCanton 3.2 N, 1.51 inchesMoundridge 1.0 N, 1.22 inchesMoundridge 2.2 W, 1.24 inchesGalva 9.5 N, 1.45 inchesMoundridge 4.8 W, 1.33 inchesCanton 0.3 E, 1.19 inchesMarquette 2.3 NNE, 1.30 inchesMcPherson 6.6 ENE, 1.40 inchesGalva 1.1 WSW, 1.28 inchesGalva 2.6 SSE, 1.27 inchesMarquette 3.2 NNE, 1.09 inchesMcPherson 1.1 NW, 1.58 inchesMITCHELL COUNTYScottsville 4.6 SSW, 0.67 of an inchHunter 2.1 NNW, 0.60 of an inchBeloit 1.9 ENE, 0.70 of an inchBeloit 6.9 NE, 0.67 of an inchOTTAWA COUNTYAda 7.0 NNW, 0.86 of an inchMinneapolis 0.4 NE, 0.83 of an inchREPUBLIC COUNTYBelleville 4.2 N, 0.73 of an inchBelleville 0.5 S, 1.73 inchesCourtland 6.1 N, 0.44 of an inchScandia 1.1 N, 0.62 of an inchBelleville 0.6 ESE, 0.75 of an inchSALINE COUNTYBrookville 8.0 NNE, 1.05 inchesSalina 0.7 SSW, 1.51 inchesSalina 7.0 N, 1.23 inchesSalina 0.8 S, 1.38 inchesBrookville 5.9 NNW, 1.04 inchesSalina 5.7 NNW, 1.26 inchesSalina 8.7 NNE, 1.39 inchesAssaria 2.4 NNW, 1.68 inchesSalina 2.2 NNE, 1.28 inchesSalina 2.9 ENE, 1.29 inchesNew Cambria 2.1 NW, 1.21 inches

Much of the area receives more than an inch of rain

Smoky Hill Education Service Center is seeking candidates for the position of Accounting Assistant.&nbsp; This person will be responsible for assisting the CFO with accounts payable, and other accounting related tasks.&nbsp; This person will assist consultants with copying, training room cleaning and setup, lunch setup as needed and other related tasks.&nbsp; The successful candidate will be motivated, hardworking, comfortable using technology as an accounting and communication tool, knowledgeable in accounting practices, and able to function in a dynamic environment while working on various projects simultaneously.&nbsp;

Position Responsibilities Include:&nbsp;

·Monitoring and processing accounts payable.

·Assisting with office operations such as answering phones, greeting guests, and hosting events.&nbsp;

·Performing other duties as assigned by Smoky Hill ESC leadership.

·Proficiency in the use and operation of Microsoft software (Excel, Word, etc.).

·Ability to work both independently and effectively as a member of a team.

·Ability to provide excellent customer service and maintain positive working relationships with staff members and customers.

·Strong aptitude for learning new skills, adapting to new technologies, and implementing new practices.

·Effective organization and time management skills.

·Strong interpersonal and communication (both oral and written) skills with the ability to present accounting subject matter to leadership.

·Production of accurate work within time constraints.

·Effective working relations with clients and other agency employees.

·Prioritizing, problem-solving, and multi-tasking skills.

Part-time and full-time applicants will be considered.

To be considered for this position visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.smokyhill.org/">www.smokyhill.org</a>, and apply by clicking on the employment application link.&nbsp; The link can be found under the About Us/Employment Opportunities section of the website.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599358380543.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Smoky Hill Education Service Center is seeking candidates for the position of Accounting Assistant.&nbsp; This person will be responsible for assisting the CFO with accounts payable, and other accounting related tasks.&nbsp; This person will assist consultants with copying, training room cleaning and setup, lunch setup as needed and other related tasks.&nbsp; The successful candidate will be motivated, hardworking, comfortable using technology as an accounting and communication tool, knowledgeable in accounting practices, and able to function in a dynamic environment while working on various projects simultaneously.&nbsp;Position Responsibilities Include:&nbsp;·Monitoring and processing accounts payable.·Assisting with the bank deposits.·Assisting with office operations such as answering phones, greeting guests, and hosting events.&nbsp;·Performing other duties as assigned by Smoky Hill ESC leadership.Additional Requirements:·Proficiency in the use and operation of Microsoft software (Excel, Word, etc.).·Ability to work both independently and effectively as a member of a team.·Ability to provide excellent customer service and maintain positive working relationships with staff members and customers.·Strong aptitude for learning new skills, adapting to new technologies, and implementing new practices.·Effective organization and time management skills.·Strong interpersonal and communication (both oral and written) skills with the ability to present accounting subject matter to leadership.·Production of accurate work within time constraints.·Effective working relations with clients and other agency employees.·Prioritizing, problem-solving, and multi-tasking skills.Part-time and full-time applicants will be considered.To be considered for this position visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.smokyhill.org/">www.smokyhill.org</a>, and apply by clicking on the employment application link.&nbsp; The link can be found under the About Us/Employment Opportunities section of the website.

Gridiron Glory kicks off tonight! Have you made your picks yet?

Kansas Wesleyan University has been the victim of multiple damage to property instances over the past week.

Last Friday, someone put dish soap in the water feature in front of Pioneer Hall at KWU, 100 East Claflin Avenue, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning. The fountain sustained $1,500 worth of damage as a result of the incident, he noted.

On Wednesday, unknown subjects used gold paint to spray paint several campus locations with vulgar images, people's names, and different numbers, Forrester explained. Damage in this incident was estimated at $200, he added.

According to Forrester, video surveillance is being reviewed in both cases.

Kansas Wesleyan University has been the victim of multiple damage to property instances over the past week.Last Friday, someone put dish soap in the water feature in front of Pioneer Hall at KWU, 100 East Claflin Avenue, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning. The fountain sustained $1,500 worth of damage as a result of the incident, he noted.On Wednesday, unknown subjects used gold paint to spray paint several campus locations with vulgar images, people's names, and different numbers, Forrester explained. Damage in this incident was estimated at $200, he added.According to Forrester, video surveillance is being reviewed in both cases.

Police: KWU victim of multiple instances of damage to property 

Cool! Salina broke a weather record Wednesday.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita, Salina, along with some other cities in Kansas, set a record cool high for Sept. 9 when 49 degrees was recorded as the official high for Salina. The previous record cool high was 62 degrees in 1962, NWS noted.

A record setting cold airmass spread across the Plains and into the Rockies on Wednesday and into today. Low temperatures on both the Wednesday and Thursday plummeted into the 40s across most of Kansas with readings falling into the 30s across Western Kansas. 

High temperatures on Wednesday only reached the 40s and 50s. Normal highs for the beginning of September are in the 80s across Kansas. 

Widespread snow occurred across most of Colorado with some of this even affecting parts of Western Kansas. Goodland measured a half inch of snow on Wednesday, which is the earliest they have ever measured snow in Goodland, NWS reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599741750806.jpeg" alt="Record cool highs for Wednesday" />
 <figcaption>Record cool highs for Wednesday</figcaption>
 </figure>Cool! Salina broke a weather record Wednesday.According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita, Salina, along with some other cities in Kansas, set a record cool high for Sept. 9 when 49 degrees was recorded as the official high for Salina. The previous record cool high was 62 degrees in 1962, NWS noted.A record setting cold airmass spread across the Plains and into the Rockies on Wednesday and into today. Low temperatures on both the Wednesday and Thursday plummeted into the 40s across most of Kansas with readings falling into the 30s across Western Kansas. High temperatures on Wednesday only reached the 40s and 50s. Normal highs for the beginning of September are in the 80s across Kansas. Widespread snow occurred across most of Colorado with some of this even affecting parts of Western Kansas. Goodland measured a half inch of snow on Wednesday, which is the earliest they have ever measured snow in Goodland, NWS reported.

Salina sets new record cool high as strong cold front moves across Plains

TOPEKA —Eight Kansas school districts, three organizations and a group of leaders were honored Tuesday for outstanding practices in Child Nutrition and Wellness programs that help support the Kansans Can vision.

The Kansans Can 2019-2020 Best Practice Awards were presented during the Kansas State Board of Education meeting in Topeka. This is the fourth year for the awards.

The Kansans Can vision, which was established by the State Board of Education in 2015, is “Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.”

The recipients and the award they received are:

Wamego USD 320:&nbsp;Kansans Can Implement Innovative Meal Pattern Strategies –&nbsp;Because of the unanticipated school building closures in March, Wamego Unified School District 320 switched from cafeteria meal service to a grab-and-go model with four sites and a home-delivery model with less than 24 hours of notice. Wamego stepped up to the challenge to continue to service delicious meals in a grab-and-go format that included fresh fruits, vegetables and fresh baked breads using a leading industry bagging system. Parents reported children were trying new foods and breakfast participation increased 249% because of the exceptional food quality of the grab-and-go meals.

Haven USD 312:&nbsp;Kansans Can Serve Local Foods –&nbsp;Going green took on new meaning at the Haven High School greenhouse in Have USD 312. By mid-March, the greenhouse was in full production and growing enough kale, Romaine lettuce and microgreens to support student demand in the school lunch program. Students not only grew the fresh greens, but also grew to love the fresh produce offered on the salad bar.

Elk Valley USD 283:&nbsp;-&nbsp;Kansans Can Serve Local Foods –&nbsp;Students put fresh, local foods on the plate in child nutrition programs from the on-campus garden and vo-ag classes in Elk Valley USD 283. Working year-round in the garden and raising pigs, students at Elk Valley provided fresh produce and pork for breakfast, lunch and Summer Food Service Programs. Produce grown and donated to district food service included onions, kale, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, green beans, salad greens, carrots, beets, melons and more, which saved the district more than $500 in food costs. Participation in meals increased more than 30% because of the quality of the student-grown foods.

Topeka USD 501:&nbsp;Kansans Can Provide Outstanding Customer Service –&nbsp;Developing strong community partnerships was key to ensuring that children had access to nutritious foods when schools closed this spring because of COVID-19. Through innovative outreach strategies, Topeka USD 501’s Chris Wagner and Nicole Jahnke worked with churches, libraries, civic organizations and local businesses to maximize communications and increase access to meals beginning in March and continuing through the summer – even expanding meals to seven days per week throughout the summer. They reported an 83% increase in summer meals from June 2019 to June 2020.

McPherson USD 418:&nbsp;Kansans Can Provide Outstanding Customer Service –&nbsp;Customer service is alive and well in central Kansas. Not only did McPherson USD 418 serve summer meals at five sites throughout the McPherson community, but the district provided meals to children in surrounding communities when other school districts ended meal service in May. Under the leadership of Bill Froese, McPherson served more than 151,731 meals through July 2020 – a 1,360% increase over last summer.

Maize USD 266:&nbsp;Kansans Can Provide Outstanding Customer Service –&nbsp;The Maize USD 266 maintenance department provided exceptional internal and external customer service during 2020 unanticipated school closure emergency feeding. Under the leadership of Joe Naputi, Stan Starkey and George Gruver, maintenance staff members worked alongside food service staff members to implement a positive experience for kids participating in curbside meal pick-up. Maintenance staff members moved refrigeration, loaded meals in cargo vans and more. Most memorable was the maintenance team initiating costumes and wearing them to entertain the community at meal distributions.

First Choice Support Services Inc.:&nbsp;Kansans Can Step Up to Lead –&nbsp;First Choice Support Services had two staff members step up to lead during the past year by implementing innovative services. Sierra Sheets took initiative to develop monthly newsletters in Spanish to increase provider understanding of Child and Adult Food Care Program (CACFP) program procedures and help them gain knowledge of best practices. Mercedes Morgan took the initiative to create online trainings during COVID-19 that promoted CACFP educational tools and best practices, as well as practical information on implementation of CACFP regulations.

Navigating Change 2020 Food Service Operations Committee:&nbsp;Kansans Can Step Up to Lead –&nbsp;It is important to ensure all children have access to school meals, regardless of the learning environment. For the health and well-being of students, continuation and adaptation of meal service in some form should remain a priority in the 2020-2021 school year. KSDE extends its sincere appreciation to the members of the Navigating Change Food Service Committee who stepped up to lead and donated their time to research and then develop considerations for food service operations to be included in KSDE’s Navigating Change: Kansas’ Guide to Learning and School Safety Operations. Members included Jessica Younker, chair, Hays USD 489; Nancy Coughenour, Shawnee Mission USD 512; Connie Kimzey, Cherokee USD 247; Lori Campbell, Silver Lake USD 372; Tracy Moerer, Burlington USD 244; and Megan Barnard, Maize USD 266.

Wamego USD 320:&nbsp;Kansans Can Increase Participation&nbsp;– Implementation of the 2nd&nbsp;Chance Breakfast was the key to increased breakfast participation at Wamego High School. The addition of 2nd&nbsp;Chance Breakfast not only increased total participation by 139% in the school breakfast program, data from the first year indicates that more students in the reduced-price and paid categories are eating breakfast.

Haven USD 312:&nbsp;Kansans Can Increase Participation –&nbsp;Changes to the school day schedule at Haven High School created more challenges for students to eat a healthy breakfast at the start of the school day. A proactive approach doubled breakfast participation with the implementation of a 2nd&nbsp;Chance Breakfast option offered between first and second hours at the high school.

Southern Lyon County USD 252:&nbsp;Kansans Can Increase Participation&nbsp;– Southern Lyon County USD 252 implemented 2nd&nbsp;Chance Breakfast at Olpe High School in 2018 and saw a 91% increase. The program was such a success that the district applied for an innovative breakfast grant for the 2019-2020 school year to implement 2nd&nbsp;Chance Breakfast at Hartford High School in 2019. As anticipated, breakfast participation increased at Hartford by 46%. As a part of school redesign, Hartford Junior-Senior High School students helped with the 2nd&nbsp;Chance Breakfast in conjunction with their applied business class. Jane Kelley, a business teacher, and Anna Baum, food service director, worked with the students on meal patterns, inventory and more.

Liberal USD 480:&nbsp;Kansans Can Increase Participation&nbsp;– Liberal USD 480 has seen success at every level by implementing innovative breakfast delivery models district-wide as part of school redesign. The 71% increase in breakfast participation is attributed to using different approaches at different grade levels. The district implemented breakfast in the classroom in elementary schools and 2nd&nbsp;Chance Breakfast at secondary schools. Connie Vogts, foodservice director, has been a mentor and source of information as other Kansas school districts work to develop innovative breakfast service models and positively impact student success.

Quality Care Services Inc.:&nbsp;Kansans Can Increase Participation&nbsp;– Intent on increasing participation in the CACFP, Quality Care Service, previously an exclusive sponsor of day care homes, began sponsoring child care centers in the fall of 2019. Quality Care Services increased participation in the CACFP not only by the addition of two day care centers, but also increased participation of day care homes in the underserved counties of Pottawatomie and Riley. When national participation trends for sponsors of day care homes was headed downward, Quality Care Services’ growth headed upward.

St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church:&nbsp;Kansans Can Increase Participation&nbsp;– St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church has been a Summer Food Service sponsor and a sponsor of CACFP for many years. This year because of unanticipated school closures, St John’s Missionary Baptist Church started their Summer Food Service Program in March and increased sites to help meet the nutritional needs of the children in Salina. They sponsored sites not only at the church, but at the YMCA, library and two schools.&nbsp; This proactive approach to meet the needs of children in their community resulted in participation doubling from the previous summer. They have served more than 16,000 meals through July and continued to serve summer meals through Aug. 28.

Maize USD 266:&nbsp;Kansans Can Adapt&nbsp;–Lynn Scott and Lynette Drevo, Maize USD 266 food service employees, were instrumental in orchestrating the production of meals served during the spring 2020 unanticipated school building closures. They utilized existing inventory, managed shortages from suppliers and daily production numbers to launch the Seamless Summer Option at Maize, which had never been offered before.&nbsp; They teamed up to design and perfect the process of bagging individual breakfast and lunches into a larger bag for curbside pick-up of multiple days’ worth of meals to minimize potential COVID-19. Maize served more than 89,049 meals using a two-day-a-week curbside pick-up model.

TOPEKA —Eight Kansas school districts, three organizations and a group of leaders were honored Tuesday for outstanding practices in Child Nutrition and Wellness programs that help support the Kansans Can vision.The Kansans Can 2019-2020 Best Practice Awards were presented during the Kansas State Board of Education meeting in Topeka. This is the fourth year for the awards.The Kansans Can vision, which was established by the State Board of Education in 2015, is “Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.”The recipients and the award they received are:Wamego USD 320:&nbsp;Kansans Can Implement Innovative Meal Pattern Strategies –&nbsp;Because of the unanticipated school building closures in March, Wamego Unified School District 320 switched from cafeteria meal service to a grab-and-go model with four sites and a home-delivery model with less than 24 hours of notice. Wamego stepped up to the challenge to continue to service delicious meals in a grab-and-go format that included fresh fruits, vegetables and fresh baked breads using a leading industry bagging system. Parents reported children were trying new foods and breakfast participation increased 249% because of the exceptional food quality of the grab-and-go meals.Haven USD 312:&nbsp;Kansans Can Serve Local Foods –&nbsp;Going green took on new meaning at the Haven High School greenhouse in Have USD 312. By mid-March, the greenhouse was in full production and growing enough kale, Romaine lettuce and microgreens to support student demand in the school lunch program. Students not only grew the fresh greens, but also grew to love the fresh produce offered on the salad bar.Elk Valley USD 283:&nbsp;-&nbsp;Kansans Can Serve Local Foods –&nbsp;Students put fresh, local foods on the plate in child nutrition programs from the on-campus garden and vo-ag classes in Elk Valley USD 283. Working year-round in the garden and raising pigs, students at Elk Valley provided fresh produce and pork for breakfast, lunch and Summer Food Service Programs. Produce grown and donated to district food service included onions, kale, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, green beans, salad greens, carrots, beets, melons and more, which saved the district more than $500 in food costs. Participation in meals increased more than 30% because of the quality of the student-grown foods.Topeka USD 501:&nbsp;Kansans Can Provide Outstanding Customer Service –&nbsp;Developing strong community partnerships was key to ensuring that children had access to nutritious foods when schools closed this spring because of COVID-19. Through innovative outreach strategies, Topeka USD 501’s Chris Wagner and Nicole Jahnke worked with churches, libraries, civic organizations and local businesses to maximize communications and increase access to meals beginning in March and continuing through the summer – even expanding meals to seven days per week throughout the summer. They reported an 83% increase in summer meals from June 2019 to June 2020.McPherson USD 418:&nbsp;Kansans Can Provide Outstanding Customer Service –&nbsp;Customer service is alive and well in central Kansas. Not only did McPherson USD 418 serve summer meals at five sites throughout the McPherson community, but the district provided meals to children in surrounding communities when other school districts ended meal service in May. Under the leadership of Bill Froese, McPherson served more than 151,731 meals through July 2020 – a 1,360% increase over last summer.Maize USD 266:&nbsp;Kansans Can Provide Outstanding Customer Service –&nbsp;The Maize USD 266 maintenance department provided exceptional internal and external customer service during 2020 unanticipated school closure emergency feeding. Under the leadership of Joe Naputi, Stan Starkey and George Gruver, maintenance staff members worked alongside food service staff members to implement a positive experience for kids participating in curbside meal pick-up. Maintenance staff members moved refrigeration, loaded meals in cargo vans and more. Most memorable was the maintenance team initiating costumes and wearing them to entertain the community at meal distributions.First Choice Support Services Inc.:&nbsp;Kansans Can Step Up to Lead –&nbsp;First Choice Support Services had two staff members step up to lead during the past year by implementing innovative services. Sierra Sheets took initiative to develop monthly newsletters in Spanish to increase provider understanding of Child and Adult Food Care Program (CACFP) program procedures and help them gain knowledge of best practices. Mercedes Morgan took the initiative to create online trainings during COVID-19 that promoted CACFP educational tools and best practices, as well as practical information on implementation of CACFP regulations.Navigating Change 2020 Food Service Operations Committee:&nbsp;Kansans Can Step Up to Lead –&nbsp;It is important to ensure all children have access to school meals, regardless of the learning environment. For the health and well-being of students, continuation and adaptation of meal service in some form should remain a priority in the 2020-2021 school year. KSDE extends its sincere appreciation to the members of the Navigating Change Food Service Committee who stepped up to lead and donated their time to research and then develop considerations for food service operations to be included in KSDE’s Navigating Change: Kansas’ Guide to Learning and School Safety Operations. Members included Jessica Younker, chair, Hays USD 489; Nancy Coughenour, Shawnee Mission USD 512; Connie Kimzey, Cherokee USD 247; Lori Campbell, Silver Lake USD 372; Tracy Moerer, Burlington USD 244; and Megan Barnard, Maize USD 266.Wamego USD 320:&nbsp;Kansans Can Increase Participation&nbsp;– Implementation of the 2nd&nbsp;Chance Breakfast was the key to increased breakfast participation at Wamego High School. The addition of 2nd&nbsp;Chance Breakfast not only increased total participation by 139% in the school breakfast program, data from the first year indicates that more students in the reduced-price and paid categories are eating breakfast.Haven USD 312:&nbsp;Kansans Can Increase Participation –&nbsp;Changes to the school day schedule at Haven High School created more challenges for students to eat a healthy breakfast at the start of the school day. A proactive approach doubled breakfast participation with the implementation of a 2nd&nbsp;Chance Breakfast option offered between first and second hours at the high school.Southern Lyon County USD 252:&nbsp;Kansans Can Increase Participation&nbsp;– Southern Lyon County USD 252 implemented 2nd&nbsp;Chance Breakfast at Olpe High School in 2018 and saw a 91% increase. The program was such a success that the district applied for an innovative breakfast grant for the 2019-2020 school year to implement 2nd&nbsp;Chance Breakfast at Hartford High School in 2019. As anticipated, breakfast participation increased at Hartford by 46%. As a part of school redesign, Hartford Junior-Senior High School students helped with the 2nd&nbsp;Chance Breakfast in conjunction with their applied business class. Jane Kelley, a business teacher, and Anna Baum, food service director, worked with the students on meal patterns, inventory and more.Liberal USD 480:&nbsp;Kansans Can Increase Participation&nbsp;– Liberal USD 480 has seen success at every level by implementing innovative breakfast delivery models district-wide as part of school redesign. The 71% increase in breakfast participation is attributed to using different approaches at different grade levels. The district implemented breakfast in the classroom in elementary schools and 2nd&nbsp;Chance Breakfast at secondary schools. Connie Vogts, foodservice director, has been a mentor and source of information as other Kansas school districts work to develop innovative breakfast service models and positively impact student success.Quality Care Services Inc.:&nbsp;Kansans Can Increase Participation&nbsp;– Intent on increasing participation in the CACFP, Quality Care Service, previously an exclusive sponsor of day care homes, began sponsoring child care centers in the fall of 2019. Quality Care Services increased participation in the CACFP not only by the addition of two day care centers, but also increased participation of day care homes in the underserved counties of Pottawatomie and Riley. When national participation trends for sponsors of day care homes was headed downward, Quality Care Services’ growth headed upward.St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church:&nbsp;Kansans Can Increase Participation&nbsp;– St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church has been a Summer Food Service sponsor and a sponsor of CACFP for many years. This year because of unanticipated school closures, St John’s Missionary Baptist Church started their Summer Food Service Program in March and increased sites to help meet the nutritional needs of the children in Salina. They sponsored sites not only at the church, but at the YMCA, library and two schools.&nbsp; This proactive approach to meet the needs of children in their community resulted in participation doubling from the previous summer. They have served more than 16,000 meals through July and continued to serve summer meals through Aug. 28.Maize USD 266:&nbsp;Kansans Can Adapt&nbsp;–Lynn Scott and Lynette Drevo, Maize USD 266 food service employees, were instrumental in orchestrating the production of meals served during the spring 2020 unanticipated school building closures. They utilized existing inventory, managed shortages from suppliers and daily production numbers to launch the Seamless Summer Option at Maize, which had never been offered before.&nbsp; They teamed up to design and perfect the process of bagging individual breakfast and lunches into a larger bag for curbside pick-up of multiple days’ worth of meals to minimize potential COVID-19. Maize served more than 89,049 meals using a two-day-a-week curbside pick-up model.

USD 418, local church recognized for child nutrition, wellness practices

The&nbsp;<a href="https://bulk-solids.k-state.edu/index.html" target="_blank">Kansas State University Bulk Solids Innovation Center</a>&nbsp;is entering a strategic partnership with the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pemanet.org./" target="_blank">Process Equipment Manufacturers' Association</a>, or PEMA, to improve and assist the industry.

Formed in 1960, the association brings together companies that supply equipment and systems that are used by process industries, including but not limited to food, chemical, pharmaceutical, wastewater treatment, paint and coatings, agribusiness, ceramics, metals, plastics, wood, pulp and paper, environmental, building products and mining/minerals.

"We are excited to establish this partnership with PEMA, the most important trade association dedicated to companies who supply bulk solids equipment for industry," said Todd Smith, business and strategy manager for the Bulk Solids Innovation Center. "The association's members have supported our center since the outset, and its efforts fully match our goals to improve bulk solids technology and assist industry."

Opening five years ago, the Bulk Solids Innovation Center, part of the Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus in Salina, is the only university facility and staff in North America dedicated to helping industrial companies with education, consulting, testing services and research related to bulk solids.

The center's 12,000-square-foot facility includes six laboratory rooms with test bench equipment for measurement and characterization of material properties while providing additional room for client research projects. The center features a full-scale bay with a large variety of equipment for testing and studying hopper flow, chutes, conveying, filtering, flow aids, blending, separating and the like. The facility is filled with the latest equipment and instrumentation, most of it donated by more than 25 companies — many of which are&nbsp;Process Equipment Manufacturers' Association&nbsp;members.

The Bulk Solids Innovation Center provides essential services to industrial companies, including the following:

• Material testing services—Tests are used to evaluate material properties and make recommendations relative to storage, flow, conveying, segregation, mixing, fluidization, air filtration and more. Test examples include flow function, wall friction, particles' size and shape,&nbsp;moisture analysis and wear/abrasion.

• Full-scale research and consulting projects— The center&nbsp;provides facilities and university staff expertise to help companies troubleshoot material or process issues, conduct trial runs, or plan how to scale-up from the lab or pilot plant.

• Education short courses—These short courses, valued for the combination of theory, practical application and hands-on learning are not available at most colleges. They will be offered again in person in 2021. The Bulk Solids Innovation Center also is launching an online Bulk Solids Academy in November. This online academy will be comprised of 50% lecture and 50% demonstrations on real equipment, with discussion and questions and answers.

Through the partnership with the Bulk Solids Innovation Center,&nbsp;Process Equipment Manufacturers' Association&nbsp;members will receive discounted education; access to material testing, consulting, advice and troubleshooting; access to equipment testing facilities; a place where customers can do full-scale testing or scale-up of processes; and information on latest technology or trends. Using the resources provided by the, an independent laboratory, will provide additional credibility for&nbsp;PEMA&nbsp;members.

"PEMA members will have access to unique educational, consulting and testing services through this partnership," said Rod Henricks, PEMA president. "Likewise, PEMA members will be a first-line resource for the Bulk Solids Innovation Center when needs arise."



<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594128430250.jpeg" alt="Kansas State University Bulk Solids Innovation Center. Photo courtesy KSU" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State University Bulk Solids Innovation Center. Photo courtesy KSU</figcaption>
 </figure>

The&nbsp;<a href="https://bulk-solids.k-state.edu/index.html" target="_blank">Kansas State University Bulk Solids Innovation Center</a>&nbsp;is entering a strategic partnership with the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pemanet.org./" target="_blank">Process Equipment Manufacturers' Association</a>, or PEMA, to improve and assist the industry.Formed in 1960, the association brings together companies that supply equipment and systems that are used by process industries, including but not limited to food, chemical, pharmaceutical, wastewater treatment, paint and coatings, agribusiness, ceramics, metals, plastics, wood, pulp and paper, environmental, building products and mining/minerals."We are excited to establish this partnership with PEMA, the most important trade association dedicated to companies who supply bulk solids equipment for industry," said Todd Smith, business and strategy manager for the Bulk Solids Innovation Center. "The association's members have supported our center since the outset, and its efforts fully match our goals to improve bulk solids technology and assist industry."Opening five years ago, the Bulk Solids Innovation Center, part of the Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus in Salina, is the only university facility and staff in North America dedicated to helping industrial companies with education, consulting, testing services and research related to bulk solids.The center's 12,000-square-foot facility includes six laboratory rooms with test bench equipment for measurement and characterization of material properties while providing additional room for client research projects. The center features a full-scale bay with a large variety of equipment for testing and studying hopper flow, chutes, conveying, filtering, flow aids, blending, separating and the like. The facility is filled with the latest equipment and instrumentation, most of it donated by more than 25 companies — many of which are&nbsp;Process Equipment Manufacturers' Association&nbsp;members.The Bulk Solids Innovation Center provides essential services to industrial companies, including the following:• Material testing services—Tests are used to evaluate material properties and make recommendations relative to storage, flow, conveying, segregation, mixing, fluidization, air filtration and more. Test examples include flow function, wall friction, particles' size and shape,&nbsp;moisture analysis and wear/abrasion.• Full-scale research and consulting projects— The center&nbsp;provides facilities and university staff expertise to help companies troubleshoot material or process issues, conduct trial runs, or plan how to scale-up from the lab or pilot plant.• Education short courses—These short courses, valued for the combination of theory, practical application and hands-on learning are not available at most colleges. They will be offered again in person in 2021. The Bulk Solids Innovation Center also is launching an online Bulk Solids Academy in November. This online academy will be comprised of 50% lecture and 50% demonstrations on real equipment, with discussion and questions and answers.Through the partnership with the Bulk Solids Innovation Center,&nbsp;Process Equipment Manufacturers' Association&nbsp;members will receive discounted education; access to material testing, consulting, advice and troubleshooting; access to equipment testing facilities; a place where customers can do full-scale testing or scale-up of processes; and information on latest technology or trends. Using the resources provided by the, an independent laboratory, will provide additional credibility for&nbsp;PEMA&nbsp;members."PEMA members will have access to unique educational, consulting and testing services through this partnership," said Rod Henricks, PEMA president. "Likewise, PEMA members will be a first-line resource for the Bulk Solids Innovation Center when needs arise."

Bulk Solids Innovation Center partners with PEMA to boost industry

Have you ever felt overwhelmed? We all have at some point in our lives, especially when we’re faced with the unknown, something we can’t control, or a season of life when our to-do list seems never ending. Wait, isn’t that every season?

Let’s be honest, 2020 has made most of us feel overwhelmed on a whole new level. We’ve been trying to make decisions about major things in our lives based on little to no information, and we’ve faced a ton of things that are outside our control.

We can’t solve all the world’s problems (as much as we want to), but we can solve&nbsp;our&nbsp;problems. You are in control of how overwhelmed you allow yourself to get. And whether you realize it or not, solving your own problems will make more of an impact on your life than living in frustration about all the world’s problems you can’t fix.

Here are three simple ways to stop being overwhelmed in your life:

Stop talking about how overwhelmed you are

Stop talking about it. Yep, it sounds simple, but the more you say, “I’m overwhelmed,” the bigger and more real it becomes for you—and the more overwhelmed you get!

Remember, whatever you focus on increases, so let’s change the focus and the narrative. Don’t hide it or pretend you’re not overwhelmed, but you&nbsp;can&nbsp;stop fueling it by changing your focus.

Write down what you’re overwhelmed about

Get out a piece of paper and a pen and write out what you’re overwhelmed by. Write down facts about the things that are stressing you out.

I am overwhelmed because I don’t know if school is ever going to be back in session.

I am overwhelmed by my calendar and to-do list.

Simply writing down the things that stress you out can lower your stress. You get all the swirling thoughts out of the battlefield of your mind and into the real world on paper. It’s not only therapeutic, but it also helps you know what action to take next.

After you write down what’s stressing you out, I want you to look at your list and ask yourself:&nbsp;Is there anything I can do about this?&nbsp;If the answer is no, then all you can do is let it go and give it to God. If there’s something you can do . . . do it!&nbsp;You&nbsp;are in charge of your life, your calendar, and your to-do list. When you take action (any action) on things that stress you out, you feel more in control, productive, and confident. As a result, your feelings of being overwhelmed lessen.

I don’t know what this season holds for you. I don’t know if you’re homeschooling or trying to figure out a new normal for your family. But here’s what I do know: You have more power over your life, your feelings, and your outcomes than you think you do!&nbsp;

Christy Wright&nbsp;is a #1 national best-selling author,&nbsp;personal development expert, and host of The Christy Wright Show.&nbsp;She’s been featured on Today Show and Fox News, and in Entrepreneur and Woman’s Day Magazines.&nbsp;Since 2009, Christy has served at Ramsey Solutions, where she teaches on&nbsp;personal development, business, and faith. Follow Christyon&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/ChristyBWright" target="_blank">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/christybwright/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialChristyWright/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/christywright" target="_blank">YouTube</a>&nbsp;or online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.christywright.com/" target="_blank">christywright.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599703429318.jpeg" alt="Christy Wright" />
 <figcaption>Christy Wright</figcaption>
 </figure>By CHRISTY WRIGHTHave you ever felt overwhelmed? We all have at some point in our lives, especially when we’re faced with the unknown, something we can’t control, or a season of life when our to-do list seems never ending. Wait, isn’t that every season?Let’s be honest, 2020 has made most of us feel overwhelmed on a whole new level. We’ve been trying to make decisions about major things in our lives based on little to no information, and we’ve faced a ton of things that are outside our control.We can’t solve all the world’s problems (as much as we want to), but we can solve&nbsp;our&nbsp;problems. You are in control of how overwhelmed you allow yourself to get. And whether you realize it or not, solving your own problems will make more of an impact on your life than living in frustration about all the world’s problems you can’t fix.Here are three simple ways to stop being overwhelmed in your life:Stop talking about how overwhelmed you areStop talking about it. Yep, it sounds simple, but the more you say, “I’m overwhelmed,” the bigger and more real it becomes for you—and the more overwhelmed you get!Remember, whatever you focus on increases, so let’s change the focus and the narrative. Don’t hide it or pretend you’re not overwhelmed, but you&nbsp;can&nbsp;stop fueling it by changing your focus.Write down what you’re overwhelmed aboutGet out a piece of paper and a pen and write out what you’re overwhelmed by. Write down facts about the things that are stressing you out.Here are some examples:I am overwhelmed by social media.I am overwhelmed because I don’t know if school is ever going to be back in session.I am overwhelmed by my calendar and to-do list.Simply writing down the things that stress you out can lower your stress. You get all the swirling thoughts out of the battlefield of your mind and into the real world on paper. It’s not only therapeutic, but it also helps you know what action to take next.Do somethingAfter you write down what’s stressing you out, I want you to look at your list and ask yourself:&nbsp;Is there anything I can do about this?&nbsp;If the answer is no, then all you can do is let it go and give it to God. If there’s something you can do . . . do it!&nbsp;You&nbsp;are in charge of your life, your calendar, and your to-do list. When you take action (any action) on things that stress you out, you feel more in control, productive, and confident. As a result, your feelings of being overwhelmed lessen.I don’t know what this season holds for you. I don’t know if you’re homeschooling or trying to figure out a new normal for your family. But here’s what I do know: You have more power over your life, your feelings, and your outcomes than you think you do!&nbsp;Christy Wright&nbsp;is a #1 national best-selling author,&nbsp;personal development expert, and host of The Christy Wright Show.&nbsp;She’s been featured on Today Show and Fox News, and in Entrepreneur and Woman’s Day Magazines.&nbsp;Since 2009, Christy has served at Ramsey Solutions, where she teaches on&nbsp;personal development, business, and faith. Follow Christyon&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/ChristyBWright" target="_blank">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/christybwright/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialChristyWright/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/christywright" target="_blank">YouTube</a>&nbsp;or online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.christywright.com/" target="_blank">christywright.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

WRIGHT: Three simple ways to stop feeling overwhelmed

Today is Thursday, Sept. 10, the 254th day of 2020. There are 112 days left in the year. 

On Sept. 10, 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the University of Mississippi to admit James Meredith, a Black student. 

In 1813, an American naval force commanded by Oliver H. Perry defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. (Afterward, Perry sent the message, "We have met the enemy and they are ours.")

In 1846, Elias Howe received a patent for his sewing machine.

In 1919, New York City welcomed home Gen. John J. Pershing and 25,000 soldiers who'd served in the U.S. First Division during World War I. 

In 1935, Sen. Huey P. Long died in Baton Rouge two days after being shot in the Louisiana state Capitol, allegedly by Dr. Carl Weiss. 

In 1960, Hurricane Donna, a dangerous Category 4 storm eventually blamed for 364 deaths, struck the Florida Keys. 

In 1963, 20 Black students entered Alabama public schools following a standoff between federal authorities and Gov. George C. Wallace. 

In 1987, Pope John Paul II arrived in Miami, where he was welcomed by President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan as he began a 10-day tour of the United States. 

In 1991, the Senate Judiciary Committee opened hearings on the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

In 2005, Cadaver dogs and boatloads of forensic workers fanned out across New Orleans to collect the corpses left behind by Hurricane Katrina; cleanup crews towed away abandoned cars and even began readying a hotel for reopening.

In 2006, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts defeated Eli Manning and the New York Giants 26-21 in the first NFL game to feature two brothers starting at quarterback. 

In 2016, John Hinckley Jr., the man who tried to assassinate President Ronald Reagan in 1981, was released from a Washington mental hospital for good.

In 2018, Florence exploded into a potentially catastrophic Category 4 hurricane as it closed in on North and South Carolina with winds up to 140 mph. The Trump administration ordered the closure of the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Washington, citing the refusal of Palestinian leaders to enter into peace talks with Israel.

Ten years ago: During a White House press conference, President Barack Obama blamed Republicans and election-year politics for thwarting his efforts to do more to spur a listless national economy. Juan Mari Bras, 82, an elder statesman of Puerto Rico's independence movement, died in Rio Piedras.

Five years ago: Senate Democrats voted to uphold the hard-fought nuclear accord with Iran, overcoming ferocious Republican opposition. New York State approved gradually raising the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $15 an hour — the first time any state had set the minimum that high.

One year ago: President Donald Trump abruptly forced out his national security adviser, John Bolton, with whom he had strong disagreements on Iran, Afghanistan and other global challenges. Conservative Republican Dan Bishop won a special election for an open House seat in North Carolina by a little more than two percentage points, averting a Democratic capture of a district held by the GOP for nearly six decades. Apple announced the launch of its own streaming television service, while also unveiling three new iPhones boasting an additional camera for taking pictures from extra-wide angles.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Philip Baker Hall is 89. Actor Greg Mullavey is 87. Jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers is 80. Actor Tom Ligon is 80. Singer Danny Hutton (Three Dog Night) is 78. Singer Jose Feliciano is 75. Actor Judy Geeson is 72. Former Canadian first lady Margaret Trudeau is 72. Political commentator Bill O'Reilly is 71. Rock musician Joe Perry (Aerosmith) is 70. Country singer Rosie Flores is 70. Actor Amy Irving is 67. Actor-director Clark Johnson is 66. Actor Kate Burton is 63. Movie director Chris Columbus is 62. Actor Colin Firth is 60. Rock singer-musician David Lowery (Cracker) is 60. Actor Sean O'Bryan is 57. Baseball Hall of Famer Randy Johnson is 57. Actor Raymond Cruz is 56. Rock musician Robin Goodridge (Bush) is 55. Rock musician Stevie D. (Buckcherry) is 54. Rock singer-musician Miles Zuniga (Fastball) is 54. Actor Nina Repeta is 53. Rapper Big Daddy Kane is 52. Movie director Guy Ritchie is 52. Actor Johnathan Schaech is 51. Contemporary Christian singer Sara Groves is 48. Actor Ryan Phillippe is 46. Actor Kyle Bornheimer is 45. Actor Jacob Young is 41. Rock musician Mikey Way (My Chemical Romance) is 40. Olympic bronze medal figure skater Timothy Goebel is 40. Ballerina Misty Copeland is 38. MLB All-Star first-baseman Joey Votto is 37. Rock musician Matthew Followill (Kings of Leon) is 36. Singer Ashley Monroe (Pistol Annies) is 34. MLB All-Star first-baseman Paul Goldschmidt is 33. Singer Sanjaya Malakar ("American Idol") is 31. Actor Chandler Massey is 30. Actor Hannah Hodson is 29. Actor Gabriel Bateman is 16.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Thursday, Sept. 10, the 254th day of 2020. There are 112 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Sept. 10, 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the University of Mississippi to admit James Meredith, a Black student. On this date: In 1813, an American naval force commanded by Oliver H. Perry defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. (Afterward, Perry sent the message, "We have met the enemy and they are ours.")In 1846, Elias Howe received a patent for his sewing machine.In 1919, New York City welcomed home Gen. John J. Pershing and 25,000 soldiers who'd served in the U.S. First Division during World War I. In 1935, Sen. Huey P. Long died in Baton Rouge two days after being shot in the Louisiana state Capitol, allegedly by Dr. Carl Weiss. In 1960, Hurricane Donna, a dangerous Category 4 storm eventually blamed for 364 deaths, struck the Florida Keys. In 1963, 20 Black students entered Alabama public schools following a standoff between federal authorities and Gov. George C. Wallace. In 1987, Pope John Paul II arrived in Miami, where he was welcomed by President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan as he began a 10-day tour of the United States. In 1991, the Senate Judiciary Committee opened hearings on the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2005, Cadaver dogs and boatloads of forensic workers fanned out across New Orleans to collect the corpses left behind by Hurricane Katrina; cleanup crews towed away abandoned cars and even began readying a hotel for reopening.In 2006, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts defeated Eli Manning and the New York Giants 26-21 in the first NFL game to feature two brothers starting at quarterback. In 2016, John Hinckley Jr., the man who tried to assassinate President Ronald Reagan in 1981, was released from a Washington mental hospital for good.In 2018, Florence exploded into a potentially catastrophic Category 4 hurricane as it closed in on North and South Carolina with winds up to 140 mph. The Trump administration ordered the closure of the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Washington, citing the refusal of Palestinian leaders to enter into peace talks with Israel.Ten years ago: During a White House press conference, President Barack Obama blamed Republicans and election-year politics for thwarting his efforts to do more to spur a listless national economy. Juan Mari Bras, 82, an elder statesman of Puerto Rico's independence movement, died in Rio Piedras.Five years ago: Senate Democrats voted to uphold the hard-fought nuclear accord with Iran, overcoming ferocious Republican opposition. New York State approved gradually raising the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $15 an hour — the first time any state had set the minimum that high.One year ago: President Donald Trump abruptly forced out his national security adviser, John Bolton, with whom he had strong disagreements on Iran, Afghanistan and other global challenges. Conservative Republican Dan Bishop won a special election for an open House seat in North Carolina by a little more than two percentage points, averting a Democratic capture of a district held by the GOP for nearly six decades. Apple announced the launch of its own streaming television service, while also unveiling three new iPhones boasting an additional camera for taking pictures from extra-wide angles.Today's Birthdays: Actor Philip Baker Hall is 89. Actor Greg Mullavey is 87. Jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers is 80. Actor Tom Ligon is 80. Singer Danny Hutton (Three Dog Night) is 78. Singer Jose Feliciano is 75. Actor Judy Geeson is 72. Former Canadian first lady Margaret Trudeau is 72. Political commentator Bill O'Reilly is 71. Rock musician Joe Perry (Aerosmith) is 70. Country singer Rosie Flores is 70. Actor Amy Irving is 67. Actor-director Clark Johnson is 66. Actor Kate Burton is 63. Movie director Chris Columbus is 62. Actor Colin Firth is 60. Rock singer-musician David Lowery (Cracker) is 60. Actor Sean O'Bryan is 57. Baseball Hall of Famer Randy Johnson is 57. Actor Raymond Cruz is 56. Rock musician Robin Goodridge (Bush) is 55. Rock musician Stevie D. (Buckcherry) is 54. Rock singer-musician Miles Zuniga (Fastball) is 54. Actor Nina Repeta is 53. Rapper Big Daddy Kane is 52. Movie director Guy Ritchie is 52. Actor Johnathan Schaech is 51. Contemporary Christian singer Sara Groves is 48. Actor Ryan Phillippe is 46. Actor Kyle Bornheimer is 45. Actor Jacob Young is 41. Rock musician Mikey Way (My Chemical Romance) is 40. Olympic bronze medal figure skater Timothy Goebel is 40. Ballerina Misty Copeland is 38. MLB All-Star first-baseman Joey Votto is 37. Rock musician Matthew Followill (Kings of Leon) is 36. Singer Ashley Monroe (Pistol Annies) is 34. MLB All-Star first-baseman Paul Goldschmidt is 33. Singer Sanjaya Malakar ("American Idol") is 31. Actor Chandler Massey is 30. Actor Hannah Hodson is 29. Actor Gabriel Bateman is 16.

Today in History -- Sept. 10

A small earthquake rattled the area to the west of the Southeast of Saline campus earlier this evening.

According to the Kansas Geological Survey, a magnitude 2 quake struck at 6:49 p.m. Wednesday just south of Kansas Highway 4 between South Cunningham Road and South Niles Road.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599705124697.png" alt="Earthquake map courtesy KGS" />
 <figcaption>Earthquake map courtesy KGS</figcaption>
 </figure>A small earthquake rattled the area to the west of the Southeast of Saline campus earlier this evening.According to the Kansas Geological Survey, a magnitude 2 quake struck at 6:49 p.m. Wednesday just south of Kansas Highway 4 between South Cunningham Road and South Niles Road.

Small quake strikes west of SES campus Wednesday evening

MCPHERSON -- The McPherson County Health Department today reported eight new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the county total to 231.

Following is the information about the latest cases as provided by the health department.

●Positive case No. 224 is a symptomatic male in his 40s with possible travel exposure.

●Positive case No. 225 is a symptomatic female in her 40s with possible travel exposure and family exposure (family of 224).

●Positive case No. 226 is a symptomatic female in her 60s with possible travel exposure.

●Positive case No. 227 is a symptomatic male in his 30s with known exposure (family of 228, 229, 230, 231).

●Positive case No. 228 is a symptomatic female in her 30s with known exposure (family of 227, 229, 230, 231).

●Positive case No. 229 is a symptomatic 6-year-old male with known exposure (family of 227, 228, 230, 231).

●Positive case No. 230 is symptomatic 3-year-old male with known exposure (family of 227, 228, 229, 231).

●Positive case No. 231 is a symptomatic 4-month-old male with known exposure (family of 227, 228, 229, 230).

Of the 231 total cases, 198 have met the Kansas Department of Health and Environment recovery guidelines, the health department reported. Three of the current cases are hospitalized, according to the health department.

MCPHERSON -- The McPherson County Health Department today reported eight new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the county total to 231.Following is the information about the latest cases as provided by the health department.●Positive case No. 224 is a symptomatic male in his 40s with possible travel exposure.●Positive case No. 225 is a symptomatic female in her 40s with possible travel exposure and family exposure (family of 224).●Positive case No. 226 is a symptomatic female in her 60s with possible travel exposure.●Positive case No. 227 is a symptomatic male in his 30s with known exposure (family of 228, 229, 230, 231).●Positive case No. 228 is a symptomatic female in her 30s with known exposure (family of 227, 229, 230, 231).●Positive case No. 229 is a symptomatic 6-year-old male with known exposure (family of 227, 228, 230, 231).●Positive case No. 230 is symptomatic 3-year-old male with known exposure (family of 227, 228, 229, 231).●Positive case No. 231 is a symptomatic 4-month-old male with known exposure (family of 227, 228, 229, 230).Of the 231 total cases, 198 have met the Kansas Department of Health and Environment recovery guidelines, the health department reported. Three of the current cases are hospitalized, according to the health department.

McPherson County: 8 new COVID-19 cases, 198 of 231 recovered

In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kansas Wesleyan University’s enrollment is at its highest point since 2011. 

The university released its official fall enrollment numbers Wednesday, in conjunction with the 20th&nbsp;day of the semester.

KWU’s enrollment for the term is 803 students, an increase of more than 12 percent and the highest figure since fall 2011. Approximately 40 percent of KWU’s on-ground students work full or part-time jobs in the immediate area, thereby providing a significant boost to the area economically.

“This was a goal for our admissions staff,” said Ken Oliver, vice president of advancement, admissions and marketing. “I’m so proud of their hard work and dedication to the goal, and can’t wait to see what they achieve in the future. I’m also thankful for all of the other supporters of KWU – whether on campus or off – who helped recruit these great students to Salina. Our great faculty, coaches and staff have done a great job in supporting our students in new and innovative ways to boost our retention and persistence rates.”

The university’s freshman retention rate sits at 63.83 percent, its second-highest since measurement began more than 20 years ago. Overall persistence is more than 75 percent, a three-percent increase from last year.

KWU not only improves the region economically and academically, but through service as well. The university records more than 14,000 hours a year in job shadowing, internship and community service, and multiple athletic programs rank among the NAIA’s tops in community service hours recorded.

Finally, 28 percent of KWU graduates go on to settle in Salina.

“While we’re very proud of all of these numbers, we are even more proud of what drove us to be able to achieve them,” said Dr. Matt Thompson, president and CEO of KWU, “The hard work of our admissions staff and recruiters, the creation of our school’s first Diversity Office, the energy and growth of particular majors and a focus on continual, student-focused communication has been our hallmark this past year. It’s an exciting time to be a Coyote, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds!”

In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kansas Wesleyan University’s enrollment is at its highest point since 2011. The university released its official fall enrollment numbers Wednesday, in conjunction with the 20th&nbsp;day of the semester.KWU’s enrollment for the term is 803 students, an increase of more than 12 percent and the highest figure since fall 2011. Approximately 40 percent of KWU’s on-ground students work full or part-time jobs in the immediate area, thereby providing a significant boost to the area economically.“This was a goal for our admissions staff,” said Ken Oliver, vice president of advancement, admissions and marketing. “I’m so proud of their hard work and dedication to the goal, and can’t wait to see what they achieve in the future. I’m also thankful for all of the other supporters of KWU – whether on campus or off – who helped recruit these great students to Salina. Our great faculty, coaches and staff have done a great job in supporting our students in new and innovative ways to boost our retention and persistence rates.”The university’s freshman retention rate sits at 63.83 percent, its second-highest since measurement began more than 20 years ago. Overall persistence is more than 75 percent, a three-percent increase from last year.KWU not only improves the region economically and academically, but through service as well. The university records more than 14,000 hours a year in job shadowing, internship and community service, and multiple athletic programs rank among the NAIA’s tops in community service hours recorded.Finally, 28 percent of KWU graduates go on to settle in Salina.“While we’re very proud of all of these numbers, we are even more proud of what drove us to be able to achieve them,” said Dr. Matt Thompson, president and CEO of KWU, “The hard work of our admissions staff and recruiters, the creation of our school’s first Diversity Office, the energy and growth of particular majors and a focus on continual, student-focused communication has been our hallmark this past year. It’s an exciting time to be a Coyote, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds!”--<a href="http://kwu.edu">KWU</a>--

Kansas Wesleyan enrollment highest in nearly a decade

Following is the Saline County COVID-19 update for Wednesday.

There are 17 new positive COVID-19 cases in Saline County that have been identified since the Friday, September 4 report. The total for the county is now 539, with 86 cases that are actively being monitored by the Health Department, 444 that have recovered, and a total of 9 deaths. Salina Regional Health Center reports that they have 5 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Our dashboard has been updated with the latest information:

●Mobile Device Users: <a href="https://arcg.is/yjPT1">https://arcg.is/yjPT1</a>

●Desktop Users: <a href="https://arcg.is/1qHnb0">https://arcg.is/1qHnb0</a>

According to the Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment, there are now 47,410 cases and 495 deaths statewide. This information can be found at <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/</a>.

●The Kansas Department of Health and Environment began releasing active locations of outbreaks. <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas</a> under “Cluster Summary”. This information will be published by KDHE weekly on Wednesdays. Active locations will be released when there are five or more confirmed cases associated the location. For private businesses, the name of the business will only be released if there are 20 or more cases associated with the location. In Kansas, an outbreak is defined as two or more cases associated with one known exposure. No patient names will be released.

Here is what you can do to help us to stop the spread:

●Wear masks in public spaces as required by City Ordinance and County Resolution

●Maximize physical distance (6 feet or more) in public settings

●Avoid socializing with large groups

●High-risk individuals should only leave the house for essential needs

Only follow official sources to obtain information: <a href="http://www.saline.org/coronavirus">www.saline.org/coronavirus</a> or <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov">www.kdheks.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599690023813.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Following is the Saline County COVID-19 update for Wednesday.There are 17 new positive COVID-19 cases in Saline County that have been identified since the Friday, September 4 report. The total for the county is now 539, with 86 cases that are actively being monitored by the Health Department, 444 that have recovered, and a total of 9 deaths. Salina Regional Health Center reports that they have 5 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Our dashboard has been updated with the latest information:●Mobile Device Users: <a href="https://arcg.is/yjPT1">https://arcg.is/yjPT1</a>●Desktop Users: <a href="https://arcg.is/1qHnb0">https://arcg.is/1qHnb0</a>According to the Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment, there are now 47,410 cases and 495 deaths statewide. This information can be found at <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/</a>.Announcements:●The Kansas Department of Health and Environment began releasing active locations of outbreaks. <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas</a> under “Cluster Summary”. This information will be published by KDHE weekly on Wednesdays. Active locations will be released when there are five or more confirmed cases associated the location. For private businesses, the name of the business will only be released if there are 20 or more cases associated with the location. In Kansas, an outbreak is defined as two or more cases associated with one known exposure. No patient names will be released.Here is what you can do to help us to stop the spread:●Stay home if you’re sick●Wear masks in public spaces as required by City Ordinance and County Resolution●Maximize physical distance (6 feet or more) in public settings●Avoid socializing with large groups●High-risk individuals should only leave the house for essential needs●Wash your hands frequentlyOnly follow official sources to obtain information: <a href="http://www.saline.org/coronavirus">www.saline.org/coronavirus</a> or <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov">www.kdheks.gov</a>.

Saline County: 17 new COVID-19 cases; 444 of 539 cases recovered

Football season’s paying off big with Anesthesia Associates' Gridiron Glory! Will you accept the challenge?

Just go to Salina Post to sign up and then make your picks each week. Select the team that you believe will be the winner of each pro football regular season and playoff game and predict the scores for the winning and losing team for the designated tie-breaker game each week. You may enter your picks and score predictions until five minutes before the start of each game.

The season is scheduled to begin at 7:20 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 10).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599153961730.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Football season’s paying off big with Anesthesia Associates' Gridiron Glory! Will you accept the challenge?Throughout the season, Anesthesia Associates' Gridiron Glory on Salina Post gives you the opportunity to win weekly prizes, including Kansas City Chiefs merchandise and even cash!Just go to Salina Post to sign up and then make your picks each week. Select the team that you believe will be the winner of each pro football regular season and playoff game and predict the scores for the winning and losing team for the designated tie-breaker game each week. You may enter your picks and score predictions until five minutes before the start of each game.The season is scheduled to begin at 7:20 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 10).To access Gridiron Glory,&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapostprofootball.upickem.net/#/registration/login?aff=%7b2faf61b4-146b-4f58-9440-c720c50463d7%7d">click here</a>.In addition to the weekly prizes, you can accumulate points throughout the pro football season toward winning the local grand prize of $1,000 and a national grand prize of a trip to Hawaii!But remember: You can win if you don't play! Are you up to the challenge? Sign up for Anesthesia Associates'&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapostprofootball.upickem.net/#/registration/login?aff=%7b2faf61b4-146b-4f58-9440-c720c50463d7%7d">Gridiron Glory</a>&nbsp;today!

Gridiron Glory kicks off Thursday night! Are you ready to win?

Spencer Angell, senior at Central High School, was named Semifinalist for the 2021 National&nbsp;Merit&nbsp;Scholarship Program. Spencer will have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National&nbsp;Merit&nbsp;Scholarships.

Over 1.5 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2021 National&nbsp;Merit&nbsp;Scholarship Program by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National&nbsp;Merit&nbsp;Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

Semifinalists have to fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of competition. They have to complete a detailed scholarship application that includes information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. They must also have outstanding academic records throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official and write an essay.

From the approximately 16,000 semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. All National&nbsp;Merit&nbsp;Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of finalists.&nbsp;Merit&nbsp;Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599675759045.jpeg" alt="Spencer Angell. Photo courtesy USD 305" />
 <figcaption>Spencer Angell. Photo courtesy USD 305</figcaption>
 </figure>Spencer Angell, senior at Central High School, was named Semifinalist for the 2021 National&nbsp;Merit&nbsp;Scholarship Program. Spencer will have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National&nbsp;Merit&nbsp;Scholarships.Over 1.5 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2021 National&nbsp;Merit&nbsp;Scholarship Program by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National&nbsp;Merit&nbsp;Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.Semifinalists have to fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of competition. They have to complete a detailed scholarship application that includes information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. They must also have outstanding academic records throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official and write an essay.From the approximately 16,000 semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. All National&nbsp;Merit&nbsp;Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of finalists.&nbsp;Merit&nbsp;Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.

Central High senior named National Merit Semifinalist

UPDATE: The Dickinson County Sheriff's Office has released the name of the child killed this morning while crossing the road to her school bus.

According to the sheriff's office, Cecilia Graf, 7, was struck by a 2008 Ford Focus driven by a 15-year-old girl, at approximately 7 a.m. Wednesday in the 1100 block of 2200 Avenue, just east of Abilene.

UPDATE: The Dickinson County Sheriff's Office has released the name of the child killed this morning while crossing the road to her school bus.According to the sheriff's office, Cecilia Graf, 7, was struck by a 2008 Ford Focus driven by a 15-year-old girl, at approximately 7 a.m. Wednesday in the 1100 block of 2200 Avenue, just east of Abilene."The school bus was stopped on the highway facing west, and early signs indicate that the bus had the appropriate emergency warning lights and signs activated," the sheriff's office news release noted.Cecilia was transported to Memorial Hospital in Abilene, where she died this morning."The investigation is being conducted by the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol. The investigation is ongoing to determine any and all contributing factors surrounding the tragic accident," the sheriff's office release noted.UPDATE 12:57 p.m. Wednesday: A Dickinson County first-grader was struck this morning by an eastbound 2008 Ford Focus while she was crossing the road in the 1100 block of 2200 Avenue on her way to her school bus, Dickinson County Sheriff Gareth Hoffman told Salina Post this afternoon. The accident occurred at about 7 a.m., he said.The girl, whose identity has not yet been released, later died at Memorial Hospital in Abilene.Hoffman also did not release the name of the driver of the car. He said the investigation is continuing.Salina Post will have more information when it becomes available.ABILENE -- A first-grader was struck and killed today while crossing a roadway to board a school bus.According to a statement from Geoffry Andrews, superintendent of schools for the Catholic Diocese of Salina, the girl was a student at St. Andrew's Catholic School in Abilene.Following is the full statement from Andrews.It is with great sorrow that I am releasing this statement. On behalf of the Catholic Diocese of Salina, my heart is broken, and my thoughts are with the families of St. Andrew's Catholic School, in Abilene, and with the families and friends of those who are experiencing this tremendous loss.This morning, a St. Andrew's first grade student was hit by a vehicle while crossing a street to board the school bus. She was transported to Memorial Hospital, in Abilene, where she later died.We have activated our crisis plan and a team of counselors is available at St. Andrew's in Abilene, for students, staff, and families. We will do our best to provide support and will continue to work through this most difficult situation together. Mrs. Whitehair will be notifying students around 9:30 this morning. If you feel your child(ren) will have difficulty at school today, you are welcome to come pick them up. Please call the school office if you'd like to get your child before the end of the normal school day.Please keep this child's family in your prayers.Salina Post has contacted the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office, the agency responsible for the case. Salina Post will have additional information as it becomes available.