TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ Republican attorney general said Thursday that he believes both counties and local school districts can exempt themselves from the Democratic governor’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d03755cc88648b0c2c2a275f1e9b1747">coronavirus-inspired order</a>&nbsp;requiring schools to have staff and students wear masks.

Gov. Laura Kelly replied in a scathing statement that Attorney General Derek Schmidt is wrong and that he and fellow Republicans have “only created more hurdles and uncertainty” during the pandemic. Schmidt’s comments in an Associated Press interview represented the latest instance in which a Republican has undercut an action by Kelly aimed at curbing the spread of the new coronavirus.

Republican officials and conservatives outside government have argued that it’s inappropriate for Kelly to impose “one-size fits all” measures— and hurt the economy— while the rate of reported new coronavirus cases varies widely across the state. Kelly has pointed to a coronavirus resurgence in recent weeks that has pushed the total confirmed cases past 24,000 and COVID-19-related deaths past 300.

The Republican-controlled Legislature successfully pressured Kelly to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a5e30a0ec7a5943ada9f03af22ee1970">lift statewide restrictions</a>&nbsp;on businesses and public gatherings on May 26, and the GOP-dominated State Board of Education on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6a64799654f6a9ccb944299898f8d367">blocked Kelly’s plan</a>&nbsp;to delay the reopening of K-12 schools for three weeks, from mid-August until after Labor Day. Decisions on business restrictions are left to counties while local boards of education are to determine school reopenings.

Kelly issued her&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/EO-20-59-PDF.pdf" target="_blank">masks-in-schools order</a>&nbsp;Monday, imposing rules for public and private schools that are stricter than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksde.org/Teaching-Learning/Resources/Navigating-Change-Kansas-Guide-to-Learning-and-School-Safety-Operations" target="_blank">guidelines</a>&nbsp;set by the State Board of Education. It also would require schools to do daily checks for fever on all staff and students.

“It’s odd position that the administration has taken that their order is somehow is not subject to county opt-out the way all their other orders are,” Schmidt said. “Local school districts have the constitutional authority to opt out.”

The attorney general added that he’s had conversations with local officials who have raised the issue of whether they can opt out of Kelly’s order. Schmidt said he told the governor’s office of his legal opinion before Kelly issued the order.

“His comments further demonstrate that he and Republican leadership have abdicated their duty to serve the people of Kansas during the worst public health crisis in a century — and instead, put the burden back on local communities,” Kelly told AP in response to Schmidt’s stance.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020s/b2020s/measures/documents/summary_hb_2016_2020special" target="_blank">A law&nbsp;</a>enacted last month as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/56291b90279c36bafb21087cdc845c8a">a compromise</a>&nbsp;between the Democratic governor and GOP lawmakers allows the state’s 105 counties to opt out of Kelly’s health orders, such as one she issued July 2 to require people to wear masks in public and at their workplaces. Schmidt said that law applies to the masks-in-schools order.

Kelly said Monday that it doesn’t because it involves the state’s 286 local school districts, which operate independently of counties under local elected school boards.

The same law required the State Board of Education’s approval of Kelly’s plan to delay the start of fall K-12 classes or to close school buildings. Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/8e5672095558ab92d7505f2a06f9a9b9">ordered K-12 school buildings closed</a>&nbsp;in mid-March for the rest of the previous school year, drawing criticism from conservative GOP lawmakers.

The law doesn’t give the state board any authority to reject other Kelly orders, but Schmidt said Kansas law gives local districts “home rule” powers to manage their own affairs. And&nbsp;<a href="https://kslib.info/832/Article-6-Education" target="_blank">the state constitution&nbsp;</a>says local public schools “shall be maintained, developed and operated by locally elected boards.”

“I worry this is going needlessly become another flare-up,” Schmidt said.

Senate President Susan Wagle, a conservative Wichita Republican frequently critical of Kelly’s handling of the pandemic, said legislators wrote last month’s law “to ensure local control over these decisions.”

“The law is what the law is, and it has to be followed or it has to be changed,” Schmidt said. “It can’t simply be ignored.”

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said Thursday that he believes both counties and local school districts can exempt themselves from Gov. Laura Kelly’s coronavirus-inspired order requiring schools to have staff and students wear masks.

The Republican attorney general said during an Associated Press interview that he told the Democratic governor’s office his opinion before Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d03755cc88648b0c2c2a275f1e9b1747">issued the order&nbsp;</a>Monday. The order also requires daily temperature checks for staff and students.

Kelly has said neither counties nor local school districts can opt out, unlike an order she issued July 2 to require people to wear masks in public places.

Schmidt’s comments came a day after a plan from Kelly to delay the reopening of public and private K-12 schools from mid-August until after Labor Day&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6a64799654f6a9ccb944299898f8d367">was rejected&nbsp;</a>by the GOP-controlled State Board of Education on a 5-5 vote.

A law enacted in June required the state board’s approval of an order keeping school buildings closed and allowed counties to opt out of other Kelly health orders. Schmidt said that law allows counties to opt out of Kelly’s order on masks in schools.

Schmidt said the state constitution grants school districts the power to opt out as well.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595279892769.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly arrived wearing a mask at her Monday news conference" />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly arrived wearing a mask at her Monday news conference</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ Republican attorney general said Thursday that he believes both counties and local school districts can exempt themselves from the Democratic governor’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d03755cc88648b0c2c2a275f1e9b1747">coronavirus-inspired order</a>&nbsp;requiring schools to have staff and students wear masks.Gov. Laura Kelly replied in a scathing statement that Attorney General Derek Schmidt is wrong and that he and fellow Republicans have “only created more hurdles and uncertainty” during the pandemic. Schmidt’s comments in an Associated Press interview represented the latest instance in which a Republican has undercut an action by Kelly aimed at curbing the spread of the new coronavirus.Republican officials and conservatives outside government have argued that it’s inappropriate for Kelly to impose “one-size fits all” measures— and hurt the economy— while the rate of reported new coronavirus cases varies widely across the state. Kelly has pointed to a coronavirus resurgence in recent weeks that has pushed the total confirmed cases past 24,000 and COVID-19-related deaths past 300.The Republican-controlled Legislature successfully pressured Kelly to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a5e30a0ec7a5943ada9f03af22ee1970">lift statewide restrictions</a>&nbsp;on businesses and public gatherings on May 26, and the GOP-dominated State Board of Education on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6a64799654f6a9ccb944299898f8d367">blocked Kelly’s plan</a>&nbsp;to delay the reopening of K-12 schools for three weeks, from mid-August until after Labor Day. Decisions on business restrictions are left to counties while local boards of education are to determine school reopenings.Kelly issued her&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/EO-20-59-PDF.pdf" target="_blank">masks-in-schools order</a>&nbsp;Monday, imposing rules for public and private schools that are stricter than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksde.org/Teaching-Learning/Resources/Navigating-Change-Kansas-Guide-to-Learning-and-School-Safety-Operations" target="_blank">guidelines</a>&nbsp;set by the State Board of Education. It also would require schools to do daily checks for fever on all staff and students.“It’s odd position that the administration has taken that their order is somehow is not subject to county opt-out the way all their other orders are,” Schmidt said. “Local school districts have the constitutional authority to opt out.”The attorney general added that he’s had conversations with local officials who have raised the issue of whether they can opt out of Kelly’s order. Schmidt said he told the governor’s office of his legal opinion before Kelly issued the order.“His comments further demonstrate that he and Republican leadership have abdicated their duty to serve the people of Kansas during the worst public health crisis in a century — and instead, put the burden back on local communities,” Kelly told AP in response to Schmidt’s stance.<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020s/b2020s/measures/documents/summary_hb_2016_2020special" target="_blank">A law&nbsp;</a>enacted last month as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/56291b90279c36bafb21087cdc845c8a">a compromise</a>&nbsp;between the Democratic governor and GOP lawmakers allows the state’s 105 counties to opt out of Kelly’s health orders, such as one she issued July 2 to require people to wear masks in public and at their workplaces. Schmidt said that law applies to the masks-in-schools order.Kelly said Monday that it doesn’t because it involves the state’s 286 local school districts, which operate independently of counties under local elected school boards.The same law required the State Board of Education’s approval of Kelly’s plan to delay the start of fall K-12 classes or to close school buildings. Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/8e5672095558ab92d7505f2a06f9a9b9">ordered K-12 school buildings closed</a>&nbsp;in mid-March for the rest of the previous school year, drawing criticism from conservative GOP lawmakers.The law doesn’t give the state board any authority to reject other Kelly orders, but Schmidt said Kansas law gives local districts “home rule” powers to manage their own affairs. And&nbsp;<a href="https://kslib.info/832/Article-6-Education" target="_blank">the state constitution&nbsp;</a>says local public schools “shall be maintained, developed and operated by locally elected boards.”“I worry this is going needlessly become another flare-up,” Schmidt said.Senate President Susan Wagle, a conservative Wichita Republican frequently critical of Kelly’s handling of the pandemic, said legislators wrote last month’s law “to ensure local control over these decisions.”“The law is what the law is, and it has to be followed or it has to be changed,” Schmidt said. “It can’t simply be ignored.”-------TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said Thursday that he believes both counties and local school districts can exempt themselves from Gov. Laura Kelly’s coronavirus-inspired order requiring schools to have staff and students wear masks.The Republican attorney general said during an Associated Press interview that he told the Democratic governor’s office his opinion before Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d03755cc88648b0c2c2a275f1e9b1747">issued the order&nbsp;</a>Monday. The order also requires daily temperature checks for staff and students.Kelly has said neither counties nor local school districts can opt out, unlike an order she issued July 2 to require people to wear masks in public places.Schmidt’s comments came a day after a plan from Kelly to delay the reopening of public and private K-12 schools from mid-August until after Labor Day&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6a64799654f6a9ccb944299898f8d367">was rejected&nbsp;</a>by the GOP-controlled State Board of Education on a 5-5 vote.A law enacted in June required the state board’s approval of an order keeping school buildings closed and allowed counties to opt out of other Kelly health orders. Schmidt said that law allows counties to opt out of Kelly’s order on masks in schools.Schmidt said the state constitution grants school districts the power to opt out as well.___

Update: Kan. AG: Local officials can opt out of school mask order

The Salina USD 305 Board of Education has called a special meeting for Friday.

The meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. Friday at the District Office, 1511 Gypsum. You can watch a livestream of the meeting at <a href="http://www.usd305.com/about_us/board_of_education/livestream">http://www.usd305.com/about_us/board_of_education/livestream</a>.

Action items for USD 305 Board of Education consideration include the following.

·Coronavirus Relief Fund Agreement

The Salina USD 305 Board of Education has called a special meeting for Friday.The meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. Friday at the District Office, 1511 Gypsum. You can watch a livestream of the meeting at <a href="http://www.usd305.com/about_us/board_of_education/livestream">http://www.usd305.com/about_us/board_of_education/livestream</a>.Action items for USD 305 Board of Education consideration include the following.·Coronavirus Relief Fund Agreement·2020-2021 Calendar·USD 305 Reopening Plan

Special USD 305 board meeting set for Friday morning

Cloud County Community College will resume on-campus classes on Aug. 19, and is taking steps to ensure that students, faculty, staff, and the community remain healthy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Classes will be delivered both in-person, remotely and in an online format. In-person courses will be both face-to-face and hybrid, with sessions also streamed via Zoom from the classroom. The remote format will include instruction by a remote teacher both synchronously via Zoom, YouTube or another modality and asynchronously. Online courses will be delivered asynchronously in pre-recorded format, with the possibility of some real-time activities.

“In an effort to accommodate for various COVID guidelines, such as social distancing in classrooms and the possibility of students or faculty needing to quarantine during the semester, all classes taught in a face-to-face/hybrid format will also have a Zoom/remote modality component for any student who is enrolled,” said Dr. Todd Leif, dean of Math, Science and Technical Programs. “Individual instructors will provide information to students on how this access will be delivered.”

Students can also reach out to their instructors with any questions they may have.

The last day of on-campus classes will be Nov. 24, before the Thanksgiving break. All courses will then move to an online format from Nov. 30 to Dec. 10. Final exams will also be in an online format and will take place Dec. 7-10.

All classrooms have been reconfigured to maintain six feet of social distancing, and each room also has a sanitation station.

“Our plan is to be flexible in our delivery formats to best accommodate all of our students in any situation,” Leif said.

Students, faculty and staff will be required to wear a mask or face covering when on campus, especially when they are unable to maintain six feet of social distancing. The college will provide reusable masks to all students.

Students, faculty, staff, and visitors will be required to enter through entrance two or three of the college’s main building. Upon entry, there will be an electronic scan to check for elevated temperature. The same procedures will be in place at the Geary County campus, where everyone will enter at the Administration Building.

“We are taking as many precautions as we can to help ensure our students, faculty, staff and visitors remain healthy,” said Interim President Amber Knoettgen. “We have worked diligently this summer with campus task forces, Cloud County Health Center and our local Health Departments to establish protocols to keep our campus safe and healthy.”

In an effort to maintain cleanliness, sanitation stations, which include hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and other cleaning items have been placed throughout Cloud facilities. Electrostatic sanitation equipment will be used nightly to disinfect all high traffic, common and frequented areas.

Tables and chairs in the T-Bird Café have also been rearranged to enforce social distancing and limit the number of people in the cafeteria to 50. The self-service stations have also been eliminated. Students will also have the option of grab-and-go lunch items.

Residence Life occupancy has been reduced from 314 to 271 to help mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19.

“In the event of a positive COVD-19 case in Residence Life, we have designated two buildings for self-isolation and quarantine,” Knoettgen said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595520875283.jpeg" alt="Chris Hubert, lead custodian at Cloud County Community College, uses an electrostatic sprayer to sanitize tables in the cafeteria in preparation for the fall semester. Photo courtesy CCCC" />
 <figcaption>Chris Hubert, lead custodian at Cloud County Community College, uses an electrostatic sprayer to sanitize tables in the cafeteria in preparation for the fall semester. Photo courtesy CCCC</figcaption>
 </figure>Cloud County Community College will resume on-campus classes on Aug. 19, and is taking steps to ensure that students, faculty, staff, and the community remain healthy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.Classes will be delivered both in-person, remotely and in an online format. In-person courses will be both face-to-face and hybrid, with sessions also streamed via Zoom from the classroom. The remote format will include instruction by a remote teacher both synchronously via Zoom, YouTube or another modality and asynchronously. Online courses will be delivered asynchronously in pre-recorded format, with the possibility of some real-time activities.“In an effort to accommodate for various COVID guidelines, such as social distancing in classrooms and the possibility of students or faculty needing to quarantine during the semester, all classes taught in a face-to-face/hybrid format will also have a Zoom/remote modality component for any student who is enrolled,” said Dr. Todd Leif, dean of Math, Science and Technical Programs. “Individual instructors will provide information to students on how this access will be delivered.”Students can also reach out to their instructors with any questions they may have.The last day of on-campus classes will be Nov. 24, before the Thanksgiving break. All courses will then move to an online format from Nov. 30 to Dec. 10. Final exams will also be in an online format and will take place Dec. 7-10.All classrooms have been reconfigured to maintain six feet of social distancing, and each room also has a sanitation station.“Our plan is to be flexible in our delivery formats to best accommodate all of our students in any situation,” Leif said.Students, faculty and staff will be required to wear a mask or face covering when on campus, especially when they are unable to maintain six feet of social distancing. The college will provide reusable masks to all students.Students, faculty, staff, and visitors will be required to enter through entrance two or three of the college’s main building. Upon entry, there will be an electronic scan to check for elevated temperature. The same procedures will be in place at the Geary County campus, where everyone will enter at the Administration Building.“We are taking as many precautions as we can to help ensure our students, faculty, staff and visitors remain healthy,” said Interim President Amber Knoettgen. “We have worked diligently this summer with campus task forces, Cloud County Health Center and our local Health Departments to establish protocols to keep our campus safe and healthy.”In an effort to maintain cleanliness, sanitation stations, which include hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and other cleaning items have been placed throughout Cloud facilities. Electrostatic sanitation equipment will be used nightly to disinfect all high traffic, common and frequented areas.Tables and chairs in the T-Bird Café have also been rearranged to enforce social distancing and limit the number of people in the cafeteria to 50. The self-service stations have also been eliminated. Students will also have the option of grab-and-go lunch items.Residence Life occupancy has been reduced from 314 to 271 to help mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19.“In the event of a positive COVD-19 case in Residence Life, we have designated two buildings for self-isolation and quarantine,” Knoettgen said.

CCCC making plans for fall semester; classes to begin Aug. 19

TOPEKA—The&nbsp;<a href="https://kansascourts.org/l/ZUVhYTh0J1sx-yBQ_FKEn2rsmy9wmyW4lxE_ez3xbLA" target="_blank">28th Judicial District Nominating Commission</a>&nbsp;will convene by videoconference at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, to interview nominees to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy in Ottawa County created by the August 14 retirement of Judge Mary Thrower.

The meeting will be broadcast live on the Kansas judicial branch YouTube channel at&nbsp;<a href="https://kansascourts.org/l/ZUVhYTh0J1sx-yBQ_FKEn1zzANNLDtZLNf3ov2lDwqE" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/2Z4X62T</a>. The commission originally had planned to convene in the Ottawa County Courthouse in Minneapolis to interview nominees.

The 28th Judicial District is composed of Ottawa and Saline counties.

The commission will accept public comment about the nominees a few minutes after 9:30 a.m. Anyone who wants to make comment by telephone conference must email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:info@kscourts.org" target="_blank">info@kscourts.org</a>&nbsp;to ask for instructions.

Andrew Couch, Salina, private practice lawyer

Amy C. Crawford, Salina, assistant county attorney, Dickinson County Attorney’s Office

Jason C. Parks, Minneapolis, a licensed attorney and owner of Ink Sharks LLC and Messenger Publishing Company

Kansas law requires that a district magistrate judge be:

a resident of Ottawa County at the time of taking office and while holding office;

a graduate of a high school, a secondary school, or the equivalent; and

 either a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or able to pass an examination given by the Supreme Court to become certified within 18 months.

After interviews conclude, the commission will appoint the district magistrate judge.

After serving one year in office, the new judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.

The 28th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall as the nonvoting chair; David Stanley of Bennington; Jay Macy of Minneapolis; Lance Cochran, Robert German, Peter Johnston, Christine Ritter, and Darrell Wilson of Salina; and Robert Martin of Solomon.&nbsp;

TOPEKA—The&nbsp;<a href="https://kansascourts.org/l/ZUVhYTh0J1sx-yBQ_FKEn2rsmy9wmyW4lxE_ez3xbLA" target="_blank">28th Judicial District Nominating Commission</a>&nbsp;will convene by videoconference at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, to interview nominees to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy in Ottawa County created by the August 14 retirement of Judge Mary Thrower.The meeting will be broadcast live on the Kansas judicial branch YouTube channel at&nbsp;<a href="https://kansascourts.org/l/ZUVhYTh0J1sx-yBQ_FKEn1zzANNLDtZLNf3ov2lDwqE" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/2Z4X62T</a>. The commission originally had planned to convene in the Ottawa County Courthouse in Minneapolis to interview nominees.The 28th Judicial District is composed of Ottawa and Saline counties.Public commentThe commission will accept public comment about the nominees a few minutes after 9:30 a.m. Anyone who wants to make comment by telephone conference must email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:info@kscourts.org" target="_blank">info@kscourts.org</a>&nbsp;to ask for instructions.Interview schedule10 a.m.Andrew Couch, Salina, private practice lawyer10:30 a.m.Amy C. Crawford, Salina, assistant county attorney, Dickinson County Attorney’s Office11 a.m.Jason C. Parks, Minneapolis, a licensed attorney and owner of Ink Sharks LLC and Messenger Publishing CompanyEligibility requirementsKansas law requires that a district magistrate judge be:a resident of Ottawa County at the time of taking office and while holding office;a graduate of a high school, a secondary school, or the equivalent; and either a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or able to pass an examination given by the Supreme Court to become certified within 18 months.AppointmentAfter interviews conclude, the commission will appoint the district magistrate judge.Term of officeAfter serving one year in office, the new judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.Nominating commissionThe 28th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall as the nonvoting chair; David Stanley of Bennington; Jay Macy of Minneapolis; Lance Cochran, Robert German, Peter Johnston, Christine Ritter, and Darrell Wilson of Salina; and Robert Martin of Solomon.&nbsp;

28th Judicial District panel to interview magistrate judge nominees

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Recent obituaries

A Salina man with an outstanding warrant for aggravated indecent liberties with a child was arrested early this morning after an incident involving his ex-girlfriend.

Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning that officers were dispatched to the 700 block of South Ninth Street at 1:30 a.m. Thursday for the report of a burglary in progress and violation of a protection from abuse (PFA) order. The 29-year-old Salina female told officers that she had returned home from work and upon entering her bedroom saw the arm of a subject underneath her bed. Her ex-boyfriend against whom she has a PFA, Matthew Jackson, 30, of Salina, came out from under the bed and left the residence, Forrester explained.

The victim also reported that her Sony Playstation 3 and four games, valued at $140, were missing, he added.

Officers located Jackson in the 200 block of South Ninth Street, but when they attempted to make contact with him, he fled on a bicycle, which was later located at a residence in the 700 block of South Ninth Street, Forrester reported. Jackson was located in the backyard of that residence and taken into custody after a short foot pursuit, he added.

According to Forrester, Jackson had a methamphetamine pipe in his possession and the Playstation and games were located in his backpack that was attached to his bicycle.

Jackson was found to have outstanding warrants in Saline County for aggravated indecent liberties with a child, probation violation, and violation of Kansas registration act, Forrester noted. In addition to those, Jackson also was arrested on the following requested charges, Forrester explained.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575897925423.jpeg" alt="Matthew Jackson. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Matthew Jackson. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>A Salina man with an outstanding warrant for aggravated indecent liberties with a child was arrested early this morning after an incident involving his ex-girlfriend.Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning that officers were dispatched to the 700 block of South Ninth Street at 1:30 a.m. Thursday for the report of a burglary in progress and violation of a protection from abuse (PFA) order. The 29-year-old Salina female told officers that she had returned home from work and upon entering her bedroom saw the arm of a subject underneath her bed. Her ex-boyfriend against whom she has a PFA, Matthew Jackson, 30, of Salina, came out from under the bed and left the residence, Forrester explained.The victim also reported that her Sony Playstation 3 and four games, valued at $140, were missing, he added.Officers located Jackson in the 200 block of South Ninth Street, but when they attempted to make contact with him, he fled on a bicycle, which was later located at a residence in the 700 block of South Ninth Street, Forrester reported. Jackson was located in the backyard of that residence and taken into custody after a short foot pursuit, he added.According to Forrester, Jackson had a methamphetamine pipe in his possession and the Playstation and games were located in his backpack that was attached to his bicycle.Jackson was found to have outstanding warrants in Saline County for aggravated indecent liberties with a child, probation violation, and violation of Kansas registration act, Forrester noted. In addition to those, Jackson also was arrested on the following requested charges, Forrester explained.Aggravated burglaryViolation of a protection orderTrespassingFelony interference with law enforcementPossession of a stimulantPossession of drug paraphernalia

Salina man arrested on multiple warrants, requested charges

OCCK, Inc. is seeking Direct Support Professionals. These individuals are residential in their supported Living Department in the Salina, Beloit, and Concordia locations. Full time with benefits, EOE, drug testing.

This person will be coordinating services and provide Independent living skills. Training will be provided as needed. Need to be a compassionate and a problem solver.

Must be at least 18 years old with strong oral and written communication skills, math skills and valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Must have the ability to work with a diverse group of people in a team setting. Various shifts available.

OCCK, Inc. is a not-for-profit, mission-based organization that has been providing services to people with disabilities since 1970. With regional offices throughout North Central Kansas. Help others and getting paid to do so. Apply at&nbsp;<a href="http://jobs.occk.com/careers//Careers.aspx?req=2019-2000-017&amp;type=JOBDESCR">http://jobs.occk.com/careers//Careers.aspx?req=2019-2000-017&amp;type=JOBDESCR</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592535783410.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OCCK, Inc. is seeking Direct Support Professionals. These individuals are residential in their supported Living Department in the Salina, Beloit, and Concordia locations. Full time with benefits, EOE, drug testing.This person will be coordinating services and provide Independent living skills. Training will be provided as needed. Need to be a compassionate and a problem solver.Must be at least 18 years old with strong oral and written communication skills, math skills and valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Must have the ability to work with a diverse group of people in a team setting. Various shifts available.OCCK, Inc. is a not-for-profit, mission-based organization that has been providing services to people with disabilities since 1970. With regional offices throughout North Central Kansas. Help others and getting paid to do so. Apply at&nbsp;<a href="http://jobs.occk.com/careers//Careers.aspx?req=2019-2000-017&amp;type=JOBDESCR">http://jobs.occk.com/careers//Careers.aspx?req=2019-2000-017&amp;type=JOBDESCR</a>.

County taking applications for Coronavirus Relief Fund

TOPEKA --&nbsp;With the results of the Kansas State School Board of Education vote earlier today, the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) executive board met Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

During the meeting, the executive board approved a Remote Learning Policy that districts may choose to implement for the fall semester.&nbsp;This new policy is available via <a href="http://kshsaa.org/public/pdf/remotelearningpolicy.pdf" target="_blank">Remote Learning Policy</a>.

Additionally, the executive board provided a final review of considerations for the resumption of fall activities.&nbsp;These considerations are available via <a href="http://www.kshsaa.org/public/pdf/kshsaareturntoact-general.pdf" target="_blank">KSHSAA Return To Act - General</a>&nbsp;and are intended to support district efforts in planning for the resumption of school activities with the upcoming fall season.

Additionally, activity specific considerations are available via <a href="http://kshsaa.org/public/pdf/actspecificconsiderations.pdf" target="_blank">Activity Specific Considerations</a>.

Finally, in regard to the fall season start date scheduled for Aug. 17, the executive board asked staff to conduct a survey of superintendents regarding the anticipated first day of school for respective districts.&nbsp; Pending results of the survey, the executive board would decide if it was necessary to convene the board of directors for a consideration of a possible modification to the start of the fall activity season.&nbsp;It is anticipated this survey, review, and determination by the executive board would be completed early next week.

--<a href="http://kshsaa.org">kshsaa.org</a>--

TOPEKA --&nbsp;With the results of the Kansas State School Board of Education vote earlier today, the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) executive board met Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;During the meeting, the executive board approved a Remote Learning Policy that districts may choose to implement for the fall semester.&nbsp;This new policy is available via <a href="http://kshsaa.org/public/pdf/remotelearningpolicy.pdf" target="_blank">Remote Learning Policy</a>.Additionally, the executive board provided a final review of considerations for the resumption of fall activities.&nbsp;These considerations are available via <a href="http://www.kshsaa.org/public/pdf/kshsaareturntoact-general.pdf" target="_blank">KSHSAA Return To Act - General</a>&nbsp;and are intended to support district efforts in planning for the resumption of school activities with the upcoming fall season.Additionally, activity specific considerations are available via <a href="http://kshsaa.org/public/pdf/actspecificconsiderations.pdf" target="_blank">Activity Specific Considerations</a>.Finally, in regard to the fall season start date scheduled for Aug. 17, the executive board asked staff to conduct a survey of superintendents regarding the anticipated first day of school for respective districts.&nbsp; Pending results of the survey, the executive board would decide if it was necessary to convene the board of directors for a consideration of a possible modification to the start of the fall activity season.&nbsp;It is anticipated this survey, review, and determination by the executive board would be completed early next week.--<a href="http://kshsaa.org">kshsaa.org</a>--

KSHSAA provides update on fall activities

Today is Thursday, July 23, the 205th day of 2020. There are 161 days left in the year. 

On July 23, 1829, William Austin Burt received a patent for his "typographer," a forerunner of the typewriter. 

In 1885, Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president of the United States, died in Mount McGregor, New York, at age 63. 

In 1914, Austria-Hungary presented a list of demands to Serbia following the killing of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serb assassin; Serbia's refusal to agree to the entire ultimatum led to the outbreak of World War I. 

In 1948, American pioneer filmmaker D.W. Griffith died in Los Angeles at age 73.

In 1967, five days of deadly rioting erupted in Detroit as an early morning police raid on an unlicensed bar resulted in a confrontation with local residents that escalated into violence that spread into other parts of the city; 43 people, mostly Blacks, were killed. 

In 1982, actor Vic Morrow and two child actors, 7-year-old Myca Dinh Le and 6-year-old Renee Shin-Yi Chen, were killed when a helicopter crashed on top of them during filming of a Vietnam War scene for "Twilight Zone: The Movie." (Director John Landis and four associates were later acquitted of manslaughter charges.)

In 1983, an Air Canada Boeing 767 ran out of fuel while flying from Montreal to Edmonton; the pilots were able to glide the jetliner to a safe emergency landing in Gimli, Manitoba. (The near-disaster occurred because the fuel had been erroneously measured in pounds instead of kilograms at a time when Canada was converting to the metric system.) 

In 1997, the search for Andrew Cunanan, the suspected killer of designer Gianni Versace and others, ended as police found his body on a houseboat in Miami Beach, an apparent suicide. 

In 1999, space shuttle Columbia blasted off with the world's most powerful X-ray telescope and Eileen Collins, the first woman to command a U.S. space flight. 

In 2003, a new audiotape purported to be from toppled dictator Saddam Hussein called on Iraqis to resist the U.S. occupation. Massachusetts' attorney general issued a report saying clergy members and others in the Boston Archdiocese probably had sexually abused more than 1,000 people over a period of six decades. 

In 2006, Tiger Woods became the first player since Tom Watson in 1982-83 to win consecutive British Open titles. 

In 2011, singer Amy Winehouse, 27, was found dead in her London home from accidental alcohol poisoning. 

In 2017, a tractor trailer was found in a Walmart parking lot in San Antonio, Texas, crammed with dozens of immigrants; ten died and many more were treated at a hospital for dehydration and heat stroke. (The driver, James Bradley Jr., was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to transporting the immigrants resulting in death.) 

Ten years ago: The Office of Management and Budget predicted the budget deficit would reach a record $1.47 trillion in the current fiscal year. (The actual figure for fiscal 2010 turned out to be $1.29 trillion.) Ford Motor Co. said it had made $2.6 billion from April through June 2010, its fifth straight quarterly profit. Daniel Schorr, longtime journalist with stints at CBS, CNN and NPR, died in Washington at age 93.

Five years ago: Secretary of State John Kerry told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee it was "fantasy plain and simple" to claim that President Barack Obama had failed to insist on enough restraints on Iran's nuclear program before agreeing to lift economic sanctions. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump paid a visit to the Mexico border, where he predicted Hispanics would love him, adding, "They already do." A gunman opened fire in a Lafayette, Louisiana, theater during a screening of the film "Trainwreck," killing two people and wounding nine before fatally shooting himself.

One year ago: Boris Johnson won the contest to lead Britain's governing Conservative Party, putting him in line to become the country's prime minister the following day. Former defense industry lobbyist Mark Esper won Senate confirmation and was sworn in as secretary of defense, succeeding Jim Mattis. (The Pentagon had gone seven months without a confirmed leader, the longest such period in its history.) The Senate gave final legislative approval to a measure ensuring that a victims' compensation fund related to the Sept. 11 attacks would never run out of money.

Today's Birthdays: Concert pianist Leon Fleisher is 92. Retired Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy is 84. Actor Ronny Cox is 82. Actor Larry Manetti is 77. Rock singer David Essex is 73. Singer-songwriter John Hall is 72. Actress Belinda Montgomery is 70. Rock musician Blair Thornton (Bachman Turner Overdrive) is 70. Actress-writer Lydia Cornell is 67. Actor Woody Harrelson is 59. Rock musician Martin Gore (Depeche Mode) is 59. Actor Eriq Lasalle is 58. Rock musician Yuval Gabay is 57. Rock musician Slash is 55. Actor Juan Pope is 53. Model-actress Stephanie Seymour is 52. Actress Charisma Carpenter is 50. Rhythm-and-blues singer Sam Watters is 50. Country singer Alison Krauss is 49. Rhythm-and-blues singer Dalvin DeGrate is 49. Rock musician Chad Gracey (Live) is 49. Actor-comedian Marlon Wayans is 48. Country singer Shannon Brown is 47. Actress Kathryn Hahn is 47. Retired MLB All-Star Nomar Garciaparra is 47. Former White House intern Monica Lewinsky is 47. Actress Stephanie March is 46. Actor Shane McRae is 43. Country musician David Pichette is 43. Rhythm-and-blues singer Michelle Williams is 40. Actor Paul Wesley is 38. Actress Krysta Rodriguez is 36. Actor Daniel Radcliffe is 31. Country musician Neil Perry is 30. Actress Lili Simmons is 27. Country singer Danielle Bradbery (TV: "The Voice") is 24.

<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 in HistoryToday is Thursday, July 23, the 205th day of 2020. There are 161 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On July 23, 1829, William Austin Burt received a patent for his "typographer," a forerunner of the typewriter. On this date: In 1885, Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president of the United States, died in Mount McGregor, New York, at age 63. In 1914, Austria-Hungary presented a list of demands to Serbia following the killing of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serb assassin; Serbia's refusal to agree to the entire ultimatum led to the outbreak of World War I. In 1948, American pioneer filmmaker D.W. Griffith died in Los Angeles at age 73.In 1967, five days of deadly rioting erupted in Detroit as an early morning police raid on an unlicensed bar resulted in a confrontation with local residents that escalated into violence that spread into other parts of the city; 43 people, mostly Blacks, were killed. In 1982, actor Vic Morrow and two child actors, 7-year-old Myca Dinh Le and 6-year-old Renee Shin-Yi Chen, were killed when a helicopter crashed on top of them during filming of a Vietnam War scene for "Twilight Zone: The Movie." (Director John Landis and four associates were later acquitted of manslaughter charges.)In 1983, an Air Canada Boeing 767 ran out of fuel while flying from Montreal to Edmonton; the pilots were able to glide the jetliner to a safe emergency landing in Gimli, Manitoba. (The near-disaster occurred because the fuel had been erroneously measured in pounds instead of kilograms at a time when Canada was converting to the metric system.) In 1997, the search for Andrew Cunanan, the suspected killer of designer Gianni Versace and others, ended as police found his body on a houseboat in Miami Beach, an apparent suicide. In 1999, space shuttle Columbia blasted off with the world's most powerful X-ray telescope and Eileen Collins, the first woman to command a U.S. space flight. In 2003, a new audiotape purported to be from toppled dictator Saddam Hussein called on Iraqis to resist the U.S. occupation. Massachusetts' attorney general issued a report saying clergy members and others in the Boston Archdiocese probably had sexually abused more than 1,000 people over a period of six decades. In 2006, Tiger Woods became the first player since Tom Watson in 1982-83 to win consecutive British Open titles. In 2011, singer Amy Winehouse, 27, was found dead in her London home from accidental alcohol poisoning. In 2017, a tractor trailer was found in a Walmart parking lot in San Antonio, Texas, crammed with dozens of immigrants; ten died and many more were treated at a hospital for dehydration and heat stroke. (The driver, James Bradley Jr., was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to transporting the immigrants resulting in death.) Ten years ago: The Office of Management and Budget predicted the budget deficit would reach a record $1.47 trillion in the current fiscal year. (The actual figure for fiscal 2010 turned out to be $1.29 trillion.) Ford Motor Co. said it had made $2.6 billion from April through June 2010, its fifth straight quarterly profit. Daniel Schorr, longtime journalist with stints at CBS, CNN and NPR, died in Washington at age 93.Five years ago: Secretary of State John Kerry told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee it was "fantasy plain and simple" to claim that President Barack Obama had failed to insist on enough restraints on Iran's nuclear program before agreeing to lift economic sanctions. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump paid a visit to the Mexico border, where he predicted Hispanics would love him, adding, "They already do." A gunman opened fire in a Lafayette, Louisiana, theater during a screening of the film "Trainwreck," killing two people and wounding nine before fatally shooting himself.One year ago: Boris Johnson won the contest to lead Britain's governing Conservative Party, putting him in line to become the country's prime minister the following day. Former defense industry lobbyist Mark Esper won Senate confirmation and was sworn in as secretary of defense, succeeding Jim Mattis. (The Pentagon had gone seven months without a confirmed leader, the longest such period in its history.) The Senate gave final legislative approval to a measure ensuring that a victims' compensation fund related to the Sept. 11 attacks would never run out of money. Today's Birthdays: Concert pianist Leon Fleisher is 92. Retired Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy is 84. Actor Ronny Cox is 82. Actor Larry Manetti is 77. Rock singer David Essex is 73. Singer-songwriter John Hall is 72. Actress Belinda Montgomery is 70. Rock musician Blair Thornton (Bachman Turner Overdrive) is 70. Actress-writer Lydia Cornell is 67. Actor Woody Harrelson is 59. Rock musician Martin Gore (Depeche Mode) is 59. Actor Eriq Lasalle is 58. Rock musician Yuval Gabay is 57. Rock musician Slash is 55. Actor Juan Pope is 53. Model-actress Stephanie Seymour is 52. Actress Charisma Carpenter is 50. Rhythm-and-blues singer Sam Watters is 50. Country singer Alison Krauss is 49. Rhythm-and-blues singer Dalvin DeGrate is 49. Rock musician Chad Gracey (Live) is 49. Actor-comedian Marlon Wayans is 48. Country singer Shannon Brown is 47. Actress Kathryn Hahn is 47. Retired MLB All-Star Nomar Garciaparra is 47. Former White House intern Monica Lewinsky is 47. Actress Stephanie March is 46. Actor Shane McRae is 43. Country musician David Pichette is 43. Rhythm-and-blues singer Michelle Williams is 40. Actor Paul Wesley is 38. Actress Krysta Rodriguez is 36. Actor Daniel Radcliffe is 31. Country musician Neil Perry is 30. Actress Lili Simmons is 27. Country singer Danielle Bradbery (TV: "The Voice") is 24.

Today in History -- July 23

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

BELLEVILLE -- The emotional warmth of Christine Ray-Strutt's blankets is matched only by the love in her heart.

Over the past few years, the Belleville woman and her helpers have created and distributed more than 1,000 blankets to children's hospitals and individual children battling health issues through the Connor's Cuddles Foundation. Christine established the foundation in the memory of her late son, Connor.

"I started Connor's Cuddles in March of 2017 with the idea that if I made 30-40 cuddles a year and deliver them to Children's Mercy in KC, which is where Connor received treatment, that it would help my heart a little," Christine told Salina Post.

The following is an excerpt from Connor's Journey on the the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/connorscuddles/">Connor's Cuddles</a> Facebook page.

"Connor was an active, sports loving, animal loving, children loving, normal teenager until September 16, 2014 when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins T-cell lymphoma. In June of 2015, after undergoing 9 months of intense chemo, he was in remission and the maintenance phase began. He was back to being a normal teenager and soaking up life. Back to school, basketball, proms, track, spending time with family and friends. At a track meet on May 3, he was experiencing extreme pain in his hips as he was pole vaulting. We returned to Children’s Mercy on May 6 and discovered that he had relapsed. We immediately started treatment again, unfortunately, the treatments did not work. Connor fought with all he had, but was welcomed into the Lord’s open arms on August 20, 2016. Oh, how we miss him!  I chose to start Connor’s Cuddles in his memory and is my way to continue to spread love in his name and keep his spirit alive."

Christine said that she started making the cuddles (blankets) with the help of some family members. She said that the first delivery of blankets was in June of 2017.

"For a couple of years now, it has been my mom, in Norton, Beanie, a lady that lives here in Belleville, and myself," Christine explained. "My mom and Beanie help me keep my stock up for deliveries to Children's Mercy in KC and the Children's Hospital in Omaha, as well as a load of them to University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital."

Occasionally, others will donate blankets as well, she added.

"I stay busy making and shipping out special request cuddles all over the United States. We have delivered approximately 800 to children's hospitals and shipped out about 350 to 38 different states and two other countries," Christine said.

Despite that tremendous number of blankets in just a few years, more could always be used.

"Sadly, the need is never ending. I see increases in the special requests we receive, and I know that we are not even touching the tip of the iceberg," Christine told Salina Post.

The blankets are made of fleece material and come in a variety of patterns.

Christine explained that when the foundation delivers blankets to the children's hospitals, she takes a variety of designs for girls and boys, including blankets with animals, sports, hunting, flowers, Disney characters, etc. 

"When I receive a special request, I ask what some of their favorite things are. I then go buy that specific fleece especially for that child to make it a bit more special," she said.

Christine was quick to point out, however, that while many of the blankets are for younger children, the foundation does make blankets for older children as well.

"Seems like a lot of our requests come for little ones, but Connor, battling from 16-18 years old, still liked to bring his personal blankets with him to treatments," she explained.

Recently, the Connor's Cuddles Foundation got a boost from some people a few counties to the south in the form of Salina's Sunset Sinners. The band posted the following on its <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Sunsetsinnerssalina/">Facebook page</a>.

Sinner Nation : We are proud to partner with &amp; help out Christine Ray-Strutt with her Connor's Cuddles Foundation which provides custom personalized blankets across the USA for little tykes that are battling cancer. The Sunset Sinners &amp; our friends at Miller Lite &amp; Crown Distributors have produced these grey "Always Time For One More Beer" Tees available right now for just $20ea. with 100% of proceeds going to Connors Cuddles!

The T-shirts also are available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/midwestmusicinc/?__tn__=K-R&amp;eid=ARAMK6qdeoeDvZPLJMOOeAncZaGLESGKZIKBMVrfAwjd8WP7gIS8b3_dfdnBlUm4oZ9H5wTiFKUElMEl&amp;fref=mentions&amp;__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDhO-UBu9LeZZh-NpFoJKYgfdogH6nVCvmRFR9CvdTLlhdGbZtBBMqIoXbRLahDazMk5iN7Kpl0V9VYqi2_7AoRLSoc3NuljNgwVGqDBUWYiL2VfA3UfXVMQ3pwbN87pbQQ4fkVF0i3BGP7Y99IJyFXeW_oKf0JBZKOZBVsDYmmjTgbUE4CRJB-Nm3yZbqYoLP7aJGF6BjBOoPD15-b9iL2hTpKbd4o0b0kOVtL5ZFKfJ28yFPekbRdh4YFJfmW5zN96ssRN0TK4jHKqysvXgeJGnkh3w6aTTSd_-D_p8xkeI9cbVU_9ox0bWFHRam8CpBekh_SQoV6jub5n5iMH1g">Midwest Music</a>&nbsp;in Salina.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"When Blake (Blackim) reached out to me about Connor's Cuddles and wanting to help my foundation out, I was surprised to say the least. The more we can spread awareness about our foundation, the more lives we can hopefully touch," Christine said. "Then we he came up with the t-shirt promotion, I was truly touched. What a great bunch of guys!"

Christine said her goal with the Connor's Cuddles Foundation is to "hopefully bring a smile and a bit of comfort to children who are fighting big battles, as well as honoring our son." She does, however, look to the future.

"I would love to see my foundation grow to, one day, be able to offer even a little bit of support to the families, be it a gift card for a tank of gas or a meal to be included with each cuddle we send. Hopefully, someday, I can also donate funding to help with childhood cancer research to find better treatment options for these children and one day eradicate cancer," she said.

If you would like to help Connor's Cuddles Foundation or have a request for a blanket, you can contact Christine on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/connorscuddles/">Connor's Cuddles</a> Facebook page or via email at <a href="mailto:connorscuddles@gmail.com">connorscuddles@gmail.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595473111846.jpeg" alt="A big stack of Connor's Cuddles await distribution at children's hospitals. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the distributions are on hold. All photos courtesy the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/connorscuddles/">Connor's Cuddles</a> Facebook page" />
 <figcaption>A big stack of Connor's Cuddles await distribution at children's hospitals. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the distributions are on hold. All photos courtesy the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/connorscuddles/">Connor's Cuddles</a> Facebook page</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostBELLEVILLE -- The emotional warmth of Christine Ray-Strutt's blankets is matched only by the love in her heart.Over the past few years, the Belleville woman and her helpers have created and distributed more than 1,000 blankets to children's hospitals and individual children battling health issues through the Connor's Cuddles Foundation. Christine established the foundation in the memory of her late son, Connor."I started Connor's Cuddles in March of 2017 with the idea that if I made 30-40 cuddles a year and deliver them to Children's Mercy in KC, which is where Connor received treatment, that it would help my heart a little," Christine told Salina Post.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595472881049.jpeg" alt="Christine's son, Connor." />
 <figcaption>Christine's son, Connor.</figcaption>
 </figure>About ConnorThe following is an excerpt from Connor's Journey on the the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/connorscuddles/">Connor's Cuddles</a> Facebook page."Connor was an active, sports loving, animal loving, children loving, normal teenager until September 16, 2014 when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins T-cell lymphoma. In June of 2015, after undergoing 9 months of intense chemo, he was in remission and the maintenance phase began. He was back to being a normal teenager and soaking up life. Back to school, basketball, proms, track, spending time with family and friends. At a track meet on May 3, he was experiencing extreme pain in his hips as he was pole vaulting. We returned to Children’s Mercy on May 6 and discovered that he had relapsed. We immediately started treatment again, unfortunately, the treatments did not work. Connor fought with all he had, but was welcomed into the Lord’s open arms on August 20, 2016. Oh, how we miss him! I chose to start Connor’s Cuddles in his memory and is my way to continue to spread love in his name and keep his spirit alive."Many blankets in a few yearsChristine said that she started making the cuddles (blankets) with the help of some family members. She said that the first delivery of blankets was in June of 2017."For a couple of years now, it has been my mom, in Norton, Beanie, a lady that lives here in Belleville, and myself," Christine explained. "My mom and Beanie help me keep my stock up for deliveries to Children's Mercy in KC and the Children's Hospital in Omaha, as well as a load of them to University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital."Occasionally, others will donate blankets as well, she added.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595473839908.jpeg" alt="Some of the blankets." />
 <figcaption>Some of the blankets.</figcaption>
 </figure>"I stay busy making and shipping out special request cuddles all over the United States. We have delivered approximately 800 to children's hospitals and shipped out about 350 to 38 different states and two other countries," Christine said.Despite that tremendous number of blankets in just a few years, more could always be used."Sadly, the need is never ending. I see increases in the special requests we receive, and I know that we are not even touching the tip of the iceberg," Christine told Salina Post.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595473898160.jpeg" alt="More of the blankets." />
 <figcaption>More of the blankets.</figcaption>
 </figure>The blankets are made of fleece material and come in a variety of patterns.Christine explained that when the foundation delivers blankets to the children's hospitals, she takes a variety of designs for girls and boys, including blankets with animals, sports, hunting, flowers, Disney characters, etc. "When I receive a special request, I ask what some of their favorite things are. I then go buy that specific fleece especially for that child to make it a bit more special," she said.Christine was quick to point out, however, that while many of the blankets are for younger children, the foundation does make blankets for older children as well."Seems like a lot of our requests come for little ones, but Connor, battling from 16-18 years old, still liked to bring his personal blankets with him to treatments," she explained.Another kind of helpRecently, the Connor's Cuddles Foundation got a boost from some people a few counties to the south in the form of Salina's Sunset Sinners. The band posted the following on its <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Sunsetsinnerssalina/">Facebook page</a>.Sinner Nation : We are proud to partner with &amp; help out Christine Ray-Strutt with her Connor's Cuddles Foundation which provides custom personalized blankets across the USA for little tykes that are battling cancer. The Sunset Sinners &amp; our friends at Miller Lite &amp; Crown Distributors have produced these grey "Always Time For One More Beer" Tees available right now for just $20ea. with 100% of proceeds going to Connors Cuddles!The T-shirts also are available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/midwestmusicinc/?__tn__=K-R&amp;eid=ARAMK6qdeoeDvZPLJMOOeAncZaGLESGKZIKBMVrfAwjd8WP7gIS8b3_dfdnBlUm4oZ9H5wTiFKUElMEl&amp;fref=mentions&amp;__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDhO-UBu9LeZZh-NpFoJKYgfdogH6nVCvmRFR9CvdTLlhdGbZtBBMqIoXbRLahDazMk5iN7Kpl0V9VYqi2_7AoRLSoc3NuljNgwVGqDBUWYiL2VfA3UfXVMQ3pwbN87pbQQ4fkVF0i3BGP7Y99IJyFXeW_oKf0JBZKOZBVsDYmmjTgbUE4CRJB-Nm3yZbqYoLP7aJGF6BjBOoPD15-b9iL2hTpKbd4o0b0kOVtL5ZFKfJ28yFPekbRdh4YFJfmW5zN96ssRN0TK4jHKqysvXgeJGnkh3w6aTTSd_-D_p8xkeI9cbVU_9ox0bWFHRam8CpBekh_SQoV6jub5n5iMH1g">Midwest Music</a>&nbsp;in Salina.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595473616741.jpeg" alt="The Sunset Sinners brought Christine on stage at their recent concert in Concordia." />
 <figcaption>The Sunset Sinners brought Christine on stage at their recent concert in Concordia.</figcaption>
 </figure>"When Blake (Blackim) reached out to me about Connor's Cuddles and wanting to help my foundation out, I was surprised to say the least. The more we can spread awareness about our foundation, the more lives we can hopefully touch," Christine said. "Then we he came up with the t-shirt promotion, I was truly touched. What a great bunch of guys!"The futureChristine said her goal with the Connor's Cuddles Foundation is to "hopefully bring a smile and a bit of comfort to children who are fighting big battles, as well as honoring our son." She does, however, look to the future."I would love to see my foundation grow to, one day, be able to offer even a little bit of support to the families, be it a gift card for a tank of gas or a meal to be included with each cuddle we send. Hopefully, someday, I can also donate funding to help with childhood cancer research to find better treatment options for these children and one day eradicate cancer," she said.If you would like to help Connor's Cuddles Foundation or have a request for a blanket, you can contact Christine on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/connorscuddles/">Connor's Cuddles</a> Facebook page or via email at <a href="mailto:connorscuddles@gmail.com">connorscuddles@gmail.com</a>.

Honoring the memory of a son gone too soon with love and blankets

Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms will bubble up the next couple of days, but most of the day will be dry, and no severe weather is expected, according to the National Weather Service. However, gusty winds and very heavy rainfall will be possible with any location that sees a thunderstorm.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595471318700.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms will bubble up the next couple of days, but most of the day will be dry, and no severe weather is expected, according to the National Weather Service. However, gusty winds and very heavy rainfall will be possible with any location that sees a thunderstorm.

NWS: Mostly dry with a few scattered thunderstorms

MCPHERSON -- The McPherson County Health Department today reported four new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the county total to 121.

The newest confirmed cases are as follows, according to the health department.

Positive case No. 118 was identified late Tuesday, July 21st evening, and is a symptomatic female in her 20s with unknown exposure and is recovering at home.

Positive case No. 119 was identified late Tuesday, July 21st evening, and is a symptomatic male in his 20s with known exposure and is recovering at home.

Positive case No. 120 is a female in her 30s with known exposure and is recovering at home.

Positive case No. 121 is a male in his 30s with known exposure and is recovering at home.

Of the 121 confirmed cases, 100 have met Kansas Department of Health and Environment recovery guidelines, the health department reported. Additionally, no current cases are hospitalized and the county has reported no COVID-19 related deaths, the health department noted.

The McPherson County Health Department reminds county residents of the following.

McPherson County continues to have an uptake in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases. If you are notified by the Health Department of being a contact of someone who is positive for COVID-19, you MUST quarantine at home for 14 days. This means that a negative test will not return an exposed person to work/sports/daycare/etc. sooner than 14 days. If you are a contact, decide to be tested, and it comes back negative, you STILL have to finish your 14-day period because you may become contagious anytime during the rest of the 14 days. We do NOT routinely recommend testing contacts unless symptoms arise or a high risk individual is involved. People who have not had direct exposure to someone with COVID-19 do not need to quarantine and are not excluded from work/sports/daycare/etc.

If you are being tested for COVID-19, you are considered a Person Under Investigation (PUI). The PUI MUST isolate while waiting on results. The PUI should isolate away from anyone in their household. If they are not able to isolate away from the household members by staying in their own room, the entire household must quarantine while awaiting results to reduce exposure.

If a person in quarantine does not develop any COVID-19 symptoms, then they are released from quarantine at the end of 14 days. If symptoms do develop during those 14 days, the person is to contact their primary provider for further evaluation and/or testing. People who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 may be released from isolation at the direction of the Health Department when it has been 10 days since the onset of symptoms AND 72 hours since symptoms have resolved. This symptom-based method of returning people to work is preferred to a testing-based method of returning people to work because tests can still remain positive long after the virus is no longer active.

MCPHERSON -- The McPherson County Health Department today reported four new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the county total to 121.The newest confirmed cases are as follows, according to the health department.Positive case No. 118 was identified late Tuesday, July 21st evening, and is a symptomatic female in her 20s with unknown exposure and is recovering at home.Positive case No. 119 was identified late Tuesday, July 21st evening, and is a symptomatic male in his 20s with known exposure and is recovering at home.Positive case No. 120 is a female in her 30s with known exposure and is recovering at home.Positive case No. 121 is a male in his 30s with known exposure and is recovering at home.Of the 121 confirmed cases, 100 have met Kansas Department of Health and Environment recovery guidelines, the health department reported. Additionally, no current cases are hospitalized and the county has reported no COVID-19 related deaths, the health department noted.The McPherson County Health Department reminds county residents of the following.McPherson County continues to have an uptake in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases. If you are notified by the Health Department of being a contact of someone who is positive for COVID-19, you MUST quarantine at home for 14 days. This means that a negative test will not return an exposed person to work/sports/daycare/etc. sooner than 14 days. If you are a contact, decide to be tested, and it comes back negative, you STILL have to finish your 14-day period because you may become contagious anytime during the rest of the 14 days. We do NOT routinely recommend testing contacts unless symptoms arise or a high risk individual is involved. People who have not had direct exposure to someone with COVID-19 do not need to quarantine and are not excluded from work/sports/daycare/etc.If you are being tested for COVID-19, you are considered a Person Under Investigation (PUI). The PUI MUST isolate while waiting on results. The PUI should isolate away from anyone in their household. If they are not able to isolate away from the household members by staying in their own room, the entire household must quarantine while awaiting results to reduce exposure.If a person in quarantine does not develop any COVID-19 symptoms, then they are released from quarantine at the end of 14 days. If symptoms do develop during those 14 days, the person is to contact their primary provider for further evaluation and/or testing. People who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 may be released from isolation at the direction of the Health Department when it has been 10 days since the onset of symptoms AND 72 hours since symptoms have resolved. This symptom-based method of returning people to work is preferred to a testing-based method of returning people to work because tests can still remain positive long after the virus is no longer active.

McPherson County reports four new cases of COVID-19

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

There are 11 new positive COVID-19 cases in Saline County that have been identified since the Monday, July 20 report. The total for the county is now 312, with 115 cases that are actively being monitored by the Health Department, 194 that have recovered, and 3 deaths. The update received from Salina Regional Health Center yesterday, Tuesday, July 21, reported 7 hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

According to the Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment, there are now 24,104 cases and 308 deaths statewide. This information can be found at <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/</a>.

•The Saline County Coronavirus Relief Fund Advisory Committee issued a press release regarding funds that are available for local businesses and non-profits to apply for reimbursements or future COVID-19 related expenses. Learn more by visiting our website <a href="https://www.saline.org/Coronavirus/CRF-Funding">https://www.saline.org/Coronavirus/CRF-Funding</a>.

•The City of Salina announced that the Drive-thru Recycling Center will return to normal operating hours beginning Wednesday, July 29th.

Saline County’s dashboard has been updated to include age ranges of cases in active isolation, recovered, and deceased. This dashboard is updated on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays by 5 pm.

•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>

We will continue to communicate the same public health messages on what you can do to slow the spread:

•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/2020/7/1595455676736.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Following is the Saline County COVID-19 update for Wednesday.There are 11 new positive COVID-19 cases in Saline County that have been identified since the Monday, July 20 report. The total for the county is now 312, with 115 cases that are actively being monitored by the Health Department, 194 that have recovered, and 3 deaths. The update received from Salina Regional Health Center yesterday, Tuesday, July 21, reported 7 hospitalized COVID-19 patients.According to the Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment, there are now 24,104 cases and 308 deaths statewide. This information can be found at <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/</a>.Announcements:•The Saline County Coronavirus Relief Fund Advisory Committee issued a press release regarding funds that are available for local businesses and non-profits to apply for reimbursements or future COVID-19 related expenses. Learn more by visiting our website <a href="https://www.saline.org/Coronavirus/CRF-Funding">https://www.saline.org/Coronavirus/CRF-Funding</a>.•The City of Salina announced that the Drive-thru Recycling Center will return to normal operating hours beginning Wednesday, July 29th.Saline County’s dashboard has been updated to include age ranges of cases in active isolation, recovered, and deceased. This dashboard is updated on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays by 5 pm.•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>We will continue to communicate the same public health messages on what you can do to slow the spread:•Stay home if you’re sick•Wear masks in public settings•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 reports 11 new COVID-19 cases; total at 312

The Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center (SDRC) is scheduled to resume regular hours next week.

Beginning July 29, SDRC will return to its normal operating hours: Wednesday thru Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The SDRC is located at 125 West North Street, on the corner of North Santa Fe Avenue and West North Street.

For a listing of acceptable/unacceptable items please visit <a href="http://www.salina-ks.gov/SDRC">http://www.salina-ks.gov/SDRC</a>.

The Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center (SDRC) is scheduled to resume regular hours next week.Beginning July 29, SDRC will return to its normal operating hours: Wednesday thru Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.The SDRC is located at 125 West North Street, on the corner of North Santa Fe Avenue and West North Street.For a listing of acceptable/unacceptable items please visit <a href="http://www.salina-ks.gov/SDRC">http://www.salina-ks.gov/SDRC</a>.

Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center to resume regular hours next week

ABILENE -- The Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce has released the following statement concerning a scam.

Please be aware of a recent SCAM reported by the Abilene Public School District, USD 435 and several local business owners: The following call was reported by a local business owner:“I just received a call from “James Miller” calling from Abilene High School regarding advertising. I asked him what his position was with the school and he hung up on me.” A reminder that the only company that USD 435 uses for solicitation is ACE Fundraising (Cowboy Cards). Otherwise a school or organizational representative will make contact with you. During the summer, please call the district office at 263-2630 if you have questions about validity. During school year, please call the AHS office at 263-1260. Thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, Allison Blake, Executive Director Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce&nbsp;&nbsp;

ABILENE -- The Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce has released the following statement concerning a scam.Please be aware of a recent SCAM reported by the Abilene Public School District, USD 435 and several local business owners: The following call was reported by a local business owner:“I just received a call from “James Miller” calling from Abilene High School regarding advertising. I asked him what his position was with the school and he hung up on me.” A reminder that the only company that USD 435 uses for solicitation is ACE Fundraising (Cowboy Cards). Otherwise a school or organizational representative will make contact with you. During the summer, please call the district office at 263-2630 if you have questions about validity. During school year, please call the AHS office at 263-1260. Thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, Allison Blake, Executive Director Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce&nbsp;&nbsp;

Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce issues warning about scam

UPDATE: KDOT has updated the completion time to September, weather permitting. The story has been updated to reflect that.

On Thursday, the Kansas Department of Transportation will begin a pavement marking project on eastbound and westbound Interstate 70 in Saline County. 

Striping of the new roadway markings will begin approximately seven miles east of Salina at mile marker 259.7 and continue east for six miles to the Saline/Dickinson County line.

During daylight hours, traffic will be reduced to one 16-foot lane at a reduced speed where removal and striping operations are being performed. Drivers should expect minor delays, not exceeding five minutes.

Innovative Marking Systems Inc. of Bluffdale, Utah, is the prime contractor for this project, at a cost of $106,183. The contractor has scheduled this project to be completed by September, weather permitting.

KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a work zone.

UPDATE: KDOT has updated the completion time to September, weather permitting. The story has been updated to reflect that.On Thursday, the Kansas Department of Transportation will begin a pavement marking project on eastbound and westbound Interstate 70 in Saline County. Striping of the new roadway markings will begin approximately seven miles east of Salina at mile marker 259.7 and continue east for six miles to the Saline/Dickinson County line.During daylight hours, traffic will be reduced to one 16-foot lane at a reduced speed where removal and striping operations are being performed. Drivers should expect minor delays, not exceeding five minutes.Innovative Marking Systems Inc. of Bluffdale, Utah, is the prime contractor for this project, at a cost of $106,183. The contractor has scheduled this project to be completed by September, weather permitting.KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a work zone.

UPDATED: Pavement marking on I-70 in Saline County to begin Thursday

A Salina man was able to escape without injury after his vehicle went off the road and into high water early Tuesday morning.

Deangelo Turner, 22, of Salina, was westbound on East Water Well Road about four-tenths of a mile east of South Kipp Road at approximately 5 a.m. Tuesday when he drove his 2005 Ford Escape into approximately eight inches of water that was across the road, lost control, and went into the north ditch, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595436242722.jpeg" alt="The SUV went into a watery ditch on East Water Well Road. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>The SUV went into a watery ditch on East Water Well Road. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>A Salina man was able to escape without injury after his vehicle went off the road and into high water early Tuesday morning.Deangelo Turner, 22, of Salina, was westbound on East Water Well Road about four-tenths of a mile east of South Kipp Road at approximately 5 a.m. Tuesday when he drove his 2005 Ford Escape into approximately eight inches of water that was across the road, lost control, and went into the north ditch, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning. Although Turner was able to escape without injury, the vehicle was partially submerged in three to four feet of water, Soldan said.