Click&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/obituaries" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/obituaries" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Recent obituaries

Near normal temperatures and a chance for storms are in the forecast for our Sunday.

Today will see near normal high temperatures this afternoon, with highs in the upper 80s for much of the area, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita. 

There will be a slight chance for isolated thunderstorms in south-central Kansas this morning. This activity is not expected to be strong or severe. 

There will be another chance for showers and thunderstorms in north-central Kansas and along the Interstate 70 corridor late this afternoon and into the overnight tonight. Some of these storms could be locally strong or severe.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597578318883.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Near normal temperatures and a chance for storms are in the forecast for our Sunday.Today will see near normal high temperatures this afternoon, with highs in the upper 80s for much of the area, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita. There will be a slight chance for isolated thunderstorms in south-central Kansas this morning. This activity is not expected to be strong or severe. There will be another chance for showers and thunderstorms in north-central Kansas and along the Interstate 70 corridor late this afternoon and into the overnight tonight. Some of these storms could be locally strong or severe.

Highs in the upper 80s, chance for p.m. storms for Sunday, NWS says

Divine Mercy Radio will hold two appreciation banquets this year with limited attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The appreciation banquet is held each year to thank those who support this non-commercial radio station.

The banquet in Hays will be held Sept. 12, in the Little Theatre of Holy Family Elementary, 1800 Milner. 

Since Divine Mercy Radio began broadcasting in the Lindsborg/Salina areas in June, a second banquet will be held Sept. 13 in the Hall of Bishops at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 118 North Ninth Street in Salina. Both banquets will begin at 6 p.m. with a social hour.

Dr. Ray Guarendi, a clinical psychologist with a popular radio and television show on the Eternal Word Television Network, will be the featured speaker. The title of his talk is “Laughter: The Sanity of Families.” Guarendi is known for his comical, yet serious approach to parenting with common sense. He will have the audience laughing and coming away more confident about their own parenting and grandparenting skills.

Tickets are $55 if ordered before Aug. 20. After Aug. 20, the tickets are $60. No tickets can be sold after Sept. 4. To order tickets, go to dvmercy.com and click on the 10th Annual Appreciation Banquet tab.

Divine Mercy Radio began broadcasting on 88.1, KVDM in Hays in December of 2010. A second station began broadcasting on 88.1, KRTT in Great Bend in February of 2015. A third station began broadcasting in Lindsborg/Salina on 101.7, KJDM in June of 2020.&nbsp;Divine Mercy Radio is an EWTN affiliate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597420756743.png" alt="Dr. Ray Guarendi. Photo courtesy Divine Mercy Radio" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Ray Guarendi. Photo courtesy Divine Mercy Radio</figcaption>
 </figure>Divine Mercy Radio will hold two appreciation banquets this year with limited attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The appreciation banquet is held each year to thank those who support this non-commercial radio station.The banquet in Hays will be held Sept. 12, in the Little Theatre of Holy Family Elementary, 1800 Milner. Since Divine Mercy Radio began broadcasting in the Lindsborg/Salina areas in June, a second banquet will be held Sept. 13 in the Hall of Bishops at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 118 North Ninth Street in Salina. Both banquets will begin at 6 p.m. with a social hour.Dr. Ray Guarendi, a clinical psychologist with a popular radio and television show on the Eternal Word Television Network, will be the featured speaker. The title of his talk is “Laughter: The Sanity of Families.” Guarendi is known for his comical, yet serious approach to parenting with common sense. He will have the audience laughing and coming away more confident about their own parenting and grandparenting skills.Tickets are $55 if ordered before Aug. 20. After Aug. 20, the tickets are $60. No tickets can be sold after Sept. 4. To order tickets, go to dvmercy.com and click on the 10th Annual Appreciation Banquet tab.Divine Mercy Radio began broadcasting on 88.1, KVDM in Hays in December of 2010. A second station began broadcasting on 88.1, KRTT in Great Bend in February of 2015. A third station began broadcasting in Lindsborg/Salina on 101.7, KJDM in June of 2020.&nbsp;Divine Mercy Radio is an EWTN affiliate.

Tickets available for Divine Mercy Radio banquets in Salina, Hays

A great resource for sunflower enthusiasts! From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TravelKS/">Kansas Tourism </a>Facebook page:

A great resource for sunflower enthusiasts! From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TravelKS/">Kansas Tourism </a>Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTravelKS%2Fposts%2F10158999754317868&width=500" width="500" height="565" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

Looking for sunflower fields? Check out this resource

Thomas Jefferson once said that delay is preferable to error. With that mindset at the forefront and after a three-month postponement, Kansas Wesleyan University held its 2020 Commencement ceremony on Saturday at the Graves Family Sports Complex. 

The ceremony had been delayed since May due to COVID-19, but KWU was able to provide for social distancing and other precautions, including temperature checks and required face coverings, that enabled an in-person event to take place.

“We are thrilled that we were able to host an in-person commencement,” said Dr. Matt Thompson, KWU President and CEO. “I’m appreciative of how our entire campus community came together to make this event safe and exceptional for our graduates and their families. It was truly a special experience.”

Approximately 100 graduates in the class of 190-plus, plus a strictly limited number of guests, returned to Salina to hear Michael Gonzales ’84, a member of the Board of Trustees and longtime Department of Agriculture executive, provide the commencement address. Gonzales spoke about the integration of faith into future planning, and the importance of establishing clearly defined goals in order to find a path forward.

Award winners announced at the ceremony included Holly Holt, Shawnee Mission, and Gabe Serrano, Newton,&nbsp; who earned the Fran Jabara Leadership Awards, an honor based on entrepreneurial traits, as well as leadership, particularly in business creation. Stephen Loader, a communications major from Salina, earned the University Medallion, given to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average.

To view the KWU commencement ceremony in its entirety, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://portal.stretchinternet.com/kwu/" target="_blank">https://portal.stretchinternet.com/kwu/</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597515092153.jpeg" alt="Members of the Kansas Wesleyan Class of 2020 pose for a class photo following their commencement ceremony. Social distancing precautions and the usage of face coverings were in force for all in attendance. Photo by&nbsp;Amanda Colgrove, courtesy KWU" />
 <figcaption>Members of the Kansas Wesleyan Class of 2020 pose for a class photo following their commencement ceremony. Social distancing precautions and the usage of face coverings were in force for all in attendance. Photo by&nbsp;Amanda Colgrove, courtesy KWU</figcaption>
 </figure>Thomas Jefferson once said that delay is preferable to error. With that mindset at the forefront and after a three-month postponement, Kansas Wesleyan University held its 2020 Commencement ceremony on Saturday at the Graves Family Sports Complex. The ceremony had been delayed since May due to COVID-19, but KWU was able to provide for social distancing and other precautions, including temperature checks and required face coverings, that enabled an in-person event to take place.“We are thrilled that we were able to host an in-person commencement,” said Dr. Matt Thompson, KWU President and CEO. “I’m appreciative of how our entire campus community came together to make this event safe and exceptional for our graduates and their families. It was truly a special experience.”Approximately 100 graduates in the class of 190-plus, plus a strictly limited number of guests, returned to Salina to hear Michael Gonzales ’84, a member of the Board of Trustees and longtime Department of Agriculture executive, provide the commencement address. Gonzales spoke about the integration of faith into future planning, and the importance of establishing clearly defined goals in order to find a path forward.Award winners announced at the ceremony included Holly Holt, Shawnee Mission, and Gabe Serrano, Newton,&nbsp; who earned the Fran Jabara Leadership Awards, an honor based on entrepreneurial traits, as well as leadership, particularly in business creation. Stephen Loader, a communications major from Salina, earned the University Medallion, given to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average.To view the KWU commencement ceremony in its entirety, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://portal.stretchinternet.com/kwu/" target="_blank">https://portal.stretchinternet.com/kwu/</a>.&nbsp;

KWU celebrates 2020 commencement in person Saturday

Lots to do and see in our state. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TravelKS/">Kansas Tourism</a> Facebook page:

Lots to do and see in our state. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TravelKS/">Kansas Tourism</a> Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTravelKS%2Fposts%2F10158999085332868&width=500" width="500" height="511" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

Keep up to date on what to do and see in Kansas

By&nbsp;AJ DOME <a href="http://kansasreflector.com">Kansas Reflector</a>

As a historic Kansas landmark neared its centennial last year, heavy summer rains loosened several layers of earth and triggered a rare three-foot slump in the landscape.

Damage at Coronado Heights Park, which sits on a 300-foot sandstone bluff northwest of Lindsborg, made access unstable. The landslide forced cancellation of a 100th anniversary party planned for June of 2019, as well as ongoing repairs and attention to drainage issues.

Heavier than average rainfall on the weekend of the planned celebration, as well as weeks prior, led to a break in the sites underlying rock and clay.

“It was the most displacement I’ve seen in Kansas all at once,” said Neil Croxton, a geologist for the Kansas Department of Transportation. “A three-foot drop, cutting a road, is unusual in Kansas because few roads climb as steep a feature such as this one.”

Croxton said it is because the Smoky Hills Buttes, which includes Coronado Heights, are capped by a specific type of sandstone that has prevented the underlying clay from eroding completely.

“This clay material was never buried deeply enough to turn into rock shale,” Croxton said. “It is really just stiff clay. And at Coronado, that clay is on a steep slope under the sandstone.”

According to Croxton, the layered sandstone and clay is already low strength on a good day, but after multiple weeks of rain last spring, two things happened.

“The rainwater added a lot of weight to the surface layers, and it also soaked into the clay itself and weakened it further,” Croxton said. “Eventually there was a break.”

When that break occurred, those rain-soaked layers dropped by three feet, cracking the road up to the park. The road was fixed in the months following the land drop, and the Smoky Valley Historical Association has received a small grant to pay for continued road maintenance. Tim Stewart, president of the nonprofit, said there are still issues with rain and drainage.

“There’s been a few times where water has run across the road, creating little trenches, so we go back over it and smooth it out,” Stewart said. “As soon as rain hits, we have to go up and investigate, see what needs to be done.”

Coronado heights, legend has it, is where the explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado abandoned his search for the seven cities of gold and decided to return to Mexico. The drainage system for the park was built in 1935 as part of a scenic overlook project by the federal Works Progress Administration.

Stewart said his organization replaced one drain shortly after the land drop, but there are still two more that need to be dug up and replaced.

“That’s the key to maintaining the road going up there,” Stewart said. “We get the drainage correct to where it’s not damaging the road every time we get a huge rain, and it’ll be more absolute in the fact that it lasts longer.”

Much of central and eastern Kansas recorded greater than average rainfall during the spring and summer months of 2019. Roger Martin, meteorologist for the National Weather Service office in Wichita, said those months saw “anomalous moisture at times.”

“With thunderstorms, sometimes you can have all the ingredients for heavy rain but not always get it,” Martin said. “In the case of 2019, the ingredients were regularly there for heavy rain, and we regularly had storm systems to take advantage of those ingredients.”

Martin said rainfall for east-central Kansas was 150% above normal from March to August of 2019. By comparison, those same months for 2020 have been noticeably dryer.

Landslides aren’t uncommon during wetter years in Kansas. Croxton said most of these events happen away from roads and buildings, so they are not noticed. He said it is difficult to mitigate landslide activity simply because each occurrence is different and needs to be looked at individually.

A plan is in effect for the remainder of the year to continue improvements to the road and drainage network at Coronado Heights. Stewart said the Smoky Valley Historical Association is working with two central Kansas construction firms to resurface the road and continue general maintenance.

The organization has raised more than $90,000 to fund its second phase of repairs, which included the replacement of the original storm drains with much larger ones. The first phase was completed in 2016 and involved separate improvements to the stone castle and entrances. Stewart said the organization was fundraising for the second phase when the land drop happened, and he is hopeful for a sunnier future.

“We will continue to add rock, not only on the road but on the very top, as well,” Stewart said. “Hopefully when the COVID-19 pandemic goes away, we can get back to doing more public things. … Maybe we will eventually have our 100th anniversary program.”

AJ Dome is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster from southwest Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597495666589.jpeg" alt="Heavy rains were blamed for a rare landslide last year that made access unstable to Coronado Heights Park in far southern Saline County. Photo by Neil Croxton, courtesy Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>Heavy rains were blamed for a rare landslide last year that made access unstable to Coronado Heights Park in far southern Saline County. Photo by Neil Croxton, courtesy Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;AJ DOME <a href="http://kansasreflector.com">Kansas Reflector</a>As a historic Kansas landmark neared its centennial last year, heavy summer rains loosened several layers of earth and triggered a rare three-foot slump in the landscape.Damage at Coronado Heights Park, which sits on a 300-foot sandstone bluff northwest of Lindsborg, made access unstable. The landslide forced cancellation of a 100th anniversary party planned for June of 2019, as well as ongoing repairs and attention to drainage issues.Heavier than average rainfall on the weekend of the planned celebration, as well as weeks prior, led to a break in the sites underlying rock and clay.“It was the most displacement I’ve seen in Kansas all at once,” said Neil Croxton, a geologist for the Kansas Department of Transportation. “A three-foot drop, cutting a road, is unusual in Kansas because few roads climb as steep a feature such as this one.”Croxton said it is because the Smoky Hills Buttes, which includes Coronado Heights, are capped by a specific type of sandstone that has prevented the underlying clay from eroding completely.“This clay material was never buried deeply enough to turn into rock shale,” Croxton said. “It is really just stiff clay. And at Coronado, that clay is on a steep slope under the sandstone.”According to Croxton, the layered sandstone and clay is already low strength on a good day, but after multiple weeks of rain last spring, two things happened.“The rainwater added a lot of weight to the surface layers, and it also soaked into the clay itself and weakened it further,” Croxton said. “Eventually there was a break.”When that break occurred, those rain-soaked layers dropped by three feet, cracking the road up to the park. The road was fixed in the months following the land drop, and the Smoky Valley Historical Association has received a small grant to pay for continued road maintenance. Tim Stewart, president of the nonprofit, said there are still issues with rain and drainage.“There’s been a few times where water has run across the road, creating little trenches, so we go back over it and smooth it out,” Stewart said. “As soon as rain hits, we have to go up and investigate, see what needs to be done.”Coronado heights, legend has it, is where the explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado abandoned his search for the seven cities of gold and decided to return to Mexico. The drainage system for the park was built in 1935 as part of a scenic overlook project by the federal Works Progress Administration.Stewart said his organization replaced one drain shortly after the land drop, but there are still two more that need to be dug up and replaced.“That’s the key to maintaining the road going up there,” Stewart said. “We get the drainage correct to where it’s not damaging the road every time we get a huge rain, and it’ll be more absolute in the fact that it lasts longer.”Much of central and eastern Kansas recorded greater than average rainfall during the spring and summer months of 2019. Roger Martin, meteorologist for the National Weather Service office in Wichita, said those months saw “anomalous moisture at times.”“With thunderstorms, sometimes you can have all the ingredients for heavy rain but not always get it,” Martin said. “In the case of 2019, the ingredients were regularly there for heavy rain, and we regularly had storm systems to take advantage of those ingredients.”Martin said rainfall for east-central Kansas was 150% above normal from March to August of 2019. By comparison, those same months for 2020 have been noticeably dryer.Landslides aren’t uncommon during wetter years in Kansas. Croxton said most of these events happen away from roads and buildings, so they are not noticed. He said it is difficult to mitigate landslide activity simply because each occurrence is different and needs to be looked at individually.A plan is in effect for the remainder of the year to continue improvements to the road and drainage network at Coronado Heights. Stewart said the Smoky Valley Historical Association is working with two central Kansas construction firms to resurface the road and continue general maintenance.The organization has raised more than $90,000 to fund its second phase of repairs, which included the replacement of the original storm drains with much larger ones. The first phase was completed in 2016 and involved separate improvements to the stone castle and entrances. Stewart said the organization was fundraising for the second phase when the land drop happened, and he is hopeful for a sunnier future.“We will continue to add rock, not only on the road but on the very top, as well,” Stewart said. “Hopefully when the COVID-19 pandemic goes away, we can get back to doing more public things. … Maybe we will eventually have our 100th anniversary program.”AJ Dome is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster from southwest Kansas.

Historic Kansas attraction recovering from last year’s rare landslide

For First Amendment freedoms in recent weeks, it has been one step forward, two steps back and at best a draw — and we should be praising the progress and mad as hell about the setbacks.

The ink was not yet dry on U.S. District Court&nbsp;Judge Michael Simon’s&nbsp;July 23 temporary restraining order in Portland, Ore., protecting the free press covering demonstrations when in Seattle, a state judge told five local news operations to turn over to police unpublished news photos and video.

Simon’s temporary restraining order banned federal officers deployed in Portland from targeting journalists (and legal observers) and excluded reporters from police orders to demonstrators to disperse.

On that same day, King County Superior Court&nbsp;Judge Nelson Lee&nbsp;in Seattle ordered reporters there to turn over unpublished materials, citing a “compelling public interest” in searching for several stolen weapons. Lee’s order effectively would turn journalists at those five outlets into unwilling police investigators and sources.

Such a transformation harms the First Amendment’s free press protection by making a shambles of reporters’ real-time ability to fully gather the news on behalf of the public and to serve as a public witness to the actions of police. Not incidentally, in violent situations it may well paint a target on the backs of reporters, photographers and television video crews if they are seen by some as just another extension of law enforcement.

No word yet if those news operations targeted by Lee’s order will appeal — but yet another danger in allowing it to stand unchallenged is that it may embolden other jurists to chip away at the First Amendment’s free press shield, as if there is no “compelling public interest” in protecting the watchdogs on government from being turned into government lapdogs.

Just a few days later, we learned from ProPublica that at least a dozen protesters arrested in recent weeks were released from jail only if they agreed not to join demonstrations — some within city or state limits, and anywhere for others — while they await trials on federal misdemeanor charges.

The ProPublica report noted that many of those arrested had been jailed for more than 10 days before being presented with the option of “voluntarily” signing away their First Amendment right to assembly. Critics contend the requirement violates the First Amendment in any number of ways, including not limiting the ban to a specific place (such as the federal courthouse, which has been the scene of several violent incidents) or for failing to specify a limited period of time.

And to cap it all, we now know via news reports, beginning with&nbsp;The Washington Post, that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had been covertly compiling intelligence reports on journalists reporting on the protests in Portland and had intercepted some internet communications between demonstrators.

Late last week, DHS announced that as a result of the reports, it has reassigned&nbsp;Brian Murphy, its top intelligence official. Murphy had previously denied (to Congress) that his office had access to protesters’ devices and messages, according to the&nbsp;Post.

“In no way does the acting secretary (Chad Wolf) condone this practice and he has immediately ordered an inquiry,” a department spokesman said Friday in a&nbsp;statement. “The acting secretary is committed to ensuring that all DHS personnel uphold the principles of professionalism, impartiality and respect for civil rights and civil liberties, particularly as it relates to the exercise of First Amendment rights.”

Given DHS’ announced steps, the DHS flap is neither a win nor loss, but a draw if an isolated overreach by one official, and not a covert and wider department practice — which, by the way, will be the focus of a new U.S. House committee investigation.

Government faces the uphill burden of proving that any limit or intrusion on our freedoms is justified by facts, not mere suspicion or political gain, and any such limit must be the narrowest possible intrusion on those rights, for the shortest period of time.

Our core freedoms ought not be viewed as just one option to be voided to help police, nor as government favors to be placed on a negotiating table, particularly when citizens are compelled to choose to surrender them to obtain some beneficial government action, such as pre-trial release.

Regardless of how any of us view the purpose and impact of ongoing demonstrations by various groups nationwide, First Amendment rights ought to be a non-partisan rallying point in defense of those freedoms.

And one out of three and a draw should not be a satisfying constitutional outcome for any of us.

Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute. He can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:gpolicinski@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">gpolicinski@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow him on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/@genefac" target="_blank">@genefac</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593729871227.png" alt="Gene Policinski. Photo courtesy Freedom Forum" />
 <figcaption>Gene Policinski. Photo courtesy Freedom Forum</figcaption>
 </figure>By GENE POLICINSKIFor First Amendment freedoms in recent weeks, it has been one step forward, two steps back and at best a draw — and we should be praising the progress and mad as hell about the setbacks.The ink was not yet dry on U.S. District Court&nbsp;Judge Michael Simon’s&nbsp;July 23 temporary restraining order in Portland, Ore., protecting the free press covering demonstrations when in Seattle, a state judge told five local news operations to turn over to police unpublished news photos and video.Simon’s temporary restraining order banned federal officers deployed in Portland from targeting journalists (and legal observers) and excluded reporters from police orders to demonstrators to disperse.On that same day, King County Superior Court&nbsp;Judge Nelson Lee&nbsp;in Seattle ordered reporters there to turn over unpublished materials, citing a “compelling public interest” in searching for several stolen weapons. Lee’s order effectively would turn journalists at those five outlets into unwilling police investigators and sources.Such a transformation harms the First Amendment’s free press protection by making a shambles of reporters’ real-time ability to fully gather the news on behalf of the public and to serve as a public witness to the actions of police. Not incidentally, in violent situations it may well paint a target on the backs of reporters, photographers and television video crews if they are seen by some as just another extension of law enforcement.No word yet if those news operations targeted by Lee’s order will appeal — but yet another danger in allowing it to stand unchallenged is that it may embolden other jurists to chip away at the First Amendment’s free press shield, as if there is no “compelling public interest” in protecting the watchdogs on government from being turned into government lapdogs.Just a few days later, we learned from ProPublica that at least a dozen protesters arrested in recent weeks were released from jail only if they agreed not to join demonstrations — some within city or state limits, and anywhere for others — while they await trials on federal misdemeanor charges.The ProPublica report noted that many of those arrested had been jailed for more than 10 days before being presented with the option of “voluntarily” signing away their First Amendment right to assembly. Critics contend the requirement violates the First Amendment in any number of ways, including not limiting the ban to a specific place (such as the federal courthouse, which has been the scene of several violent incidents) or for failing to specify a limited period of time.And to cap it all, we now know via news reports, beginning with&nbsp;The Washington Post, that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had been covertly compiling intelligence reports on journalists reporting on the protests in Portland and had intercepted some internet communications between demonstrators.Late last week, DHS announced that as a result of the reports, it has reassigned&nbsp;Brian Murphy, its top intelligence official. Murphy had previously denied (to Congress) that his office had access to protesters’ devices and messages, according to the&nbsp;Post.“In no way does the acting secretary (Chad Wolf) condone this practice and he has immediately ordered an inquiry,” a department spokesman said Friday in a&nbsp;statement. “The acting secretary is committed to ensuring that all DHS personnel uphold the principles of professionalism, impartiality and respect for civil rights and civil liberties, particularly as it relates to the exercise of First Amendment rights.”Given DHS’ announced steps, the DHS flap is neither a win nor loss, but a draw if an isolated overreach by one official, and not a covert and wider department practice — which, by the way, will be the focus of a new U.S. House committee investigation.Government faces the uphill burden of proving that any limit or intrusion on our freedoms is justified by facts, not mere suspicion or political gain, and any such limit must be the narrowest possible intrusion on those rights, for the shortest period of time.Our core freedoms ought not be viewed as just one option to be voided to help police, nor as government favors to be placed on a negotiating table, particularly when citizens are compelled to choose to surrender them to obtain some beneficial government action, such as pre-trial release.Regardless of how any of us view the purpose and impact of ongoing demonstrations by various groups nationwide, First Amendment rights ought to be a non-partisan rallying point in defense of those freedoms.And one out of three and a draw should not be a satisfying constitutional outcome for any of us.Gene Policinski is a senior fellow for the First Amendment at the Freedom Forum, and president and chief operating officer of the Freedom Forum Institute. He can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:gpolicinski@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">gpolicinski@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow him on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/@genefac" target="_blank">@genefac</a>.

FIRST FIVE: Scoring First Amendment freedoms

MANHATTAN — The 2020 Virtual Ag Growth Summit began in mid-July with sector-specific webinars, and will conclude the week of Aug. 17-20 with lunchtime webinars featuring panels discussing topics that impact the whole Kansas agriculture community. 

The final summit event will take place on Aug. 20 and will feature Ken Isley from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. KDA invites farmers, ranchers, agribusiness owners, and other industry professionals to join these online conversations.

Agriculture’s Voice in Statewide Initiatives: Monday,11:30 a.m.

Hear from Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers and representatives from other state agencies as they discuss efforts being made on the state level that will benefit Kansas agriculture, including the Office of Rural Prosperity, the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, and the Kansas Framework for Growth.

Protecting Our Supply Chain During COVID-19:&nbsp;Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.

Learn how Kansas agriculture has worked to keep the food supply chain functioning throughout the pandemic; panelists will include Secretary of Health and Environment Lee Norman and several representatives of Kansas agriculture businesses.

Speakers from the U.S. Grains Council and U.S. Meat Export Federation will discuss global marketing dynamics and opportunities in the grain, ethanol and red meat markets, including how international trade has been impacted by the pandemic and recent trade agreements.

2020 Ag Growth Summit Keynote:&nbsp;Thursday, 11:30 a.m.

We’re excited to welcome Ken Isley, administrator of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, who will speak about trade and foreign affairs issues impacting the U.S. ag sector and then answer questions from participants. In addition, Secretary Beam will recognize Kansas Ag Heroes who have made significant contributions to their communities this year, and will share updates from the sector session webinars that took place over the last month.

All of the sessions are free and open to the public, but please register so you can get the link to log in to the session(s) you wish to participate in. Registration and session agendas — along with recordings of the sector sessions — can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.agriculture.ks.gov%2Fsummit&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7Cdb285ba22d10495dc20c08d83ed5677b%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637328434319418496&amp;sdata=rh3iXJ5GLM6H%2F7iUdD9YmIvcSn%2F709V8zfxKzWZSHFw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.agriculture.ks.gov/summit</a>. Please join us as we work together to grow smarter, grow stronger, grow Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597424895024.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN — The 2020 Virtual Ag Growth Summit began in mid-July with sector-specific webinars, and will conclude the week of Aug. 17-20 with lunchtime webinars featuring panels discussing topics that impact the whole Kansas agriculture community. The final summit event will take place on Aug. 20 and will feature Ken Isley from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. KDA invites farmers, ranchers, agribusiness owners, and other industry professionals to join these online conversations.Agriculture’s Voice in Statewide Initiatives: Monday,11:30 a.m.Hear from Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers and representatives from other state agencies as they discuss efforts being made on the state level that will benefit Kansas agriculture, including the Office of Rural Prosperity, the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, and the Kansas Framework for Growth.Protecting Our Supply Chain During COVID-19:&nbsp;Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.Learn how Kansas agriculture has worked to keep the food supply chain functioning throughout the pandemic; panelists will include Secretary of Health and Environment Lee Norman and several representatives of Kansas agriculture businesses.Trade:&nbsp;Wednesday, noonSpeakers from the U.S. Grains Council and U.S. Meat Export Federation will discuss global marketing dynamics and opportunities in the grain, ethanol and red meat markets, including how international trade has been impacted by the pandemic and recent trade agreements.2020 Ag Growth Summit Keynote:&nbsp;Thursday, 11:30 a.m.We’re excited to welcome Ken Isley, administrator of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, who will speak about trade and foreign affairs issues impacting the U.S. ag sector and then answer questions from participants. In addition, Secretary Beam will recognize Kansas Ag Heroes who have made significant contributions to their communities this year, and will share updates from the sector session webinars that took place over the last month.All of the sessions are free and open to the public, but please register so you can get the link to log in to the session(s) you wish to participate in. Registration and session agendas — along with recordings of the sector sessions — can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.agriculture.ks.gov%2Fsummit&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7Cdb285ba22d10495dc20c08d83ed5677b%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637328434319418496&amp;sdata=rh3iXJ5GLM6H%2F7iUdD9YmIvcSn%2F709V8zfxKzWZSHFw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.agriculture.ks.gov/summit</a>. Please join us as we work together to grow smarter, grow stronger, grow Kansas.

Virtual Ag Growth Summit sessions continue next week

HAYS – Businesses and organizations in northwest Kansas can now apply for a spring 2021 or summer 2021 intern from Fort Hays State University through the FHSU/Dane G. Hansen Internship program.

A grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation made 25 paid internships possible for next spring and summer. Applications from employers will be accepted through Sept. 18.

Eligible employers must be located in the Hansen Foundation’s 26-county service area: the block of counties stretching from the Cheyenne-Wallace County area east to include the Republic-Saline County area, including Ellsworth County. However, students do not have to be from the northwest Kansas area to apply.

A participating employer invests $500 toward the student intern’s wages, and the remaining funding is provided by the Hansen Foundation grant. Each internship is for one semester or summer. Spring interns will work 240 total hours, and summer interns will work 300 total hours.

“We’re grateful for the Dane G. Hansen Foundation’s continued support of this program,” said Lisa Karlin, internship career advisor. “It provides employers access to new talent and allows students to gain professional work experience through internships.”

Interested employers should go to the Career Services page on the FHSU website at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/career/employers/hansen-internship-program" target="_blank">fhsu.edu/career/employers/hansen-internship-program</a>&nbsp;to learn more about the program and complete the application. The employer must also provide a detailed job description for the internship.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597452819539.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HAYS – Businesses and organizations in northwest Kansas can now apply for a spring 2021 or summer 2021 intern from Fort Hays State University through the FHSU/Dane G. Hansen Internship program.A grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation made 25 paid internships possible for next spring and summer. Applications from employers will be accepted through Sept. 18.Eligible employers must be located in the Hansen Foundation’s 26-county service area: the block of counties stretching from the Cheyenne-Wallace County area east to include the Republic-Saline County area, including Ellsworth County. However, students do not have to be from the northwest Kansas area to apply.A participating employer invests $500 toward the student intern’s wages, and the remaining funding is provided by the Hansen Foundation grant. Each internship is for one semester or summer. Spring interns will work 240 total hours, and summer interns will work 300 total hours.“We’re grateful for the Dane G. Hansen Foundation’s continued support of this program,” said Lisa Karlin, internship career advisor. “It provides employers access to new talent and allows students to gain professional work experience through internships.”Interested employers should go to the Career Services page on the FHSU website at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/career/employers/hansen-internship-program" target="_blank">fhsu.edu/career/employers/hansen-internship-program</a>&nbsp;to learn more about the program and complete the application. The employer must also provide a detailed job description for the internship.

Employer applications open for Hansen interns from FHSU

Today is Saturday, Aug. 15, the 228th day of 2020. There are 138 days left in the year. 

On August 15, 1947, India became independent after some 200 years of British rule. 

In 1483, the Sistine Chapel was consecrated by Pope Sixtus IV. 

In 1769, Napoleon Bonaparte was born on the island of Corsica.

In 1935, humorist Will Rogers and aviator Wiley Post were killed when their airplane crashed near Point Barrow in the Alaska Territory. 

In 1939, the MGM musical "The Wizard of Oz" opened at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

In 1944, during World War II, Allied forces landed in southern France in Operation Dragoon. 

In 1945, in a pre-recorded radio address, Japan's Emperor Hirohito announced that his country had accepted terms of surrender for ending World War II. 

In 1965, the Beatles played to a crowd of more than 55,000 at New York's Shea Stadium. 

In 1969, the Woodstock Music and Art Fair opened in upstate New York. 

In 1971, President Richard Nixon announced a 90-day freeze on wages, prices and rents. 

In 1998, 29 people were killed by a car bomb that tore apart the center of Omagh, Northern Ireland; a splinter group calling itself the Real IRA claimed responsibility. 

In 2004, in Athens, the U.S. men's basketball team lost 92-73 to Puerto Rico, only the third Olympic defeat ever for the Americans and the first since adding pros.

In 2017, President Donald Trump, who'd faced harsh criticism for initially blaming the deadly weekend violence in Charlottesville, Virginia on "many sides," told reporters that there were "very fine people on both sides" of the confrontation and that groups protesting against the white supremacists were "also very violent." (In between those statements, at the urging of aides, Trump had offered a more direct condemnation of white supremacists.) 

Ten years ago: Former medical student Philip Markoff, charged with killing Julissa Brisman, a masseuse he'd met through Craigslist, was found dead in his Boston jail cell, a suicide. Martin Kaymer won the PGA Championship in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, in a three-hole playoff that did not include Dustin Johnson, who was penalized two strokes for grounding his club in a bunker on the last hole.

Five years ago: Japanese Emperor Akihito expressed rare "deep remorse" over his country's wartime actions in an address marking the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, a day after the prime minister fell short of apologizing to victims of Japanese aggression. Civil rights leader Julian Bond, 75, died in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

One year ago: After being urged to do so by President Donald Trump, Israel barred two Muslim-American congresswomen from entering the country for a visit. (Israel later granted permission for Rep. Rashida Tlaib to visit her grandmother in the occupied West Bank on humanitarian grounds; she declined, saying Israel's "oppressive" conditions were designed to humiliate her.) A federal appeals panel ruled that immigrant children detained by the U.S. government should get edible food, clean water, soap and toothpaste under a longstanding agreement over detention conditions; the court dismissed a Trump administration bid to limit what must be provided. U.S. government climate scientists said July was the hottest month measured on Earth since records began in 1880. Retired auto racing driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., his wife and daughter were on a plane that rolled off the end of a runway and caught fire after landing near Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee; there were no serious injuries. A 41-year-old Northern California man, Dana Hutchings, died shortly after competing in a taco-eating contest at a minor-league baseball game in Fresno; a coroner said Hutchings had choked to death.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Abby Dalton is 88. Actor Lori Nelson is 87. Civil rights activist Vernon Jordan is 85. Actor Jim Dale is 85. Actor Pat Priest is 84. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is 82. U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., is 82. Musician Pete York (Spencer Davis Group) is 78. Author-journalist Linda Ellerbee is 76. Songwriter Jimmy Webb is 74. Rock singer-musician Tom Johnston (The Doobie Brothers) is 72. Actor Phyllis Smith is 71. Britain's Princess Anne is 70. Actor Tess Harper is 70. Actor Larry Mathews is 65. Actor Zeljko Ivanek is 63. Actor-comedian Rondell Sheridan is 62. Rock singer-musician Matt Johnson (The The) is 59. Movie director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is 57. Philanthropist Melinda Gates is 56. Country singer Angela Rae (Wild Horses) is 54. Actor Peter Hermann is 53. Actor Debra Messing is 52. Actor Anthony Anderson is 50. Actor Ben Affleck is 48. Singer Mikey Graham (Boyzone) is 48. Actor Natasha Henstridge is 46. Actor Nicole Paggi is 43. Christian rock musician Tim Foreman (Switchfoot) is 42. Actor Emily Kinney is 36. Figure skater Jennifer Kirk is 36. Latin pop singer Belinda is 31. Actor Courtney Hope is 31. Rock singer Joe Jonas (The Jonas Brothers) is 31. Actor-singer Carlos PenaVega is 31. Actor Jennifer Lawrence is 30. Rap DJ Smoove da General (Cali Swag District) is 30.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Saturday, Aug. 15, the 228th day of 2020. There are 138 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On August 15, 1947, India became independent after some 200 years of British rule. On this date: In 1483, the Sistine Chapel was consecrated by Pope Sixtus IV. In 1769, Napoleon Bonaparte was born on the island of Corsica.In 1935, humorist Will Rogers and aviator Wiley Post were killed when their airplane crashed near Point Barrow in the Alaska Territory. In 1939, the MGM musical "The Wizard of Oz" opened at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.In 1944, during World War II, Allied forces landed in southern France in Operation Dragoon. In 1945, in a pre-recorded radio address, Japan's Emperor Hirohito announced that his country had accepted terms of surrender for ending World War II. In 1965, the Beatles played to a crowd of more than 55,000 at New York's Shea Stadium. In 1969, the Woodstock Music and Art Fair opened in upstate New York. In 1971, President Richard Nixon announced a 90-day freeze on wages, prices and rents. In 1998, 29 people were killed by a car bomb that tore apart the center of Omagh, Northern Ireland; a splinter group calling itself the Real IRA claimed responsibility. In 2004, in Athens, the U.S. men's basketball team lost 92-73 to Puerto Rico, only the third Olympic defeat ever for the Americans and the first since adding pros.In 2017, President Donald Trump, who'd faced harsh criticism for initially blaming the deadly weekend violence in Charlottesville, Virginia on "many sides," told reporters that there were "very fine people on both sides" of the confrontation and that groups protesting against the white supremacists were "also very violent." (In between those statements, at the urging of aides, Trump had offered a more direct condemnation of white supremacists.) Ten years ago: Former medical student Philip Markoff, charged with killing Julissa Brisman, a masseuse he'd met through Craigslist, was found dead in his Boston jail cell, a suicide. Martin Kaymer won the PGA Championship in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, in a three-hole playoff that did not include Dustin Johnson, who was penalized two strokes for grounding his club in a bunker on the last hole.Five years ago: Japanese Emperor Akihito expressed rare "deep remorse" over his country's wartime actions in an address marking the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, a day after the prime minister fell short of apologizing to victims of Japanese aggression. Civil rights leader Julian Bond, 75, died in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.One year ago: After being urged to do so by President Donald Trump, Israel barred two Muslim-American congresswomen from entering the country for a visit. (Israel later granted permission for Rep. Rashida Tlaib to visit her grandmother in the occupied West Bank on humanitarian grounds; she declined, saying Israel's "oppressive" conditions were designed to humiliate her.) A federal appeals panel ruled that immigrant children detained by the U.S. government should get edible food, clean water, soap and toothpaste under a longstanding agreement over detention conditions; the court dismissed a Trump administration bid to limit what must be provided. U.S. government climate scientists said July was the hottest month measured on Earth since records began in 1880. Retired auto racing driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., his wife and daughter were on a plane that rolled off the end of a runway and caught fire after landing near Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee; there were no serious injuries. A 41-year-old Northern California man, Dana Hutchings, died shortly after competing in a taco-eating contest at a minor-league baseball game in Fresno; a coroner said Hutchings had choked to death. Today's Birthdays: Actor Abby Dalton is 88. Actor Lori Nelson is 87. Civil rights activist Vernon Jordan is 85. Actor Jim Dale is 85. Actor Pat Priest is 84. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is 82. U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., is 82. Musician Pete York (Spencer Davis Group) is 78. Author-journalist Linda Ellerbee is 76. Songwriter Jimmy Webb is 74. Rock singer-musician Tom Johnston (The Doobie Brothers) is 72. Actor Phyllis Smith is 71. Britain's Princess Anne is 70. Actor Tess Harper is 70. Actor Larry Mathews is 65. Actor Zeljko Ivanek is 63. Actor-comedian Rondell Sheridan is 62. Rock singer-musician Matt Johnson (The The) is 59. Movie director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is 57. Philanthropist Melinda Gates is 56. Country singer Angela Rae (Wild Horses) is 54. Actor Peter Hermann is 53. Actor Debra Messing is 52. Actor Anthony Anderson is 50. Actor Ben Affleck is 48. Singer Mikey Graham (Boyzone) is 48. Actor Natasha Henstridge is 46. Actor Nicole Paggi is 43. Christian rock musician Tim Foreman (Switchfoot) is 42. Actor Emily Kinney is 36. Figure skater Jennifer Kirk is 36. Latin pop singer Belinda is 31. Actor Courtney Hope is 31. Rock singer Joe Jonas (The Jonas Brothers) is 31. Actor-singer Carlos PenaVega is 31. Actor Jennifer Lawrence is 30. Rap DJ Smoove da General (Cali Swag District) is 30.

Today in History -- Aug. 15

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/obituaries" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/obituaries" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.&nbsp;&nbsp;

MCPHERSON -- The McPherson County Health Department today reported three additional confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the county total to 168.

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

Positive case No. 166 is a symptomatic female in her 30s with known exposure and is recovering at home.

Positive case No. 167 is a symptomatic female in her 30s with known exposure and is recovering at home.

Positive case No. 168 is a symptomatic male in his 20s with unknown exposure and is recovering at home.

According to the health department, 150 of the 168 cases have met Kansas Department of Health and Environment recovery guidelines. Following is additional case data supplied by the health department.

●Hospitalized cases (may not represent current hospitalizations): 10

●Ventilated cases (may not represent current ventilated cases): 4

McPherson County is in Phase 3 of Reopening Kansas. Updated documents can be found on mcphersoncoutyks.us on the home page, under “COVID19: Reopening McPherson County.” McPherson County Health Department recommends McPherson County remains in Phase 3 at least until Sept. 14, 2020. This decision extends Phase 3 again by two incubation periods and is based off the number of positive cases with unknown exposure and the continuous increase in new cases, the health department reported. The health department noted that it will continue to evaluate the threat COVID-19 poses on its communities.

MCPHERSON -- The McPherson County Health Department today reported three additional confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the county total to 168.Following is information about the newest cases as provided by the health department.Positive case No. 166 is a symptomatic female in her 30s with known exposure and is recovering at home.Positive case No. 167 is a symptomatic female in her 30s with known exposure and is recovering at home.Positive case No. 168 is a symptomatic male in his 20s with unknown exposure and is recovering at home.According to the health department, 150 of the 168 cases have met Kansas Department of Health and Environment recovery guidelines. Following is additional case data supplied by the health department.●Asymptomatic cases: 17●Cases with unknown exposure: 59●Cases 60 years old and above: 37●Cases 50-59 years old: 24●Cases 40-49 years old: 24●Cases 30-39 years old: 21●Cases 18-29 years old: 46●Cases under 18 years old: 16●Female cases: 96●Male cases: 72●Hospitalized cases (may not represent current hospitalizations): 10●Ventilated cases (may not represent current ventilated cases): 4●Deaths: 1McPherson County is in Phase 3 of Reopening Kansas. Updated documents can be found on mcphersoncoutyks.us on the home page, under “COVID19: Reopening McPherson County.” McPherson County Health Department recommends McPherson County remains in Phase 3 at least until Sept. 14, 2020. This decision extends Phase 3 again by two incubation periods and is based off the number of positive cases with unknown exposure and the continuous increase in new cases, the health department reported. The health department noted that it will continue to evaluate the threat COVID-19 poses on its communities.

McPherson County reports 3 new cases of COVID-19

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

As of today, 342 of Saline County’s cases have recovered. We do have an additional 10 positive cases that have been identified since the Wednesday, August 12 report. The total for the county is now 404, with 55 cases that are actively being monitored by the Health Department, and a total of 7 deaths. Salina Regional Health Center last reported that they have 5 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Salina Regional is a regional hospital, the COVID-19 patient total is not specific to the number of Saline County residents who may be hospitalized. Our dashboard is 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 33,885 cases and 402 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 Commerce was allocated nearly $140 million dollars to provide businesses with grants through CARES Act funding. These grants will be provided to businesses to address a variety of needs. For more information visit their website <a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/covidrelief/">https://www.kansascommerce.gov/covidrelief/</a>.

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

●Wear masks in public spaces both indoor and outdoor 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/2020/8/1597442942925.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Following is the Saline County COVID-19 update for Friday.As of today, 342 of Saline County’s cases have recovered. We do have an additional 10 positive cases that have been identified since the Wednesday, August 12 report. The total for the county is now 404, with 55 cases that are actively being monitored by the Health Department, and a total of 7 deaths. Salina Regional Health Center last reported that they have 5 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Salina Regional is a regional hospital, the COVID-19 patient total is not specific to the number of Saline County residents who may be hospitalized. Our dashboard is 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 33,885 cases and 402 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 Commerce was allocated nearly $140 million dollars to provide businesses with grants through CARES Act funding. These grants will be provided to businesses to address a variety of needs. For more information visit their website <a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/covidrelief/">https://www.kansascommerce.gov/covidrelief/</a>.Here is what you can do to help us to stop the spread:●Stay home if you’re sick●Wear masks in public spaces both indoor and outdoor 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: 10 new COVID-19 cases, 342 of 404 cases recovered

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Florence, located in Marion County.&nbsp;

The advisory was issued&nbsp;because of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system.&nbsp;&nbsp;Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.&nbsp; Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.&nbsp; Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Florence indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. &nbsp;&nbsp;

For consumer questions, please contact the water system or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514.&nbsp;For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kdheks.gov%2Fpws%2Femergencyresponse%2Fwater_disruption.htm&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C2a232ad16e7a4548e50008d84083cacf%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637330282071293470&amp;sdata=6feT3Pa4970JkPpM42kvl8a7c%2B0JnxhFJeeetA3FQ5I%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm</a>&nbsp;

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Florence, located in Marion County.&nbsp;The advisory was issued&nbsp;because of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system.&nbsp;&nbsp;Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.&nbsp; Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.&nbsp; Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Florence indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. &nbsp;&nbsp;For consumer questions, please contact the water system or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514.&nbsp;For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kdheks.gov%2Fpws%2Femergencyresponse%2Fwater_disruption.htm&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7C2a232ad16e7a4548e50008d84083cacf%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637330282071293470&amp;sdata=6feT3Pa4970JkPpM42kvl8a7c%2B0JnxhFJeeetA3FQ5I%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://www.kdheks.gov/pws/emergencyresponse/water_disruption.htm</a>&nbsp;

Boil water advisory rescinded for Florence

On Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 5000 block of North Ohio Street in Rural Saline County for a report of a theft. 

Sometime between July 31, 2020, and Aug. 1, 2020, unknown suspect(s) entered the property and stole a white GMC Sierra flatbed pickup, a black and maroon 8x14 enclosed bumper pull trailer, an orange Bad Boy Magnum Zero turn riding lawn mower, a commercial power washer, and miscellaneous shovels and pitchforks.

On Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, the GMC Sierra flatbed pickup and 8x14 enclosed trailer were found abandoned in a residential area in Park City. The Bad Boy Magnum riding lawn mower and the commercial power washer were not located with the truck and trailer.

Total loss and damage is estimated to be in excess of $34,000.

If you have any information concerning who attempted to commit this crime, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit <a href="http://www.pd.salina.org">www.pd.salina.org</a> and follow Crimestoppers link to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 and you are not required to give your name.

On Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 5000 block of North Ohio Street in Rural Saline County for a report of a theft. Sometime between July 31, 2020, and Aug. 1, 2020, unknown suspect(s) entered the property and stole a white GMC Sierra flatbed pickup, a black and maroon 8x14 enclosed bumper pull trailer, an orange Bad Boy Magnum Zero turn riding lawn mower, a commercial power washer, and miscellaneous shovels and pitchforks.On Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, the GMC Sierra flatbed pickup and 8x14 enclosed trailer were found abandoned in a residential area in Park City. The Bad Boy Magnum riding lawn mower and the commercial power washer were not located with the truck and trailer.Total loss and damage is estimated to be in excess of $34,000.If you have any information concerning who attempted to commit this crime, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit <a href="http://www.pd.salina.org">www.pd.salina.org</a> and follow Crimestoppers link to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 and you are not required to give your name.

Crimestoppers seeks tips about stolen mower, power washer

On Friday, USD 305 learned that a student-athlete at Salina Central High School tested positive for COVID-19. 

The Saline County Health Department is working with USD 305 to identify close contacts. The Saline County Health Department will notify contacts.

In response to the positive test, football and weightlifting programming at Central High School have been suspended. Athletic areas and equipment will be sanitized.

Safety precautions, including temperature checks, social distancing, masking, heightened sanitization, and frequent hand washing have been part of regular practice. 

“Our goal is to ensure the safest environment possible for our students and staff. We know the importance of continuing to practice safety precautions that have been identified to control the spread of COVID-19,” USD 305 Superintendent Linn Exline said.

“We will work with the Saline County Health Department in determining when our programming may resume,” Exline said. 

The school will notify student athletes and parents when a date is identified. USD 305 begins classes on Aug. 31. Central High School’s first football game is scheduled for Sept. 4.

On Friday, USD 305 learned that a student-athlete at Salina Central High School tested positive for COVID-19. The Saline County Health Department is working with USD 305 to identify close contacts. The Saline County Health Department will notify contacts.In response to the positive test, football and weightlifting programming at Central High School have been suspended. Athletic areas and equipment will be sanitized.Safety precautions, including temperature checks, social distancing, masking, heightened sanitization, and frequent hand washing have been part of regular practice. “Our goal is to ensure the safest environment possible for our students and staff. We know the importance of continuing to practice safety precautions that have been identified to control the spread of COVID-19,” USD 305 Superintendent Linn Exline said.“We will work with the Saline County Health Department in determining when our programming may resume,” Exline said. The school will notify student athletes and parents when a date is identified. USD 305 begins classes on Aug. 31. Central High School’s first football game is scheduled for Sept. 4.

USD 305: Central student-athlete tests positive for COVID-19

UPDATE: The National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita has updated the forecast for storms this afternoon/evening.&nbsp; See below.

A cold front is expected to move into the area later today and bring with it a chance for storms this evening and cooler temperatures through next week.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita,&nbsp;a cold front will be pushing through the region late this afternoon and into the evening hours. This will bring the chances for strong to severe thunderstorms across central Kansas, along the Interstate 70 corridor. 

Some of the strongest thunderstorms could produce quarter to half dollar size hail and 60 to 65 mph winds. Locally heavy rain is also possible with some of these storms. Strong storms are possible elsewhere with dime size hail and 40 to 55 mph winds.

The front also will bring some cooler temperatures to the region and will keep temperatures below normal for next week.

UPDATE: The National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita has updated the forecast for storms this afternoon/evening.&nbsp; See below.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597438675405.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A cold front is expected to move into the area later today and bring with it a chance for storms this evening and cooler temperatures through next week.According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita,&nbsp;a cold front will be pushing through the region late this afternoon and into the evening hours. This will bring the chances for strong to severe thunderstorms across central Kansas, along the Interstate 70 corridor. Some of the strongest thunderstorms could produce quarter to half dollar size hail and 60 to 65 mph winds. Locally heavy rain is also possible with some of these storms. Strong storms are possible elsewhere with dime size hail and 40 to 55 mph winds.The front also will bring some cooler temperatures to the region and will keep temperatures below normal for next week.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597408012144.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

UPDATE: Cold front bringing chance for strong to severe storms

TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court appointed Randall Pankratz and Scott Wright to the Municipal Court Judges Education Committee.

The court reappointed Katherine McElhinney and Karen Torline.

Their terms began July 1 and end June 30, 2023.

Pankratz is municipal judge for the cities of Burns, Halstead, Hesston, and Marion.

Wright is municipal judge for the cities of Beloit and Mankato.

McElhinney is municipal judge for the city of Olathe.

Torline is municipal judge for the cities of Edgerton, Prairie Village, Roeland Park, and Shawnee.

The committee recommends and organizes education and training programs for municipal judges and certifies municipal judges who are not lawyers.

Members of the committee include municipal judges, a representative of the Office of Judicial Administration, the president and past-president of the Kansas Municipal Judges Association, and a Supreme Court justice.

TOPEKA—The Kansas Supreme Court appointed Randall Pankratz and Scott Wright to the Municipal Court Judges Education Committee.The court reappointed Katherine McElhinney and Karen Torline.Their terms began July 1 and end June 30, 2023.Pankratz is municipal judge for the cities of Burns, Halstead, Hesston, and Marion.Wright is municipal judge for the cities of Beloit and Mankato.McElhinney is municipal judge for the city of Olathe.Torline is municipal judge for the cities of Edgerton, Prairie Village, Roeland Park, and Shawnee.The committee recommends and organizes education and training programs for municipal judges and certifies municipal judges who are not lawyers.Members of the committee include municipal judges, a representative of the Office of Judicial Administration, the president and past-president of the Kansas Municipal Judges Association, and a Supreme Court justice.

Area judges appointed to Municipal Court Judges Ed. committee

ELLSWORTH COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a chase and standoff in Ellsworth County.

Just after 7:30 p.m. Thursday, the Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a male subject driving a motorcycle at excessive speeds in the south shore area at Kanopolis Lake, according to sheriff Murray Marston.

A deputy responded to the area and observed a white pickup truck driving at an excessive speed. The deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on the truck and the driver fled in an attempt to elude the officer.

After a short chase, the vehicle crashed near the marina and the driver later identified as 36-year-old Matthew T. Schroeder of McPherson and a passenger later identified as 38-year-old Rachel L. Hale fled from the vehicle. Schroeder obtained entry into a nearby mobile home and both subjects entered the home which was not occupied at the time.

Additional law enforcement officers from the Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Wildlife and Parks responded to the scene and secured a perimeter around the home. 

After numerous attempts to get the individuals to come out of the trailer and surrender, the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Special Response Team was requested to assist. Team members arrived, engaged the mobile home, Schroeder and Hale came out of the home and were arrested without incident.

Schroeder was transported to the Ellsworth County Jail and&nbsp; Hale was transported to the Lindsborg Community Hospital by Marquette EMS for injuries she sustained due to the crash.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597417940181.png" alt="Authorities on the scene of the Thursday night standoff in Ellsworth County -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Authorities on the scene of the Thursday night standoff in Ellsworth County -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLSWORTH COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a chase and standoff in Ellsworth County.Just after 7:30 p.m. Thursday, the Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a male subject driving a motorcycle at excessive speeds in the south shore area at Kanopolis Lake, according to sheriff Murray Marston.A deputy responded to the area and observed a white pickup truck driving at an excessive speed. The deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on the truck and the driver fled in an attempt to elude the officer.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597418362656.png" alt="Schroeder has previous convictions for criminal threat, driving while habitual violator, trafficking contraband, flee or attempt to elude (3x) and for drugs (5x), according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Schroeder has previous convictions for criminal threat, driving while habitual violator, trafficking contraband, flee or attempt to elude (3x) and for drugs (5x), according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>After a short chase, the vehicle crashed near the marina and the driver later identified as 36-year-old Matthew T. Schroeder of McPherson and a passenger later identified as 38-year-old Rachel L. Hale fled from the vehicle. Schroeder obtained entry into a nearby mobile home and both subjects entered the home which was not occupied at the time.Additional law enforcement officers from the Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Wildlife and Parks responded to the scene and secured a perimeter around the home. After numerous attempts to get the individuals to come out of the trailer and surrender, the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Special Response Team was requested to assist. Team members arrived, engaged the mobile home, Schroeder and Hale came out of the home and were arrested without incident.Schroeder was transported to the Ellsworth County Jail and&nbsp; Hale was transported to the Lindsborg Community Hospital by Marquette EMS for injuries she sustained due to the crash.

Kansas felon captured after crash, standoff at Kanopolis Lake

Rolling Hills Zoo announced this week
that two new chimpanzees are being introduced to the Zoo’s troop of four at their
great ape exhibit.

Female chimpanzees,
Baby Face, 47 years old, and Randi, 34 years old, made the move from the
Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Ind., on Monday. 

“Both females were recommended to join
our troop of four by the Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan, to increase our
overall group size,” shared RHZ’s General Curator, Brenda Gunder. “This
addition will allow for a more balanced male to female ratio and for all to
have more choice with whom they spend their time.&nbsp; This type of fission-fusion social
organization mimics the wild where females migrate to neighboring communities
and males stay within their family groups.”&nbsp;


The Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan is part of the Association of Zoos
&amp; Aquariums, of which Rolling Hills Zoo is an accredited member. 

Baby Face is described as the “peacemaker”
by her former Potawatomi Zoo keepers.&nbsp;
She is an experienced female who has been in several groups over her 47
years.&nbsp; While details of her birth
location are not known, at age 5 she was moved to an AZA accredited facility
and is no stranger to troop introductions.&nbsp;


Baby Face is known to lead her companion
Randi, who is described as a natural follower and overall “chill”
chimpanzee.&nbsp; Born at the Fort Worth Zoo
in 1985, she joined the troop at Potawatomi Zoo in 2015 where she was
introduced to Baby Face.&nbsp; 

The two new females will be joining Rolling
Hills Zoo’s current troop that includes Millie, a 20 year old female; and three
males: Shudak, 42 years old, Tohlo, 39 years old, and Auli, who turns 39 years
old later this month.&nbsp; 

Rolling Hills Zoo appreciates everyone’s patience while they allow
the chimpanzees time to acclimate to their new home and get to know each
other.&nbsp; Currently, the great ape
building’s indoor viewing remains closed due to the COVID-19 situation and the
outdoor viewing area is roped off during this introductory phase.&nbsp; 

Rolling Hills Zoo announced this week
that two new chimpanzees are being introduced to the Zoo’s troop of four at their
great ape exhibit.Female chimpanzees,
Baby Face, 47 years old, and Randi, 34 years old, made the move from the
Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Ind., on Monday. “Both females were recommended to join
our troop of four by the Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan, to increase our
overall group size,” shared RHZ’s General Curator, Brenda Gunder. “This
addition will allow for a more balanced male to female ratio and for all to
have more choice with whom they spend their time.&nbsp; This type of fission-fusion social
organization mimics the wild where females migrate to neighboring communities
and males stay within their family groups.”&nbsp;
The Chimpanzee Species Survival Plan is part of the Association of Zoos
&amp; Aquariums, of which Rolling Hills Zoo is an accredited member. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597417636553.jpeg" alt="Baby Face. Photos courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo" />
 <figcaption>Baby Face. Photos courtesy Rolling Hills Zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>Baby Face is described as the “peacemaker”
by her former Potawatomi Zoo keepers.&nbsp;
She is an experienced female who has been in several groups over her 47
years.&nbsp; While details of her birth
location are not known, at age 5 she was moved to an AZA accredited facility
and is no stranger to troop introductions.&nbsp;
Baby Face is known to lead her companion
Randi, who is described as a natural follower and overall “chill”
chimpanzee.&nbsp; Born at the Fort Worth Zoo
in 1985, she joined the troop at Potawatomi Zoo in 2015 where she was
introduced to Baby Face.&nbsp; <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597417593035.jpeg" alt="Randi" />
 <figcaption>Randi</figcaption>
 </figure>The two new females will be joining Rolling
Hills Zoo’s current troop that includes Millie, a 20 year old female; and three
males: Shudak, 42 years old, Tohlo, 39 years old, and Auli, who turns 39 years
old later this month.&nbsp; Rolling Hills Zoo appreciates everyone’s patience while they allow
the chimpanzees time to acclimate to their new home and get to know each
other.&nbsp; Currently, the great ape
building’s indoor viewing remains closed due to the COVID-19 situation and the
outdoor viewing area is roped off during this introductory phase.&nbsp;

Rolling Hills Zoo introduces two new chimpanzees

Two young teenagers were arrested early this morning after driving around in a car that didn't belong to them.

Two young teenagers were arrested early this morning after driving around in a car that didn't belong to them.Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning that Tyler Lund, 36, of Salina, had loaned his 1998 gold Toyota Corolla to an acquaintance and that the car had been parked in the 400 block of State Street. Sometime between 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday and 5:15 a.m. Thursday, someone took the vehicle from that location, he explained. Lund told police that there was a spare key inside the vehicle, he added. The vehicle was valued at $1,000.According to Forrester, the vehicle was seen in the area of the 100 block of Overhill Road around 10 a.m. on Thursday and was being driven by a juvenile male, however officers were unable to locate the vehicle.At approximately 12:30 a.m. Friday, an officer spotted the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop in the 200 block of East Claflin Avenue, Forrester reported. The vehicle was occupied by four juveniles, two males and two females, all of whom were 14 years old, he noted. After police completed the investigation, the two males were both arrested on requested charges of theft and curfew violation, according to Forrester.The vehicle was returned to Lund undamaged, he added.