The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the following counties in our area.

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 </figure>The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the following counties in our area.Clay CountyCloud CountyDickinson CountyEllsworth CountyJewell CountyLincoln CountyMitchell CountyOttawa CountyRepublic CountySaline County

Most counties in our area under severe thunderstorm watch

Here's Saline County's COVID-19 update for Wednesday:

There are 17 new positive COVID-19 cases in Saline County that have been identified since the Monday, July 6 report. The total for the county is now 190, with 118 cases that are actively being monitored by the Health Department and 70 that have recovered. *KDHE is reporting 169 positives for Saline County, which is incorrect. The total for Saline County is 190.

According to the Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment, there are now 17,618 cases and 282 deaths statewide. This information can be found at <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/</a>.

Saline County Board of County Commissioners met in a special meeting today at 3 pm to re-visit the mask mandate. Commissioners voted 3-2 (Commissioner White and Sparks dissenting votes) to pass a County Resolution that requires the wearing of masks or other face coverings in public spaces in Saline County beginning at 12:01 am on July 9th, 2020. This resolution mirrors the City of Salina ordinance that was passed by their governing body on Monday. See the full resolution on our website at www.saline.org/coronavirus.

Here is what you can do to help us to stop 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 frequently

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/2020/7/1594247006377.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Here's Saline County's COVID-19 update for Wednesday:There are 17 new positive COVID-19 cases in Saline County that have been identified since the Monday, July 6 report. The total for the county is now 190, with 118 cases that are actively being monitored by the Health Department and 70 that have recovered. *KDHE is reporting 169 positives for Saline County, which is incorrect. The total for Saline County is 190.According to the Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment, there are now 17,618 cases and 282 deaths statewide. This information can be found at <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/</a>.Saline County Board of County Commissioners met in a special meeting today at 3 pm to re-visit the mask mandate. Commissioners voted 3-2 (Commissioner White and Sparks dissenting votes) to pass a County Resolution that requires the wearing of masks or other face coverings in public spaces in Saline County beginning at 12:01 am on July 9th, 2020. This resolution mirrors the City of Salina ordinance that was passed by their governing body on Monday. See the full resolution on our website at www.saline.org/coronavirus.Here is what you can do to help us to stop 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 17 new COVID-19 cases; county total now at 190

UPDATE: THE STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE MEETING, AS WELL AS THE FINAL COPY OF THE RESOLUTION.

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

During a special Wednesday afternoon meeting, the Saline County Commission voted 3-2 to reverse its decision of nearly a week ago and approved a resolution requiring the wearing of face masks or other coverings to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

The resolution, which can be seen below, will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday for the entire county. 

County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes provided a review of the resolution then under consideration and spoke a bit about Saline County's history in dealing with COVID-19.

"We have been at this since March. Saline County has been in a declared disaster since March 27," Smith-Hanes said. 

Smith-Hanes noted that the commission, during its Tuesday meeting, the commission "expressed a desire for uniformity between the city and the county and willingness to meet in a special meeting once a copy of the city ordinance was received."

The copy of the city ordinance was received on Tuesday after the county commission meeting, and according to Smith-Hanes, County Counselor Mike Montoya spent the evening writing a draft of a county resolution that paralleled the city ordinance. 

Smith-Hanes noted that the requirements in the county draft paralleled the requirements in the city ordinance. Those requirements can be seen below.

Commission Chair Robert Vidricksen clarified the difference between the county and city documents. He noted that while the city ordinance could not go into effect until it was published in the county newspaper of record, the county, because of state statute, uses resolutions that are not required to be published before they can go into effect.

Vidricksen then opened the meeting to public comment. A number of persons on both sides of the mask issue got up and spoke. 

Ben Pruitt, who ran an unsuccessful campaign for a city commission seat last fall, voiced his displeasure with the proposed resolution.

"I'm not a child. I'm an adult. We elected all of you to do us a job and not dictate what we need to do. You look around. You watch the media. They say this. They say that. Make your decision. The facts are there. Do the research, but don't forget who put you all in office. And if you seek to re-elect, to get re-election, its probably not going to be very good if you vote to pass this. We're not children. We're adults. Thank you," Pruitt said.

Later in the meeting Commissioner Jim Weese, responded to Pruitt's comment when he said, "As far as comments, the gentleman was right. Every year, either a city or county commissioner is up for re-election, and it is the ability then to change your board if a decision comes down that you don't like, and I am good with that."

LaNay Meier thanked the commissioners for considering the resolution and noted that the issue is not a political one.

"I want to emphasize that this is not a political matter in my opinion. I just want to say that I am so grateful that you are here reconsidering this and, of course, I hope that you will pass this ordinance," Meier said. "It takes a lot of wisdom and compassion and caring for our citizens, and working with the city is just a no-brainer. That was an excellent thought and it's just a terrific idea. I want to say that I do hope you will pass it, of course. It's the best thing we can do for our county, city, because in the big, big picture, we're all in this together and we need to care about one another and keep politics out of it."

Melissa Hendricks "strongly encouraged" the the commission to uphold its original decision to not mandate masks.

"From the beginning of the COVID season in March, the governor and you guys told us that the goal was to flatten the curve. We did that. To my knowledge, our hospital was not overrun by COVID cases, and neither were many hospitals throughout the state of Kansas. We began lifting restrictions over two months ago in May, and at that time, neither our governor, our city, nor our county thought it was necessary to mandate masks. From the beginning, we knew that we would see an increase in cases as restrictions were lifted. Our city allowed various sporting events to take place, which brought people here from all over the state. Do you not see the hypocracy in that? Why is anyone in this room surprised or shocked by the fact that that the number of cases have gone up?" Hendricks said.

"I've been told over and over again that if we all just wear a mask, the virus will go away. Kids can go back to school. When did eradication become the goal? To sit here and mandate masks two months after the onset of lifting the restrictions is like deciding to put a condom on after your wife is already pregnant. It's a naive way of thinking," Hendricks continued. "The fact is more and more people are recovering from this virus. My family and I do not have underlying health conditions or elderly, at-risk people to worry about. My husband has worked on the front lines for a critical infrastructure business this whole time. He has been in and out of hot-spot cities, countless homes and businesses, and all without a mask. He has not gotten sick and if he has, his immune system has fought it off and that is what it's supposed to do. I recognize and sympathize with those families that have underlying health issues or elderly, at-risk individuals. Those people should be taking precautions to keep themselves safe from this virus, just like they would with influenza or any other illness. Individuals should be given the right to choose what is right for themselves and their families when it comes to wearing masks."

Commissioner Monte Shadwick said he believed it was important that if the commission passed the resolution, that it include a provision to review the resolution on July 28 and then every two weeks after. 

"I think that businesses out there need some certainty. There will be businesses that decide not to open through this, and I think that they need to make decisions on when possibly it could happen. If it's when a vaccine becomes available, that could be next year," Shadwick said.

Shadwick's request was later incorporated into the resolution.

Commissioner Roger Sparks said that while he agreed with the resolution, he believed the issue was one of personal responsibility. Sparks questioned whether people exempted under the resolution, such as those "with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability" needed to have a doctor's letter.

"And what happens if a business does not like them? You know. What happens?" Sparks asked.

Sparks also raised a question about the definition in the resolution that masks could be improvised "from household items such as scarfs, bandanas, t-shirts, sweatshirts, or towels."

"Have these products all been verifed by medical or scientific professionals? We have face masks being sold out there that say right on them 'will not stop COVID-19.' My whole thing comes to is  it really a perception of safety or is this a psychological manipulation?" Sparks said.

Commissioner Mike White expressed concern that if the county enacted the resolution, it would prevent the other encorporated cities in the county from enacting their own ordinances concerning mask wearing. It was later pointed out that the cities would be able to pass their own ordinances, regardless of what Saline County passed.

Weese then asked Montoya whether the county resolution, if passed, would affect the City of Salina's ordinance. Montoya replied, "No."

"If this resolution would pass, would it negate the ability of the City of Assaria to pass an ordinance of lesser degree?" Weese asked. 

Montoya replied, that if a city is incorporated, its officials would  be able to pass an ordinance pertaining to the city.

Weese then asked Tiller whether the curve in the county had been flattened.

"It has been. We are starting to see an increase in the hospitalizations at Salina Regional," Tiller said.

Weese noted that there has been a lot of confusing information put forth concerning the CDC. He asked Tiller what the CDC currently was saying about the wearing of face masks.

"The CDC still recommends the wearing of masks," Tiller said, and then provided information about a number of CDC articles that discussed mask use.

Weese said that if the resolution is accepted, "the best would be lives might be saved and we might be able to keep our community open and not have to go back to a shutdown and such."

Vidricksen thanked all who attended the meeting and showed an interest in the topic. 

"I agree with whoever said if everybody would just do their part and would social distance or whatever it takes to keep themselves and anyone else safe, if we would all do that, but it appears to me that we're not doing that. And that's why we're in the situation we're in," Vidricksen said. "It was a prudent thing to do, I think, to come in and revisit this, and to give us time. The governor gave us no time what so ever for us to come up with a resolution on last Thursday or to be able to react. I understand why my fellow commissioners voted the way they did with the enforcement thing. I understand their comments today. I agreed with almost everything that's been said in here today other than do we wear 'em or don't we wear 'em, because, you know, there has to be a line in the sand there for me."

Vidricksen then discussed the difference between the city and the county.

"The city does not have a health officer. The county does have a health officer, and I'm going to take some direction from a health officer. I've had, oh probably 25 physicians call me or email me and suggest that I do one thing or another, and I can tell you, the vote was 24 to one to wear the mask. My vote will go in favor of the health department and their suggestion," he said.

Vidricksen then asked the commissioners whether they had any additional comments. 

"Well I would just like to say, as somebody that voted against it on Thursday, the fact is 85 percent of the county is going to be under this tomorrow whether we accept this or not," Shadwick responded. "My concerns yesterday were, I think there needs to be a level playing field between people within the city and in the rural areas and I think that there needed to be some consistency. I still don't like the governor's one that she mandated to us the other day. I think the city's is a little more thoughtful. So I'm going to be somebody that's in the unique position, that probably my business is now going to be boycotted by both groups."

Shadwick then moved that the commission adopt the resolution with and amendment in Section 6 that the commission would review the issue on July 28 and then every other Tuesday after that. Weese seconded the motion. 

The commission's vote was 3-2 in favor of adopting the resolution, with Sparks and White voting against the motion.

UPDATE: THE STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE MEETING, AS WELL AS THE FINAL COPY OF THE RESOLUTION.By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostDuring a special Wednesday afternoon meeting, the Saline County Commission voted 3-2 to reverse its decision of nearly a week ago and approved a resolution requiring the wearing of face masks or other coverings to help stop the spread of COVID-19.The resolution, which can be seen below, will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday for the entire county. County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes provided a review of the resolution then under consideration and spoke a bit about Saline County's history in dealing with COVID-19."We have been at this since March. Saline County has been in a declared disaster since March 27," Smith-Hanes said. Smith-Hanes noted that the commission, during its Tuesday meeting, the commission "expressed a desire for uniformity between the city and the county and willingness to meet in a special meeting once a copy of the city ordinance was received."The copy of the city ordinance was received on Tuesday after the county commission meeting, and according to Smith-Hanes, County Counselor Mike Montoya spent the evening writing a draft of a county resolution that paralleled the city ordinance. Smith-Hanes noted that the requirements in the county draft paralleled the requirements in the city ordinance. Those requirements can be seen below.Commission Chair Robert Vidricksen clarified the difference between the county and city documents. He noted that while the city ordinance could not go into effect until it was published in the county newspaper of record, the county, because of state statute, uses resolutions that are not required to be published before they can go into effect.Vidricksen then opened the meeting to public comment. A number of persons on both sides of the mask issue got up and spoke. Ben Pruitt, who ran an unsuccessful campaign for a city commission seat last fall, voiced his displeasure with the proposed resolution."I'm not a child. I'm an adult. We elected all of you to do us a job and not dictate what we need to do. You look around. You watch the media. They say this. They say that. Make your decision. The facts are there. Do the research, but don't forget who put you all in office. And if you seek to re-elect, to get re-election, its probably not going to be very good if you vote to pass this. We're not children. We're adults. Thank you," Pruitt said.Later in the meeting Commissioner Jim Weese, responded to Pruitt's comment when he said, "As far as comments, the gentleman was right. Every year, either a city or county commissioner is up for re-election, and it is the ability then to change your board if a decision comes down that you don't like, and I am good with that."LaNay Meier thanked the commissioners for considering the resolution and noted that the issue is not a political one."I want to emphasize that this is not a political matter in my opinion. I just want to say that I am so grateful that you are here reconsidering this and, of course, I hope that you will pass this ordinance," Meier said. "It takes a lot of wisdom and compassion and caring for our citizens, and working with the city is just a no-brainer. That was an excellent thought and it's just a terrific idea. I want to say that I do hope you will pass it, of course. It's the best thing we can do for our county, city, because in the big, big picture, we're all in this together and we need to care about one another and keep politics out of it."Melissa Hendricks "strongly encouraged" the the commission to uphold its original decision to not mandate masks."From the beginning of the COVID season in March, the governor and you guys told us that the goal was to flatten the curve. We did that. To my knowledge, our hospital was not overrun by COVID cases, and neither were many hospitals throughout the state of Kansas. We began lifting restrictions over two months ago in May, and at that time, neither our governor, our city, nor our county thought it was necessary to mandate masks. From the beginning, we knew that we would see an increase in cases as restrictions were lifted. Our city allowed various sporting events to take place, which brought people here from all over the state. Do you not see the hypocracy in that? Why is anyone in this room surprised or shocked by the fact that that the number of cases have gone up?" Hendricks said."I've been told over and over again that if we all just wear a mask, the virus will go away. Kids can go back to school. When did eradication become the goal? To sit here and mandate masks two months after the onset of lifting the restrictions is like deciding to put a condom on after your wife is already pregnant. It's a naive way of thinking," Hendricks continued. "The fact is more and more people are recovering from this virus. My family and I do not have underlying health conditions or elderly, at-risk people to worry about. My husband has worked on the front lines for a critical infrastructure business this whole time. He has been in and out of hot-spot cities, countless homes and businesses, and all without a mask. He has not gotten sick and if he has, his immune system has fought it off and that is what it's supposed to do. I recognize and sympathize with those families that have underlying health issues or elderly, at-risk individuals. Those people should be taking precautions to keep themselves safe from this virus, just like they would with influenza or any other illness. Individuals should be given the right to choose what is right for themselves and their families when it comes to wearing masks."Commissioner Monte Shadwick said he believed it was important that if the commission passed the resolution, that it include a provision to review the resolution on July 28 and then every two weeks after. "I think that businesses out there need some certainty. There will be businesses that decide not to open through this, and I think that they need to make decisions on when possibly it could happen. If it's when a vaccine becomes available, that could be next year," Shadwick said.Shadwick's request was later incorporated into the resolution.Commissioner Roger Sparks said that while he agreed with the resolution, he believed the issue was one of personal responsibility. Sparks questioned whether people exempted under the resolution, such as those "with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability" needed to have a doctor's letter."And what happens if a business does not like them? You know. What happens?" Sparks asked.Sparks also raised a question about the definition in the resolution that masks could be improvised "from household items such as scarfs, bandanas, t-shirts, sweatshirts, or towels.""Have these products all been verifed by medical or scientific professionals? We have face masks being sold out there that say right on them 'will not stop COVID-19.' My whole thing comes to is it really a perception of safety or is this a psychological manipulation?" Sparks said.Commissioner Mike White expressed concern that if the county enacted the resolution, it would prevent the other encorporated cities in the county from enacting their own ordinances concerning mask wearing. It was later pointed out that the cities would be able to pass their own ordinances, regardless of what Saline County passed.Weese then asked Montoya whether the county resolution, if passed, would affect the City of Salina's ordinance. Montoya replied, "No.""If this resolution would pass, would it negate the ability of the City of Assaria to pass an ordinance of lesser degree?" Weese asked. Montoya replied, that if a city is incorporated, its officials would be able to pass an ordinance pertaining to the city.Weese then asked Tiller whether the curve in the county had been flattened."It has been. We are starting to see an increase in the hospitalizations at Salina Regional," Tiller said.Weese noted that there has been a lot of confusing information put forth concerning the CDC. He asked Tiller what the CDC currently was saying about the wearing of face masks."The CDC still recommends the wearing of masks," Tiller said, and then provided information about a number of CDC articles that discussed mask use.Weese said that if the resolution is accepted, "the best would be lives might be saved and we might be able to keep our community open and not have to go back to a shutdown and such."Vidricksen thanked all who attended the meeting and showed an interest in the topic. "I agree with whoever said if everybody would just do their part and would social distance or whatever it takes to keep themselves and anyone else safe, if we would all do that, but it appears to me that we're not doing that. And that's why we're in the situation we're in," Vidricksen said. "It was a prudent thing to do, I think, to come in and revisit this, and to give us time. The governor gave us no time what so ever for us to come up with a resolution on last Thursday or to be able to react. I understand why my fellow commissioners voted the way they did with the enforcement thing. I understand their comments today. I agreed with almost everything that's been said in here today other than do we wear 'em or don't we wear 'em, because, you know, there has to be a line in the sand there for me."Vidricksen then discussed the difference between the city and the county."The city does not have a health officer. The county does have a health officer, and I'm going to take some direction from a health officer. I've had, oh probably 25 physicians call me or email me and suggest that I do one thing or another, and I can tell you, the vote was 24 to one to wear the mask. My vote will go in favor of the health department and their suggestion," he said.Vidricksen then asked the commissioners whether they had any additional comments. "Well I would just like to say, as somebody that voted against it on Thursday, the fact is 85 percent of the county is going to be under this tomorrow whether we accept this or not," Shadwick responded. "My concerns yesterday were, I think there needs to be a level playing field between people within the city and in the rural areas and I think that there needed to be some consistency. I still don't like the governor's one that she mandated to us the other day. I think the city's is a little more thoughtful. So I'm going to be somebody that's in the unique position, that probably my business is now going to be boycotted by both groups."Shadwick then moved that the commission adopt the resolution with and amendment in Section 6 that the commission would review the issue on July 28 and then every other Tuesday after that. Weese seconded the motion. The commission's vote was 3-2 in favor of adopting the resolution, with Sparks and White voting against the motion.A copy of the resolution appears below.<figure>
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UPDATE: Saline County approves face covering resolution

LINCOLN -- The Lincoln County Health Department today confirmed a positive case of COVID-19.

"The Lincoln County Health Department received notification today confirming a positive case of COVID-19 in an individual who lives in Lincoln County. The health department is calling identified contacts of the positive case. This person is in isolation at home," the health department noted in a news release.

In late June, the health department reported a confirmed case, however the person in question was temporarily living outside Kansas, had no Kansas contacts, and no exposure in Kansas. By July 1, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment had removed the person from Lincoln County's official COVID-19 count.

LINCOLN -- The Lincoln County Health Department today confirmed a positive case of COVID-19."The Lincoln County Health Department received notification today confirming a positive case of COVID-19 in an individual who lives in Lincoln County. The health department is calling identified contacts of the positive case. This person is in isolation at home," the health department noted in a news release.In late June, the health department reported a confirmed case, however the person in question was temporarily living outside Kansas, had no Kansas contacts, and no exposure in Kansas. By July 1, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment had removed the person from Lincoln County's official COVID-19 count.

Lincoln County reports COVID-19 case

The City of Salina is providing a mask sign pdf. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salina.ks.gov/">City of Salina</a> Facebook page:

The City of Salina is providing a mask sign pdf. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salina.ks.gov/">City of Salina</a> Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsalina.ks.gov%2Fphotos%2Fa.10153627179731339%2F10157926614231339%2F%3Ftype%3D3&width=500" width="500" height="654" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

City of Salina provides mask sign for businesses to print

Saline County has announced the closing of a section of South Holmes Road.

According to information from the Road and Bridge Department, South Holmes Road between East Schilling Road and East Water Well Road will be closed for an indeterminate amount of time to through traffic for replacement of a cross road drainage structure. 

Motorists are advised to allow a few extra minutes of travel time to reach their destinations.  Local and emergency traffic will be provided access to private property within the sections of closed road at all times but only from the side upon which the property lies.

Saline County has announced the closing of a section of South Holmes Road.According to information from the Road and Bridge Department, South Holmes Road between East Schilling Road and East Water Well Road will be closed for an indeterminate amount of time to through traffic for replacement of a cross road drainage structure. Motorists are advised to allow a few extra minutes of travel time to reach their destinations. Local and emergency traffic will be provided access to private property within the sections of closed road at all times but only from the side upon which the property lies.

County closes part of South Holmes Road for drainage structure work

Saline County Commissioners are expected to make their final decision on the 2021 budget at next week's meeting.

During their Tuesday meeting, the commissioners reviewed a draft of the 2021 budget and provided their recommendations based on County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes' recommendations, according to information provided by the county. Smith-Hanes "will take the commissioner’s recommendations and update the spreadsheet for next week’s meeting for the commissioners to make their final decisions on proceeding with publishing the budget," the county information noted.

Additionally, commissioners appointed a Coronavirus Relief Fund Advisory Committee to provide recommendations concerning $11,026,434 in funds the county is getting through the federal CARES Act. Nearly 20 people applied to be on the committee, the county noted. Persons appointed to the committee include the following.

Other commission business conducted Tuesday includes the following, according to the county.

•The Saline County Sheriff’s Office was awarded the AAA Silver Award from the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation, Safety, and Technology. The sheriff’s office is one out of 13 sheriff’s offices in Kansas that received the award this year. The Saline County Sheriff’s Office has department policies on seatbelt usage, they participate in the S.A.F.E. (Seatbelts Are For Everyone) program, they conduct dedicated seatbelt and DUI enforcement, and perform child seat safety checks.

•Darren Fishel, Road and Bridge Department director, provided a bi-monthly update on the activities in his department. They have replaced 11 culverts and 456 road signs, completed 26 miles of edge wedging, and many projects associated with re-shaping ditches and roads. They are gearing up to work on the roads in Sundowner West, including building the road up, reshaping, and shaping/cleaning out the ditches.

•Jason Tiller, Health Department director, provided an update on the COVID-19 situation. The Health Department has added three additional temporary staff to assist with disease investigation and contact tracing. Commissioners discussed the mandatory mask ordinance that the city commission passed Monday night. Staff had not seen the written ordinance at the time of the commission meeting, but a copy of it has been sent to the commissioners and county counselor for review. Commissioners reached a consensus that they are willing to review the city’s ordinance and have called a special meeting Wednesday at 3 p.m. in room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 West Ash Street, to determine if the county commission would be interested in issuing a mask mandate for all of Saline County that may mirror the city’s ordinance. Commissioners discussed the decisions that were made last Thursday with their action to not adopt the governor’s mandate. Commissioners are in support of mask use but saw many issues with the governor’s mandate when it came to enforcement, exemptions, and guidelines.

•Commissioners approved the acceptance of four grants for Community Corrections:

$901,072 Adult Comprehensive Plan Application and Budget Grant that covers the salary and benefits for 15 staff, 60 percent of facility costs, and costs for client services. This is an increase of $42,908 from last year.

$157,253 Reinvestment Grant Renewal which is a grant that covers the partnership with CAPS to continue the services that they assist with providing to youth and their families.

$244,026 Behavioral Health Grant that covers the cost for one high risk Intensive Supervision Officer, program provider, and recovery specialist that assists with client services such as mental health evaluations and treatment and substance abuse evaluations and treatment.

$973,888 Juvenile Services Grant that covers programs for juvenile intake and assessment, juvenile intensive supervision, community case management, immediate intervention programs, court services incentives, and prevention funds.

Additionally, commissioners met in three executive session:

•One for attorney/client privilege regarding the expo center

•One for employee/employer negotiations

Saline County Commissioners are expected to make their final decision on the 2021 budget at next week's meeting.During their Tuesday meeting, the commissioners reviewed a draft of the 2021 budget and provided their recommendations based on County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes' recommendations, according to information provided by the county. Smith-Hanes "will take the commissioner’s recommendations and update the spreadsheet for next week’s meeting for the commissioners to make their final decisions on proceeding with publishing the budget," the county information noted.Additionally, commissioners appointed a Coronavirus Relief Fund Advisory Committee to provide recommendations concerning $11,026,434 in funds the county is getting through the federal CARES Act. Nearly 20 people applied to be on the committee, the county noted. Persons appointed to the committee include the following.Tom BellKristin GunnDirk HutchinsonCharles RothPriscilla SmithMichelle BarkleyPhillip Smith-HanesOther commission business conducted Tuesday includes the following, according to the county.•The Saline County Sheriff’s Office was awarded the AAA Silver Award from the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation, Safety, and Technology. The sheriff’s office is one out of 13 sheriff’s offices in Kansas that received the award this year. The Saline County Sheriff’s Office has department policies on seatbelt usage, they participate in the S.A.F.E. (Seatbelts Are For Everyone) program, they conduct dedicated seatbelt and DUI enforcement, and perform child seat safety checks. •Darren Fishel, Road and Bridge Department director, provided a bi-monthly update on the activities in his department. They have replaced 11 culverts and 456 road signs, completed 26 miles of edge wedging, and many projects associated with re-shaping ditches and roads. They are gearing up to work on the roads in Sundowner West, including building the road up, reshaping, and shaping/cleaning out the ditches.•Jason Tiller, Health Department director, provided an update on the COVID-19 situation. The Health Department has added three additional temporary staff to assist with disease investigation and contact tracing. Commissioners discussed the mandatory mask ordinance that the city commission passed Monday night. Staff had not seen the written ordinance at the time of the commission meeting, but a copy of it has been sent to the commissioners and county counselor for review. Commissioners reached a consensus that they are willing to review the city’s ordinance and have called a special meeting Wednesday at 3 p.m. in room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 West Ash Street, to determine if the county commission would be interested in issuing a mask mandate for all of Saline County that may mirror the city’s ordinance. Commissioners discussed the decisions that were made last Thursday with their action to not adopt the governor’s mandate. Commissioners are in support of mask use but saw many issues with the governor’s mandate when it came to enforcement, exemptions, and guidelines. •Commissioners approved the acceptance of four grants for Community Corrections:$901,072 Adult Comprehensive Plan Application and Budget Grant that covers the salary and benefits for 15 staff, 60 percent of facility costs, and costs for client services. This is an increase of $42,908 from last year.$157,253 Reinvestment Grant Renewal which is a grant that covers the partnership with CAPS to continue the services that they assist with providing to youth and their families.$244,026 Behavioral Health Grant that covers the cost for one high risk Intensive Supervision Officer, program provider, and recovery specialist that assists with client services such as mental health evaluations and treatment and substance abuse evaluations and treatment.$973,888 Juvenile Services Grant that covers programs for juvenile intake and assessment, juvenile intensive supervision, community case management, immediate intervention programs, court services incentives, and prevention funds.Additionally, commissioners met in three executive session:•One for attorney/client privilege regarding the expo center•One to discuss non-elected personnel•One for employee/employer negotiations

County commissioners review 2021 budget, deal with additional matters

Salina police are investigating two instances of bullets ending up in places they shouldn't have been.

Sometime between 7 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday someone shot a 9mm bullet through the window of a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe that was parked in the 1800 block of Page Avenue, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning. The 61-year-old owner of the vehicle noticed the damage, estimated at $500, and upon inspection of the vehicle found a bullet sitting on the front passenger seat, he added. The woman reported the case to police on Sunday.

Then on Tuesday a 39-year-old Salina man reported to police that sometime between Friday and Sunday someone fired a 9mm bullet into his residence in the 600 block of Lena Avenue, which is near the location on Page Avenue, Forrester noted.

The man had been out of town for the holiday weekend and returned Sunday evening. Upon his return, he found a 9mm bullet in his hallway, but did not initially observe any damage, Forrester explained. On Tuesday, the man was inspecting his residence after noticing some peeling paint, and it was then that he discovered a hole from the outside into the residence, according to Forrester.

"The bullet traveled through the siding on the house, through the wall, ricocheted off the door frame of a bedroom, and then onto the wall in the hallway where the bullet was located. The bullet appeared to have come from the east," Forrester reported.

He noted that the bullet was the same brand as the one found in the vehicle on Page Avenue. 

Damage to the residence was estimated at $2,000, he added.

Salina police are investigating two instances of bullets ending up in places they shouldn't have been.Sometime between 7 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday someone shot a 9mm bullet through the window of a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe that was parked in the 1800 block of Page Avenue, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning. The 61-year-old owner of the vehicle noticed the damage, estimated at $500, and upon inspection of the vehicle found a bullet sitting on the front passenger seat, he added. The woman reported the case to police on Sunday.Then on Tuesday a 39-year-old Salina man reported to police that sometime between Friday and Sunday someone fired a 9mm bullet into his residence in the 600 block of Lena Avenue, which is near the location on Page Avenue, Forrester noted.The man had been out of town for the holiday weekend and returned Sunday evening. Upon his return, he found a 9mm bullet in his hallway, but did not initially observe any damage, Forrester explained. On Tuesday, the man was inspecting his residence after noticing some peeling paint, and it was then that he discovered a hole from the outside into the residence, according to Forrester."The bullet traveled through the siding on the house, through the wall, ricocheted off the door frame of a bedroom, and then onto the wall in the hallway where the bullet was located. The bullet appeared to have come from the east," Forrester reported.He noted that the bullet was the same brand as the one found in the vehicle on Page Avenue. Damage to the residence was estimated at $2,000, he added.

Police investigating two shots fired in southwest Salina

A Salina woman was cited for inattentive driving after a two-vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon in central Salina.

A 2015 Ford Edge driven by Elizabeth Miller, 56, of Salina, was southbound on South Santa Fe Avenue and stopped at the light at West Crawford Street when a 2015 Honda Civic driven by Sharolyn Hoffman, 54, of Salina, failed to stop and hit Miller's vehicle, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning. The accident occurred just after 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Miller complained of shoulder and neck pain and was transported by EMS to Salina Regional Health Center, he noted.

The Edge sustained rear end damage and the Civic front end damage. Both were towed from the scene, Forrester explained.

Hoffman was cited for inattentive driving, he added.

A Salina woman was cited for inattentive driving after a two-vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon in central Salina.A 2015 Ford Edge driven by Elizabeth Miller, 56, of Salina, was southbound on South Santa Fe Avenue and stopped at the light at West Crawford Street when a 2015 Honda Civic driven by Sharolyn Hoffman, 54, of Salina, failed to stop and hit Miller's vehicle, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning. The accident occurred just after 4 p.m. on Tuesday.Miller complained of shoulder and neck pain and was transported by EMS to Salina Regional Health Center, he noted.The Edge sustained rear end damage and the Civic front end damage. Both were towed from the scene, Forrester explained.Hoffman was cited for inattentive driving, he added.

Woman cited after Civic rear-ends Edge in central Salina

Strong to severe storms are expected to move into central Kansas late this evening or around midnight, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita. 

The storms are expected to move south overnight, reaching south central Kansas between about 3 a.m. and daybreak. A gradual weakening trend is likely during the night. 

The strongest storms may produce 50 to 60 mph along with heavy rain, NWS noted. The heavy rain may cause brief and localized flooding, NWS added.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594213765226.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Strong to severe storms are expected to move into central Kansas late this evening or around midnight, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita. The storms are expected to move south overnight, reaching south central Kansas between about 3 a.m. and daybreak. A gradual weakening trend is likely during the night. The strongest storms may produce 50 to 60 mph along with heavy rain, NWS noted. The heavy rain may cause brief and localized flooding, NWS added.

NWS: Strong to severe storms expected overnight

By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm Bureau

A recent survey of Kansas Ag Alliance members reveals the economic turmoil wrought by Covid-19 on the state’s farmers, ranchers and ag retailers. The survey was conducted in late May. Responses came from a broad spectrum of growers and other agriculturally related businesses across the state.

The survey went to members of statewide associations representing corn, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, livestock, electrical cooperatives and Kansas Farm Bureau.

More than two-thirds of respondents reported negative or very negative effects on their farm or business as a result of the pandemic. Less than 10 percent reported a positive impact on farm or business revenue.

The top three issues for respondents are what you would expect, disrupted markets, cashflow problems and not being able to find a place to process products. But there are some other concerns, like one cattle producer who also shoes horses.

“With the horse shows, rodeos and barrel races canceled, it has hurt my business because clients are trimming more and shoeing less,” the farrier reported. “So, a $140 shoeing turns into a $50 trim.”

The disruption to markets is widespread in the cattle industry, and the slowdown of packing plants has filtered down to smaller custom processors, which has caused another set of headaches.

“Direct sales to the consumer is our preferred method of marketing our beef,” one rancher said. “With the bottleneck in small, overwhelmed processing facilities, we are unable to process our animals in a timely manner, which means they have to go through the sale barn at a lower price.” 

Others are seeing a slow down in the normal course of business because of the virus.

“Most suppliers I deal with are scared to death they will have a positive employee and have to close their facility,” one grower wrote. “This leads to very inefficient interaction with the businesses. We are getting through it, but it has taken a lot more planning to get things in place.”

Ninety percent of responses indicate they’ve taken advantage of at least one Covid-19-related government program, like the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, Paycheck Protection Program or received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. These programs fall short of making farmers and ranchers whole from the economic disruption from the pandemic, but there’s growing unease about the scale of government support of agriculture. Especially following on the heels of recent Market Facilitation Payments.

“My main concern is that if we don’t find an exit strategy for these government programs, we will be plunging further into socialism,” one respondent remarked.

Others voiced concerns about how commodity markets will respond as the pandemic drags on and wondered if input costs will go down. Cellular phone service and access to broadband internet also are on the minds of farmers and ranchers who saw their children return home after schools and colleges closed.

The disparity between what producers receive and consumers pay also drew plenty of comments, none more succinct than one respondent who said, “It has exposed the total disconnect between farm gate prices and grocery store prices.”

None of the responses are earthshaking, but they do provide a good reminder of just how far the misery has spread across the countryside.

Despite all the new things to worry about, one farmer recently told me not much has changed in his daily routine.

“Get up, feed everything in the morning, harvest, bale hay, just like normal,” he said.

There can be solace found in a job well done.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service. Copyright © 2020 Kansas Farm Bureau, All rights reserved.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574694551876.png" alt="Greg Doering. Photo courtesy Kansas Farm Bureau" />
 <figcaption>Greg Doering. Photo courtesy Kansas Farm Bureau</figcaption>
 </figure>By GREG DOERING Kansas Farm BureauA recent survey of Kansas Ag Alliance members reveals the economic turmoil wrought by Covid-19 on the state’s farmers, ranchers and ag retailers. The survey was conducted in late May. Responses came from a broad spectrum of growers and other agriculturally related businesses across the state.The survey went to members of statewide associations representing corn, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, livestock, electrical cooperatives and Kansas Farm Bureau.More than two-thirds of respondents reported negative or very negative effects on their farm or business as a result of the pandemic. Less than 10 percent reported a positive impact on farm or business revenue.The top three issues for respondents are what you would expect, disrupted markets, cashflow problems and not being able to find a place to process products. But there are some other concerns, like one cattle producer who also shoes horses.“With the horse shows, rodeos and barrel races canceled, it has hurt my business because clients are trimming more and shoeing less,” the farrier reported. “So, a $140 shoeing turns into a $50 trim.”The disruption to markets is widespread in the cattle industry, and the slowdown of packing plants has filtered down to smaller custom processors, which has caused another set of headaches.“Direct sales to the consumer is our preferred method of marketing our beef,” one rancher said. “With the bottleneck in small, overwhelmed processing facilities, we are unable to process our animals in a timely manner, which means they have to go through the sale barn at a lower price.” Others are seeing a slow down in the normal course of business because of the virus.“Most suppliers I deal with are scared to death they will have a positive employee and have to close their facility,” one grower wrote. “This leads to very inefficient interaction with the businesses. We are getting through it, but it has taken a lot more planning to get things in place.”Ninety percent of responses indicate they’ve taken advantage of at least one Covid-19-related government program, like the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, Paycheck Protection Program or received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. These programs fall short of making farmers and ranchers whole from the economic disruption from the pandemic, but there’s growing unease about the scale of government support of agriculture. Especially following on the heels of recent Market Facilitation Payments.“My main concern is that if we don’t find an exit strategy for these government programs, we will be plunging further into socialism,” one respondent remarked.Others voiced concerns about how commodity markets will respond as the pandemic drags on and wondered if input costs will go down. Cellular phone service and access to broadband internet also are on the minds of farmers and ranchers who saw their children return home after schools and colleges closed.The disparity between what producers receive and consumers pay also drew plenty of comments, none more succinct than one respondent who said, “It has exposed the total disconnect between farm gate prices and grocery store prices.”None of the responses are earthshaking, but they do provide a good reminder of just how far the misery has spread across the countryside.Despite all the new things to worry about, one farmer recently told me not much has changed in his daily routine.“Get up, feed everything in the morning, harvest, bale hay, just like normal,” he said.There can be solace found in a job well done."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service. Copyright © 2020 Kansas Farm Bureau, All rights reserved.

Insight: Worries and routines

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;

Recent obituaries

Today is Wednesday, July 8, the 190th day of 2020. There are 176 days left in the year. 

On July 8, 2000, Venus Williams beat Lindsay Davenport 6-3, 7-6 (3) for her first Grand Slam title, becoming the first Black female champion at Wimbledon since Althea Gibson in 1957-58. 

In 1776, Col. John Nixon gave the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, outside the State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia. 

In 1889, The Wall Street Journal was first published. 

In 1947, a New Mexico newspaper, the Roswell Daily Record, quoted officials at Roswell Army Air Field as saying they had recovered a "flying saucer" that crashed onto a ranch; officials then said it was actually a weather balloon. (To this day, there are those who believe what fell to Earth was an alien spaceship carrying extra-terrestrial beings.) Demolition work began in New York City to make way for the new permanent headquarters of the United Nations. 

In 1950, President Harry S. Truman named Gen. Douglas MacArthur commander-in-chief of United Nations forces in Korea. (Truman ended up sacking MacArthur for insubordination nine months later.) 

In 1972, the Nixon administration announced a deal to sell $750 million in grain to the Soviet Union. (However, the Soviets were also engaged in secretly buying subsidized American grain, resulting in what critics dubbed "The Great Grain Robbery.") 

In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford announced he would seek a second term of office. 

In 1989, Carlos Saul Menem was inaugurated as president of Argentina in the country's first transfer of power from one democratically elected civilian leader to another in six decades. 

In 1994, Kim Il Sung, North Korea's communist leader since 1948, died at age 82. 

In 2011, former first lady Betty Ford died in Rancho Mirage, California, at age 93. Atlantis thundered into orbit on a cargo run that would close out the three-decade U.S. space shuttle program. 

In 2012, Roger Federer equaled Pete Sampras' record of seven men's singles titles at the All England Club and won his 17th Grand Slam title overall, beating Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. 

In 2014, President Barack Obama appealed to Congress for $3.7 billion in emergency spending to deal with the immigration crisis on the nation's southern border, where unaccompanied children were showing up by the thousands (Republican lawmakers rejected the request). Washington became the second state to allow people to buy marijuana legally in the U.S. without a doctor's note. 

In 2018, divers rescued four of the 12 boys who'd been trapped in a flooded cave in northern Thailand with their soccer coach for more than two weeks. (The remaining eight boys and their coach were rescued over the next two days.) 

Ten years ago: The largest spy swap between the U.S. and Russia since the Cold War unfolded as 10 people accused of spying in suburban America pleaded guilty to conspiracy and were ordered deported to Russia in exchange for the release of four prisoners accused of spying for the West. Violent protests erupted in Oakland, California, after a Los Angeles jury convicted a white former transit officer, Johannes Mehserle, of involuntary manslaughter (instead of murder) in the videotaped fatal shooting of an unarmed black man, Oscar Grant. During an ESPN prime-time special, basketball free agent LeBron James announced he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat.

Five years ago: On a rough day for tech, a "router issue" at United Airlines suspended all of the company's flights for nearly two hours, leading to 800 flight delays and 60 cancellations; a "technical problem" at the New York Stock Exchange halted trading; and the Wall Street Journal's website, WSJ.com, had "technical difficulties." (Government officials said it did not appear that the incidents were related, or the result of sabotage.) Medicare said it planned to pay doctors to counsel patients about end-of-life care, the same idea that sparked accusations of "death panels" and fanned a political furor around President Barack Obama's health care law.

One year ago: Iran began enriching uranium to 4.5%, just breaking the limit set by its nuclear deal with world powers. Billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein was charged with sexually abusing dozens of underage girls; the newly unsealed federal indictment came more than a decade after he secretly cut a deal with federal prosecutors to dispose of nearly identical allegations. (Epstein was found unresponsive in his jail cell a month later; the medical examiner ruled the death a suicide.) After a remarkable run at Wimbledon, 15-year-old American Coco Gauff lost to former No. 1 Simona Halep, 6-3, 6-3, in the fourth round.

Today's Birthdays: Singer Steve Lawrence is 85. Actor Jeffrey Tambor is 76. Rock musician Jaimoe Johanson is 75. Ballerina Cynthia Gregory is 73. Actress Kim Darby is 73. Actress Jonelle Allen is 72. Children's performer Raffi is 72. Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck is 71. Actress Anjelica Huston is 69. Writer Anna Quindlen is 68. Actor Kevin Bacon is 62. Actor Robert Knepper is 61. Rock musician Andy Fletcher (Depeche Mode) is 59. Country singer Toby Keith is 59. Rock musician Graham Jones (Haircut 100) is 59. Rock singer Joan Osborne is 58. Writer-producer Rob Burnett is 58. Actor Rocky Carroll is 57. Actor Corey Parker is 55. Actor Lee Tergesen is 55. Actor Michael B. Silver is 53. Actor Billy Crudup is 52. Actor Michael Weatherly is 52. Singer Beck is 50. Country singer Drew Womack (Sons of the Desert) is 50. Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco is 47. Actress Kathleen Robertson is 47. Christian rock musician Stephen Mason (Jars of Clay) is 45. Actor Milo Ventimiglia is 43. Rock musician Tavis Werts is 43. Singer Ben Jelen is 41. Actor Lance Gross is 39. Actress Sophia Bush is 38. Rock musician Jamie Cook (Arctic Monkeys) is 35. Actor Jake McDorman is 34. Actress Maya Hawke is 22. Actor Jaden Smith is 22.

<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 Wednesday, July 8, the 190th day of 2020. There are 176 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On July 8, 2000, Venus Williams beat Lindsay Davenport 6-3, 7-6 (3) for her first Grand Slam title, becoming the first Black female champion at Wimbledon since Althea Gibson in 1957-58. On this date: In 1776, Col. John Nixon gave the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, outside the State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia. In 1889, The Wall Street Journal was first published. In 1947, a New Mexico newspaper, the Roswell Daily Record, quoted officials at Roswell Army Air Field as saying they had recovered a "flying saucer" that crashed onto a ranch; officials then said it was actually a weather balloon. (To this day, there are those who believe what fell to Earth was an alien spaceship carrying extra-terrestrial beings.) Demolition work began in New York City to make way for the new permanent headquarters of the United Nations. In 1950, President Harry S. Truman named Gen. Douglas MacArthur commander-in-chief of United Nations forces in Korea. (Truman ended up sacking MacArthur for insubordination nine months later.) In 1972, the Nixon administration announced a deal to sell $750 million in grain to the Soviet Union. (However, the Soviets were also engaged in secretly buying subsidized American grain, resulting in what critics dubbed "The Great Grain Robbery.") In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford announced he would seek a second term of office. In 1989, Carlos Saul Menem was inaugurated as president of Argentina in the country's first transfer of power from one democratically elected civilian leader to another in six decades. In 1994, Kim Il Sung, North Korea's communist leader since 1948, died at age 82. In 2011, former first lady Betty Ford died in Rancho Mirage, California, at age 93. Atlantis thundered into orbit on a cargo run that would close out the three-decade U.S. space shuttle program. In 2012, Roger Federer equaled Pete Sampras' record of seven men's singles titles at the All England Club and won his 17th Grand Slam title overall, beating Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4. In 2014, President Barack Obama appealed to Congress for $3.7 billion in emergency spending to deal with the immigration crisis on the nation's southern border, where unaccompanied children were showing up by the thousands (Republican lawmakers rejected the request). Washington became the second state to allow people to buy marijuana legally in the U.S. without a doctor's note. In 2018, divers rescued four of the 12 boys who'd been trapped in a flooded cave in northern Thailand with their soccer coach for more than two weeks. (The remaining eight boys and their coach were rescued over the next two days.) Ten years ago: The largest spy swap between the U.S. and Russia since the Cold War unfolded as 10 people accused of spying in suburban America pleaded guilty to conspiracy and were ordered deported to Russia in exchange for the release of four prisoners accused of spying for the West. Violent protests erupted in Oakland, California, after a Los Angeles jury convicted a white former transit officer, Johannes Mehserle, of involuntary manslaughter (instead of murder) in the videotaped fatal shooting of an unarmed black man, Oscar Grant. During an ESPN prime-time special, basketball free agent LeBron James announced he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat. Five years ago: On a rough day for tech, a "router issue" at United Airlines suspended all of the company's flights for nearly two hours, leading to 800 flight delays and 60 cancellations; a "technical problem" at the New York Stock Exchange halted trading; and the Wall Street Journal's website, WSJ.com, had "technical difficulties." (Government officials said it did not appear that the incidents were related, or the result of sabotage.) Medicare said it planned to pay doctors to counsel patients about end-of-life care, the same idea that sparked accusations of "death panels" and fanned a political furor around President Barack Obama's health care law. One year ago: Iran began enriching uranium to 4.5%, just breaking the limit set by its nuclear deal with world powers. Billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein was charged with sexually abusing dozens of underage girls; the newly unsealed federal indictment came more than a decade after he secretly cut a deal with federal prosecutors to dispose of nearly identical allegations. (Epstein was found unresponsive in his jail cell a month later; the medical examiner ruled the death a suicide.) After a remarkable run at Wimbledon, 15-year-old American Coco Gauff lost to former No. 1 Simona Halep, 6-3, 6-3, in the fourth round. Today's Birthdays: Singer Steve Lawrence is 85. Actor Jeffrey Tambor is 76. Rock musician Jaimoe Johanson is 75. Ballerina Cynthia Gregory is 73. Actress Kim Darby is 73. Actress Jonelle Allen is 72. Children's performer Raffi is 72. Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck is 71. Actress Anjelica Huston is 69. Writer Anna Quindlen is 68. Actor Kevin Bacon is 62. Actor Robert Knepper is 61. Rock musician Andy Fletcher (Depeche Mode) is 59. Country singer Toby Keith is 59. Rock musician Graham Jones (Haircut 100) is 59. Rock singer Joan Osborne is 58. Writer-producer Rob Burnett is 58. Actor Rocky Carroll is 57. Actor Corey Parker is 55. Actor Lee Tergesen is 55. Actor Michael B. Silver is 53. Actor Billy Crudup is 52. Actor Michael Weatherly is 52. Singer Beck is 50. Country singer Drew Womack (Sons of the Desert) is 50. Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco is 47. Actress Kathleen Robertson is 47. Christian rock musician Stephen Mason (Jars of Clay) is 45. Actor Milo Ventimiglia is 43. Rock musician Tavis Werts is 43. Singer Ben Jelen is 41. Actor Lance Gross is 39. Actress Sophia Bush is 38. Rock musician Jamie Cook (Arctic Monkeys) is 35. Actor Jake McDorman is 34. Actress Maya Hawke is 22. Actor Jaden Smith is 22.

Today in History -- July 8

WICHITA -- More than 2,000 students completed degrees at&nbsp;Wichita&nbsp;State University in spring 2020.

Undergraduate students who have attained a grade point average of 3.9 out of a possible 4.0 received the summa cum laude award; those with an average of 3.55 received the magna cum laude award; and those with an average of 3.25 received the cum laude.

Local and area students who earned degrees include the following.

Abby L. Jurgensmeier, Honors Baccalaureate, Honors Baccalaureate, Summa Cum Laude Brookville Callie M. Cameron, Bachelor of Arts, Social Work

Jessica L. Henderson, Bachelor of Business Admin., Accounting

Gage J. Wilson, Master of Arts, Criminal Justice

Katelynn M. Winter, Bachelor of Arts, Commun Sciences and Disorders, Magna Cum Laude Ellsworth Whitney A. Bahr, BS in Nursing, , Summa Cum Laude

Emmy L. Kempke, Bachelor of Business Admin., Accounting, Cum Laude

Alexis A. Stefek, Associate of Arts, Associate in Arts Gypsum Natashia D. Petersen, Undergraduate Certificate, Community Psy Certificate Herington Shae E. Granzow, Bachelor of Arts in Education, Elementary Education, Summa Cum Laude

Kaitlin J. Patterson, Master of Arts, Spanish Hillsboro Jonathan R. Ragland, Bachelor of Business Admin., Management, Magna Cum Laude Lincoln Mary F. Beckmeyer, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Magna Cum Laude Lindsborg Margaret J. Anderson, Bachelor of Arts, Commun Sciences and Disorders, Cum Laude

Christian H. Desbien, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Lost Springs Cassandra A. Thompson, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Cum Laude Marion Reann L. Buchanan, Bachelor of Arts in Education, Mathematics 5-8

Oliver J. Good, Master of Arts in Teaching McPherson Travis B. Bunk, Master of Science in Nursing,

Jared P. Goering, Master of Innovation Design,

Haley K. Jarvis, Doctor of Physical Therapy,

Rebekah M. Lee, Master of Social Work,

Megan E. Pedersen, Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene, Magna Cum Laude

Alexander R. Ruxlow, Master of Education, Sport Management

Sean L. Seymore, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering,

Michael A. Webster, B.S. in Electrical Engineering, , Cum Laude

Alexis S. Young, Bachelor of Arts in Education, Early Childhood Unified, Magna Cum Laude Minneapolis Moriah J. Ausherman, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Magna Cum Laude Salina Danielle M. Ast, Graduate Certificate, Public Health

Kyra N. Bieker, Bachelor of Business Admin., Finance, Cum Laude

Crystal M. Lucio, Bachelor of Arts, Field Major Communication

Xan M. Mattek, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Performing Arts BFA, Cum Laude

Hannah E. McGrath, Master of Social Work

Alexandria M. Nowlin, Master of Social Work

Grant R. Seymour, Graduate Certificate, School Counselor to CMHC

Megan Stein, Master of Arts, Communication Sci and Disorders

Jasmine Tabares, Bachelor of Arts in Education, Elementary Education, Cum Laude

Michael N. Tran, Bachelor of Business Admin., Management Information Systems Sylvan Grove Colten L. Uhl, Bachelor of Science, Medical Laboratory Sciences&nbsp;&nbsp;

WICHITA -- More than 2,000 students completed degrees at&nbsp;Wichita&nbsp;State University in spring 2020.Undergraduate students who have attained a grade point average of 3.9 out of a possible 4.0 received the summa cum laude award; those with an average of 3.55 received the magna cum laude award; and those with an average of 3.25 received the cum laude.Local and area students who earned degrees include the following.BenningtonAbby L. Jurgensmeier, Honors Baccalaureate, Honors Baccalaureate, Summa Cum Laude Brookville Callie M. Cameron, Bachelor of Arts, Social Work Jessica L. Henderson, Bachelor of Business Admin., Accounting Gage J. Wilson, Master of Arts, Criminal Justice Katelynn M. Winter, Bachelor of Arts, Commun Sciences and Disorders, Magna Cum Laude Ellsworth Whitney A. Bahr, BS in Nursing, , Summa Cum Laude Emmy L. Kempke, Bachelor of Business Admin., Accounting, Cum Laude Alexis A. Stefek, Associate of Arts, Associate in Arts Gypsum Natashia D. Petersen, Undergraduate Certificate, Community Psy Certificate Herington Shae E. Granzow, Bachelor of Arts in Education, Elementary Education, Summa Cum Laude Kaitlin J. Patterson, Master of Arts, Spanish Hillsboro Jonathan R. Ragland, Bachelor of Business Admin., Management, Magna Cum Laude Lincoln Mary F. Beckmeyer, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Magna Cum Laude Lindsborg Margaret J. Anderson, Bachelor of Arts, Commun Sciences and Disorders, Cum Laude Christian H. Desbien, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Lost Springs Cassandra A. Thompson, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Cum Laude Marion Reann L. Buchanan, Bachelor of Arts in Education, Mathematics 5-8 Oliver J. Good, Master of Arts in Teaching McPherson Travis B. Bunk, Master of Science in Nursing, Jared P. Goering, Master of Innovation Design, Haley K. Jarvis, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Rebekah M. Lee, Master of Social Work, Megan E. Pedersen, Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene, Magna Cum Laude Alexander R. Ruxlow, Master of Education, Sport Management Sean L. Seymore, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Michael A. Webster, B.S. in Electrical Engineering, , Cum Laude Alexis S. Young, Bachelor of Arts in Education, Early Childhood Unified, Magna Cum Laude Minneapolis Moriah J. Ausherman, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Magna Cum Laude Salina Danielle M. Ast, Graduate Certificate, Public Health Kyra N. Bieker, Bachelor of Business Admin., Finance, Cum Laude Crystal M. Lucio, Bachelor of Arts, Field Major Communication Xan M. Mattek, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Performing Arts BFA, Cum Laude Hannah E. McGrath, Master of Social Work Alexandria M. Nowlin, Master of Social Work Grant R. Seymour, Graduate Certificate, School Counselor to CMHC Megan Stein, Master of Arts, Communication Sci and Disorders Jasmine Tabares, Bachelor of Arts in Education, Elementary Education, Cum Laude Michael N. Tran, Bachelor of Business Admin., Management Information Systems Sylvan Grove Colten L. Uhl, Bachelor of Science, Medical Laboratory Sciences&nbsp;&nbsp;

Local, area students earn degrees from WSU

Here is an estimate of the 24-hour rainfall totals across Kansas as of 7 a.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594176151870.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Here is an estimate of the 24-hour rainfall totals across Kansas as of 7 a.m.

NWS: 24-hour rainfall totals

McPHERSON -- McPherson College recognizes its highest academic achievers in its spring 2020 Honor Roll and Honorable Mention.

To qualify for the honor roll, students must be a full-time student and earn a grade point average of 3.55 or higher during the previous term. Students earning a grade point average of 3.25 to 3.54 are named to the honorable mention.

Local and area students receiving academic honors include the following.

Canton &nbsp;Ashley Hiebert, Honor Roll Enterprise &nbsp;Megan Miller, Honor Roll Lindsborg &nbsp;Meghan Smith, Honor Roll &nbsp;Myriah Webster, Honor Roll McPherson &nbsp;Kento Aizawa, Honor Roll &nbsp;Zackary Alexander, Honor Roll &nbsp;Bianca Avila, Honor Roll &nbsp;Kourtney Brumley, Honor Roll &nbsp;Summer Buckshaw, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Hannah Butler, Honor Roll &nbsp;Kaitlyn Foster, Honor Roll &nbsp;Kollin Goering, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Lionel Ibonga, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Daniel Journey, Honor Roll &nbsp;Arya Karmacharya, Honor Roll &nbsp;Drew Labertew, Honor Roll &nbsp;Aaron Leck, Honor Roll &nbsp;Mitchell Ludinich, Honor Roll &nbsp;Gillian Martin, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Marcus McDaniel, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Cole Miller, Honor Roll &nbsp;Gonzalo Morales Vargas, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Ilanna Moyer, Honor Roll &nbsp;Allison Penalva, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Tiffany Slechta, Honor Roll &nbsp;Grace van Asselt, Honor Roll &nbsp;Kaitlyn van Asselt, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Victoria Voyles, Honor Roll Moundridge &nbsp;Collin Wedel, Honorable Mention Salina &nbsp;Kelsey Doll, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Codi-Lane Jones, Honor Roll&nbsp;&nbsp;

Visit <a href="http://www.mcpherson.edu">www.mcpherson.edu</a> to learn more about McPherson College.

McPHERSON -- McPherson College recognizes its highest academic achievers in its spring 2020 Honor Roll and Honorable Mention.To qualify for the honor roll, students must be a full-time student and earn a grade point average of 3.55 or higher during the previous term. Students earning a grade point average of 3.25 to 3.54 are named to the honorable mention.Local and area students receiving academic honors include the following.Canton &nbsp;Ashley Hiebert, Honor Roll Enterprise &nbsp;Megan Miller, Honor Roll Lindsborg &nbsp;Meghan Smith, Honor Roll &nbsp;Myriah Webster, Honor Roll McPherson &nbsp;Kento Aizawa, Honor Roll &nbsp;Zackary Alexander, Honor Roll &nbsp;Bianca Avila, Honor Roll &nbsp;Kourtney Brumley, Honor Roll &nbsp;Summer Buckshaw, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Hannah Butler, Honor Roll &nbsp;Kaitlyn Foster, Honor Roll &nbsp;Kollin Goering, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Lionel Ibonga, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Daniel Journey, Honor Roll &nbsp;Arya Karmacharya, Honor Roll &nbsp;Drew Labertew, Honor Roll &nbsp;Aaron Leck, Honor Roll &nbsp;Mitchell Ludinich, Honor Roll &nbsp;Gillian Martin, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Marcus McDaniel, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Cole Miller, Honor Roll &nbsp;Gonzalo Morales Vargas, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Ilanna Moyer, Honor Roll &nbsp;Allison Penalva, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Tiffany Slechta, Honor Roll &nbsp;Grace van Asselt, Honor Roll &nbsp;Kaitlyn van Asselt, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Victoria Voyles, Honor Roll Moundridge &nbsp;Collin Wedel, Honorable Mention Salina &nbsp;Kelsey Doll, Honorable Mention &nbsp;Codi-Lane Jones, Honor Roll&nbsp;&nbsp;Visit <a href="http://www.mcpherson.edu">www.mcpherson.edu</a> to learn more about McPherson College.

Local, area students earn academic honors at McPherson College

MCPHERSON -- The McPherson County Health Department this evening reported the county's 85th confirmed case of COVID-19.

The newest case is a symptomatic female in her 40s with unknown exposure and is recovering at home, the health department noted.

Of the 85 total confirmed cases in McPherson County, 76 have met Kansas Department of Health and Environment recovery guidelines, the health department reported. Additionally, the county currently has no hospitalized cases and has not reported any COVID-19 deaths.

MCPHERSON -- The McPherson County Health Department this evening reported the county's 85th confirmed case of COVID-19.The newest case is a symptomatic female in her 40s with unknown exposure and is recovering at home, the health department noted.Of the 85 total confirmed cases in McPherson County, 76 have met Kansas Department of Health and Environment recovery guidelines, the health department reported. Additionally, the county currently has no hospitalized cases and has not reported any COVID-19 deaths.