LINCOLN -- The top of the Lincoln County Courthouse was on fire for a brief period of time this morning. 

The fire appears to have been caused by a lightning strike from a thunderstorm that moved through the area, though no official word on the cause of the fire has been given.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588603343240.jpeg" alt="Fire damage can be seen on the roof of the Lincoln County Courthouse. Photo and video courtesy&nbsp; the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Get-Lincoln-174420252605090/">Get Lincoln</a> Facebook page" />
 <figcaption>Fire damage can be seen on the roof of the Lincoln County Courthouse. Photo and video courtesy&nbsp; the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Get-Lincoln-174420252605090/">Get Lincoln</a> Facebook page</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN -- The top of the Lincoln County Courthouse was on fire for a brief period of time this morning. <div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F174420252605090%2Fvideos%2F3445043782217846%2F&show_text=1&width=560" width="560" height="382" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The fire appears to have been caused by a lightning strike from a thunderstorm that moved through the area, though no official word on the cause of the fire has been given.

📹 Lincoln County Courthouse briefly on fire Monday

UPDATE : No counties in our area remain in the watch.

Early morning thunderstorms swept through the area, bringing with them wind, hail, and heavy rain.

A severe thunderstorm watch had been issued for a large part of Kansas, but was allowed to expire before noon for all of the counties in our area.

Rainfall totals varied in the Salina area, with 0.26 of an inch being recorded at the Salina Regional Airport, one-half inch in north central Salina, and 0.35 of an inch in southeast Salina. Hail ranging from quarter-sized to baseball sized was reported in Salina, eastern Saline County, and Abilene.&nbsp;

UPDATE : No counties in our area remain in the watch.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588601740461.jpeg" alt="The storm rolling into the Bennington area earlier this morning, looking west near the intersection of U.S. Highway 81 and Kansas Highway 18. Photo courtesy Larry Adam" />
 <figcaption>The storm rolling into the Bennington area earlier this morning, looking west near the intersection of U.S. Highway 81 and Kansas Highway 18. Photo courtesy Larry Adam</figcaption>
 </figure>Early morning thunderstorms swept through the area, bringing with them wind, hail, and heavy rain.A severe thunderstorm watch had been issued for a large part of Kansas, but was allowed to expire before noon for all of the counties in our area.Rainfall totals varied in the Salina area, with 0.26 of an inch being recorded at the Salina Regional Airport, one-half inch in north central Salina, and 0.35 of an inch in southeast Salina. Hail ranging from quarter-sized to baseball sized was reported in Salina, eastern Saline County, and Abilene.&nbsp;

UPDATE: Morning thunderstorm brings hail, heavy rain

TOPEKA&nbsp;— A pair of Kansas Wesleyan students were among those honored with scholarships by the Kansas Independent College Foundation (KICF) earlier this week. The scholarships were awarded to juniors Janell Fellers and Rebekah Morris.

Each nominated student had to submit a detailed essay about their leadership training, their future career goals and why they chose an independent institution for their higher education. A panel of nine judges made the final selections.

Fellers, an education major from Assaria, received a $1,000 scholarship entitled the Better Life Degree Completion Award, while Morris, who is majoring in secondary education and mathematics, was tabbed for a $500 scholarship billed for Future Leaders in Education.

"I am truly grateful for the nomination that provided the opportunity to apply for the Future Leaders in Education Scholarship, as well as the assistance that KWU staff members happily provided for me in polishing and submitting my materials," Coffeyville native Morris offered. "Since transferring to KWU, I have continued to grow in knowledge, experiences and as an individual due to opportunities that the university has granted me."

"I am extremely grateful to be recognized and honored with one of the Green &amp; Gold Scholarships," said Fellers. "I owe it all to my professors and instructors that have guided me to be the best I can be, and to my husband and two children that have loved and supported me along the way. Thank you, Kansas Independent College Foundation."

For more information regarding the KICA, please visit <a href="http://kscolleges.org">kscolleges.org</a>.&nbsp;

TOPEKA&nbsp;— A pair of Kansas Wesleyan students were among those honored with scholarships by the Kansas Independent College Foundation (KICF) earlier this week. The scholarships were awarded to juniors Janell Fellers and Rebekah Morris.Each nominated student had to submit a detailed essay about their leadership training, their future career goals and why they chose an independent institution for their higher education. A panel of nine judges made the final selections.Fellers, an education major from Assaria, received a $1,000 scholarship entitled the Better Life Degree Completion Award, while Morris, who is majoring in secondary education and mathematics, was tabbed for a $500 scholarship billed for Future Leaders in Education."I am truly grateful for the nomination that provided the opportunity to apply for the Future Leaders in Education Scholarship, as well as the assistance that KWU staff members happily provided for me in polishing and submitting my materials," Coffeyville native Morris offered. "Since transferring to KWU, I have continued to grow in knowledge, experiences and as an individual due to opportunities that the university has granted me.""I am extremely grateful to be recognized and honored with one of the Green &amp; Gold Scholarships," said Fellers. "I owe it all to my professors and instructors that have guided me to be the best I can be, and to my husband and two children that have loved and supported me along the way. Thank you, Kansas Independent College Foundation."For more information regarding the KICA, please visit <a href="http://kscolleges.org">kscolleges.org</a>.&nbsp;

Pair of KWU students earn KICF Scholarships



When the President asserted that he had the total power to make decisions on how we handle the coronavirus pandemic, he got immediate pushback from a wide array of conservatives, including Senator Marco Rubio who tweeted: “The Constitution &amp; common sense dictates these decisions be made at the state level.”

Rubio was correct. The 10th Amendment to the Constitution is short and clear: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” Managing pandemics is not in the Constitution and therefore falls to the states to manage. There are associated responsibilities when it comes to national security and managing certain situations that extend across state borders. The federal ability to command industry to provide critical production is one such exception.

The far-more-devastating Flu of 1918 that originated in Kansas and spread worldwide via troop transport while we were in World War I, was nearly completely managed by states. There was a logic then and it persists now. Some states are heavily rural and residents are spaced far apart. Other states are primarily urban, with citizens stacked on top of each other. And the outbreaks and fatalities reflect these differences. Strategies that are essential for the densely populated areas may not be necessary in the wilderness.

Any attempt to impose a federal one-size-fits-all strategy on this pandemic would have been foolish. It would also have been immediately challenged as unconstitutional. Actual management of this pandemic rests with each state.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Unfortunately, this outburst of opposition did not happen when another action was unleashed that likewise violated the 10th Amendment: No Child Left Behind.

Education is not mentioned in the Constitution either. It therefore is solidly and exclusively a state responsibility. The vast majority of funding for public schools comes from state and local taxes. The education section of the earlier federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare was primarily an agency that gathered statistics. When some federal monies were allocated for special education and certain Title programs, they were allocated as block grants. Education remains a “state’s right.” The Feds have no authority to establish a national curriculum; indeed they are expressly prohibited from doing so.

So it was unfortunate when a bipartisan alliance pushed the federal No Child Left Behind version of ESEA into classrooms. Since the federal government has no direct authority to determine standards, etc., they achieved control by making federal aid contingent upon following NCLB. In simple terms, it was extortion. Still today, many state superintendents, commissioners or state education boards feel that they are merely a state agency for implementing federal directives in education. But they are in total control. And yes, they could face the loss of federal funding that makes up a small but important portion of their budget.

Teaching students in rural areas, rich suburbs and urban areas is quite different. Teachers who grew up on a farm do not relate well when teaching in rich suburban schools. And teachers who grew up in rich suburbs are fairly lost when trying to teach in rural schools. Yet the federal education standards are essentially uniform. —The same problem faced by imposing a single nationwide pandemic strategy.

And some teacher groups have even lobbied for a national teacher certification system, claiming they are a profession just like medicine and law. If they had done their homework, they would have discovered that bar exams and medical boards are state exams. —Not in the Constitution!

Just as addressing this pandemic is primarily a state responsibility, so is education. It is past time to close down the federal Department of Education. And we must fund state education at a higher level. Because education is not just “a” state responsibility, it is THE primary responsibility of each state. &nbsp;

John Richard Schrock has trained biology teachers for more than 30 years in Kansas. He also has lectured at 27 universities in 20 trips to China. He holds the distinction of “Faculty Emeritus” at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573490075841.jpeg" alt="John Richard Schrock" />
 <figcaption>John Richard Schrock</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN RICHARD SCHROCK

When the President asserted that he had the total power to make decisions on how we handle the coronavirus pandemic, he got immediate pushback from a wide array of conservatives, including Senator Marco Rubio who tweeted: “The Constitution &amp; common sense dictates these decisions be made at the state level.”Rubio was correct. The 10th Amendment to the Constitution is short and clear: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” Managing pandemics is not in the Constitution and therefore falls to the states to manage. There are associated responsibilities when it comes to national security and managing certain situations that extend across state borders. The federal ability to command industry to provide critical production is one such exception.The far-more-devastating Flu of 1918 that originated in Kansas and spread worldwide via troop transport while we were in World War I, was nearly completely managed by states. There was a logic then and it persists now. Some states are heavily rural and residents are spaced far apart. Other states are primarily urban, with citizens stacked on top of each other. And the outbreaks and fatalities reflect these differences. Strategies that are essential for the densely populated areas may not be necessary in the wilderness.Any attempt to impose a federal one-size-fits-all strategy on this pandemic would have been foolish. It would also have been immediately challenged as unconstitutional. Actual management of this pandemic rests with each state.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Unfortunately, this outburst of opposition did not happen when another action was unleashed that likewise violated the 10th Amendment: No Child Left Behind.Education is not mentioned in the Constitution either. It therefore is solidly and exclusively a state responsibility. The vast majority of funding for public schools comes from state and local taxes. The education section of the earlier federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare was primarily an agency that gathered statistics. When some federal monies were allocated for special education and certain Title programs, they were allocated as block grants. Education remains a “state’s right.” The Feds have no authority to establish a national curriculum; indeed they are expressly prohibited from doing so.So it was unfortunate when a bipartisan alliance pushed the federal No Child Left Behind version of ESEA into classrooms. Since the federal government has no direct authority to determine standards, etc., they achieved control by making federal aid contingent upon following NCLB. In simple terms, it was extortion. Still today, many state superintendents, commissioners or state education boards feel that they are merely a state agency for implementing federal directives in education. But they are in total control. And yes, they could face the loss of federal funding that makes up a small but important portion of their budget.Teaching students in rural areas, rich suburbs and urban areas is quite different. Teachers who grew up on a farm do not relate well when teaching in rich suburban schools. And teachers who grew up in rich suburbs are fairly lost when trying to teach in rural schools. Yet the federal education standards are essentially uniform. —The same problem faced by imposing a single nationwide pandemic strategy.And some teacher groups have even lobbied for a national teacher certification system, claiming they are a profession just like medicine and law. If they had done their homework, they would have discovered that bar exams and medical boards are state exams. —Not in the Constitution!Just as addressing this pandemic is primarily a state responsibility, so is education. It is past time to close down the federal Department of Education. And we must fund state education at a higher level. Because education is not just “a” state responsibility, it is THE primary responsibility of each state. &nbsp;John Richard Schrock has trained biology teachers for more than 30 years in Kansas. He also has lectured at 27 universities in 20 trips to China. He holds the distinction of “Faculty Emeritus” at Emporia State University.

Ed. Frontlines: 10th Amendment and state responsibilities

Commodities through the Emergency Food Assistance Program are scheduled to be distributed next week in Salina.

The distribution, which will once again be picked up on a drive-thru basis, is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon May 13 at the 4-H Building, 900 Greeley Avenue, in Kenwood Park.

Items scheduled to be distributed include peanut butter, apricots, egg noodles, peaches, cheddar cheese, apples, egg mix, oranges, split peas, cherries, pecan halves, applesauce, orange juice, and potatoes.

Participants are required to have with them proof of income, a photo ID or proof of a Saline County address and a signed note if picking up commodities for someone else.

1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $1,354

2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$1,832

3&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2,311

4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2,790

5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$3,269

6&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$3,748 

7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$4,227

8&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$4,705

For each additional family member add $479.

Contact commodities phone 785-714-0918 with questions. The program is hosted by Sunrise Presbyterian Church.

Commodities through the Emergency Food Assistance Program are scheduled to be distributed next week in Salina.The distribution, which will once again be picked up on a drive-thru basis, is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon May 13 at the 4-H Building, 900 Greeley Avenue, in Kenwood Park.Items scheduled to be distributed include peanut butter, apricots, egg noodles, peaches, cheddar cheese, apples, egg mix, oranges, split peas, cherries, pecan halves, applesauce, orange juice, and potatoes.Participants are required to have with them proof of income, a photo ID or proof of a Saline County address and a signed note if picking up commodities for someone else.Household size&nbsp; &nbsp; Income1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $1,3542&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$1,8323&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2,3114&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$2,7905&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$3,2696&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$3,748 7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$4,2278&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;$4,705For each additional family member add $479.Contact commodities phone 785-714-0918 with questions. The program is hosted by Sunrise Presbyterian Church.

Emergency Food Assistance distribution set for May 13

Today is Monday, May 4, the 125th day of 2020. There are 241 days left in the year.

On May 4, 1970, Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire during an anti-war protest at Kent State University, killing four students and wounding nine others.

In 1626, Dutch explorer Peter Minuit landed on present-day Manhattan Island.

In 1864, Swarthmore College in suburban Philadelphia was chartered.

In 1916, responding to a demand from President Woodrow Wilson, Germany agreed to limit its submarine warfare. (However, Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare the following year.)

In 1932, mobster Al Capone, convicted of income-tax evasion, entered the federal penitentiary in Atlanta. (Capone was later transferred to Alcatraz Island.)

In 1942, the Battle of the Coral Sea, the first naval clash fought entirely with carrier aircraft, began in the Pacific during World War II. (The outcome was considered a tactical victory for Japan, but ultimately a strategic one for the Allies.)

In 1945, during World War II, German forces in the Netherlands, Denmark and northwest Germany agreed to surrender.

In 1959, the first Grammy Awards ceremony was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Domenico Modugno won Record of the Year and Song of the Year for "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)"; Henry Mancini won Album of the Year for "The Music from Peter Gunn."

In 1961, the first group of "Freedom Riders" left Washington, D.C. to challenge racial segregation on interstate buses and in bus terminals.

In 1968, the Oroville Dam in Northern California was dedicated by Gov. Ronald Reagan; the 770-foot-tall earth-filled structure, a pet project of Reagan's predecessor, Pat Brown, remains the tallest dam in the United States, but was also the scene of a near disaster in February 2017 when two spillways collapsed, threatening for a time to flood parts of three counties in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

In 1975, comedy performer Moe Howard of "Three Stooges" fame died in Los Angeles at age 77.

In 1998, Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski was given four life sentences plus 30 years by a federal judge in Sacramento, California, under a plea agreement that spared him the death penalty.

In 2006, a federal judge sentenced Zacarias Moussaoui to life in prison for his role in the 9/11 attacks, telling the convicted terrorist, "You will die with a whimper."

Ten years ago: A Pakistani-born U.S. citizen was charged with terrorism and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction in the botched Times Square bombing. (Faisal Shahzad later pleaded guilty to plotting to set off the propane-and-gasoline bomb in an SUV and was sentenced to life in prison.)

Five years ago: Former technology executive Carly Fiorina and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson joined the rapidly expanding 2016 Republican presidential class, casting themselves as political outsiders in underdog campaigns, eager to challenge the elite of both parties. Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors was named winner of the NBA Most Valuable Player award. Ellen Albertini Dow, a feisty character actress best known for her salty rendition of "Rapper's Delight" in "The Wedding Singer," died in Los Angeles at age 101.

One year ago: Maximum Security became the first Kentucky Derby winner ever to be disqualified for interference; the decision by stewards at Churchill Downs made 65-1 longshot Country House the official winner. Palestinian militants fired more than 250 rockets into Israel, drawing dozens of retaliatory airstrikes on targets across the Gaza Strip; the round of heavy fighting broke a month-long lull.

Today's Birthdays: Katherine Jackson, matriarch of the Jackson musical family, is 90. Jazz musician Ron Carter is 83. Pulitzer Prize-winning political commentator George Will is 79. Pop singer Peggy Santiglia Davison (The Angels) is 76. Actor Richard Jenkins is 73. Country singer Stella Parton is 71. Actor-turned-clergyman Hilly Hicks is 70. Irish musician Darryl Hunt (The Pogues) is 70. Singer Jackie Jackson (The Jacksons) is 69. Singer-actress Pia Zadora is 68. Rhythm-and-blues singer Oleta Adams is 67. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., is 66. Violinist Soozie Tyrell (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band) is 63. Country singer Randy Travis is 61. Actress Mary McDonough is 59. Comedian Ana Gasteyer is 53. Actor Will Arnett is 50. Rock musician Mike Dirnt (Green Day) is 48. Contemporary Christian singer Chris Tomlin is 48. TV personality and fashion designer Kimora Lee Simmons is 45. Rock musician Jose Castellanos is 43. Sports reporter Erin Andrews is 42. Singer Lance Bass ('N Sync) is 41. Actress Ruth Negga is 39. Rapper/singer Jidenna is 35. Actor Alexander Gould is 26. Country singer RaeLynn is 26. Actress Amara Miller is 20. Actress Brooklynn Prince (Film: "The Florida Project") is ten.

Thought for Today: "Goodness, armed with power, is corrupted; and pure love without power is destroyed." — Reinhold Niebuhr, American theologian (1892-1971).

<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>Today is Monday, May 4, the 125th day of 2020. There are 241 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On May 4, 1970, Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire during an anti-war protest at Kent State University, killing four students and wounding nine others.On this date:In 1626, Dutch explorer Peter Minuit landed on present-day Manhattan Island.In 1864, Swarthmore College in suburban Philadelphia was chartered.In 1916, responding to a demand from President Woodrow Wilson, Germany agreed to limit its submarine warfare. (However, Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare the following year.)In 1932, mobster Al Capone, convicted of income-tax evasion, entered the federal penitentiary in Atlanta. (Capone was later transferred to Alcatraz Island.)In 1942, the Battle of the Coral Sea, the first naval clash fought entirely with carrier aircraft, began in the Pacific during World War II. (The outcome was considered a tactical victory for Japan, but ultimately a strategic one for the Allies.)In 1945, during World War II, German forces in the Netherlands, Denmark and northwest Germany agreed to surrender.In 1959, the first Grammy Awards ceremony was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Domenico Modugno won Record of the Year and Song of the Year for "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)"; Henry Mancini won Album of the Year for "The Music from Peter Gunn."In 1961, the first group of "Freedom Riders" left Washington, D.C. to challenge racial segregation on interstate buses and in bus terminals.In 1968, the Oroville Dam in Northern California was dedicated by Gov. Ronald Reagan; the 770-foot-tall earth-filled structure, a pet project of Reagan's predecessor, Pat Brown, remains the tallest dam in the United States, but was also the scene of a near disaster in February 2017 when two spillways collapsed, threatening for a time to flood parts of three counties in the Sierra Nevada foothills.In 1975, comedy performer Moe Howard of "Three Stooges" fame died in Los Angeles at age 77.In 1998, Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski was given four life sentences plus 30 years by a federal judge in Sacramento, California, under a plea agreement that spared him the death penalty.In 2006, a federal judge sentenced Zacarias Moussaoui to life in prison for his role in the 9/11 attacks, telling the convicted terrorist, "You will die with a whimper."Ten years ago: A Pakistani-born U.S. citizen was charged with terrorism and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction in the botched Times Square bombing. (Faisal Shahzad later pleaded guilty to plotting to set off the propane-and-gasoline bomb in an SUV and was sentenced to life in prison.)Five years ago: Former technology executive Carly Fiorina and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson joined the rapidly expanding 2016 Republican presidential class, casting themselves as political outsiders in underdog campaigns, eager to challenge the elite of both parties. Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors was named winner of the NBA Most Valuable Player award. Ellen Albertini Dow, a feisty character actress best known for her salty rendition of "Rapper's Delight" in "The Wedding Singer," died in Los Angeles at age 101.One year ago: Maximum Security became the first Kentucky Derby winner ever to be disqualified for interference; the decision by stewards at Churchill Downs made 65-1 longshot Country House the official winner. Palestinian militants fired more than 250 rockets into Israel, drawing dozens of retaliatory airstrikes on targets across the Gaza Strip; the round of heavy fighting broke a month-long lull.Today's Birthdays: Katherine Jackson, matriarch of the Jackson musical family, is 90. Jazz musician Ron Carter is 83. Pulitzer Prize-winning political commentator George Will is 79. Pop singer Peggy Santiglia Davison (The Angels) is 76. Actor Richard Jenkins is 73. Country singer Stella Parton is 71. Actor-turned-clergyman Hilly Hicks is 70. Irish musician Darryl Hunt (The Pogues) is 70. Singer Jackie Jackson (The Jacksons) is 69. Singer-actress Pia Zadora is 68. Rhythm-and-blues singer Oleta Adams is 67. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., is 66. Violinist Soozie Tyrell (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band) is 63. Country singer Randy Travis is 61. Actress Mary McDonough is 59. Comedian Ana Gasteyer is 53. Actor Will Arnett is 50. Rock musician Mike Dirnt (Green Day) is 48. Contemporary Christian singer Chris Tomlin is 48. TV personality and fashion designer Kimora Lee Simmons is 45. Rock musician Jose Castellanos is 43. Sports reporter Erin Andrews is 42. Singer Lance Bass ('N Sync) is 41. Actress Ruth Negga is 39. Rapper/singer Jidenna is 35. Actor Alexander Gould is 26. Country singer RaeLynn is 26. Actress Amara Miller is 20. Actress Brooklynn Prince (Film: "The Florida Project") is ten.Thought for Today: "Goodness, armed with power, is corrupted; and pure love without power is destroyed." — Reinhold Niebuhr, American theologian (1892-1971).Copyright 2020, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Today in History -- May 4

The Salina Area Workers Coalition supports the Working Kansas Alliance's written request to Governor Kelly that all "essential" workers who become sick with the Covid-19 virus be eligible for Workers Compensation. Governor Kelly and the KS Department of Labor have approved the measure but Attorney General Schmidt has not.&nbsp;SAWC urges all Kansans to support this benefit for our neighbors who provide essential services during the pandemic.

Joan Ratzlaff and Patrick Milham, Co-chairs Salina Area Workers Coalition

Dear Editor:The Salina Area Workers Coalition supports the Working Kansas Alliance's written request to Governor Kelly that all "essential" workers who become sick with the Covid-19 virus be eligible for Workers Compensation. Governor Kelly and the KS Department of Labor have approved the measure but Attorney General Schmidt has not.&nbsp;SAWC urges all Kansans to support this benefit for our neighbors who provide essential services during the pandemic.Thank you,Joan Ratzlaff and Patrick Milham, Co-chairs Salina Area Workers Coalition

LETTER: Support essential workers sick with COVID-19

CLOUD COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Sunday in Cloud County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford Explorer driven by Lisa Leann Shuflat, 39, Valley Center, was&nbsp; northbound on 170th Road four miles south and three miles east of Concordia.

The driver lost control on gravel. The SUV entered the west ditch and rolled.

EMS transported Shuflat and a passenger Cody James Leo Armer, 32, McPherson, to the hospital in Concordia.

They were not wearing seat belts, according to the&nbsp; KHP.

CLOUD COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Sunday in Cloud County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford Explorer driven by Lisa Leann Shuflat, 39, Valley Center, was&nbsp; northbound on 170th Road four miles south and three miles east of Concordia.The driver lost control on gravel. The SUV entered the west ditch and rolled.EMS transported Shuflat and a passenger Cody James Leo Armer, 32, McPherson, to the hospital in Concordia.They were not wearing seat belts, according to the&nbsp; KHP.

2 hospitalized after SUV rolls in Cloud County

The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday found that there was "more than ample evidence" to support Diantre Lemmie's conviction of first-degree felony murder in the 2016 death of Adonis Loudermilk.

According to court documents, "In the early morning of April 26, 2016, in the parking lot of the Starlite Motel in Salina, Loudermilk died from a gunshot wound. Police concluded that Lemmie and Amber Craig conspired to rob Loudermilk and that Lemmie shot and killed Loudermilk during the robbery."

The court decision published Friday noted that "a Saline County jury convicted Lemmie of first-degree felony murder, aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, criminal possession of a firearm, fleeing and eluding, and interference with law enforcement."

In a summary of its decision, the Kansas Supreme Court wrote:

"On appeal, Lemmie argued the district court judge erred by admitting the hearsay statements of a co-conspirator, evidence that Lemmie was upset the night of the murder because of a missing methamphetamine pipe, and evidence that Lemmie provided police with the passcodes to two cell phones. The Kansas Supreme Court today held the district judge properly admitted the hearsay statements under the statutory hearsay exceptions, and the methamphetamine pipe evidence was properly admitted under K.S.A. 60-455. Further, even if the Supreme Court assumed admission of the passcode evidence was error, it was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt because no evidence from the cell phones came in at trial. Lemmie also challenged the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his conviction for first-degree murder. The Supreme Court held there was more than ample evidence to support Lemmie's conviction, including surveillance footage, eyewitness testimony, and incriminating Facebook messages."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588549393861.jpeg" alt="DiAntre Lemmie. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>DiAntre Lemmie. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday found that there was "more than ample evidence" to support Diantre Lemmie's conviction of first-degree felony murder in the 2016 death of Adonis Loudermilk.According to court documents, "In the early morning of April 26, 2016, in the parking lot of the Starlite Motel in Salina, Loudermilk died from a gunshot wound. Police concluded that Lemmie and Amber Craig conspired to rob Loudermilk and that Lemmie shot and killed Loudermilk during the robbery."The court decision published Friday noted that "a Saline County jury convicted Lemmie of first-degree felony murder, aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, criminal possession of a firearm, fleeing and eluding, and interference with law enforcement."In a summary of its decision, the Kansas Supreme Court wrote:"On appeal, Lemmie argued the district court judge erred by admitting the hearsay statements of a co-conspirator, evidence that Lemmie was upset the night of the murder because of a missing methamphetamine pipe, and evidence that Lemmie provided police with the passcodes to two cell phones. The Kansas Supreme Court today held the district judge properly admitted the hearsay statements under the statutory hearsay exceptions, and the methamphetamine pipe evidence was properly admitted under K.S.A. 60-455. Further, even if the Supreme Court assumed admission of the passcode evidence was error, it was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt because no evidence from the cell phones came in at trial. Lemmie also challenged the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his conviction for first-degree murder. The Supreme Court held there was more than ample evidence to support Lemmie's conviction, including surveillance footage, eyewitness testimony, and incriminating Facebook messages."

KS high court: 'More than ample evidence' in Lemmie case

By now, hearing the president insult journalists is commonplace. Whether he’s accusing them of peddling fake news, calling them enemies of the American people, or threatening to revoke their Pulitzer prizes, the rhetoric has always been pretty toxic.

But in my view, none of those insults is as concerning as his recent attacks directed at Voice of America (VOA, the federal government’s international news and broadcasting agency, founded in 1942 with the goal of combating Nazi propaganda by providing unbiased news and information to countries outside the United States.

At the end of the day, news providers like&nbsp;The New York Times&nbsp;and CNN are independent media outlets protected by the First Amendment and there are limits to how much Trump can actually retaliate against them. It doesn’t matter how many times he threatens to “open up” libel laws and make it easier to sue media organizations — he can’t without overturning a 56-year-old Supreme Court decision. He couldn’t even successfully revoke&nbsp;Jim Acosta’s press pass.

But the president can actually have a lasting impact on Voice of America. At the moment, he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/22/donald-trump-propaganda-war-199799" target="_blank">demanding the confirmation&nbsp;</a>of conservative activist and filmmaker&nbsp;Michael Pack&nbsp;to head the organization that oversees VOA, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, and it’s clear that if he gets his wish, he’ll expect Pack to make some major changes to the way the VOA does its job.

Two weeks ago, a story in the White House’s daily email newsletter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/amid-a-pandemic-voice-of-america-spends-your-money-to-promote-foreign-propaganda/" target="_blank">accused Voice of America of using taxpayer dollars to promote foreign propaganda</a>. “VOA too often speaks for America’s adversaries — not its citizens,” it said, referencing a video shared by the VOA’s Twitter account that showed a light show in Wuhan, China celebrating the end of the quarantine there, then accusing the news organization of creating “graphics with Communist government statistics to compare China’s coronavirus death toll to America’s.” Shortly afterwards, the president himself said during his Wednesday Rose Garden briefing that, “If you heard what’s coming out of the Voice of America, it’s disgusting. … things they say are disgusting toward our country.”

These two examples of VOA’s supposed treachery the White House provided are rather odd, considering that the video of the light show was 1) produced by the Associated Press, not the VOA, and 2) is a video of an event that actually happened, regardless of whether or not you think China has exaggerated its success against COVID-19. The graphics comparing Chinese death tolls to American death tolls weren’t based on statistics from the Chinese government, but from Johns Hopkins University. VOA Director&nbsp;Amanda Bennett&nbsp;<a href="https://www.insidevoa.com/a/a-statement-from-voa-director-amanda-bennett-/5367327.html" target="_blank">responded to the accusations</a>&nbsp;with a statement linking to more than a dozen VOA stories critical of the Chinese government’s response to COVID-19, and pointing out that, “One of the big differences between publicly-funded independent media, like the Voice of America, and state-controlled media is that we are free to show all sides of an issue.”

The VOA broadcasts abroad in more than 40 languages to counter propaganda from repressive regimes by providing an independent, reliable source of news promoting freedom and democracy.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.voanews.com/archive/voa-charter-0" target="_blank">Its charter</a>&nbsp;legally requires it to report the news accurately, objectively and comprehensively and explicitly says that “VOA&nbsp;will represent America, not any single segment of American society, and will therefore present a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions.”

There is an inherent tension in being a news media outlet funded by the government, given that the highest purpose of the news media is to serve as a watchdog on the government. Way back in 2016, there were some concerns that when President Trump took office, the VOA “could serve as an unfettered propaganda arm for the former reality TV star who has flirted for years with launching his own network,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/donald-trump-voice-of-america-232442" target="_blank">according to a report from POLITICO</a>. This didn’t come to pass, in part because the 1994 U.S. International Broadcasting Act established that the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.insidevoa.com/a/4533487.html" target="_blank">VOA has a firewall</a>&nbsp;that prohibits U.S. government officials from interfering with the VOA’s decisions on what stories to cover and how to cover them.

But of course, the president can exert influence on the VOA in other ways. And his aversion to the VOA reporting or sharing any information that might make his administration look bad calls into question his commitment to the concept of an independent and objective VOA. That’s a problem, because the point of&nbsp;the VOA&nbsp;is to combat propaganda from repressive regimes with objective, unbiased, comprehensive reporting — not with propaganda of our own. If the VOA were to become nothing more than the public affairs arm of the American government, that would undermine its larger mission of promoting American ideals. By reporting not just on other countries’ governments, but also on our own with fairness and accuracy, the VOA represents the possibility, for those who live under repressive regimes, that the free press can exist.

Lata Nott is a Freedom Forum Fellow. Contact her via email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lnott@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">lnott@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow her on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/latanott" target="_blank">@LataNott</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1572283561997.png" alt="Lata Nott. Photo courtesy Freedom Forum" />
 <figcaption>Lata Nott. Photo courtesy Freedom Forum</figcaption>
 </figure>By LATA NOTT By now, hearing the president insult journalists is commonplace. Whether he’s accusing them of peddling fake news, calling them enemies of the American people, or threatening to revoke their Pulitzer prizes, the rhetoric has always been pretty toxic.But in my view, none of those insults is as concerning as his recent attacks directed at Voice of America (VOA, the federal government’s international news and broadcasting agency, founded in 1942 with the goal of combating Nazi propaganda by providing unbiased news and information to countries outside the United States.At the end of the day, news providers like&nbsp;The New York Times&nbsp;and CNN are independent media outlets protected by the First Amendment and there are limits to how much Trump can actually retaliate against them. It doesn’t matter how many times he threatens to “open up” libel laws and make it easier to sue media organizations — he can’t without overturning a 56-year-old Supreme Court decision. He couldn’t even successfully revoke&nbsp;Jim Acosta’s press pass.But the president can actually have a lasting impact on Voice of America. At the moment, he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/22/donald-trump-propaganda-war-199799" target="_blank">demanding the confirmation&nbsp;</a>of conservative activist and filmmaker&nbsp;Michael Pack&nbsp;to head the organization that oversees VOA, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, and it’s clear that if he gets his wish, he’ll expect Pack to make some major changes to the way the VOA does its job.Two weeks ago, a story in the White House’s daily email newsletter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/amid-a-pandemic-voice-of-america-spends-your-money-to-promote-foreign-propaganda/" target="_blank">accused Voice of America of using taxpayer dollars to promote foreign propaganda</a>. “VOA too often speaks for America’s adversaries — not its citizens,” it said, referencing a video shared by the VOA’s Twitter account that showed a light show in Wuhan, China celebrating the end of the quarantine there, then accusing the news organization of creating “graphics with Communist government statistics to compare China’s coronavirus death toll to America’s.” Shortly afterwards, the president himself said during his Wednesday Rose Garden briefing that, “If you heard what’s coming out of the Voice of America, it’s disgusting. … things they say are disgusting toward our country.”These two examples of VOA’s supposed treachery the White House provided are rather odd, considering that the video of the light show was 1) produced by the Associated Press, not the VOA, and 2) is a video of an event that actually happened, regardless of whether or not you think China has exaggerated its success against COVID-19. The graphics comparing Chinese death tolls to American death tolls weren’t based on statistics from the Chinese government, but from Johns Hopkins University. VOA Director&nbsp;Amanda Bennett&nbsp;<a href="https://www.insidevoa.com/a/a-statement-from-voa-director-amanda-bennett-/5367327.html" target="_blank">responded to the accusations</a>&nbsp;with a statement linking to more than a dozen VOA stories critical of the Chinese government’s response to COVID-19, and pointing out that, “One of the big differences between publicly-funded independent media, like the Voice of America, and state-controlled media is that we are free to show all sides of an issue.”The VOA broadcasts abroad in more than 40 languages to counter propaganda from repressive regimes by providing an independent, reliable source of news promoting freedom and democracy.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.voanews.com/archive/voa-charter-0" target="_blank">Its charter</a>&nbsp;legally requires it to report the news accurately, objectively and comprehensively and explicitly says that “VOA&nbsp;will represent America, not any single segment of American society, and will therefore present a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions.”There is an inherent tension in being a news media outlet funded by the government, given that the highest purpose of the news media is to serve as a watchdog on the government. Way back in 2016, there were some concerns that when President Trump took office, the VOA “could serve as an unfettered propaganda arm for the former reality TV star who has flirted for years with launching his own network,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/donald-trump-voice-of-america-232442" target="_blank">according to a report from POLITICO</a>. This didn’t come to pass, in part because the 1994 U.S. International Broadcasting Act established that the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.insidevoa.com/a/4533487.html" target="_blank">VOA has a firewall</a>&nbsp;that prohibits U.S. government officials from interfering with the VOA’s decisions on what stories to cover and how to cover them.But of course, the president can exert influence on the VOA in other ways. And his aversion to the VOA reporting or sharing any information that might make his administration look bad calls into question his commitment to the concept of an independent and objective VOA. That’s a problem, because the point of&nbsp;the VOA&nbsp;is to combat propaganda from repressive regimes with objective, unbiased, comprehensive reporting — not with propaganda of our own. If the VOA were to become nothing more than the public affairs arm of the American government, that would undermine its larger mission of promoting American ideals. By reporting not just on other countries’ governments, but also on our own with fairness and accuracy, the VOA represents the possibility, for those who live under repressive regimes, that the free press can exist.Lata Nott is a Freedom Forum Fellow. Contact her via email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lnott@freedomforum.org" target="_blank">lnott@freedomforum.org</a>, or follow her on Twitter at&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/latanott" target="_blank">@LataNott</a>.

First Five: Voice of America conveys finest American values

Parts of our area have a chance for early morning thunderstorms Monday.

Storms are possible generally after 3 a.m. and may linger into Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita. The stronger storms will be capable of half dollar size hail, NWS noted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588545041855.png" alt="storms early am 542020.png" />
 <figcaption>storms early am 542020.png</figcaption>
 </figure>Parts of our area have a chance for early morning thunderstorms Monday.Storms are possible generally after 3 a.m. and may linger into Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita. The stronger storms will be capable of half dollar size hail, NWS noted.

NWS: Chance for storms early Monday

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

The Saline County Health Department does not have any additional cases of COVID-19 to report today.

At this time, the Saline County Health Officer does not plan on adding additional restrictions above and beyond the recommendations set forth by the Governor. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. We will continue to support increased testing capabilities and robust contact tracing. The Governor’s framework and a frequently asked questions document can all be found on our website <a href="http://www.saline.org/coronoavirus">www.saline.org/coronoavirus</a>.

At 11 am, KDHE reported the following in their daily release:

• A total of 5,030 positive cases and 134 deaths. That is an increase of 284 positive cases from yesterday’s release.

• 30,872 negative tests have been received through the KDHE and private labs.

• The age range is 0 years to 99 years (median 43 years of age).

Saline County residents are encouraged to help the community and our health care system flatten the curve and slow the spread of coronavirus. You can do this by:

• Following the Statewide Stay-at-Home Order which remains in effect until May 3rd.

• Covering all coughs and sneezes.

• Washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water.

• Wearing cloth face coverings or homemade masks when in public.

Help our community in slowing the spread of this virus. Only follow official sources to obtain information:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.saline.org/coronavirus">www.saline.org/coronavirus</a> or <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov">www.kdheks.gov</a>. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy and Stay at Home.

Following is the Saline County COVID-19 update for Sunday.The Saline County Health Department does not have any additional cases of COVID-19 to report today.At this time, the Saline County Health Officer does not plan on adding additional restrictions above and beyond the recommendations set forth by the Governor. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. We will continue to support increased testing capabilities and robust contact tracing. The Governor’s framework and a frequently asked questions document can all be found on our website <a href="http://www.saline.org/coronoavirus">www.saline.org/coronoavirus</a>.At 11 am, KDHE reported the following in their daily release:• A total of 5,030 positive cases and 134 deaths. That is an increase of 284 positive cases from yesterday’s release.• 30,872 negative tests have been received through the KDHE and private labs.• The age range is 0 years to 99 years (median 43 years of age).Saline County residents are encouraged to help the community and our health care system flatten the curve and slow the spread of coronavirus. You can do this by:• Following the Statewide Stay-at-Home Order which remains in effect until May 3rd.• Covering all coughs and sneezes.• Washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water.• Wearing cloth face coverings or homemade masks when in public.Help our community in slowing the spread of this virus. Only follow official sources to obtain information:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.saline.org/coronavirus">www.saline.org/coronavirus</a> or <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov">www.kdheks.gov</a>. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy and Stay at Home.

Saline County: No new COVID-19 cases reported Sunday

An executive session regarding expo center negotiations with Saline County is among the items on a light agenda for Monday's Salina City Commission meeting. 

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Monday in room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 West Ash Street.&nbsp;Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will take place via telephone conference. Interested persons can watch the meeting via Salina Media Connection, either on Cox Cable channel 20 or online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.salinatv.org/">www.salinatv.org</a>&nbsp;or at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas">City of Salina YouTube channel</a>.

Persons wishing to participate in the meeting will need to dial (785) 621-0800 and enter participant code 782956 followed by #. Persons who wish to speak, either during the public forum or when the mayor requests public comment on an item, must dial *9 on their phones. This will alert the moderator, who will open the line.

Commissioners are scheduled to meet in executive session to discuss with legal counsel "certain yet-to-be negotiated details regarding negotiations with Saline County arising from previously negotiated general terms of the anticipated long term leasing of the Expo Center by Saline County."

Other items on the city agenda for Monday include the following.

•Consider a request to authorize the city manager to sign a request from the Kansas Department of Transportation to exchange 2020 federal funds.

•Consider Resolution No. 20-7831 addressing city participation in the Kansas N95 respirator decontamination program, coordinating with Saline County regarding the Kansas N95 respirator decontamination program, and indemnification of Saline County relating to liabilities arising from city participation in the Kansas N95 respirator decontamination program.

To see the Salina City Commission meeting packet for Monday, <a href="http://weblink.salina.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=443851&amp;dbid=0&amp;repo=Salina">click here</a>.

An executive session regarding expo center negotiations with Saline County is among the items on a light agenda for Monday's Salina City Commission meeting. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Monday in room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 West Ash Street.&nbsp;Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will take place via telephone conference. Interested persons can watch the meeting via Salina Media Connection, either on Cox Cable channel 20 or online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.salinatv.org/">www.salinatv.org</a>&nbsp;or at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas">City of Salina YouTube channel</a>.Persons wishing to participate in the meeting will need to dial (785) 621-0800 and enter participant code 782956 followed by #. Persons who wish to speak, either during the public forum or when the mayor requests public comment on an item, must dial *9 on their phones. This will alert the moderator, who will open the line.Commissioners are scheduled to meet in executive session to discuss with legal counsel "certain yet-to-be negotiated details regarding negotiations with Saline County arising from previously negotiated general terms of the anticipated long term leasing of the Expo Center by Saline County."Other items on the city agenda for Monday include the following.•Consider a request to authorize the city manager to sign a request from the Kansas Department of Transportation to exchange 2020 federal funds.•Consider Resolution No. 20-7831 addressing city participation in the Kansas N95 respirator decontamination program, coordinating with Saline County regarding the Kansas N95 respirator decontamination program, and indemnification of Saline County relating to liabilities arising from city participation in the Kansas N95 respirator decontamination program.To see the Salina City Commission meeting packet for Monday, <a href="http://weblink.salina.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=443851&amp;dbid=0&amp;repo=Salina">click here</a>.

Executive session concerning expo center on city agenda

By RON WILSON Kansas State University

“That tastes so good, you should sell it!” Perhaps you’ve heard that phrase when someone shares a delicious treat. Today we’ll learn about a family which took that statement seriously, and their product became the basis of a remarkable business. 

Last week we met <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5ea4e3dfeb7f170536037931">Phyllis Cheney</a>, whose flower shop in Chapman sells various products including Tonja’s Toffee. The toffee is delicious, but the backstory is bittersweet. It involves a remarkable product made by a remarkable woman who battled cancer for many years. Now her family is continuing her legacy.

Tonja, the founder of this business, grew up in Scott County. She met Alan Williams at a church barbecue and the two married. She became a farm wife and teacher, raising four children.

As a little girl, Tonja had enjoyed making toffee with her mother Carrie Marion. Tonja continued making toffee as she grew older and tweaked the family recipe to make it her own.

After Tonja married and became a teacher, she would bring her homemade toffee in to school during the holidays. Her friends raved about it. “That tastes so good, you should sell it,” they would say. Tonja would modestly decline.

Then two things happened. First, her son needed to raise money for a mission trip to Ukraine, so they decided to sell her toffee as a fundraiser for the project. Secondly, Tonja was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and she knew she wanted to move forward with this project while she could.

The toffee sales for the mission trip were a rousing success, and the money was raised in a matter of weeks. It was also a market test which demonstrated that there was a demand for the product.

“We were bombarded with orders,” said Haley, Tonja’s youngest daughter. “The business took off after that.” It was named Tonja’s Toffee. Haley remembers one craft show in particular where they sold 200 pounds of toffee in a single day.

“Mom was an excellent baker and cook,” Haley said. “She was creative and professional and very particular about how the toffee was made.” Those high standards of excellence led to good results as the business grew.

Tonja’s Toffee joined the From the Land of Kansas program offered by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. “The From the Land of Kansas program has been a huge help,” Haley said. “They’ve helped with tools for marketing, packaging, labels and finding suppliers.” Tonja’s Toffee was among the products promoted by the From the Land of Kansas program at national fancy food shows.

Daughter Haley and some neighbor girls would pitch in to help make the toffee whenever they could. Haley got married in 2015 and is now raising two children of her own. Meanwhile, Tonja was operating the business while continuing her treatment for cancer. On November 24, 2017, eight years after the original diagnosis, Tonja passed away. The family decided to close the business.

Then Tonja’s parents retired in Scott City and found they could convert one room in their house into a commercial kitchen. Haley’s husband took a job at a local feed yard and they moved back to the home place where Tonja’s Toffee had begun. The farmhouse is in western Scott County near the tiny, unincorporated rural community of Modoc.

“There’s probably less than 20 people in Modoc,” Haley said. Now, that’s rural.

From these roots, Haley Stratmeier and her grandmother Carrie Marion, Tonja’s mom, have reopened Tonja’s Toffee. The company offers almond toffee with the choice of four toppings:&nbsp;&nbsp;milk, dark, or white chocolate, or butterscotch, as well as offering peanut brittle. The product is not just for Christmas. People order the products year-round as customer appreciation gifts or for special occasions.

“We’ve sold toffee from New Jersey to California,” Haley said. “People have been so great.”

For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tonjastoffee.com/" target="_blank">www.tonjastoffee.com</a>.

“That tastes so good, you should sell it!” Perhaps that phrase helped launch this business. We commend Haley Stratmeier, Carrie Marion, and the late Tonja Williams for making a difference by building a business from a family product. It tastes so good, I’m glad they’re selling it.

Audio and text files of Kansas Profiles are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasprofile.com/" target="_blank">http://www.kansasprofile.com</a>. For more information about the Huck Boyd Institute, interested persons can visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.huckboydinstitute.org/" target="_blank">http://www.huckboydinstitute.org</a>.

Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588531540012.jpeg" alt="Tonja's Toffee. Photo courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>Tonja's Toffee. Photo courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Kansas State University“That tastes so good, you should sell it!” Perhaps you’ve heard that phrase when someone shares a delicious treat. Today we’ll learn about a family which took that statement seriously, and their product became the basis of a remarkable business. Last week we met <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5ea4e3dfeb7f170536037931">Phyllis Cheney</a>, whose flower shop in Chapman sells various products including Tonja’s Toffee. The toffee is delicious, but the backstory is bittersweet. It involves a remarkable product made by a remarkable woman who battled cancer for many years. Now her family is continuing her legacy.Tonja, the founder of this business, grew up in Scott County. She met Alan Williams at a church barbecue and the two married. She became a farm wife and teacher, raising four children.As a little girl, Tonja had enjoyed making toffee with her mother Carrie Marion. Tonja continued making toffee as she grew older and tweaked the family recipe to make it her own.After Tonja married and became a teacher, she would bring her homemade toffee in to school during the holidays. Her friends raved about it. “That tastes so good, you should sell it,” they would say. Tonja would modestly decline.Then two things happened. First, her son needed to raise money for a mission trip to Ukraine, so they decided to sell her toffee as a fundraiser for the project. Secondly, Tonja was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and she knew she wanted to move forward with this project while she could.The toffee sales for the mission trip were a rousing success, and the money was raised in a matter of weeks. It was also a market test which demonstrated that there was a demand for the product.“We were bombarded with orders,” said Haley, Tonja’s youngest daughter. “The business took off after that.” It was named Tonja’s Toffee. Haley remembers one craft show in particular where they sold 200 pounds of toffee in a single day.“Mom was an excellent baker and cook,” Haley said. “She was creative and professional and very particular about how the toffee was made.” Those high standards of excellence led to good results as the business grew.Tonja’s Toffee joined the From the Land of Kansas program offered by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. “The From the Land of Kansas program has been a huge help,” Haley said. “They’ve helped with tools for marketing, packaging, labels and finding suppliers.” Tonja’s Toffee was among the products promoted by the From the Land of Kansas program at national fancy food shows.Daughter Haley and some neighbor girls would pitch in to help make the toffee whenever they could. Haley got married in 2015 and is now raising two children of her own. Meanwhile, Tonja was operating the business while continuing her treatment for cancer. On November 24, 2017, eight years after the original diagnosis, Tonja passed away. The family decided to close the business.Then Tonja’s parents retired in Scott City and found they could convert one room in their house into a commercial kitchen. Haley’s husband took a job at a local feed yard and they moved back to the home place where Tonja’s Toffee had begun. The farmhouse is in western Scott County near the tiny, unincorporated rural community of Modoc.“There’s probably less than 20 people in Modoc,” Haley said. Now, that’s rural.From these roots, Haley Stratmeier and her grandmother Carrie Marion, Tonja’s mom, have reopened Tonja’s Toffee. The company offers almond toffee with the choice of four toppings:&nbsp;&nbsp;milk, dark, or white chocolate, or butterscotch, as well as offering peanut brittle. The product is not just for Christmas. People order the products year-round as customer appreciation gifts or for special occasions.“We’ve sold toffee from New Jersey to California,” Haley said. “People have been so great.”For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tonjastoffee.com/" target="_blank">www.tonjastoffee.com</a>.“That tastes so good, you should sell it!” Perhaps that phrase helped launch this business. We commend Haley Stratmeier, Carrie Marion, and the late Tonja Williams for making a difference by building a business from a family product. It tastes so good, I’m glad they’re selling it.Audio and text files of Kansas Profiles are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasprofile.com/" target="_blank">http://www.kansasprofile.com</a>. For more information about the Huck Boyd Institute, interested persons can visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.huckboydinstitute.org/" target="_blank">http://www.huckboydinstitute.org</a>.Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.

Now That’s Rural: Haley Stratmeier, Tonja’s Toffee

Saline County has announced the closing of part of Old Highway 40 beginning Monday.

Old Highway 40 between Donmyer Road and Field Road in Solomon will be closed to through traffic beginning Monday and will remain closed through Wednesday morning for the replacement of two railroad crossings on Old Highway 40 at Amos Road, according to information from the Salina County Road and Bridge Department. Advanced road closure signs will be placed at Old 40/ North Niles Road., and Old 40/Poplar Street in Solomon in order to provide traffic the option of using Interstate 70. 

Also beginning Monday, APAC-Kansas will begin construction on an asphalt overlay on Old 40 Highway beginning at North Niles Road and ending at Field Road in Solomon. The traffic control for this operation will utilize a pilot car. The purpose of the pilot car traffic control is for those vehicles that need to access the county roads between Niles Road and Donmyer Road. The pilot car operation will not provide access through the road closed area of Donmyer Road to Field Road. 

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 part of Old Highway 40 beginning Monday.Old Highway 40 between Donmyer Road and Field Road in Solomon will be closed to through traffic beginning Monday and will remain closed through Wednesday morning for the replacement of two railroad crossings on Old Highway 40 at Amos Road, according to information from the Salina County Road and Bridge Department. Advanced road closure signs will be placed at Old 40/ North Niles Road., and Old 40/Poplar Street in Solomon in order to provide traffic the option of using Interstate 70. Also beginning Monday, APAC-Kansas will begin construction on an asphalt overlay on Old 40 Highway beginning at North Niles Road and ending at Field Road in Solomon. The traffic control for this operation will utilize a pilot car. The purpose of the pilot car traffic control is for those vehicles that need to access the county roads between Niles Road and Donmyer Road. The pilot car operation will not provide access through the road closed area of Donmyer Road to Field Road. 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 closing part of Old 40 at Solomon for two projects

Weather History for Sunday, May 3, 2020, from the National Weather Service:

In 1999, the Southern Plains Tornado Outbreak produced an afternoon and evening of incredible devastation from north Texas, through central and eastern Oklahoma, to south-central Kansas. A staggering 74 tornadoes were reported that day, of which 58 occurred in Oklahoma.

In Oklahoma, the most infamous, no doubt, was the immense F5 that tore through Moore, a south Oklahoma City suburb. The hideous vortex had a track 38 miles long and three fourths to 1 mile wide. The most powerful tornado on record killed 36, injured 583, and caused nearly $1.1 billion damage. It moved northeast and tracked nearly parallel to Interstate 44. 

When it roared into Moore, a portable Doppler measured rotational velocities that may have reached 318 mph just off the ground, the most violent winds ever recorded on Earth. This placed the tornado on the threshold of becoming the first F6 tornado in history. Obviously, the destruction was mind-boggling. The most stupefying occurred when around 10 homes, of which four were adjacent to each other, vanished.

The most violent tornado in Kansas was the F4 variant that barreled through Haysville and South Wichita. The tornado's track was 14 miles long and around one half mile wide. It killed six, injured 150, and caused approximately $140 million damage.

In all, the outbreak killed 46, injured 895, and caused $1.4 billion damage.



Weather History for Sunday, May 3, 2020, from the National Weather Service:In 1999, the Southern Plains Tornado Outbreak produced an afternoon and evening of incredible devastation from north Texas, through central and eastern Oklahoma, to south-central Kansas. A staggering 74 tornadoes were reported that day, of which 58 occurred in Oklahoma.In Oklahoma, the most infamous, no doubt, was the immense F5 that tore through Moore, a south Oklahoma City suburb. The hideous vortex had a track 38 miles long and three fourths to 1 mile wide. The most powerful tornado on record killed 36, injured 583, and caused nearly $1.1 billion damage. It moved northeast and tracked nearly parallel to Interstate 44. When it roared into Moore, a portable Doppler measured rotational velocities that may have reached 318 mph just off the ground, the most violent winds ever recorded on Earth. This placed the tornado on the threshold of becoming the first F6 tornado in history. Obviously, the destruction was mind-boggling. The most stupefying occurred when around 10 homes, of which four were adjacent to each other, vanished.The most violent tornado in Kansas was the F4 variant that barreled through Haysville and South Wichita. The tornado's track was 14 miles long and around one half mile wide. It killed six, injured 150, and caused approximately $140 million damage.In all, the outbreak killed 46, injured 895, and caused $1.4 billion damage.

This day in weather history: Tornado outbreak

It looks to be a beautiful spring day across much of the area Sunday.

Skies will become partly to mostly sunny this afternoon across central and eastern Kansas, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita. While not as warm, it will still be seasonably mild with high temperatures in the 70s, NWS noted.

Here's the NWS forecast for the Salina area from NWS:

A 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. North wind 10 to 15 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.

A 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a low around 54. East southeast wind 8 to 11 mph.

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 68. East wind 9 to 11 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

A 30-percent chance of showers before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind 6 to 13 mph.

Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. North northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 50.

A 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.

A 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.

A 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588508499330.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>It looks to be a beautiful spring day across much of the area Sunday.Skies will become partly to mostly sunny this afternoon across central and eastern Kansas, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita. While not as warm, it will still be seasonably mild with high temperatures in the 70s, NWS noted.Here's the NWS forecast for the Salina area from NWS:TodayA 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. North wind 10 to 15 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.TonightA 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a low around 54. East southeast wind 8 to 11 mph.MondayA chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 68. East wind 9 to 11 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.Monday NightA 30-percent chance of showers before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind 6 to 13 mph.TuesdayMostly sunny, with a high near 74. North northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.Tuesday NightMostly clear, with a low around 48.WednesdayMostly sunny, with a high near 74.Wednesday NightA 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 50.ThursdayA 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.Thursday NightA 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.FridayA 30-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.Friday NightMostly clear, with a low around 39.SaturdaySunny, with a high near 68.

NWS: Sunshine and mid-70s Sunday

Even with the Stay at Home Executive Order being lifted, it remains a difficult time. That is undeniable. It is in these difficult times that the ingenuity of Saline County business owners and public officials must be harnessed to arrive at a solution that balances the health and safety of individuals and the general social and economic welfare of Salina and our region.

The federal government took unprecedented steps to support employers and individuals during the current shutdown. The Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan, Families First, and stimulus monies were a good and swift first step, but with all legislation passed quickly, there will be additional rulings and modifications of the programs during implementation. However, there are still businesses and individuals that will remain under distress during any phased or gradual reopening.

Under the Paycheck Protection Program, Congress authorized forgivable loans equal to 2 ½ times monthly payroll for businesses with fewer than 500 employees. The SBA is using thousands of banks to process applications and distribute the money Congress appropriated. The local lender community that services the SBA loan programs helped Kansas rank 3rd out of the 50 states with 26,245 loans that equaled $4.3B. Our local financial institutions should be commended for the long hours and hard work they put in to help local businesses with a much-needed funding opportunity. CARES Act 3.5 was passed late last week and included additional funding for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Paycheck Protection Program, and it is forecasted to run out quickly based on the backlog in funding applications. It would be no surprise if some of those applications are from local businesses that could desperately need it.

Given early indications of the way the CARES Act is being implemented across the country and the staggering unemployment figures continue to underscore the need for bridge funding to keep more Americans on the job and more businesses afloat during the coronavirus economic crisis.

Without businesses and their employees, the ability of our federal, state, and local governments to weather this economic storm will be debilitating. Understanding that the overall public health and maintaining safety is paramount but this is truly a double-edged sword scenario because without tax creating projects, jobs, services, and properties then there are significantly less funds for all of the basic needs of local government including public safety, infrastructure, and the oversight of regulations and ordinances.

The billion-dollar question that has not been answered is: What will a return to work look like under the phased reopening? That is the question weighing heavily on the minds of government leaders, public health officials, employers, and their employees, and those striving for the delicate balance of staying safe and making ends meet. Opening our economy is a question that begs more questions. The gradual, phased-in, reopening will vary by factors such as location, sector, business type or size, and the health status of workers. It also will require continued social distancing, expanded use of personal protective equipment, and other counter measures all of which may be a strain on businesses that are still reeling from the past month.

A return to work and our economic re-opening boils down to the ‘Four C’s’ of cash, customers, communication, and confidence. Public officials need to understand the importance of the Four C’s to our business community; and our business community needs to understand the importance of maintaining social distancing and following public health guidelines. Communication is paramount as well because there are no two like business owners. All have different needs, fears, employees, and what is good for the goose isn’t always good for the gander. Together, confidence can be built and all involved can continue to follow the data to thoughtfully guide decisions to ensure a resurgence in cases doesn’t happen.

From Blue Skye Brewery producing sanitizer, to Vortex Valves and Kansas Wesleyan University producing face shields for the medical community, to KSAL hosting a Cruise on Santa Fe to raise funds and food donations, to Bravo Sliders and Bites providing meals to the elderly, this list could go on and on but it is just a short snippet of how our businesses and organizations that have always made Salina a great community continue to go above and beyond in a time of great need. As consumers, I’d like to challenge everyone to think locally and Think Salina First when you decide to make your next purchase and go above and beyond for the small businesses right now! Go to their websites, social media pages, or&nbsp; better yet send them a message or pick up the phone. These businesses have sponsored hundreds of thousands of your shows, teams, drives, fundraising auctions, projects, sculptures, soup suppers, meals, poker runs, and so much more and now, more than ever, local businesses need our support!

Close the Amazon tab and Think Salina First!

Eric L. Brown President/CEO Salina Area Chamber of Commerce

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584662045134.jpeg" alt="Eric Brown Salina Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. Photo courtesy the chamber" />
 <figcaption>Eric Brown Salina Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. Photo courtesy the chamber</figcaption>
 </figure>Even with the Stay at Home Executive Order being lifted, it remains a difficult time. That is undeniable. It is in these difficult times that the ingenuity of Saline County business owners and public officials must be harnessed to arrive at a solution that balances the health and safety of individuals and the general social and economic welfare of Salina and our region.The federal government took unprecedented steps to support employers and individuals during the current shutdown. The Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan, Families First, and stimulus monies were a good and swift first step, but with all legislation passed quickly, there will be additional rulings and modifications of the programs during implementation. However, there are still businesses and individuals that will remain under distress during any phased or gradual reopening.Under the Paycheck Protection Program, Congress authorized forgivable loans equal to 2 ½ times monthly payroll for businesses with fewer than 500 employees. The SBA is using thousands of banks to process applications and distribute the money Congress appropriated. The local lender community that services the SBA loan programs helped Kansas rank 3rd out of the 50 states with 26,245 loans that equaled $4.3B. Our local financial institutions should be commended for the long hours and hard work they put in to help local businesses with a much-needed funding opportunity. CARES Act 3.5 was passed late last week and included additional funding for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Paycheck Protection Program, and it is forecasted to run out quickly based on the backlog in funding applications. It would be no surprise if some of those applications are from local businesses that could desperately need it.Given early indications of the way the CARES Act is being implemented across the country and the staggering unemployment figures continue to underscore the need for bridge funding to keep more Americans on the job and more businesses afloat during the coronavirus economic crisis.Without businesses and their employees, the ability of our federal, state, and local governments to weather this economic storm will be debilitating. Understanding that the overall public health and maintaining safety is paramount but this is truly a double-edged sword scenario because without tax creating projects, jobs, services, and properties then there are significantly less funds for all of the basic needs of local government including public safety, infrastructure, and the oversight of regulations and ordinances.The billion-dollar question that has not been answered is: What will a return to work look like under the phased reopening? That is the question weighing heavily on the minds of government leaders, public health officials, employers, and their employees, and those striving for the delicate balance of staying safe and making ends meet. Opening our economy is a question that begs more questions. The gradual, phased-in, reopening will vary by factors such as location, sector, business type or size, and the health status of workers. It also will require continued social distancing, expanded use of personal protective equipment, and other counter measures all of which may be a strain on businesses that are still reeling from the past month.A return to work and our economic re-opening boils down to the ‘Four C’s’ of cash, customers, communication, and confidence. Public officials need to understand the importance of the Four C’s to our business community; and our business community needs to understand the importance of maintaining social distancing and following public health guidelines. Communication is paramount as well because there are no two like business owners. All have different needs, fears, employees, and what is good for the goose isn’t always good for the gander. Together, confidence can be built and all involved can continue to follow the data to thoughtfully guide decisions to ensure a resurgence in cases doesn’t happen.From Blue Skye Brewery producing sanitizer, to Vortex Valves and Kansas Wesleyan University producing face shields for the medical community, to KSAL hosting a Cruise on Santa Fe to raise funds and food donations, to Bravo Sliders and Bites providing meals to the elderly, this list could go on and on but it is just a short snippet of how our businesses and organizations that have always made Salina a great community continue to go above and beyond in a time of great need. As consumers, I’d like to challenge everyone to think locally and Think Salina First when you decide to make your next purchase and go above and beyond for the small businesses right now! Go to their websites, social media pages, or&nbsp; better yet send them a message or pick up the phone. These businesses have sponsored hundreds of thousands of your shows, teams, drives, fundraising auctions, projects, sculptures, soup suppers, meals, poker runs, and so much more and now, more than ever, local businesses need our support!Close the Amazon tab and Think Salina First!Eric L. Brown President/CEO Salina Area Chamber of Commerce

OPINION: Think Salina first

The Salina Fire Department is once again teaming up with the Salina Family YMCA for another hands-only CPR webinar.

The free webinar is scheduled for 1:30-2 p.m. Friday. Persons wishing to participate will need to have access to a computer with a webcam that has a microphone.

During the webinar, participants are scheduled to learn the following.

•To Save a Life in Less than 15 minutes

•The When, Why, and How for Hands-Only CPR

•How to save a choking adult, child, or infant

The webinar is not a class that will provide participants with certification. Practice sessions and a full-course will be offered at a later day/time for certification.

Allen Grant Fire Captain/EMT Salina Fire Department AHA CPR/First Aid Instructor

Brandon Doubrava Firefighter/Paramedic III Critical Care Paramedic Salina Fire Department AHA CPR/First Aid Instructor

The number of participants in the webinar is limited, so register soon. <a href="https://www.salinaymca.org/form/hands-only-cpr-registration-form">Click here to register.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586286477161.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy YMCA" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy YMCA</figcaption>
 </figure>The Salina Fire Department is once again teaming up with the Salina Family YMCA for another hands-only CPR webinar.The free webinar is scheduled for 1:30-2 p.m. Friday. Persons wishing to participate will need to have access to a computer with a webcam that has a microphone.During the webinar, participants are scheduled to learn the following.•To Save a Life in Less than 15 minutes•The When, Why, and How for Hands-Only CPR•How to save a choking adult, child, or infantThe webinar is not a class that will provide participants with certification. Practice sessions and a full-course will be offered at a later day/time for certification.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-Y4oAyPALc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>InstructorsAllen Grant Fire Captain/EMT Salina Fire Department AHA CPR/First Aid InstructorBrandon Doubrava Firefighter/Paramedic III Critical Care Paramedic Salina Fire Department AHA CPR/First Aid InstructorThe number of participants in the webinar is limited, so register soon. <a href="https://www.salinaymca.org/form/hands-only-cpr-registration-form">Click here to register.</a>