Police are investigating the reported theft of $2,000 worth of coins from an east-central Salina residence.

A 34-year-old Salina man reported to police that sometime between 7-7:30 a.m. Tuesday, someone stole a bucket and pig bank filled with $2,000 worth of United States coins from a residence in the 800 block of Beatrice Street, Salina Police Captain Gary Hanus said this morning. There were no signs of forced entry, Hanus said.

The investigation continues in the case as police follow up on a possible suspect, he added.

Police are investigating the reported theft of $2,000 worth of coins from an east-central Salina residence.A 34-year-old Salina man reported to police that sometime between 7-7:30 a.m. Tuesday, someone stole a bucket and pig bank filled with $2,000 worth of United States coins from a residence in the 800 block of Beatrice Street, Salina Police Captain Gary Hanus said this morning. There were no signs of forced entry, Hanus said.The investigation continues in the case as police follow up on a possible suspect, he added.

$2,000 worth of coins stolen from Salina residence

By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancher

A civics teacher once simplified the idea of politics for me to the action of deciding who gets what and how much. This fundamental idea of dividing resources should be a concern to everyone but politics has become a subject many people avoid. The average citizen could probably provide a dozen reasons why they are not interested or involved in the political process.

However, legislators need to hear our voices to make the right choices. I occasionally have the opportunity to bring new people to the statehouse for legislative visits. It always makes me happy to see the look of surprise and a bit of panic on their faces when a legislator asks their opinion about an important issue. The surprise usually turns to respect when they realize that the lawmaker genuinely values their input.

Politicians have an obligation to represent their constituents, and it is difficult to do well if citizens do not share their thoughts and opinions. The saying, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” reflects a fundamental truth of the ability of every member of our society to engage in the political process. Your contribution can be as simple and powerful as making elected officials aware of important issues so they can take action.

So why don’t people speak up more? The power politicians possess can be intimidating, and people often feel insignificant on their own. Remembering politicians are citizens just like you and finding strength in a group or organization can help to make engaging in the political process more comfortable.

Growing up, my friend’s mom was a state representative who balanced her career with all kinds of mom duties like being a 4-H leader and attending local basketball games. At the time, I had no comprehension of the prestige or power of her job. My first-hand experience, that elected officials are real people with families, personal lives and everyday concerns, is a source connection and confidence during my interactions with legislators.

The other source of my political confidence has grown out of involvement in Kansas Farm Bureau. When I moved here a decade ago, I was starting from scratch without a network of contacts or political connections. Joining Farm Bureau gave me expert resources to explain the process, gain background knowledge and sharpen my communication skills. Farm Bureau also provided contacts to build my network and the ability to stand together with others who cared about the same issues. Joining an organization that shares your values and concerns is a great way to start engaging in advocacy.

The Kansas Legislature is in session now, and it is a great time to visit with your representatives. If you can’t make the trip to Topeka, plan to attend a town hall in your area or send a note about an issue that matters to you. You might be surprised by how quickly a legislator learns your name if you get involved or reach out to share your opinions.

Politicians control the resources of our state and nation. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that your opinion doesn’t matter. Legislatures are real people who want to represent you well. Help them by letting them know what issue matter to you and your community. 

"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.&nbsp; Copyright © 2020 Kansas Farm Bureau, All rights reserved.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575406519723.jpeg" alt="Jackie Mundt. Photo courtesy KFB" />
 <figcaption>Jackie Mundt. Photo courtesy KFB</figcaption>
 </figure>By JACKIE MUNDT Pratt County farmer and rancherA civics teacher once simplified the idea of politics for me to the action of deciding who gets what and how much. This fundamental idea of dividing resources should be a concern to everyone but politics has become a subject many people avoid. The average citizen could probably provide a dozen reasons why they are not interested or involved in the political process.However, legislators need to hear our voices to make the right choices. I occasionally have the opportunity to bring new people to the statehouse for legislative visits. It always makes me happy to see the look of surprise and a bit of panic on their faces when a legislator asks their opinion about an important issue. The surprise usually turns to respect when they realize that the lawmaker genuinely values their input.Politicians have an obligation to represent their constituents, and it is difficult to do well if citizens do not share their thoughts and opinions. The saying, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” reflects a fundamental truth of the ability of every member of our society to engage in the political process. Your contribution can be as simple and powerful as making elected officials aware of important issues so they can take action.So why don’t people speak up more? The power politicians possess can be intimidating, and people often feel insignificant on their own. Remembering politicians are citizens just like you and finding strength in a group or organization can help to make engaging in the political process more comfortable.Growing up, my friend’s mom was a state representative who balanced her career with all kinds of mom duties like being a 4-H leader and attending local basketball games. At the time, I had no comprehension of the prestige or power of her job. My first-hand experience, that elected officials are real people with families, personal lives and everyday concerns, is a source connection and confidence during my interactions with legislators.The other source of my political confidence has grown out of involvement in Kansas Farm Bureau. When I moved here a decade ago, I was starting from scratch without a network of contacts or political connections. Joining Farm Bureau gave me expert resources to explain the process, gain background knowledge and sharpen my communication skills. Farm Bureau also provided contacts to build my network and the ability to stand together with others who cared about the same issues. Joining an organization that shares your values and concerns is a great way to start engaging in advocacy.The Kansas Legislature is in session now, and it is a great time to visit with your representatives. If you can’t make the trip to Topeka, plan to attend a town hall in your area or send a note about an issue that matters to you. You might be surprised by how quickly a legislator learns your name if you get involved or reach out to share your opinions.Politicians control the resources of our state and nation. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that your opinion doesn’t matter. Legislatures are real people who want to represent you well. Help them by letting them know what issue matter to you and your community. Your voice matters, use it."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.&nbsp; Copyright © 2020 Kansas Farm Bureau, All rights reserved.

Insight: Finding your voice

CONCORDIA --&nbsp;Cloud County Community College was host to the 19th&nbsp;annual National Academic Quiz Tournament (NAQT) Kansas Community College Sectional quiz bowl on Saturday. 

Cloud County had two teams compete. Those teams finished in fourth and fifth place. Johnson County Community College won the tournament with an 8-0 record.

Both Cloud County teams finished the day with a 5-3 record. Cloud County B came out of their seven-team bracket with a single loss to eventual champion Johnson County. They were defeated in both of their championship bracket matches, eventually landing in fourth place. Cloud County A lost three games in their opening bracket, putting them in the consolation rounds. They then went undefeated in that bracket to win the consolation round, giving them fifth place.

Members of Cloud County B were: Joshua Tubbs, captain, Longford; Phillip Shirkey, Concordia; Jacob Ruiz, Clay Center; and Kyle Sadler, Randall.

Members of Cloud County A were: Hannah Owens, captain, Belleville; Patrick Kuhn, Scandia; Dylan Fry, Salina; and Kevin Marrero, Junction City.

Shirkey made the all-section team, scoring 42.5 points per game. Kuhn made the tournament top 25 with 44.38 points per match.

“The two captains who have been running the team without a coach, Hannah Owens and Joshua Tubbs, did a good job guiding their respective teams in this tournament,” said Todd Leif, Dean of Math, Science and Technical programs, who stepped in to coach the team. “They had been representing the college well during the fall of 2019. I’m just glad to help them find a couple more players and to have a good representation at this annual tournament.”

There were 14 teams at the event, with eight schools represented: Garden City Community College, Hesston College, Redlands Community College (El Reno, Okla., Coffeyville Community College, Cowley College, Dodge City Community College, Cloud County, and Johnson County Community College.

--<a href="http://cloud.edu">cloud.edu</a>--

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580267866457.jpeg" alt="Phillip Shirkey, a member of Cloud County Community College’s quiz bowl team, was named to the All Section Team, scoring 42.50 points per game. He is pictured with Chad Kubrick, national academic quiz tournament director. Photo courtesy CCCC" />
 <figcaption>Phillip Shirkey, a member of Cloud County Community College’s quiz bowl team, was named to the All Section Team, scoring 42.50 points per game. He is pictured with Chad Kubrick, national academic quiz tournament director. Photo courtesy CCCC</figcaption>
 </figure>CONCORDIA --&nbsp;Cloud County Community College was host to the 19th&nbsp;annual National Academic Quiz Tournament (NAQT) Kansas Community College Sectional quiz bowl on Saturday. Cloud County had two teams compete. Those teams finished in fourth and fifth place. Johnson County Community College won the tournament with an 8-0 record.Both Cloud County teams finished the day with a 5-3 record. Cloud County B came out of their seven-team bracket with a single loss to eventual champion Johnson County. They were defeated in both of their championship bracket matches, eventually landing in fourth place. Cloud County A lost three games in their opening bracket, putting them in the consolation rounds. They then went undefeated in that bracket to win the consolation round, giving them fifth place.Members of Cloud County B were: Joshua Tubbs, captain, Longford; Phillip Shirkey, Concordia; Jacob Ruiz, Clay Center; and Kyle Sadler, Randall.Members of Cloud County A were: Hannah Owens, captain, Belleville; Patrick Kuhn, Scandia; Dylan Fry, Salina; and Kevin Marrero, Junction City.Shirkey made the all-section team, scoring 42.5 points per game. Kuhn made the tournament top 25 with 44.38 points per match.“The two captains who have been running the team without a coach, Hannah Owens and Joshua Tubbs, did a good job guiding their respective teams in this tournament,” said Todd Leif, Dean of Math, Science and Technical programs, who stepped in to coach the team. “They had been representing the college well during the fall of 2019. I’m just glad to help them find a couple more players and to have a good representation at this annual tournament.”There were 14 teams at the event, with eight schools represented: Garden City Community College, Hesston College, Redlands Community College (El Reno, Okla., Coffeyville Community College, Cowley College, Dodge City Community College, Cloud County, and Johnson County Community College.--<a href="http://cloud.edu">cloud.edu</a>--

CCCC Quiz Bowl teams take fourth, fifth

Chart-topper and Grammy nominee Martina McBride is coming to Salina's Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts!

McBride is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. April 3. Tickets for the concert start at $62 and go on sale at noon on Friday. To buy tickets at the Stiefel box office, please stop by noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or call 785-827-1998. You also can purchase tickets online through the Stiefel Theatre website: <a href="http://stiefeltheatre.org">stiefeltheatre.org</a>.

Multiple Grammy® nominee McBride has sold more than 18 million albums to date, which include 20 Top 10 singles and six No. 1 hits. 2017 marked a milestone in McBride’s illustrious career when she hit her 25th year of touring. 

McBride has earned more than 15 major music awards, including four wins for Female Vocalist of the Year from the Country Music Association and three Academy of Country Music for Top Female Vocalist awards. McBride has been awarded 14 gold records, nine platinum honors, three double platinum records, and two triple platinum awards. 

She was awarded the Covenant House Beacon of Hope Award and Music Business Association’s prestigious 2015 Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award for her philanthropic efforts on behalf of domestic violence. 

McBride has released two books. The first was Around the Table, a full-color illustrated collection of her favorite recipes, hosting tips, practical menu planning advice, and themed décor inspiration. She released her second book, Martina’s Kitchen Mix: My Recipe Playlist for Real Life, in October 2018.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580264427240.jpeg" alt="Martina McBride. Photo courtesy Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts" />
 <figcaption>Martina McBride. Photo courtesy Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts</figcaption>
 </figure>Chart-topper and Grammy nominee Martina McBride is coming to Salina's Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts!McBride is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. April 3. Tickets for the concert start at $62 and go on sale at noon on Friday. To buy tickets at the Stiefel box office, please stop by noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or call 785-827-1998. You also can purchase tickets online through the Stiefel Theatre website: <a href="http://stiefeltheatre.org">stiefeltheatre.org</a>.Multiple Grammy® nominee McBride has sold more than 18 million albums to date, which include 20 Top 10 singles and six No. 1 hits. 2017 marked a milestone in McBride’s illustrious career when she hit her 25th year of touring. McBride has earned more than 15 major music awards, including four wins for Female Vocalist of the Year from the Country Music Association and three Academy of Country Music for Top Female Vocalist awards. McBride has been awarded 14 gold records, nine platinum honors, three double platinum records, and two triple platinum awards. She was awarded the Covenant House Beacon of Hope Award and Music Business Association’s prestigious 2015 Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award for her philanthropic efforts on behalf of domestic violence. McBride has released two books. The first was Around the Table, a full-color illustrated collection of her favorite recipes, hosting tips, practical menu planning advice, and themed décor inspiration. She released her second book, Martina’s Kitchen Mix: My Recipe Playlist for Real Life, in October 2018.

Martina McBride coming to the Stiefel Theatre

Today is Wednesday, Jan. 29, the 29th day of 2020. There are 337 days left in the year.

On Jan. 29, 2002, in his first State of the Union address, President George W. Bush said terrorists were still threatening America — and he warned of "an axis of evil" consisting of North Korea, Iran and Iraq.

In 1820, King George III died at Windsor Castle at age 81; he was succeeded by his son, who became King George IV.

In 1856, Britain's Queen Victoria introduced the Victoria Cross to reward military acts of valor during the Crimean War.

In 1861, Kansas became the 34th state of the Union.

In 1936, the first inductees of baseball's Hall of Fame, including Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth, were named in Cooperstown, New York.

In 1963, the first charter members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame were named in Canton, Ohio (they were enshrined when the Hall opened in September 1963). Poet Robert Frost died in Boston at age 88.

In 1975, a bomb exploded inside the U.S. State Department in Washington, causing considerable damage, but injuring no one; the radical group Weather Underground claimed responsibility.

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter formally welcomed Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping (dung shah-oh-ping) to the White House, following the establishment of diplomatic relations.

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan announced in a nationally broadcast message that he and Vice President George H.W. Bush would seek re-election in the fall.

In 1995, the San Francisco 49ers became the first team in NFL history to win five Super Bowl titles, beating the San Diego Chargers, 49-26, in Super Bowl XXIX.

In 1998, a bomb rocked an abortion clinic in Birmingham, Alabama, killing security guard Robert Sanderson and critically injuring nurse Emily Lyons. (The bomber, Eric Rudolph, was captured in May 2003 and is serving a life sentence.)

In 2005, jetliners from China landed in rival Taiwan for the first time in 56 years. Serena Williams defeated Lindsay Davenport 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 in the Australian Open final.

In 2006, ABC "World News Tonight" co-anchor Bob Woodruff and a cameraman were seriously injured in a roadside bombing in Iraq.

Ten years ago: In a face-to-face confrontation, President Barack Obama chastised Republican lawmakers during a GOP event in Baltimore for opposing him on taxes, health care and the economic stimulus, while they accused him in turn of brushing off their ideas and driving up the national debt. A jury in Wichita, Kansas, swiftly convicted abortion opponent Scott Roeder of murder in the shooting death of Dr. George Tiller, one of the only doctors to offer late-term abortions in the U.S. (Roeder was sentenced to life in prison.) Haitian authorities detained 10 U.S. Baptist missionaries who were transporting 33 children to a Dominican Republic orphanage, though as it turned out, most of the children had living parents; all of the Americans were later released.

Five years ago: Nine Democrats joined 53 Republicans in passing a Senate bill to construct the Keystone XL oil pipeline in defiance of a presidential veto threat. Rod McKuen, whose music, verse and spoken-word recordings made him one of the best-selling poets in history, died at 81.

One year ago: The largest utility in the U.S., Pacific Gas &amp; Electric, filed for bankruptcy as it faced billions of dollars in potential damages from wildfires in California. Actor Jussie Smollett from the TV show "Empire" told police he had been physically attacked in Chicago by men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs. (Investigators concluded that Smollett made a false report because he believed it would give his career a boost; he was charged with 16 felony counts related to making a false report, but the charges were dropped without any admission of guilt.) The FBI wrapped up its investigation into the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history; it found that the high-stakes gambler who killed 58 country music fans in Las Vegas in 2017 sought notoriety, but that there was no "single or clear motivating factor."

Today's Birthdays: Writer-composer-lyricist Leslie Bricusse is 89. Feminist author Germaine Greer is 81. Actress Katharine Ross is 80. Feminist author Robin Morgan is 79. Actor Tom Selleck is 75. Rhythm-and-blues singer Bettye LaVette is 74. Actor Marc Singer is 72. Actress Ann Jillian is 70. Rock musician Louie Perez (Los Lobos) is 67. Rhythm-and-blues/funk singer Charlie Wilson is 67. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey is 66. Actor Terry Kinney is 66. Country singer Irlene Mandrell is 64. Actress Diane Delano is 63. Actress Judy Norton (TV: "The Waltons") is 62. Rock musician Johnny Spampinato is 61. Olympic gold-medal diver Greg Louganis is 60. Rock musician David Baynton-Power (James) is 59. Rock musician Eddie Jackson (Queensryche) is 59. Actor Nicholas Turturro is 58. Rock singer-musician Roddy Frame (Aztec Camera) is 56. Actor-director Edward Burns is 52. Actor Sam Trammell is 51. Actress Heather Graham is 50. Former House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., is 50. Actor Sharif Atkins is 45. Actress Sara Gilbert is 45. Actress Kelly Packard is 45. Actor Justin Hartley is 43. Actor Sam Jaeger is 43. Writer and TV personality Jedediah Bila is 41. Actor Andrew Keegan is 41. Actor Jason James Richter is 40. Blues musician Jonny Lang is 39. Pop-rock singer Adam Lambert (TV: "American Idol") is 38. Country singer Eric Paslay is 37.

Thought for Today: "Misquotations are the only quotations that are never misquoted." — Hesketh Pearson, British biographer (1887-1964).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy&nbsp;<a href="http://shutterstock.com/">shutterstock.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy&nbsp;<a href="http://shutterstock.com/">shutterstock.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Today is Wednesday, Jan. 29, the 29th day of 2020. There are 337 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Jan. 29, 2002, in his first State of the Union address, President George W. Bush said terrorists were still threatening America — and he warned of "an axis of evil" consisting of North Korea, Iran and Iraq.On this date:In 1820, King George III died at Windsor Castle at age 81; he was succeeded by his son, who became King George IV.In 1856, Britain's Queen Victoria introduced the Victoria Cross to reward military acts of valor during the Crimean War.In 1861, Kansas became the 34th state of the Union.In 1936, the first inductees of baseball's Hall of Fame, including Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth, were named in Cooperstown, New York.In 1963, the first charter members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame were named in Canton, Ohio (they were enshrined when the Hall opened in September 1963). Poet Robert Frost died in Boston at age 88.In 1975, a bomb exploded inside the U.S. State Department in Washington, causing considerable damage, but injuring no one; the radical group Weather Underground claimed responsibility.In 1979, President Jimmy Carter formally welcomed Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping (dung shah-oh-ping) to the White House, following the establishment of diplomatic relations.In 1984, President Ronald Reagan announced in a nationally broadcast message that he and Vice President George H.W. Bush would seek re-election in the fall.In 1995, the San Francisco 49ers became the first team in NFL history to win five Super Bowl titles, beating the San Diego Chargers, 49-26, in Super Bowl XXIX.In 1998, a bomb rocked an abortion clinic in Birmingham, Alabama, killing security guard Robert Sanderson and critically injuring nurse Emily Lyons. (The bomber, Eric Rudolph, was captured in May 2003 and is serving a life sentence.)In 2005, jetliners from China landed in rival Taiwan for the first time in 56 years. Serena Williams defeated Lindsay Davenport 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 in the Australian Open final.In 2006, ABC "World News Tonight" co-anchor Bob Woodruff and a cameraman were seriously injured in a roadside bombing in Iraq.Ten years ago: In a face-to-face confrontation, President Barack Obama chastised Republican lawmakers during a GOP event in Baltimore for opposing him on taxes, health care and the economic stimulus, while they accused him in turn of brushing off their ideas and driving up the national debt. A jury in Wichita, Kansas, swiftly convicted abortion opponent Scott Roeder of murder in the shooting death of Dr. George Tiller, one of the only doctors to offer late-term abortions in the U.S. (Roeder was sentenced to life in prison.) Haitian authorities detained 10 U.S. Baptist missionaries who were transporting 33 children to a Dominican Republic orphanage, though as it turned out, most of the children had living parents; all of the Americans were later released.Five years ago: Nine Democrats joined 53 Republicans in passing a Senate bill to construct the Keystone XL oil pipeline in defiance of a presidential veto threat. Rod McKuen, whose music, verse and spoken-word recordings made him one of the best-selling poets in history, died at 81.One year ago: The largest utility in the U.S., Pacific Gas &amp; Electric, filed for bankruptcy as it faced billions of dollars in potential damages from wildfires in California. Actor Jussie Smollett from the TV show "Empire" told police he had been physically attacked in Chicago by men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs. (Investigators concluded that Smollett made a false report because he believed it would give his career a boost; he was charged with 16 felony counts related to making a false report, but the charges were dropped without any admission of guilt.) The FBI wrapped up its investigation into the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history; it found that the high-stakes gambler who killed 58 country music fans in Las Vegas in 2017 sought notoriety, but that there was no "single or clear motivating factor."Today's Birthdays: Writer-composer-lyricist Leslie Bricusse is 89. Feminist author Germaine Greer is 81. Actress Katharine Ross is 80. Feminist author Robin Morgan is 79. Actor Tom Selleck is 75. Rhythm-and-blues singer Bettye LaVette is 74. Actor Marc Singer is 72. Actress Ann Jillian is 70. Rock musician Louie Perez (Los Lobos) is 67. Rhythm-and-blues/funk singer Charlie Wilson is 67. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey is 66. Actor Terry Kinney is 66. Country singer Irlene Mandrell is 64. Actress Diane Delano is 63. Actress Judy Norton (TV: "The Waltons") is 62. Rock musician Johnny Spampinato is 61. Olympic gold-medal diver Greg Louganis is 60. Rock musician David Baynton-Power (James) is 59. Rock musician Eddie Jackson (Queensryche) is 59. Actor Nicholas Turturro is 58. Rock singer-musician Roddy Frame (Aztec Camera) is 56. Actor-director Edward Burns is 52. Actor Sam Trammell is 51. Actress Heather Graham is 50. Former House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., is 50. Actor Sharif Atkins is 45. Actress Sara Gilbert is 45. Actress Kelly Packard is 45. Actor Justin Hartley is 43. Actor Sam Jaeger is 43. Writer and TV personality Jedediah Bila is 41. Actor Andrew Keegan is 41. Actor Jason James Richter is 40. Blues musician Jonny Lang is 39. Pop-rock singer Adam Lambert (TV: "American Idol") is 38. Country singer Eric Paslay is 37.Thought for Today: "Misquotations are the only quotations that are never misquoted." — Hesketh Pearson, British biographer (1887-1964).Copyright 2020, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Today in History -- Jan. 29

Saline County Commissioners awarded a remodeling bid, accepted a grant, and approved the 2020 Noxious Weed Management Plan during their meeting Tuesday morning.

According to information provided by Saline County, commissioners awarded Ponton Construction the bid for the remodel of the kitchen at the Senior Center. A total of $62,249 will be spent removing all cabinets, shelving units, sinks and flooring and installing new stainless steel work areas, new ceiling tiles, new floor surfaces, and making repairs to several areas in the kitchen. A combination of private donations, grants, and Saline County Capital Improvement Plan dollars are being used to accomplish this project.

The project will require the kitchen to be shut down for a period of 60-75 days. Meals on Wheels service will continue and food preparation for that will be moved to the expo center. Beginning Feb. 10, no food service will be offered in the dining room while the remodeling project is underway, however activities on the second and third floors will continue, the county information noted. 

Rosie Walter, senior services director, told commissioners that in 2019, $144,700 was received in grants. That funding, along with $100,000 in private donations and $100,000 allocated through the Saline County Capital Improvement Plan have made possible kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects, as well as general building improvements, according to the county meeting information.

Other commission items include the following.

Commissioners approved accepting a $10,000 Dane G. Hansen Foundation Grant to purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for various county departments.  Emergency management personnel worked with several city and county partners to submit a grant request for funding for AED equipment that is similar and compatible across the county.

Commissioners heard and approved the 2020 Noxious Weed Management Plan. This is an annual requirement of the state to provide estimated acres of noxious weeds that will need to be tended to, as well as an overview of the county’s vegetation management program and how citizen outreach is done.

Commissioners also made appointments to the Department of Senior Services Advisory Council and the Salina Community Economic Development Organization.

Saline County Commissioners awarded a remodeling bid, accepted a grant, and approved the 2020 Noxious Weed Management Plan during their meeting Tuesday morning.According to information provided by Saline County, commissioners awarded Ponton Construction the bid for the remodel of the kitchen at the Senior Center. A total of $62,249 will be spent removing all cabinets, shelving units, sinks and flooring and installing new stainless steel work areas, new ceiling tiles, new floor surfaces, and making repairs to several areas in the kitchen. A combination of private donations, grants, and Saline County Capital Improvement Plan dollars are being used to accomplish this project.The project will require the kitchen to be shut down for a period of 60-75 days. Meals on Wheels service will continue and food preparation for that will be moved to the expo center. Beginning Feb. 10, no food service will be offered in the dining room while the remodeling project is underway, however activities on the second and third floors will continue, the county information noted. Rosie Walter, senior services director, told commissioners that in 2019, $144,700 was received in grants. That funding, along with $100,000 in private donations and $100,000 allocated through the Saline County Capital Improvement Plan have made possible kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects, as well as general building improvements, according to the county meeting information.Other commission items include the following.Commissioners approved accepting a $10,000 Dane G. Hansen Foundation Grant to purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for various county departments. Emergency management personnel worked with several city and county partners to submit a grant request for funding for AED equipment that is similar and compatible across the county.Commissioners heard and approved the 2020 Noxious Weed Management Plan. This is an annual requirement of the state to provide estimated acres of noxious weeds that will need to be tended to, as well as an overview of the county’s vegetation management program and how citizen outreach is done.Commissioners also made appointments to the Department of Senior Services Advisory Council and the Salina Community Economic Development Organization.

Commissioners OK grant, remodel of senior center kitchen

Mahaska is seeking an Equipment Sales and Service Technician.&nbsp;

This position entails servicing equipment at existing accounts by analyzing work orders, investigating complaints, conducting tests, and resolving problems.

Must have the ability to troubleshoot electronics, have excellent communication, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Applicant must have a good driving record.

A comprehensive benefits package is available with this position.

Apply at&nbsp;<a href="http://mahaska.com/careers">Mahaska.com/careers</a>.

Mahaska is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Mahaska is seeking an Equipment Sales and Service Technician.&nbsp;This position entails servicing equipment at existing accounts by analyzing work orders, investigating complaints, conducting tests, and resolving problems.Must have the ability to troubleshoot electronics, have excellent communication, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Applicant must have a good driving record.A comprehensive benefits package is available with this position.Apply at&nbsp;<a href="http://mahaska.com/careers">Mahaska.com/careers</a>.Mahaska is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

51 law enforcement agencies earn AAA Kansas Community Traffic Safety Awards

WICHITA – A Salina man who was charged with posting a threat against the president on social media is now facing child pornography charges, too, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Aaron McDowell,&nbsp;24, Salina, was charged in a criminal complaint today with one count of presenting and distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. In the earlier case, McDowell faces one count of making a threat against the president. A criminal complaint filed Jan. 21, 2020, alleges McDowell posted on his Facebook page, “I’m going to kill Trump in the white house tomorrow at 7 p.m.”

In the new case, an agent’s affidavit alleges that while investigating the threat case investigators found child pornography on McDowell’s cellular phone containing children performing sex acts. A total of 152 files of child pornography were found on the phone.

Further searches found 2,800 child pornography images in McDowell’s account on Mega, a cloud storage and file hosting service. Investigators also found chats in which child pornography was distributed. McDowell is alleged to have sent a link to another user on a messaging application called Chatous that connected to child pornography in online storage.

If convicted, the defendant could face not less than five years and not more than 20 years on the presenting and distributing count and up to 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the possession charged.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883281167.png" alt="Aaron McDowell. Photo courtesy Sedwick County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Aaron McDowell. Photo courtesy Sedwick County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA – A Salina man who was charged with posting a threat against the president on social media is now facing child pornography charges, too, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.Aaron McDowell,&nbsp;24, Salina, was charged in a criminal complaint today with one count of presenting and distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. In the earlier case, McDowell faces one count of making a threat against the president. A criminal complaint filed Jan. 21, 2020, alleges McDowell posted on his Facebook page, “I’m going to kill Trump in the white house tomorrow at 7 p.m.”In the new case, an agent’s affidavit alleges that while investigating the threat case investigators found child pornography on McDowell’s cellular phone containing children performing sex acts. A total of 152 files of child pornography were found on the phone.Further searches found 2,800 child pornography images in McDowell’s account on Mega, a cloud storage and file hosting service. Investigators also found chats in which child pornography was distributed. McDowell is alleged to have sent a link to another user on a messaging application called Chatous that connected to child pornography in online storage.If convicted, the defendant could face not less than five years and not more than 20 years on the presenting and distributing count and up to 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the possession charged.&nbsp;

Salina man who made threat against POTUS also facing child porn charges

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

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

Recent obituaries

Let us know if you are seeing any snow. We're holding out for the weekend!

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita, snow is possible across central Kansas throughout the day, with accumulations from a trace to two inches.

Patchy freezing fog may develop across central Kansas late tonight, and may continue to pester parts of central Kansas Wednesday morning, NWS noted.

Temperatures are expected to continue rising and clouds thinning, with the forecast for Sunday calling for sunny conditions and the high temperature in the mid-60s, according to NWS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580232769671.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Let us know if you are seeing any snow. We're holding out for the weekend!According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita, snow is possible across central Kansas throughout the day, with accumulations from a trace to two inches.Patchy freezing fog may develop across central Kansas late tonight, and may continue to pester parts of central Kansas Wednesday morning, NWS noted.Temperatures are expected to continue rising and clouds thinning, with the forecast for Sunday calling for sunny conditions and the high temperature in the mid-60s, according to NWS.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580232821782.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Snow and clouds dwindling, warmer weather on the way

Heritage Hall inside Tony's Pizza Events Center has a new name.

Spectra, the provider of venue management at Tony's Pizza Events Center, and the City of Salina announced this morning the renaming of Heritage Hall to Great Plains Manufacturing Convention Hall.

The renaming is part of a new 10-year, $500,000 agreement with longtime local Salina business Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc., a subsidiary of Kubota. The partnership agreement and name change took effect Jan. 1, with all new facility branding to be in place by June. The hall is approximately 18,000 square feet and is used as a multi-purpose room within the facility to host conventions, private events, and meetings.

"We're grateful to be partnering with Great Plains Manufacturing, a brand that, for the last 40 years, has continued to invest in Salina's culture and promote job growth in central Kansas," said Spectra's Susan Trafton, general manager of Tony's Pizza Events Center. "The long-term commitment that Great Plains Manufacturing is making to our community will allow us to make some much-needed updates to the space formerly known as Heritage Hall. The renovations will allow us to continue to attract new convention tourism business to Salina."

"As an organization, Great Plains is committed to supporting local initiatives and investing in our community. This partnership is just another way for us to give back," said Linda Salem, president and CEO of Great Plains Manufacturing. "We hope that our support in this endeavor will ultimately draw more events and tourism to the City of Salina."

Heritage Hall inside Tony's Pizza Events Center has a new name.Spectra, the provider of venue management at Tony's Pizza Events Center, and the City of Salina announced this morning the renaming of Heritage Hall to Great Plains Manufacturing Convention Hall.The renaming is part of a new 10-year, $500,000 agreement with longtime local Salina business Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc., a subsidiary of Kubota. The partnership agreement and name change took effect Jan. 1, with all new facility branding to be in place by June. The hall is approximately 18,000 square feet and is used as a multi-purpose room within the facility to host conventions, private events, and meetings."We're grateful to be partnering with Great Plains Manufacturing, a brand that, for the last 40 years, has continued to invest in Salina's culture and promote job growth in central Kansas," said Spectra's Susan Trafton, general manager of Tony's Pizza Events Center. "The long-term commitment that Great Plains Manufacturing is making to our community will allow us to make some much-needed updates to the space formerly known as Heritage Hall. The renovations will allow us to continue to attract new convention tourism business to Salina.""As an organization, Great Plains is committed to supporting local initiatives and investing in our community. This partnership is just another way for us to give back," said Linda Salem, president and CEO of Great Plains Manufacturing. "We hope that our support in this endeavor will ultimately draw more events and tourism to the City of Salina."

TPEC's Heritage Hall renamed Great Plains Manufacturing Convention Hall

A Salina man has been arrested on suspicion of felony theft after a local convenience store reported money missing from its register.

Salina Police Detective Sergeant David Villanueva said this morning that management at Casey's, 725 West Schilling Road, contacted police on Dec. 31 to report that an employee was believed to have been stealing money from the register.

The Salina Police Department launched an investigation that included obtaining access to the store's accounting records and surveillance video, he said. It was determined, based on video evidence, that during the period between 5 a.m. on Nov. 23 and 6 p.m. on Dec. 30 an employee took a total of $1,650 from the register, Villanueva said. The investigation is continuing to determine whether additional money was stolen, he added.

Villanueva said Marquez Devoe Patterson, 29, of Salina, was booked into the Saline County Jail Monday night on suspicion of felony theft in connection to the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580222757484.jpeg" alt="Marquez Devoe Patterson. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Marquez Devoe Patterson. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>A Salina man has been arrested on suspicion of felony theft after a local convenience store reported money missing from its register.Salina Police Detective Sergeant David Villanueva said this morning that management at Casey's, 725 West Schilling Road, contacted police on Dec. 31 to report that an employee was believed to have been stealing money from the register.The Salina Police Department launched an investigation that included obtaining access to the store's accounting records and surveillance video, he said. It was determined, based on video evidence, that during the period between 5 a.m. on Nov. 23 and 6 p.m. on Dec. 30 an employee took a total of $1,650 from the register, Villanueva said. The investigation is continuing to determine whether additional money was stolen, he added.Villanueva said Marquez Devoe Patterson, 29, of Salina, was booked into the Saline County Jail Monday night on suspicion of felony theft in connection to the case.

Employee arrested on suspicion of felony theft from convenience store

Twenty-one new law enforcement officers, including several from our area, graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) on Friday. 

Reno County Sheriff Darrian Campbell was the speaker for the ceremony in KLETC’s Integrity Auditorium.

The new officers were members of the 261st basic training class. The graduates, who began their training in September 2019, represented 18 municipal, county, and state law enforcement agencies from across Kansas.

Graduates receive certificates of course completion from KLETC and Kansas law enforcement certification from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, the state’s law enforcement licensing authority. The training course fulfills the state requirement for law enforcement training. Classroom lectures and hands-on applications help train officers to solve the increasingly complex problems they face in the line of duty.

Established by the Kansas Legislature in 1968, KLETC trains the majority of municipal, county and state law enforcement officers in Kansas and oversees the training of the remaining officers at seven authorized and certified academy programs operated by local law enforcement agencies and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

About 300 officers enroll annually in KLETC 14-week basic training programs. KLETC offers continuing education and specialized training to over 10,000 Kansas officers each year. KLETC is located one mile west and one mile south of Yoder, near Hutchinson, and is a division of University of Kansas Professional &amp; Continuing Education.

Graduates who granted permission to release their names are listed below by county and agency.

Kady Kratzberg - Anderson County Sheriff’s Office

Sean Preston - Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office

Aaron Conley - Cowley County Sheriff's Office

Jonathan Thompson - Herington Police Department

Mitchell Cheek - Iowa Tribal Police Department

Justin Wunder - Prairie Band Pottawatomi Tribal Police

Reagan McClellan - Emporia Police Department

Garret Paul Mathews - Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office

Megan Osladil - Osage County Sheriff’s Office

Dylen Snedeker - Reno County Sheriff’s Office

Tyler Casteel - Saline County Sheriff’s Office

Douglas Davis - Hugoton Police Department

Vinson Baker - Yates Center Police Department

Michael Clark - University of Kansas Med Center Police Department

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580179151484.jpeg" alt="Class President for the 261st Basic Training Class, Garret Mathews&nbsp; of the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office, speaks to his fellow graduates. Photo courtesy KLETC" />
 <figcaption>Class President for the 261st Basic Training Class, Garret Mathews&nbsp; of the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office, speaks to his fellow graduates. Photo courtesy KLETC</figcaption>
 </figure>Twenty-one new law enforcement officers, including several from our area, graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) on Friday. Reno County Sheriff Darrian Campbell was the speaker for the ceremony in KLETC’s Integrity Auditorium.The new officers were members of the 261st basic training class. The graduates, who began their training in September 2019, represented 18 municipal, county, and state law enforcement agencies from across Kansas.Graduates receive certificates of course completion from KLETC and Kansas law enforcement certification from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, the state’s law enforcement licensing authority. The training course fulfills the state requirement for law enforcement training. Classroom lectures and hands-on applications help train officers to solve the increasingly complex problems they face in the line of duty.Established by the Kansas Legislature in 1968, KLETC trains the majority of municipal, county and state law enforcement officers in Kansas and oversees the training of the remaining officers at seven authorized and certified academy programs operated by local law enforcement agencies and the Kansas Highway Patrol.About 300 officers enroll annually in KLETC 14-week basic training programs. KLETC offers continuing education and specialized training to over 10,000 Kansas officers each year. KLETC is located one mile west and one mile south of Yoder, near Hutchinson, and is a division of University of Kansas Professional &amp; Continuing Education.Graduates who granted permission to release their names are listed below by county and agency.Allen CountyLevi Anstaett - Iola Police DepartmentAnderson CountyKady Kratzberg - Anderson County Sheriff’s OfficeCheyenne CountySean Preston - Cheyenne County Sheriff's OfficeCoffey CountyAaron Conley - Cowley County Sheriff's OfficeDickinson CountyJonathan Thompson - Herington Police DepartmentDoniphan CountyMitchell Cheek - Iowa Tribal Police DepartmentEllis CountyAlex Broadway - Hays Police DepartmentAaron Ewy - Hays Police DepartmentJackson CountyJustin Wunder - Prairie Band Pottawatomi Tribal PoliceLyon CountyReagan McClellan - Emporia Police DepartmentMitchell CountyGarret Paul Mathews - Mitchell County Sheriff’s OfficeOsage CountyMegan Osladil - Osage County Sheriff’s OfficeReno CountyMichael Knopp - Buhler Police DepartmentDylen Snedeker - Reno County Sheriff’s OfficeSaline CountyTyler Casteel - Saline County Sheriff’s OfficeStevens CountyDouglas Davis - Hugoton Police DepartmentWoodson CountyVinson Baker - Yates Center Police DepartmentWyandotte CountyMichael Clark - University of Kansas Med Center Police Department

Local, area officers graduate from KLETC

Kansas Republicans, no, not just you folks who are Republicans because your parents are/were, but folks actually active in the party, will gather this weekend in Olathe to…well, say how happy they are to be Republicans.

Oh, they’ll have debates at the Annual Kansas Republican Convention among their party’s candidates for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate and in at least one congressional district. And they will pay tribute to retiring U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., for his 40 years of service in and around Congress—if the Senate is done deciding whether to fire President Donald Trump by Saturday so Roberts can attend the banquet that bears his name.&nbsp;

But the real temperature of the convention can probably be taken by just how anti-abortion and abortion-rights Republicans interact.

That abortion deal? It would let Kansas voters, either a bunch at the general election in November, or a smaller number at the August primary election, hand the authority to the Legislature to regulate abortion in Kansas, essentially overturning the Kansas Supreme Court decision last year which held that the choice of an abortion is a constitutional individual right that the Legislature can’t by law restrict.

And it might tell us something about whether many have read the party’s official platform, and what it says Kansas Republicans believe in and what they don’t.

You don’t have to initial the platform and its provisions to get a drink at a reception or several drinks at several receptions, but you’ll probably have more people to chat with if you’re behind that platform.

Among the platform’s “official Kansas Republican” provisions are that the party officially believes “life begins at conception,” “culture should respect and protect life,” that the “judiciary must respect the separation of powers and not make laws” and that it wants the 1973 Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned.

Hmmm…those platform provisions are going to get a test among Republicans in the Statehouse, likely this week, just days before the state GOP convention, when either the House or the Senate (leaders are still bargaining over which chamber will vote first) will vote on a resolution that if at least 27 Senate and 84 House members vote yes, will wind up on the August primary election ballot for voters to decide by a simple majority vote.

State GOP party leaders say they just want the party to pull together behind the party platform, maybe not every piece of it, but generally much of it.

So, what’s the Olathe partying have to do with life under the Dome?

It might well be where the party members, on the abortion issue, chose their favorites for primary election votes. It might be where anti-abortion potential candidates pick up support on that one issue that will help them finance campaigns to unseat incumbents who are for abortion rights. Or, it might tell them that the most politically active Republicans in their districts are for abortion rights, and they need to find another more complicated issue on which to wage their intra-party scraps. You never go wrong just proposing to reduce property taxes, do you?

And when the Republicans hit the road for home Saturday night or Sunday morning after the convention (in time to watch the Kansas City Chiefs at the Super Bowl, party members on both sides of the abortion issue are going to be calculating just what intra-party scraps mean in the post-election 2021 Legislature. There are now 29 Republicans and 11 Democrats in the Senate, 84 Republicans and 41 Democrats in the House.

The governor? She’s for abortion rights but doesn’t have any role in the process of putting the issue on the likely-August ballot.

Yes, this might be a fairly interesting GOP convention in Olathe. We’ll see who makes friends and who doesn’t.

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/" target="_blank">www.hawvernews.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573590596307.png" alt="Martin Hawver" />
 <figcaption>Martin Hawver</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARTIN HAWVERKansas Republicans, no, not just you folks who are Republicans because your parents are/were, but folks actually active in the party, will gather this weekend in Olathe to…well, say how happy they are to be Republicans.Oh, they’ll have debates at the Annual Kansas Republican Convention among their party’s candidates for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate and in at least one congressional district. And they will pay tribute to retiring U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., for his 40 years of service in and around Congress—if the Senate is done deciding whether to fire President Donald Trump by Saturday so Roberts can attend the banquet that bears his name.&nbsp;But the real temperature of the convention can probably be taken by just how anti-abortion and abortion-rights Republicans interact.That abortion deal? It would let Kansas voters, either a bunch at the general election in November, or a smaller number at the August primary election, hand the authority to the Legislature to regulate abortion in Kansas, essentially overturning the Kansas Supreme Court decision last year which held that the choice of an abortion is a constitutional individual right that the Legislature can’t by law restrict.And it might tell us something about whether many have read the party’s official platform, and what it says Kansas Republicans believe in and what they don’t.You don’t have to initial the platform and its provisions to get a drink at a reception or several drinks at several receptions, but you’ll probably have more people to chat with if you’re behind that platform.Among the platform’s “official Kansas Republican” provisions are that the party officially believes “life begins at conception,” “culture should respect and protect life,” that the “judiciary must respect the separation of powers and not make laws” and that it wants the 1973 Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned.Hmmm…those platform provisions are going to get a test among Republicans in the Statehouse, likely this week, just days before the state GOP convention, when either the House or the Senate (leaders are still bargaining over which chamber will vote first) will vote on a resolution that if at least 27 Senate and 84 House members vote yes, will wind up on the August primary election ballot for voters to decide by a simple majority vote.State GOP party leaders say they just want the party to pull together behind the party platform, maybe not every piece of it, but generally much of it.So, what’s the Olathe partying have to do with life under the Dome?It might well be where the party members, on the abortion issue, chose their favorites for primary election votes. It might be where anti-abortion potential candidates pick up support on that one issue that will help them finance campaigns to unseat incumbents who are for abortion rights. Or, it might tell them that the most politically active Republicans in their districts are for abortion rights, and they need to find another more complicated issue on which to wage their intra-party scraps. You never go wrong just proposing to reduce property taxes, do you?And when the Republicans hit the road for home Saturday night or Sunday morning after the convention (in time to watch the Kansas City Chiefs at the Super Bowl, party members on both sides of the abortion issue are going to be calculating just what intra-party scraps mean in the post-election 2021 Legislature. There are now 29 Republicans and 11 Democrats in the Senate, 84 Republicans and 41 Democrats in the House.The governor? She’s for abortion rights but doesn’t have any role in the process of putting the issue on the likely-August ballot.Yes, this might be a fairly interesting GOP convention in Olathe. We’ll see who makes friends and who doesn’t.Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hawvernews.com/" target="_blank">www.hawvernews.com</a>.

At The Rail: State GOP convention might be interesting

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita, has announced its Storm Fury on the Plains training schedule for the upcoming tornado season.

NWS personnel "will provide an in-depth weather presentation that will engage the audience by teaching them about the different types of storms, the individual storm features that help a person to recognize a storms potential severity, how to report hazardous weather, and severe weather safety," according to information on NWS in Wichita's website.

According to NWS, local and area training sessions are as follows.

6:30 p.m. Feb. 19, Salina South High School Auditorium

6:30 p.m. March 5, Tabor College - Shari Fleming Center for the Arts, Hillsboro

6:30 p.m. March 16, Lincoln Park Manor Basement

6:30 p.m. March 25, Ellsworth High School Auditorium

To see the entire list of training locations, <a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/spottertalks">click here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580157520345.jpeg" alt="The May 1, 2018, EF3 tornado along the Saline-Ottawa County line. Photo courtesy NWS" />
 <figcaption>The May 1, 2018, EF3 tornado along the Saline-Ottawa County line. Photo courtesy NWS</figcaption>
 </figure>The National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita, has announced its Storm Fury on the Plains training schedule for the upcoming tornado season.NWS personnel "will provide an in-depth weather presentation that will engage the audience by teaching them about the different types of storms, the individual storm features that help a person to recognize a storms potential severity, how to report hazardous weather, and severe weather safety," according to information on NWS in Wichita's website.According to NWS, local and area training sessions are as follows.Saline County6:30 p.m. Feb. 19, Salina South High School AuditoriumMarion County6:30 p.m. March 5, Tabor College - Shari Fleming Center for the Arts, HillsboroLincoln County6:30 p.m. March 16, Lincoln Park Manor BasementEllsworth County6:30 p.m. March 25, Ellsworth High School AuditoriumMcPherson County6:30 p.m. April 2, McPherson Opera HouseTo see the entire list of training locations, <a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/spottertalks">click here</a>.

NWS announces Storm Fury on the Plains training

Today is Tuesday, Jan. 28, the 28th day of 2020. There are 338 days left in the year.

On Jan. 28, 1973, a cease-fire officially went into effect in the Vietnam War, a day after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords by the United States, North Vietnam and South Vietnam.

In A.D. 814, Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne died in Aachen in present-day Germany.

In 1547, England's King Henry VIII died; he was succeeded by his 9-year-old son, Edward VI.

In 1813, the novel "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen was first published anonymously in London.

In 1878, the first daily college newspaper, Yale News (now Yale Daily News, began publication in New Haven, Connecticut.

In 1911, the notorious Hope Diamond was sold by jeweler Pierre Cartier to socialites Edward and Evalyn McLean of Washington, D.C., for $180,000.

In 1915, the American merchant vessel SS William P. Frye, en route to England with a cargo of wheat, became the first U.S. ship to be sunk during World War I by a German cruiser, the SS Prinz Eitel Friedrich, even though the United States was not at war.

In 1916, Louis D. Brandeis was nominated by President Woodrow Wilson to the Supreme Court; Brandeis became the court's first Jewish member.

In 1956, Elvis Presley made his first national TV appearance on "Stage Show," a CBS program hosted by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey.

In 1960, the National Football League awarded franchises to Dallas and Minneapolis-St. Paul.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy&nbsp;<a href="http://shutterstock.com/">shutterstock.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy&nbsp;<a href="http://shutterstock.com/">shutterstock.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Today is Tuesday, Jan. 28, the 28th day of 2020. There are 338 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Jan. 28, 1973, a cease-fire officially went into effect in the Vietnam War, a day after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords by the United States, North Vietnam and South Vietnam.On this date:In A.D. 814, Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne died in Aachen in present-day Germany.In 1547, England's King Henry VIII died; he was succeeded by his 9-year-old son, Edward VI.In 1813, the novel "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen was first published anonymously in London.In 1878, the first daily college newspaper, Yale News (now Yale Daily News, began publication in New Haven, Connecticut.In 1911, the notorious Hope Diamond was sold by jeweler Pierre Cartier to socialites Edward and Evalyn McLean of Washington, D.C., for $180,000.In 1915, the American merchant vessel SS William P. Frye, en route to England with a cargo of wheat, became the first U.S. ship to be sunk during World War I by a German cruiser, the SS Prinz Eitel Friedrich, even though the United States was not at war.In 1916, Louis D. Brandeis was nominated by President Woodrow Wilson to the Supreme Court; Brandeis became the court's first Jewish member.In 1956, Elvis Presley made his first national TV appearance on "Stage Show," a CBS program hosted by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey.In 1960, the National Football League awarded franchises to Dallas and Minneapolis-St. Paul.In 1977, actor-comedian Freddie Prinze, 22, co-star of the NBC-TV show "Chico and the Man," shot and mortally wounded himself at the Beverly Comstock Hotel (he died the following day).In 1980, six U.S. diplomats who had avoided being taken hostage at their embassy in Tehran flew out of Iran with the help of Canadian diplomats.In 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, killing all seven crew members, including schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe.Ten years ago: Major world powers opened talks in London seeking an end to the conflict in Afghanistan. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden announced $8 billion in federal grants for high-speed rail projects nationwide during a visit to Tampa, Florida. Embattled Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke won Senate confirmation for a second term.Five years ago: President Barack Obama phoned Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to congratulate him on his party's election victory and told him the U.S. would work closely with Greece to help it pursue long-term prosperity. At a farewell ceremony for Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, Obama called him a true American patriot who devoted his life to the United States.One year ago: The Justice Department unsealed criminal charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei, a top company executive and several subsidiaries, alleging that the company stole trade secrets and violated U.S. sanctions. A U.S. envoy said negotiators for the United States and Taliban insurgents had reached "agreements in principle" on key issues for a peace deal that would end 17 years of war in Afghanistan.Today's Birthdays: Actor Nicholas Pryor is 85. Actor Alan Alda is 84. Actress Susan Howard is 78. Actress Marthe Keller is 75. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., is 73. Actress-singer Barbi Benton is 70. Evangelical pastor Rick Warren is 66. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is 65. Actress Harley Jane Kozak is 63. Movie director Frank Darabont is 61. Rock musician Dave Sharp is 61. Rock singer Sam Phillips is 58. Rock musician Dan Spitz is 57. Country musician Greg Cook (Ricochet) is 55. Gospel singer Marvin Sapp is 53. Singer Sarah McLachlan is 52. Rapper Rakim is 52. DJ Muggs (Cypress Hill) is 52. Actress Kathryn Morris is 51. Humorist Mo Rocca is 51. Rock/soul musician Jeremy Ruzumna (Fitz and the Tantrums) is 50. Rhythm-and-blues singer Anthony Hamilton is 49. Singer Monifah is 48. Actress Gillian Vigman is 48. Rock musician Brandon Bush is 47. Retired MLB All-Star Jermaine Dye is 46. Actress Terri Conn is 45. Singer Joey Fatone Jr. ('N Sync) is 43. Rapper Rick Ross is 43. Actress Rosamund Pike is 41. Actress Angelique Cabral is 41. Singer Nick Carter (Backstreet Boys) is 40. Actor Vinny Chhibber is 40. Actor Elijah Wood is 39. Rapper J. Cole is 35. Actress Alexandra Krosney is 32. Actor Yuri Sardarov is 32. Actress Ariel Winter is 22.Thought for Today: "It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow." — Robert H. Goddard, American rocket engineer (1882-1945).Copyright 2020, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.