Police are investigating a report of shots being fired in a northeast Salina neighborhood this morning.

According to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester, officers responded this morning to a report of shots fired on Stapler Avenue. No one was injured, but there appeared to be damage to a residence, he said. 

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Police are investigating a report of shots being fired in a northeast Salina neighborhood this morning.According to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester, officers responded this morning to a report of shots fired on Stapler Avenue. No one was injured, but there appeared to be damage to a residence, he said. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Police investigating morning report of shots fired on Stapler

MANHATTAN —&nbsp; A proposed Flood Insurance Rate Map update for Dickinson County, as part of the Lower Smoky Hill floodplain mapping project, was released for public review in December 2018. Before the new map is finalized, property owners and lessees will have one more opportunity to provide engineering data through their community during the official 90-day appeal process.&nbsp;

The appeal period began Jan. 3 and will continue through April 2, 2020. 

The new map will provide communities in this area with up-to-date flood risk information and tools that can be used to enhance local mitigation plans, and help local officials and residents make informed decisions about reducing flood risks and purchasing flood insurance. &nbsp;

The local mapping project is part of a nationwide effort led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to increase local knowledge of flood risks and to support actions to address and reduce those risks. The work in Dickinson County has been led by FEMA and the Kansas Department of Agriculture–Division of Water Resources in partnership with local community officials. The 90-day appeal period provides a time frame during which property owners and lessees can provide engineering data for consideration before the new Flood Insurance Rate Map is finalized.

Submitting an appeal requires the development of science-based data or technically-backed information to replace or update preliminary engineering, which can require a significant investment of time and money. Those interested in submitting an appeal are recommended to first discuss it with their local floodplain administrator to help provide guidance on the process, as appeals must be submitted through your local floodplain administrator. Appeal period guidance along with contact information for floodplain administrators in Abilene, Chapman, Herington, Solomon, and unincorporated Dickinson County is available at the KDA–DWR website under the Lower Smoky Hill mapping project page.

The new map, which can be found on the KDA–DWR website, is still a preliminary version. Dickinson County officials encourage property owners and lessees to view the proposed Flood Insurance Rate Map to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements.&nbsp;

For contact information, to view the new maps, or to find out more about Kansas floodplain mapping projects, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.agriculture.ks.gov%2Ffloodplainmapping&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7Ce8b8e489c5b9487d58b808d79e91c39b%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637152222328127307&amp;sdata=CIK9ATiKzIkAmHV3RK66mCW896gIGLYoy9f8PZzqb7I%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.agriculture.ks.gov/floodplainmapping</a>.

MANHATTAN —&nbsp; A proposed Flood Insurance Rate Map update for Dickinson County, as part of the Lower Smoky Hill floodplain mapping project, was released for public review in December 2018. Before the new map is finalized, property owners and lessees will have one more opportunity to provide engineering data through their community during the official 90-day appeal process.&nbsp;The appeal period began Jan. 3 and will continue through April 2, 2020. The new map will provide communities in this area with up-to-date flood risk information and tools that can be used to enhance local mitigation plans, and help local officials and residents make informed decisions about reducing flood risks and purchasing flood insurance. &nbsp;The local mapping project is part of a nationwide effort led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to increase local knowledge of flood risks and to support actions to address and reduce those risks. The work in Dickinson County has been led by FEMA and the Kansas Department of Agriculture–Division of Water Resources in partnership with local community officials. The 90-day appeal period provides a time frame during which property owners and lessees can provide engineering data for consideration before the new Flood Insurance Rate Map is finalized.Submitting an appeal requires the development of science-based data or technically-backed information to replace or update preliminary engineering, which can require a significant investment of time and money. Those interested in submitting an appeal are recommended to first discuss it with their local floodplain administrator to help provide guidance on the process, as appeals must be submitted through your local floodplain administrator. Appeal period guidance along with contact information for floodplain administrators in Abilene, Chapman, Herington, Solomon, and unincorporated Dickinson County is available at the KDA–DWR website under the Lower Smoky Hill mapping project page.The new map, which can be found on the KDA–DWR website, is still a preliminary version. Dickinson County officials encourage property owners and lessees to view the proposed Flood Insurance Rate Map to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements.&nbsp;For contact information, to view the new maps, or to find out more about Kansas floodplain mapping projects, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.agriculture.ks.gov%2Ffloodplainmapping&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7Ce8b8e489c5b9487d58b808d79e91c39b%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637152222328127307&amp;sdata=CIK9ATiKzIkAmHV3RK66mCW896gIGLYoy9f8PZzqb7I%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.agriculture.ks.gov/floodplainmapping</a>.

Appeal period now open for proposed floodplain map for Dickinson County

Salina Regional Health Center (SRHC) has earned the Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR®) Strong designation from the national Competency and Credentialing Institute for the third year in a row. 

The CNOR® Strong designation is given to facilities that have at least 50 percent of its eligible operating room nursing staff CNOR® certified.

The program is aimed at helping nurses improve and validate their knowledge and skills in order to provide the highest quality care to their patients. The certification acknowledges an achievement of specialty knowledge beyond basic nursing preparation and RN licensure.

“I am proud to work with a team that is professionally committed to delivering excellent patient care,” said Kelley Drake, SRHC surgery nursing director. “Holding this certification proves their dedication and passion to perioperative nursing.”

Research shows that nurses who earn CNOR® credentials have greater confidence in their clinical practice. Thus, a team of certified nurses who have mastered the CNOR® certification standards advances a culture of professionalism that promotes improved patient outcomes.

The CNOR® Strong program was launched by the Competency and Credentialing Institute in 1979 to recognize facilities committed to making a difference for its patients. The CCI is one of the nation’s largest specialty nursing credentialing organizations and the leading certification body for perioperative nurses. The mission of CCI is to lead competency and credentialing that promotes safe, quality patient care and supports lifelong learning. Find out more about the CCI at <a href="http://www.cc-institute.org">www.cc-institute.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579628345309.jpeg" alt="SRHC CNOR staff members, from left, Brenda Viar, Kayla Potts, Elizabeth Mendiola, Abi McBurney, Kelley Drake, Beth Braasch, Alba Gier, Melissa Weishaar, and Dana Plunkett. Photo courtesy SRHC" />
 <figcaption>SRHC CNOR staff members, from left, Brenda Viar, Kayla Potts, Elizabeth Mendiola, Abi McBurney, Kelley Drake, Beth Braasch, Alba Gier, Melissa Weishaar, and Dana Plunkett. Photo courtesy SRHC</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Regional Health Center (SRHC) has earned the Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR®) Strong designation from the national Competency and Credentialing Institute for the third year in a row. The CNOR® Strong designation is given to facilities that have at least 50 percent of its eligible operating room nursing staff CNOR® certified.The program is aimed at helping nurses improve and validate their knowledge and skills in order to provide the highest quality care to their patients. The certification acknowledges an achievement of specialty knowledge beyond basic nursing preparation and RN licensure.“I am proud to work with a team that is professionally committed to delivering excellent patient care,” said Kelley Drake, SRHC surgery nursing director. “Holding this certification proves their dedication and passion to perioperative nursing.”Research shows that nurses who earn CNOR® credentials have greater confidence in their clinical practice. Thus, a team of certified nurses who have mastered the CNOR® certification standards advances a culture of professionalism that promotes improved patient outcomes.The CNOR® Strong program was launched by the Competency and Credentialing Institute in 1979 to recognize facilities committed to making a difference for its patients. The CCI is one of the nation’s largest specialty nursing credentialing organizations and the leading certification body for perioperative nurses. The mission of CCI is to lead competency and credentialing that promotes safe, quality patient care and supports lifelong learning. Find out more about the CCI at <a href="http://www.cc-institute.org">www.cc-institute.org</a>.

SRHC earns Certified Nurse Operating Room Strong designation again

Police are searching for a known suspect after two vehicle side mirrors were damaged early Monday morning in west Salina.

At approximately 3 a.m. Monday, an alleged agitated white male entered the Kwik Shop at 1727 West Crawford Street, and stayed for approximately five minutes, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning. After he left, a Krispy Kreme delivery driver told store personnel that someone had knocked the side mirror -- valued at $1,100 -- off his delivery van, Forrester said.

At approximately 6 a.m., a Kwik Shop employee noticed that the driver's side mirror on the employee's 1995 Chevrolet Astrovan had been damaged, he said.

Police reviewed surveillance video and saw the alleged agitated white male walk toward the store from the intersection of West Crawford Street and Beverly Drive-Centennial Road, Forrester said. The surveillance video shows the suspect punching the mirror on the Krispy Kreme van before entering the store, Forrester added. It is believed that the suspect also damaged the Astrovan mirror, he said.

Because of the surveillance video, police were able to identify the 48-year-old suspect, whose name has not been released, Forrester said.

Police are searching for a known suspect after two vehicle side mirrors were damaged early Monday morning in west Salina.At approximately 3 a.m. Monday, an alleged agitated white male entered the Kwik Shop at 1727 West Crawford Street, and stayed for approximately five minutes, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning. After he left, a Krispy Kreme delivery driver told store personnel that someone had knocked the side mirror -- valued at $1,100 -- off his delivery van, Forrester said.At approximately 6 a.m., a Kwik Shop employee noticed that the driver's side mirror on the employee's 1995 Chevrolet Astrovan had been damaged, he said.Police reviewed surveillance video and saw the alleged agitated white male walk toward the store from the intersection of West Crawford Street and Beverly Drive-Centennial Road, Forrester said. The surveillance video shows the suspect punching the mirror on the Krispy Kreme van before entering the store, Forrester added. It is believed that the suspect also damaged the Astrovan mirror, he said.Because of the surveillance video, police were able to identify the 48-year-old suspect, whose name has not been released, Forrester said.

Police searching for known suspect in vehicle mirror damage cases

The Saline County Sheriff's Office is investigating the theft of a skid steer bucket in the far northeastern part of the county over the weekend.

Sometime between 10 p.m. on Saturday and 9:24 a.m. Sunday, someone removed the toothed bucket from a Takeuchi TL250 belonging to Nicholas Avery, 37, of Abilene, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning. 

The skid steer had been parked in the 9400 block of East Humbargar Road, but was driven approximately one mile south into a field, where the bucket was removed, he said. The removal included cutting the hydraulic lines to the bucket, Soldan said. Additionally, the key to the skid steer was missing, he said.

The skid steer was valued at $35,000 and the bucket at $2,500, Soldan said. Damage was estimated at $300 and the key was valued at $50, he added.

The Saline County Sheriff's Office is investigating the theft of a skid steer bucket in the far northeastern part of the county over the weekend.Sometime between 10 p.m. on Saturday and 9:24 a.m. Sunday, someone removed the toothed bucket from a Takeuchi TL250 belonging to Nicholas Avery, 37, of Abilene, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning. The skid steer had been parked in the 9400 block of East Humbargar Road, but was driven approximately one mile south into a field, where the bucket was removed, he said. The removal included cutting the hydraulic lines to the bucket, Soldan said. Additionally, the key to the skid steer was missing, he said.The skid steer was valued at $35,000 and the bucket at $2,500, Soldan said. Damage was estimated at $300 and the key was valued at $50, he added.

Sheriff's Office investigating stolen skid steer bucket

MANHATTAN – Kansas State University officials will focus on strategies to enhance profits during the Winter Ranch Management Seminar series, which will be held at five sites in Kansas beginning in January.

The meetings feature presentations and comments by K-State Research and Extension staff to enhance cow-calf producers’ management and marketing strategies, as well as a question-and-answer session.

“The series has a history of being a successful stretch of meetings, which are hosted throughout the state of Kansas,” said Bob Weaber, a cow-calf specialist with K-State Research and Extension.

Weaber and other state, district and local extension staff will take part in the series to help answer producers’ questions. The specialists will answer a wide range of questions on beef cattle issues including animal health, nutrition, management, genetics and reproduction.

“The previous year’s variable and wet weather across Kansas presented many challenges for farmers and ranchers,” Weaber said. “Our extension team continues to field questions from beef producers related to environmental effects and their impact on cow herd performance, especially reproduction.

“The Winter Ranch Management series provides another great opportunity for state and local specialists to take our expertise out in the country for a series of impactful face-to-face meetings. Our extension team has a breadth of experience in beef cattle management, reproduction, genetics, animal health and nutrition. We’re here to help solve and prevent production problems with reliable information.”

Topics at each location include a discussion on the value captured in the marketplace from improved production practices by cow-calf producers and understanding pregnancy loss. Local extension agents will present a topic focused on forage sampling and testing or proper handling and storage of vaccines.

“Early in the year is a great time for producers to think and plan for the coming year,” Weaber said. “Many producers have a number of experiences in 2019 to reflect upon, so early in the year is a good time to consider opportunities to improve management practices that enhance profitability.”

Jan. 30, noon to 3 p.m.&nbsp;– Ulysses, Grant County Civic Center (1000 W. Patterson Avenue). RSVP by Jan. 23 to Elizabeth Kissick, Grant Co. Extension, 620-356-1721,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:emrogers@ksu.edu" target="_blank">emrogers@ksu.edu</a>

Jan. 30, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.&nbsp;– Ashland, Clark County Fairgrounds (11th Avenue and Kentucky Street). RSVP by Jan. 23 to Kalee Krier, Clark Co. Extension, 620-826-5307,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:krier@ksu.edu" target="_blank">krier@ksu.edu</a>

Feb. 11, Noon to 3:30 p.m.&nbsp;– Plainville, First State Bank (120 W. Mill Street). RSVP by Feb. 4 to Rachael Boyle, Phillips-Rooks Extension District, 785-425-6851,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rboyle@ksu.edu" target="_blank">rboyle@ksu.edu</a>

Feb. 11, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.&nbsp;– Mankato Community Center (214 N. High Street). RSVP by Feb. 4 to Brett Melton, River Valley Extension District, 785-243-8185;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bmelton@ksu.edu" target="_blank">bmelton@ksu.edu</a>; or to Sandra Wick, Post Rock Extension District, 785-282-6823,&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:swick@ksu.edu" target="_blank">swick@ksu.edu</a>

Feb. 27, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.&nbsp;– Yates Center, Woodson County 4-H (713 S. Fry). RSVP by Feb. 20 to Dale Lanham, Southwind Extension District, 620-625-8620,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dlanham@ksu.edu" target="_blank">dlanham@ksu.edu</a>

Meeting times and registration fees vary by location, but all will include a meal. Participants are asked to RSVP for a selected location by one week prior to the event. Interested participants should contact their local host contact for registration and RSVP details.

More information about the K-State Winter Ranch Management Seminar series is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.asi.k-state.edu/events/ranch-management-seminars.html" target="_blank">KSUBeef.org</a>.

MANHATTAN – Kansas State University officials will focus on strategies to enhance profits during the Winter Ranch Management Seminar series, which will be held at five sites in Kansas beginning in January.The meetings feature presentations and comments by K-State Research and Extension staff to enhance cow-calf producers’ management and marketing strategies, as well as a question-and-answer session.“The series has a history of being a successful stretch of meetings, which are hosted throughout the state of Kansas,” said Bob Weaber, a cow-calf specialist with K-State Research and Extension.Weaber and other state, district and local extension staff will take part in the series to help answer producers’ questions. The specialists will answer a wide range of questions on beef cattle issues including animal health, nutrition, management, genetics and reproduction.“The previous year’s variable and wet weather across Kansas presented many challenges for farmers and ranchers,” Weaber said. “Our extension team continues to field questions from beef producers related to environmental effects and their impact on cow herd performance, especially reproduction.“The Winter Ranch Management series provides another great opportunity for state and local specialists to take our expertise out in the country for a series of impactful face-to-face meetings. Our extension team has a breadth of experience in beef cattle management, reproduction, genetics, animal health and nutrition. We’re here to help solve and prevent production problems with reliable information.”Topics at each location include a discussion on the value captured in the marketplace from improved production practices by cow-calf producers and understanding pregnancy loss. Local extension agents will present a topic focused on forage sampling and testing or proper handling and storage of vaccines.“Early in the year is a great time for producers to think and plan for the coming year,” Weaber said. “Many producers have a number of experiences in 2019 to reflect upon, so early in the year is a good time to consider opportunities to improve management practices that enhance profitability.”The schedule of meetings includes:Jan. 30, noon to 3 p.m.&nbsp;– Ulysses, Grant County Civic Center (1000 W. Patterson Avenue). RSVP by Jan. 23 to Elizabeth Kissick, Grant Co. Extension, 620-356-1721,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:emrogers@ksu.edu" target="_blank">emrogers@ksu.edu</a>Jan. 30, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.&nbsp;– Ashland, Clark County Fairgrounds (11th Avenue and Kentucky Street). RSVP by Jan. 23 to Kalee Krier, Clark Co. Extension, 620-826-5307,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:krier@ksu.edu" target="_blank">krier@ksu.edu</a>Feb. 11, Noon to 3:30 p.m.&nbsp;– Plainville, First State Bank (120 W. Mill Street). RSVP by Feb. 4 to Rachael Boyle, Phillips-Rooks Extension District, 785-425-6851,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rboyle@ksu.edu" target="_blank">rboyle@ksu.edu</a>Feb. 11, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.&nbsp;– Mankato Community Center (214 N. High Street). RSVP by Feb. 4 to Brett Melton, River Valley Extension District, 785-243-8185;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bmelton@ksu.edu" target="_blank">bmelton@ksu.edu</a>; or to Sandra Wick, Post Rock Extension District, 785-282-6823,&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:swick@ksu.edu" target="_blank">swick@ksu.edu</a>Feb. 27, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.&nbsp;– Yates Center, Woodson County 4-H (713 S. Fry). RSVP by Feb. 20 to Dale Lanham, Southwind Extension District, 620-625-8620,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:dlanham@ksu.edu" target="_blank">dlanham@ksu.edu</a>Meeting times and registration fees vary by location, but all will include a meal. Participants are asked to RSVP for a selected location by one week prior to the event. Interested participants should contact their local host contact for registration and RSVP details.More information about the K-State Winter Ranch Management Seminar series is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.asi.k-state.edu/events/ranch-management-seminars.html" target="_blank">KSUBeef.org</a>.

K-State: Management, profit strategies for ranch series

UPDATE 6 p.m. Tuesday: Winter weather advisories have been issued for the area. <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5e2797907d7daa72b30eb701">READ ABOUT THEM HERE</a>.

UPDATE noon Tuesday: The National Weather Service has dropped the special weather statement for Ellsworth, Lincoln, Marion, McPherson, and Saline counties.

--------------------------------------------

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued special weather statements for counties in our area.

NWS in Wichita has issued a special weather statement for the following counties in our area.

Accumulating snow is possible tonight through Wednesday morning. Snow is expected to develop from west to east this evening, possibly mixing with rain at times, before transitioning to all rain during the day Wednesday.

Where all snow occurs, amounts of 1 to 2 inches will be possible. If temperatures stay cold enough, higher amounts of 3 to 4 inches will be possible. The period of heaviest snow is expected between midnight and 9 a.m. Wednesday.

With temperatures hovering around, or just above, freezing, roads will likely be more wet and slushy than icy. However, even slushy road conditions can make travel hazardous at times and caution is advised for those planning to travel, especially overnight into early Wednesday morning.

Additionally, NWS in Hastings, Neb., has issued a special weather statement for the following counties in our area.

Light wintry precipitation is expected to develop this afternoon into Wednesday.

An approaching upper-level weather system will spread light precipitation across the region beginning late this afternoon and lingering through the day Wednesday. Precipitation is expected to start off as light snow...with a mix of snow, freezing rain and possibly sleet mixed in at times late tonight through the midday hours Wednesday. This could result in a light glaze of ice on area roadways.

At this time, snow accumulations up to two inches will be possible. Total ice accumulations are expected to be only a few hundredths of an inch.

There is still some forecast uncertainty, but if current trends continue, a winter weather advisory may become warranted for portions of the area later today.

UPDATE 6 p.m. Tuesday: Winter weather advisories have been issued for the area. <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5e2797907d7daa72b30eb701">READ ABOUT THEM HERE</a>.UPDATE noon Tuesday: The National Weather Service has dropped the special weather statement for Ellsworth, Lincoln, Marion, McPherson, and Saline counties.--------------------------------------------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579614649168.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued special weather statements for counties in our area.NWS in Wichita has issued a special weather statement for the following counties in our area.Ellsworth CountyLincoln CountyMarion CountyMcPherson CountySaline CountyAccumulating snow is possible tonight through Wednesday morning. Snow is expected to develop from west to east this evening, possibly mixing with rain at times, before transitioning to all rain during the day Wednesday.Where all snow occurs, amounts of 1 to 2 inches will be possible. If temperatures stay cold enough, higher amounts of 3 to 4 inches will be possible. The period of heaviest snow is expected between midnight and 9 a.m. Wednesday.With temperatures hovering around, or just above, freezing, roads will likely be more wet and slushy than icy. However, even slushy road conditions can make travel hazardous at times and caution is advised for those planning to travel, especially overnight into early Wednesday morning.Additionally, NWS in Hastings, Neb., has issued a special weather statement for the following counties in our area.Jewell CountyMitchell CountyLight wintry precipitation is expected to develop this afternoon into Wednesday.An approaching upper-level weather system will spread light precipitation across the region beginning late this afternoon and lingering through the day Wednesday. Precipitation is expected to start off as light snow...with a mix of snow, freezing rain and possibly sleet mixed in at times late tonight through the midday hours Wednesday. This could result in a light glaze of ice on area roadways.At this time, snow accumulations up to two inches will be possible. Total ice accumulations are expected to be only a few hundredths of an inch.There is still some forecast uncertainty, but if current trends continue, a winter weather advisory may become warranted for portions of the area later today.

UPDATE: NWS drops special weather statement for 5 counties

CONCORDIA --&nbsp;Cloud County Community College’s Black Student Union will be host to an event on Thursday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

The event, which is open to the public at no charge, will begin at 7 p.m. in Cook Theatre on the Concordia campus.

Students, faculty and administrators will make presentations on the life and vision of King. Students will perform musical selections, give speeches, and perform poetry and dance routines. The event will culminate with the keynote address, given by Dr. Adrian Douglas, CCCC president.

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

CONCORDIA --&nbsp;Cloud County Community College’s Black Student Union will be host to an event on Thursday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event, which is open to the public at no charge, will begin at 7 p.m. in Cook Theatre on the Concordia campus.Students, faculty and administrators will make presentations on the life and vision of King. Students will perform musical selections, give speeches, and perform poetry and dance routines. The event will culminate with the keynote address, given by Dr. Adrian Douglas, CCCC president.--<a href="http://cloud.edu">cloud.edu</a>--

CCCC event to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

ABILENE -- World War I and the fossil fuel era is the topic of the next Lunch &amp; Learn program at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum.

The program is scheduled to begin at noon Thursday in the Visitors Center auditorium, 200 Southeast Fourth Street in Abilene, and is open to the public at no charge. A light lunch is included on a first-come, first-served basis.

World War I forever changed human reliance on fossil fuels such as petroleum. This product, considered essential to military and economic progress, altered battlefield expectations of how the war was fought. Join Penn State Altoona’s Dr. Brian C. Black for a discussion on how the Great War formed the 20th century’s use of various energy sources, including “black gold,” and the fuel’s enduring impact on our environment and climate today.

Black’s research emphasis is on the landscape and environmental history of North America, particularly in relation to the application and use of technology. Black received his doctorate in American Studies from the University of Kansas in 1996. As one of the faculty who spearheaded the creation of an Environmental Studies major at Penn State Altoona, he currently serves as the head of the Arts and Humanities Division.

This lecture will also be presented Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the National World War I Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, Mo. This program is presented in partnership with the Linda Hall Library and the National World War I Museum and Memorial.

The Lunch &amp; Learn series is made possible courtesy of the Eisenhower Foundation and the Union Pacific Foundation.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum&nbsp;is one of 14 Presidential Libraries operated by the&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001SMqKj7Ke7FwBbfgLkzsBx_xzhfxuPQQ76yjs3ChsB386Kxy7WNQ7n6-91y326T_O64GKMVV4YGdXeekVA8lgnW89aEYp1CN8rDpnxiUmievzUdCJ546ks-TWiEBirQStaHIzXGMYzjn0AHa9eQaDKg==&amp;c=ZDuZjxc7N4J9uqGuFJtw8XtfQ-VDPFAHNz3MLrDiAvuLzDXjVC9uLQ==&amp;ch=8KbwxQmzfMheYgET4hvr0f22khdZGk2kfWT97pUZ82jVrISaNe6Dqg==" target="_blank">National Archives and Records Administration</a>. Presidential Libraries promote understanding of the presidency and the American experience. They preserve and provide access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire. Public programs and exhibits at the Eisenhower Presidential Library are made possible in part through the generous support of the&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001SMqKj7Ke7FwBbfgLkzsBx_xzhfxuPQQ76yjs3ChsB386Kxy7WNQ7n6-91y326T_OAJmrvLDxC90OvI8CH6d3TnSD89eu41R_vDUjFIoz3TU_auSvQNPC-GePJuarT0K4Icd22sGdZ9hnh9P4pauUnwrG7tJri0Y_&amp;c=ZDuZjxc7N4J9uqGuFJtw8XtfQ-VDPFAHNz3MLrDiAvuLzDXjVC9uLQ==&amp;ch=8KbwxQmzfMheYgET4hvr0f22khdZGk2kfWT97pUZ82jVrISaNe6Dqg==" target="_blank">Eisenhower Foundation</a>. To learn more, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001SMqKj7Ke7FwBbfgLkzsBx_xzhfxuPQQ76yjs3ChsB386Kxy7WNQ7n6-91y326T_Ou1cx_rfaECijyxPYTVb0T55M8m_O11DGAeadTTl176HlkLEswQrY6ne5TNt_vbjw7z0tH_786Kz15MgDHCm6iKVaWEz-d9Bz&amp;c=ZDuZjxc7N4J9uqGuFJtw8XtfQ-VDPFAHNz3MLrDiAvuLzDXjVC9uLQ==&amp;ch=8KbwxQmzfMheYgET4hvr0f22khdZGk2kfWT97pUZ82jVrISaNe6Dqg==" target="_blank">eisenhowerlibrary.gov</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579567262950.jpeg" alt="The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum Visitors Center. Photo courtesy&nbsp; the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum" />
 <figcaption>The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum Visitors Center. Photo courtesy&nbsp; the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum</figcaption>
 </figure>ABILENE -- World War I and the fossil fuel era is the topic of the next Lunch &amp; Learn program at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum.The program is scheduled to begin at noon Thursday in the Visitors Center auditorium, 200 Southeast Fourth Street in Abilene, and is open to the public at no charge. A light lunch is included on a first-come, first-served basis.World War I forever changed human reliance on fossil fuels such as petroleum. This product, considered essential to military and economic progress, altered battlefield expectations of how the war was fought. Join Penn State Altoona’s Dr. Brian C. Black for a discussion on how the Great War formed the 20th century’s use of various energy sources, including “black gold,” and the fuel’s enduring impact on our environment and climate today.Black’s research emphasis is on the landscape and environmental history of North America, particularly in relation to the application and use of technology. Black received his doctorate in American Studies from the University of Kansas in 1996. As one of the faculty who spearheaded the creation of an Environmental Studies major at Penn State Altoona, he currently serves as the head of the Arts and Humanities Division.This lecture will also be presented Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the National World War I Museum and Memorial, 2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, Mo. This program is presented in partnership with the Linda Hall Library and the National World War I Museum and Memorial.The Lunch &amp; Learn series is made possible courtesy of the Eisenhower Foundation and the Union Pacific Foundation.The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum&nbsp;is one of 14 Presidential Libraries operated by the&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001SMqKj7Ke7FwBbfgLkzsBx_xzhfxuPQQ76yjs3ChsB386Kxy7WNQ7n6-91y326T_O64GKMVV4YGdXeekVA8lgnW89aEYp1CN8rDpnxiUmievzUdCJ546ks-TWiEBirQStaHIzXGMYzjn0AHa9eQaDKg==&amp;c=ZDuZjxc7N4J9uqGuFJtw8XtfQ-VDPFAHNz3MLrDiAvuLzDXjVC9uLQ==&amp;ch=8KbwxQmzfMheYgET4hvr0f22khdZGk2kfWT97pUZ82jVrISaNe6Dqg==" target="_blank">National Archives and Records Administration</a>. Presidential Libraries promote understanding of the presidency and the American experience. They preserve and provide access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire. Public programs and exhibits at the Eisenhower Presidential Library are made possible in part through the generous support of the&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001SMqKj7Ke7FwBbfgLkzsBx_xzhfxuPQQ76yjs3ChsB386Kxy7WNQ7n6-91y326T_OAJmrvLDxC90OvI8CH6d3TnSD89eu41R_vDUjFIoz3TU_auSvQNPC-GePJuarT0K4Icd22sGdZ9hnh9P4pauUnwrG7tJri0Y_&amp;c=ZDuZjxc7N4J9uqGuFJtw8XtfQ-VDPFAHNz3MLrDiAvuLzDXjVC9uLQ==&amp;ch=8KbwxQmzfMheYgET4hvr0f22khdZGk2kfWT97pUZ82jVrISaNe6Dqg==" target="_blank">Eisenhower Foundation</a>. To learn more, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001SMqKj7Ke7FwBbfgLkzsBx_xzhfxuPQQ76yjs3ChsB386Kxy7WNQ7n6-91y326T_Ou1cx_rfaECijyxPYTVb0T55M8m_O11DGAeadTTl176HlkLEswQrY6ne5TNt_vbjw7z0tH_786Kz15MgDHCm6iKVaWEz-d9Bz&amp;c=ZDuZjxc7N4J9uqGuFJtw8XtfQ-VDPFAHNz3MLrDiAvuLzDXjVC9uLQ==&amp;ch=8KbwxQmzfMheYgET4hvr0f22khdZGk2kfWT97pUZ82jVrISaNe6Dqg==" target="_blank">eisenhowerlibrary.gov</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ike Lunch & Learn: WWI and the fossil fuel era

Today is Tuesday, Jan. 21, the 21st day of 2020. There are 345 days left in the year.

On Jan. 21, 1861, Jefferson Davis of Mississippi and four other Southerners whose states had seceded from the Union resigned from the U.S. Senate.

In 1793, during the French Revolution, King Louis XVI, condemned for treason, was executed on the guillotine.

In 1908, New York City's Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance prohibiting women from smoking in public establishments (the measure was vetoed by Mayor George B. McClellan Jr., but not before one woman, Katie Mulcahey, was jailed overnight for refusing to pay a fine).

In 1924, Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin died at age 53.

In 1950, former State Department official Alger Hiss, accused of being part of a Communist spy ring, was found guilty in New York of lying to a grand jury. (Hiss, who proclaimed his innocence, served less than four years in prison.)

In 1954, the first atomic submarine, the USS Nautilus, was launched at Groton, Connecticut (however, the Nautilus did not make its first nuclear-powered run until nearly a year later).

In 1976, British Airways and Air France inaugurated scheduled passenger service on the supersonic Concorde jet.

In 1977, on his first full day in office, President Jimmy Carter pardoned almost all Vietnam War draft evaders.

In 1982, convict-turned-author Jack Henry Abbott was found guilty in New York of first-degree manslaughter in the stabbing death of waiter Richard Adan in 1981. (Abbott was later sentenced to 15 years to life in prison; he committed suicide in 2002.)

In 1994, a jury in Manassas, Virginia, found Lorena Bobbitt not guilty by reason of temporary insanity of maliciously wounding her husband John, whom she'd accused of sexually assaulting her.

In 1997, Speaker Newt Gingrich was reprimanded and fined as the House voted for the first time in history to discipline its leader for ethical misconduct.

In 2003, the Census Bureau announced that Hispanics had surpassed blacks as America's largest minority group.

In 2007, Lovie Smith became the first black head coach to make it to the Super Bowl when his Chicago Bears won the NFC championship, beating the New Orleans Saints 39-14; Tony Dungy became the second when his Indianapolis Colts took the AFC title over the New England Patriots, 38-34.

Ten years ago: A bitterly divided U.S. Supreme Court, in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, vastly increased the power of big business and labor unions to influence government decisions by freeing them to spend their millions directly to sway elections for president and Congress. Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards finally admitted fathering a daughter during an affair before his second White House bid. Toyota recalled 2.3 million U.S. vehicles to fix accelerator pedals.

Five years ago: Defying President Barack Obama, House Speaker John Boehner announced that he'd invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stand before Congress and push for new sanctions against its archenemy Iran. (Netanyahu addressed Congress on March 3, 2015.) In an embarrassing setback, House Republicans abruptly decided to drop planned debate of a bill criminalizing virtually all late-term abortions after objections from GOP women and other lawmakers left them short of votes.

One year ago: A light aircraft carrying Argentine soccer player Emiliano Sala to his new team in Wales went missing over the English Channel; Sala's body was recovered from the wreckage two weeks later. Security forces in Venezuela put down a pre-dawn uprising by national guardsmen that triggered violent street protests; the move came as opposition leaders regained momentum in their efforts to oust President Nicolas Maduro. First-term senator and former California attorney general Kamala Harris entered the Democratic presidential race. (Harris would withdraw from the race in December.) Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and author Russell Baker died at the age of 93. Former Sen. Harris Wofford of Pennsylvania, a longtime civil rights activist, died at the age of 92. Comedian and singer Kaye Ballard, who starred with Eve Arden in the 1960s TV sitcom "The Mothers-In-Law," died at her California home; she was 93.

Today's Birthdays: World Golf Hall of Famer Jack Nicklaus is 80. Opera singer-conductor Placido Domingo is 79. Singer Mac Davis is 78. Actress Jill Eikenberry is 73. Country musician Jim Ibbotson is 73. Singer-songwriter Billy Ocean is 70. Former U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke is 70. Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is 69. Actor-director Robby Benson is 64. Actress Geena Davis is 64. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., is 59. Basketball Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon is 57. Actress Charlotte Ross is 52. R-and-B singer Marc Gay is 51. Actor John Ducey is 51. Actress Karina Lombard is 51. Actor Ken Leung is 50. Rapper Levirt (B-Rock and the Bizz) is 50. Rock musician Mark Trojanowski (Sister Hazel) is 50. Rock singer-songwriter Cat Power is 48. Rock DJ Chris Kilmore (Incubus) is 47. Actor Vincent Laresca is 46. Singer Emma Bunton (Spice Girls) is 44. Actor Jerry Trainor is 43. Country singer Phil Stacey is 42. Rhythm-and-blues singer Nokio (Dru Hill) is 41. Actress Izabella Miko is 39. Actor Luke Grimes is 36. Actress Feliz Ramirez is 28.

Thought for Today: "I honestly think it is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate." — George Burns, American comedian (1896-1996).

<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. 21, the 21st day of 2020. There are 345 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Jan. 21, 1861, Jefferson Davis of Mississippi and four other Southerners whose states had seceded from the Union resigned from the U.S. Senate.On this date:In 1793, during the French Revolution, King Louis XVI, condemned for treason, was executed on the guillotine.In 1908, New York City's Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance prohibiting women from smoking in public establishments (the measure was vetoed by Mayor George B. McClellan Jr., but not before one woman, Katie Mulcahey, was jailed overnight for refusing to pay a fine).In 1924, Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin died at age 53.In 1950, former State Department official Alger Hiss, accused of being part of a Communist spy ring, was found guilty in New York of lying to a grand jury. (Hiss, who proclaimed his innocence, served less than four years in prison.)In 1954, the first atomic submarine, the USS Nautilus, was launched at Groton, Connecticut (however, the Nautilus did not make its first nuclear-powered run until nearly a year later).In 1976, British Airways and Air France inaugurated scheduled passenger service on the supersonic Concorde jet.In 1977, on his first full day in office, President Jimmy Carter pardoned almost all Vietnam War draft evaders.In 1982, convict-turned-author Jack Henry Abbott was found guilty in New York of first-degree manslaughter in the stabbing death of waiter Richard Adan in 1981. (Abbott was later sentenced to 15 years to life in prison; he committed suicide in 2002.)In 1994, a jury in Manassas, Virginia, found Lorena Bobbitt not guilty by reason of temporary insanity of maliciously wounding her husband John, whom she'd accused of sexually assaulting her.In 1997, Speaker Newt Gingrich was reprimanded and fined as the House voted for the first time in history to discipline its leader for ethical misconduct.In 2003, the Census Bureau announced that Hispanics had surpassed blacks as America's largest minority group.In 2007, Lovie Smith became the first black head coach to make it to the Super Bowl when his Chicago Bears won the NFC championship, beating the New Orleans Saints 39-14; Tony Dungy became the second when his Indianapolis Colts took the AFC title over the New England Patriots, 38-34.Ten years ago: A bitterly divided U.S. Supreme Court, in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, vastly increased the power of big business and labor unions to influence government decisions by freeing them to spend their millions directly to sway elections for president and Congress. Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards finally admitted fathering a daughter during an affair before his second White House bid. Toyota recalled 2.3 million U.S. vehicles to fix accelerator pedals.Five years ago: Defying President Barack Obama, House Speaker John Boehner announced that he'd invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stand before Congress and push for new sanctions against its archenemy Iran. (Netanyahu addressed Congress on March 3, 2015.) In an embarrassing setback, House Republicans abruptly decided to drop planned debate of a bill criminalizing virtually all late-term abortions after objections from GOP women and other lawmakers left them short of votes.One year ago: A light aircraft carrying Argentine soccer player Emiliano Sala to his new team in Wales went missing over the English Channel; Sala's body was recovered from the wreckage two weeks later. Security forces in Venezuela put down a pre-dawn uprising by national guardsmen that triggered violent street protests; the move came as opposition leaders regained momentum in their efforts to oust President Nicolas Maduro. First-term senator and former California attorney general Kamala Harris entered the Democratic presidential race. (Harris would withdraw from the race in December.) Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and author Russell Baker died at the age of 93. Former Sen. Harris Wofford of Pennsylvania, a longtime civil rights activist, died at the age of 92. Comedian and singer Kaye Ballard, who starred with Eve Arden in the 1960s TV sitcom "The Mothers-In-Law," died at her California home; she was 93.Today's Birthdays: World Golf Hall of Famer Jack Nicklaus is 80. Opera singer-conductor Placido Domingo is 79. Singer Mac Davis is 78. Actress Jill Eikenberry is 73. Country musician Jim Ibbotson is 73. Singer-songwriter Billy Ocean is 70. Former U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke is 70. Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is 69. Actor-director Robby Benson is 64. Actress Geena Davis is 64. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., is 59. Basketball Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon is 57. Actress Charlotte Ross is 52. R-and-B singer Marc Gay is 51. Actor John Ducey is 51. Actress Karina Lombard is 51. Actor Ken Leung is 50. Rapper Levirt (B-Rock and the Bizz) is 50. Rock musician Mark Trojanowski (Sister Hazel) is 50. Rock singer-songwriter Cat Power is 48. Rock DJ Chris Kilmore (Incubus) is 47. Actor Vincent Laresca is 46. Singer Emma Bunton (Spice Girls) is 44. Actor Jerry Trainor is 43. Country singer Phil Stacey is 42. Rhythm-and-blues singer Nokio (Dru Hill) is 41. Actress Izabella Miko is 39. Actor Luke Grimes is 36. Actress Feliz Ramirez is 28.Thought for Today: "I honestly think it is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate." — George Burns, American comedian (1896-1996).Copyright 2020, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Today in History -- Jan. 21

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

A number of items are on the Saline County Commission agenda for Tuesday.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday in room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 West Ash Street. A time for public comment is scheduled near the beginning of the meeting.

The register of deeds office is requesting to transfer $30,000 from its technology fund to be used to help fund the county's 2020 aerial flyover.

Additionally, Rebecca Seeman, register of deeds, is scheduled to provide commissioners with an annual update.

Saline County computer technology is requesting permission to purchase multiple Dell Optiplex desktop computers for $19,785.20.

Commissioners also are scheduled to hear a pre-trial stats update from Andrew Pellant, pre-trial stats coordinator with community corrections.

The Saline County Health Department is requesting that commissioners accept additional funding -- $8,583 -- from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's (KDHE) family planning program. The funds will be used to help offset family planning program staff salaries, according to information in the commission meeting packet.

Additionally, the Saline County Health Department is seeking commission permission for membership with the Kansas Health Information Network (KHIN, a private health information network in the state "created to allow connected physicians, healthcare facilities and other healthcare providers to share patient information," according to meeting packet information. Multiple Salina healthcare providers are KHIN members. There is no annual fee or implementation fee for the health department to join KHIN, the meeting information notes.

The health department also seeks information to accept an Opioid Data 2 Action Grant from KDHE. According to meeting packet info, the health department would work with KDHE "to implement local prevention initiatives for opioid misuse, abuse, dependence, and fatal/non-fatal overdose. Selected strategies and activities will build local capacity to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with opioid overdoses."

Other items on the county commission agenda for Tuesday include the following.

Consider a request for action on a Compliance One FMCSA Clearing House Agreement -- Marilyn Leamer, human resources director

Consider a request for action on a Salina Tech CDL training agreement -- Darren Fishel, road and bridge administrator

Consider a bid award for a single-axle dump truck -- Fishel

Consider a bid award for a pipe culvert and bridge decking -- Justin Mader, county engineer

Consider a bid award for Water Well Road reconstruction -- Mader

Consider a bid award for aggregate material -- Mader

Consider a bid award for aggregate hauling -- Mader

Hear County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes' update

Once that meeting is complete, the commissioners are scheduled to meet in a study session in room 107B of the City-County Building. Items on the study session agenda include the following.

Department of Senior Services Advisory Council expression of interest forms -- Rosie Walter, director (30 minutes)

Salina Community Economic Development Organization expression of interest forms, Smith-Hanes (no time listed)

Executive session -- non-elected personnel (5 minutes)

To see the Saline County Commission meeting packet for Tuesday (103-page pdf, <a href="http://www.saline.org/Government/County/Commission-Documents">click here</a>.

A number of items are on the Saline County Commission agenda for Tuesday.The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday in room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 West Ash Street. A time for public comment is scheduled near the beginning of the meeting.The register of deeds office is requesting to transfer $30,000 from its technology fund to be used to help fund the county's 2020 aerial flyover.Additionally, Rebecca Seeman, register of deeds, is scheduled to provide commissioners with an annual update.Saline County computer technology is requesting permission to purchase multiple Dell Optiplex desktop computers for $19,785.20.Commissioners also are scheduled to hear a pre-trial stats update from Andrew Pellant, pre-trial stats coordinator with community corrections.The Saline County Health Department is requesting that commissioners accept additional funding -- $8,583 -- from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's (KDHE) family planning program. The funds will be used to help offset family planning program staff salaries, according to information in the commission meeting packet.Additionally, the Saline County Health Department is seeking commission permission for membership with the Kansas Health Information Network (KHIN, a private health information network in the state "created to allow connected physicians, healthcare facilities and other healthcare providers to share patient information," according to meeting packet information. Multiple Salina healthcare providers are KHIN members. There is no annual fee or implementation fee for the health department to join KHIN, the meeting information notes.The health department also seeks information to accept an Opioid Data 2 Action Grant from KDHE. According to meeting packet info, the health department would work with KDHE "to implement local prevention initiatives for opioid misuse, abuse, dependence, and fatal/non-fatal overdose. Selected strategies and activities will build local capacity to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with opioid overdoses."Other items on the county commission agenda for Tuesday include the following.Consider a request for action on a Compliance One FMCSA Clearing House Agreement -- Marilyn Leamer, human resources directorHuman resources update -- LeamerConsider a request for action on a Salina Tech CDL training agreement -- Darren Fishel, road and bridge administratorConsider a bid award for a single-axle dump truck -- FishelConsider a bid award for a pipe culvert and bridge decking -- Justin Mader, county engineerConsider a bid award for Water Well Road reconstruction -- MaderConsider a bid award for aggregate material -- MaderConsider a bid award for aggregate hauling -- MaderHear the county engineer update-- MaderHear County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes' updateOnce that meeting is complete, the commissioners are scheduled to meet in a study session in room 107B of the City-County Building. Items on the study session agenda include the following.Department of Senior Services Advisory Council expression of interest forms -- Rosie Walter, director (30 minutes)Salina Community Economic Development Organization expression of interest forms, Smith-Hanes (no time listed)Executive session -- non-elected personnel (5 minutes)To see the Saline County Commission meeting packet for Tuesday (103-page pdf, <a href="http://www.saline.org/Government/County/Commission-Documents">click here</a>.

County commissioners face busy agenda

WICHITA – With the Kansas City Chiefs, for the first time in 50 years, clinching their spot to compete for the NFL championship on Feb. 2 in Miami, there’s a lot of pent-up demand across Chiefs Kingdom for fans wanting to be there in person for the game and festivities.

Flexibility will be key for those booking travel at the last minute, but as a AAA member, you could save big on game tickets, hotel costs and car rentals – a definite score for your wallet!

Because the location of the Big Game is in Miami, a well-known vacation destination, there are multiple airports (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach) to consider when booking travel. Be flexible and remember that with less than two weeks until the game, airfare inventory may be low. Other Florida airports – such as Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville – may provide additional flight options and pricing and perhaps more availability on rental cars, with a relatively short drive to Miami.

If you don’t mind taking extra time to travel, bus and train routes may be another consideration. Dates, times and the number of stops can vary but if your funds are small but your love for football is limitless, this option could be worth investigating.

Hotel options are plenty and available for all price points, however booking now may be within the non-cancellation period, meaning charges (typically one night’s stay) for any cancellations.

“Being flexible with your flight, hotel and rental car options will be the best way to go about planning a trip to Miami for the Big Game, especially last-minute,” says Matthew Bert, travel agent with AAA Kansas. “If your plans allow, consider extending your time in Florida to escape the winter weather much of the country is seeing. South Florida’s average high temperature for February is about 75 degrees.”

Making your travel plans with a travel agent is a good idea, especially to try and avoid any potential scams.

Use your credit card when purchasing to give yourself a good way to have money returned if you need to cancel or dispute a charge.

Read hotel/airline policies carefully so you understand what cancellation policies entail.

Call the air/train/bus company you will use to get there personally. Leaving your reservations and hard earned dollars up to an emailed confirmation number can be risky. Do the same with hotel reservations. Try to talk to a live person who can confirm what you’ve just paid for.

Tickets – AAA members save up to 40 percent off on all Ticket Monster sporting event tickets, including the upcoming Big Game. To purchase tickets, AAA members can visit AAA.com/Ticketmonster and enter their valid 16-digit membership number at checkout to receive their discount.

Hotel – Best Western – Save up to 15 percent off when booking AAA rates.

Rental Car – Hertz – Save up to $15 on weekend and $30 on weekly base rate rentals with promo code 205531.

Driving to Miami – if you decide to embark on the long drive (22 hours/1,400+ miles from Kansas City; 24 hours/1,600 miles from Wichita) to Miami make sure your vehicle is ready. While some maintenance and repair tasks are best left to certified automotive technicians, there are several basic items motorists can easily check themselves between trips to their auto repair facility, including the following.

If wiper blades are worn, cracked or rigid with age, they will not adequately remove rain, grime and other debris that can obscure driver vision. If the wiper blades are sufficiently deteriorated, the metal wiper blade frame could contact and permanently damage the windshield.

Check and adjust tire pressure, including the spare. Inflate tires to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended settings—not the maximum pressure on the side of the tire. Check the tread depth by inserting a quarter upside down into a tire groove with Washington’s head facing outward. The tread should cover part of Washington’s head. If any of the area above Washington’s head is visible, it’s time to start shopping for new tires.

Have your battery checked, especially if it is over three years old. Winter cold breaks down the battery internally and accelerates the rate of corrosion on vehicle battery terminals. 

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 60 million members nationwide and nearly 349,000 members in Kansas. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. AAA is a non-stock, non-profit corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (<a href="http://AAA.com/mobile">AAA.com/mobile</a>) for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.AAA.com">www.AAA.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579538653734.jpeg" alt="Photo of Arrowhead courtesy AAA Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Photo of Arrowhead courtesy AAA Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA – With the Kansas City Chiefs, for the first time in 50 years, clinching their spot to compete for the NFL championship on Feb. 2 in Miami, there’s a lot of pent-up demand across Chiefs Kingdom for fans wanting to be there in person for the game and festivities.Flexibility will be key for those booking travel at the last minute, but as a AAA member, you could save big on game tickets, hotel costs and car rentals – a definite score for your wallet!<h2>AAA Travel Advice</h2>AirfareBecause the location of the Big Game is in Miami, a well-known vacation destination, there are multiple airports (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach) to consider when booking travel. Be flexible and remember that with less than two weeks until the game, airfare inventory may be low. Other Florida airports – such as Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville – may provide additional flight options and pricing and perhaps more availability on rental cars, with a relatively short drive to Miami.Bus and TrainIf you don’t mind taking extra time to travel, bus and train routes may be another consideration. Dates, times and the number of stops can vary but if your funds are small but your love for football is limitless, this option could be worth investigating.HotelHotel options are plenty and available for all price points, however booking now may be within the non-cancellation period, meaning charges (typically one night’s stay) for any cancellations.“Being flexible with your flight, hotel and rental car options will be the best way to go about planning a trip to Miami for the Big Game, especially last-minute,” says Matthew Bert, travel agent with AAA Kansas. “If your plans allow, consider extending your time in Florida to escape the winter weather much of the country is seeing. South Florida’s average high temperature for February is about 75 degrees.”Travel like a ChampionMaking your travel plans with a travel agent is a good idea, especially to try and avoid any potential scams.Use your credit card when purchasing to give yourself a good way to have money returned if you need to cancel or dispute a charge.Read hotel/airline policies carefully so you understand what cancellation policies entail.Call the air/train/bus company you will use to get there personally. Leaving your reservations and hard earned dollars up to an emailed confirmation number can be risky. Do the same with hotel reservations. Try to talk to a live person who can confirm what you’ve just paid for.<h2>Save on Travel with AAA</h2>Tickets – AAA members save up to 40 percent off on all Ticket Monster sporting event tickets, including the upcoming Big Game. To purchase tickets, AAA members can visit AAA.com/Ticketmonster and enter their valid 16-digit membership number at checkout to receive their discount.Hotel – Best Western – Save up to 15 percent off when booking AAA rates.Rental Car – Hertz – Save up to $15 on weekend and $30 on weekly base rate rentals with promo code 205531.Driving to Miami – if you decide to embark on the long drive (22 hours/1,400+ miles from Kansas City; 24 hours/1,600 miles from Wichita) to Miami make sure your vehicle is ready. While some maintenance and repair tasks are best left to certified automotive technicians, there are several basic items motorists can easily check themselves between trips to their auto repair facility, including the following.Windshield Wiper Blades If wiper blades are worn, cracked or rigid with age, they will not adequately remove rain, grime and other debris that can obscure driver vision. If the wiper blades are sufficiently deteriorated, the metal wiper blade frame could contact and permanently damage the windshield.TiresCheck and adjust tire pressure, including the spare. Inflate tires to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended settings—not the maximum pressure on the side of the tire. Check the tread depth by inserting a quarter upside down into a tire groove with Washington’s head facing outward. The tread should cover part of Washington’s head. If any of the area above Washington’s head is visible, it’s time to start shopping for new tires.BatteryHave your battery checked, especially if it is over three years old. Winter cold breaks down the battery internally and accelerates the rate of corrosion on vehicle battery terminals. About AAAAAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 60 million members nationwide and nearly 349,000 members in Kansas. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. AAA is a non-stock, non-profit corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (<a href="http://AAA.com/mobile">AAA.com/mobile</a>) for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.AAA.com">www.AAA.com</a>.

AAA: Travel advice for Chiefs fans heading to Miami

Congratulations to Pat Ziegler of Salina, the Week 20 winner in our Gridiron Glory contest! Pat wins $100 cash from Eagle Radio!

You have one more chance to win a weekly prize: $100 cash from Eagle Radio. You have nearly two weeks to make your pick, so think about it and make it count!

<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5dcac5e5897d147ad4bb0ba5#/registration/login" target="_blank">Click here</a>&nbsp;to play Anesthesia Associates’ Gridiron Glory on&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/" target="_blank">SalinaPost.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577799102908.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Congratulations to Pat Ziegler of Salina, the Week 20 winner in our Gridiron Glory contest! Pat wins $100 cash from Eagle Radio!You have one more chance to win a weekly prize: $100 cash from Eagle Radio. You have nearly two weeks to make your pick, so think about it and make it count!<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5dcac5e5897d147ad4bb0ba5#/registration/login" target="_blank">Click here</a>&nbsp;to play Anesthesia Associates’ Gridiron Glory on&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/" target="_blank">SalinaPost.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gridiron Glory: Congrats Pat Ziegler!

It looks like we may be getting some snow Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita, the Salina area is expected to receive one- to two-inches of snow Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, with some rain possible. Sleet or freezing rain are not expected at this time, NWS noted.

While confidence is high that most of the area will see some snow, confidence is lower concerning where exactly the higher amounts will be, NWS reported.

Untreated roads will become slick, along with bridges and sidewalks, according to NWS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579565416654.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>It looks like we may be getting some snow Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita, the Salina area is expected to receive one- to two-inches of snow Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, with some rain possible. Sleet or freezing rain are not expected at this time, NWS noted.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579565478132.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>While confidence is high that most of the area will see some snow, confidence is lower concerning where exactly the higher amounts will be, NWS reported.Untreated roads will become slick, along with bridges and sidewalks, according to NWS.

NWS: Snow, rain possible Tuesday evening into Wednesday

By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/150000-kansans-who-drink-private-wells-are-largely-blind-contamination">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA, Kansas — About 150,000 people in Kansas get their drinking water from private wells.

How clean, and safe, is that water? Short answer: It depends.

But
 new research suggests those wells deliver water tainted with a range of
 pollutants. Some leaked from dry cleaning operations. Yet far more 
wells soak up, and deliver to taps, fertilizer that’s been building up 
in Kansas soil and water over generations of modern farming.

But
 it’s not up to regulators from Washington or agencies in Topeka to test
 private well water quality. That falls to individual well owners. With 
little to no government oversight, some public health officials worry 
that’s creating a system where far too many people are left vulnerable 
to potential cancer-causing pollutants and toxins.

New research from Kansas State University shows that <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10040-019-02083-z#Sec15" target="_blank">groundwater quality in the&nbsp; Great Bend Aquifer in south-central Kansas </a><a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10040-019-02083-z#Sec15">rates far</a><a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10040-019-02083-z#Sec15" target="_blank"> worse today than 30 years ago</a>.

The
 main culprit is a dramatic increase in the amount of nitrate. It’s a 
byproduct of the Green Revolution of the 1960s that turbo-charged modern
 farming toward greater yields, especially the use of chemical 
fertilizers.

Farmers learned that soil laced with extra nitrogen 
could squeeze more&nbsp; bushels from an acre of land. But not all that 
nitrogen stays put or gets absorbed in wheat, corn, sorghum and 
soybeans. Some runs off into streams, or trickles into underground 
reservoirs.

“The change that we see is comparable to the most 
extreme change measured by a nationwide study,” Matthew Kirk, associate 
professor of geology at Kansas State University said. “So this is a 
pretty big increase in nitrate.”

High levels of nitrogen in water <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations#two">can lead to shortness of breath</a>. It can even cause death in young children and older adults. The federal <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sdwa">Safe Drinking</a><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sdwa"> Water Ac</a><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sdwa">t</a>, which only governs public drinking water, limits nitrate levels to less than 10 milligrams per liter.

When Kirk sampled the water for his research, seven of the 22 wells tested exceeded that limit.

When
 analyzing the molecules, Kirk said it was clear that the nitrogen was 
coming from fertilizer leaching into the aquifer from the surface. This 
particular part of the natural underground reservoir is more vulnerable 
to land use changes because it’s relatively close to the surface, so the
 water doesn’t get filtered well. Kirk said it could stand as an early 
warning for other deeper parts of the broader High Plains Aquifer.

Kirk said private well users need to test their water regularly or put the health of their families at risk.

“We
 do that for municipal water supplies. But for rural well owners, it’s 
entirely up to them,” he said. “They don’t have to have their water 
tested unless they want to.”

Because there’s no reporting 
requirement, there’s also no statewide record of groundwater quality. 
And even if collecting that kind of data helped officials understand the
 bigger picture, the movement of water underground is complex. Just 
because one well is contaminated doesn’t mean the next well over is too.

The <a href="https://www.ngwa.org/" target="_blank">National Ground Water Association</a> recommends private well owners do a <a href="https://wellowner.org/" target="_blank">basic quality test for bacteria and nitrates once a year</a>.

“(But)
 Some people tend to overlook it,” said Brian Snelten, the NGWA 
President-elect. “It’s one of those things you can forget about. It’s 
like changing your car oil.”

While a basic test is going to be fine in most cases, there are other chemicals some people need to worry about.

The
 water in Randi Williams house now comes from the city of Wichita. But 
until a few years ago, she got her water from a private well.

“The
 lady that sold us the house had us taste the water and hold it up to 
the light,” Williams said. “And then we had it tested on our own. Since 
it tested fine, no problems.”

A <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov/dryclean/FourSeasons.html">toxic plume of dry cleaning chemicals had made its way to their well</a>. It had likely been there for years.

Why
 didn’t she discover it when she bought the house? Because the toxic 
chemicals from the dry cleaning plume are odorless and tasteless, and 
basic tests for bacteria don’t expose it.

She wished she would 
have been more informed about the potential dangers near her well, such 
as dry cleaners and underground gas storage tanks.

“Had we known, we probably would have done more testing because, of course, we want to be healthy,” she said.

Databases of <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov/waterwell/index.html">some of that information exist</a>,
 but there’s no system to alert people with water wells nearby. Even if 
someone did know where to find the information, the average homeowner 
isn’t likely to understand what they’re looking at.

<a href="http://meridiantesting.com/services/home-owners/" target="_blank">Meridian Labs in Wichita</a>
 is one of a few places that offers comprehensive residential water 
testing in Kansas. Their tests range anywhere from $20 for a simple 
bacteria test, to $150 for a more comprehensive report.

“A lot of
 times, I will take them through their report step-by-step,” Jessica 
Jensen, the lab’s technical director, said. “Some people just need that 
peace of mind.”

Even when well owners discover there’s a problem, the cost of solving it can vary wildly. A <a href="https://www.aquasana.com/whole-house-water-filters/500k-gallon-well-water/proinstall?discountcode=LIVEHEALTHY&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA6vXwBRBKEiwAYE7iS4w2sPxDaMiR6fkwErolYdtovM_3xmmS7XWRk2-QHdD0_5dDLBtQ5BoCyXQQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">sophisticated home filtration system</a>
 could run several thousand dollars. While cleaning up a large plume, 
which involves the city or state, can cost several hundred thousand, 
even millions of dollars.

Elizabeth Ablah researches population 
health at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita. She 
said that knowledge gap is a big part of the problem. Without some kind 
of standardized statewide regulations, it’s too much to expect regular 
people to fully grasp complex water quality issues.

“We need to 
be starting to address these issues in a more systematic way rather than
 this piecemeal patchwork sort of intervention that we’ve been doing,” 
she said.

She and her colleague, Jack Brown, worked with state 
agencies, local public health officials and engineering and drilling 
firms to develop <a href="http://wichita.kumc.edu/improving-and-protecting-water-well-quality/project-recommendations.html">18 recommendations for improving and protecting well water quality</a>.

The
 recommendations range from changes in code that would standardize the 
definition of a nonpublic household water well to defining trigger 
events for when the state would require well testing.

But they were released a year ago, and so far, nothing has changed.

She’s
 worried that without some kind of change, the Kansans with private 
water wells will have to continue relying largely on faith that their 
water is safe to drink.

“Really there’s no entity that is 
currently focusing on water quality for non-public water well users,” 
she said. “And that is a problem.”

Brian Grimmett reports on 
the environment, energy and natural resources for KMUW in Wichita and 
the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/briangrimmett?lang=en">@briangrimmett</a>
 or email him at grimmett@kmuw.org. The Kansas News Service 
is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains 
Public Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and 
their connection to public policy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579532395946.jpeg" alt="Brian Grimmett/Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Brian Grimmett/Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/150000-kansans-who-drink-private-wells-are-largely-blind-contamination">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA, Kansas — About 150,000 people in Kansas get their drinking water from private wells.How clean, and safe, is that water? Short answer: It depends.But
 new research suggests those wells deliver water tainted with a range of
 pollutants. Some leaked from dry cleaning operations. Yet far more 
wells soak up, and deliver to taps, fertilizer that’s been building up 
in Kansas soil and water over generations of modern farming.But
 it’s not up to regulators from Washington or agencies in Topeka to test
 private well water quality. That falls to individual well owners. With 
little to no government oversight, some public health officials worry 
that’s creating a system where far too many people are left vulnerable 
to potential cancer-causing pollutants and toxins.New research from Kansas State University shows that <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10040-019-02083-z#Sec15" target="_blank">groundwater quality in the&nbsp; Great Bend Aquifer in south-central Kansas </a><a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10040-019-02083-z#Sec15">rates far</a><a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10040-019-02083-z#Sec15" target="_blank"> worse today than 30 years ago</a>.The
 main culprit is a dramatic increase in the amount of nitrate. It’s a 
byproduct of the Green Revolution of the 1960s that turbo-charged modern
 farming toward greater yields, especially the use of chemical 
fertilizers.Farmers learned that soil laced with extra nitrogen 
could squeeze more&nbsp; bushels from an acre of land. But not all that 
nitrogen stays put or gets absorbed in wheat, corn, sorghum and 
soybeans. Some runs off into streams, or trickles into underground 
reservoirs.“The change that we see is comparable to the most 
extreme change measured by a nationwide study,” Matthew Kirk, associate 
professor of geology at Kansas State University said. “So this is a 
pretty big increase in nitrate.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579532260540.jpeg" alt="Location of wells tested. Shaded areas depict the High Plain aquifer. Dashed vertical lines approximate boundaries between the Ogallala, Great Bend Prairie, and Equus Beds aquifers.&nbsp;Credit Matthew Kirk / Kansas State University" />
 <figcaption>Location of wells tested. Shaded areas depict the High Plain aquifer. Dashed vertical lines approximate boundaries between the Ogallala, Great Bend Prairie, and Equus Beds aquifers.&nbsp;Credit Matthew Kirk / Kansas State University</figcaption>
 </figure>High levels of nitrogen in water <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations#two">can lead to shortness of breath</a>. It can even cause death in young children and older adults. The federal <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sdwa">Safe Drinking</a><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sdwa"> Water Ac</a><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sdwa">t</a>, which only governs public drinking water, limits nitrate levels to less than 10 milligrams per liter.When Kirk sampled the water for his research, seven of the 22 wells tested exceeded that limit.When
 analyzing the molecules, Kirk said it was clear that the nitrogen was 
coming from fertilizer leaching into the aquifer from the surface. This 
particular part of the natural underground reservoir is more vulnerable 
to land use changes because it’s relatively close to the surface, so the
 water doesn’t get filtered well. Kirk said it could stand as an early 
warning for other deeper parts of the broader High Plains Aquifer.Kirk said private well users need to test their water regularly or put the health of their families at risk.“We
 do that for municipal water supplies. But for rural well owners, it’s 
entirely up to them,” he said. “They don’t have to have their water 
tested unless they want to.”Because there’s no reporting 
requirement, there’s also no statewide record of groundwater quality. 
And even if collecting that kind of data helped officials understand the
 bigger picture, the movement of water underground is complex. Just 
because one well is contaminated doesn’t mean the next well over is too.The <a href="https://www.ngwa.org/" target="_blank">National Ground Water Association</a> recommends private well owners do a <a href="https://wellowner.org/" target="_blank">basic quality test for bacteria and nitrates once a year</a>.“(But)
 Some people tend to overlook it,” said Brian Snelten, the NGWA 
President-elect. “It’s one of those things you can forget about. It’s 
like changing your car oil.”While a basic test is going to be fine in most cases, there are other chemicals some people need to worry about.<h2>Dry cleaning plume</h2>The
 water in Randi Williams house now comes from the city of Wichita. But 
until a few years ago, she got her water from a private well.“The
 lady that sold us the house had us taste the water and hold it up to 
the light,” Williams said. “And then we had it tested on our own. Since 
it tested fine, no problems.”It wasn’t fine.A <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov/dryclean/FourSeasons.html">toxic plume of dry cleaning chemicals had made its way to their well</a>. It had likely been there for years.Why
 didn’t she discover it when she bought the house? Because the toxic 
chemicals from the dry cleaning plume are odorless and tasteless, and 
basic tests for bacteria don’t expose it.She wished she would 
have been more informed about the potential dangers near her well, such 
as dry cleaners and underground gas storage tanks.“Had we known, we probably would have done more testing because, of course, we want to be healthy,” she said.Databases of <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov/waterwell/index.html">some of that information exist</a>,
 but there’s no system to alert people with water wells nearby. Even if 
someone did know where to find the information, the average homeowner 
isn’t likely to understand what they’re looking at.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579532281804.jpeg" alt="Water quality testing at Meridian Labs in Wichita.&nbsp;Credit Brian Grimmett/Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Water quality testing at Meridian Labs in Wichita.&nbsp;Credit Brian Grimmett/Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Knowledge gaps</h2><a href="http://meridiantesting.com/services/home-owners/" target="_blank">Meridian Labs in Wichita</a>
 is one of a few places that offers comprehensive residential water 
testing in Kansas. Their tests range anywhere from $20 for a simple 
bacteria test, to $150 for a more comprehensive report.“A lot of
 times, I will take them through their report step-by-step,” Jessica 
Jensen, the lab’s technical director, said. “Some people just need that 
peace of mind.”Even when well owners discover there’s a problem, the cost of solving it can vary wildly. A <a href="https://www.aquasana.com/whole-house-water-filters/500k-gallon-well-water/proinstall?discountcode=LIVEHEALTHY&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA6vXwBRBKEiwAYE7iS4w2sPxDaMiR6fkwErolYdtovM_3xmmS7XWRk2-QHdD0_5dDLBtQ5BoCyXQQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">sophisticated home filtration system</a>
 could run several thousand dollars. While cleaning up a large plume, 
which involves the city or state, can cost several hundred thousand, 
even millions of dollars.Elizabeth Ablah researches population 
health at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita. She 
said that knowledge gap is a big part of the problem. Without some kind 
of standardized statewide regulations, it’s too much to expect regular 
people to fully grasp complex water quality issues.“We need to 
be starting to address these issues in a more systematic way rather than
 this piecemeal patchwork sort of intervention that we’ve been doing,” 
she said.She and her colleague, Jack Brown, worked with state 
agencies, local public health officials and engineering and drilling 
firms to develop <a href="http://wichita.kumc.edu/improving-and-protecting-water-well-quality/project-recommendations.html">18 recommendations for improving and protecting well water quality</a>.The
 recommendations range from changes in code that would standardize the 
definition of a nonpublic household water well to defining trigger 
events for when the state would require well testing.But they were released a year ago, and so far, nothing has changed.She’s
 worried that without some kind of change, the Kansans with private 
water wells will have to continue relying largely on faith that their 
water is safe to drink.“Really there’s no entity that is 
currently focusing on water quality for non-public water well users,” 
she said. “And that is a problem.”Brian Grimmett reports on 
the environment, energy and natural resources for KMUW in Wichita and 
the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/briangrimmett?lang=en">@briangrimmett</a>
 or email him at grimmett@kmuw.org. The Kansas News Service 
is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains 
Public Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and 
their connection to public policy.