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

Check out this great deal from Eagle Radio's Christmas Cyber Sale:

Get your office or business carpets cleaned and looking great!

This certificate can be used to clean up to 2,000 square feet of carpet at a commercial property or business. If area to be cleaned is larger than 2,000 square feet, certificate can be applied toward the final price.

Colestrong Carpet Cleaning is a family owned and operated business based out of Abilene. We offer a variety of cleaning services for rugs, carpet, upholstery, and more.

Eagle Radio's Christmas Cyber Sale has items to bid on and items that you can buy immediately. All items are from local and area businesses, so when you bid or buy, you’re helping the local and area economy.&nbsp;

So how do you bid or buy? Just&nbsp;<a href="https://cyberxmas19.givesmart.com/" target="_blank">click here</a>&nbsp;to get started.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The Christmas Cyber Sale ends at midnight on Monday, so get to biding and buying today!

Christmas image courtesy&nbsp;<a href="https://www.canstockphoto.com/" target="_blank">© Can Stock Photo / Irisangel</a>

Check out this great deal from Eagle Radio's Christmas Cyber Sale:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577407161176.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Get your office or business carpets cleaned and looking great!This certificate can be used to clean up to 2,000 square feet of carpet at a commercial property or business. If area to be cleaned is larger than 2,000 square feet, certificate can be applied toward the final price.Colestrong Carpet Cleaning is a family owned and operated business based out of Abilene. We offer a variety of cleaning services for rugs, carpet, upholstery, and more.Eagle Radio's Christmas Cyber Sale has items to bid on and items that you can buy immediately. All items are from local and area businesses, so when you bid or buy, you’re helping the local and area economy.&nbsp;So how do you bid or buy? Just&nbsp;<a href="https://cyberxmas19.givesmart.com/" target="_blank">click here</a>&nbsp;to get started.&nbsp; &nbsp;The Christmas Cyber Sale ends at midnight on Monday, so get to biding and buying today!Christmas image courtesy&nbsp;<a href="https://www.canstockphoto.com/" target="_blank">© Can Stock Photo / Irisangel</a>

Christmas Cyber Sale: Colestrong carpet cleaning

The American Red Cross is scheduled to conduct a blood drive in Salina next week. 

The blood drive is scheduled for noon-7&nbsp; p.m. Monday and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday in the multi-purpose room of the Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 825 East Beloit Avenue.

Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the word "Salina" to schedule an appointment. Those donating blood will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved t-shirt while supplies last.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577370834109.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The American Red Cross is scheduled to conduct a blood drive in Salina next week. The blood drive is scheduled for noon-7&nbsp; p.m. Monday and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday in the multi-purpose room of the Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 825 East Beloit Avenue.Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the word "Salina" to schedule an appointment. Those donating blood will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved t-shirt while supplies last.

Red Cross blood drive in Salina next week

ABILENE -- Employees of Memorial Health System (MHS) recently wore blue jeans at work for another “Jeans Day” fundraiser. 

Employees who made a donation of at least $5 were allowed to wear blue jeans on a Friday in December. The day was organized by the MHS Employer of Choice (EOC) committee. 

A total donation of $235 was presented to the Community Meal of Abilene. Six Abilene churches are involved in the Community Meal, which is free to anyone who comes. The food and fellowship can be found each Monday from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 320 N. Cedar Street.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577369235995.jpeg" alt="Pictured from left are Heather Bohannan, EOC committee member; along with Kay Vowels and Theresa Brierton, who are involved with the Community Meal; and Michelle McClanahan, MHS employee. Photo courtesy MHS" />
 <figcaption>Pictured from left are Heather Bohannan, EOC committee member; along with Kay Vowels and Theresa Brierton, who are involved with the Community Meal; and Michelle McClanahan, MHS employee. Photo courtesy MHS</figcaption>
 </figure>ABILENE -- Employees of Memorial Health System (MHS) recently wore blue jeans at work for another “Jeans Day” fundraiser. Employees who made a donation of at least $5 were allowed to wear blue jeans on a Friday in December. The day was organized by the MHS Employer of Choice (EOC) committee. A total donation of $235 was presented to the Community Meal of Abilene. Six Abilene churches are involved in the Community Meal, which is free to anyone who comes. The food and fellowship can be found each Monday from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 320 N. Cedar Street.

MHS employees donate to Community Meal of Abilene

PRATT –The newest issue of&nbsp;Kansas Wildlife And Parks Magazine&nbsp;will be dedicated to photos illustrating Kansas, including those taken by winners of the seventh annual Wild About Kansas photo contest.

Photographers of all skill levels and ages submitted photos to compete for top spots in one of five categories and were judged on creativity, composition, subject matter, lighting, and sharpness. A total of 27 images made the final cut and will be featured in&nbsp;Kansas Wildlife And Parks Magazine’s&nbsp;2020 photo issue set to be mailed in January.

Submission categories included wildlife, outdoor recreation (not hunting or fishing, landscapes, other species (typically subjects that aren’t mammals or birds, and hunting and fishing. Results from the 2019 photo contest are as follows:

To purchase a copy of the 2020 photo issue or to subscribe toKansas Wildlife And Parks Magazine, call (620) 672-5911 or visit&nbsp;<a href="http://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Publications/Magazine" target="_blank">ksoutdoors.com/Services/Publications/Magazine</a>.

Details on the 2020 contest will be made available on&nbsp;<a href="http://ksoutdoors.com/" target="_blank">ksoutdoors.com</a>&nbsp;this spring.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577225946229.jpeg" alt="Robin Dicks' first place landscape. Photo courtesy KDWPT" />
 <figcaption>Robin Dicks' first place landscape. Photo courtesy KDWPT</figcaption>
 </figure>PRATT –The newest issue of&nbsp;Kansas Wildlife And Parks Magazine&nbsp;will be dedicated to photos illustrating Kansas, including those taken by winners of the seventh annual Wild About Kansas photo contest. Photographers of all skill levels and ages submitted photos to compete for top spots in one of five categories and were judged on creativity, composition, subject matter, lighting, and sharpness. A total of 27 images made the final cut and will be featured in&nbsp;Kansas Wildlife And Parks Magazine’s&nbsp;2020 photo issue set to be mailed in January.Submission categories included wildlife, outdoor recreation (not hunting or fishing, landscapes, other species (typically subjects that aren’t mammals or birds, and hunting and fishing. Results from the 2019 photo contest are as follows:<h2>ADULT</h2>WildlifeFirst: David Birmingham, DerbySecond: David Kiger, PrattThird: Marilyn Friesen, InmanOutdoor RecreationFirst: Mark Alexander, NewtonSecond: Mary Mejia, OlatheThird: Kelly Nachtigal, NewtonLandscapesFirst: Robin Dicks, Marion (pictured)Second: AJ Thomas, ShawneeThird: Sheryll Marks, WellingtonOther SpeciesFirst: Jennifer Wagner, Spring HillSecond: Mary Mejia, OlatheThird: Chris Koster, Valley CenterHunting and FishingFirst: AJ Thomas, ShawneeSecond: Donna Fletcher, KingmanThird: Joe Lucas, Littleton, Colo.<h2>YOUTH</h2>WildlifeFirst: Johanna Walker, FranklinSecond: Josie Parsons, LeavenworthThird: Kylie Rankin, OxfordOutdoor RecreationFirst: Nathan Knapp, SenecaSecond: Adria Nelson, Garden PlainThird: Lucas Dedonder, AbileneLandscapesFirst: Cayley Lindsey, AbileneSecond: Kylie Rankin, OxfordThird: Max Callahan, AbileneOther SpeciesFirst: Brea Carroll, AlmaSecond: Stephen Knapp, SenecaThird: Dan Jones, AbileneTo purchase a copy of the 2020 photo issue or to subscribe toKansas Wildlife And Parks Magazine, call (620) 672-5911 or visit&nbsp;<a href="http://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Publications/Magazine" target="_blank">ksoutdoors.com/Services/Publications/Magazine</a>.Details on the 2020 contest will be made available on&nbsp;<a href="http://ksoutdoors.com/" target="_blank">ksoutdoors.com</a>&nbsp;this spring.

Area photogs among Wild About Kansas winners

Today is Thursday, Dec. 26, the 360th day of 2019. There are five days left in the year.

On Dec. 26, 1996, 6-year-old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey was found beaten and strangled in the basement of her family's home in Boulder, Colorado. (To date, the slaying remains unsolved.)

In 1799, former President George Washington was eulogized by Col. Henry Lee as "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

In 1893, Chinese leader Mao Zedong was born in Hunan province.

In 1917, during World War I, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation authorizing the government to take over operation of the nation's railroads.

In 1944, during the World War II Battle of the Bulge, the embattled U.S. 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne, Belgium, was relieved by units of the 4th Armored Division. Tennessee Williams' play "The Glass Menagerie" was first performed at the Civic Theatre in Chicago.

In 1947, heavy snow blanketed the Northeast, burying New York City under 26.4 inches of snow in 16 hours; the severe weather was blamed for some 80 deaths.

In 1980, Iranian television footage was broadcast in the United States, showing a dozen of the American hostages sending messages to their families.

In 1985, Ford Motor Company began selling its Taurus and Sable sedans and station wagons.

In 1994, French commandos stormed a hijacked Air France jetliner on the ground in Marseille, killing four Algerian hijackers and freeing 170 hostages.

In 2000, Michael McDermott, an employee at an Internet firm in Wakefield, Massachusetts, shot and killed seven co-workers. (McDermott was later convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.) Veteran stage and screen actor Jason Robards died in Bridgeport, Connecticut, at age 78.

In 2003, An earthquake struck the historic Iranian city of Bam, killing at least 26,000 people. Three snowboarders were killed in an avalanche in Provo Canyon, Utah.

In 2004, more than 230,000 people, mostly in southern Asia, were killed by a 100-foot-high tsunami triggered by a 9.1-magnitude earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean.

In 2006, former President Gerald R. Ford died in Rancho Mirage, California, at age 93.

Ten years ago: A 23-year-old Nigerian man, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who claimed to have ties to al-Qaida, was charged with trying to destroy a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day. Buddhist monks chanted on white-sanded beaches in Thailand and thousands prayed at mosques in Indonesia to mark the fifth anniversary of the Asian tsunami. Percy Sutton, the pioneering civil rights attorney who represented Malcolm X before launching successful careers as a political power broker and media mogul, died in New York at 89.

Five years ago: Mourners gathered to mark the 10th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami. Russia identified NATO as the nation's No. 1 military threat under a new military doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin. James B. Edwards, South Carolina's first Republican governor since Reconstruction and later energy secretary for two years in the Reagan administration, died at age 87.

One year ago: President Donald Trump made an unannounced trip to Iraq to meet with U.S. troops, landing at an airbase west of Baghdad after dark for a visit that lasted around three and a half hours. The Dow industrials posted their biggest-ever single-day point gain, surging more than 1,000 points higher; the market remained on track for its worst December since 1931. Serena Williams was voted The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year for the fifth time, capping a year in which she reached the finals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open after a remarkable return to tennis. Japan announced that it was leaving the International Whaling Commission in order to resume commercial whale hunts for the first time in 30 years, but said it would no longer go to the Antarctic for annual killings that had been harshly criticized.

Today's Birthdays: Rhythm-and-blues singer Abdul "Duke" Fakir (The Four Tops) is 84. Record producer (and convicted murderer) Phil Spector is 80. "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh is 74. Country musician Bob Carpenter (The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) is 73. Funk musician George Porter Jr. (The Meters) is 72. Baseball Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk is 72. Retired MLB All-Star Chris Chambliss is 71. Baseball Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith is 65. Former Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., is 64. Humorist David Sedaris is 63. Rock musician James Kottak (The Scorpions) is 57. Country musician Brian Westrum (Sons of the Desert) is 57. Rock musician Lars Ulrich (Metallica) is 56. Actress Nadia Dajani is 54. Rock musician J is 52. Country singer Audrey Wiggins is 52. Rock musician Peter Klett (Candlebox) is 51. Rock singer James Mercer (The Shins; Flake) is 49. Actor-singer Jared Leto is 48. Actress Kendra C. Johnson is 43. Rock singer Chris Daughtry is 40. Actress Beth Behrs is 34. Actor Kit Harington is 33. Actress Eden Sher is 28. Pop singer Jade Thirlwall (Little Mix Actor) is 27. Actor Zach Mills is 24.

Thought for Today: "Little progress can be made by merely attempting to repress what is evil. Our great hope lies in developing what is good." — President Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Today is Thursday, Dec. 26, the 360th day of 2019. There are five days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Dec. 26, 1996, 6-year-old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey was found beaten and strangled in the basement of her family's home in Boulder, Colorado. (To date, the slaying remains unsolved.)On this date:In 1799, former President George Washington was eulogized by Col. Henry Lee as "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen."In 1893, Chinese leader Mao Zedong was born in Hunan province.In 1917, during World War I, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation authorizing the government to take over operation of the nation's railroads.In 1944, during the World War II Battle of the Bulge, the embattled U.S. 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne, Belgium, was relieved by units of the 4th Armored Division. Tennessee Williams' play "The Glass Menagerie" was first performed at the Civic Theatre in Chicago.In 1947, heavy snow blanketed the Northeast, burying New York City under 26.4 inches of snow in 16 hours; the severe weather was blamed for some 80 deaths.In 1980, Iranian television footage was broadcast in the United States, showing a dozen of the American hostages sending messages to their families.In 1985, Ford Motor Company began selling its Taurus and Sable sedans and station wagons.In 1994, French commandos stormed a hijacked Air France jetliner on the ground in Marseille, killing four Algerian hijackers and freeing 170 hostages.In 2000, Michael McDermott, an employee at an Internet firm in Wakefield, Massachusetts, shot and killed seven co-workers. (McDermott was later convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.) Veteran stage and screen actor Jason Robards died in Bridgeport, Connecticut, at age 78.In 2003, An earthquake struck the historic Iranian city of Bam, killing at least 26,000 people. Three snowboarders were killed in an avalanche in Provo Canyon, Utah.In 2004, more than 230,000 people, mostly in southern Asia, were killed by a 100-foot-high tsunami triggered by a 9.1-magnitude earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean.In 2006, former President Gerald R. Ford died in Rancho Mirage, California, at age 93.Ten years ago: A 23-year-old Nigerian man, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who claimed to have ties to al-Qaida, was charged with trying to destroy a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day. Buddhist monks chanted on white-sanded beaches in Thailand and thousands prayed at mosques in Indonesia to mark the fifth anniversary of the Asian tsunami. Percy Sutton, the pioneering civil rights attorney who represented Malcolm X before launching successful careers as a political power broker and media mogul, died in New York at 89.Five years ago: Mourners gathered to mark the 10th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami. Russia identified NATO as the nation's No. 1 military threat under a new military doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin. James B. Edwards, South Carolina's first Republican governor since Reconstruction and later energy secretary for two years in the Reagan administration, died at age 87.One year ago: President Donald Trump made an unannounced trip to Iraq to meet with U.S. troops, landing at an airbase west of Baghdad after dark for a visit that lasted around three and a half hours. The Dow industrials posted their biggest-ever single-day point gain, surging more than 1,000 points higher; the market remained on track for its worst December since 1931. Serena Williams was voted The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year for the fifth time, capping a year in which she reached the finals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open after a remarkable return to tennis. Japan announced that it was leaving the International Whaling Commission in order to resume commercial whale hunts for the first time in 30 years, but said it would no longer go to the Antarctic for annual killings that had been harshly criticized.Today's Birthdays: Rhythm-and-blues singer Abdul "Duke" Fakir (The Four Tops) is 84. Record producer (and convicted murderer) Phil Spector is 80. "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh is 74. Country musician Bob Carpenter (The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) is 73. Funk musician George Porter Jr. (The Meters) is 72. Baseball Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk is 72. Retired MLB All-Star Chris Chambliss is 71. Baseball Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith is 65. Former Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., is 64. Humorist David Sedaris is 63. Rock musician James Kottak (The Scorpions) is 57. Country musician Brian Westrum (Sons of the Desert) is 57. Rock musician Lars Ulrich (Metallica) is 56. Actress Nadia Dajani is 54. Rock musician J is 52. Country singer Audrey Wiggins is 52. Rock musician Peter Klett (Candlebox) is 51. Rock singer James Mercer (The Shins; Flake) is 49. Actor-singer Jared Leto is 48. Actress Kendra C. Johnson is 43. Rock singer Chris Daughtry is 40. Actress Beth Behrs is 34. Actor Kit Harington is 33. Actress Eden Sher is 28. Pop singer Jade Thirlwall (Little Mix Actor) is 27. Actor Zach Mills is 24.Thought for Today: "Little progress can be made by merely attempting to repress what is evil. Our great hope lies in developing what is good." — President Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933).Copyright 2019, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Today in History -- Dec. 26

As you begin to take down your Christmas decorations, don't forget the city's recycling program for real Christmas trees.

Four park locations in Salina will accept and recycle Christmas trees into mulch through Jan. 31, 2020.

The mulch will be used around newly planted trees and to surface nature trails. Christmas trees must be free of ornaments, stands, netting and plastic bags. Yard waste will not be accepted.

Drop-off locations include the following.

For more information about Christmas tree recycling visit&nbsp;<a href="http://salina-ks.gov/">salina-ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call (785) 309-5745.

As you begin to take down your Christmas decorations, don't forget the city's recycling program for real Christmas trees.Four park locations in Salina will accept and recycle Christmas trees into mulch through Jan. 31, 2020.The mulch will be used around newly planted trees and to surface nature trails. Christmas trees must be free of ornaments, stands, netting and plastic bags. Yard waste will not be accepted.Drop-off locations include the following.Lakewood Park, 1323 East Iron AvenueJerry Ivey Park, 2465 Edward StreetCentennial Park, 764 Commanche AvenueThomas Park, 1525 North Ninth StreetFor more information about Christmas tree recycling visit&nbsp;<a href="http://salina-ks.gov/">salina-ks.gov</a>&nbsp;or call (785) 309-5745.

City offers four drop-off locations for Christmas trees

WICHITA -- As a record number of travelers nationwide take to the roadways to celebrate the year-end holiday season, AAA Kansas wants to make sure that safe driving is at the top of your “to do” list to ensure an enjoyable and trouble-free journey to the homes of those you love the most. 

“The travel season is in full swing with many eager to spend the holidays with friends and family,” said Shawn Steward, AAA Kansas spokesman. “No matter how far you are traveling over the next few days, it is important to remember safety first and be prepared in the event of a breakdown or delay.”

In the spirit of the season, AAA Kansas is sharing one more important list of tasks to check off whether you’re traveling out of town or around town over the holidays:

Be Ready for Busy Roads – This holiday season will bring record numbers of travelers, so pack patience, be courteous, slow down, don’t tailgate and drive attentively and appropriately for the traffic and weather conditions. These reminders will help your family and others on the road make it safely to holiday celebrations and family visits.

Buckle Up, Every Trip, Every Time – The use of a seat belts by all occupants of a vehicle is the most important safety precaution that can be taken while traveling. In 2018 in Kansas, 127 unrestrained people died in motor vehicle crashes. Many of these deaths could have been prevented with the simple click of a seat belt. Ensure that the lap belt and shoulder belt are secured across the pelvis and rib cage, which are better able to withstand crash forces than other parts of the body.

Don’t Drive Intexticated – Distracted driving kills an average of nine people and injuries 1,000 each day according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Additionally, it is the third leading driver-related cause of crash fatalities behind speeding and driving under the influence. These numbers likely underestimate the problem because most drivers do not admit to distracting cell phone use after a crash. AAA encourages all drivers to put any and all mobile devices away while behind the wheel of a car. If using a navigation system, program the destination before driving or ask a passenger to help with navigation.

Slow Down, Move Over – Slow Down, Move Over laws, active in all 50 states, are designed to save the lives of our law enforcement officers, highway construction workers, emergency response workers and tow truck operators by providing an extra barrier of safety for them as they work along the side of the road. An average of 23 tow operators are killed at the roadside every year, with one service provider on average being killed on the job at the roadside every other week. AAA urges drivers to slow down and move over or change lanes, if possible, to give safe clearance to those working roadside.

Don’t Drive Intoxicated – Don’t make the holiday season deadly on our roadways by driving while impaired. December has been designated National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, to help bring attention to the dangers of not only drunk driving but drugged driving as well, which has become a growing risk on our nation’s roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk-driving related deaths have fallen, but they still total more than 10,000 lives per year. On average, across Kansas, three persons are injured every day, and one person is killed every four days in alcohol/drug-related crashes. And the crashes tend to be more severe. Vehicle occupants in alcohol- or other drug-related crashes are more than 2.5 times more likely to be injured or killed than those involved in crashes where alcohol or other drugs were not a factor. Drivers need to remember that alcohol and illicit drugs as well as prescription and over-the-counter medications could impair their ability to drive safely. Always plan ahead to designate a non-drinking driver before any party or celebration begins or plan to call a ride share or taxi when needed. Never get behind the wheel of a car when you have been drinking alcohol – even after just one drink. Remember: If you Feel Different, You Drive Different.

Be Prepared – Before you have a car breakdown and need help is the best time to check that you actually have service. Make sure your membership is up-to-date and the selected roadside service level matches your lifestyle needs. AAA has varying levels of membership to fit every budget and lifestyle. Members and non-members can take advantage of special new, renewal and gift membership offers with the code SAFETY until Dec. 31, 2019. AAA Kansas also recommends assembling and carrying a winter emergency car kit, including cell phone and charger, warm clothes/blankets, tool kit, flash light, jumper cables, ice scraper, snow shovel, traction material (cat litter, salt sand) and drinking water and snacks for human and pet passengers.

&nbsp; Follow Us on Twitter:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.twitter.com/AAAKansasNews" target="_blank">@AAAKansasNews</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577369796478.jpeg" alt="AAA wants drivers to make sure their end-of-the-year travel is safe. Photo courtesy AAA" />
 <figcaption>AAA wants drivers to make sure their end-of-the-year travel is safe. Photo courtesy AAA</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA -- As a record number of travelers nationwide take to the roadways to celebrate the year-end holiday season, AAA Kansas wants to make sure that safe driving is at the top of your “to do” list to ensure an enjoyable and trouble-free journey to the homes of those you love the most. “The travel season is in full swing with many eager to spend the holidays with friends and family,” said Shawn Steward, AAA Kansas spokesman. “No matter how far you are traveling over the next few days, it is important to remember safety first and be prepared in the event of a breakdown or delay.”In the spirit of the season, AAA Kansas is sharing one more important list of tasks to check off whether you’re traveling out of town or around town over the holidays:Be Ready for Busy Roads – This holiday season will bring record numbers of travelers, so pack patience, be courteous, slow down, don’t tailgate and drive attentively and appropriately for the traffic and weather conditions. These reminders will help your family and others on the road make it safely to holiday celebrations and family visits.Buckle Up, Every Trip, Every Time – The use of a seat belts by all occupants of a vehicle is the most important safety precaution that can be taken while traveling. In 2018 in Kansas, 127 unrestrained people died in motor vehicle crashes. Many of these deaths could have been prevented with the simple click of a seat belt. Ensure that the lap belt and shoulder belt are secured across the pelvis and rib cage, which are better able to withstand crash forces than other parts of the body.Don’t Drive Intexticated – Distracted driving kills an average of nine people and injuries 1,000 each day according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Additionally, it is the third leading driver-related cause of crash fatalities behind speeding and driving under the influence. These numbers likely underestimate the problem because most drivers do not admit to distracting cell phone use after a crash. AAA encourages all drivers to put any and all mobile devices away while behind the wheel of a car. If using a navigation system, program the destination before driving or ask a passenger to help with navigation.Slow Down, Move Over – Slow Down, Move Over laws, active in all 50 states, are designed to save the lives of our law enforcement officers, highway construction workers, emergency response workers and tow truck operators by providing an extra barrier of safety for them as they work along the side of the road. An average of 23 tow operators are killed at the roadside every year, with one service provider on average being killed on the job at the roadside every other week. AAA urges drivers to slow down and move over or change lanes, if possible, to give safe clearance to those working roadside.Don’t Drive Intoxicated – Don’t make the holiday season deadly on our roadways by driving while impaired. December has been designated National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, to help bring attention to the dangers of not only drunk driving but drugged driving as well, which has become a growing risk on our nation’s roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk-driving related deaths have fallen, but they still total more than 10,000 lives per year. On average, across Kansas, three persons are injured every day, and one person is killed every four days in alcohol/drug-related crashes. And the crashes tend to be more severe. Vehicle occupants in alcohol- or other drug-related crashes are more than 2.5 times more likely to be injured or killed than those involved in crashes where alcohol or other drugs were not a factor. Drivers need to remember that alcohol and illicit drugs as well as prescription and over-the-counter medications could impair their ability to drive safely. Always plan ahead to designate a non-drinking driver before any party or celebration begins or plan to call a ride share or taxi when needed. Never get behind the wheel of a car when you have been drinking alcohol – even after just one drink. Remember: If you Feel Different, You Drive Different.Be Prepared – Before you have a car breakdown and need help is the best time to check that you actually have service. Make sure your membership is up-to-date and the selected roadside service level matches your lifestyle needs. AAA has varying levels of membership to fit every budget and lifestyle. Members and non-members can take advantage of special new, renewal and gift membership offers with the code SAFETY until Dec. 31, 2019. AAA Kansas also recommends assembling and carrying a winter emergency car kit, including cell phone and charger, warm clothes/blankets, tool kit, flash light, jumper cables, ice scraper, snow shovel, traction material (cat litter, salt sand) and drinking water and snacks for human and pet passengers.&nbsp; Follow Us on Twitter:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.twitter.com/AAAKansasNews" target="_blank">@AAAKansasNews</a>

AAA urges travelers to make safety priority for year-end travels

Today is Wednesday, Dec. 25, the 359th day of 2019. There are six days left in the year. This is Christmas Day.

On Dec. 25, 2009, passengers aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 foiled an attempt to blow up the plane as it was landing in Detroit by seizing Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who tried to set off explosives in his underwear. (Abdulmutallab later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.)

In A.D. 336, the first known commemoration of Christmas on Dec. 25 took place in Rome.

In 1776, Gen. George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River for a surprise attack against Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey, during the American Revolutionary War.

In 1926, Hirohito became emperor of Japan, succeeding his father, Emperor Yoshihito.

In 1931, New York's Metropolitan Opera broadcast an entire live opera over radio for the first time: "Hansel and Gretel" by Engelbert Humperdinck.

In 1973, "The Sting," starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as a pair of 1930s grifters, was released by Universal Pictures.

In 1977, comedian Sir Charles Chaplin died in Switzerland at age 88.

In 1989, ousted Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife, Elena, were executed following a popular uprising. Former baseball manager Billy Martin, 61, died in a traffic accident near Binghamton, New York.

In 1990, the World Wide Web, the system providing quick access to websites over the Internet, was born in Geneva, Switzerland, as computer scientists Tim Berners-Lee and Robert Cailliau created the world's first hyperlinked webpage.

In 1991, Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev went on television to announce his resignation as the eighth and final leader of a communist superpower that had already gone out of existence.

In 1999, space shuttle Discovery's astronauts finished their repair job on the Hubble Space Telescope and released it back into orbit.

In 2003, sixteen people were killed by mudslides that swept over campgrounds in California's San Bernardino Valley. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf survived a second assassination bid in 11 days, but 17 other people were killed.

In 2006, James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul," died in Atlanta at age 73.

Ten years ago: The Taliban released a video purporting to show Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, a U.S. soldier who'd gone missing more than five months earlier in eastern Afghanistan. (Bergdahl was released in May 2014.) Korean-American missionary Robert Park was arrested by border guards after crossing into North Korea; he was released in February 2010.

Five years ago: The black comedy "The Interview" opened in 331 locations in the U.S., culminating in the truly unprecedented move by a major studio to release a film in theaters and on digital platforms simultaneously.

One year ago: In a Christmas Day appearance in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump issued a lengthy defense of his demand for a border wall; he said parts of the federal government would stay closed until Democrats agreed to put up more walls along the U.S.-Mexico border to deter criminal elements. Pope Francis offered a Christmas wish for fraternity among people of different nations, cultures, faiths, races or ideas.

Today's Birthdays: Author Anne Roiphe is 84. Actress Hanna Schygulla is 76. Rhythm-and-blues singer John Edwards (The Spinners) is 75. Actor Gary Sandy is 74. Singer Jimmy Buffett is 73. Pro and College Football Hall-of-Famer Larry Csonka is 73. Country singer Barbara Mandrell is 71. Actress Sissy Spacek is 70. Blues singer/guitarist Joe Louis Walker is 70. Former White House adviser Karl Rove is 69. Actress CCH Pounder is 67. Singer Annie Lennox is 65. Reggae singer-musician Robin Campbell (UB40) is 65. Country singer Steve Wariner is 65. Singer Shane MacGowan (The Pogues, The Popes) is 62. Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson is 61. The former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, Christina Romer, is 61. Actress Klea Scott is 51. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is 48. Rock musician Noel Hogan (The Cranberries) is 48. Singer Dido is 48. Rock singer Mac Powell (Third Day) is 47. Rhythm-and-blues singer Ryan Shaw is 39. Country singer Alecia Elliott is 37. Pop singers Jess and Lisa Origliasso (The Veronicas) are 35. Actress Perdita Weeks is 34. Rock singer-musician Lukas Nelson (Lukas Nelson &amp; Promise of the Real) is 31.

Thought for Today: "One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly." — Andy Rooney, CBS News commentator (1919-2011).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Today is Wednesday, Dec. 25, the 359th day of 2019. There are six days left in the year. This is Christmas Day.Today's Highlight in History:On Dec. 25, 2009, passengers aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 foiled an attempt to blow up the plane as it was landing in Detroit by seizing Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who tried to set off explosives in his underwear. (Abdulmutallab later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.)On this date:In A.D. 336, the first known commemoration of Christmas on Dec. 25 took place in Rome.In 1776, Gen. George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River for a surprise attack against Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey, during the American Revolutionary War.In 1926, Hirohito became emperor of Japan, succeeding his father, Emperor Yoshihito.In 1931, New York's Metropolitan Opera broadcast an entire live opera over radio for the first time: "Hansel and Gretel" by Engelbert Humperdinck.In 1973, "The Sting," starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as a pair of 1930s grifters, was released by Universal Pictures.In 1977, comedian Sir Charles Chaplin died in Switzerland at age 88.In 1989, ousted Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife, Elena, were executed following a popular uprising. Former baseball manager Billy Martin, 61, died in a traffic accident near Binghamton, New York.In 1990, the World Wide Web, the system providing quick access to websites over the Internet, was born in Geneva, Switzerland, as computer scientists Tim Berners-Lee and Robert Cailliau created the world's first hyperlinked webpage.In 1991, Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev went on television to announce his resignation as the eighth and final leader of a communist superpower that had already gone out of existence.In 1999, space shuttle Discovery's astronauts finished their repair job on the Hubble Space Telescope and released it back into orbit.In 2003, sixteen people were killed by mudslides that swept over campgrounds in California's San Bernardino Valley. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf survived a second assassination bid in 11 days, but 17 other people were killed.In 2006, James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul," died in Atlanta at age 73.Ten years ago: The Taliban released a video purporting to show Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, a U.S. soldier who'd gone missing more than five months earlier in eastern Afghanistan. (Bergdahl was released in May 2014.) Korean-American missionary Robert Park was arrested by border guards after crossing into North Korea; he was released in February 2010.Five years ago: The black comedy "The Interview" opened in 331 locations in the U.S., culminating in the truly unprecedented move by a major studio to release a film in theaters and on digital platforms simultaneously.One year ago: In a Christmas Day appearance in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump issued a lengthy defense of his demand for a border wall; he said parts of the federal government would stay closed until Democrats agreed to put up more walls along the U.S.-Mexico border to deter criminal elements. Pope Francis offered a Christmas wish for fraternity among people of different nations, cultures, faiths, races or ideas.Today's Birthdays: Author Anne Roiphe is 84. Actress Hanna Schygulla is 76. Rhythm-and-blues singer John Edwards (The Spinners) is 75. Actor Gary Sandy is 74. Singer Jimmy Buffett is 73. Pro and College Football Hall-of-Famer Larry Csonka is 73. Country singer Barbara Mandrell is 71. Actress Sissy Spacek is 70. Blues singer/guitarist Joe Louis Walker is 70. Former White House adviser Karl Rove is 69. Actress CCH Pounder is 67. Singer Annie Lennox is 65. Reggae singer-musician Robin Campbell (UB40) is 65. Country singer Steve Wariner is 65. Singer Shane MacGowan (The Pogues, The Popes) is 62. Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson is 61. The former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, Christina Romer, is 61. Actress Klea Scott is 51. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is 48. Rock musician Noel Hogan (The Cranberries) is 48. Singer Dido is 48. Rock singer Mac Powell (Third Day) is 47. Rhythm-and-blues singer Ryan Shaw is 39. Country singer Alecia Elliott is 37. Pop singers Jess and Lisa Origliasso (The Veronicas) are 35. Actress Perdita Weeks is 34. Rock singer-musician Lukas Nelson (Lukas Nelson &amp; Promise of the Real) is 31.Thought for Today: "One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly." — Andy Rooney, CBS News commentator (1919-2011).Copyright 2019, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Today in History -- Dec. 25

Merry Christmas from Salina Post and Eagle Radio-Salina!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577219646176.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Merry Christmas from Salina Post and Eagle Radio-Salina!

Merry Christmas to all!

JEWELL COUNTY -- It's that time of year! From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jewellcountysheriffsoffice/">Jewell County Sheriff's Office</a> Facebook page:

JEWELL COUNTY -- It's that time of year! From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jewellcountysheriffsoffice/">Jewell County Sheriff's Office</a> Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjewellcountysheriffsoffice%2Fposts%2F1190102454515101&width=500" width="500" height="762" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

Jewell County Sheriff's Office: Be on the lookout...

Congratulations to Diane Arnder of Salina, the Week 16 winner in our Gridiron Glory contest! Diane wins&nbsp;

a&nbsp;pair of tickets to&nbsp;The Office! A Musical Parody&nbsp;at The Stiefel Theatre.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The season is almost over, but with our great weekly prizes, you still have time to win! This week's prize is a $50 gift certificate to Kawasaki of Salina.

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

Submit your weekly picks for great prizes including trips to Arrowhead, merchandise, and even $1,000 cash. We’ll have local weekly winners. You don’t have to play every week, but if you do, you could also win a trip to Hawaii!

Win big all season long with 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/2019/12/1577224239075.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Congratulations to Diane Arnder of Salina, the Week 16 winner in our Gridiron Glory contest! Diane wins&nbsp;

a&nbsp;pair of tickets to&nbsp;The Office! A Musical Parody&nbsp;at The Stiefel Theatre.&nbsp;&nbsp;The season is almost over, but with our great weekly prizes, you still have time to win! This week's prize is a $50 gift certificate to Kawasaki of Salina.<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/5dcac5e5897d147ad4bb0ba5#/registration/login" target="_blank">Click here</a>&nbsp;to sign up and play Anesthesia Associates’ Gridiron Glory on&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/" target="_blank">SalinaPost.com</a>.Submit your weekly picks for great prizes including trips to Arrowhead, merchandise, and even $1,000 cash. We’ll have local weekly winners. You don’t have to play every week, but if you do, you could also win a trip to Hawaii!Win big all season long with Anesthesia Associates’ Gridiron Glory on&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/" target="_blank">SalinaPost.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gridiron Glory: Congrats Diane Arnder!

This gift certificate can be used at Kawasaki of Salina for Kawasaki apparel, helmets, clothing, boots and motorcycles. Kawasaki of Salina also has accessories for your ATV or Side by Side - including light bars, speaker systems, even a full service department.

Eagle Radio's Christmas Cyber Sale has items to bid on and items that you can buy immediately. All items are from local and area businesses, so when you bid or buy, you’re helping the local and area economy.

So how do you bid or buy? Just&nbsp;<a href="https://cyberxmas19.givesmart.com/" target="_blank">click here</a>&nbsp;to get started.&nbsp;

The Christmas Cyber Sale ends at midnight on Dec. 30, so get to biding and buying today!

Check out this great deal from Eagle Radio's Christmas Cyber Sale:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577222851996.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>This gift certificate can be used at Kawasaki of Salina for Kawasaki apparel, helmets, clothing, boots and motorcycles. Kawasaki of Salina also has accessories for your ATV or Side by Side - including light bars, speaker systems, even a full service department.Eagle Radio's Christmas Cyber Sale has items to bid on and items that you can buy immediately. All items are from local and area businesses, so when you bid or buy, you’re helping the local and area economy.So how do you bid or buy? Just&nbsp;<a href="https://cyberxmas19.givesmart.com/" target="_blank">click here</a>&nbsp;to get started.&nbsp;The Christmas Cyber Sale ends at midnight on Dec. 30, so get to biding and buying today!Christmas image courtesy&nbsp;<a href="https://www.canstockphoto.com/" target="_blank">© Can Stock Photo / Irisangel</a>

Christmas Cyber Sale: Kawasaki of Salina gift certificate

ABILENE -- Memorial Health System is announcing that visitation is restricted at Memorial Hospital in Abilene for patient and visitor protection due to the prevalence of illness in the community.&nbsp;

Memorial Hospital has restricted visitation to immediate family members only. Immediate family members should not visit if they are feeling ill or have had close contact with a person who is ill.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to Dr. Brian Holmes, President of Medical Staff, this restriction is a necessary protection measure. He states, “with the prevalence of illness in our community at this time, we feel the restriction is necessary for the protection of our patients. Limiting visitation is not something that we take lightly or like to do.”

Though no restriction is currently in place, Village Manor in Abilene, is strongly encouraging visitors to evaluate the potential for exposure and to please use caution when visiting to protect residents’ health.

Practicing good hand hygiene and receiving a flu shot are the best ways to prevent illness. If you are not feeling well, please stay out of the public.

ABILENE -- Memorial Health System is announcing that visitation is restricted at Memorial Hospital in Abilene for patient and visitor protection due to the prevalence of illness in the community.&nbsp;Memorial Hospital has restricted visitation to immediate family members only. Immediate family members should not visit if they are feeling ill or have had close contact with a person who is ill.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to Dr. Brian Holmes, President of Medical Staff, this restriction is a necessary protection measure. He states, “with the prevalence of illness in our community at this time, we feel the restriction is necessary for the protection of our patients. Limiting visitation is not something that we take lightly or like to do.”Though no restriction is currently in place, Village Manor in Abilene, is strongly encouraging visitors to evaluate the potential for exposure and to please use caution when visiting to protect residents’ health.Practicing good hand hygiene and receiving a flu shot are the best ways to prevent illness. If you are not feeling well, please stay out of the public.

Visitation restricted at Memorial Hospital in Abilene

The City of Salina General Services Department has announced its holiday schedule.



No sanitation collection will take place Wednesday or Jan.
1. During both weeks, there will be a one-day delay in Wednesday through Friday
collection, with the regular schedule resuming Jan. 6.


The General Services Office, Household Hazardous Waste Facility and the Salina
Drive-thru Recycling Center will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Jan. 1, with normal hours of operation resuming Friday and Jan. 2, respectively. 

The landfill will be closed Wednesday and Jan. 1, with regular operating hours resuming Thursday and Jan. 2, respectively.

For further information please call
General Services at (785) 309-5750.

The City of Salina General Services Department has announced its holiday schedule.The holiday schedule is as follows. 

No sanitation collection will take place Wednesday or Jan.
1. During both weeks, there will be a one-day delay in Wednesday through Friday
collection, with the regular schedule resuming Jan. 6.
The General Services Office, Household Hazardous Waste Facility and the Salina
Drive-thru Recycling Center will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Jan. 1, with normal hours of operation resuming Friday and Jan. 2, respectively. The landfill will be closed Wednesday and Jan. 1, with regular operating hours resuming Thursday and Jan. 2, respectively.For further information please call
General Services at (785) 309-5750.

City announces holiday sanitation collection schedule

A two vehicle crash in front of the Mid-State Plaza Monday evening sent a 26-year-old Salina woman to the hospital.

Police Captain Paul Forrester said 51-year-old Audra Butler of Salina was northbound on South Ninth Street and turned left on Parkway in front of a vehicle driven by 29-year-old Leslie Bruno of Salina. Bruno's 2019 Chevy Trax&nbsp; struck the passenger side of the 2009 Ford Escape driven by Butler.&nbsp;

The impact of the crash rolled Butler's&nbsp; vehicle onto the driver's side.

Forrester said both drivers had to be extricated from the vehicles.&nbsp;

A passenger in the Bruno vehicle,&nbsp; Summer Lambert of Salina, was transported to the hospital with arm and head pain.

Butler was cited for failing to yield on a left turn. The wreck was reported at 7:40 p.m. to police. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

A two vehicle crash in front of the Mid-State Plaza Monday evening sent a 26-year-old Salina woman to the hospital.Police Captain Paul Forrester said 51-year-old Audra Butler of Salina was northbound on South Ninth Street and turned left on Parkway in front of a vehicle driven by 29-year-old Leslie Bruno of Salina. Bruno's 2019 Chevy Trax&nbsp; struck the passenger side of the 2009 Ford Escape driven by Butler.&nbsp;The impact of the crash rolled Butler's&nbsp; vehicle onto the driver's side.Forrester said both drivers had to be extricated from the vehicles.&nbsp;A passenger in the Bruno vehicle,&nbsp; Summer Lambert of Salina, was transported to the hospital with arm and head pain.Butler was cited for failing to yield on a left turn. The wreck was reported at 7:40 p.m. to police. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Monday evening crash sends woman to hospital

A 74-year old doctor turned himself into the Saline County Jail Monday morning after a lengthy investigation where he is accused of aggravated sexual battery and rape.

Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said Dr. Randy Hassler is alleged to have had inappropriate sexual contact with a woman patient in February of this year.&nbsp;

The victim contacted police in July and both Salina Police and Salina Regional Hospital personnel conducted separate investigations.

Hassler was released from the Saline County Jail Monday afternoon .

Forrester said any further information on the case will come from the Saline County Attorney's Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577193828016.jpeg" alt="Randy Hassler. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Randy Hassler. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>A 74-year old doctor turned himself into the Saline County Jail Monday morning after a lengthy investigation where he is accused of aggravated sexual battery and rape.Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said Dr. Randy Hassler is alleged to have had inappropriate sexual contact with a woman patient in February of this year.&nbsp;The victim contacted police in July and both Salina Police and Salina Regional Hospital personnel conducted separate investigations.Hassler was released from the Saline County Jail Monday afternoon .Forrester said any further information on the case will come from the Saline County Attorney's Office.

Salina doctor accused of sex crimes

The Salina Fire Department has two new members. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salinafire/">Salina Fire</a> Facebook page:

The Salina Fire Department has two new members. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salinafire/">Salina Fire</a> Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsalinafire%2Fposts%2F2462968350467343&width=500" width="500" height="374" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

SFD welcomes two new firefighters

After a year of helping others, Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank personnel are taking time to be with family. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salinafoodbank/">Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank</a> Facebook page:

After a year of helping others, Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank personnel are taking time to be with family. From the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/salinafoodbank/">Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank</a> Facebook page:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsalinafoodbank%2Fposts%2F3595741693776937&width=500" width="500" height="595" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>

Food bank closed Tuesday and Wednesday

Maybe because it’s Christmas week, when the kids come home for the presents and holiday gatherings, Senate President Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, has decided to keep one of those presents that she really didn’t want.

That present? It’s the portion of former Democrat President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) that Wagle and a shrinking number of Republicans oppose that hands them and most Americans the popular provision that almost all health insurance must provide coverage for preexisting conditions.

Now, if you’re a health insurance company, that preexisting condition language that remains in federal law prohibits those insurers from refusing to cover health-care costs that can be linked to a preexisting condition. Had a heart attack or some other serious illness before you change insurers? Well, that preexisting condition provision prohibits insurers from refusing to sell you a policy or charge you a higher premium because of the possibility that a preexisting condition will drive up their costs.

Oh, that ACA also provides relatively low cost coverage to folks who might not be able to afford their health care out of pocket, and reduces the number of folks with illnesses that could be transferred to you and your friends and relatives, but link it to a former Democrat president and call it “Obamacare” and some conservative Republicans oppose it.

But…it’s Christmastime, and while you’re at the dinner table talking about health insurance and looking across the table at your kids who are covered under your health insurance policy, there’s that other provision that Wagle wants put into state law if Obamacare goes away due to federal court rulings.

It’s the issue of keeping your children covered under your policy until they are 26—another Obamacare provision—that means you don’t have to worry about your children’s health until they are...grown-ups?

Now, the Kansas Legislature is picky about what portions of federal law it likes and doesn’t like, but in recent years, insurance has been an area that Kansas lawmakers have been choosy about. Take last year, when it decided that the Farm Bureau can offer policies without preexisting condition coverage, or even how long children can be covered, as long as it doesn’t call its plan “insurance.”

But for most Kansans, basic coverages are important, Obamacare or not…

So, are we waiting to see just how much horsepower the president of the Senate can muster for her plan, or are we seeing the Senate President testing how much support she can muster for a new state law that is going to be popular, and possibly helpful in a GOP primary race for the U.S. Senate?

Now, it might mean that health insurers, whose rising rates and soaring deductibles have been blasted by nearly everyone with a policy, are going to have to explain that Wagle’s bill isn’t needed now and won’t be unless the ACA is declared unconstitutional. So, insurers are likely to testify this winter that the bill is a waste of time.

But if you don’t care for federally regulated Obamacare, you are still going to want those two provisions. It’s almost insurance-on-insurance that may make the Wagle bill seem, well, like insurance that you don’t need until you need it…

And, let’s not forget that the upcoming session comes in the year that all members of the Legislature stand for re-election, and those who want to be able to talk against Obamacare can still put on their campaign literature that they support key pieces of the federal law without referring to it by name.

Doesn’t get much better than that, if you’re a conservative seeking reelection.

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/2019/11/1573141234707.png" alt="Martin Hawver" />
 <figcaption>Martin Hawver</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARTIN HAWVERMaybe because it’s Christmas week, when the kids come home for the presents and holiday gatherings, Senate President Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, has decided to keep one of those presents that she really didn’t want.That present? It’s the portion of former Democrat President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) that Wagle and a shrinking number of Republicans oppose that hands them and most Americans the popular provision that almost all health insurance must provide coverage for preexisting conditions.Now, if you’re a health insurance company, that preexisting condition language that remains in federal law prohibits those insurers from refusing to cover health-care costs that can be linked to a preexisting condition. Had a heart attack or some other serious illness before you change insurers? Well, that preexisting condition provision prohibits insurers from refusing to sell you a policy or charge you a higher premium because of the possibility that a preexisting condition will drive up their costs.Oh, that ACA also provides relatively low cost coverage to folks who might not be able to afford their health care out of pocket, and reduces the number of folks with illnesses that could be transferred to you and your friends and relatives, but link it to a former Democrat president and call it “Obamacare” and some conservative Republicans oppose it.But…it’s Christmastime, and while you’re at the dinner table talking about health insurance and looking across the table at your kids who are covered under your health insurance policy, there’s that other provision that Wagle wants put into state law if Obamacare goes away due to federal court rulings.It’s the issue of keeping your children covered under your policy until they are 26—another Obamacare provision—that means you don’t have to worry about your children’s health until they are...grown-ups?Now, the Kansas Legislature is picky about what portions of federal law it likes and doesn’t like, but in recent years, insurance has been an area that Kansas lawmakers have been choosy about. Take last year, when it decided that the Farm Bureau can offer policies without preexisting condition coverage, or even how long children can be covered, as long as it doesn’t call its plan “insurance.”But for most Kansans, basic coverages are important, Obamacare or not…So, are we waiting to see just how much horsepower the president of the Senate can muster for her plan, or are we seeing the Senate President testing how much support she can muster for a new state law that is going to be popular, and possibly helpful in a GOP primary race for the U.S. Senate?Now, it might mean that health insurers, whose rising rates and soaring deductibles have been blasted by nearly everyone with a policy, are going to have to explain that Wagle’s bill isn’t needed now and won’t be unless the ACA is declared unconstitutional. So, insurers are likely to testify this winter that the bill is a waste of time.But if you don’t care for federally regulated Obamacare, you are still going to want those two provisions. It’s almost insurance-on-insurance that may make the Wagle bill seem, well, like insurance that you don’t need until you need it…And, let’s not forget that the upcoming session comes in the year that all members of the Legislature stand for re-election, and those who want to be able to talk against Obamacare can still put on their campaign literature that they support key pieces of the federal law without referring to it by name.Doesn’t get much better than that, if you’re a conservative seeking reelection.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: Political posturing?

CONCORDIA -- Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) has selected Cloud County Community College’s Dr. Mitch Stimers as one if its 30 chapter advisors and alumni to serve as faculty scholars and lead discussion groups during the organization’s 2020 summer conference.

Faculty Scholars are key figures at&nbsp;<a href="https://portal.ptk.org/Events/HonorsInstitute.aspx" target="_blank">Honors Institute</a>, PTK’s annual weeklong honors conference, as they lead small groups of the attendees in discussions about presentations by keynote speakers. Each speaker is an expert on an idea related to PTK’s Honors Study Topic, the focus of the organization’s honors program.

“Honors Institute sets the stage for many of our chapters to begin their honors projects, which is where some of the deepest benefits of PTK membership come into play,” said Dr. Blake Ellis, PTK’s Vice President of Student Engagement. “The guidance Faculty Scholars give can be the first step in igniting a student’s passion, getting them involved, and setting them on a course to gain leadership experience and develop soft skills.”

Stimers is the chapter advisor of Beta Eta Xi, Cloud County’s Geary County Campus PTK chapter. He is also the chief information officer for Cloud County.

Phi Theta Kappa’s honors program guides chapters in a research-based, action-oriented project on their campuses and in their communities. The timely, interdisciplinary topic is developed biannually by a group of volunteer chapter advisors known as the Honors Program Council.

Stimers is one of eight Honors Program Council members who also serve as Faculty Scholars.

“The training that Faculty Scholars receive is a professional development experience like no other,” said Susan Edwards, PTK’s Associate Vice President of Honors Programming and Undergraduate Research. “Faculty Scholars come away with new skills and a completely new way to engage with and learn from a diverse group of individuals.”

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 250,000 active members in the nation’s colleges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577113275160.jpeg" alt="Dr. Mitch Stimers. Photo courtesy CCCC" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Mitch Stimers. Photo courtesy CCCC</figcaption>
 </figure>CONCORDIA -- Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) has selected Cloud County Community College’s Dr. Mitch Stimers as one if its 30 chapter advisors and alumni to serve as faculty scholars and lead discussion groups during the organization’s 2020 summer conference.Faculty Scholars are key figures at&nbsp;<a href="https://portal.ptk.org/Events/HonorsInstitute.aspx" target="_blank">Honors Institute</a>, PTK’s annual weeklong honors conference, as they lead small groups of the attendees in discussions about presentations by keynote speakers. Each speaker is an expert on an idea related to PTK’s Honors Study Topic, the focus of the organization’s honors program.“Honors Institute sets the stage for many of our chapters to begin their honors projects, which is where some of the deepest benefits of PTK membership come into play,” said Dr. Blake Ellis, PTK’s Vice President of Student Engagement. “The guidance Faculty Scholars give can be the first step in igniting a student’s passion, getting them involved, and setting them on a course to gain leadership experience and develop soft skills.”Stimers is the chapter advisor of Beta Eta Xi, Cloud County’s Geary County Campus PTK chapter. He is also the chief information officer for Cloud County.Phi Theta Kappa’s honors program guides chapters in a research-based, action-oriented project on their campuses and in their communities. The timely, interdisciplinary topic is developed biannually by a group of volunteer chapter advisors known as the Honors Program Council.Stimers is one of eight Honors Program Council members who also serve as Faculty Scholars.“The training that Faculty Scholars receive is a professional development experience like no other,” said Susan Edwards, PTK’s Associate Vice President of Honors Programming and Undergraduate Research. “Faculty Scholars come away with new skills and a completely new way to engage with and learn from a diverse group of individuals.”Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 250,000 active members in the nation’s colleges.

CCCC: Stimers named Phi Theta Kappa Faculty Scholar

MANHATTAN — The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cancer.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">Johnson Cancer Research Center</a>&nbsp;at Kansas State University has selected&nbsp;42&nbsp;students to participate in its undergraduate research mentoring and award program.

The center's Cancer Research Award program promotes student participation in laboratory research. It encourages undergraduate students to consider careers in cancer research and medicine early on while they are still deciding what academic and professional paths to take.

"This opportunity gets students more engaged in their education, a critical factor in their success," said Stephen K. Chapes, the center's interim director and a professor of biology. "Many of these future cancer researchers and medical workers will undoubtedly go on to be some of the top professionals in their fields."

The award program, which is open to Kansas State University undergraduate students interested in doing cancer-relevant research, provides $1,500 awards to at least 35 students a year, and $1,000 per student for research expenses.

Students applied for the awards by co-writing research proposals with faculty mentors affiliated with the center. The awardees conduct their research in the mentors' laboratories during the spring semester.

"These are some of the university's — and the state's — most outstanding science students, working closely with excellent faculty on real research projects," Chapes said.

The students will be recognized in the spring at a banquet attended by their families and faculty mentors, cancer research center supporters and university administrators.

The Johnson Cancer Research Center supports the research and training of affiliated faculty, undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. All programs are funded through private gifts.

The following students received Cancer Research Awards; included is each student's faculty mentor:

Abigail Parker, sophomore in biochemistry and microbiology,&nbsp;Berryton, mentored by Ruth Welti, university distinguished professor of biology; Mayme Loyd, senior in biochemistry, pre-medicine and modern languages,&nbsp;Bucyrus, mentored by Masaaki Tamura, professor of anatomy and physiology; Joseph Hammer, senior in chemistry,&nbsp;Cherryvale, mentored by Stefan Bossmann, university distinguished professor of chemistry; Lake Winter, sophomore in microbiology,&nbsp;Concordia, mentored by Zhilong Yang, assistant professor of biology; Megan Goeckel, senior in microbiology and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Council Grove, mentored by Greg Finnigan, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics; Carmen Del Real, senior in life sciences and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Dodge City, mentored by Jocelyn McDonald, associate professor of biology; Amanda Currie, junior in chemistry,&nbsp;Garden City, mentored by Ping Li, associate professor of chemistry.

From&nbsp;Greater Kansas City: Carolina Bueno, senior in microbiology,&nbsp;Kansas City, mentored by Revathi Govind, associate professor of biology; Ariana Cecil, senior in biology and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Leawood, mentored by Katsura Asano, professor of biology; Joshua Spradlin, sophomore in kinesiology,&nbsp;Lenexa, mentored by Zhilong Yang, assistant professor of biology; Adeline Chang, senior in microbiology,&nbsp;Olathe, mentored by Govind Vediyappan, assistant professor of biology; Jacob Cindrich, senior in food science and industry, biochemistry, and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Overland Park, mentored by John Tomich, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics; Paige Cote, senior in animal sciences and industry,&nbsp;Overland Park, mentored by Masaaki Tamura, professor of anatomy and physiology; Brittany Funk, senior in chemical engineering,&nbsp;Shawnee, mentored by Ryan Rafferty, assistant professor of chemistry; Caroline Gambill, sophomore in life sciences and pre-physician assistant,&nbsp;Shawnee, mentored by Richard Rosenkranz, professor of food, nutrition, dietetics and health; Samantha Goetting, senior in biochemistry,&nbsp;Shawnee, mentored by Erika Geisbrecht, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics; Courtney Johnson, senior in biochemistry and chemistry,&nbsp;Shawnee, mentored by Christopher Culbertson, professor of chemistry; and Marta Stetsiv, senior in biochemistry and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Shawnee, mentored by Erika Geisbrecht, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics.

Seth Peery, senior in biochemistry and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Goddard, mentored by Kathrin Schrick, associate professor of biology; Benjamin Epp, sophomore in nutritional sciences and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Hutchinson, mentored by Richard Rosenkranz, professor of food, nutrition, dietetics and health; Ethan Kallenberger, senior in chemistry, biochemistry and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Lawrence, mentored by Brian Geisbrecht, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics; Diana Najera, senior in biochemistry,&nbsp;Liberal, mentored by Maureen Gorman, research associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics.

From&nbsp;Manhattan: Roger Abernathy, senior in biology, animal sciences and industry, and technology management, mentored by Kristopher Silver, research assistant professor of entomology; Baltazar Claro-Martinez, senior in biochemistry, mentored by John Tomich, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics; Michelle Coca, senior in biochemistry and pre-medicine, mentored by Maureen Gorman, research associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics; Abdulrahman Naeem, sophomore in biology, mentored by Ruth Welti, university distinguished professor of biology; Elizabeth Riforgiate, junior in biology and pre-medicine, mentored by Nick Wallace, assistant professor of biology; and Kyle Thompson, senior in nutritional sciences and pre-medicine, mentored by Kathrin Schrick, associate professor of biology.

Gage Wright, junior in chemistry,&nbsp;Rose Hill, mentored by Jun Li, professor of chemistry; Tanji Lewis, senior in chemistry,&nbsp;Salina, mentored by Stefan Bossmann, university distinguished professor of chemistry; Joshua Lingo, senior in microbiology and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Tonganoxie, mentored by Sherry Fleming, professor of biology.

From&nbsp;Topeka: Ashley Bartels, junior in chemical engineering, mentored by Ryan Rafferty, assistant professor of chemistry; Emma Francis, junior in biology, pre-medicine and pre-law, mentored by Rollie Clem, professor of biology; and Molly Leyda, senior in microbiology, pre-medicine and anthropology, mentored by Sherry Fleming, professor of biology.

From&nbsp;Wichita: Hannah Coggeshall, senior in biology and pre-medicine, mentored by Jocelyn McDonald, associate professor of biology; Madelyn Hilgers, junior in biochemistry and pre-pharmacy, mentored by&nbsp;Chingakham Ranjit Singh, research assistant professor of biology; Johnathon Moses, sophomore in biomedical engineering, mentored by Punit Prakash, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering; Whitney Pepper, junior in biology and pre-medicine, mentored by Katsura Asano, professor of biology; and Lydia Waner, sophomore in fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology, modern languages and pre-medicine, mentored by Thomas Mueller, research assistant professor of biology.

From out of state: Jared Newell, junior in biology,&nbsp;Lee's Summit, Mo., mentored by Thomas Mueller, research assistant professor of biology; Emma Hawkins, senior in animal sciences and industry,&nbsp;Omaha, Neb., mentored by Annelise Nguyen, associate professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology; Megan Campbell, junior in microbiology and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Luther, Okla., mentored by Lorena Passarelli, professor of biology.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577113836179.jpeg" alt="The 2019-2020 recipients of Cancer Research Awards from the Johnson Cancer Research Center at Kansas State University. These students are working with faculty mentors to conduct cancer research.&nbsp; Photo courtesy KSU" />
 <figcaption>The 2019-2020 recipients of Cancer Research Awards from the Johnson Cancer Research Center at Kansas State University. These students are working with faculty mentors to conduct cancer research.&nbsp; Photo courtesy KSU</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN — The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cancer.k-state.edu/" target="_blank">Johnson Cancer Research Center</a>&nbsp;at Kansas State University has selected&nbsp;42&nbsp;students to participate in its undergraduate research mentoring and award program.The center's Cancer Research Award program promotes student participation in laboratory research. It encourages undergraduate students to consider careers in cancer research and medicine early on while they are still deciding what academic and professional paths to take."This opportunity gets students more engaged in their education, a critical factor in their success," said Stephen K. Chapes, the center's interim director and a professor of biology. "Many of these future cancer researchers and medical workers will undoubtedly go on to be some of the top professionals in their fields."The award program, which is open to Kansas State University undergraduate students interested in doing cancer-relevant research, provides $1,500 awards to at least 35 students a year, and $1,000 per student for research expenses.Students applied for the awards by co-writing research proposals with faculty mentors affiliated with the center. The awardees conduct their research in the mentors' laboratories during the spring semester."These are some of the university's — and the state's — most outstanding science students, working closely with excellent faculty on real research projects," Chapes said.The students will be recognized in the spring at a banquet attended by their families and faculty mentors, cancer research center supporters and university administrators.The Johnson Cancer Research Center supports the research and training of affiliated faculty, undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. All programs are funded through private gifts.The following students received Cancer Research Awards; included is each student's faculty mentor:Abigail Parker, sophomore in biochemistry and microbiology,&nbsp;Berryton, mentored by Ruth Welti, university distinguished professor of biology; Mayme Loyd, senior in biochemistry, pre-medicine and modern languages,&nbsp;Bucyrus, mentored by Masaaki Tamura, professor of anatomy and physiology; Joseph Hammer, senior in chemistry,&nbsp;Cherryvale, mentored by Stefan Bossmann, university distinguished professor of chemistry; Lake Winter, sophomore in microbiology,&nbsp;Concordia, mentored by Zhilong Yang, assistant professor of biology; Megan Goeckel, senior in microbiology and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Council Grove, mentored by Greg Finnigan, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics; Carmen Del Real, senior in life sciences and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Dodge City, mentored by Jocelyn McDonald, associate professor of biology; Amanda Currie, junior in chemistry,&nbsp;Garden City, mentored by Ping Li, associate professor of chemistry.From&nbsp;Greater Kansas City: Carolina Bueno, senior in microbiology,&nbsp;Kansas City, mentored by Revathi Govind, associate professor of biology; Ariana Cecil, senior in biology and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Leawood, mentored by Katsura Asano, professor of biology; Joshua Spradlin, sophomore in kinesiology,&nbsp;Lenexa, mentored by Zhilong Yang, assistant professor of biology; Adeline Chang, senior in microbiology,&nbsp;Olathe, mentored by Govind Vediyappan, assistant professor of biology; Jacob Cindrich, senior in food science and industry, biochemistry, and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Overland Park, mentored by John Tomich, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics; Paige Cote, senior in animal sciences and industry,&nbsp;Overland Park, mentored by Masaaki Tamura, professor of anatomy and physiology; Brittany Funk, senior in chemical engineering,&nbsp;Shawnee, mentored by Ryan Rafferty, assistant professor of chemistry; Caroline Gambill, sophomore in life sciences and pre-physician assistant,&nbsp;Shawnee, mentored by Richard Rosenkranz, professor of food, nutrition, dietetics and health; Samantha Goetting, senior in biochemistry,&nbsp;Shawnee, mentored by Erika Geisbrecht, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics; Courtney Johnson, senior in biochemistry and chemistry,&nbsp;Shawnee, mentored by Christopher Culbertson, professor of chemistry; and Marta Stetsiv, senior in biochemistry and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Shawnee, mentored by Erika Geisbrecht, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics.Seth Peery, senior in biochemistry and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Goddard, mentored by Kathrin Schrick, associate professor of biology; Benjamin Epp, sophomore in nutritional sciences and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Hutchinson, mentored by Richard Rosenkranz, professor of food, nutrition, dietetics and health; Ethan Kallenberger, senior in chemistry, biochemistry and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Lawrence, mentored by Brian Geisbrecht, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics; Diana Najera, senior in biochemistry,&nbsp;Liberal, mentored by Maureen Gorman, research associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics.From&nbsp;Manhattan: Roger Abernathy, senior in biology, animal sciences and industry, and technology management, mentored by Kristopher Silver, research assistant professor of entomology; Baltazar Claro-Martinez, senior in biochemistry, mentored by John Tomich, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics; Michelle Coca, senior in biochemistry and pre-medicine, mentored by Maureen Gorman, research associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics; Abdulrahman Naeem, sophomore in biology, mentored by Ruth Welti, university distinguished professor of biology; Elizabeth Riforgiate, junior in biology and pre-medicine, mentored by Nick Wallace, assistant professor of biology; and Kyle Thompson, senior in nutritional sciences and pre-medicine, mentored by Kathrin Schrick, associate professor of biology.Gage Wright, junior in chemistry,&nbsp;Rose Hill, mentored by Jun Li, professor of chemistry; Tanji Lewis, senior in chemistry,&nbsp;Salina, mentored by Stefan Bossmann, university distinguished professor of chemistry; Joshua Lingo, senior in microbiology and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Tonganoxie, mentored by Sherry Fleming, professor of biology.From&nbsp;Topeka: Ashley Bartels, junior in chemical engineering, mentored by Ryan Rafferty, assistant professor of chemistry; Emma Francis, junior in biology, pre-medicine and pre-law, mentored by Rollie Clem, professor of biology; and Molly Leyda, senior in microbiology, pre-medicine and anthropology, mentored by Sherry Fleming, professor of biology.From&nbsp;Wichita: Hannah Coggeshall, senior in biology and pre-medicine, mentored by Jocelyn McDonald, associate professor of biology; Madelyn Hilgers, junior in biochemistry and pre-pharmacy, mentored by&nbsp;Chingakham Ranjit Singh, research assistant professor of biology; Johnathon Moses, sophomore in biomedical engineering, mentored by Punit Prakash, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering; Whitney Pepper, junior in biology and pre-medicine, mentored by Katsura Asano, professor of biology; and Lydia Waner, sophomore in fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology, modern languages and pre-medicine, mentored by Thomas Mueller, research assistant professor of biology.From out of state: Jared Newell, junior in biology,&nbsp;Lee's Summit, Mo., mentored by Thomas Mueller, research assistant professor of biology; Emma Hawkins, senior in animal sciences and industry,&nbsp;Omaha, Neb., mentored by Annelise Nguyen, associate professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology; Megan Campbell, junior in microbiology and pre-medicine,&nbsp;Luther, Okla., mentored by Lorena Passarelli, professor of biology.

Local, area students to join KSU cancer research teams

Today is Tuesday, Dec. 24, the 358th day of 2019. There are seven days left in the year. This is Christmas Eve.

On Dec. 24, 1968, the Apollo 8 astronauts, orbiting the moon, read passages from the Old Testament Book of Genesis during a Christmas Eve telecast.

In 1809, legendary American frontiersman Christopher "Kit" Carson was born in Madison County, Kentucky.

In 1814, the United States and Britain signed the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812 following ratification by both the British Parliament and the U.S. Senate.

In 1865, several veterans of the Confederate Army formed a private social club in Pulaski, Tennessee, that was the original version of the Ku Klux Klan.

In 1913, 73 people, most of them children, died in a crush of panic after a false cry of "Fire!" during a Christmas party for striking miners and their families at the Italian Hall in Calumet, Michigan.

In 1914, during World War I, impromptu Christmas truces began to take hold along parts of the Western Front between British and German soldiers.

In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe as part of Operation Overlord.

In 1980, Americans remembered the U.S. hostages in Iran by burning candles or shining lights for 417 seconds — one second for each day of captivity.

In 1984, actor Peter Lawford, 61, died in Los Angeles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Today is Tuesday, Dec. 24, the 358th day of 2019. There are seven days left in the year. This is Christmas Eve.Today's Highlight in History:On Dec. 24, 1968, the Apollo 8 astronauts, orbiting the moon, read passages from the Old Testament Book of Genesis during a Christmas Eve telecast.On this date:In 1809, legendary American frontiersman Christopher "Kit" Carson was born in Madison County, Kentucky.In 1814, the United States and Britain signed the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812 following ratification by both the British Parliament and the U.S. Senate.In 1865, several veterans of the Confederate Army formed a private social club in Pulaski, Tennessee, that was the original version of the Ku Klux Klan.In 1913, 73 people, most of them children, died in a crush of panic after a false cry of "Fire!" during a Christmas party for striking miners and their families at the Italian Hall in Calumet, Michigan.In 1914, during World War I, impromptu Christmas truces began to take hold along parts of the Western Front between British and German soldiers.In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe as part of Operation Overlord.In 1980, Americans remembered the U.S. hostages in Iran by burning candles or shining lights for 417 seconds — one second for each day of captivity.In 1984, actor Peter Lawford, 61, died in Los Angeles.In 1990, actor Tom Cruise married his "Days of Thunder" co-star, Nicole Kidman, during a private ceremony at a Colorado ski resort (the marriage ended in 2001).In 1992, President Bush pardoned former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and five others in the Iran-Contra scandal.In 1993, the Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, who blended Christian and psychiatric principles into a message of "positive thinking," died in Pawling, New York, at age 95.In 1994, militants hijacked an Air France Airbus A-300 at the Algiers airport; three passengers were slain during the siege before all four hijackers were killed by French commandos in Marseille two days later.Ten years ago: The Senate passed health care legislation, 60-39, in the chamber's first Christmas Eve vote since 1895. Sean Goldman, a 9-year-old boy at the center of a five-year custody battle on two continents, was finally turned over to his American father, David Goldman, in Brazil. A woman jumped barriers in St. Peter's Basilica and knocked down Pope Benedict XVI as he was walking down the main aisle to begin Christmas Eve Mass; the pope was unhurt.Five years ago: Sony Pictures broadly released "The Interview" online — an unprecedented counterstroke against the hackers who'd spoiled the Christmas opening of the comedy depicting the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. A Jordanian pilot, Lt. Mu'ath al-Kaseasbeh, was captured by the Islamic State group after his warplane crashed in Syria; he was later killed. TCU's Gary Patterson was named The Associated Press college football coach of the year. Western Kentucky held on to defeat Central Michigan 49-48 in a wild inaugural Bahamas Bowl.One year ago: An 8-year-old boy from Guatemala died while in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; he was the second immigrant child to die in December while in the agency's care. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump took Christmas Eve calls from children anxious to find out where Santa was on his gift-giving journey; Trump asked one 7-year-old girl if she still believed in Santa and added, "Because at 7, it's marginal, right?" An hours-long coordinated attack on a public welfare building in the Afghan capital of Kabul left at least 40 people dead, as gunmen held out for eight hours against security forces. A federal judge ordered North Korea to pay more than $500 million in a wrongful death suit filed by the parents of Otto Warmbier, an American college student who died shortly after being released from that country.Today's Birthdays: Author Mary Higgins Clark is 92. Federal health official Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., is 79. Recording company executive Mike Curb is 75. Actress Sharon Farrell is 73. Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is 73. Actor Grand L. Bush is 64. Actor Clarence Gilyard is 64. Actress Stephanie Hodge is 63. The former president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, is 62. Rock musician Ian Burden (The Human League) is 62. Actor Anil Kapoor is 60. Actress Eva Tamargo is 59. Actor Wade Williams is 58. Rock singer Mary Ramsey (10,000 Maniacs) is 56. Actor Mark Valley is 55. Actor Diedrich Bader is 53. Actor Amaury Nolasco is 49. Singer Ricky Martin is 48. Author Stephenie Meyer is 46. TV personality Ryan Seacrest (TV: "Live With Kelly &amp; Ryan") is 45. Actor Michael Raymond-James is 42. Actor Austin Stowell is 35. Actress Sofia Black-D'Elia is 28. Rock singer Louis Tomlinson (One Direction) is 28.Thought for Today: "Christmas comes, but once a year is enough." — American proverb.Copyright 2019, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.