Today is Wednesday, Feb. 19, the 50th day of 2020. There are 316 days left in the year.

On Feb. 19, 1945, Operation Detachment began during World War II as some 30,000 U.S. Marines began landing on Iwo Jima, where they commenced a successful month-long battle to seize control of the island from Japanese forces.

In 1803, Congress voted to accept Ohio's borders and constitution.

In 1807, former Vice President Aaron Burr, accused of treason, was arrested in the Mississippi Territory, in present-day Alabama. (Burr was acquitted at trial.)

In 1846, the Texas state government was formally installed in Austin, with J. Pinckney Henderson taking the oath of office as governor.

In 1878, Thomas Edison received a U.S. patent for "an improvement in phonograph or speaking machines."

In 1934, the U.S. Army Air Corps began delivering mail after President Franklin D. Roosevelt canceled private contracts that had come under suspicion. (The hastily arranged, ill-equipped military flights claimed the lives of a dozen pilots, sparking a public outcry before they were dropped several months later.)

In 1942, during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which paved the way for the relocation and internment of people of Japanese ancestry, including U.S.-born citizens. Imperial Japanese warplanes raided the Australian city of Darwin; at least 243 people were killed.

In 1968, the children's program "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," created by and starring Fred Rogers, made its network debut on National Educational Television, a forerunner of PBS, beginning a 31-season run.

In 1986, the U.S. Senate approved, 83-11, the Genocide Convention, an international treaty outlawing "acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group," nearly 37 years after the pact was first submitted for ratification.

In 1997, Deng Xiaoping, the last of China's major Communist revolutionaries, died at age 92.

In 2003, an Iranian military plane carrying 275 members of the elite Revolutionary Guards crashed in southeastern Iran, killing all on board.

In 2006, Israel halted the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars in tax money to the Palestinians after Hamas took control of the Palestinian parliament.

In 2008, an ailing Fidel Castro resigned the Cuban presidency after nearly a half-century in power; his brother Raul was later named to succeed him.

Ten years ago: In a televised 13-minute statement, golfer Tiger Woods admitted infidelity and acknowledged receiving therapy. The FBI concluded that Army scientist Bruce Ivins acted alone in the 2001 anthrax mailings that killed five people, and formally closed the case. Pope Benedict XVI approved sainthood for Mother Mary MacKillop, who became Australia's first saint.

Five years ago: President Barack Obama urged delegates from 63 countries at a summit on violent extremism to "confront the warped ideology" espoused by terror groups, particularly using Islam to justify violence.

One year ago: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said he would again seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to develop plans for a new Space Force within the Air Force, accepting less than the full-fledged department he had wanted. Designer Karl Lagerfeld, whose creations at Chanel and Fendi had an unprecedented impact on the entire fashion industry, died in Paris. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg returned to the Supreme Court bench, eight weeks after surgery for lung cancer. Former Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Don Newcombe, who was one of the first black players in the major leagues and went on to win the Rookie of the Year, MVP and Cy Yong awards, died at 92 after a long illness.

Today's Birthdays: Singer Smokey Robinson is 80. Actress Carlin Glynn is 80. Former Sony Corp. Chairman Howard Stringer is 78. Singer Lou Christie is 77. Actor Michael Nader is 75. Rock musician Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell) is 72. Actor Stephen Nichols is 69. Author Amy Tan is 68. Actor Jeff Daniels is 65. Rock singer-musician Dave Wakeling is 64. Talk show host Lorianne Crook is 63. Actor Ray Winstone is 63. Actor Leslie David Baker is 62. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is 61. Britain's Prince Andrew is 60. Tennis Hall of Famer Hana Mandlikova is 58. Singer Seal is 57. Actress Jessica Tuck is 57. Country musician Ralph McCauley (Wild Horses) is 56. Rock musician Jon Fishman (Phish) is 55. Actress Justine Bateman is 54. Actor Benicio Del Toro is 53. Actress Bellamy Young is 50. Rock musician Daniel Adair is 45. Pop singer-actress Haylie Duff is 35. Actress Arielle Kebbel is 35. Christian rock musician Seth Morrison (Skillet) is 32. Actor Luke Pasqualino is 30. Actress Victoria Justice is 27. Actor David Mazouz (TV: "Gotham") is 19. Actress Millie Bobby Brown is 16.

Thought for Today: "Passion and prejudice govern the world; only under the name of reason." — John Wesley, English theologian (1703-1791).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Today is Wednesday, Feb. 19, the 50th day of 2020. There are 316 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Feb. 19, 1945, Operation Detachment began during World War II as some 30,000 U.S. Marines began landing on Iwo Jima, where they commenced a successful month-long battle to seize control of the island from Japanese forces.On this date:In 1803, Congress voted to accept Ohio's borders and constitution.In 1807, former Vice President Aaron Burr, accused of treason, was arrested in the Mississippi Territory, in present-day Alabama. (Burr was acquitted at trial.)In 1846, the Texas state government was formally installed in Austin, with J. Pinckney Henderson taking the oath of office as governor.In 1878, Thomas Edison received a U.S. patent for "an improvement in phonograph or speaking machines."In 1934, the U.S. Army Air Corps began delivering mail after President Franklin D. Roosevelt canceled private contracts that had come under suspicion. (The hastily arranged, ill-equipped military flights claimed the lives of a dozen pilots, sparking a public outcry before they were dropped several months later.)In 1942, during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which paved the way for the relocation and internment of people of Japanese ancestry, including U.S.-born citizens. Imperial Japanese warplanes raided the Australian city of Darwin; at least 243 people were killed.In 1968, the children's program "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," created by and starring Fred Rogers, made its network debut on National Educational Television, a forerunner of PBS, beginning a 31-season run.In 1986, the U.S. Senate approved, 83-11, the Genocide Convention, an international treaty outlawing "acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group," nearly 37 years after the pact was first submitted for ratification.In 1997, Deng Xiaoping, the last of China's major Communist revolutionaries, died at age 92.In 2003, an Iranian military plane carrying 275 members of the elite Revolutionary Guards crashed in southeastern Iran, killing all on board.In 2006, Israel halted the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars in tax money to the Palestinians after Hamas took control of the Palestinian parliament.In 2008, an ailing Fidel Castro resigned the Cuban presidency after nearly a half-century in power; his brother Raul was later named to succeed him.Ten years ago: In a televised 13-minute statement, golfer Tiger Woods admitted infidelity and acknowledged receiving therapy. The FBI concluded that Army scientist Bruce Ivins acted alone in the 2001 anthrax mailings that killed five people, and formally closed the case. Pope Benedict XVI approved sainthood for Mother Mary MacKillop, who became Australia's first saint.Five years ago: President Barack Obama urged delegates from 63 countries at a summit on violent extremism to "confront the warped ideology" espoused by terror groups, particularly using Islam to justify violence.One year ago: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said he would again seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to develop plans for a new Space Force within the Air Force, accepting less than the full-fledged department he had wanted. Designer Karl Lagerfeld, whose creations at Chanel and Fendi had an unprecedented impact on the entire fashion industry, died in Paris. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg returned to the Supreme Court bench, eight weeks after surgery for lung cancer. Former Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Don Newcombe, who was one of the first black players in the major leagues and went on to win the Rookie of the Year, MVP and Cy Yong awards, died at 92 after a long illness.Today's Birthdays: Singer Smokey Robinson is 80. Actress Carlin Glynn is 80. Former Sony Corp. Chairman Howard Stringer is 78. Singer Lou Christie is 77. Actor Michael Nader is 75. Rock musician Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell) is 72. Actor Stephen Nichols is 69. Author Amy Tan is 68. Actor Jeff Daniels is 65. Rock singer-musician Dave Wakeling is 64. Talk show host Lorianne Crook is 63. Actor Ray Winstone is 63. Actor Leslie David Baker is 62. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is 61. Britain's Prince Andrew is 60. Tennis Hall of Famer Hana Mandlikova is 58. Singer Seal is 57. Actress Jessica Tuck is 57. Country musician Ralph McCauley (Wild Horses) is 56. Rock musician Jon Fishman (Phish) is 55. Actress Justine Bateman is 54. Actor Benicio Del Toro is 53. Actress Bellamy Young is 50. Rock musician Daniel Adair is 45. Pop singer-actress Haylie Duff is 35. Actress Arielle Kebbel is 35. Christian rock musician Seth Morrison (Skillet) is 32. Actor Luke Pasqualino is 30. Actress Victoria Justice is 27. Actor David Mazouz (TV: "Gotham") is 19. Actress Millie Bobby Brown is 16.Thought for Today: "Passion and prejudice govern the world; only under the name of reason." — John Wesley, English theologian (1703-1791).Copyright 2020, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Today in History -- Feb. 19

Submitted by David Norlin Salina

The Kansas legislature is so busy saving the unborn, it seems unable to save itself.&nbsp;&nbsp;Or for that matter, us.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A recent visit and news reports provide a shocking picture of a body supposedly acting for all of the people.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yet, not.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The newly-remodeled 325-million-dollar Capitol floats above Topeka’s horizon, a shining beacon, inside and out, an Ark finally floating above Brownback-deficit flood waters.&nbsp;&nbsp;But without direction -- or if there is one, the wrong one.&nbsp;&nbsp;High above the Capitol, Ad Astra points his arrow toward the stars—stars evidently lost to navigators inside the ship.

The dysfunctional family at the helm holds its deathgrip on its shuddering rudder, without a glance at compass or navigational system.&nbsp;&nbsp;Titanic obstacles to good governance are ignored, full fossil-fuel steam ahead, and damn the consequences.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Not all legislators are part of this dysfunction.&nbsp;&nbsp;As one of the conscientious ones confided, “I don’t have energy anymore.&nbsp;&nbsp;This place is brutal, and I’m out of here.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Many are still game, however, putting forth reasoned, caring letters to their constituents.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They resist Republican committee chairs and House and Senate leadership, who operate essentially unchecked, like Lords over medieval machinery.

But those conscientious souls who focus on legislation other&nbsp;than amending the Constitution, who vote against the dysfunctional rudder-holders,&nbsp;are bullied and threatened with removal from the KS ledge.

These legislators face smug thuggery, face-to-face threats of million-buck budgets to defeat them unless they toe the (party) line. Threats mainly from “Kansans for Life” or the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This is made even worse by religious zealots, most visibly the Catholic hierarchy, who hold a gun to the head of Medicaid expansion—unless their demands for church/state control of&nbsp;&nbsp;women’s reproductive lives are written into the Constitution.&nbsp;&nbsp;And we still claim slavery is a thing of the past?

In its most blatant exhibition of hypocrisy, the Bishopric holds forth against “unelected” justices and judges, ignoring the fact that they themselves, in the words of a prominent Catholic friend, are selected by “an unelected procedure from the bowels of an unaccountable institution.”

They, and the rest of the anti-choice Mob, loudly proclaim their desire for the ‘will of the people” to prevail.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What to make, then, of their insistence that the “People’s” vote be held in August’s not-very- august primary, where a dismally low number of people typically vote, many of those likely followers of the Hypocrisy Hierarchy?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Without Medicaid Expansion, 130,000 Kansans face great difficulty and even death.&nbsp;&nbsp;That’s bad enough, but with the Hypocrisy Hierarchy holding other progressive legislation hostage, the rest of us (nearly 3 million) suffer, too.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The pro-pregnancy, anti-choice Mob evidently feel just fine in their 325-million-dollar Ark.&nbsp;&nbsp;But the rest of us are drowning.&nbsp;&nbsp;To get their attention, you might be better off returning&nbsp;&nbsp;to the womb.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Submitted by David Norlin SalinaThe Kansas legislature is so busy saving the unborn, it seems unable to save itself.&nbsp;&nbsp;Or for that matter, us.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A recent visit and news reports provide a shocking picture of a body supposedly acting for all of the people.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yet, not.&nbsp;&nbsp;The newly-remodeled 325-million-dollar Capitol floats above Topeka’s horizon, a shining beacon, inside and out, an Ark finally floating above Brownback-deficit flood waters.&nbsp;&nbsp;But without direction -- or if there is one, the wrong one.&nbsp;&nbsp;High above the Capitol, Ad Astra points his arrow toward the stars—stars evidently lost to navigators inside the ship.The dysfunctional family at the helm holds its deathgrip on its shuddering rudder, without a glance at compass or navigational system.&nbsp;&nbsp;Titanic obstacles to good governance are ignored, full fossil-fuel steam ahead, and damn the consequences.&nbsp;&nbsp;Not all legislators are part of this dysfunction.&nbsp;&nbsp;As one of the conscientious ones confided, “I don’t have energy anymore.&nbsp;&nbsp;This place is brutal, and I’m out of here.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Many are still game, however, putting forth reasoned, caring letters to their constituents.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They resist Republican committee chairs and House and Senate leadership, who operate essentially unchecked, like Lords over medieval machinery.But those conscientious souls who focus on legislation other&nbsp;than amending the Constitution, who vote against the dysfunctional rudder-holders,&nbsp;are bullied and threatened with removal from the KS ledge.These legislators face smug thuggery, face-to-face threats of million-buck budgets to defeat them unless they toe the (party) line. Threats mainly from “Kansans for Life” or the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is made even worse by religious zealots, most visibly the Catholic hierarchy, who hold a gun to the head of Medicaid expansion—unless their demands for church/state control of&nbsp;&nbsp;women’s reproductive lives are written into the Constitution.&nbsp;&nbsp;And we still claim slavery is a thing of the past?In its most blatant exhibition of hypocrisy, the Bishopric holds forth against “unelected” justices and judges, ignoring the fact that they themselves, in the words of a prominent Catholic friend, are selected by “an unelected procedure from the bowels of an unaccountable institution.”They, and the rest of the anti-choice Mob, loudly proclaim their desire for the ‘will of the people” to prevail.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What to make, then, of their insistence that the “People’s” vote be held in August’s not-very- august primary, where a dismally low number of people typically vote, many of those likely followers of the Hypocrisy Hierarchy?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Without Medicaid Expansion, 130,000 Kansans face great difficulty and even death.&nbsp;&nbsp;That’s bad enough, but with the Hypocrisy Hierarchy holding other progressive legislation hostage, the rest of us (nearly 3 million) suffer, too.&nbsp;&nbsp;The pro-pregnancy, anti-choice Mob evidently feel just fine in their 325-million-dollar Ark.&nbsp;&nbsp;But the rest of us are drowning.&nbsp;&nbsp;To get their attention, you might be better off returning&nbsp;&nbsp;to the womb.&nbsp;&nbsp;Or, you could just vote them out.

NORLIN: Topeka's dysfunction junction

UPDATED 7 a.m. Wednesday from the National Weather Service in Wichita:&nbsp;Rain is expected to develop in central Kansas during the afternoon, then change quickly to snow. The snow will spread south across the remainder of the area Wednesday night. Accumulations will generally be an inch or less roughly east of Interstate 35 (I-35, with one to two inches to the west of I-35. A narrow band of two to three inch snow is possible within the area roughly south of a line from Great Bend to McPherson and north of a line from Harper to Winfield. Flurries may linger near the Oklahoma border Thursday morning in southeast Kansas.

UPDATED 9:55 p.m.:&nbsp;Snow is expected to develop Wednesday evening through Wednesday night across central and eastern Kansas, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita. The amount of snow expected in our area has decreased.

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

Rain is expected to mix with, then change to, snow Wednesday afternoon in central Kansas, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita. 

The change to all snow is expected late in the afternoon. The snow will spread south across the remainder of the area Wednesday night. 

Accumulations will generally be an inch or less south of U.S. Highway 400, and between one and two inches north of U.S. Highway 400, NWS noted. A small band of two- to three-inch snow is possible roughly between Great Bend, Hutchinson, and Eureka, but this will depend on how quickly the rain changes to snow. 

Flurries may linger near the Oklahoma border Thursday morning in southeast Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582112484027.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>UPDATED 7 a.m. Wednesday from the National Weather Service in Wichita:&nbsp;Rain is expected to develop in central Kansas during the afternoon, then change quickly to snow. The snow will spread south across the remainder of the area Wednesday night. Accumulations will generally be an inch or less roughly east of Interstate 35 (I-35, with one to two inches to the west of I-35. A narrow band of two to three inch snow is possible within the area roughly south of a line from Great Bend to McPherson and north of a line from Harper to Winfield. Flurries may linger near the Oklahoma border Thursday morning in southeast Kansas.-------------------------------------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582092368498.png" alt="weather.png" />
 <figcaption>weather.png</figcaption>
 </figure>UPDATED 9:55 p.m.:&nbsp;Snow is expected to develop Wednesday evening through Wednesday night across central and eastern Kansas, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita. The amount of snow expected in our area has decreased.-----------------------------------------Rain is expected to mix with, then change to, snow Wednesday afternoon in central Kansas, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita. The change to all snow is expected late in the afternoon. The snow will spread south across the remainder of the area Wednesday night. Accumulations will generally be an inch or less south of U.S. Highway 400, and between one and two inches north of U.S. Highway 400, NWS noted. A small band of two- to three-inch snow is possible roughly between Great Bend, Hutchinson, and Eureka, but this will depend on how quickly the rain changes to snow. Flurries may linger near the Oklahoma border Thursday morning in southeast Kansas.

UPDATE: Snow amount expected Wednesday decreased

Saline County and the City of Salina appear to be closer to an expo center lease agreement.

During the Saline County Commission meeting Tuesday morning, Commission Chair Robert Vidricksen announced that the county had received a letter from the city concerning the lease proposal and improvements the city asked the county to make. Vidricksen said that with minor clarifications, the county commission would accept the city's proposal. According to information from the county, the city's legal counsel will be drafting an appropriate lease for the county's consideration.

Other business before the county commission Tuesday includes the following, according to information provided by the county.

Commissioners approved a facility use agreement with Hermes Healthcare for its continued use of the senior center in providing foot care services.  

Commissioners signed a resolution adopting the Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan covers 12 counties in the north-central region and outlines the most probably natural and manmade disasters that could occur in the area. By adoption of this plan, Saline County will be eligible to apply for grants that specifically cover mitigation projects. This also allows for Saline County to become eligible to apply for public assistance dollars should a disaster occur.

GIS presented a cost share agreement from the City of Salina for approval by the county commission. This agreement allows for the City of Salina to pay $20,600 toward the cost of an aerial flight to enhance mapping capabilities in Salina and Saline County. The total cost of the flight and mapping software is $115,587 and several entities are providing funds to cover this cost including the county Road and Bridge Department, the Noxious Weed Department, the Saline County Appraiser's Office, and land record funds.

Rick Lamer, Livestock and Expo Center director, updated commissioners. Lamer told commissioners that there were a total of 298 event days in 2019 that brought in a total of $91,927 in rental income. There are several upcoming events in March that will keep staff very busy including Equifest, the Carden Circus, and the Mid-America Farm Show, he said.

Commissioners approved a maintenance agreement with Hickman Environmental Service for bi-annual pump maintenance for Kipp Sewer District No. 1. The approval of this agreement also brought a modification to the Wastewater Operator Agreement that adjusted monthly compensation for the current wastewater operator. 

Saline County and the City of Salina appear to be closer to an expo center lease agreement.During the Saline County Commission meeting Tuesday morning, Commission Chair Robert Vidricksen announced that the county had received a letter from the city concerning the lease proposal and improvements the city asked the county to make. Vidricksen said that with minor clarifications, the county commission would accept the city's proposal. According to information from the county, the city's legal counsel will be drafting an appropriate lease for the county's consideration.Other business before the county commission Tuesday includes the following, according to information provided by the county.Commissioners approved a facility use agreement with Hermes Healthcare for its continued use of the senior center in providing foot care services. Commissioners signed a resolution adopting the Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan covers 12 counties in the north-central region and outlines the most probably natural and manmade disasters that could occur in the area. By adoption of this plan, Saline County will be eligible to apply for grants that specifically cover mitigation projects. This also allows for Saline County to become eligible to apply for public assistance dollars should a disaster occur.GIS presented a cost share agreement from the City of Salina for approval by the county commission. This agreement allows for the City of Salina to pay $20,600 toward the cost of an aerial flight to enhance mapping capabilities in Salina and Saline County. The total cost of the flight and mapping software is $115,587 and several entities are providing funds to cover this cost including the county Road and Bridge Department, the Noxious Weed Department, the Saline County Appraiser's Office, and land record funds.Rick Lamer, Livestock and Expo Center director, updated commissioners. Lamer told commissioners that there were a total of 298 event days in 2019 that brought in a total of $91,927 in rental income. There are several upcoming events in March that will keep staff very busy including Equifest, the Carden Circus, and the Mid-America Farm Show, he said.Commissioners approved a maintenance agreement with Hickman Environmental Service for bi-annual pump maintenance for Kipp Sewer District No. 1. The approval of this agreement also brought a modification to the Wastewater Operator Agreement that adjusted monthly compensation for the current wastewater operator.

County, city appear to be closer on expo center

LAWRENCE — This spring, 50 KU students will receive an Undergraduate Research Award (UGRAs). 

UGRA recipients are awarded a $1,000 scholarship as they work on mentored research and creative projects.

Students apply for UGRAs by writing a four-page research proposal under the guidance of a mentor. Faculty reviewers evaluate the applications based on the merit of the applicant's proposal, the applicant's academic record and a recommendation from the mentor.

“The process of writing a proposal for the Undergraduate Research Awards provides an opportunity for students to not only plan out their projects, but also to gain experience in grant writing,” said Alison Olcott, director of the Center for Undergraduate Research and associate professor in geology. “Doing undergraduate research helps students develop skills that are applicable to all kinds of careers once they leave KU.”

The Center for Undergraduate Research is currently taking applications for the Summer/Fall 2020 UGRA competition. The deadline for student proposals is March 26. More information can be found here: www.ugresearch.ku.edu/ugra

Kansas students receiving awards for spring 2020 are listed below. The full list of recipients is available in the online version of this press release.

Elizabeth Aikman, a junior from Andover: “Optimizing Pentenoic Acid Substitution for Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels,” mentored by Jennifer Robinson, chemical &amp; petroleum engineering.

Madisen Huscher, a senior from Andover: “Neural Correlates of Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder,” mentored by Matt Mosconi, clinical child psychology.

Darian Bequette, a senior from Basehor: “Deluge,” mentored by Maria Velasco, visual art.

Alicen Meysing, a senior from Canton: “The Interaction of Time and Sleep Quality Following a Traumatic Experience,” mentored by Nancy Hamilton, psychology.

Robert Honeychurch, a sophomore from Chapman: “Attributions and Explanations of Cognitively Dissonant Infidelity In Committed Dyads,” mentored by Omri Gillath, psychology.

Aaron Fugate, a junior from De Soto: “Determination of Classical Marble Provenance Through Strontium Isotopic Analysis,” mentored by Philip Stinson, classics.

Halle Norris, a junior from Eudora: “An Assessment of Token Value and Effectiveness: Does Form Matter?” mentored by Pamela Neidert, applied behavioral sciences.

Gwendolyn Sibley, a senior from Garnett: “Coherence in Concrete Poetry and Material,” mentored by Linda Samson Talleur, design.

Payton Markley, a junior from Hays: “Identification and Characterization of the ELAVL1 Promoter Region,” mentored by Dan Dixon, molecular biosciences.

Zachary Atkins, a senior from Lansing: “Towards Optimality of Domain Decomposition Methods for Eigenvalue Problems,” mentored by Agnieszka Miedlar, mathematics.

Natalie Babich, a senior from Lawrence: “Exploring Symptom Pathology in Men with Eating Disorders: A Latent Profile Analysis,” mentored by Kelsie Forbush, clinical psychology.

Mariam Balogun, a senior from Lawrence: “Depolymerization of Polyethylene Terephthalate Plastics by Ozonolysis,” mentored by Bala Subramaniam, chemical &amp; petroleum engineering.

Maya Bluitt, a senior from Lawrence: “Elucidating how Flamingo Selectively Regulates Anteroposterior Axonal Outgrowth of VD Motor Neurons Using MSRB-1 as a Model Protein,” mentored by Brian Ackley, molecular biosciences.

Leo Budy, a senior from Lawrence: “Efficacy of Plant-Based Adsorbents as Pretreatment for Biodiesel Feedstock,” mentored by Susan Williams, chemical &amp; petroleum engineering.

Casey Carlile, a senior from Lawrence: “Merger Signatures in Cold Quasars,” mentored by Allison Kirkpatrick, physics &amp; astronomy.

Haley Cooper, a senior from Lawrence: “Internalized Gendered Racism and Sexual Consent Expectancies,” mentored by Glenn Adams, psychology.

Tyler Duncan, a senior from Lawrence: “Density Functional Theory Characterization of Surface Activities for Niobium-doped Silica Catalysts,” mentored by Ward Thompson, chemistry.

Jessica Grinage, a senior from Lawrence: “Neurological Processing of Pronoun Reference in Second Language Learners,” mentored by Alison Gabriele, linguistics.

Nicholas Monroe, a senior from Lawrence: “CRT TVs: Intersection of Analogue Audio and Visual Art,” mentored by Ingrid Stölzel, music composition.

Pearl Nelson-Greene, a senior from Lawrence: “Nominalization in Badini Kurdish,” mentored by John Gluckman, linguistics.

Abigal Percich, a junior from Lawrence: “Sediment Source Assessment Along an Urban to Rural Transition Using Stable Isotopes and Geochemical Tracers,” mentored by Admin Husic, civil, environmental &amp; architectural engineering.

Joseph Perry, a sophomore from Lawrence: “Fossil Fagalean Fruits Preserved from the Late Cretaceous of British Columbia, Canada,” mentored by Brian Atkinson, ecology &amp; evolutionary biology.

Grace Price, a senior from Lawrence: “Citizenship Education in China: Construction of National Identity in Inland Tibetan Schools,” mentored by Brian Lagotte, global &amp; international studies.

Jeffrey Xu, a senior from Lawrence: “Adaptive Ln Guidance Method,” mentored by Shawn Keshmiri, aerospace engineering.

Mathew Reinhold, a senior from Leavenworth: “Language Attitudes and Gender on the Miskitu Coast,” mentored by Arienne Dwyer, anthropology.

Hunter Woosley, a junior from Leawood: “Investigation of Cellular Protein Targeted by ICP0 for Degradation,” mentored by David Davido, molecular biosciences.

Sasha Arteaga, a senior from Olathe: “Beyond Selena: A New Canon of Female Tejano Musicians,” mentored by Colin Roust, musicology.

Elsey Barnhart, a senior from Olathe: “Mediating Stress Response with Security Priming,” mentored by Omri Gillath, psychology

John Higgins, a senior from Olathe: “Misinformation on Networks: A Game Theoretic Approach,” mentored by Tarun Sabarwal, economics.

Alexis McGhee-Dinvaut, a senior from Olathe: “The Effects of Racial Group Membership and Religious Beliefs on Treatment-Seeking Behavior for Mental Illness,” mentored by Stephen Ilardi, psychology.

Ritu Agarwal, a senior from Overland Park: “Examining Differences in Opioid Prescription Philosophy Between U.S. and Indian Healthcare Professionals,” mentored by Tracey LaPierre, sociology.

Kirstie Camp, a senior from Overland Park: “We Are Powerless At Work: When The Customers Harass,” mentored by Anna Pope, psychology.

Nicole D'Souza, a senior from Overland Park: “High-efficiency Transfection of Exosomes for Programming Cellular Responses,” mentored by Mei He, chemical &amp; petroleum engineering.

Matthew Jaeschke, a senior from Overland Park: “Tuning Bimodal Imaging Nanoprobes for Biomedical Application,” mentored by Candan Tamerler, mechanical engineering.

Grace Lamar, a senior from Overland Park: “Body, Identity, and Cultural Context in Ghana &amp; the U.S.,” mentored by Glenn Adams, psychology.

Claire Wakefield, a senior from Overland Park: “Starting the Conversation,” mentored by Yoonmi Nam, visual art.

Kelsey Hillyer, a senior from Shawnee: “In-vitro Study of FTDP-17 Tau Mutations,” mentored by T. Chris Gamblin, molecular biosciences.

Madison Foster, a senior from Tecumseh: “The Role of Nutrient Form, Ratio, and Lake Microbiome in Nitrogen Fixation,” mentored by Amy Burgin, environmental studies.

Vaughn Craddock, a senior from Wichita: “Screening of Aspergillus Nidulans Secondary Metabolites that Block Quorum Sensing in the Bacterium Pseudomonas Aeruginosa,” mentored by Josie Chandler, molecular biosciences.

Lindsay Lord, a senior from Wichita: “She Departs from Herself,” mentored by Mary Anne Jordan, visual art.

LAWRENCE — This spring, 50 KU students will receive an Undergraduate Research Award (UGRAs). UGRA recipients are awarded a $1,000 scholarship as they work on mentored research and creative projects.Students apply for UGRAs by writing a four-page research proposal under the guidance of a mentor. Faculty reviewers evaluate the applications based on the merit of the applicant's proposal, the applicant's academic record and a recommendation from the mentor.“The process of writing a proposal for the Undergraduate Research Awards provides an opportunity for students to not only plan out their projects, but also to gain experience in grant writing,” said Alison Olcott, director of the Center for Undergraduate Research and associate professor in geology. “Doing undergraduate research helps students develop skills that are applicable to all kinds of careers once they leave KU.”The Center for Undergraduate Research is currently taking applications for the Summer/Fall 2020 UGRA competition. The deadline for student proposals is March 26. More information can be found here: www.ugresearch.ku.edu/ugraKansas students receiving awards for spring 2020 are listed below. The full list of recipients is available in the online version of this press release.AndoverElizabeth Aikman, a junior from Andover: “Optimizing Pentenoic Acid Substitution for Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels,” mentored by Jennifer Robinson, chemical &amp; petroleum engineering.Madisen Huscher, a senior from Andover: “Neural Correlates of Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder,” mentored by Matt Mosconi, clinical child psychology.BasehorDarian Bequette, a senior from Basehor: “Deluge,” mentored by Maria Velasco, visual art.CantonAlicen Meysing, a senior from Canton: “The Interaction of Time and Sleep Quality Following a Traumatic Experience,” mentored by Nancy Hamilton, psychology.ChapmanRobert Honeychurch, a sophomore from Chapman: “Attributions and Explanations of Cognitively Dissonant Infidelity In Committed Dyads,” mentored by Omri Gillath, psychology.De SotoAaron Fugate, a junior from De Soto: “Determination of Classical Marble Provenance Through Strontium Isotopic Analysis,” mentored by Philip Stinson, classics.EudoraHalle Norris, a junior from Eudora: “An Assessment of Token Value and Effectiveness: Does Form Matter?” mentored by Pamela Neidert, applied behavioral sciences.GarnettGwendolyn Sibley, a senior from Garnett: “Coherence in Concrete Poetry and Material,” mentored by Linda Samson Talleur, design.HaysPayton Markley, a junior from Hays: “Identification and Characterization of the ELAVL1 Promoter Region,” mentored by Dan Dixon, molecular biosciences.LansingZachary Atkins, a senior from Lansing: “Towards Optimality of Domain Decomposition Methods for Eigenvalue Problems,” mentored by Agnieszka Miedlar, mathematics.LawrenceNatalie Babich, a senior from Lawrence: “Exploring Symptom Pathology in Men with Eating Disorders: A Latent Profile Analysis,” mentored by Kelsie Forbush, clinical psychology.Mariam Balogun, a senior from Lawrence: “Depolymerization of Polyethylene Terephthalate Plastics by Ozonolysis,” mentored by Bala Subramaniam, chemical &amp; petroleum engineering.Maya Bluitt, a senior from Lawrence: “Elucidating how Flamingo Selectively Regulates Anteroposterior Axonal Outgrowth of VD Motor Neurons Using MSRB-1 as a Model Protein,” mentored by Brian Ackley, molecular biosciences.Leo Budy, a senior from Lawrence: “Efficacy of Plant-Based Adsorbents as Pretreatment for Biodiesel Feedstock,” mentored by Susan Williams, chemical &amp; petroleum engineering.Casey Carlile, a senior from Lawrence: “Merger Signatures in Cold Quasars,” mentored by Allison Kirkpatrick, physics &amp; astronomy.Haley Cooper, a senior from Lawrence: “Internalized Gendered Racism and Sexual Consent Expectancies,” mentored by Glenn Adams, psychology.Tyler Duncan, a senior from Lawrence: “Density Functional Theory Characterization of Surface Activities for Niobium-doped Silica Catalysts,” mentored by Ward Thompson, chemistry.Jessica Grinage, a senior from Lawrence: “Neurological Processing of Pronoun Reference in Second Language Learners,” mentored by Alison Gabriele, linguistics.Nicholas Monroe, a senior from Lawrence: “CRT TVs: Intersection of Analogue Audio and Visual Art,” mentored by Ingrid Stölzel, music composition.Pearl Nelson-Greene, a senior from Lawrence: “Nominalization in Badini Kurdish,” mentored by John Gluckman, linguistics.Abigal Percich, a junior from Lawrence: “Sediment Source Assessment Along an Urban to Rural Transition Using Stable Isotopes and Geochemical Tracers,” mentored by Admin Husic, civil, environmental &amp; architectural engineering.Joseph Perry, a sophomore from Lawrence: “Fossil Fagalean Fruits Preserved from the Late Cretaceous of British Columbia, Canada,” mentored by Brian Atkinson, ecology &amp; evolutionary biology.Grace Price, a senior from Lawrence: “Citizenship Education in China: Construction of National Identity in Inland Tibetan Schools,” mentored by Brian Lagotte, global &amp; international studies.Jeffrey Xu, a senior from Lawrence: “Adaptive Ln Guidance Method,” mentored by Shawn Keshmiri, aerospace engineering.LeavenworthMathew Reinhold, a senior from Leavenworth: “Language Attitudes and Gender on the Miskitu Coast,” mentored by Arienne Dwyer, anthropology.LeawoodHunter Woosley, a junior from Leawood: “Investigation of Cellular Protein Targeted by ICP0 for Degradation,” mentored by David Davido, molecular biosciences.OlatheSasha Arteaga, a senior from Olathe: “Beyond Selena: A New Canon of Female Tejano Musicians,” mentored by Colin Roust, musicology.Elsey Barnhart, a senior from Olathe: “Mediating Stress Response with Security Priming,” mentored by Omri Gillath, psychologyJohn Higgins, a senior from Olathe: “Misinformation on Networks: A Game Theoretic Approach,” mentored by Tarun Sabarwal, economics.Alexis McGhee-Dinvaut, a senior from Olathe: “The Effects of Racial Group Membership and Religious Beliefs on Treatment-Seeking Behavior for Mental Illness,” mentored by Stephen Ilardi, psychology.Overland ParkRitu Agarwal, a senior from Overland Park: “Examining Differences in Opioid Prescription Philosophy Between U.S. and Indian Healthcare Professionals,” mentored by Tracey LaPierre, sociology.Kirstie Camp, a senior from Overland Park: “We Are Powerless At Work: When The Customers Harass,” mentored by Anna Pope, psychology.Nicole D'Souza, a senior from Overland Park: “High-efficiency Transfection of Exosomes for Programming Cellular Responses,” mentored by Mei He, chemical &amp; petroleum engineering.Matthew Jaeschke, a senior from Overland Park: “Tuning Bimodal Imaging Nanoprobes for Biomedical Application,” mentored by Candan Tamerler, mechanical engineering.Grace Lamar, a senior from Overland Park: “Body, Identity, and Cultural Context in Ghana &amp; the U.S.,” mentored by Glenn Adams, psychology.Claire Wakefield, a senior from Overland Park: “Starting the Conversation,” mentored by Yoonmi Nam, visual art.ShawneeKelsey Hillyer, a senior from Shawnee: “In-vitro Study of FTDP-17 Tau Mutations,” mentored by T. Chris Gamblin, molecular biosciences.TecumsehMadison Foster, a senior from Tecumseh: “The Role of Nutrient Form, Ratio, and Lake Microbiome in Nitrogen Fixation,” mentored by Amy Burgin, environmental studies.WichitaVaughn Craddock, a senior from Wichita: “Screening of Aspergillus Nidulans Secondary Metabolites that Block Quorum Sensing in the Bacterium Pseudomonas Aeruginosa,” mentored by Josie Chandler, molecular biosciences.Lindsay Lord, a senior from Wichita: “She Departs from Herself,” mentored by Mary Anne Jordan, visual art.

Area students among those receiving undergrad research awards

Salina City Commissioner Rod Franz plans to meet with constituents over a cup of coffee.

Franz has announced that he is inviting residents to meet with him and chat informally at monthly coffee events in local coffee shops and restaurants.

The first in a series of drop-in coffee events is scheduled for 2-3 p.m., Saturday at Ad Astra Books &amp; Coffee House, 141 North Santa Fe Avenue.

Franz said he will provide coffee to all attendees. Individuals may drop in any time during the hour.

“All residents are invited to stop by and chat about whatever is on their minds,” Franz said. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582061785657.jpeg" alt="Salina City Commissioner Rod Franz. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Salina City Commissioner Rod Franz. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Salina City Commissioner Rod Franz plans to meet with constituents over a cup of coffee.Franz has announced that he is inviting residents to meet with him and chat informally at monthly coffee events in local coffee shops and restaurants.The first in a series of drop-in coffee events is scheduled for 2-3 p.m., Saturday at Ad Astra Books &amp; Coffee House, 141 North Santa Fe Avenue.Franz said he will provide coffee to all attendees. Individuals may drop in any time during the hour.“All residents are invited to stop by and chat about whatever is on their minds,” Franz said. No RSVP is required.&nbsp;&nbsp;

City commissioner to meet with constituents over coffee

There's a new group in town to help people with Parkinson's Disease and their caretakers.

Punchin' Out Parkinson's Central Kansas will have a ribbon-cutting event from 4-6 p.m. Thursday at 600 East Elm Street. The event is open to the public.

According to information from the organization, Punchin' Out Parkinson's Central Kansas is a group of trained and certified professionals eager to help those with Parkinson’s Disease and their caretakers. Multiple programs to include Rock Steady Boxing, education, support groups, yoga, and other programs geared to help those fighting this horrific disease.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582049832407.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy Punchin' Out Parkinson's Central Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Punchin' Out Parkinson's Central Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>There's a new group in town to help people with Parkinson's Disease and their caretakers.Punchin' Out Parkinson's Central Kansas will have a ribbon-cutting event from 4-6 p.m. Thursday at 600 East Elm Street. The event is open to the public.According to information from the organization, Punchin' Out Parkinson's Central Kansas is a group of trained and certified professionals eager to help those with Parkinson’s Disease and their caretakers. Multiple programs to include Rock Steady Boxing, education, support groups, yoga, and other programs geared to help those fighting this horrific disease.&nbsp;

Ribbon cutting set for Punchin' Out Parkinson's Central Kansas

Salina Police are looking for four known suspects from the Wichita area after an alleged shoplifting incident Sunday evening at a local retail store.

Salina Police Lieutenant Jim Feldman said this morning that officers were called to Walmart, 2900 South Ninth Street, for the report of an alleged shoplifting incident. He said that two men and two women allegedly loaded up two shopping carts with items that included electronics, food, clothing, a backpack, and a laundry basket. They then fled through the store's lawn and garden exit, he added.

Feldman said that although the four allegedly left the store with $1,100 of merchandise that was not purchased, they were only able to load approximately $700 worth of the merchandise into a silver four-door car before fleeing the parking lot.

Through the course of the investigation, police were able to identify the four suspects and are in the process of getting warrants for them, Feldman said.

Salina Police are looking for four known suspects from the Wichita area after an alleged shoplifting incident Sunday evening at a local retail store.Salina Police Lieutenant Jim Feldman said this morning that officers were called to Walmart, 2900 South Ninth Street, for the report of an alleged shoplifting incident. He said that two men and two women allegedly loaded up two shopping carts with items that included electronics, food, clothing, a backpack, and a laundry basket. They then fled through the store's lawn and garden exit, he added.Feldman said that although the four allegedly left the store with $1,100 of merchandise that was not purchased, they were only able to load approximately $700 worth of the merchandise into a silver four-door car before fleeing the parking lot.Through the course of the investigation, police were able to identify the four suspects and are in the process of getting warrants for them, Feldman said.

Police seek 4 known suspects from Wichita area for alleged shoplifting 

Two people from Wichita led deputies on a chase through northwest and west-central Saline County before being stopped by a wheat field early Monday morning.

A deputy on patrol noticed a black 2002 Lexus LS430 parked on Watkins Road, just west of Hedville Road, at approximately 1:44 a.m. Monday, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning. When the deputy went to check on the car, it sped off, heading west on Watkins Road, he said.

Soldan said the car went west on Watkins Road to Brookville Road, south on Brookville Road to Kansas Highway 140 (K-140, east on K-140 to Hohneck Road, and south on Hohneck Road. The car then entered a wheat field at the southwest corner of Hohneck Road and Magnolia Road and became stuck, Soldan said.

During the investigation, it was determined that the car had been reported stolen in Wichita, Soldan said. Additionally, marijuana and methamphetamine, as well as drug paraphernalia were found in the car, he said.

The driver, Taylor Horstman, 23, of Wichita, was arrested on suspicion of the following, Soldan said.

A passenger in the car, Andrew Mercer, 27, of Wichita, was arrested on suspicion of the following, Soldan said.

An estimated $200 worth of damage was done to the wheat field, Soldan said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582047492647.jpeg" alt="Damage done to the wheat field. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Damage done to the wheat field. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>Two people from Wichita led deputies on a chase through northwest and west-central Saline County before being stopped by a wheat field early Monday morning.A deputy on patrol noticed a black 2002 Lexus LS430 parked on Watkins Road, just west of Hedville Road, at approximately 1:44 a.m. Monday, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning. When the deputy went to check on the car, it sped off, heading west on Watkins Road, he said.Soldan said the car went west on Watkins Road to Brookville Road, south on Brookville Road to Kansas Highway 140 (K-140, east on K-140 to Hohneck Road, and south on Hohneck Road. The car then entered a wheat field at the southwest corner of Hohneck Road and Magnolia Road and became stuck, Soldan said.During the investigation, it was determined that the car had been reported stolen in Wichita, Soldan said. Additionally, marijuana and methamphetamine, as well as drug paraphernalia were found in the car, he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581955914066.jpeg" alt="Taylor Horstman. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Taylor Horstman. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>The driver, Taylor Horstman, 23, of Wichita, was arrested on suspicion of the following, Soldan said.Possession of marijuanaPossession of methamphetaminePossession of drug paraphernaliaFlee and eludeReckless drivingCriminal damage to propertyPossession of stolen property<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581956071433.jpeg" alt="Andrew Mercer. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Andrew Mercer. Photos courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>A passenger in the car, Andrew Mercer, 27, of Wichita, was arrested on suspicion of the following, Soldan said.Possession of marijuanaPossession of methamphetaminePossession of drug paraphernaliaAn estimated $200 worth of damage was done to the wheat field, Soldan said.

Early morning chase ends in wheat field; 2 from Wichita arrested

ASSARIA -- An Assaria man is out more than $4,000 worth of items after someone broke into a storage unit Sunday.

Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning that sometime between noon and 6:51 p.m. Sunday, someone cut the lock on a unit at the Assaria Storage facility 205 East Second Street in Assaria. Stephen Riedel, 70, of Assaria, reported that multiple items from the unit were missing, including the following, Soldan said.

Total loss was estimated at $4,062, Soldan said.

ASSARIA -- An Assaria man is out more than $4,000 worth of items after someone broke into a storage unit Sunday.Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning that sometime between noon and 6:51 p.m. Sunday, someone cut the lock on a unit at the Assaria Storage facility 205 East Second Street in Assaria. Stephen Riedel, 70, of Assaria, reported that multiple items from the unit were missing, including the following, Soldan said.A Makita battery packThree Makita screw gunsA Makita grinderA battery chargerA Makita cordless sawzallAn end cutoff toolAn 8-inch Makita circular sawA half-inch Makita drillA gray toolbox with assorted toolsAn old engine lift/standA four-inch aluminum benderA four-foot Van Mark metal benderAnother gray toolboxTotal loss was estimated at $4,062, Soldan said.

More than $4,000 worth of items stolen from Assaria storage unit

It's no grand illusion. Styx is coming to the Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Styx is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. April 22, Jane Gates, Stiefel executive director, announced this morning.

Tickets begin at $89 and go on sale at noon on Friday. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to the Stiefel <a href="http://stiefeltheatre.org">website</a>.

Artist information provided by the Stiefel Theatre

The six men comprising Styx have committed to rocking the Paradise together with audiences far and wide by entering their second decade of averaging more than 100 shows a year, and each one of them is committed to making the next show better than the last. 

Styx draws from more than four decades of barnburning chart hits, joyous singalongs, and hard-driving deep cuts. Like a symphony that builds to a satisfying crescendo, a Styx set covers a wide range of stylistic cornerstones. From the progressively sweeping splendor that is “The Grand Illusion” to the hunker-down fortitude of all that is the CBlue Collar Man,” from the majestic spiritual love for a special “Lady” to the seething indictment of preening, primping pageantry for pageantry’s sake of “Miss America,” from an individual yearning for true connection as a “Man in the Wilderness” to a soul-deep quest to achieve what’s at the heart of one’s personal vision in “Crystal Ball,” from the regal reach-for-the-stars bravado of “Come Sail Away” to the grainy all-in gallop of that rugged “Renegade” who had it made, the band draws on an unlimited cache of ways to immerse one’s mind and body in their signature sound.

Styx hit its stride with guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw’s first LP with the band, 1976’s “Crystal Ball.” Styx then became the first group to score four triple-platinum albums in a row: “The Grand Illusion” (1977, “Pieces of Eight” (1978, “Cornerstone” (1979, and “Paradise Theater” (1981). 

Over the ensuing decade, Styx weathered the shifting winds of the public’s musical taste, reconvening for a highly successful 1996 Return to Paradise tour that was expertly documented on both CD and DVD in 1997. With a little help from their many friends in Cleveland’s Contemporary Youth Orchestra, “One With Everything” (2006) became a hybrid orchestral rock blend for the ages. And on “The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live” (2011, the band performed at its peak when tackling every track from a pair of their finest triple-platinum albums back to back. Not only that, but the band re-recorded two discs’ worth of its classic material with much finesse and musculature, aptly known as “Regeneration Volume I &amp; II” (2011 &amp; 2012). 

“Now you have something you can take home with you and go, ‘Yeah, that’s the band I saw last night,’” Shaw observed.

After more than a decade together on the road, this incarnation of Styx is looking forward to performing as many shows as it can as long as it can. 

“It all comes back to the chemistry,” said bassist/vocalist Ricky Phillips. 

“The legacy of this band will be that it brought joy to millions of people,” noted drummer Todd Sucherman. 

Keyboardist/vocalist Lawrence Gowan observed, “We’ve always tried to explain why this is this happening. It’s obviously a multitude of factors, but the main one is that our show is really good! And if it’s really good, they’re going to come to see it again.” 

Styx hopes it’s a wave that never crests. 

“Every night, we go on that magic carpet ride together,” observed original bassist Chuck Panozzo, who joins the band on tour as often as he can. 

“Music is this amazing force that comes from a higher place. I'm humbled for this band to have the great success that it has,” said co-founding guitarist/vocalist James “JY” Young. 

“We just want to keep on doing this,” Shaw asserted. “We want to let life take its course and let this music continue to be the soundtrack to it. And this band will continue to evolve as long as we live and play this music.” 

The jig is up, the news is out: The Esprit de Styx is alive and well, and now it’s time to see for yourself. Welcome to the Grand Evolution.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581988048982.jpeg" alt="Styx is coming to the Stiefel Theatre. Photo courtesy Stiefel Theatre" />
 <figcaption>Styx is coming to the Stiefel Theatre. Photo courtesy Stiefel Theatre</figcaption>
 </figure>It's no grand illusion. Styx is coming to the Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts.Styx is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. April 22, Jane Gates, Stiefel executive director, announced this morning.Tickets begin at $89 and go on sale at noon on Friday. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to the Stiefel <a href="http://stiefeltheatre.org">website</a>.Artist information provided by the Stiefel TheatreThe six men comprising Styx have committed to rocking the Paradise together with audiences far and wide by entering their second decade of averaging more than 100 shows a year, and each one of them is committed to making the next show better than the last. Styx draws from more than four decades of barnburning chart hits, joyous singalongs, and hard-driving deep cuts. Like a symphony that builds to a satisfying crescendo, a Styx set covers a wide range of stylistic cornerstones. From the progressively sweeping splendor that is “The Grand Illusion” to the hunker-down fortitude of all that is the CBlue Collar Man,” from the majestic spiritual love for a special “Lady” to the seething indictment of preening, primping pageantry for pageantry’s sake of “Miss America,” from an individual yearning for true connection as a “Man in the Wilderness” to a soul-deep quest to achieve what’s at the heart of one’s personal vision in “Crystal Ball,” from the regal reach-for-the-stars bravado of “Come Sail Away” to the grainy all-in gallop of that rugged “Renegade” who had it made, the band draws on an unlimited cache of ways to immerse one’s mind and body in their signature sound.Styx hit its stride with guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw’s first LP with the band, 1976’s “Crystal Ball.” Styx then became the first group to score four triple-platinum albums in a row: “The Grand Illusion” (1977, “Pieces of Eight” (1978, “Cornerstone” (1979, and “Paradise Theater” (1981). Over the ensuing decade, Styx weathered the shifting winds of the public’s musical taste, reconvening for a highly successful 1996 Return to Paradise tour that was expertly documented on both CD and DVD in 1997. With a little help from their many friends in Cleveland’s Contemporary Youth Orchestra, “One With Everything” (2006) became a hybrid orchestral rock blend for the ages. And on “The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live” (2011, the band performed at its peak when tackling every track from a pair of their finest triple-platinum albums back to back. Not only that, but the band re-recorded two discs’ worth of its classic material with much finesse and musculature, aptly known as “Regeneration Volume I &amp; II” (2011 &amp; 2012). “Now you have something you can take home with you and go, ‘Yeah, that’s the band I saw last night,’” Shaw observed.After more than a decade together on the road, this incarnation of Styx is looking forward to performing as many shows as it can as long as it can. “It all comes back to the chemistry,” said bassist/vocalist Ricky Phillips. “The legacy of this band will be that it brought joy to millions of people,” noted drummer Todd Sucherman. Keyboardist/vocalist Lawrence Gowan observed, “We’ve always tried to explain why this is this happening. It’s obviously a multitude of factors, but the main one is that our show is really good! And if it’s really good, they’re going to come to see it again.” Styx hopes it’s a wave that never crests. “Every night, we go on that magic carpet ride together,” observed original bassist Chuck Panozzo, who joins the band on tour as often as he can. “Music is this amazing force that comes from a higher place. I'm humbled for this band to have the great success that it has,” said co-founding guitarist/vocalist James “JY” Young. “We just want to keep on doing this,” Shaw asserted. “We want to let life take its course and let this music continue to be the soundtrack to it. And this band will continue to evolve as long as we live and play this music.” The jig is up, the news is out: The Esprit de Styx is alive and well, and now it’s time to see for yourself. Welcome to the Grand Evolution.

Styx taking Stiefel stage in April

Both the Salina Area Technical College and Cloud County Community College are among the higher education institutions recently receiving Military Friendly® designations.

The two institutions were named Military Friendly® schools by <a href="http://militaryfriendly.com">militaryfriendly.com</a>. The website is owned by VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business, according to the <a href="http://militaryfriendly.com">militaryfriendly.com</a> website.

The Military Friendly® list is created each year based on both public data sources and surveys sent to colleges. The process ranks more than 8,800 colleges and universities nationwide. Factors that go into the rankings include student retention, graduation rates, job placement, loan repayment and default rates for both the entire student population and specifically for student veterans.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Salina Tech has received the designation. 

In 2017, Salina Tech partnered with the Kansas National Guard to create a program called “Synchronous Training and Academic Credit,” in which soldiers training at the National Guard’s Regional Training Institute in Salina can earn college credit for their military training.

The first of these STAC agreements was for the military’s Allied Trade Specialist program, which combines welding and machining. The college has similar agreements for Utilities Equipment Repairer training, which aligns with the Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning program.

By combining the college credits earned for their military training and taking some general education courses through Salina Tech, soldiers can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree.

“We are honored to receive this distinction,” said Dr. Adrian Douglas, CCCC president. “We are proud to serve our military population and their families, and we work hard to ensure their success both in the classroom and after graduation.”

For more information about Cloud County’s student veteran programs, visit Cloud’s website at <a href="http://www.cloud.edu/students/veteranservices">www.cloud.edu/students/veteranservices</a>.

You can see the entire list of&nbsp;Military Friendly® designated higher education institutions at&nbsp;<a href="http://militaryfriendly.com">militaryfriendly.com</a>.

Both the Salina Area Technical College and Cloud County Community College are among the higher education institutions recently receiving Military Friendly® designations.The two institutions were named Military Friendly® schools by <a href="http://militaryfriendly.com">militaryfriendly.com</a>. The website is owned by VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business, according to the <a href="http://militaryfriendly.com">militaryfriendly.com</a> website.The Military Friendly® list is created each year based on both public data sources and surveys sent to colleges. The process ranks more than 8,800 colleges and universities nationwide. Factors that go into the rankings include student retention, graduation rates, job placement, loan repayment and default rates for both the entire student population and specifically for student veterans.This is the fifth consecutive year that Salina Tech has received the designation. In 2017, Salina Tech partnered with the Kansas National Guard to create a program called “Synchronous Training and Academic Credit,” in which soldiers training at the National Guard’s Regional Training Institute in Salina can earn college credit for their military training.The first of these STAC agreements was for the military’s Allied Trade Specialist program, which combines welding and machining. The college has similar agreements for Utilities Equipment Repairer training, which aligns with the Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning program.By combining the college credits earned for their military training and taking some general education courses through Salina Tech, soldiers can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree.“We are honored to receive this distinction,” said Dr. Adrian Douglas, CCCC president. “We are proud to serve our military population and their families, and we work hard to ensure their success both in the classroom and after graduation.”For more information about Cloud County’s student veteran programs, visit Cloud’s website at <a href="http://www.cloud.edu/students/veteranservices">www.cloud.edu/students/veteranservices</a>.You can see the entire list of&nbsp;Military Friendly® designated higher education institutions at&nbsp;<a href="http://militaryfriendly.com">militaryfriendly.com</a>.

Salina Tech, CCCC named Military Friendly® schools

With abortion and Medicaid and even unpasteurized milk under the legislative microscope, this week hearings start on yet another topic—maybe one of the better ideas that legislators have seen pop up in the last several decades.

It’s called “Forward,” and it is a dramatically new way to figure out how to improve transportation of people and goods across the state. That not only gets people to work on time, but makes it possible for manufacturers in Kansas to get their goods to market and make themselves and their businesses and cities more prosperous.

Sound like a good idea? Yes, but it’s also one that has taken Kansas government nearly 40 years to come up with. Hmmm…

Basic idea is that instead of pulling together local and state officials to plan for what might or might not be the needs for roads and bypasses a decade in the future, how about you first plan how to maintain and keep safe the thousands of miles of roads that we’ve already built? And, once those maintenance needs are met and financed, we look at projects that will make economic development activity achievable.

Well, that’s what the new transportation plan looks like. It took new Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz, to help come up with it, and a new governor Laura Kelly, to produce a budget that just might make it possible.

First item of business is to do the work that was promised more than a decade ago under former Gov. Sam Brownback, which sounded good of course, but which saw about $2 billion of money to perform that work evaporate as the state’s finances were ravaged by tax cuts that didn’t supercharge the state’s economy as Brownback had promised.

So, to keep government running, the state diverted money from roads to nearly everything that the state does for its citizens, ranging from education to social services to prisons to…well, just about everything but roads that it had promised Kansans.

The result? Those promised highway improvements didn’t get done, money for maintenance was siphoned off for general government operations and nobody is happy. The new plan includes finishing off those promised projects and devoting millions to preserving the highways we have that are steadily deteriorating.

It’s not as easy as it sounds. Kelly will need to delay many of the tax cuts that all legislators want to tout as they seek re-election this year. She’s going to have to keep spending low so that those old projects get done to spark a new era in which maintenance is paid for from federal funds and from the motor fuel taxes we pay every time we fill up.

And, if the Legislature goes along with it in probably a year or two we won’t be siphoning from the “bank of KDOT” the portion of sales tax revenues that can be used for new projects the need for which are tied to not-quite-sudden but developing changes in the Kansas economy.

Do you build a road to lure a factory or new businesses to Kansas in the next 10 years as under old transportation plans, or do you watch how the economy is growing, and where, and then make the investment to make it successful?

That new Forward program being considered also will see local units of government investing in their futures by participating in the cost of highway projects in their areas. Nothing like a local investment to make things work, rather than just hoping highway-builders will buy their lunches at local restaurants.

Yep, we’re interested in seeing how this works out…

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 HAWVERWith abortion and Medicaid and even unpasteurized milk under the legislative microscope, this week hearings start on yet another topic—maybe one of the better ideas that legislators have seen pop up in the last several decades.It’s called “Forward,” and it is a dramatically new way to figure out how to improve transportation of people and goods across the state. That not only gets people to work on time, but makes it possible for manufacturers in Kansas to get their goods to market and make themselves and their businesses and cities more prosperous.Sound like a good idea? Yes, but it’s also one that has taken Kansas government nearly 40 years to come up with. Hmmm…Basic idea is that instead of pulling together local and state officials to plan for what might or might not be the needs for roads and bypasses a decade in the future, how about you first plan how to maintain and keep safe the thousands of miles of roads that we’ve already built? And, once those maintenance needs are met and financed, we look at projects that will make economic development activity achievable.Well, that’s what the new transportation plan looks like. It took new Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz, to help come up with it, and a new governor Laura Kelly, to produce a budget that just might make it possible.First item of business is to do the work that was promised more than a decade ago under former Gov. Sam Brownback, which sounded good of course, but which saw about $2 billion of money to perform that work evaporate as the state’s finances were ravaged by tax cuts that didn’t supercharge the state’s economy as Brownback had promised.So, to keep government running, the state diverted money from roads to nearly everything that the state does for its citizens, ranging from education to social services to prisons to…well, just about everything but roads that it had promised Kansans.The result? Those promised highway improvements didn’t get done, money for maintenance was siphoned off for general government operations and nobody is happy. The new plan includes finishing off those promised projects and devoting millions to preserving the highways we have that are steadily deteriorating.It’s not as easy as it sounds. Kelly will need to delay many of the tax cuts that all legislators want to tout as they seek re-election this year. She’s going to have to keep spending low so that those old projects get done to spark a new era in which maintenance is paid for from federal funds and from the motor fuel taxes we pay every time we fill up.And, if the Legislature goes along with it in probably a year or two we won’t be siphoning from the “bank of KDOT” the portion of sales tax revenues that can be used for new projects the need for which are tied to not-quite-sudden but developing changes in the Kansas economy.Do you build a road to lure a factory or new businesses to Kansas in the next 10 years as under old transportation plans, or do you watch how the economy is growing, and where, and then make the investment to make it successful?That new Forward program being considered also will see local units of government investing in their futures by participating in the cost of highway projects in their areas. Nothing like a local investment to make things work, rather than just hoping highway-builders will buy their lunches at local restaurants.Yep, we’re interested in seeing how this works out…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: 'Forward'

Today is Tuesday, Feb. 18, the 49th day of 2020. There are 317 days left in the year.

On Feb. 18, 1970, the "Chicago Seven" defendants were found not guilty of conspiring to incite riots at the 1968 Democratic national convention; five were convicted of violating the Anti-Riot Act of 1968 (those convictions were later reversed).

In 1546, Martin Luther, leader of the Protestant Reformation in Germany, died in Eisleben.

In 1564, artist Michelangelo died in Rome.

In 1861, Jefferson Davis was sworn in as provisional president of the Confederate States of America in Montgomery, Alabama.

In 1885, Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" was published in the U.S. for the first time (after being published in Britain and Canada).

In 1930, photographic evidence of Pluto (now designated a "dwarf planet") was discovered by Clyde W. Tombaugh at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona.

In 1943, Madame Chiang Kai-shek, wife of the Chinese leader, addressed members of the Senate and then the House, becoming the first Chinese national to address both houses of the U.S. Congress.

In 1983, 13 people were shot to death at a gambling club in Seattle's Chinatown in what became known as the Wah Mee Massacre. (Two men were convicted of the killings and are serving life sentences; a third was found guilty of robbery and assault.)

In 1988, Anthony M. Kennedy was sworn in as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1994, at the Winter Olympic Games in Norway, U.S. speedskater Dan Jansen finally won a gold medal, breaking the world record in the 1,000 meters.

In 1997, astronauts on the space shuttle Discovery completed their tune-up of the Hubble Space Telescope after 33 hours of spacewalking; the Hubble was then released using the shuttle's crane.

In 2001, veteran FBI agent Robert Philip Hanssen was arrested, accused of spying for Russia. (Hanssen later pleaded guilty to espionage and attempted espionage and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.) Auto racing star Dale Earnhardt Sr. died in a crash at the Daytona 500; he was 49.

In 2003, an arson attack involving two South Korean subway trains in the city of Daegu claimed 198 lives. (The arsonist was sentenced to life in prison, where he died in 2004.)

Ten years ago: In Austin, Texas, software engineer A. Joseph Stack III crashed his single-engine plane into a building containing IRS offices, killing one person besides himself. President Barack Obama personally welcomed the Dalai Lama to the White House, but kept the get-together off camera and low key in an attempt to avoid inflaming tensions with China.

Five years ago: President Barack Obama, hosting a White House summit on countering violent extremism, said Muslims in the U.S. and around the world had a responsibility to fight a misconception that terrorist groups like the Islamic State were speaking for them.

One year ago: Scientist Wallace Smith Broecker, who raised early alarms about climate change and popularized the term "global warming," died at a New York hospital at the age of 87. President Donald Trump urged Venezuela's military to support opposition leader Juan Guaido, and warned that soldiers would find "no safe harbor" if they continued to back President Nicolas Maduro's government. (Despite U.S. pressure including new sanctions on members of Maduro's inner circle, efforts to unseat Maduro have floundered.) New York City officials issued legal guidance saying that the city's existing human rights law protected against hairdo discrimination, allowing New Yorkers to maintain hairstyles "closely associated with their racial, ethnic or cultural identities."&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Today is Tuesday, Feb. 18, the 49th day of 2020. There are 317 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Feb. 18, 1970, the "Chicago Seven" defendants were found not guilty of conspiring to incite riots at the 1968 Democratic national convention; five were convicted of violating the Anti-Riot Act of 1968 (those convictions were later reversed).On this date:In 1546, Martin Luther, leader of the Protestant Reformation in Germany, died in Eisleben.In 1564, artist Michelangelo died in Rome.In 1861, Jefferson Davis was sworn in as provisional president of the Confederate States of America in Montgomery, Alabama.In 1885, Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" was published in the U.S. for the first time (after being published in Britain and Canada).In 1930, photographic evidence of Pluto (now designated a "dwarf planet") was discovered by Clyde W. Tombaugh at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona.In 1943, Madame Chiang Kai-shek, wife of the Chinese leader, addressed members of the Senate and then the House, becoming the first Chinese national to address both houses of the U.S. Congress.In 1983, 13 people were shot to death at a gambling club in Seattle's Chinatown in what became known as the Wah Mee Massacre. (Two men were convicted of the killings and are serving life sentences; a third was found guilty of robbery and assault.)In 1988, Anthony M. Kennedy was sworn in as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.In 1994, at the Winter Olympic Games in Norway, U.S. speedskater Dan Jansen finally won a gold medal, breaking the world record in the 1,000 meters.In 1997, astronauts on the space shuttle Discovery completed their tune-up of the Hubble Space Telescope after 33 hours of spacewalking; the Hubble was then released using the shuttle's crane.In 2001, veteran FBI agent Robert Philip Hanssen was arrested, accused of spying for Russia. (Hanssen later pleaded guilty to espionage and attempted espionage and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.) Auto racing star Dale Earnhardt Sr. died in a crash at the Daytona 500; he was 49.In 2003, an arson attack involving two South Korean subway trains in the city of Daegu claimed 198 lives. (The arsonist was sentenced to life in prison, where he died in 2004.)Ten years ago: In Austin, Texas, software engineer A. Joseph Stack III crashed his single-engine plane into a building containing IRS offices, killing one person besides himself. President Barack Obama personally welcomed the Dalai Lama to the White House, but kept the get-together off camera and low key in an attempt to avoid inflaming tensions with China.Five years ago: President Barack Obama, hosting a White House summit on countering violent extremism, said Muslims in the U.S. and around the world had a responsibility to fight a misconception that terrorist groups like the Islamic State were speaking for them.One year ago: Scientist Wallace Smith Broecker, who raised early alarms about climate change and popularized the term "global warming," died at a New York hospital at the age of 87. President Donald Trump urged Venezuela's military to support opposition leader Juan Guaido, and warned that soldiers would find "no safe harbor" if they continued to back President Nicolas Maduro's government. (Despite U.S. pressure including new sanctions on members of Maduro's inner circle, efforts to unseat Maduro have floundered.) New York City officials issued legal guidance saying that the city's existing human rights law protected against hairdo discrimination, allowing New Yorkers to maintain hairstyles "closely associated with their racial, ethnic or cultural identities."&nbsp;Today's Birthdays: Former Sen. John Warner, R-Va., is 93. Singer Yoko Ono is 87. Singer-songwriter Bobby Hart is 81. Singer Irma Thomas is 79. Singer Herman Santiago (Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers) is 79. Actress Jess Walton is 74. Singer Dennis DeYoung is 73. Actress Sinead Cusack is 72. Actress Cybill Shepherd is 70. Singer Randy Crawford is 68. Rock musician Robbie Bachman is 67. Actor John Travolta is 66. Actor John Pankow is 65. Game show host Vanna White is 63. Actress Jayne Atkinson is 61. Actress Greta Scacchi is 60. Actor Matt Dillon is 56. Rock musician Tommy Scott (Space) is 56. Rapper Dr. Dre is 55. Actress Molly Ringwald is 52. Actress Sarah Brown is 45. Country musician Trevor Rosen (Old Dominion) is 45. Actor Ike Barinholtz is 43. Actor Kristoffer Polaha is 43. Singer-musician Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek) is 43. Actor Tyrone Burton is 41. Rock-singer musician Regina Spektor is 40. Opera singer Isabel Leonard is 38. Roots rock musician Zac Cockrell (Alabama Shakes) is 32. Actor Shane Lyons is 32. Actress Sara Sutherland is 32. Actress Maiara Walsh is 32.Thought for Today: "Opinion is that exercise of the human will which helps us to make a decision without information." — John Erskine, American author and educator (1879-1951).Copyright 2020, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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