WICHITA – AAA Kansas is encouraging motorists to use President’s Day – and George Washington’s head – to check their tires, reducing risks on the road, including the potential damage to their tires and vehicles caused by potholes.

Regularly checking tire pressure and tread depth are the two checks AAA says can help motorists keep tires in optimal condition.

“The two most important tire safety checks – a pressure reading and tread depth measurement – are very simple to do,” according to Shawn Steward, spokesman for AAA Kansas. “If motorists spend about two minutes on each tire, they will keep their tires at peak performance.”

Here’s where George Washington comes in.

Measure tread depth with a quarter. When the top of Washington's head is exposed (see photo, it’s time to start shopping for new tires.

Another simple way to check tire tread health is using the tread wear&nbsp;indicators ("wear bars", which are found at the base of the main tread grooves and are equally spaced around the&nbsp;tire. When you see your tire tread getting close to the depth of these&nbsp;wear bars, the&nbsp;tire&nbsp;is&nbsp;worn&nbsp;out and it's time to replace the&nbsp;tire. AAA recommends that tires are replaced when tread reaches 4/32”. Waiting until the tread reaches the “wear bar” is too late.

Use a quality gauge to check tire pressure.

For proper results, make sure tires are cold.

Look for the recommended air pressure in the vehicle’s owner’s manual or on the tire information decal located inside the driver’s side door or in the glove compartment. (NOTE: The number molded into the tire sidewall is not recommended for normal operating condition; this specification is for a tire that is carrying its maximum rated payload.)

AAA reminds motorists not to forget to also periodically check the air in your spare tire, so it’s road ready in case of an emergency.

“Under-inflated tires can cause driving hazards and severely decrease the life of your tires,” said AAA Kansas’ Steward. “Worn tires are a significant safety risk due to lack of traction and the threat of tire failure, so they should be replaced immediately.”

AAA testing has shown that tires with only half of their tread depth can take up six feet longer to stop from 40 miles-per-hour on a wet surface, even with the anti-lock braking system engaged.

AAA Kansas offers the following maintenance tips to extend tire life:

Recognize Noises/Vibrations– February can be notorious for potholes. A hard pothole impact can dislodge wheel weights, damage a tire or wheel, and bend or even break suspension components. Any new or unusual noises or vibrations that appear after hitting a pothole should be inspected immediately by a certified technician.

Alignment– Check the alignment every six months. Potholes and road imperfections can cause alignment adjustments to change. Large potholes are also known for damaging tires and rims.

Rotation– A four-wheel tire rotation is recommended by most tire manufacturers after every 6,000 miles. Rotating tires every other oil change is an easy way to keep track of this service.

Inspection– Inspect tires when checking tire pressure. Inspect tire tread for wear, damage, or heavy cracking. Inspect sidewalls for cracks, cuts, bulges, bubbles, and slices. Any damage to the sidewall would render the tire unsafe. Blemishes from tire manufacturing, one or more indentations in the sidewall from tire assembly, or scrapes/bruises from light curb rubs are not major issues. Have any noticeable damage to the tire inspected by a trained professional as soon as possible.

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

WICHITA – AAA Kansas is encouraging motorists to use President’s Day – and George Washington’s head – to check their tires, reducing risks on the road, including the potential damage to their tires and vehicles caused by potholes.Regularly checking tire pressure and tread depth are the two checks AAA says can help motorists keep tires in optimal condition.“The two most important tire safety checks – a pressure reading and tread depth measurement – are very simple to do,” according to Shawn Steward, spokesman for AAA Kansas. “If motorists spend about two minutes on each tire, they will keep their tires at peak performance.”Here’s where George Washington comes in.Checking tire tread depthMeasure tread depth with a quarter. When the top of Washington's head is exposed (see photo, it’s time to start shopping for new tires.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581904036460.png" alt="AAA tire check.png" />
 <figcaption>AAA tire check.png</figcaption>
 </figure>Another simple way to check tire tread health is using the tread wear&nbsp;indicators ("wear bars", which are found at the base of the main tread grooves and are equally spaced around the&nbsp;tire. When you see your tire tread getting close to the depth of these&nbsp;wear bars, the&nbsp;tire&nbsp;is&nbsp;worn&nbsp;out and it's time to replace the&nbsp;tire. AAA recommends that tires are replaced when tread reaches 4/32”. Waiting until the tread reaches the “wear bar” is too late.Checking tire pressureUse a quality gauge to check tire pressure.For proper results, make sure tires are cold.Look for the recommended air pressure in the vehicle’s owner’s manual or on the tire information decal located inside the driver’s side door or in the glove compartment. (NOTE: The number molded into the tire sidewall is not recommended for normal operating condition; this specification is for a tire that is carrying its maximum rated payload.)AAA reminds motorists not to forget to also periodically check the air in your spare tire, so it’s road ready in case of an emergency.“Under-inflated tires can cause driving hazards and severely decrease the life of your tires,” said AAA Kansas’ Steward. “Worn tires are a significant safety risk due to lack of traction and the threat of tire failure, so they should be replaced immediately.”AAA testing has shown that tires with only half of their tread depth can take up six feet longer to stop from 40 miles-per-hour on a wet surface, even with the anti-lock braking system engaged.AAA Kansas offers the following maintenance tips to extend tire life:Recognize Noises/Vibrations– February can be notorious for potholes. A hard pothole impact can dislodge wheel weights, damage a tire or wheel, and bend or even break suspension components. Any new or unusual noises or vibrations that appear after hitting a pothole should be inspected immediately by a certified technician.Alignment– Check the alignment every six months. Potholes and road imperfections can cause alignment adjustments to change. Large potholes are also known for damaging tires and rims.Rotation– A four-wheel tire rotation is recommended by most tire manufacturers after every 6,000 miles. Rotating tires every other oil change is an easy way to keep track of this service.Inspection– Inspect tires when checking tire pressure. Inspect tire tread for wear, damage, or heavy cracking. Inspect sidewalls for cracks, cuts, bulges, bubbles, and slices. Any damage to the sidewall would render the tire unsafe. Blemishes from tire manufacturing, one or more indentations in the sidewall from tire assembly, or scrapes/bruises from light curb rubs are not major issues. Have any noticeable damage to the tire inspected by a trained professional as soon as possible.AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 60 million members nationwide and nearly 349,000 members in Kansas. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.&nbsp;AAA is a&nbsp;non-stock, non-profit corporation working&nbsp;on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (<a href="http://www.aaa.com/mobile" target="_blank">AAA.com/mobile</a>) for iPhone, iPad and Android.&nbsp;For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.aaa.com/" target="_blank">www.AAA.com</a>.

AAA: President’s Day tire test; George does not tell a lie

Salina Public Library’s Family History Detectives will cover formatting a family history book. 

The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Prescott Room.

Library Technology Trainer Lerin Anderson will walk  participants through how to create a family history book in Microsoft Word. The presentation will give attendees the information they need to get started on their own projects at home.

Anderson has taught technology classes at the library since 2016. She has covered topics from introductory word processing and spreadsheets to how to use digital library materials and streaming devices. She has certification in Microsoft Excel and Word 2013.

Family History Detectives, formerly known as the Genealogy Club, meets August through November and January through May. Upcoming meetings will feature a genealogy case study on March 19 and the annual lock-in on April 18. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Librarian Barbara Mulvihill at  infoservices.barbara@salpublib.org or (785) 825-4624, ext. 234.

Salina Public Library’s Family History Detectives will cover formatting a family history book. The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Prescott Room.Library Technology Trainer Lerin Anderson will walk participants through how to create a family history book in Microsoft Word. The presentation will give attendees the information they need to get started on their own projects at home.Anderson has taught technology classes at the library since 2016. She has covered topics from introductory word processing and spreadsheets to how to use digital library materials and streaming devices. She has certification in Microsoft Excel and Word 2013.Family History Detectives, formerly known as the Genealogy Club, meets August through November and January through May. Upcoming meetings will feature a genealogy case study on March 19 and the annual lock-in on April 18. Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Librarian Barbara Mulvihill at infoservices.barbara@salpublib.org or (785) 825-4624, ext. 234.

Genealogy group to learn about creating family history books

Today is Monday, Feb. 17, the 48th day of 2020. There are 318 days left in the year.

On Feb. 17, 1801, the U.S. House of Representatives broke an electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, electing Jefferson president; Burr became vice president.

In 1815, the United States and Britain exchanged the instruments of ratification for the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812.

In 1863, the International Red Cross was founded in Geneva.

In 1864, during the Civil War, the Union ship USS Housatonic was rammed and sunk in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, by the Confederate hand-cranked submarine HL Hunley in the first naval attack of its kind; the Hunley also sank.

In 1933, Newsweek magazine was first published under the title "News-Week."

In 1944, during World War II, U.S. forces invaded Eniwetok Atoll, encountering little initial resistance from Imperial Japanese troops. (The Americans secured the atoll less than a week later.)

In 1964, the Supreme Court, in Wesberry v. Sanders, ruled that congressional districts within each state had to be roughly equal in population.

In 1965, comedian Joan Rivers made her first appearance on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson.

In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon departed the White House with his wife, Pat, on a historic trip to China.

In 1986, Johnson &amp; Johnson announced it would no longer sell over-the-counter medications in capsule form, following the death of a woman who had taken a cyanide-laced Tylenol capsule.

In 1988, Lt. Col. William Higgins, a Marine Corps officer serving with a United Nations truce monitoring group, was kidnapped in southern Lebanon by Iranian-backed terrorists (he was later slain by his captors).

In 1996, world chess champion Garry Kasparov beat IBM supercomputer "Deep Blue," winning a six-game match in Philadelphia (however, Kasparov lost to Deep Blue in a rematch in 1997).

In 2006, ten U.S. service members died when a pair of Marine Corps helicopters crashed off the coast of Africa.

Ten years ago: President Barack Obama marked the one-year anniversary of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, saying it had staved off another Great Depression and kept up to 2 million people on the job. Eight American missionaries charged with child kidnapping in Haiti were released after nearly three weeks in a Haitian jail. Americans Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso captured gold and silver in the women's Olympic downhill in Vancouver. Actress Kathryn Grayson, 88, died in Los Angeles.

Five years ago: Vice President Joe Biden opened a White House summit on countering extremism and radicalization, saying the United States needed to ensure that immigrants were fully included in the fabric of American society to prevent violent ideologies from taking root at home.

One year ago: In an interview airing on CBS' "60 Minutes," former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said a "crime may have been committed" when President Donald Trump fired the head of the FBI and tried to publicly undermine an investigation into his campaign's ties to Russia. George Mendonsa, the U.S. Navy sailor who was seen in an iconic photo kissing a woman in a nurse's uniform in New York's Times Square to celebrate the end of World War II, died in Rhode Island; he was 95.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Hal Holbrook is 95. Actor-comedian Barry Humphries (aka "Dame Edna") is 86. Country singer-songwriter Johnny Bush is 85. Actress Christina Pickles is 85. Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown is 84. Actress Brenda Fricker is 75. Actress Becky Ann Baker is 67. Actress Rene Russo is 66. Actor Richard Karn is 64. Actor Lou Diamond Phillips is 58. Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan is 57. Actor-comedian Larry, the Cable Guy is 57. TV personality Rene Syler is 57. Movie director Michael Bay is 56. Singer Chante Moore is 53. Rock musician Timothy J. Mahoney (311) is 50. Actor Dominic Purcell is 50. Olympic gold and silver medal skier Tommy Moe is 50. Actress Denise Richards is 49. Rock singer-musician Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) is 48. Rock musician Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) is 48. Actor Jerry O'Connell is 46. Country singer Bryan White is 46. Actress Kelly Carlson is 44. Actor Ashton Holmes is 42. Actor Conrad Ricamora is 41. Actor Jason Ritter is 40. TV personality Paris Hilton is 39. Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt is 39. TV host Daphne Oz is 34. Actor Chord Overstreet is 31. Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is 29. Actress Meaghan Martin is 28. Actress Sasha Pieterse is 24.

Thought for Today: "Wounded vanity knows when it is mortally hurt; and limps off the field, piteous, all disguises thrown away. But pride carries its banner to the last; and fast as it is driven from one field unfurls it in another." — Helen Hunt Jackson, American author (1831-1885).

<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 Monday, Feb. 17, the 48th day of 2020. There are 318 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Feb. 17, 1801, the U.S. House of Representatives broke an electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, electing Jefferson president; Burr became vice president.On this date:In 1815, the United States and Britain exchanged the instruments of ratification for the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812.In 1863, the International Red Cross was founded in Geneva.In 1864, during the Civil War, the Union ship USS Housatonic was rammed and sunk in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, by the Confederate hand-cranked submarine HL Hunley in the first naval attack of its kind; the Hunley also sank.In 1933, Newsweek magazine was first published under the title "News-Week."In 1944, during World War II, U.S. forces invaded Eniwetok Atoll, encountering little initial resistance from Imperial Japanese troops. (The Americans secured the atoll less than a week later.)In 1964, the Supreme Court, in Wesberry v. Sanders, ruled that congressional districts within each state had to be roughly equal in population.In 1965, comedian Joan Rivers made her first appearance on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson.In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon departed the White House with his wife, Pat, on a historic trip to China.In 1986, Johnson &amp; Johnson announced it would no longer sell over-the-counter medications in capsule form, following the death of a woman who had taken a cyanide-laced Tylenol capsule.In 1988, Lt. Col. William Higgins, a Marine Corps officer serving with a United Nations truce monitoring group, was kidnapped in southern Lebanon by Iranian-backed terrorists (he was later slain by his captors).In 1996, world chess champion Garry Kasparov beat IBM supercomputer "Deep Blue," winning a six-game match in Philadelphia (however, Kasparov lost to Deep Blue in a rematch in 1997).In 2006, ten U.S. service members died when a pair of Marine Corps helicopters crashed off the coast of Africa.Ten years ago: President Barack Obama marked the one-year anniversary of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, saying it had staved off another Great Depression and kept up to 2 million people on the job. Eight American missionaries charged with child kidnapping in Haiti were released after nearly three weeks in a Haitian jail. Americans Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso captured gold and silver in the women's Olympic downhill in Vancouver. Actress Kathryn Grayson, 88, died in Los Angeles.Five years ago: Vice President Joe Biden opened a White House summit on countering extremism and radicalization, saying the United States needed to ensure that immigrants were fully included in the fabric of American society to prevent violent ideologies from taking root at home.One year ago: In an interview airing on CBS' "60 Minutes," former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said a "crime may have been committed" when President Donald Trump fired the head of the FBI and tried to publicly undermine an investigation into his campaign's ties to Russia. George Mendonsa, the U.S. Navy sailor who was seen in an iconic photo kissing a woman in a nurse's uniform in New York's Times Square to celebrate the end of World War II, died in Rhode Island; he was 95.Today's Birthdays: Actor Hal Holbrook is 95. Actor-comedian Barry Humphries (aka "Dame Edna") is 86. Country singer-songwriter Johnny Bush is 85. Actress Christina Pickles is 85. Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown is 84. Actress Brenda Fricker is 75. Actress Becky Ann Baker is 67. Actress Rene Russo is 66. Actor Richard Karn is 64. Actor Lou Diamond Phillips is 58. Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan is 57. Actor-comedian Larry, the Cable Guy is 57. TV personality Rene Syler is 57. Movie director Michael Bay is 56. Singer Chante Moore is 53. Rock musician Timothy J. Mahoney (311) is 50. Actor Dominic Purcell is 50. Olympic gold and silver medal skier Tommy Moe is 50. Actress Denise Richards is 49. Rock singer-musician Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) is 48. Rock musician Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) is 48. Actor Jerry O'Connell is 46. Country singer Bryan White is 46. Actress Kelly Carlson is 44. Actor Ashton Holmes is 42. Actor Conrad Ricamora is 41. Actor Jason Ritter is 40. TV personality Paris Hilton is 39. Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt is 39. TV host Daphne Oz is 34. Actor Chord Overstreet is 31. Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is 29. Actress Meaghan Martin is 28. Actress Sasha Pieterse is 24.Thought for Today: "Wounded vanity knows when it is mortally hurt; and limps off the field, piteous, all disguises thrown away. But pride carries its banner to the last; and fast as it is driven from one field unfurls it in another." — Helen Hunt Jackson, American author (1831-1885).Copyright 2020, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Today in History -- Feb. 17

Today is Sunday, Feb. 16, the 47th day of 2020. There are 319 days left in the year.

On Feb. 16, 2001, the United States and Britain staged air strikes against radar stations and air defense command centers in Iraq.

In 1862, the Civil War Battle of Fort Donelson in Tennessee ended as some 12,000 Confederate soldiers surrendered; Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's victory earned him the moniker "Unconditional Surrender Grant."

In 1868, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was organized in New York City.

In 1945, American troops landed on the island of Corregidor in the Philippines during World War II.

In 1959, Fidel Castro became premier of Cuba a month and a-half after the overthrow of Fulgencio Batista.

In 1961, the United States launched the Explorer 9 satellite.

In 1968, the nation's first 911 emergency telephone system was inaugurated in Haleyville, Alabama, as the speaker of the Alabama House, Rankin Fite, placed a call from the mayor's office in City Hall to a red telephone at the police station (also located in City Hall) that was answered by U.S. Rep. Tom Bevill.

In 1988, seven people were shot to death during an office rampage in Sunnyvale, California, by a man obsessed with a co-worker who was wounded in the attack. (The gunman is on death row.)

In 1996, eleven people were killed in a fiery collision between an Amtrak passenger train and a Maryland commuter train in Silver Spring, Md.

In 1998, a China Airlines Airbus A300 trying to land in fog near Taipei, Taiwan, crashed, killing all 196 people on board, plus seven on the ground.

In 2002, authorities in Noble, Ga., arrested Ray Brent Marsh, who'd been operating a crematory where hundreds of decomposing corpses were found stacked in storage sheds and scattered in the woods behind it. (Marsh later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.)

In 2005, the NHL canceled what was left of its decimated schedule after a round of last-gasp negotiations failed to resolve differences over a salary cap — the flash-point issue that had led to a lockout.

In 2006, the U.S. Army said goodbye to its last Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, handing over equipment from the MASH unit to doctors and nurses in Pakistan, the scene of an Oct. 2005 earthquake.

Ten years ago: Officials reported the capture of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Afghan Taliban's No. 2 commander, by a joint CIA and Pakistani team. (Baradar was set free by Pakistan in Sept. 2013 in hopes he could help jumpstart Afghanistan's peace process.) President Barack Obama announced more than $8 billion in new federal loan guarantees to build two nuclear reactors in Georgia.

Five years ago: Egyptian warplanes struck Islamic State targets in Libya, hours after the extremist group released a grisly video showing the beheading of Egyptian Coptic Christians it had held hostage for weeks. Singer-songwriter Lesley Gore, 68, died in New York. Lorena Rojas, 44, a popular Mexican soap opera and movie actress, died in Miami.

One year ago: The Vatican announced that former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who served as archbishop of Washington, D.C., had been found guilty by the Vatican of sex abuse and had been defrocked; McCarrick was the highest-ranking churchman and the first cardinal to face that punishment as the church dealt with clerical sex abuse.

Today's Birthdays: Jazz/pop singer-actress Peggy King is 90. Actor Jeremy Bulloch is 75. Actor William Katt is 69. Actor LeVar Burton is 63. Actor-rapper Ice-T is 62. Actress Lisa Loring is 62. International Tennis Hall of Famer John McEnroe is 61. Rock musician Andy Taylor is 59. Rock musician Dave Lombardo (Slayer) is 55. Actress Sarah Clarke is 49. Olympic gold medal runner Cathy Freeman is 47. Actor Mahershala Ali is 46. Singer Sam Salter is 45. Electronic dance music artist Bassnectar is 42. Rapper Lupe Fiasco is 38. Actress Chloe Wepper is 34. Pop-rock singer Ryan Follese (Hot Chelle Rae) is 33. Rock musician Danielle Haim is 31. Actress Elizabeth Olsen is 31. Actor Mike Weinberg is 27.

Thought for Today: "I am content to define history as the past events of which we have knowledge and refrain from worrying about those of which we have none — until, that is, some archaeologist digs them up." — Barbara W. Tuchman, American historian (1912-1989).

<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 Sunday, Feb. 16, the 47th day of 2020. There are 319 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Feb. 16, 2001, the United States and Britain staged air strikes against radar stations and air defense command centers in Iraq.On this date:In 1862, the Civil War Battle of Fort Donelson in Tennessee ended as some 12,000 Confederate soldiers surrendered; Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's victory earned him the moniker "Unconditional Surrender Grant."In 1868, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was organized in New York City.In 1945, American troops landed on the island of Corregidor in the Philippines during World War II.In 1959, Fidel Castro became premier of Cuba a month and a-half after the overthrow of Fulgencio Batista.In 1961, the United States launched the Explorer 9 satellite.In 1968, the nation's first 911 emergency telephone system was inaugurated in Haleyville, Alabama, as the speaker of the Alabama House, Rankin Fite, placed a call from the mayor's office in City Hall to a red telephone at the police station (also located in City Hall) that was answered by U.S. Rep. Tom Bevill.In 1988, seven people were shot to death during an office rampage in Sunnyvale, California, by a man obsessed with a co-worker who was wounded in the attack. (The gunman is on death row.)In 1996, eleven people were killed in a fiery collision between an Amtrak passenger train and a Maryland commuter train in Silver Spring, Md.In 1998, a China Airlines Airbus A300 trying to land in fog near Taipei, Taiwan, crashed, killing all 196 people on board, plus seven on the ground.In 2002, authorities in Noble, Ga., arrested Ray Brent Marsh, who'd been operating a crematory where hundreds of decomposing corpses were found stacked in storage sheds and scattered in the woods behind it. (Marsh later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.)In 2005, the NHL canceled what was left of its decimated schedule after a round of last-gasp negotiations failed to resolve differences over a salary cap — the flash-point issue that had led to a lockout.In 2006, the U.S. Army said goodbye to its last Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, handing over equipment from the MASH unit to doctors and nurses in Pakistan, the scene of an Oct. 2005 earthquake.Ten years ago: Officials reported the capture of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Afghan Taliban's No. 2 commander, by a joint CIA and Pakistani team. (Baradar was set free by Pakistan in Sept. 2013 in hopes he could help jumpstart Afghanistan's peace process.) President Barack Obama announced more than $8 billion in new federal loan guarantees to build two nuclear reactors in Georgia.Five years ago: Egyptian warplanes struck Islamic State targets in Libya, hours after the extremist group released a grisly video showing the beheading of Egyptian Coptic Christians it had held hostage for weeks. Singer-songwriter Lesley Gore, 68, died in New York. Lorena Rojas, 44, a popular Mexican soap opera and movie actress, died in Miami.One year ago: The Vatican announced that former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who served as archbishop of Washington, D.C., had been found guilty by the Vatican of sex abuse and had been defrocked; McCarrick was the highest-ranking churchman and the first cardinal to face that punishment as the church dealt with clerical sex abuse.Today's Birthdays: Jazz/pop singer-actress Peggy King is 90. Actor Jeremy Bulloch is 75. Actor William Katt is 69. Actor LeVar Burton is 63. Actor-rapper Ice-T is 62. Actress Lisa Loring is 62. International Tennis Hall of Famer John McEnroe is 61. Rock musician Andy Taylor is 59. Rock musician Dave Lombardo (Slayer) is 55. Actress Sarah Clarke is 49. Olympic gold medal runner Cathy Freeman is 47. Actor Mahershala Ali is 46. Singer Sam Salter is 45. Electronic dance music artist Bassnectar is 42. Rapper Lupe Fiasco is 38. Actress Chloe Wepper is 34. Pop-rock singer Ryan Follese (Hot Chelle Rae) is 33. Rock musician Danielle Haim is 31. Actress Elizabeth Olsen is 31. Actor Mike Weinberg is 27.Thought for Today: "I am content to define history as the past events of which we have knowledge and refrain from worrying about those of which we have none — until, that is, some archaeologist digs them up." — Barbara W. Tuchman, American historian (1912-1989).Copyright 2020, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Today in History -- Feb. 16

Today is Saturday, Feb. 15, the 46th day of 2020. There are 320 days left in the year.

On Feb. 15, 1898, the U.S. battleship Maine mysteriously blew up in Havana Harbor, killing more than 260 crew members and bringing the United States closer to war with Spain.

In 1564, Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei was born in Pisa.

In 1879, President Rutherford B. Hayes signed a bill allowing female attorneys to argue cases before the Supreme Court.

In 1933, President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt escaped an assassination attempt in Miami that mortally wounded Chicago Mayor Anton J. Cermak; gunman Giuseppe Zangara was executed more than four weeks later.

In 1952, a funeral was held at Windsor Castle for Britain's King George VI, who had died nine days earlier.

In 1961, 73 people, including an 18-member U.S. figure skating team en route to the World Championships in Czechoslovakia, were killed in the crash of a Sabena Airlines Boeing 707 in Belgium.

In 1989, the Soviet Union announced that the last of its troops had left Afghanistan, after more than nine years of military intervention.

In 1992, a Milwaukee jury found that Jeffrey Dahmer was sane when he killed and mutilated 15 men and boys. (The decision meant that Dahmer, who had already pleaded guilty to the murders, would receive a mandatory life sentence for each count; Dahmer was beaten to death in prison in 1994.)

In 2004, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Daytona 500 on the same track where his father was killed three years earlier.

In 2005, defrocked priest Paul Shanley was sentenced in Boston to 12 to 15 years in prison on child rape charges.

In 2006, Vice President Dick Cheney accepted blame for accidentally shooting a hunting companion, calling it "one of the worst days of my life," but was defiantly unapologetic in a Fox News Channel interview about not publicly disclosing the incident until the next day.

In 2007, National Guardsmen in Humvees ferried food, fuel and baby supplies to hundreds of motorists stranded for nearly a day on a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 78 in eastern Pennsylvania because of a monster storm.

In 2018, the last of the bodies of the 17 victims of a school shooting in Florida were removed from the building after authorities analyzed the crime scene; 13 wounded survivors were still hospitalized. In response to the Florida school shooting, President Donald Trump, in an address to the nation, promised to "tackle the difficult issue of mental health," but avoided any mention of guns. Nikolas Cruz, the suspect in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, was ordered held without bond at a brief court hearing.

Ten years ago: Eighteen people were killed when two trains collided south of Brussels, Belgium. At the Vancouver Winter Olympics, Didier Defago of Switzerland won the gold in the Olympic downhill and American Bode Miller took the bronze. American Seth Wescott defended his Olympic title, overtaking Canada's Mike Robertson to win the gold medal in men's snowboardcross.

Five years ago: A video purporting to show the mass beheading of Egyptian Coptic Christian hostages was released by militants in Libya affiliated with the Islamic State group. Russell Westbrook scored 41 points to lead the Western Conference to a 163-158 win over the East in the NBA All-Star Game. Foreign correspondent and news executive Arnaud de Borchgrave, 88, died in Washington.

One year ago: In a move to secure more money for his border wall, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, exercising a broad interpretation of his presidential powers. (Congress voted to block the emergency declaration, but Trump vetoed that measure.) Socialite Lee Radziwill, a stylish jet-setter who was the sister of Jacqueline Kennedy, died at the age of 85. Gary Martin, a 15-year employee who was being fired from a suburban Chicago manufacturing company, opened fire on co-workers, killing five of them and wounding five police officers before he was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police.

Today's Birthdays: Actress Claire Bloom is 89. Author Susan Brownmiller is 85. Songwriter Brian Holland is 79. Rock musician Mick Avory (The Kinks) is 76. Jazz musician Henry Threadgill is 76. Actress-model Marisa Berenson is 73. Actress Jane Seymour is 69. Singer Melissa Manchester is 69. Actress Lynn Whitfield is 67. "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening&nbsp; is 66. Model Janice Dickinson is 65. Actor Christopher McDonald is 65. Reggae singer Ali Campbell is 61. Actor Joseph R. Gannascoli is 61. Musician Mikey Craig (Culture Club) is 60. College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrell Green is 60. Actor-comedian Steven Michael Quezada is 57. Country singer Michael Reynolds (Pinmonkey) is 56. Actor Michael Easton is 53. Latin singer Gloria Trevi is 52. Rock musician Stevie Benton (Drowning Pool) is 49. Actress Alex Borstein is 49. Actress Renee O'Connor is 49. Actress Sarah Wynter is 47. Olympic gold medal swimmer Amy Van Dyken-Rouen is 47. Actress-director Miranda July is 46. Rock singer Brandon Boyd (Incubus) is 44. Rock musician Ronnie Vannucci (The Killers) is 44. Rock singer/guitarist Adam Granduciel (The War on Drugs) is 41. Singer-songwriter-musician Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) is 40. Actress Ashley Lyn Cafagna is 37. Blues-rock musician Gary Clark Jr. is 36. Actress Natalie Morales is 35. Actress Amber Riley is 34. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion is 25. Actor Zach Gordon is 22.

Thought for Today: "Like all dreamers I confuse disenchantment with truth." — Jean-Paul Sartre, French philosopher (1905-1980).

<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 Saturday, Feb. 15, the 46th day of 2020. There are 320 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Feb. 15, 1898, the U.S. battleship Maine mysteriously blew up in Havana Harbor, killing more than 260 crew members and bringing the United States closer to war with Spain.On this date:In 1564, Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei was born in Pisa.In 1879, President Rutherford B. Hayes signed a bill allowing female attorneys to argue cases before the Supreme Court.In 1933, President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt escaped an assassination attempt in Miami that mortally wounded Chicago Mayor Anton J. Cermak; gunman Giuseppe Zangara was executed more than four weeks later.In 1952, a funeral was held at Windsor Castle for Britain's King George VI, who had died nine days earlier.In 1961, 73 people, including an 18-member U.S. figure skating team en route to the World Championships in Czechoslovakia, were killed in the crash of a Sabena Airlines Boeing 707 in Belgium.In 1989, the Soviet Union announced that the last of its troops had left Afghanistan, after more than nine years of military intervention.In 1992, a Milwaukee jury found that Jeffrey Dahmer was sane when he killed and mutilated 15 men and boys. (The decision meant that Dahmer, who had already pleaded guilty to the murders, would receive a mandatory life sentence for each count; Dahmer was beaten to death in prison in 1994.)In 2004, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Daytona 500 on the same track where his father was killed three years earlier.In 2005, defrocked priest Paul Shanley was sentenced in Boston to 12 to 15 years in prison on child rape charges.In 2006, Vice President Dick Cheney accepted blame for accidentally shooting a hunting companion, calling it "one of the worst days of my life," but was defiantly unapologetic in a Fox News Channel interview about not publicly disclosing the incident until the next day.In 2007, National Guardsmen in Humvees ferried food, fuel and baby supplies to hundreds of motorists stranded for nearly a day on a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 78 in eastern Pennsylvania because of a monster storm.In 2018, the last of the bodies of the 17 victims of a school shooting in Florida were removed from the building after authorities analyzed the crime scene; 13 wounded survivors were still hospitalized. In response to the Florida school shooting, President Donald Trump, in an address to the nation, promised to "tackle the difficult issue of mental health," but avoided any mention of guns. Nikolas Cruz, the suspect in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, was ordered held without bond at a brief court hearing.Ten years ago: Eighteen people were killed when two trains collided south of Brussels, Belgium. At the Vancouver Winter Olympics, Didier Defago of Switzerland won the gold in the Olympic downhill and American Bode Miller took the bronze. American Seth Wescott defended his Olympic title, overtaking Canada's Mike Robertson to win the gold medal in men's snowboardcross.Five years ago: A video purporting to show the mass beheading of Egyptian Coptic Christian hostages was released by militants in Libya affiliated with the Islamic State group. Russell Westbrook scored 41 points to lead the Western Conference to a 163-158 win over the East in the NBA All-Star Game. Foreign correspondent and news executive Arnaud de Borchgrave, 88, died in Washington.One year ago: In a move to secure more money for his border wall, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, exercising a broad interpretation of his presidential powers. (Congress voted to block the emergency declaration, but Trump vetoed that measure.) Socialite Lee Radziwill, a stylish jet-setter who was the sister of Jacqueline Kennedy, died at the age of 85. Gary Martin, a 15-year employee who was being fired from a suburban Chicago manufacturing company, opened fire on co-workers, killing five of them and wounding five police officers before he was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police.Today's Birthdays: Actress Claire Bloom is 89. Author Susan Brownmiller is 85. Songwriter Brian Holland is 79. Rock musician Mick Avory (The Kinks) is 76. Jazz musician Henry Threadgill is 76. Actress-model Marisa Berenson is 73. Actress Jane Seymour is 69. Singer Melissa Manchester is 69. Actress Lynn Whitfield is 67. "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening&nbsp; is 66. Model Janice Dickinson is 65. Actor Christopher McDonald is 65. Reggae singer Ali Campbell is 61. Actor Joseph R. Gannascoli is 61. Musician Mikey Craig (Culture Club) is 60. College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrell Green is 60. Actor-comedian Steven Michael Quezada is 57. Country singer Michael Reynolds (Pinmonkey) is 56. Actor Michael Easton is 53. Latin singer Gloria Trevi is 52. Rock musician Stevie Benton (Drowning Pool) is 49. Actress Alex Borstein is 49. Actress Renee O'Connor is 49. Actress Sarah Wynter is 47. Olympic gold medal swimmer Amy Van Dyken-Rouen is 47. Actress-director Miranda July is 46. Rock singer Brandon Boyd (Incubus) is 44. Rock musician Ronnie Vannucci (The Killers) is 44. Rock singer/guitarist Adam Granduciel (The War on Drugs) is 41. Singer-songwriter-musician Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) is 40. Actress Ashley Lyn Cafagna is 37. Blues-rock musician Gary Clark Jr. is 36. Actress Natalie Morales is 35. Actress Amber Riley is 34. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion is 25. Actor Zach Gordon is 22.Thought for Today: "Like all dreamers I confuse disenchantment with truth." — Jean-Paul Sartre, French philosopher (1905-1980).Copyright 2020, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Today in History -- Feb. 15

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas and national Democratic Party groups on Friday sued the Republican official who oversees the state’s elections, accusing him of violating voters’ rights by delaying the implementation of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/measures/documents/sb130_enrolled.pdf" target="_blank">a law&nbsp;</a>designed to make voting on Election Day more convenient.

The lawsuit was filed in state district court in Topeka after Secretary of State Scott Schwab said his office&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/917894d3ab1dc09d3309b4581901b048">would need another year</a>&nbsp;to draft regulations needed for counties to take advantage of a 2019 state “vote anywhere” law. The law permits counties to allow voters to cast their ballots at any polling place within their borders on Election Day, rather than only at a single site.

Some officials in Sedgwick County, home to the state’s largest city, Wichita, believe it is ready to allow voters to choose their polling sites. They note that it has allowed voters to cast their ballots in advance at multiple locations for more than a decade, with the county’s entire electronic voter registration database accessible to workers at each one. It also deployed new voting machines in 2017 that allow a “vote anywhere” system.

The Kansas Democratic Party, the Democratic National Committee and the two national party committees for U.S. Senate and U.S. House campaigns filed the lawsuit. But Kansas Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, said three weeks ago that he and others were contemplating a lawsuit.

“Schwab is dragging his feet to enforce a bill that became law that had widespread bipartisan support to make it more convenient to vote,” Hensley said Friday. “Maybe this will encourage him to enforce the law.”

The Democratic groups are seeking a court order to either force Schwab to issue the necessary regulations or to allow counties to move ahead with “vote anywhere” plans for this year’s elections.

Schwab spokeswoman Katie Koupal said his office had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment on its contents. But Schwab said Tuesday that he’s writing “a book” of regulations needed to make sure that counties’ electronic registration lists remain secure and that their computer systems don’t crash on Election Day. He said the chaos surrounding the recent Democratic presidential caucuses in Iowa demonstrates the need for caution.

He also dismissed the validity of a potential lawsuit in an Associated Press interview, saying, “nobody is being harmed by us going through the appropriate way” in drafting rules and regulations.

The lawsuit contends that delayed implementation of the “vote anywhere” law makes it harder for people to vote. The law was aimed at helping people who live on one side of Wichita and have jobs on the other side and who may not have time to vote after work.

The lawsuit claims delaying implementation of the law violates&nbsp;<a href="https://kslib.info/826/Kansas-Bill-of-Rights" target="_blank">the state’s Bill of Rights,</a>&nbsp;including its guarantees of people’s right to associate with others and their broad rights of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1577361281644.png" alt="Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas and national Democratic Party groups on Friday sued the Republican official who oversees the state’s elections, accusing him of violating voters’ rights by delaying the implementation of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/measures/documents/sb130_enrolled.pdf" target="_blank">a law&nbsp;</a>designed to make voting on Election Day more convenient.The lawsuit was filed in state district court in Topeka after Secretary of State Scott Schwab said his office&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/917894d3ab1dc09d3309b4581901b048">would need another year</a>&nbsp;to draft regulations needed for counties to take advantage of a 2019 state “vote anywhere” law. The law permits counties to allow voters to cast their ballots at any polling place within their borders on Election Day, rather than only at a single site.Some officials in Sedgwick County, home to the state’s largest city, Wichita, believe it is ready to allow voters to choose their polling sites. They note that it has allowed voters to cast their ballots in advance at multiple locations for more than a decade, with the county’s entire electronic voter registration database accessible to workers at each one. It also deployed new voting machines in 2017 that allow a “vote anywhere” system.The Kansas Democratic Party, the Democratic National Committee and the two national party committees for U.S. Senate and U.S. House campaigns filed the lawsuit. But Kansas Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, said three weeks ago that he and others were contemplating a lawsuit.“Schwab is dragging his feet to enforce a bill that became law that had widespread bipartisan support to make it more convenient to vote,” Hensley said Friday. “Maybe this will encourage him to enforce the law.”The Democratic groups are seeking a court order to either force Schwab to issue the necessary regulations or to allow counties to move ahead with “vote anywhere” plans for this year’s elections.Schwab spokeswoman Katie Koupal said his office had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment on its contents. But Schwab said Tuesday that he’s writing “a book” of regulations needed to make sure that counties’ electronic registration lists remain secure and that their computer systems don’t crash on Election Day. He said the chaos surrounding the recent Democratic presidential caucuses in Iowa demonstrates the need for caution.He also dismissed the validity of a potential lawsuit in an Associated Press interview, saying, “nobody is being harmed by us going through the appropriate way” in drafting rules and regulations.The lawsuit contends that delayed implementation of the “vote anywhere” law makes it harder for people to vote. The law was aimed at helping people who live on one side of Wichita and have jobs on the other side and who may not have time to vote after work.The lawsuit claims delaying implementation of the law violates&nbsp;<a href="https://kslib.info/826/Kansas-Bill-of-Rights" target="_blank">the state’s Bill of Rights,</a>&nbsp;including its guarantees of people’s right to associate with others and their broad rights of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”___

Democrats sue over Kansas delay in start of 'vote anywhere'

By J. FAITH PEPPERS, <a href="https://www.caes.uga.edu/news-events/news/story.html?storyid=8262&amp;story=Toews-will-succeed-retiring-West">University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences </a>

TIFTON, Ga. — Michael Toews has been named assistant dean 
of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental 
Sciences to oversee the Tifton Campus.

Toews, a UGA entomology professor, succeeds Joe West, who is retiring
 February 28 after a 34-year career with the college. The UGA Tifton 
Campus has 60 faculty and more than 400 staff supporting teaching, 
research and Extension programs for the college. The campus includes the
 Coastal Plain Experiment Station, the National Environmentally Sound 
Production Agriculture Laboratory and the Center for Invasive Species 
and Ecosystem Health.&nbsp; &nbsp;

“I look forward to building on the tremendous balance, breadth and 
professional reputation that our faculty enjoy,” Toews said. “One of my 
chief goals as the assistant dean will be to secure funding and 
resources that enable our campus to thrive for the next 100 years.”

The Tifton campus, which celebrated its centennial year in 2019, now 
has 150 buildings and 5,000 acres of farmland to support the land-grant 
mission of the college. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 
Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) is co-located at the campus 
with approximately 20 scientists working in partnership with UGA 
scientists. The assistant dean also oversees the Tifton Campus 
Conference Center, a multiuse facility that brings in conferences and 
events from across the Southeast.

“We are excited about the future direction of the UGA-Tifton campus. 
Dr. Toews brings a wealth of experience and vision to his new role as 
Assistant Dean in Tifton,” said CAES Dean and Director Sam Pardue. “I 
look forward to working with him as he directs the college’s efforts in 
South Georgia.”

A native of Salina, Toews completed a Bachelor of Science 
degree in biology from Fort Hays State University. He then earned a 
master’s degree and a doctorate in entomology from Oklahoma State 
University. After completing post-doctoral fellowships at Kansas State 
University and the USDA-ARS, he joined the UGA Tifton faculty in 2006 as
 a research entomologist focused on insect ecology and cotton pest 
management.

Toews acquired additional graduate teaching and Extension 
responsibilities in 2009 and was appointed co-director at the UGA Center
 for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health in 2014. He was promoted to 
professor in the UGA Department of Entomology in 2017.

During his tenure at UGA, Toews has conducted extensive research to 
improve Georgia cotton production. He is most well-known for his work on
 thrips and stink bugs, as well as invasive insect pests including kudzu
 bug, brown marmorated stink bug and silverleaf whitefly.

Toews has served on 27 graduate student committees and secured more 
than $16 million in competitive grant funding. His research program has 
resulted in nearly 200 publications, including 72 peer reviewed journal 
articles, six book chapters, 45 Extension publications and 62 
miscellaneous publications. With collaborators, he has released eight 
smartphone apps and four e-learning modules. Former postdoctoral fellows
 and students from his lab currently work in academia, industry, 
Cooperative Extension, state government and federal government service.

In 2015, Toews was the Southeastern Branch recipient of the 
Entomological Society of America Award for Excellence in Integrated Pest
 Management.

Faith Peppers is director of public affairs for the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581712791587.png" alt="Michael Toews" />
 <figcaption>Michael Toews</figcaption>
 </figure>By J. FAITH PEPPERS, <a href="https://www.caes.uga.edu/news-events/news/story.html?storyid=8262&amp;story=Toews-will-succeed-retiring-West">University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences </a>TIFTON, Ga. — Michael Toews has been named assistant dean 
of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental 
Sciences to oversee the Tifton Campus.Toews, a UGA entomology professor, succeeds Joe West, who is retiring
 February 28 after a 34-year career with the college. The UGA Tifton 
Campus has 60 faculty and more than 400 staff supporting teaching, 
research and Extension programs for the college. The campus includes the
 Coastal Plain Experiment Station, the National Environmentally Sound 
Production Agriculture Laboratory and the Center for Invasive Species 
and Ecosystem Health.&nbsp; &nbsp;“I look forward to building on the tremendous balance, breadth and 
professional reputation that our faculty enjoy,” Toews said. “One of my 
chief goals as the assistant dean will be to secure funding and 
resources that enable our campus to thrive for the next 100 years.”The Tifton campus, which celebrated its centennial year in 2019, now 
has 150 buildings and 5,000 acres of farmland to support the land-grant 
mission of the college. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 
Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) is co-located at the campus 
with approximately 20 scientists working in partnership with UGA 
scientists. The assistant dean also oversees the Tifton Campus 
Conference Center, a multiuse facility that brings in conferences and 
events from across the Southeast.“We are excited about the future direction of the UGA-Tifton campus. 
Dr. Toews brings a wealth of experience and vision to his new role as 
Assistant Dean in Tifton,” said CAES Dean and Director Sam Pardue. “I 
look forward to working with him as he directs the college’s efforts in 
South Georgia.”<h2>Toews Background</h2>A native of Salina, Toews completed a Bachelor of Science 
degree in biology from Fort Hays State University. He then earned a 
master’s degree and a doctorate in entomology from Oklahoma State 
University. After completing post-doctoral fellowships at Kansas State 
University and the USDA-ARS, he joined the UGA Tifton faculty in 2006 as
 a research entomologist focused on insect ecology and cotton pest 
management.Toews acquired additional graduate teaching and Extension 
responsibilities in 2009 and was appointed co-director at the UGA Center
 for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health in 2014. He was promoted to 
professor in the UGA Department of Entomology in 2017.During his tenure at UGA, Toews has conducted extensive research to 
improve Georgia cotton production. He is most well-known for his work on
 thrips and stink bugs, as well as invasive insect pests including kudzu
 bug, brown marmorated stink bug and silverleaf whitefly.<h2>Teaching, Publications, Awards, Grants</h2>Toews has served on 27 graduate student committees and secured more 
than $16 million in competitive grant funding. His research program has 
resulted in nearly 200 publications, including 72 peer reviewed journal 
articles, six book chapters, 45 Extension publications and 62 
miscellaneous publications. With collaborators, he has released eight 
smartphone apps and four e-learning modules. Former postdoctoral fellows
 and students from his lab currently work in academia, industry, 
Cooperative Extension, state government and federal government service.In 2015, Toews was the Southeastern Branch recipient of the 
Entomological Society of America Award for Excellence in Integrated Pest
 Management.Faith Peppers is director of public affairs for the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Salina native, FHSU grad named assistant dean at Ga. university

Today is Friday, Feb. 14, the 45th day of 2020. There are 321 days left in the year. This is Valentine's Day.

On Feb. 14, 2018, a gunman identified as a former student opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, killing 17 people in the nation's deadliest school shooting since the attack in Newtown, Connecticut, more than five years earlier.

In 1859, Oregon was admitted to the Union as the 33rd state.

In 1876, inventors Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray applied separately for patents related to the telephone. (The U.S. Supreme Court eventually ruled Bell the rightful inventor.)

In 1912, Arizona became the 48th state of the Union as President William Howard Taft signed a proclamation.

In 1913, labor leader Jimmy Hoffa was born in Brazil, Ind.; college football coach Woody Hayes was born in Clifton, Ohio; sports broadcaster Mel Allen was born in Birmingham, Ala.

In 1929, the "St. Valentine's Day Massacre" took place in a Chicago garage as seven rivals of Al Capone's gang were gunned down.

In 1945, during World War II, British and Canadian forces reached the Rhine River in Germany.

In 1949, Israel's Knesset convened for the first time.

In 1967, Aretha Franklin recorded her cover of Otis Redding's "Respect" at Atlantic Records in New York.

In 1979, Adolph Dubs, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, was kidnapped in Kabul by Muslim extremists and killed in a shootout between his abductors and police.

In 1984, 6-year-old Stormie Jones became the world's first heart-liver transplant recipient when the surgery was performed at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (she lived until November 1990).

In 1985, Cable News Network reporter Jeremy Levin, held hostage by extremists in Lebanon, escaped from his captors.

In 2013, double-amputee and Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, at his home in Pretoria, South Africa; he was later convicted of murder and is serving a 13-year prison term. American Airlines and US Airways announced an $11 billion merger that turned American into the world's biggest airline.

Ten years ago: The Americans broke through the Nordic combined barrier at Vancouver as Johnny Spillane won the silver, the first U.S. Olympic medal in the sport dominated since its inception by the Europeans (Jason Lamy Chappuis of France won the gold). Jamie McMurray won the Daytona 500. The Eastern Conference edged the West 141-139 in the NBA All-Star game in Arlington, Texas. Larry Ellison's space-age trimaran completed a two-race sweep in the 33rd America's Cup. Death claimed best-selling British author Dick Francis at age 89 and Doug Fieger, leader of the power pop band The Knack, at age 57.

Five years ago: A Danish gunman attacked a free-speech seminar and a synagogue in Copenhagen, killing two people; the shooter was later slain by a special police team. Actor Louis Jourdan, 93, died in Beverly Hills, California. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Philip Levine, 87, died in Fresno, California.

One year ago: William Barr was sworn in for his second stint as the nation's attorney general; he succeeded Jeff Sessions, who'd been pushed out of office by President Donald Trump after Trump denounced Sessions' decision to recuse himself from the Russia investigation. Amazon abruptly dropped plans for a big new headquarters in New York after politicians and activists objected to the nearly $3 billion in incentives that had been promised to the company. European aviation giant Airbus said it would stop making its superjumbo A380 in 2021 after struggling to sell the plane, the world's biggest passenger jet.

Today's Birthdays: TV personality Hugh Downs is 99. Actor Andrew Prine is 84. Country singer Razzy Bailey is 81. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is 78. Jazz musician Maceo Parker is 77. Movie director Alan Parker is 76. Journalist Carl Bernstein is 76. Former Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., is 73. TV personality Pat O'Brien is 72. Magician Teller (Penn and Teller) is 72. Cajun singer-musician Michael Doucet (Beausoleil) is 69. Actor Ken Wahl is 63. Opera singer Renee Fleming is 61. Actress Meg Tilly is 60. Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly is 60. Singer-producer Dwayne Wiggins is 59. Actress Sakina Jaffey is 58. Actor Enrico Colantoni is 57. Actor Zach Galligan is 56. Actor Valente Rodriguez is 56. Rock musician Ricky Wolking (The Nixons) is 54. Former tennis player Manuela Maleeva is 53. Actor Simon Pegg is 50. Rock musician Kevin Baldes (Lit) is 48. Rock singer Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty) is 48. Former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe is 48. Actress Danai Gurira is 42. Actor Matt Barr is 36. Actress Stephanie Leonidas is 36. Actor Jake Lacy is 34. Actress Tiffany Thornton is 34. Actor Brett Dier is 30. Actor Freddie Highmore is 28.

Thought for Today: "We are effectively destroying ourselves by violence masquerading as love." — R.D. Laing, Scottish psychiatrist (1927-1989).

<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 Friday, Feb. 14, the 45th day of 2020. There are 321 days left in the year. This is Valentine's Day.Today's Highlight in History:On Feb. 14, 2018, a gunman identified as a former student opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, killing 17 people in the nation's deadliest school shooting since the attack in Newtown, Connecticut, more than five years earlier.On this date:In 1859, Oregon was admitted to the Union as the 33rd state.In 1876, inventors Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray applied separately for patents related to the telephone. (The U.S. Supreme Court eventually ruled Bell the rightful inventor.)In 1912, Arizona became the 48th state of the Union as President William Howard Taft signed a proclamation.In 1913, labor leader Jimmy Hoffa was born in Brazil, Ind.; college football coach Woody Hayes was born in Clifton, Ohio; sports broadcaster Mel Allen was born in Birmingham, Ala.In 1929, the "St. Valentine's Day Massacre" took place in a Chicago garage as seven rivals of Al Capone's gang were gunned down.In 1945, during World War II, British and Canadian forces reached the Rhine River in Germany.In 1949, Israel's Knesset convened for the first time.In 1967, Aretha Franklin recorded her cover of Otis Redding's "Respect" at Atlantic Records in New York.In 1979, Adolph Dubs, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, was kidnapped in Kabul by Muslim extremists and killed in a shootout between his abductors and police.In 1984, 6-year-old Stormie Jones became the world's first heart-liver transplant recipient when the surgery was performed at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (she lived until November 1990).In 1985, Cable News Network reporter Jeremy Levin, held hostage by extremists in Lebanon, escaped from his captors.In 2013, double-amputee and Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, at his home in Pretoria, South Africa; he was later convicted of murder and is serving a 13-year prison term. American Airlines and US Airways announced an $11 billion merger that turned American into the world's biggest airline.Ten years ago: The Americans broke through the Nordic combined barrier at Vancouver as Johnny Spillane won the silver, the first U.S. Olympic medal in the sport dominated since its inception by the Europeans (Jason Lamy Chappuis of France won the gold). Jamie McMurray won the Daytona 500. The Eastern Conference edged the West 141-139 in the NBA All-Star game in Arlington, Texas. Larry Ellison's space-age trimaran completed a two-race sweep in the 33rd America's Cup. Death claimed best-selling British author Dick Francis at age 89 and Doug Fieger, leader of the power pop band The Knack, at age 57.Five years ago: A Danish gunman attacked a free-speech seminar and a synagogue in Copenhagen, killing two people; the shooter was later slain by a special police team. Actor Louis Jourdan, 93, died in Beverly Hills, California. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Philip Levine, 87, died in Fresno, California.One year ago: William Barr was sworn in for his second stint as the nation's attorney general; he succeeded Jeff Sessions, who'd been pushed out of office by President Donald Trump after Trump denounced Sessions' decision to recuse himself from the Russia investigation. Amazon abruptly dropped plans for a big new headquarters in New York after politicians and activists objected to the nearly $3 billion in incentives that had been promised to the company. European aviation giant Airbus said it would stop making its superjumbo A380 in 2021 after struggling to sell the plane, the world's biggest passenger jet.Today's Birthdays: TV personality Hugh Downs is 99. Actor Andrew Prine is 84. Country singer Razzy Bailey is 81. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is 78. Jazz musician Maceo Parker is 77. Movie director Alan Parker is 76. Journalist Carl Bernstein is 76. Former Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., is 73. TV personality Pat O'Brien is 72. Magician Teller (Penn and Teller) is 72. Cajun singer-musician Michael Doucet (Beausoleil) is 69. Actor Ken Wahl is 63. Opera singer Renee Fleming is 61. Actress Meg Tilly is 60. Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly is 60. Singer-producer Dwayne Wiggins is 59. Actress Sakina Jaffey is 58. Actor Enrico Colantoni is 57. Actor Zach Galligan is 56. Actor Valente Rodriguez is 56. Rock musician Ricky Wolking (The Nixons) is 54. Former tennis player Manuela Maleeva is 53. Actor Simon Pegg is 50. Rock musician Kevin Baldes (Lit) is 48. Rock singer Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty) is 48. Former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe is 48. Actress Danai Gurira is 42. Actor Matt Barr is 36. Actress Stephanie Leonidas is 36. Actor Jake Lacy is 34. Actress Tiffany Thornton is 34. Actor Brett Dier is 30. Actor Freddie Highmore is 28.Thought for Today: "We are effectively destroying ourselves by violence masquerading as love." — R.D. Laing, Scottish psychiatrist (1927-1989).Copyright 2020, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Today in History -- Feb. 14

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and have three suspects in custody.

Just 11:30 a.m., officers responded to a highway robbery call at a business in the 1700 block of west McCormick in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

A&nbsp; 50-year-old man at the scene told police a suspect later identified as 18-year-old&nbsp; approached him at the place of business and asked if he had any work.

At around 11:30 a.m., officers responded to a highway robbery call at a business in the 1700 block of west McCormick.

When officers arrived, a 50-year-old man reported being approached by 18-year-old Nykia Watkins at his place of business who asked if he had any work.

While he was speaking with Watkins two males suspects later identified as 23-year-old Larry Williamson and 23-year-old Ziaareas Crosby approached from behind. Williamson was reported to be armed with a rifle, according to Davidson.

The suspects demanded money and property from the victim. The struck the victim in the head with the rifle, causing minor injuries.

The suspects took the victim's wallet and cell phone and fled in a 2007 black Ford Fusion. The suspects immediately began making purchases with the victim's credit cards, according Davidson.

Investigators were able to locate the suspect vehicle driven by Watkins in the area of Pawnee and Rock Road in Wichita.

&nbsp;After a short vehicle pursuit, Watkins stopped the vehicle in the area of Kellogg and Edgemoor. Police arrested all three. They also recovered the victim's wallet, bank cards and cell phone. They also&nbsp;

Police also located a fake rifle in the vehicle, according to Davidson.

Police booked Williams and Crosby on requested charges of aggravated robbery.  They also booked Watkins on requested charges of aggravated robbery, flee and elude and other traffic charges.   Williamson has a previous conviction for aggravated battery, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581538045440.png" alt=" Ziaareas Crosby" />
 <figcaption> Ziaareas Crosby</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and have three suspects in custody.Just 11:30 a.m., officers responded to a highway robbery call at a business in the 1700 block of west McCormick in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.A&nbsp; 50-year-old man at the scene told police a suspect later identified as 18-year-old&nbsp; approached him at the place of business and asked if he had any work.At around 11:30 a.m., officers responded to a highway robbery call at a business in the 1700 block of west McCormick.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581537893819.png" alt="Watkins" />
 <figcaption>Watkins</figcaption>
 </figure>When officers arrived, a 50-year-old man reported being approached by 18-year-old Nykia Watkins at his place of business who asked if he had any work.While he was speaking with Watkins two males suspects later identified as 23-year-old Larry Williamson and 23-year-old Ziaareas Crosby approached from behind. Williamson was reported to be armed with a rifle, according to Davidson.The suspects demanded money and property from the victim. The struck the victim in the head with the rifle, causing minor injuries.The suspects took the victim's wallet and cell phone and fled in a 2007 black Ford Fusion. The suspects immediately began making purchases with the victim's credit cards, according Davidson.Investigators were able to locate the suspect vehicle driven by Watkins in the area of Pawnee and Rock Road in Wichita.&nbsp;After a short vehicle pursuit, Watkins stopped the vehicle in the area of Kellogg and Edgemoor. Police arrested all three. They also recovered the victim's wallet, bank cards and cell phone. They also&nbsp;Police also located a fake rifle in the vehicle, according to Davidson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581537959737.png" alt="Williamson" />
 <figcaption>Williamson</figcaption>
 </figure>Police booked Williams and Crosby on requested charges of aggravated robbery. They also booked Watkins on requested charges of aggravated robbery, flee and elude and other traffic charges. Williamson has a previous conviction for aggravated battery, according to Davidson.

Police: Suspects used fake rifle during Kansas robbery

Today is Thursday, Feb. 13, the 44th day of 2020. There are 322 days left in the year.

On Feb. 13, 1945, during World War II, Allied planes began bombing the German city of Dresden. The Soviets captured Budapest, Hungary, from the Germans.

In 1633, Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei arrived in Rome for trial before the Inquisition, accused of defending Copernican theory that the Earth revolved around the sun instead of the other way around. (Galileo was found vehemently suspect of heresy and ended up being sentenced to a form of house arrest.)

In 1861, Abraham Lincoln was officially declared winner of the 1860 presidential election as electors cast their ballots.

In 1935, a jury in Flemington, New Jersey, found Bruno Richard Hauptmann guilty of first-degree murder in the kidnap-slaying of Charles A. Lindbergh Jr., the 20-month-old son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh. (Hauptmann was later executed.)

In 1965, during the Vietnam War, President Lyndon B. Johnson authorized Operation Rolling Thunder, an extended bombing campaign against the North Vietnamese.

In 1974, Nobel Prize-winning Russian author Alexander Solzhenitsyn was expelled from the Soviet Union.

In 1984, Konstantin Chernenko was chosen to be general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party's Central Committee, succeeding the late Yuri Andropov.

In 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, allied warplanes destroyed an underground shelter in Baghdad that had been identified as a military command center; Iraqi officials said 500 civilians were killed.

In 1998, Dr. David Satcher was sworn in as the 16th Surgeon General of the United States during an Oval Office ceremony.

In 2000, Tiger Woods saw his streak of six consecutive victories come to an end as he fell short to Phil Mickelson in the Buick Invitational.

In 2002, John Walker Lindh pleaded not guilty in federal court in Alexandria, Va., to conspiring to kill Americans and supporting the Taliban and terrorist organizations. (Lindh later pleaded guilty to lesser offenses and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was released in September 2019 after serving 17 years of that sentence.)

In 2013, beginning a long farewell to his flock, a weary Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his final public Mass as pontiff, presiding over Ash Wednesday services inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

In 2016, Justice Antonin Scalia, the influential conservative and most provocative member of the U.S. Supreme Court, was found dead at a private residence in the Big Bend area of West Texas; he was 79.

Ten years ago: President Barack Obama delivered a video address to the 7th U.S.-Islamic World Forum meeting in Doha, Qatar, as part of his continuing effort to repair strained U.S. relations with the world's Muslims. Hannah Kearney won the women's moguls for first U.S. gold medal at the Olympic Games in Vancouver; Apolo Anton Ohno won the silver medal in the short-track 1,500-meter speedskating final, to tie Bonnie Blair as the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian.

Five years ago: Calling cyberspace the new "Wild West," President Barack Obama told the private sector during a White House cybersecurity summit at Stanford University that it needed to do more to stop cyber attacks aimed at the U.S. every day. Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, a Democrat, resigned amid suspicions his fiancee had used her relationship with him to land contracts for her green-energy consulting business.

One year ago: NASA's Mars rover "Opportunity," which had been built to operate for just three months on the planet's surface but kept rolling for years longer, was finally declared to be no longer operational, 15 years after it landed on Mars. The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Brock Long, resigned after a two-year tenure during which he managed the response to historic wildfires and major hurricanes but was dogged by questions about his use of government vehicles.

Today's Birthdays: U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager (ret.) is 97. Actress Kim Novak is 87. Actor George Segal is 86. Actor Bo Svenson is 79. Actress Stockard Channing is 76. Talk show host Jerry Springer is 76. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., is 74. Singer Peter Gabriel is 70. Actor David Naughton is 69. Rock musician Peter Hook is 64. Actor Matt Salinger is 60. Singer Henry Rollins is 59. Actor Neal McDonough is 54. Singer Freedom Williams is 54. Actress Kelly Hu is 52. Rock singer Matt Berninger (The National) is 49. Rock musician Todd Harrell (formerly with 3 Doors Down) is 48. Country musician Scott Thomas (Parmalee) is 47. Singer Robbie Williams is 46. Singer-songwriter Feist is 44. Rhythm-and-blues performer Natalie Stewart is 41. Actress Mena Suvari&nbsp; is 41. Rock musician Dash Hutton (Haim) is 35. Actress Katie Volding is 31. Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. (also known as Prince Michael Jackson I) is 23.

Thought for Today: "An explanation of cause is not a justification by reason." — C.S. Lewis, English author (1898-1963).

<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 Thursday, Feb. 13, the 44th day of 2020. There are 322 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Feb. 13, 1945, during World War II, Allied planes began bombing the German city of Dresden. The Soviets captured Budapest, Hungary, from the Germans.On this date:In 1633, Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei arrived in Rome for trial before the Inquisition, accused of defending Copernican theory that the Earth revolved around the sun instead of the other way around. (Galileo was found vehemently suspect of heresy and ended up being sentenced to a form of house arrest.)In 1861, Abraham Lincoln was officially declared winner of the 1860 presidential election as electors cast their ballots.In 1935, a jury in Flemington, New Jersey, found Bruno Richard Hauptmann guilty of first-degree murder in the kidnap-slaying of Charles A. Lindbergh Jr., the 20-month-old son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh. (Hauptmann was later executed.)In 1965, during the Vietnam War, President Lyndon B. Johnson authorized Operation Rolling Thunder, an extended bombing campaign against the North Vietnamese.In 1974, Nobel Prize-winning Russian author Alexander Solzhenitsyn was expelled from the Soviet Union.In 1984, Konstantin Chernenko was chosen to be general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party's Central Committee, succeeding the late Yuri Andropov.In 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, allied warplanes destroyed an underground shelter in Baghdad that had been identified as a military command center; Iraqi officials said 500 civilians were killed.In 1998, Dr. David Satcher was sworn in as the 16th Surgeon General of the United States during an Oval Office ceremony.In 2000, Tiger Woods saw his streak of six consecutive victories come to an end as he fell short to Phil Mickelson in the Buick Invitational.In 2002, John Walker Lindh pleaded not guilty in federal court in Alexandria, Va., to conspiring to kill Americans and supporting the Taliban and terrorist organizations. (Lindh later pleaded guilty to lesser offenses and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was released in September 2019 after serving 17 years of that sentence.)In 2013, beginning a long farewell to his flock, a weary Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his final public Mass as pontiff, presiding over Ash Wednesday services inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.In 2016, Justice Antonin Scalia, the influential conservative and most provocative member of the U.S. Supreme Court, was found dead at a private residence in the Big Bend area of West Texas; he was 79.Ten years ago: President Barack Obama delivered a video address to the 7th U.S.-Islamic World Forum meeting in Doha, Qatar, as part of his continuing effort to repair strained U.S. relations with the world's Muslims. Hannah Kearney won the women's moguls for first U.S. gold medal at the Olympic Games in Vancouver; Apolo Anton Ohno won the silver medal in the short-track 1,500-meter speedskating final, to tie Bonnie Blair as the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian.Five years ago: Calling cyberspace the new "Wild West," President Barack Obama told the private sector during a White House cybersecurity summit at Stanford University that it needed to do more to stop cyber attacks aimed at the U.S. every day. Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, a Democrat, resigned amid suspicions his fiancee had used her relationship with him to land contracts for her green-energy consulting business.One year ago: NASA's Mars rover "Opportunity," which had been built to operate for just three months on the planet's surface but kept rolling for years longer, was finally declared to be no longer operational, 15 years after it landed on Mars. The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Brock Long, resigned after a two-year tenure during which he managed the response to historic wildfires and major hurricanes but was dogged by questions about his use of government vehicles.Today's Birthdays: U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager (ret.) is 97. Actress Kim Novak is 87. Actor George Segal is 86. Actor Bo Svenson is 79. Actress Stockard Channing is 76. Talk show host Jerry Springer is 76. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., is 74. Singer Peter Gabriel is 70. Actor David Naughton is 69. Rock musician Peter Hook is 64. Actor Matt Salinger is 60. Singer Henry Rollins is 59. Actor Neal McDonough is 54. Singer Freedom Williams is 54. Actress Kelly Hu is 52. Rock singer Matt Berninger (The National) is 49. Rock musician Todd Harrell (formerly with 3 Doors Down) is 48. Country musician Scott Thomas (Parmalee) is 47. Singer Robbie Williams is 46. Singer-songwriter Feist is 44. Rhythm-and-blues performer Natalie Stewart is 41. Actress Mena Suvari&nbsp; is 41. Rock musician Dash Hutton (Haim) is 35. Actress Katie Volding is 31. Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. (also known as Prince Michael Jackson I) is 23.Thought for Today: "An explanation of cause is not a justification by reason." — C.S. Lewis, English author (1898-1963).Copyright 2020, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Today in History -- Feb. 13

MANHATTAN – Cattle producers who have not yet started the spring calving season still have time to plan ahead, and a Kansas State University veterinarian notes that could make a big difference in having a successful year.

“This is the time for a pre-emptive strike,” said A.J. Tarpoff, a beef veterinarian with K-State Research and Extension. “If you haven’t started calving yet on your operation, now is the time to start thinking about what you can do to be ready.”

Tarpoff noted that producers need to make sure they have the necessary supplies on hand, which may require buying or repairing items and facilities. Then, he adds, set in motion a plan to manage the birth of the new calves.

“Calving books are a phenomenal tool,” Tarpoff said. “It could be just a little pocketbook where you write down who calved, when they calved, if there was difficulty, and whether it was a male or female coming out. There is a lot of information that we can capture about the birthing process so that we’re able to make better decisions within our herd in the future.”

One of the newer management techniques that can lead to successful calving is to feed cows at dusk. “There have been several research studies that show reliable results that a higher percentage of animals are born during daylight hours when we feed the cow in the late evening hours,” Tarpoff said.

Feeding late in the evening, he said, will help decrease midnight or early morning births, which are hard on workers and can make the birth more complicated if there are difficulties.

Tarpoff hosted a series of calving schools across Kansas over the last several weeks to help the state’s producers be adequately prepared to bring in as many healthy animals as possible. The final session for this season was video-streamed on Facebook Live. A recording of that session can be seen on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/KStateRE/videos/746744109146536/?t=0" target="_blank">K-State Research and Extension Facebook page</a>.

One of his recommendations is that producers use a cooler to store tools and equipment: “On cold days and nights, the cooler will help equipment to stay nice and warm. We can close it up and know that our equipment is not going to freeze,” he said.

Tarpoff said producers should check calving chains or obstetric straps for rust, sharp spots or fraying. He also suggests having multiple sets on hand in case there are multiple births at once. The straps should be cleaned, disinfected and hung to dry after each use.

“Once those straps are dried, put them in a closed container so that you don’t re-contaminate them by accident,” he said. “Then, throw them back into your cooler kit.”

Producers should have a meeting with their local veterinarian to discuss situations that may occur, and what medicine or other supplies may be needed to handle those. “They can prescribe the products you’ll need and set you up to be a little more prepared,” Tarpoff said.

Producers can also contact their local extension agent or visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ksubeef.org/" target="_blank">KSUBeef.org</a>&nbsp;for more information on getting prepared for spring calving.

How to handle a difficult calving situation

Tarpoff shares the following steps for producers to follow if they experience a difficult calving situation:

During active calving. Once the cow’s water bag breaks, assure that they are making adequate progress toward birth within an hour. Adequate progress means the calf is moving through the birth canal. If there seems to be no progress, it is time to intervene.

How long should I intervene?&nbsp;“First, figure out what is causing the problem,” Tarpoff said. “Usually the calf is not coming through the birth canal quite right.” He said producers should try to intervene for a half hour, gently manipulating the calf’s head, legs or other parts through the birth canal.

Call for help.&nbsp;If problems persist beyond a half hour, call a veterinarian for help. “That’s your best chance to get a live calf on the ground,” Tarpoff said.

“Don’t hesitate to seek assistance when it’s obvious you need it,” Tarpoff said. “For a lot of locations in Kansas, the veterinarian may not be five minutes away. They may be an hour away or they may be on another call. If you communicate with them that you’re having an issue, you’re trying to solve it but it’s not going well, at least it gets it on their radar that they can get to your operation as soon as possible.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581443242160.jpeg" alt="Producers should consider shortening the breeding and calving season by controlling the duration of bull exposure to the herd, breeding first-calf heifers earlier than mature cows, matching herd genetics to the environment and making committed culling decisions. Photo courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>Producers should consider shortening the breeding and calving season by controlling the duration of bull exposure to the herd, breeding first-calf heifers earlier than mature cows, matching herd genetics to the environment and making committed culling decisions. Photo courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN – Cattle producers who have not yet started the spring calving season still have time to plan ahead, and a Kansas State University veterinarian notes that could make a big difference in having a successful year.“This is the time for a pre-emptive strike,” said A.J. Tarpoff, a beef veterinarian with K-State Research and Extension. “If you haven’t started calving yet on your operation, now is the time to start thinking about what you can do to be ready.”Tarpoff noted that producers need to make sure they have the necessary supplies on hand, which may require buying or repairing items and facilities. Then, he adds, set in motion a plan to manage the birth of the new calves.“Calving books are a phenomenal tool,” Tarpoff said. “It could be just a little pocketbook where you write down who calved, when they calved, if there was difficulty, and whether it was a male or female coming out. There is a lot of information that we can capture about the birthing process so that we’re able to make better decisions within our herd in the future.”One of the newer management techniques that can lead to successful calving is to feed cows at dusk. “There have been several research studies that show reliable results that a higher percentage of animals are born during daylight hours when we feed the cow in the late evening hours,” Tarpoff said.Feeding late in the evening, he said, will help decrease midnight or early morning births, which are hard on workers and can make the birth more complicated if there are difficulties.Tarpoff hosted a series of calving schools across Kansas over the last several weeks to help the state’s producers be adequately prepared to bring in as many healthy animals as possible. The final session for this season was video-streamed on Facebook Live. A recording of that session can be seen on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/KStateRE/videos/746744109146536/?t=0" target="_blank">K-State Research and Extension Facebook page</a>.One of his recommendations is that producers use a cooler to store tools and equipment: “On cold days and nights, the cooler will help equipment to stay nice and warm. We can close it up and know that our equipment is not going to freeze,” he said.Tarpoff said producers should check calving chains or obstetric straps for rust, sharp spots or fraying. He also suggests having multiple sets on hand in case there are multiple births at once. The straps should be cleaned, disinfected and hung to dry after each use.“Once those straps are dried, put them in a closed container so that you don’t re-contaminate them by accident,” he said. “Then, throw them back into your cooler kit.”Producers should have a meeting with their local veterinarian to discuss situations that may occur, and what medicine or other supplies may be needed to handle those. “They can prescribe the products you’ll need and set you up to be a little more prepared,” Tarpoff said.Producers can also contact their local extension agent or visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ksubeef.org/" target="_blank">KSUBeef.org</a>&nbsp;for more information on getting prepared for spring calving.How to handle a difficult calving situationTarpoff shares the following steps for producers to follow if they experience a difficult calving situation:During active calving. Once the cow’s water bag breaks, assure that they are making adequate progress toward birth within an hour. Adequate progress means the calf is moving through the birth canal. If there seems to be no progress, it is time to intervene.How long should I intervene?&nbsp;“First, figure out what is causing the problem,” Tarpoff said. “Usually the calf is not coming through the birth canal quite right.” He said producers should try to intervene for a half hour, gently manipulating the calf’s head, legs or other parts through the birth canal.Call for help.&nbsp;If problems persist beyond a half hour, call a veterinarian for help. “That’s your best chance to get a live calf on the ground,” Tarpoff said.“Don’t hesitate to seek assistance when it’s obvious you need it,” Tarpoff said. “For a lot of locations in Kansas, the veterinarian may not be five minutes away. They may be an hour away or they may be on another call. If you communicate with them that you’re having an issue, you’re trying to solve it but it’s not going well, at least it gets it on their radar that they can get to your operation as soon as possible.”

Plan now to assure successful calving season

Today is Wednesday, Feb. 12, the 43rd day of 2020. There are 323 days left in the year.

On Feb. 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was born in a log cabin in Hardin (now LaRue) County, Kentucky.

In 1795, the University of North Carolina became the first U.S. state university to admit students with the arrival of Hinton James.

In 1914, groundbreaking took place for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. (A year later on this date, the cornerstone was laid.)

In 1924, George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" premiered in New York.

In 1959, the redesigned Lincoln penny — with an image of the Lincoln Memorial replacing two ears of wheat on the reverse side — went into circulation.

In 1973, Operation Homecoming began as the first release of American prisoners of war from the Vietnam conflict took place.

In 1980, the FBI announced that about $5,800 of the $200,000 ransom paid to hijacker "D.B. Cooper" before he parachuted from a Northwest Orient jetliner in 1971 had been found by an 8-year-old boy on a riverbank of the Columbia River in Washington state.

<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. 12, the 43rd day of 2020. There are 323 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Feb. 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was born in a log cabin in Hardin (now LaRue) County, Kentucky.On this date:In 1795, the University of North Carolina became the first U.S. state university to admit students with the arrival of Hinton James.In 1914, groundbreaking took place for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. (A year later on this date, the cornerstone was laid.)In 1924, George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" premiered in New York.In 1959, the redesigned Lincoln penny — with an image of the Lincoln Memorial replacing two ears of wheat on the reverse side — went into circulation.In 1973, Operation Homecoming began as the first release of American prisoners of war from the Vietnam conflict took place.In 1980, the FBI announced that about $5,800 of the $200,000 ransom paid to hijacker "D.B. Cooper" before he parachuted from a Northwest Orient jetliner in 1971 had been found by an 8-year-old boy on a riverbank of the Columbia River in Washington state.In 1993, in a crime that shocked and outraged Britons, two 10-year-old boys lured 2-year-old James Bulger from his mother at a shopping mall near Liverpool, England, and beat him to death.In 1999, the Senate voted to acquit President Bill Clinton of perjury and obstruction of justice.In 2000, Charles M. Schulz, creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip, died in Santa Rosa, Calif. at age 77.In 2003, the U.N. nuclear agency declared North Korea in violation of international treaties, sending the dispute to the Security Council.In 2006, figure skater Michelle Kwan effectively retired from competition as she withdrew from the Turin Olympics due to injury (she was replaced on the U.S. team by Emily Hughes). Snowboarder Shaun White beat American teammate Danny Kass to win the Olympic gold medal.In 2008, General Motors reported losing $38.7 billion in 2007, a record annual loss in automotive history, and offered buyouts to 74,000 hourly workers. Uno became the first beagle named Westminster's best in show.Ten years ago: On the day the Winter Olympics opened in Vancouver, British Columbia, Nodar Kumaritashvili, a 21-year-old luger from the Republic of Georgia, was killed in a high-speed crash during a practice run. Three University of Alabama-Huntsville professors were gunned down during a faculty meeting; police charged neurobiologist Amy Bishop with capital murder. (Bishop later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.)Five years ago: European leaders agreed on a truce to halt fighting in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russian-backed separatist rebels.One year ago: Mexico's most notorious drug lord, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, was convicted in New York of running an industrial-scale smuggling operation; a jury whose members' identities were kept secret as a security measure had deliberated for six days. (Guzman is serving a life sentence at the federal supermax prison facility in Florence, Colorado.) Lyndon LaRouche Jr., the political extremist who ran for president in every election from 1976 to 2004, including one campaign waged from federal prison, died at the age of 96. Retired astronaut Mark Kelly announced that he would run in 2020 to finish the Senate term of the late John McCain; Kelly had become a prominent gun-control advocate after the shooting that injured his wife, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Hundreds gathered at a church in suburban Detroit for the funeral of former Democratic Rep. John Dingell, the longest-serving member of Congress in U.S. history.Today's Birthdays: Movie director Costa-Gavras is 87. Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Russell is 86. Actor Joe Don Baker is 84. Author Judy Blume is 82. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak is 78. Country singer Moe Bandy is 76. Actress Maud Adams is 75. Actor Cliff DeYoung is 74. Actor Michael Ironside is 70. Rock musician Steve Hackett is 70. Rock singer Michael McDonald is 68. Actress Joanna Kerns is 67. Actor Zach Grenier is 66. Actor-talk show host Arsenio Hall is 64. Actor John Michael Higgins is 57. Actor Raphael Sbarge is 56. Actress Christine Elise is 55. Actor Josh Brolin is 52. Singer Chynna Phillips is 52. Rock musician Jim Creeggan (Barenaked Ladies) is 50. Rhythm-and-blues musician Keri Lewis is 49. Actor Jesse Spencer is 41. Rapper Gucci Mane is 40. Actress Sarah Lancaster is 40. Actress Christina Ricci is 40. NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III is 30. Actress Jennifer Stone is 27. Actresses Baylie and Rylie Cregut (TV: "Raising Hope") are 10.Thought for Today: "Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still." — President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972).Copyright 2020, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.