Join King in the Community podcast host Nate King as he sits down with Crystal Hammerschmidt, the Visual Arts Coordinator for the upcoming Smoky Hill River Festival in Salina. Crystal shares her insights on the festival's visual arts, highlighting the talented artists and diverse artwork that will be showcased. 

From paintings to sculptures to handmade crafts, listeners will get a sneak peek at what art to expect at this year's festival. Tune in to learn more about how the arts community is thriving in Salina and how you can support local artists at this exciting event.

<a href="https://www.riverfestival.com/">For more information check out the Smoky Hill River Festival website here.&nbsp;</a>

<div><iframe title="Crystal Hammerschmidt, Smoky Hill River Festival Visual Arts Coordinator" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=y8gxd-161460e-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=60a0c8" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>By SALINA POSTJoin King in the Community podcast host Nate King as he sits down with Crystal Hammerschmidt, the Visual Arts Coordinator for the upcoming Smoky Hill River Festival in Salina. Crystal shares her insights on the festival's visual arts, highlighting the talented artists and diverse artwork that will be showcased. From paintings to sculptures to handmade crafts, listeners will get a sneak peek at what art to expect at this year's festival. Tune in to learn more about how the arts community is thriving in Salina and how you can support local artists at this exciting event.<a href="https://www.riverfestival.com/">For more information check out the Smoky Hill River Festival website here.&nbsp;</a>

🎙King in the Community — Crystal Hammerschmidt, Salina Arts and Humanities

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump's attorneys&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-cohen-hush-money-stormy-daniels-735aadfd1ce015e05ba955c203a96f1b">started grilling prosecutors' star witness</a>&nbsp;in his hush money trial Tuesday, portraying former attorney Michael Cohen as a media-obsessed liar who's determined to see the former president behind bars.

<a href="https://pdfs.nycourts.gov/PeopleVs.DTrump-71543/transcripts/5-13-2024/00045.html">Click here to read Day 1 </a>transcript of Michael Cohen's testimony

Cohen endured intense questioning by defense attorney Todd Blanche after providing pivotal testimony tying the presumptive Republican presidential nominee directly to the hush money scheme at the heart of the case.

Trump's former fixer will return to the witness stand Thursday for more cross-examination before prosecutors rest their case alleging a scheme to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-opening-stormy-daniels-6beee9b99114898ee0dd60185d43bac5">illegally influence the 2016 election</a>&nbsp;by silencing women who alleged sexual encounters with him. Trump denies that he had sex with the women and denies wrongdoing in the case.

Here are some key takeaways from Tuesday's proceedings:

Prosecutors confronted Cohen's history of falsehoods head-on in an attempt to get ahead of an issue Trump lawyers are seizing on to attack the now-disbarred lawyer's credibility. Prosecutors also sought to paint Cohen as a devoted Trump loyalist, whose crimes were committed on the former president’s behalf.

Under questioning from prosecutor Susan Hoffinger, Cohen admitted that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-d08fc20ad50f432886351beaff7bfc7e">he lied to Congress</a>&nbsp;during an investigation into potential ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-elections-politics-north-america-28301de8eaa94cc796c5279fc28c1fdb">Cohen pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, admitting that he lied, among other things, about the number of times he spoke with Trump about a real estate project in Moscow.

Hoffinger also asked Cohen about concerns that he may have lied on the witness stand at the former president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-civil-fraud-trial-feb0593a5bbd3837edc0db195554eda1">civil fraud trial last year</a>. In that trial, Cohen insisted he didn't commit tax evasion, and said he had lied to the judge who accepted his guilty plea on the charge in 2018.

Cohen told Hoffinger he did not dispute the facts of his guilty plea, but that he didn’t think he should’ve been charged with a crime “as a first-time offender who always paid his taxes on the due date.”

Cohen also told jurors he lied repeatedly for Trump, including after Cohen paid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-gag-order-d853768fff5fafbdee55623579889140">porn actor Stormy Daniels</a>&nbsp;$130,000 to keep her from going public right before the 2016 election with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump.

Asked by Hoffinger why he would do so, Cohen said: “Out of loyalty and in order to protect him.”

Cohen described to jurors how his life and relationship with Trump were upended after the FBI raided his office, apartment and hotel room in 2018. That would lead to Cohen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-general-news-ed1aead5539b4fc6b7e42cdd6cb8fd3d">pleading guilty to federal charges</a>&nbsp;and implicating Trump in the hush money scheme. Trump was never charged with any crime related to that federal investigation.

Asked by the prosecutor how he felt at the time, Cohen said: “How to describe your life being turned upside-down? Concerned. Despondent. Angry."

Initially, Cohen said he felt comforted because Trump, who was in the White House at the time, assured him not to worry. Trump’s lawyers were also continuing to pay his legal fees and he remained part of a joint-defense agreement with Trump and his lawyers, he testified.

But his family eventually convinced him to turn on Trump, Cohen said.

“My family, my wife, my daughter, my son, all said to me: ‘Why are you holding onto this loyalty? What are you doing? We’re supposed to be your first loyalty,’” Cohen told jurors.

After Cohen’s guilty plea, Trump bashed him on Twitter, writing: “If anyone is looking for a good lawyer I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen!”

Trump's team opened their cross-examination by pressing Cohen about critical comments and vulgar social media posts he's made about the former president since the trial began. The defense's questions Tuesday didn't address the facts at the heart of the case but were designed to portray Cohen as a Trump-fixated loyalist who, spurned by his ex-boss, is now on a mission to get fame and revenge.

“Is it fair to say you’re motivated by fame?” Blanche, Trump's lawyer, asked Cohen.

“No sir, I don’t think that’s fair to say,” Cohen replied. Later he added — in response to a question about whether he was motivated by publicity — that he is "motivated by many things.”

Blanche asked Cohen to listen through headphones to an October 2020 podcast episode in which the former lawyer said Trump needs to wear handcuffs and that “people will not be satisfied until this man is sitting inside a cell.”

Cohen told Blanche he didn’t recall saying that, but added: "I wouldn’t put it past me.”

Blanche also pressed Cohen on whether he wants to see Trump convicted in the case. Cohen initially hedged, saying: “I would like to see accountability. It’s not for me. It’s for the jury and this court.”

But asked again, Cohen responded: “Sure.”

While jurors were hearing testimony from Cohen, Trump suffered another legal blow when an appeals court upheld&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-gag-order-fae616037d3606cc60abbffb0e91f7ee">a gag order</a>&nbsp;that limits what he can say about the case.

Trump had challenged the gag order, which bars the former president from commenting publicly about jurors, witnesses and others connected to the case, including the judge’s family and prosecutors other than District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

The appeals court ruled that Judge Juan M. Merchan “properly determined” that Trump’s public statements “posed a significant threat to the integrity of the testimony of witnesses and potential witnesses.”

Trump challenged restrictions on his ability to comment about Matthew Colangelo, a former Justice Department official who is a part of the prosecution team, and Merchan’s daughter, the head of a political consulting firm that has worked for Trump’s rival Joe Biden and other Democratic candidates.

Trump’s lawyers argued the gag order is an unconstitutional curb on the presumptive Republican nominee’s free speech rights while he’s campaigning for president and fighting criminal charges. The judge has fined Trump for repeatedly violating the gag order and&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/$1,000%20on%20Monday%20and,%20in%20his%20sternest%20warning%20yet,%20told%20the%20former%20president%20that%20future%20gag%20order%20violations%20could%20send%20him%20to%20jail.">has warned the former president</a>&nbsp;that future violations could send him to jail.

Limited by what he can say publicly about the case, Trump has been joined at the courthouse by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-daniels-trial-rick-scott-3ae0d6eddb94d2ca1155b0266dc9d35c">a growing entourage</a>&nbsp;of Republican supporters who echo his complaints about the prosecution. U.S. House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;was the latest to do so Tuesday, attacking the legal system as “corrupt” and the case against Trump a “sham.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-speaker-mike-johnson-court-09aef3de395fa77843f2600f40da6ac3">It was a striking moment</a>, underscoring Trump's political power even as he stands trial on criminal charges.

In remarks to reporters outside the courthouse, Johnson slammed Cohen as a man who has “trouble with the truth” and is “clearly on a mission for personal revenge.” Painting Trump as the victim of a politically motivated legal system, Johnson said the case is “not about justice."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715808528947.png" alt="An item of evidence for the defense and released from the New York Court" />
 <figcaption>An item of evidence for the defense and released from the New York Court</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump's attorneys&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-cohen-hush-money-stormy-daniels-735aadfd1ce015e05ba955c203a96f1b">started grilling prosecutors' star witness</a>&nbsp;in his hush money trial Tuesday, portraying former attorney Michael Cohen as a media-obsessed liar who's determined to see the former president behind bars.<a href="https://pdfs.nycourts.gov/PeopleVs.DTrump-71543/transcripts/5-13-2024/00045.html">Click here to read Day 1 </a>transcript of Michael Cohen's testimonyCohen endured intense questioning by defense attorney Todd Blanche after providing pivotal testimony tying the presumptive Republican presidential nominee directly to the hush money scheme at the heart of the case.Trump's former fixer will return to the witness stand Thursday for more cross-examination before prosecutors rest their case alleging a scheme to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-opening-stormy-daniels-6beee9b99114898ee0dd60185d43bac5">illegally influence the 2016 election</a>&nbsp;by silencing women who alleged sexual encounters with him. Trump denies that he had sex with the women and denies wrongdoing in the case.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715809011875.png" alt="An item of evidence for the defense and released from the New York Court" />
 <figcaption>An item of evidence for the defense and released from the New York Court</figcaption>
 </figure>Here are some key takeaways from Tuesday's proceedings:ALL OF COHEN'S LIESProsecutors confronted Cohen's history of falsehoods head-on in an attempt to get ahead of an issue Trump lawyers are seizing on to attack the now-disbarred lawyer's credibility. Prosecutors also sought to paint Cohen as a devoted Trump loyalist, whose crimes were committed on the former president’s behalf.Under questioning from prosecutor Susan Hoffinger, Cohen admitted that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-d08fc20ad50f432886351beaff7bfc7e">he lied to Congress</a>&nbsp;during an investigation into potential ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-elections-politics-north-america-28301de8eaa94cc796c5279fc28c1fdb">Cohen pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, admitting that he lied, among other things, about the number of times he spoke with Trump about a real estate project in Moscow.Hoffinger also asked Cohen about concerns that he may have lied on the witness stand at the former president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-civil-fraud-trial-feb0593a5bbd3837edc0db195554eda1">civil fraud trial last year</a>. In that trial, Cohen insisted he didn't commit tax evasion, and said he had lied to the judge who accepted his guilty plea on the charge in 2018.Cohen told Hoffinger he did not dispute the facts of his guilty plea, but that he didn’t think he should’ve been charged with a crime “as a first-time offender who always paid his taxes on the due date.”Cohen also told jurors he lied repeatedly for Trump, including after Cohen paid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-gag-order-d853768fff5fafbdee55623579889140">porn actor Stormy Daniels</a>&nbsp;$130,000 to keep her from going public right before the 2016 election with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump.Asked by Hoffinger why he would do so, Cohen said: “Out of loyalty and in order to protect him.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715808638156.png" alt="An item of evidence for the defense and released from the New York Court" />
 <figcaption>An item of evidence for the defense and released from the New York Court</figcaption>
 </figure>NO LONGER LOYALCohen described to jurors how his life and relationship with Trump were upended after the FBI raided his office, apartment and hotel room in 2018. That would lead to Cohen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-general-news-ed1aead5539b4fc6b7e42cdd6cb8fd3d">pleading guilty to federal charges</a>&nbsp;and implicating Trump in the hush money scheme. Trump was never charged with any crime related to that federal investigation.Asked by the prosecutor how he felt at the time, Cohen said: “How to describe your life being turned upside-down? Concerned. Despondent. Angry."Initially, Cohen said he felt comforted because Trump, who was in the White House at the time, assured him not to worry. Trump’s lawyers were also continuing to pay his legal fees and he remained part of a joint-defense agreement with Trump and his lawyers, he testified.But his family eventually convinced him to turn on Trump, Cohen said.“My family, my wife, my daughter, my son, all said to me: ‘Why are you holding onto this loyalty? What are you doing? We’re supposed to be your first loyalty,’” Cohen told jurors.After Cohen’s guilty plea, Trump bashed him on Twitter, writing: “If anyone is looking for a good lawyer I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen!”DEFENSE'S TURN TO GRILLTrump's team opened their cross-examination by pressing Cohen about critical comments and vulgar social media posts he's made about the former president since the trial began. The defense's questions Tuesday didn't address the facts at the heart of the case but were designed to portray Cohen as a Trump-fixated loyalist who, spurned by his ex-boss, is now on a mission to get fame and revenge.“Is it fair to say you’re motivated by fame?” Blanche, Trump's lawyer, asked Cohen.“No sir, I don’t think that’s fair to say,” Cohen replied. Later he added — in response to a question about whether he was motivated by publicity — that he is "motivated by many things.”Blanche asked Cohen to listen through headphones to an October 2020 podcast episode in which the former lawyer said Trump needs to wear handcuffs and that “people will not be satisfied until this man is sitting inside a cell.”Cohen told Blanche he didn’t recall saying that, but added: "I wouldn’t put it past me.”Blanche also pressed Cohen on whether he wants to see Trump convicted in the case. Cohen initially hedged, saying: “I would like to see accountability. It’s not for me. It’s for the jury and this court.”But asked again, Cohen responded: “Sure.”GAG ORDER UPHELDWhile jurors were hearing testimony from Cohen, Trump suffered another legal blow when an appeals court upheld&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-gag-order-fae616037d3606cc60abbffb0e91f7ee">a gag order</a>&nbsp;that limits what he can say about the case.Trump had challenged the gag order, which bars the former president from commenting publicly about jurors, witnesses and others connected to the case, including the judge’s family and prosecutors other than District Attorney Alvin Bragg.The appeals court ruled that Judge Juan M. Merchan “properly determined” that Trump’s public statements “posed a significant threat to the integrity of the testimony of witnesses and potential witnesses.”Trump challenged restrictions on his ability to comment about Matthew Colangelo, a former Justice Department official who is a part of the prosecution team, and Merchan’s daughter, the head of a political consulting firm that has worked for Trump’s rival Joe Biden and other Democratic candidates.Trump’s lawyers argued the gag order is an unconstitutional curb on the presumptive Republican nominee’s free speech rights while he’s campaigning for president and fighting criminal charges. The judge has fined Trump for repeatedly violating the gag order and&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/$1,000%20on%20Monday%20and,%20in%20his%20sternest%20warning%20yet,%20told%20the%20former%20president%20that%20future%20gag%20order%20violations%20could%20send%20him%20to%20jail.">has warned the former president</a>&nbsp;that future violations could send him to jail.TRUMP'S SUPPORTERSLimited by what he can say publicly about the case, Trump has been joined at the courthouse by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-daniels-trial-rick-scott-3ae0d6eddb94d2ca1155b0266dc9d35c">a growing entourage</a>&nbsp;of Republican supporters who echo his complaints about the prosecution. U.S. House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;was the latest to do so Tuesday, attacking the legal system as “corrupt” and the case against Trump a “sham.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-speaker-mike-johnson-court-09aef3de395fa77843f2600f40da6ac3">It was a striking moment</a>, underscoring Trump's political power even as he stands trial on criminal charges.In remarks to reporters outside the courthouse, Johnson slammed Cohen as a man who has “trouble with the truth” and is “clearly on a mission for personal revenge.” Painting Trump as the victim of a politically motivated legal system, Johnson said the case is “not about justice."___

Read the transcript: Michael Cohen's testimony in Trump trial

Mental health is a hot topic in most states, but&nbsp;according&nbsp;to a national report, Kansas seems to have placed the mind at the bottom of the prioritization list.

In 2023, Mental Health America released its State of Mental Health in America report, which listed Kansas as 51st in the nation, including the District of Columbia, for access to mental health resources.

Earlier this month, the&nbsp;text-based mental health support app&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.counslr.com/">Counslr</a>&nbsp;announced its partnership with the Smoky Hill Education Center to help close this gap and broaden mental health access in the state.

Counslr is a text-based mental health support application that provides unlimited access to live texting sessions with licensed professionals 24/7/365. Users can access support on-demand within two minutes of opening the app or by scheduled appointment. Through real-time texting, users enjoy one-on-one, private communication with a licensed counselor anytime, anywhere

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/2c099e07-0936-4830-8e6a-20a854f74185">Off the Shelf — Mental Health Awareness Month</a>

According to a statement by Counslr, the partnership was launched with two school districts in Kansas and will expand across the state by 2024.&nbsp;

"We are excited to further bolster the investment in mental health support services offered within the community by partnering with Counslr," said Chris Moddelmog, Smoky Hill Education Center Executive Director. "This partnership ensures all members receive access to industry-leading mental health support."

The partnership launched with the Catholic Diocese of Salina and Clifton-Clyde Unified School District 224, with plans to roll out to more schools later this year.

Counslr will be available to students at the Catholic Diocese of Salina in grades 8-12 and was made possible with a grant from Salina Regional Health Foundation.

LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/9be80744-00fa-4247-aa9b-8cac43fad33f">🎙King in the Community — Vickee Spicer, Prairieland Market</a>

"We are pleased to begin working with the Smoky Hill Education Center to help reach the traditionally unreachable members of school communities throughout Kansas and empower those who need help but don't seek it," said Josh Liss, CEO and co-founder of Counslr.&nbsp;

Diane Mann, chief financial officer for the Smoky Hill Education Center, said Counslr reached out to them to form a partnership.&nbsp;

"They [Counslr] had talked to someone at the Kansas State Department of Education, and they suggested that they reach out to the service centers because they wanted to get into the State of Kansas," Mann said. "I visited with Chris and two other staff members who work in this area, and we decided we wanted to participate with them and become partners."

Counslr&nbsp;was designed&nbsp;to help individuals deal with&nbsp;life's day-to-day issues, empowering&nbsp;individuals&nbsp;to address concerns while they are&nbsp;"small"&nbsp;to help ensure&nbsp;that&nbsp;they stay&nbsp;"small."

Moddlemog said the education center serves as a vetting process for businesses looking to partner with schools.&nbsp;

"Businesses always want to work with schools," Moddelmog said. "They're [businesses] calling them and saying, 'Hey, we want to sell you this.' But that's one of the roles that the service center plays, we always want to make sure that those companies are reputable, and that they're offering a good product or a good service for our member schools."

Moddlemog said that was the case with Counslr.

"One of the things that was attractive about Counslr is that it is text-based and we know that with young people today, that's one of their preferred methods of communication," Moddelmog said. "The other thing that we liked about text-based is just about everybody has the means in their pocket. You may not be able to Zoom, but we just like the ease of use with the text-based model. 

Counslr partners with organizations of all shapes and sizes (companies, unions, nonprofits, universities/colleges, high schools,&nbsp;etc.) so that these entities can provide&nbsp;Counslr's services to their employees/members/students at no direct cost.&nbsp;

"With such a meaningful percentage of students who use Counslr having never previously engaged with a school counselor, we're hopeful that Counslr will play a role in extending the reach of school-sponsored resources to serve previously unserved populations," Liss said.&nbsp;

For more information on Counslr, please&nbsp;visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=YuQYt2USJyJqnFX5aA-AvdknfaiYZi9jOkugtIl3MPGpTrebkOH2Hhn7Q_kk_nP7Jc2hP6D7wOmws0mK2H275A==">www.counslr.com</a>.

A Board of Directors - composed of one board member from each of the SHESC "clusters" (a group of Charter school district members)&nbsp;- governs the Smoky Hill Education Service Center. A Superintendents&nbsp;Advisory Council advises&nbsp;the Board of Directors.

Smoky Hill Education Service Center provides staff development and services to more than 2,700 teachers and administrators. The increased&nbsp;knowledge and skills of teachers benefit more than 31,000 students.

Providing&nbsp;ongoing, quality, outcome-directed staff development in a&nbsp;variety of areas.

Saving&nbsp;you money through a cooperative purchasing program.

Offering&nbsp;consultation and services in curriculum development, assessment, and school improvement.

Offering&nbsp;cooperative, cost-efficient services that are too difficult or expensive to support individually.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715695598672.png" alt="Image Courtesy Counslr" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy Counslr</figcaption>
 </figure> By NATE KING Salina PostMental health is a hot topic in most states, but&nbsp;according&nbsp;to a national report, Kansas seems to have placed the mind at the bottom of the prioritization list.In 2023, Mental Health America released its State of Mental Health in America report, which listed Kansas as 51st in the nation, including the District of Columbia, for access to mental health resources.Earlier this month, the&nbsp;text-based mental health support app&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.counslr.com/">Counslr</a>&nbsp;announced its partnership with the Smoky Hill Education Center to help close this gap and broaden mental health access in the state.Counslr is a text-based mental health support application that provides unlimited access to live texting sessions with licensed professionals 24/7/365. Users can access support on-demand within two minutes of opening the app or by scheduled appointment. Through real-time texting, users enjoy one-on-one, private communication with a licensed counselor anytime, anywhereREAD MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/2c099e07-0936-4830-8e6a-20a854f74185">Off the Shelf — Mental Health Awareness Month</a>According to a statement by Counslr, the partnership was launched with two school districts in Kansas and will expand across the state by 2024.&nbsp;"We are excited to further bolster the investment in mental health support services offered within the community by partnering with Counslr," said Chris Moddelmog, Smoky Hill Education Center Executive Director. "This partnership ensures all members receive access to industry-leading mental health support."The partnership launched with the Catholic Diocese of Salina and Clifton-Clyde Unified School District 224, with plans to roll out to more schools later this year.Counslr will be available to students at the Catholic Diocese of Salina in grades 8-12 and was made possible with a grant from Salina Regional Health Foundation.LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/9be80744-00fa-4247-aa9b-8cac43fad33f">🎙King in the Community — Vickee Spicer, Prairieland Market</a>"We are pleased to begin working with the Smoky Hill Education Center to help reach the traditionally unreachable members of school communities throughout Kansas and empower those who need help but don't seek it," said Josh Liss, CEO and co-founder of Counslr.&nbsp;Diane Mann, chief financial officer for the Smoky Hill Education Center, said Counslr reached out to them to form a partnership.&nbsp;"They [Counslr] had talked to someone at the Kansas State Department of Education, and they suggested that they reach out to the service centers because they wanted to get into the State of Kansas," Mann said. "I visited with Chris and two other staff members who work in this area, and we decided we wanted to participate with them and become partners."Counslr&nbsp;was designed&nbsp;to help individuals deal with&nbsp;life's day-to-day issues, empowering&nbsp;individuals&nbsp;to address concerns while they are&nbsp;"small"&nbsp;to help ensure&nbsp;that&nbsp;they stay&nbsp;"small."Moddlemog said the education center serves as a vetting process for businesses looking to partner with schools.&nbsp;"Businesses always want to work with schools," Moddelmog said. "They're [businesses] calling them and saying, 'Hey, we want to sell you this.' But that's one of the roles that the service center plays, we always want to make sure that those companies are reputable, and that they're offering a good product or a good service for our member schools."Moddlemog said that was the case with Counslr."One of the things that was attractive about Counslr is that it is text-based and we know that with young people today, that's one of their preferred methods of communication," Moddelmog said. "The other thing that we liked about text-based is just about everybody has the means in their pocket. You may not be able to Zoom, but we just like the ease of use with the text-based model. Counslr partners with organizations of all shapes and sizes (companies, unions, nonprofits, universities/colleges, high schools,&nbsp;etc.) so that these entities can provide&nbsp;Counslr's services to their employees/members/students at no direct cost.&nbsp;"With such a meaningful percentage of students who use Counslr having never previously engaged with a school counselor, we're hopeful that Counslr will play a role in extending the reach of school-sponsored resources to serve previously unserved populations," Liss said.&nbsp;For more information on Counslr, please&nbsp;visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=YuQYt2USJyJqnFX5aA-AvdknfaiYZi9jOkugtIl3MPGpTrebkOH2Hhn7Q_kk_nP7Jc2hP6D7wOmws0mK2H275A==">www.counslr.com</a>.<h2>The Smoky Hill Education Center</h2>The GovernanceA Board of Directors - composed of one board member from each of the SHESC "clusters" (a group of Charter school district members)&nbsp;- governs the Smoky Hill Education Service Center. A Superintendents&nbsp;Advisory Council advises&nbsp;the Board of Directors.The ClienteleSmoky Hill Education Service Center provides staff development and services to more than 2,700 teachers and administrators. The increased&nbsp;knowledge and skills of teachers benefit more than 31,000 students.The BenefitsProviding&nbsp;ongoing, quality, outcome-directed staff development in a&nbsp;variety of areas.Saving&nbsp;you money through a cooperative purchasing program.Offering&nbsp;consultation and services in curriculum development, assessment, and school improvement.Offering&nbsp;cooperative, cost-efficient services that are too difficult or expensive to support individually.

Text-based mental health support app partners with Smoky Hill Education Center

One of the region’s most fun,&nbsp;family friendly&nbsp;and affordable running/walking events is&nbsp;making some changes to&nbsp;its format this year.

 The 9th annual Fe for A Cure 5K Race/Walk is adding a 1-mile fun run to its festivities and will move to an earlier 8 a.m. start time on Saturday, Sept. 21.&nbsp;One-hundred&nbsp;percent of entry fees once again will be directed to support patients undergoing treatment at the Tammy Walker Cancer Center.

The USATF-certified 5K, which&nbsp;starts and finishes on Santa Fe Avenue in front of the Cancer Center,&nbsp;will&nbsp;start&nbsp;at 8 a.m.&nbsp;The course takes runners through Salina’s historic downtown corridor and&nbsp;winds back&nbsp;through two of Salina’s iconic parks along the Smoky Hill River Channel. The 1-mile fun run will commence from the same start/finish line at 8:10 a.m.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/62f4d102-d455-4876-a9ea-b3d164a098e3">📸 Graduation in Saline County — Ell-Saline, KWU and Sacred Heart</a>

“The changes and additions&nbsp;are based&nbsp;on community feedback following last year’s race,” said Marla McElderry, executive director at the Salina Regional Health Foundation. “The earlier start time accommodates many families’ busy Saturday schedules, and the 1-mile event allows more casual runners and walkers to participate if they feel they’re not quite up to completing a full 5K.”

Event organizers have set a goal of&nbsp;having&nbsp;1,000 registered participants for this year’s race. Last year’s event had&nbsp;791 registered participants. Registration is $25 for ages 12 and older and $10 for ages 11 and younger. All who register will receive a commemorative&nbsp;t-shirt. Cancer&nbsp;survivors who register will receive specially designated&nbsp;t-shirts.

Those who can’t make the event,&nbsp;but would like to receive a t-shirt to support the cause,&nbsp;can register as&nbsp;a “Couch Potato.” Donations&nbsp;also are&nbsp;welcome.&nbsp;All race and registration information can be found&nbsp;online at <a href="http://feforacure.com">feforacure.com</a>.

All donations and entry fees&nbsp;are directed&nbsp;to support patient services at the Cancer Center&nbsp;including, but not limited to:

• Appearance Center hats, scarves&nbsp;wigs&nbsp;and other personal care items

• Rebecca A. Morrison House patient accommodations

A Corporate Challenge recognizing organizations with the most participants from small, medium and&nbsp;large-sized&nbsp;businesses is&nbsp;included as&nbsp;part of this year’s festivities&nbsp;again.&nbsp;Special recognition will be given&nbsp;to area cancer survivors in attendance. Food also will be available to participants following the race.

The event&nbsp;is&nbsp;presented by the Salina Regional Health Foundation, Meridian Media and North Salina Community Development.

LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/9be80744-00fa-4247-aa9b-8cac43fad33f">🎙King in the Community — Vickee Spicer, Prairieland Market</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715632794675.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Event organizers have set a goal of having 1,000 registered participants this year. Image Courtesy Salina Regional Health Foundation" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Event organizers have set a goal of having 1,000 registered participants this year. Image Courtesy Salina Regional Health Foundation</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedOne of the region’s most fun,&nbsp;family friendly&nbsp;and affordable running/walking events is&nbsp;making some changes to&nbsp;its format this year. The 9th annual Fe for A Cure 5K Race/Walk is adding a 1-mile fun run to its festivities and will move to an earlier 8 a.m. start time on Saturday, Sept. 21.&nbsp;One-hundred&nbsp;percent of entry fees once again will be directed to support patients undergoing treatment at the Tammy Walker Cancer Center.The USATF-certified 5K, which&nbsp;starts and finishes on Santa Fe Avenue in front of the Cancer Center,&nbsp;will&nbsp;start&nbsp;at 8 a.m.&nbsp;The course takes runners through Salina’s historic downtown corridor and&nbsp;winds back&nbsp;through two of Salina’s iconic parks along the Smoky Hill River Channel. The 1-mile fun run will commence from the same start/finish line at 8:10 a.m.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/62f4d102-d455-4876-a9ea-b3d164a098e3">📸 Graduation in Saline County — Ell-Saline, KWU and Sacred Heart</a>“The changes and additions&nbsp;are based&nbsp;on community feedback following last year’s race,” said Marla McElderry, executive director at the Salina Regional Health Foundation. “The earlier start time accommodates many families’ busy Saturday schedules, and the 1-mile event allows more casual runners and walkers to participate if they feel they’re not quite up to completing a full 5K.”Event organizers have set a goal of&nbsp;having&nbsp;1,000 registered participants for this year’s race. Last year’s event had&nbsp;791 registered participants. Registration is $25 for ages 12 and older and $10 for ages 11 and younger. All who register will receive a commemorative&nbsp;t-shirt. Cancer&nbsp;survivors who register will receive specially designated&nbsp;t-shirts.Those who can’t make the event,&nbsp;but would like to receive a t-shirt to support the cause,&nbsp;can register as&nbsp;a “Couch Potato.” Donations&nbsp;also are&nbsp;welcome.&nbsp;All race and registration information can be found&nbsp;online at <a href="http://feforacure.com">feforacure.com</a>.All donations and entry fees&nbsp;are directed&nbsp;to support patient services at the Cancer Center&nbsp;including, but not limited to:• Appearance Center hats, scarves&nbsp;wigs&nbsp;and other personal care items• Nutrition supplements• Transportation assistance• Patient Meal Program• Rebecca A. Morrison House patient accommodationsA Corporate Challenge recognizing organizations with the most participants from small, medium and&nbsp;large-sized&nbsp;businesses is&nbsp;included as&nbsp;part of this year’s festivities&nbsp;again.&nbsp;Special recognition will be given&nbsp;to area cancer survivors in attendance. Food also will be available to participants following the race.The event&nbsp;is&nbsp;presented by the Salina Regional Health Foundation, Meridian Media and North Salina Community Development.LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/9be80744-00fa-4247-aa9b-8cac43fad33f">🎙King in the Community — Vickee Spicer, Prairieland Market</a>

Fe for a Cure Race/Walk announces new 1-mile fun run, earlier start time

Steven K. Howe, a Republican from Salina, has completed the necessary paperwork to become a candidate for the Republican nomination for State Representative in Kansas House District 71.

“It has been an honor to serve the people of the 71st District,"said Howe. "With the state treasury having an ending balance of nearly $4 billion dollars, I have consistently supported measures to bring tax relief to all Kansans. As Chairman of the Higher Education Budget Committee, I have advocated for Salina Area Technical College and Kansas State University of Salina - both of which are seeing positive growth in enrollment. Building the talent pipeline will continue to be a priority for me if elected. I have also used my position on the Committee on Appropriations to support balanced budgets and oppose the expansion of government.”

During Representative Howe’s time in office he played an integral role in passing a resolution calling for a Convention of States for the purposes of proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that impose limits on the federal government including term limits for Members of Congress. 

“For thirteen-plus years I had the high honor of working in both our nation’s Capital and in a district office for two members of Congress from Kansas," Howe said. "When I first started on Capitol Hill in 2003, it was not too far after the 9-11 terrorist attacks and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) was in full swing, and it was just before the lead up to the War in Iraq, which was also known as Operation Iraqi Freedom. During that time the national debt was $6.7 trillion and the Debt-to-GDP ratio was 59%."

"Compare that with today, where our national debt surpassed $34 trillion dollars this year, and the Debt-to-GDP ratio is over 120%. During that time we’ve had two Republican Presidents, two Democrat Presidents, and both parties have controlled Congress at different points," Howe said. "Campaign promises are made and broken, and the American people often feel jaded and powerless - like nothing will ever change, no matter who they send to Congress. What can possibly address this? Is there hope? I believe so. That hope is found in Article 5 of the U.S. Constitution.”

Representative Howe also led the charge in the Legislature to pass a law which prohibits Kansas public colleges and universities from requiring statements on diversity, equity and inclusion as a condition for employment, promotion, admissions or student aid.

“I am glad the Governor and the majority of the Kansas Legislature stand in support of academic freedom, intellectual diversity and freedom of speech on our college campuses. In recent years many colleges and universities have required students and faculty to pledge their allegiance to a politicized understanding of “diversity, equity and inclusion” as a condition for employment and promotion," Howe said. "Loyalty oaths and political litmus tests are not constitutional, and that is why I introduced and worked to pass this bill which is supported by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).”

This past session Representative Howe worked to fully fund K-12 education, and fought to ensure the formula for special education funding was not changed to the detriment of students and their families.

 “The state needs to fully fund special education as the state statute requires paying 92% of excess costs. Since the inception of special education reforms of the 1970’s, the federal government has never fulfilled their commitment of providing states up to 40% of funding. With the school finance formula set to expire in 2027, it is important to send elected officials to the Legislature who are willing to listen, learn and work to support our students, teachers and their families," Howe said.&nbsp;

Representative Howe is known for his commitment to be home each night with his family. Every day during this session, Representative Howe drove from Salina to Topeka and back - traveling nearly 10,000 miles. 

“As a husband, and father of five children, it is important for me to be home each night. I am grateful for the love and support of my family as they allow me to serve. I look forward to running a positive campaign that listens, encourages civility, and promotes a stronger Salina and Saline County," Howe said.

For more information about Steven Howe’s candidacy for State Representative, please visit his campaign website at <a href="http://www.stevenkhowe.com">www.stevenkhowe.com</a>.

Howe can be reached at HoweKS71@gmail.com or 785-643-1606.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715621835807.jpeg" alt="Representative Howe speaks on the House floor in support of a resolution honoring the Kansas Mission of Mercy which held a free dental clinic in Salina in January at the Tony's Pizza Event Center January 12-13. Image Courtesy&nbsp; Steven Howe campaign" />
 <figcaption>Representative Howe speaks on the House floor in support of a resolution honoring the Kansas Mission of Mercy which held a free dental clinic in Salina in January at the Tony's Pizza Event Center January 12-13. Image Courtesy&nbsp; Steven Howe campaign</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedSteven K. Howe, a Republican from Salina, has completed the necessary paperwork to become a candidate for the Republican nomination for State Representative in Kansas House District 71.“It has been an honor to serve the people of the 71st District,"said Howe. "With the state treasury having an ending balance of nearly $4 billion dollars, I have consistently supported measures to bring tax relief to all Kansans. As Chairman of the Higher Education Budget Committee, I have advocated for Salina Area Technical College and Kansas State University of Salina - both of which are seeing positive growth in enrollment. Building the talent pipeline will continue to be a priority for me if elected. I have also used my position on the Committee on Appropriations to support balanced budgets and oppose the expansion of government.”During Representative Howe’s time in office he played an integral role in passing a resolution calling for a Convention of States for the purposes of proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that impose limits on the federal government including term limits for Members of Congress. “For thirteen-plus years I had the high honor of working in both our nation’s Capital and in a district office for two members of Congress from Kansas," Howe said. "When I first started on Capitol Hill in 2003, it was not too far after the 9-11 terrorist attacks and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) was in full swing, and it was just before the lead up to the War in Iraq, which was also known as Operation Iraqi Freedom. During that time the national debt was $6.7 trillion and the Debt-to-GDP ratio was 59%.""Compare that with today, where our national debt surpassed $34 trillion dollars this year, and the Debt-to-GDP ratio is over 120%. During that time we’ve had two Republican Presidents, two Democrat Presidents, and both parties have controlled Congress at different points," Howe said. "Campaign promises are made and broken, and the American people often feel jaded and powerless - like nothing will ever change, no matter who they send to Congress. What can possibly address this? Is there hope? I believe so. That hope is found in Article 5 of the U.S. Constitution.”Representative Howe also led the charge in the Legislature to pass a law which prohibits Kansas public colleges and universities from requiring statements on diversity, equity and inclusion as a condition for employment, promotion, admissions or student aid.“I am glad the Governor and the majority of the Kansas Legislature stand in support of academic freedom, intellectual diversity and freedom of speech on our college campuses. In recent years many colleges and universities have required students and faculty to pledge their allegiance to a politicized understanding of “diversity, equity and inclusion” as a condition for employment and promotion," Howe said. "Loyalty oaths and political litmus tests are not constitutional, and that is why I introduced and worked to pass this bill which is supported by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).”This past session Representative Howe worked to fully fund K-12 education, and fought to ensure the formula for special education funding was not changed to the detriment of students and their families. “The state needs to fully fund special education as the state statute requires paying 92% of excess costs. Since the inception of special education reforms of the 1970’s, the federal government has never fulfilled their commitment of providing states up to 40% of funding. With the school finance formula set to expire in 2027, it is important to send elected officials to the Legislature who are willing to listen, learn and work to support our students, teachers and their families," Howe said.&nbsp;Representative Howe is known for his commitment to be home each night with his family. Every day during this session, Representative Howe drove from Salina to Topeka and back - traveling nearly 10,000 miles. “As a husband, and father of five children, it is important for me to be home each night. I am grateful for the love and support of my family as they allow me to serve. I look forward to running a positive campaign that listens, encourages civility, and promotes a stronger Salina and Saline County," Howe said.For more information about Steven Howe’s candidacy for State Representative, please visit his campaign website at <a href="http://www.stevenkhowe.com">www.stevenkhowe.com</a>. Howe can be reached at HoweKS71@gmail.com or 785-643-1606.

Republican Steven Howe files for state representative

<a href="mailto:%20melgares@ksu.edu" target="_blank">By PAT MELGARES </a>K-State Research and Extension news service

Sometimes, the simplest things can help families stay within their monthly budget, says K-State family resource management specialist Elizabeth Kiss.

There are, for certain, common ways to save a few bucks this summer: turn down the air conditioner a tad, shut off the lights when you leave a room, watch less TV, draw the curtains when the sun is shining in.

“But maybe there’s another way to think about saving money,” Kiss said.

“We’re coming into the longer days of summer, so think about what we can do outside that might not cost so much money, especially before it gets really hot. Maybe it’s just walking around the neighborhood, hanging out with your family outside in the yard. There are a lot of activities you can do instead of ‘doing something’ or ‘going somewhere’ that costs money.”

Listen to an interview by Jeff Wichman with Elizabeth Kiss on the weekly radio program,&nbsp;Sound Living

During the recent COVID pandemic, the ‘Stay-cation’ became more popular, as families were forced to stay home rather than travel for vacation. The concept caught on, and even as the world opened up, many saw value in planning activities around their home base.

“It’s a lot less stressful than traveling, and it’s a chance to unwind,” Kiss said. “Sometimes we schedule a vacation thinking we’ve got to go somewhere and we’ve got to do something and be active and that involves a lot of eating out and traveling. But there’s nothing wrong with staying around the house and doing some project, or just relaxing.”

Feeling time- or money-stretched is a sign that one needs to slow down and think about how they’re spending their time, Kiss said. It often can coincide with a boost to the family’s savings account, she adds.

“When I think about managing my family’s resources, it includes intentional, thoughtful choices that we all can make, but sometimes we get on auto pilot, ” Kiss said. “I go to the grocery store and buy the same thing every week. That’s an opportunity for me to intentionally review what I’m regularly buying and eating.”

“I read a book recently about rhythms – the rhythm of your day, the rhythm of your week and year. And then we have rituals, which are more like the daily things we do. It’s important to match the rhythms of your life to the rituals that you want in order to have a good life, and I think planning ahead can be very helpful to cut down on the stress in your life.”

Food costs always seem to rise to the forefront when thinking of saving money. Kiss says consumers should plan their family’s menu in order to cut the bite of rising costs at the grocery store.

“I just want to be clear: this is not all so serious that you can’t have any fun or you can’t have any treats. I think it gets back to intentionality of what it is you’re trying to accomplish.”

She adds that “finances are a process.”

“There are ebbs and flows in managing money. We have different needs and wants. We have different income levels over time and across our lives. And so, it’s not like you make a plan that lasts forever. You make a plan and then see how it works, and then adjust from there.”

More information on personal well-being, including family resource management, is also available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html">local extension offices in Kansas</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715617279980.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy KSRE&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy KSRE&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="mailto:%20melgares@ksu.edu" target="_blank">By PAT MELGARES </a>K-State Research and Extension news serviceSometimes, the simplest things can help families stay within their monthly budget, says K-State family resource management specialist Elizabeth Kiss.There are, for certain, common ways to save a few bucks this summer: turn down the air conditioner a tad, shut off the lights when you leave a room, watch less TV, draw the curtains when the sun is shining in.“But maybe there’s another way to think about saving money,” Kiss said.“We’re coming into the longer days of summer, so think about what we can do outside that might not cost so much money, especially before it gets really hot. Maybe it’s just walking around the neighborhood, hanging out with your family outside in the yard. There are a lot of activities you can do instead of ‘doing something’ or ‘going somewhere’ that costs money.”<h2>Listen to an interview by Jeff Wichman with Elizabeth Kiss on the weekly radio program,&nbsp;Sound Living</h2><div><iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/31230692/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/backward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/512888/" height="90" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe></div>During the recent COVID pandemic, the ‘Stay-cation’ became more popular, as families were forced to stay home rather than travel for vacation. The concept caught on, and even as the world opened up, many saw value in planning activities around their home base.“It’s a lot less stressful than traveling, and it’s a chance to unwind,” Kiss said. “Sometimes we schedule a vacation thinking we’ve got to go somewhere and we’ve got to do something and be active and that involves a lot of eating out and traveling. But there’s nothing wrong with staying around the house and doing some project, or just relaxing.”Feeling time- or money-stretched is a sign that one needs to slow down and think about how they’re spending their time, Kiss said. It often can coincide with a boost to the family’s savings account, she adds.“When I think about managing my family’s resources, it includes intentional, thoughtful choices that we all can make, but sometimes we get on auto pilot, ” Kiss said. “I go to the grocery store and buy the same thing every week. That’s an opportunity for me to intentionally review what I’m regularly buying and eating.”“I read a book recently about rhythms – the rhythm of your day, the rhythm of your week and year. And then we have rituals, which are more like the daily things we do. It’s important to match the rhythms of your life to the rituals that you want in order to have a good life, and I think planning ahead can be very helpful to cut down on the stress in your life.”Food costs always seem to rise to the forefront when thinking of saving money. Kiss says consumers should plan their family’s menu in order to cut the bite of rising costs at the grocery store.“I just want to be clear: this is not all so serious that you can’t have any fun or you can’t have any treats. I think it gets back to intentionality of what it is you’re trying to accomplish.”She adds that “finances are a process.”“There are ebbs and flows in managing money. We have different needs and wants. We have different income levels over time and across our lives. And so, it’s not like you make a plan that lasts forever. You make a plan and then see how it works, and then adjust from there.”More information on personal well-being, including family resource management, is also available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html">local extension offices in Kansas</a>.

Back to simplicity — tips to save on the family’s budget this summer

The Salina Women's Fair, presented by Marshall Motors and sponsored by B&amp;K Prescription Shop, Mid America Productions, and 785 Med Spa, took place on May 9 at the Tony's Pizza Event Center, 800 The Midway in Salina. More than 300 community members, both men and women stopped by and participated in giveaways, received door prizes, and listened to LIVE entertainment.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715867700503.jpeg" alt="Roma Zachary, pictured in blue, accepts a Nutrl drink while at Women's Fair. Photo by Nate King" />
 <figcaption>Roma Zachary, pictured in blue, accepts a Nutrl drink while at Women's Fair. Photo by Nate King</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTThe Salina Women's Fair, presented by Marshall Motors and sponsored by B&amp;K Prescription Shop, Mid America Productions, and 785 Med Spa, took place on May 9 at the Tony's Pizza Event Center, 800 The Midway in Salina. More than 300 community members, both men and women stopped by and participated in giveaways, received door prizes, and listened to LIVE entertainment.&nbsp; See photos below<h2>2024 Salina Women's Fair</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715867772299.jpeg" alt="Event attendees had the chance to take a photo behind a glitzy frame. Salina Women's Fair held May 9, 2024.&nbsp;Photo Courtesy Lisa McDowell" />
 <figcaption>Event attendees had the chance to take a photo behind a glitzy frame. Salina Women's Fair held May 9, 2024.&nbsp;Photo Courtesy Lisa McDowell</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715867840993.jpeg" alt="Marshall Motors was one of the many vendors at 2024 Women's Fair.Photo Courtesy Lisa McDowell" />
 <figcaption>Marshall Motors was one of the many vendors at 2024 Women's Fair.Photo Courtesy Lisa McDowell</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715867925589.jpeg" alt="Riddle's Jewelry, a vendor at the Salina Women's Fair held May 9, 2024" />
 <figcaption>Riddle's Jewelry, a vendor at the Salina Women's Fair held May 9, 2024</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715868580983.jpeg" alt="Ghostown Revival Brent Magathen, on guitar, and Chris Cadle, on vocals, perform an acoustic set at the Salina Women's Fair held May 9, 2024.&nbsp;Image Courtesy Scott Walker" />
 <figcaption>Ghostown Revival Brent Magathen, on guitar, and Chris Cadle, on vocals, perform an acoustic set at the Salina Women's Fair held May 9, 2024.&nbsp;Image Courtesy Scott Walker</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715868221887.jpeg" alt="Red Fern Booksellers Owner Harley Hamilton, pictured seated left, speaks with fair attendees at the Salina Women's Fair held May 9, 2024. Photo by Nate King" />
 <figcaption>Red Fern Booksellers Owner Harley Hamilton, pictured seated left, speaks with fair attendees at the Salina Women's Fair held May 9, 2024. Photo by Nate King</figcaption>
 </figure>

📸 2024 Salina Women's Fair

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' Democratic governor on Friday vetoed a bill aimed at ensuring that child support payments cover fetuses, a measure critics saw as a move by anti-abortion groups toward&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/embryos-ivf-abortion-personhood-laws-ffe4f4d326469a97fef999254ca86eea">giving them the same rights</a>&nbsp;as the mothers-to-be carrying them.

The measure scuttled by Gov. Laura Kelly was similar to a Georgia law and measures introduced in at least five other states, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural. Supporters in the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature argued that they were trying to make sure that the costs associated with a pregnancy and a birth are covered.

But Kelly, a strong supporter of abortion rights, called the measure “a blatant attempt” by “extreme” lawmakers to control women and families' private medical decisions. She also said it conflicts with the will of voters statewide, who affirmed abortion rights in August 2022 — three years after the Kansas Supreme Court declared that the state constitution protects access to abortion as part of a “fundamental” right to bodily autonomy.

“Kansans already made it very clear that they don’t want lawmakers involved in personal matters," Kelly wrote. "It’s time we listen to them.”

The Legislature has long had supermajorities that oppose abortion and GOP lawmakers this year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-ban-law-states-kansas-lousiana-81e9da53aaa0903fdd958421bd941a3a">overrode Kelly's vetoes</a>&nbsp;of four other measures backed by anti-abortion groups.

“Now she won’t allow women to have the potential for additional child support," said Jeanne Gawdun, a lobbyist for Kansans for Life, the state's most politically influential anti-abortion group. “This will not deter those of us who actually have compassion for women in difficult situations.”

Legislators cannot consider overriding the latest veto because they adjourned their annual session May 1 — though they could pass another version during a special session Kelly has promised to call on cutting taxes.

Under the bill, judges would have had to consider the “direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses” of the mother before a child's birth, back to conception, in setting the child support payments required of either parent.

Abortion rights advocates nationally saw new reason to be concerned about proposals to treat embryos and fetuses as full persons following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-supreme-court-from-embryos-161390f0758b04a7638e2ddea20df7ca">an Alabama Supreme Court ruling</a>&nbsp;in February declaring that frozen embryos could be considered children under that state's laws.

But supporters of the child support bill said Kansas has long granted some legal protections to fetuses.

Kansas has had&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_054_0000_article/021_054_0019_section/021_054_0019_k/">a law in place since 2007</a>&nbsp;that allows people to face separate charges for what it considers crimes against fetuses — including assault, manslaughter and even capital murder.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/statute/065_000_0000_chapter/065_067_0000_article/065_067_0032_section/065_067_0032_k/">A 2013 state law</a>&nbsp;also declares that “unborn children have interests in life, health and well-being,” though it isn’t enforced as a limit on abortion.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704940624118.png" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' Democratic governor on Friday vetoed a bill aimed at ensuring that child support payments cover fetuses, a measure critics saw as a move by anti-abortion groups toward&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/embryos-ivf-abortion-personhood-laws-ffe4f4d326469a97fef999254ca86eea">giving them the same rights</a>&nbsp;as the mothers-to-be carrying them.The measure scuttled by Gov. Laura Kelly was similar to a Georgia law and measures introduced in at least five other states, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural. Supporters in the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature argued that they were trying to make sure that the costs associated with a pregnancy and a birth are covered.But Kelly, a strong supporter of abortion rights, called the measure “a blatant attempt” by “extreme” lawmakers to control women and families' private medical decisions. She also said it conflicts with the will of voters statewide, who affirmed abortion rights in August 2022 — three years after the Kansas Supreme Court declared that the state constitution protects access to abortion as part of a “fundamental” right to bodily autonomy.“Kansans already made it very clear that they don’t want lawmakers involved in personal matters," Kelly wrote. "It’s time we listen to them.”The Legislature has long had supermajorities that oppose abortion and GOP lawmakers this year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-ban-law-states-kansas-lousiana-81e9da53aaa0903fdd958421bd941a3a">overrode Kelly's vetoes</a>&nbsp;of four other measures backed by anti-abortion groups.“Now she won’t allow women to have the potential for additional child support," said Jeanne Gawdun, a lobbyist for Kansans for Life, the state's most politically influential anti-abortion group. “This will not deter those of us who actually have compassion for women in difficult situations.”Legislators cannot consider overriding the latest veto because they adjourned their annual session May 1 — though they could pass another version during a special session Kelly has promised to call on cutting taxes.Under the bill, judges would have had to consider the “direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses” of the mother before a child's birth, back to conception, in setting the child support payments required of either parent.Abortion rights advocates nationally saw new reason to be concerned about proposals to treat embryos and fetuses as full persons following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-supreme-court-from-embryos-161390f0758b04a7638e2ddea20df7ca">an Alabama Supreme Court ruling</a>&nbsp;in February declaring that frozen embryos could be considered children under that state's laws.But supporters of the child support bill said Kansas has long granted some legal protections to fetuses.Kansas has had&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_054_0000_article/021_054_0019_section/021_054_0019_k/">a law in place since 2007</a>&nbsp;that allows people to face separate charges for what it considers crimes against fetuses — including assault, manslaughter and even capital murder.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/statute/065_000_0000_chapter/065_067_0000_article/065_067_0032_section/065_067_0032_k/">A 2013 state law</a>&nbsp;also declares that “unborn children have interests in life, health and well-being,” though it isn’t enforced as a limit on abortion.

Kansas governor vetoes a bill for extending child support to fetuses

Join 910KINA's Saturday Morning Show hosts Dave Foor and Nate King this Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.910kina.com/">910AM 107.5 FM.</a>

Hear highlights about community events, public affairs, and all things happening in Salina. Their approach is friendly, informative, and entertaining. To listen to past 910KINA Saturday Morning Shows head on over to the KINA podcast homepage&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/KINA&amp;embedOpened=true&amp;embedOpenedApp=song&amp;embedOpenedSong=910683and6831076845683KINA&amp;embedOpenedArtist=&amp;embedOpenedAlbum=">here.</a>&nbsp;

9:05-9:30 a.m. Jeff Hammond, Salina Parks and Recreation Director

9:30-10 a.m. Scott Abker, rural fire chief for Rural Fire District Three

10:00-10:30 a.m. Richard Kinney, talking about upcoming veterans appreciation events at Salina's Central Mall

10:30-11:00 Mary Landes, Founder of the Salina Innovation Foundation

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591971280271.jpeg" alt="KINA New logo Blue Black" />
 <figcaption>KINA New logo Blue Black</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTJoin 910KINA's Saturday Morning Show hosts Dave Foor and Nate King this Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.910kina.com/">910AM 107.5 FM.</a>Hear highlights about community events, public affairs, and all things happening in Salina. Their approach is friendly, informative, and entertaining. To listen to past 910KINA Saturday Morning Shows head on over to the KINA podcast homepage&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/KINA&amp;embedOpened=true&amp;embedOpenedApp=song&amp;embedOpenedSong=910683and6831076845683KINA&amp;embedOpenedArtist=&amp;embedOpenedAlbum=">here.</a>&nbsp;9:05-9:30 a.m. Jeff Hammond, Salina Parks and Recreation Director9:30-10 a.m. Scott Abker, rural fire chief for Rural Fire District Three10:00-10:30 a.m. Richard Kinney, talking about upcoming veterans appreciation events at Salina's Central Mall10:30-11:00 Mary Landes, Founder of the Salina Innovation Foundation

910 KINA Saturday Morning Show Lineup

‘You never know if it’s going to smell like sewage,’ a resident says of her tap water

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/05/08/dirty-water-inconsistent-billing-plague-neighborhood-near-salina/">By ALLISON KITE</a> Kansas Reflector

SALINE COUNTY —&nbsp;Misty Livingston-Holmes has lived most of her life in her subdivision northwest of Salina.

She loved growing up there, and after leaving home for a few years, she moved back to take care of her grandmother in her old age. Much of her family has lived in the modest neighborhood of mobile homes.

But if she had known when she returned that the water would become undrinkable — and&nbsp;at times&nbsp;not run at all — she’s not sure she would have done it.

“You never know if it’s going to smell like sewage, if it’s going to smell like chlorine, if it’s going to come out clear or if it’s going to come out brown or black,” Livingston-Holmes said.

For years now, Livingston-Holmes and her neighbors have been struggling with boil advisories, cloudy or even dark brown water, and inconsistent billing — plus, periods where they don’t have water at all. Earlier this year, when a polar freeze shut down a well pump, some residents of Sundowner West Meadows Mobile Home Park reported not having water for more than a week.

Felicia Sylvia, who moved to Sundowner West with her husband and children 10 years ago, said she doesn’t drink the water or use it to cook. She only uses it for washing clothes and bathing.

“I don’t even feel OK boiling eggs in that water or rinsing my fruit or anything,” Sylvia said.

And when residents try to take their issues up with their water provider, Livingston-Holmes and Sylvia said, they get nowhere.

Over the past few months, the situation has become so dire that residents began reaching out to anyone they could find, catching the attention of state Rep. Susan Concannon, a Republican from Beloit who represents the area. Concannon said she couldn’t imagine it getting any worse.

“It’s a public utility and there were several years here of no oversight whatsoever, and he was just doing whatever he wanted and bullying these families,” Concannon said of Scott Kolling, who acquired the water system at Sundowner in 2021.

Now, Kolling is facing accusations from state regulators that he has run the service without registering with the state, shut off customers’ water in violation of regulations, and failed to consistently monitor the water for contaminants, according to records from the Kansas Corporation Commission and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Kolling referred questions to his attorney, Ed Watson, who did not respond to emails seeking an interview.

In a brief phone conversation, Kolling said the water is safe. He said he was waiting on several test results and will say more in the future.

“Some of the rumors and stuff that’s been going around are not completely the facts,” Kolling said. “When we make a statement, I want to make sure the facts are being told.”

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/474c678e-5363-4835-b4cd-6c00822df466">UPDATED: KDHE replaces boil water advisory with do not drink advisory for Sundowner Community</a>

KDHE, the state agency that regulates water quality, said in a statement that Kolling had hired a contractor to help with treatment of the water and there were no reported water quality issues.

“The agency will continue to monitor this issue as it works closely with the local government, the property owners/operators, and the residents of Sundowner Mobile Home Park,” KDHE’s communications director, Jill Bronaugh, said in an email.

Sundowner, which lies northwest of Salina, is secluded, tucked in between farms along gently sloping country roads. It offers residents a chance to buy a modest residence — a mobile home set on a permanent foundation.

Advertisements in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/2759551/">Salina Journal</a>&nbsp;in the late 1970s beckoned residents with the promise of owning the lot under their mobile homes to “turn rental payments into an investment.”

But of the lots developers drew up in their plans for a large rural neighborhood, only a few dozen were ever built. At one end of the subdivision are rows of mobile homes, but at the other, bare lots surround sporadically placed houses. Looking downhill to the southwest from Livingston-Holmes’ front porch, one can see two mostly empty streets where the homes developers anticipated never materialized.

When Sylvia’s family moved to Sundowner 10 years ago, “everything was great,” she said.

The water was clean and her family paid their bill along with the rent for the lot where their mobile home sits. Sylvia said the quality started to decline just before Kolling took over.

When Sylvia fills her bathtub, the water looks like it contains urine. It leaves a stain where the kitchen faucet drips into the sink. She mixes instant coffee with bottled water rather than using the tap to brew coffee.

She has recommended several loved ones move out to Sundowner, but she always includes a warning about the water.

“You tell your neighbors, ‘Don’t drink it,’ ” Sylvia said.

Even without drinking it, the water takes its toll —&nbsp;drying out her hair and skin.

And in January, Sylvia’s family of six was without water completely for days.

Starting in mid-January when temperatures in Salina plunged below zero, Sundowner residents’ water stopped working. The cold weather caused the pumps that draw groundwater to the surface to lose power, according to a report filed with the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Staff of the KCC said in the report that the issue wasn’t repaired for three to five days and noted residents complained of inadequate service for weeks.

Sylvia said her family were among the last residents to see water service restored.

“I’m an understanding person,” Sylvia said. “I know that we’re all human and things happen, but if you’re going to have something, you have to take care of it.”

In her kitchen, Livingston-Holmes filled a plastic water bottle from the kitchen faucet and set it on the counter next to a glass of water filled from her dispenser of bottled water. The tap water was almost opaque. Next to the clear bottled water, it was obviously cloudy.

Sometimes, Livingston-Holmes said, the water is brown. And it alternates between smelling like sewer water and pool water overloaded with chlorine.

Outside, she fills another bottle from the faucet where the hose connects. She points to the black flecks floating in the water, which she says are manganese. A prolonged struggle with elevated levels of manganese has spurred KDHE to advise residents not to make infant formula with their tap water.

After sampling Livingston-Holmes’ water in January, KDHE gave her literature about the potential risks of manganese, including a warning not to boil the water, cook with it or use it to make ice.

Months later, in April, Sundowner’s water system lost power again, and KDHE issued a boil water advisory despite its previous advice to Livingston-Holmes. Boil water advisories are typical when a water utility loses pressure because bacteria can be introduced into the system.&nbsp;

But within hours, KDHE received updated manganese results at levels high enough that the agency told residents to stop drinking their water at all because boiling it to eliminate bacteria would only concentrate the manganese. The water, KDHE said in a “do not drink” notice, had even higher concentrations of manganese than it did three months before.

LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/aaca2ed1-857d-4744-b012-194270a75e26">🎙King in the Community — Michelle Weis, Saline County Emergency Management Director</a>

Even when the “do not drink” advisory was lifted, KDHE left in place a health advisory about the manganese levels. According to the news release, parts of the distribution system have levels of manganese that could pose a health risk to infants. That remains in place, and the agency is awaiting further manganese testing results.

While manganese is not regulated, the Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of determining whether to set limits for the mineral, according to KDHE.

Manganese is an essential nutrient in small quantities. It’s found naturally in rocks, soil, water and food. But in large quantities, manganese exposure can cause learning or behavioral problems in children and may impact adults’ nervous systems. In large quantities, it can cause “manganism,” a disorder similar to Parkinson’s disease.

At the same time they were struggling with the quality of their water — and despite not using it for anything except bathing and washing clothes —&nbsp;residents at Sundowner have also reported inconsistent bills and high prices.

And Kolling, Livingston-Holmes and Sylvia said, is quick to lock up residents’ meters for nonpayment.

“There’s times that he won’t send you a bill for three months and then it will be a ridiculously high bill,” Livingston-Holmes said. “How do you expect people to pay their bill when you wait three months and then you want the payment tomorrow?”

Livingston-Holmes’ bills arrive inconsistently. A bar chart displaying her monthly usage at the bottom of her bill shows no usage some months compared with huge spikes in other months.

Sylvia and Livingston-Holmes both pay Kolling via Venmo and don’t receive a receipt for their payments, they said.

Sundowner’s water system is not registered as a public utility with the Kansas Corporation Commission. As a result, it’s difficult to know how much Kolling charges per gallon. And the state agency hasn’t been overseeing those rates as it’s supposed to.

“I don’t know how this flew under the radar and continued to fly under the radar even when I was calling … trying to get somebody to tell me that there was some oversight,” Concannon, the state representative, said.

Normally, public utilities —&nbsp;including water providers and electric and gas utilities —&nbsp;are registered with the Kansas Corporation Commission and have to receive state approval over their prices and abide by other regulations.

But Sundowner’s water system isn’t registered with the KCC.

After residents’ and Concannon’s inquiries, the KCC ordered Kolling to either register as a public utility or file documentation explaining why he thinks he shouldn’t have to.

Kolling has requested more time to file a response with the KCC. In the meantime, the order from regulators also requires that Kolling restore service to customers whose water had been shut off and notify customers in writing that their rates are subject to change and refund.

If the Kansas Corporation Commission finds that Kolling must register Sundowner’s water service as a public utility, the rates Kolling charges for water would become governed by the commission and residents could go to the state agency to report potential regulatory violations.

According to KCC documents, the agency has received 12 complaints from Sundowner residents ranging from inconsistent or inaccurate billing to double billing to unjustly shutting off their water service and poor water quality.

The KCC’s order requiring Kolling to explain why Sundowner shouldn’t be required to apply for regulatory oversight also instructed him to provide audited financial statements, water sales, income statements and other information to allow the KCC to review Sundowner’s water rates.

Sylvia said she doesn’t have any faith that problems with the water at Sundowner — both the quality and the billing — will end.

“If you told me today that I could drink my water,” she said, “I don’t think I would drink it.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715264546703.png" alt=" Misty Livingston-Holmes holds up a bottle of water filled from the spout outside her home. Black flecks she says are manganese float at the bottom. Livingston-Holmes and neighbors have been struggling with poor water quality and inconsistent bills. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Misty Livingston-Holmes holds up a bottle of water filled from the spout outside her home. Black flecks she says are manganese float at the bottom. Livingston-Holmes and neighbors have been struggling with poor water quality and inconsistent bills. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘You never know if it’s going to smell like sewage,’ a resident says of her tap water</h2><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/05/08/dirty-water-inconsistent-billing-plague-neighborhood-near-salina/">By ALLISON KITE</a> Kansas ReflectorSALINE COUNTY —&nbsp;Misty Livingston-Holmes has lived most of her life in her subdivision northwest of Salina.She loved growing up there, and after leaving home for a few years, she moved back to take care of her grandmother in her old age. Much of her family has lived in the modest neighborhood of mobile homes.But if she had known when she returned that the water would become undrinkable — and&nbsp;at times&nbsp;not run at all — she’s not sure she would have done it.“You never know if it’s going to smell like sewage, if it’s going to smell like chlorine, if it’s going to come out clear or if it’s going to come out brown or black,” Livingston-Holmes said.For years now, Livingston-Holmes and her neighbors have been struggling with boil advisories, cloudy or even dark brown water, and inconsistent billing — plus, periods where they don’t have water at all. Earlier this year, when a polar freeze shut down a well pump, some residents of Sundowner West Meadows Mobile Home Park reported not having water for more than a week.Felicia Sylvia, who moved to Sundowner West with her husband and children 10 years ago, said she doesn’t drink the water or use it to cook. She only uses it for washing clothes and bathing.“I don’t even feel OK boiling eggs in that water or rinsing my fruit or anything,” Sylvia said.And when residents try to take their issues up with their water provider, Livingston-Holmes and Sylvia said, they get nowhere.Over the past few months, the situation has become so dire that residents began reaching out to anyone they could find, catching the attention of state Rep. Susan Concannon, a Republican from Beloit who represents the area. Concannon said she couldn’t imagine it getting any worse.“It’s a public utility and there were several years here of no oversight whatsoever, and he was just doing whatever he wanted and bullying these families,” Concannon said of Scott Kolling, who acquired the water system at Sundowner in 2021.Now, Kolling is facing accusations from state regulators that he has run the service without registering with the state, shut off customers’ water in violation of regulations, and failed to consistently monitor the water for contaminants, according to records from the Kansas Corporation Commission and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.Kolling referred questions to his attorney, Ed Watson, who did not respond to emails seeking an interview.In a brief phone conversation, Kolling said the water is safe. He said he was waiting on several test results and will say more in the future.“Some of the rumors and stuff that’s been going around are not completely the facts,” Kolling said. “When we make a statement, I want to make sure the facts are being told.”READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/474c678e-5363-4835-b4cd-6c00822df466">UPDATED: KDHE replaces boil water advisory with do not drink advisory for Sundowner Community</a>KDHE, the state agency that regulates water quality, said in a statement that Kolling had hired a contractor to help with treatment of the water and there were no reported water quality issues.“The agency will continue to monitor this issue as it works closely with the local government, the property owners/operators, and the residents of Sundowner Mobile Home Park,” KDHE’s communications director, Jill Bronaugh, said in an email.<h2>‘Don’t drink it’</h2>Sundowner, which lies northwest of Salina, is secluded, tucked in between farms along gently sloping country roads. It offers residents a chance to buy a modest residence — a mobile home set on a permanent foundation.Advertisements in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/2759551/">Salina Journal</a>&nbsp;in the late 1970s beckoned residents with the promise of owning the lot under their mobile homes to “turn rental payments into an investment.”But of the lots developers drew up in their plans for a large rural neighborhood, only a few dozen were ever built. At one end of the subdivision are rows of mobile homes, but at the other, bare lots surround sporadically placed houses. Looking downhill to the southwest from Livingston-Holmes’ front porch, one can see two mostly empty streets where the homes developers anticipated never materialized.When Sylvia’s family moved to Sundowner 10 years ago, “everything was great,” she said.The water was clean and her family paid their bill along with the rent for the lot where their mobile home sits. Sylvia said the quality started to decline just before Kolling took over.When Sylvia fills her bathtub, the water looks like it contains urine. It leaves a stain where the kitchen faucet drips into the sink. She mixes instant coffee with bottled water rather than using the tap to brew coffee.She has recommended several loved ones move out to Sundowner, but she always includes a warning about the water.“You tell your neighbors, ‘Don’t drink it,’ ” Sylvia said.Even without drinking it, the water takes its toll —&nbsp;drying out her hair and skin.And in January, Sylvia’s family of six was without water completely for days.Starting in mid-January when temperatures in Salina plunged below zero, Sundowner residents’ water stopped working. The cold weather caused the pumps that draw groundwater to the surface to lose power, according to a report filed with the Kansas Corporation Commission.Staff of the KCC said in the report that the issue wasn’t repaired for three to five days and noted residents complained of inadequate service for weeks.Sylvia said her family were among the last residents to see water service restored.“I’m an understanding person,” Sylvia said. “I know that we’re all human and things happen, but if you’re going to have something, you have to take care of it.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715264447615.png" alt=" A bottle of water filled from Misty Livingston-Holmes’ kitchen sink appears cloudy compared to the glass of water filled from her dispenser of bottled water. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> A bottle of water filled from Misty Livingston-Holmes’ kitchen sink appears cloudy compared to the glass of water filled from her dispenser of bottled water. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Conflicting instructions</h2>In her kitchen, Livingston-Holmes filled a plastic water bottle from the kitchen faucet and set it on the counter next to a glass of water filled from her dispenser of bottled water. The tap water was almost opaque. Next to the clear bottled water, it was obviously cloudy.Sometimes, Livingston-Holmes said, the water is brown. And it alternates between smelling like sewer water and pool water overloaded with chlorine.Outside, she fills another bottle from the faucet where the hose connects. She points to the black flecks floating in the water, which she says are manganese. A prolonged struggle with elevated levels of manganese has spurred KDHE to advise residents not to make infant formula with their tap water.After sampling Livingston-Holmes’ water in January, KDHE gave her literature about the potential risks of manganese, including a warning not to boil the water, cook with it or use it to make ice.Months later, in April, Sundowner’s water system lost power again, and KDHE issued a boil water advisory despite its previous advice to Livingston-Holmes. Boil water advisories are typical when a water utility loses pressure because bacteria can be introduced into the system.&nbsp;But within hours, KDHE received updated manganese results at levels high enough that the agency told residents to stop drinking their water at all because boiling it to eliminate bacteria would only concentrate the manganese. The water, KDHE said in a “do not drink” notice, had even higher concentrations of manganese than it did three months before.LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/aaca2ed1-857d-4744-b012-194270a75e26">🎙King in the Community — Michelle Weis, Saline County Emergency Management Director</a>Even when the “do not drink” advisory was lifted, KDHE left in place a health advisory about the manganese levels. According to the news release, parts of the distribution system have levels of manganese that could pose a health risk to infants. That remains in place, and the agency is awaiting further manganese testing results.While manganese is not regulated, the Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of determining whether to set limits for the mineral, according to KDHE.Manganese is an essential nutrient in small quantities. It’s found naturally in rocks, soil, water and food. But in large quantities, manganese exposure can cause learning or behavioral problems in children and may impact adults’ nervous systems. In large quantities, it can cause “manganism,” a disorder similar to Parkinson’s disease.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715264373349.png" alt=" Misty Livingston-Holmes flips through water bills and sampling results as she talks about the water quality issues and inconsistent billing in her neighborhood near Salina. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Misty Livingston-Holmes flips through water bills and sampling results as she talks about the water quality issues and inconsistent billing in her neighborhood near Salina. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Billing disputes</h2>At the same time they were struggling with the quality of their water — and despite not using it for anything except bathing and washing clothes —&nbsp;residents at Sundowner have also reported inconsistent bills and high prices.And Kolling, Livingston-Holmes and Sylvia said, is quick to lock up residents’ meters for nonpayment.“There’s times that he won’t send you a bill for three months and then it will be a ridiculously high bill,” Livingston-Holmes said. “How do you expect people to pay their bill when you wait three months and then you want the payment tomorrow?”Livingston-Holmes’ bills arrive inconsistently. A bar chart displaying her monthly usage at the bottom of her bill shows no usage some months compared with huge spikes in other months.Sylvia and Livingston-Holmes both pay Kolling via Venmo and don’t receive a receipt for their payments, they said.Sundowner’s water system is not registered as a public utility with the Kansas Corporation Commission. As a result, it’s difficult to know how much Kolling charges per gallon. And the state agency hasn’t been overseeing those rates as it’s supposed to.“I don’t know how this flew under the radar and continued to fly under the radar even when I was calling … trying to get somebody to tell me that there was some oversight,” Concannon, the state representative, said.Normally, public utilities —&nbsp;including water providers and electric and gas utilities —&nbsp;are registered with the Kansas Corporation Commission and have to receive state approval over their prices and abide by other regulations.But Sundowner’s water system isn’t registered with the KCC.After residents’ and Concannon’s inquiries, the KCC ordered Kolling to either register as a public utility or file documentation explaining why he thinks he shouldn’t have to.Kolling has requested more time to file a response with the KCC. In the meantime, the order from regulators also requires that Kolling restore service to customers whose water had been shut off and notify customers in writing that their rates are subject to change and refund.If the Kansas Corporation Commission finds that Kolling must register Sundowner’s water service as a public utility, the rates Kolling charges for water would become governed by the commission and residents could go to the state agency to report potential regulatory violations.According to KCC documents, the agency has received 12 complaints from Sundowner residents ranging from inconsistent or inaccurate billing to double billing to unjustly shutting off their water service and poor water quality.The KCC’s order requiring Kolling to explain why Sundowner shouldn’t be required to apply for regulatory oversight also instructed him to provide audited financial statements, water sales, income statements and other information to allow the KCC to review Sundowner’s water rates.Sylvia said she doesn’t have any faith that problems with the water at Sundowner — both the quality and the billing — will end.“If you told me today that I could drink my water,” she said, “I don’t think I would drink it.”