UPDATE: More information has been released regarding the Saline County Board of Commissioner’s decision to not require the usage of masks in Saline County. The Saline County Board of County Commissioners met this evening in a special session with Saline County Health Officer, Jason Tiller to discuss Governor Kelly’s Executive Order 20-52 relating to the mandate of wearing of masks statewide. Full statement from Saline County: “After much review, discussion, and hearing public comment, the Saline County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-1 to exempt Saline County from Executive Order 20-52 due to the concern of enforcement of the order … Read More

SALINE COUNTY – The Saline County Sheriff’s Office and Crime Stoppers is seeking tips from the public regarding a recent theft. According to a media release, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office responded to 1421 N. Solomon Road in Rural Saline County on Monday, June 22, on a report of a stolen John Deere Gator. Deputies say unknown suspect(s) entered a large metal outbuilding on the property, sometime between June 21 and June 22, and stole a green, 2010 John Deere Gator that was stored in the building. Total loss and damage has been estimated to be in excess of $12,000. … Read More

SALINA – The Salina Family YMCA confirmed Wednesday that a recent visitor to the facility has tested positive for COVID-19. A statement from Salina Family YMCA President & CEO Angie Lassley is below: “The Y was notified today, July 1, by the health department that an individual had utilized the family (warm water) pool between the hours of 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, June 22 through Thursday, June 25. Since then, she has tested positive for the coronavirus. Based on the contact investigation there seems to be no contact with others during her time here and we are not required … Read More

SALINA – There are 18 new positive COVID-19 cases in Saline County that have been identified since the Monday, June 29 report, according to a media release. The total for the county is now 128, with 56 cases that are actively being monitored by the Health Department and 70 that have recovered. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is reporting 106 positives for Saline County, which is incorrect. The total for Saline County is 128. The Saline County Health Department has received information about an outbreak where all close contacts have not yet been identified. If you attended any … Read More

SALINA – Salina USD 305 and NEA-Salina reached an agreement today, July 1, on the teacher contracts of employment for the 2020-2021 school year, according to a media release. Items agreed to include: Salary schedule modifications and increase to the base resulting in a new base salary of $40,385; Step and movement on the modified salary schedule for all teachers; An increase of $5 per month to the to the Employer Paid Health Benefit; The addition of five days of paid parental leave for employees upon the birth or adoption of a child; An increase of middle school plan time … Read More

SALINE COUNTY – The Tri-Rivers Fair board has decided to cancel the 2020 Tri-Rivers Fair and Rodeo, with the exception of the 4-H events. “Due to the unpredictability of COVID-19, the Tri-Rivers Fair Board has decided to cancel 2020 fair events,” Fair officials said in a statement Wednesday. “We will be supporting the needs of 4-H portions that will still be taking place. This decision was a difficult one, but it is important for us to keep the best interest of our community in mind.” Any food vendors, commercial vendors, or parade entries that have already submitted payment may call … Read More

SALINA – Amid COVID-19 concerns, OCCK, Inc. Transportation will be requiring face masks for all passengers on all transportation services including CityGo, 81 Connection, Regional Paratransit, City of Abilene, and KanConnect public transportation beginning at start of business on Friday, July 3, and continuing until further notice, according to a media release. A small number of masks will be available upon request for passengers each day starting on Friday July 3. However, all passengers must have their own masks starting Monday, July 13, in order to board transportation vehicles. Social distancing guidelines will still be followed. Extensive cleaning of vehicles … Read More

SALINA – Saline County Commissioners signed a resolution today to receive $11,026,434 in Coronavirus Relief Funding as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economy Security Act (CARES Act) signed by the President back in March, according to a media release. With the best interests of Saline County residents, businesses, and organizations in mind, the Board of County Commissioners approved to form a committee to advise the Commission on fund disbursements. This committee will be composed of three County staff members and four citizens. The committee will provide recommendations on how funds will be used to cover expenses that are … Read More

SALINA – A staff member at Heartland Early Education Center has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a media release. A statement issued by USD 305 is below: “Heartland Early Education Center received confirmation on June 30, 2020, that a staff person who has not been working with students tested positive for COVID-19. The Saline County Health Department is in the process of contacting anyone who needs to be notified. Safety protocols remain in use including sanitizing equipment and classrooms, and taking precautions against COVID-19 such as handwashing and social distancing. All USD 305 staff continue to self-screen prior to … Read More

SALINA – Both USD 305 high schools will soon have a “Walk-The-Stage” ceremony for their 2020 graduates. According to a social media statement from the district, the ceremonies will be held Saturday, August 1 at Salina Stadium at the following times: Central High School: 8 a.m. South High School: 10 a.m. The district says precautions will be in place for the ceremonies. Graduates and their families will receive details in an email sometime this week.

SALINA – There are 12 new positive COVID-19 cases in Saline County that have been identified since the Friday, June 26 report, according to a media release from the Saline County Health Department. The total for the county is now 110, with 78 cases that are actively being monitored by the Health Department. All of the new cases are associated with prior positive cases and all of these individuals are isolated. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is reporting 94 positives for Saline County but that total does not include the most recent cases received since their last … Read More

SALINA – Two earthquakes were reported in rural Saline County early Monday morning. According to the Kansas Geological Survey, the first quake, a magnitude 2.1, was centered northeast of the intersection of S. Holmes and E. Salemsborg Roads. It occurred at about 1:40 a.m. The second quake, a 2.6 magnitude, was centered just north of K-4 Highway on the west side of S. Simpson Road. It occurred at about 4:44 a.m. There have been no reports of injuries or damage associated with these two quakes, which both occurred southeast of Salina.

SALINA – Salina City Commissioners will be hosting an open public forum and listening session regarding local law enforcement, and community and race relations this evening beginning at 6 p.m. in Sam’s Chapel, located on the campus of Kansas Wesleyan University, 100 E. Claflin. The public is encouraged to share their local experiences, concerns and/or compliments. Per CDC guidelines, please practice social distancing during the forum, to include while seated and at the podium. The CDC also recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. The public forum can be viewed … Read More

SALINE COUNTY – A female inmate of the Saline County Jail, who was awaiting transport to the Kansas Department of Corrections, has tested positive for COVID-19. According to a media release Monday from Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan, this inmate is asymptomatic and had been housed in general population since early June. The Sheriff’s Office is working with the Saline County Health Department and Kansas Department of Health and Environment in this matter. Fingerprinting and outside activities involving traffic into the jail, including visitations, have been suspended until further notice. The jail lobby has also been closed until further notice. … Read More

SALINE COUNTY – Thursday marked the fourth anniversary of Saline County’s most recent unsolved homicide and authorities say the investigation into the 2016 homicide remains active. It was on June 25, 2016, that 57-year-old Lori J. Heimer was brutally murdered in her home at 10525 S. Hopkins Road, just outside of Assaria, in rural Saline County. Her body was found by a family member shortly before 8 p.m. that evening. At the time of her death, Heimer maintained a dog breeding business at her home named “Lori’s Poodle Patch”, and was known to advertise her business as far away as … Read More

SALINA – The Saline County Health Department has released the following statement regarding a possible COVID-19 exposure in Salina: “On June 22, 2020, a soccer game took place in Sunset Park located at 700 Sunset Drive in Salina. At least one symptomatic person participated in that game and potentially exposed others to COVID-19. This game took place between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. This was not an organized game, so there is no roster of attendees. If anyone was in attendance we ask that you quarantine, monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, and call the Saline County Health Department at 785-826-6600. … Read More