Salina Kansas Information Portal – Growing Collection of Public Information and Interests in and around Salina Kansas

Fifth Case of Coronavirus Confirmed in Saline County

SALINA – The Saline County Health Department has announced confirmation of another case of coronavirus in Saline County. According to a media release, the new case was confirmed Saturday afternoon and involves a female in her 20’s who traveled to a “hotspot area in the U.S.” This new case brings the total number of confirmed cases in Saline County to five. As of 11 a.m. Saturday, the KDHE reported 698 confirmed coronavirus cases and 21 deaths statewide.

Coronavirus in Kansas: 698 Confirmed Cases, 21 Deaths

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is reporting 698 positive cases of coronavirus and 21 deaths. The new numbers reflect three more deaths than on Friday. Positive cases are up 78 from Friday. The number of negative tests is now at 6,880. For more information about COVID-19 cases in the state, visit the KDHE website by clicking here.

Hobby Lobby Temporarily Closing All Stores

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Hobby Lobby announced on Friday the company will temporarily close all stores and furlough nearly all store employees effective Friday. “As the country continues efforts to manage and mitigate the devastating health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 virus, Hobby Lobby will, after careful consideration, close the remainder of its stores, and furlough nearly all store employees and a large portion of corporate and distribution employees, effective Friday, April 3rd, at 8 p.m,” the company said in a statement. The company said it will maintain medical, dental, life, and long-term disability benefits for furloughed employees through … Read More

Coronavirus in Kansas: 622 Confirmed Cases, 17 Deaths

TOPEKA – There are now 622 cases of coronavirus in Kansas. That number now includes the first case in Greenwood County and another case in Reno County. Seventeen people have died from the virus in Kansas and 151 people have been hospitalized. It has now been four weeks since the state confirmed its first case of COVID-19. According to the latest numbers provided by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), patients ages 55-64 make up the most cases of COVID-19 in Kansas at 127, that’s followed by 45-54 (109) and 65-74 (106). According to the KDHE, 6,454 tests … Read More

Salina Tech Cancels In-person Graduation Event

SALINA – Salina Area Technical College has cancelled their in-person graduation event originally scheduled for May 9th at the Stiefel Theatre. According to a statement issued Friday, college officials are working on an alternative event, likely online. A full statement from Salina Tech President Gregory Nichols is below: “I hope that you are being safe and staying at home to help stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Your safety and wellbeing are important to us and we want to make sure that you remain safe to obtain your goals in education. The local and state health officials have been … Read More

Salina Police, Crime Stoppers Ask Public’s Help to Identify Suspect in Stolen Credit Card Case

SALINA – Salina Police and Crime Stoppers are seeking the public’s help to identify a man that is believed to have used a stolen credit card at a local business. According to a media release, police received a report that a purchase was made between 5 p.m. and 7:50 p.m. on March 26 at Target, 2939 Market Place, using a stolen credit card. The person was described as a white, possibly Hispanic male, wearing a black ball cap, black long sleeve shirt with a large “P” on the front, blue jeans, and black tennis shoes. The male had black facial … Read More

Walmart to Limit Customers in Stores Beginning Saturday

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Walmart will limit how many customers come in their stores to combat the coronavirus pandemic, the company announced in a statement Friday. Walmart employees will only allow five customers inside per 1,000 square feet of store space, or 20 percent of the stores’ capacities beginning Saturday. Customers would go inside one by one through a single entrance remaining open, according to a Walmart press release. Once the stores reach 20 percent capacity, customers will have to stand in line outside of the store while practicing social distancing. As one customer leaves, Walmart associates would allow the next … Read More

Target to Limit Number of Customers in Stores Starting Saturday

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Target stores nationwide will limit the number of guests allowed at any one time starting on Saturday. The goal is to maintain social distancing and slow or stop the spread of COVID-19. “Target will monitor store traffic, and meter, or limit, the number of guests inside stores, when needed,” Target said in a written statement. “Occupancy limits will vary by location and be determined by the store’s specific square footage” Target said that customers would be provided with a designated waiting area outside of markers set up for social distancing. “Target will provide all team members in … Read More

Coronavirus in Kansas: 552 Confirmed Cases, 13 Deaths

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says there are now 552 cases of Coronavirus in the state, and deaths are up to 13. More than 6,000 tests have come back negative. Patients range in age from 0 to over 85 years old. Four children under the age of nine have tested positive for the virus and seven children from 10-19 years. Currently, in Kansas, the greatest age range testing positive for the disease is from age 20-44. The full KDHE report can be found by clicking here.

No Visitor Policy to Go into Effect Monday at Salina Regional Health Center

SALINA – Due to evidence of community transmission within Saline County, Salina Regional Health Center has announced it will go to a “no visitor policy” effective Monday, April 6th. For most patients, that will mean no visitors are allowed. Exceptions to this include: 1 caregiver for patients younger than 18. (Caregiver will accompany that patient and remain in the patient’s room with them for the entire duration of their stay.) 1 companion for labor and delivery patients. (The Companion will accompany that patient and remain in the patient’s room with them for the entire duration of their stay.) 1 support … Read More

Winter Weather Advisories Issued for Overnight Thursday into Friday Morning

Late season wintry precipitation expected late tonight into Friday morning… WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 8 AM CDT FRIDAY… For the counties of: Russell, Lincoln, Barton, Ellsworth, Saline, Rice, McPherson, Marion, Chase. Including the cities of Russell, Lincoln, Sylvan Grove, Great Bend, Ellsworth, Wilson, Salina, Lyons, Sterling, McPherson, Hillsboro, Marion, Peabody, Cottonwood Falls, and Strong City * WHAT…Freezing drizzle and light freezing rain expected. Total ice accumulations up to a tenth of an inch on elevated surfaces. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph. * WHERE…Russell, Lincoln, Barton and Ellsworth Counties. * WHEN…From midnight tonight … Read More

Fourth Positive Case of Coronavirus Identified in Saline County

SALINA – The Saline County Health Department has been notified another positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Saline County. The case was identified through testing sent to a private lab, according to a media release. This is the 4th case in Saline County. The case is a male in his 30’s. This case is not associated with known close contacts or travel to hot spot areas. Due to HIPAA, no other patient information will be released. The individual is self-quarantined at home. The Saline County Health Department is working to identify any close contacts of the individual. Those that were … Read More

USD 305 Announces New Principal at South High School

SALINA – Salina Public Schools has announced the selection of Charles A. Kipp as the new South High School Principal effective July 1, 2020, according to a media release. Kipp has been an educator for 15 years, most recently serving as Lead Associate Principal at USD 457 Garden City High School since 2013. He taught language arts, coached boys and girls tennis, led the Professional Learning Community and served on many committees at USD 383, Manhattan/Ogden, for eight years prior. In the business sector, Kipp spent nine years as graphic design and marketing coordinator for Kansas Farm Bureau Services, Inc. … Read More

Showers and Storms Possible Thursday Night; Much Cooler Friday; Hard Freeze Possible Early Saturday

A strong cold front will push southward across the region for late Thursday afternoon into Thursday night. An isolated strong or marginally severe storm will be possible across portions of south central Kansas from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., otherwise scattered showers and storms look to affect the region Thursday night. Much cooler air will spread across the region on Friday with light rain possible over southeast Kansas. A hard freeze is possible across mainly central Kansas for early Saturday morning. Thursday – A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near … Read More

Menards Temporarily Not Allowing Children, Pets into Stores

EAU CLAIRE, WIS. – A new policy at Menards is preventing children from entering the stores for the time being. Children under 16 years of age will temporarily not be allowed into any Menards store. The new policy is a precautionary measure designed to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The store also will not be allowing pets. Service animals, however, will be allowed. According to company officials, the new policy began Wednesday, April 1.

Two More Cases of Coronavirus Identified in Saline County

SALINA – The Saline County Health Department has been notified of two additional positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Saline County. The positive cases were identified through testing sent to a private lab and to the KDHE lab, according to a media release. These two news cases bring the Saline County total to three. One new case is a female in her 60’s. The other case is a male in his 60’s. These cases are not related. Both cases are not associated with known close contacts or travel to hot spot areas. Due to HIPAA, no other patient information will … Read More

Coronavirus in Kansas: 482 Confirmed Cases, 11 Deaths

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says there are now 482 cases of Coronavirus in the state, and deaths are up to eleven. Nearly 5,500 tests have come back negative. A death was reported in Coffey County this morning, but has not been listed in KDHE’s official count, which remains at ten. The by-county tally is as follows: Johnson – 143 Wyandotte – 93 Sedgwick – 64 Douglas – 31 Shawnee – 18 Coffey – 16 Lyon – 12 Reno – 8 Franklin – 7 Montgomery – 6 Butler, Crawford, Linn, McPherson – 5 Riley – 4 … Read More

UPDATE: Power Fully Restored After Brief Outage in Salina

UPDATE: As of 12:50 p.m., Evergy was reporting that power had been fully restored to the affected areas. There is still no word on what caused the brief outage, which affected 783 Evergy customers in Salina. —- As of 12:34 p.m., Evergy was reporting that at least 783 customers were without power in Salina. According to Evergy, the outage was first reported at 12:25 p.m. The affected area stretches from Montrose to just west of Ohio and from just south of Walnut to Crawford. Evergy has not said what caused the outage, but power is expected to be fully restored … Read More

City Temporarily Closes Salina Municipal Golf Course

SALINA – The City of Salina has temporarily closed the Salina Municipal Golf Course in conjunction with the statewide Stay at Home Order now in place until amended or rescinded. “This is a regrettable, but necessary decision,” commented City Manager Mike Schrage. “Many important factors went in to this decision.” The decision to temporarily close the golf course included the following reasons: The City of Salina has placed a high priority on two areas when making management decisions: 1) the safety and security of its employees, and, 2) delivering the highest level of service to citizens in its core services … Read More

Coronavirus in Kansas: 428 Confirmed Cases, 10 Deaths

TOPEKA – As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment says there are 428 cases of Coronavirus in the state, and deaths are up to ten. Nearly 5,000 tests have come back negative. The county tally is as follows: Johnson – 135 Wyandotte – 79 Sedgwick – 58 Leavenworth, Douglas – 24 Shawnee – 17 Coffey – 14 Lyon – 10 Franklin, Reno – 7 Crawford, Linn, Montgomery – 5 Bourbon, Butler, Cherokee, McPherson, Osage – 3 Mitchell, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, Stevens, Woodson – 2 Atchison, Barton, Chautauqua, Doniphan, Finney, Gove, Harvey, Jackson, Jefferson, Labette, Neosho, … Read More

Five Cases of Coronavirus Identified in McPherson County

MCPHERSON – The McPherson County Health Department on Tuesday announced the confirmation of five cases of coronavirus in that county. According to a media release, testing sent to Quest Laboratories identified the positive cases. The two newest cases are females, one in her 40’s and one in her 50’s. McPherson County Health Department staff is working to identify close contacts to the two women. No further patient information will be released at this time. “We highly encourage McPherson County residents to depend on health authorities to provide the most accurate information,” Health Department officials said in the release. Please continue … Read More

Sheriff’s Office Lobby Now Closed to Public

SALINA – In accordance with the County and State Executive Stay-at-Home Order the public lobby at the Sheriff’s Office is closed to the public. A minimum staffing of records employees are on duty to take calls and process the required paperwork from the courts and attorneys for the office. “For the current time we are suspending VIN Inspections, Fingerprinting, Drug Take-Back, Sharps Collection and applications for Concealed Carry Permits,” Sheriff Roger Soldan said in a media release. Registered Offenders who are required to register at the Saline County Sheriff’s Office must now call to schedule an appointment at 785-826-6500 (Option … Read More

Coronavirus in Kansas: 368 Confirmed Cases, 8 Deaths

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says there are 368 cases of Coronavirus in the state, and deaths are up to eight. The latest death was reported in Crawford County in southeast Kansas. Health officials confirmed that a woman in her 40’s passed away at an ER. According to a statement released by the Crawford County Health Department, “COVID 19 testing was performed post-mortem and was positive.” They also broke down the counties with the virus: Atchison 1 Bourbon 3 Butler 3 Cherokee 2 Clay 1 Coffey 10 Crawford 5 Doniphan 1 Douglas 23 Finney 1 Franklin … Read More

First Case of Coronavirus Identified in Saline County

SALINA – The Saline County Health Department has been notified of a positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Saline County. According to a statement from the Health Department, the positive case was identified through testing sent to a private lab. The case is a female in her 50’s associated with recent travel to the Kansas City area. This case is the first known case in Saline County. Due to HIPAA, no other patient information will be released. The Saline County Health Department is working to identify any close contacts of the individual. Those that were exposed will be contacted by … Read More

Kansas Governor Issues Statewide Stay-at-Home Order

TOPEKA – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced on Saturday a statewide mandate stay-at-home order to stem the spread of coronavirus. Gov. Kelly said the order will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 30th and last through April 19th. The executive order clarifies that essential business can still operate. The stay-at-home order issued for Saline County on Friday and also goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. and is in effect for 30 days.