&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers interested in Manufacturing, Aviation and Aerospace to take advantage of March’s Virtual Job Fair, hosted by&nbsp;KANSASWORKS, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 5.

“Kansans are builders and doers, and nothing demonstrates this more than our strong and robust manufacturing industry across the state,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Kansas’ outstanding manufacturing and aerospace employers are looking for skilled talent to join their ranks across every region of our state — don’t miss this opportunity to connect and explore the high-growth professions here in Kansas.”

The virtual job fair allows for anyone searching for a new position to fill out applications, chat live and interview virtually with participating employers.

The Virtual Job Fair portal features helpful information such as a jobseeker training video, a list of participating employers and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers may request to engage in a video interview.

Candidates can participate through any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodation by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581613096219.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland encourages jobseekers and employers interested in Manufacturing, Aviation and Aerospace to take advantage of March’s Virtual Job Fair, hosted by&nbsp;KANSASWORKS, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 5.“Kansans are builders and doers, and nothing demonstrates this more than our strong and robust manufacturing industry across the state,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Kansas’ outstanding manufacturing and aerospace employers are looking for skilled talent to join their ranks across every region of our state — don’t miss this opportunity to connect and explore the high-growth professions here in Kansas.”The virtual job fair allows for anyone searching for a new position to fill out applications, chat live and interview virtually with participating employers.The Virtual Job Fair portal features helpful information such as a jobseeker training video, a list of participating employers and channels for attendees to register and log in. Jobseekers are encouraged to dress professionally, as employers may request to engage in a video interview.Candidates can participate through any digital device. Any individual with a disability may request accommodation by contacting their nearest workforce center at (877) 509-6757 prior to the event.

KANSASWORKS Hosts Manufacturing and Aerospace Job Fair March 1 

Today, the Social Security Administration announced it is immediately beginning to pay retroactive benefits and will increase monthly benefit payments to people whose benefits have been affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits for over 3.2 million people who receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security (a "non-covered pension") because they did not pay Social Security taxes. The Social Security Fairness Act ends WEP and GPO.

“Social Security’s aggressive schedule to start issuing retroactive payments in February and increase monthly benefit payments beginning in April supports President Trump’s priority to implement the Social Security Fairness Act as quickly as possible,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “The agency’s original estimate of taking a year or more now will only apply to complex cases that cannot be processed by automation. The American people deserve to get their due benefits as quickly as possible.”

People who will benefit from the new law include some teachers, firefighters, and police officers in many states; federal employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System; and people whose work had been covered by a foreign social security system.

Many beneficiaries will be due a retroactive payment because the WEP and GPO offset no longer apply as of January 2024. Most people will receive their one-time retroactive payment by the end of March, which will be deposited into their bank account on record with Social Security.

Many of these people will also receive higher monthly benefits, which will first be reflected in the benefit payment they receive in April. Depending on factors such as the type of Social Security benefit received and the amount of the person's pension, the change in payment amount will vary from person to person.

Anyone whose monthly benefit is adjusted, or who will get a retroactive payment, will receive a mailed notice from Social Security explaining the benefit change or retroactive payment. Most people will receive their retroactive payment two to three weeks before they receive their notice in the mail, because the President understands how important it is to pay people what they are due right away. Social Security is expediting payments using automation and will continue to handle many complex cases that must be done manually, on an individual case-by-case basis. Those complex cases will take additional time to update the beneficiary record and pay the correct benefits.

Social Security urges beneficiaries to wait until April to ask about the status of their retroactive payment, since these payments will process incrementally into March. Since the new monthly payment amount will begin with the April payment, beneficiaries should wait until after receiving their April payment, before contacting Social Security with questions about their monthly benefit amount.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634133091707.png" alt="Social Security" />
 <figcaption>Social Security</figcaption>
 </figure>SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATIONToday, the Social Security Administration announced it is immediately beginning to pay retroactive benefits and will increase monthly benefit payments to people whose benefits have been affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These provisions reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits for over 3.2 million people who receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security (a "non-covered pension") because they did not pay Social Security taxes. The Social Security Fairness Act ends WEP and GPO.“Social Security’s aggressive schedule to start issuing retroactive payments in February and increase monthly benefit payments beginning in April supports President Trump’s priority to implement the Social Security Fairness Act as quickly as possible,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “The agency’s original estimate of taking a year or more now will only apply to complex cases that cannot be processed by automation. The American people deserve to get their due benefits as quickly as possible.”People who will benefit from the new law include some teachers, firefighters, and police officers in many states; federal employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System; and people whose work had been covered by a foreign social security system.Many beneficiaries will be due a retroactive payment because the WEP and GPO offset no longer apply as of January 2024. Most people will receive their one-time retroactive payment by the end of March, which will be deposited into their bank account on record with Social Security.Many of these people will also receive higher monthly benefits, which will first be reflected in the benefit payment they receive in April. Depending on factors such as the type of Social Security benefit received and the amount of the person's pension, the change in payment amount will vary from person to person.Anyone whose monthly benefit is adjusted, or who will get a retroactive payment, will receive a mailed notice from Social Security explaining the benefit change or retroactive payment. Most people will receive their retroactive payment two to three weeks before they receive their notice in the mail, because the President understands how important it is to pay people what they are due right away. Social Security is expediting payments using automation and will continue to handle many complex cases that must be done manually, on an individual case-by-case basis. Those complex cases will take additional time to update the beneficiary record and pay the correct benefits.Social Security urges beneficiaries to wait until April to ask about the status of their retroactive payment, since these payments will process incrementally into March. Since the new monthly payment amount will begin with the April payment, beneficiaries should wait until after receiving their April payment, before contacting Social Security with questions about their monthly benefit amount.

Social Security announces expedited retroactive payments and higher monthly benefits

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest.

Just before 5:30a.m. February 7, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office received a report of a burglary in progress at Brooks Yamaha, in the 8000 block of East Highway 24,  Manhattan, Pottawatomie County, Kansas, according to a media release.

 Deputies arrived on scene and were able to determine that several subjects in a U-Haul truck had gained entry to the building and stolen multiple motorcycles before fleeing the area a few minutes later.

      The U-Haul truck was located in Wabaunsee County later that morning and following a pursuit by the Wabaunsee County Sheriff's Office, the U-Haul was abandoned and the driver fled on foot. 

Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office Detective’s responded to the scene and it was determined that the U-Haul had been stolen out of Kansas City. 

The stolen U-Haul and stolen motorcycles were recovered and later returned to their respective owners. Several hours later the driver was apprehended at a private residence in Shawnee County. 

 The driver was arrested by the Kansas Highway Patrol and transported to the Wabaunsee County Jail on local charges. Pottawatomie County Sheriff Office Detectives responded to the Wabaunsee County Jail and interviewed the driver, identified as Omar Ocampo Jr., 23, of Kansas City, Missouri, and were able to determine probable cause for an arrest to be made. 

     On February 14, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office Detective’s picked up Ocampo from the Wabaunsee County Jail and transported him to the Pottawatomie County Jail on charges of Burglary, theft and criminal damage to property. 

Ocampo is being held on a bond of $100,000. 

Anyone with information on our case is asked to contact Sgt. Young or Detective Butler at the Sheriff’s Office at 785-457-3353 reference case number 2025-0748, or leave a tip on our Crime-Stoppers link at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ptsheriff.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1zvgWpDvPacP1dlQCbuek075gLZaYqWsXu3JS5EUQcIYpYCSLk20Ev3YI_aem_mPbekqwOYHHHbi0tJLKXhA&amp;h=AT3QfEfpM5o0_vr-8leyJezK-Urc8lB1pKs7kybVlgxN3aU4pLcIorJcfBSt-KJz2uQ_1LwEp8HJfiZ4_wN1aARKU2-oVU4yZPjjqxRd4tiBDNSgQdq96rXo-IN3Rnv9U9qIRcc&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT18Nu4XtL53d-6sImMUFnzjnYCuy6JGDASY-zaGAK37I8t3Kfasg2-5GeGrr9qUYd4Q3Xw3FscC1CmtGonTGs6IAVu5YgfNmkFTPObSRK3cLrhr8qzSAbscrCxVqbmclaKUL5crxPkSLraarlmhzje9ncu2s7btoHt_tkbgaOhjxnen_WjvalVuvleoDYWm6GE9vIXG6s9xDt9VNvmucJKQu70" target="_blank">www.ptsheriff.com.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740576851093.png" alt="Ocampo photo Pottawatomie Co." />
 <figcaption>Ocampo photo Pottawatomie Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an arrest.Just before 5:30a.m. February 7, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office received a report of a burglary in progress at Brooks Yamaha, in the 8000 block of East Highway 24, Manhattan, Pottawatomie County, Kansas, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740582077468.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure> Deputies arrived on scene and were able to determine that several subjects in a U-Haul truck had gained entry to the building and stolen multiple motorcycles before fleeing the area a few minutes later. The U-Haul truck was located in Wabaunsee County later that morning and following a pursuit by the Wabaunsee County Sheriff's Office, the U-Haul was abandoned and the driver fled on foot. Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office Detective’s responded to the scene and it was determined that the U-Haul had been stolen out of Kansas City. The stolen U-Haul and stolen motorcycles were recovered and later returned to their respective owners. Several hours later the driver was apprehended at a private residence in Shawnee County. The driver was arrested by the Kansas Highway Patrol and transported to the Wabaunsee County Jail on local charges. Pottawatomie County Sheriff Office Detectives responded to the Wabaunsee County Jail and interviewed the driver, identified as Omar Ocampo Jr., 23, of Kansas City, Missouri, and were able to determine probable cause for an arrest to be made. On February 14, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office Detective’s picked up Ocampo from the Wabaunsee County Jail and transported him to the Pottawatomie County Jail on charges of Burglary, theft and criminal damage to property. Ocampo is being held on a bond of $100,000. Anyone with information on our case is asked to contact Sgt. Young or Detective Butler at the Sheriff’s Office at 785-457-3353 reference case number 2025-0748, or leave a tip on our Crime-Stoppers link at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ptsheriff.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1zvgWpDvPacP1dlQCbuek075gLZaYqWsXu3JS5EUQcIYpYCSLk20Ev3YI_aem_mPbekqwOYHHHbi0tJLKXhA&amp;h=AT3QfEfpM5o0_vr-8leyJezK-Urc8lB1pKs7kybVlgxN3aU4pLcIorJcfBSt-KJz2uQ_1LwEp8HJfiZ4_wN1aARKU2-oVU4yZPjjqxRd4tiBDNSgQdq96rXo-IN3Rnv9U9qIRcc&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT18Nu4XtL53d-6sImMUFnzjnYCuy6JGDASY-zaGAK37I8t3Kfasg2-5GeGrr9qUYd4Q3Xw3FscC1CmtGonTGs6IAVu5YgfNmkFTPObSRK3cLrhr8qzSAbscrCxVqbmclaKUL5crxPkSLraarlmhzje9ncu2s7btoHt_tkbgaOhjxnen_WjvalVuvleoDYWm6GE9vIXG6s9xDt9VNvmucJKQu70" target="_blank">www.ptsheriff.com.</a>

 Burglary suspect who ran from stolen U-Haul remains jailed on $100K bond

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740582912020.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Riley County Arrest Report February 26

The City of Manhattan is preparing a Historic Preservation Plan. During the planning process, staff will identify buildings, places, and cultural assets worthy of preservation and protection. They also will determine historic preservation’s role in development within the City and determine actionable goals and initiatives to guide future preservation decisions in Manhattan.

The City said if you have questions or want to learn more about the Historic Preservation Plan they want to hear from you. They have two upcoming public engagement opportunities on Wednesday, February 26 in the City Commission Room at City Hall — a morning session at 8:30 a.m. and an afternoon session at 4 p.m. Or you can email us with your comments at communitydevelopment@cityofmhk.com or check out the Historic Preservation Plan’s project page at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fengagemksk.mysocialpinpoint.com%2Fmanhattan-kansas-historic-preservation-plan%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1ftqimRablpReLM2GTRVtKmsnJiAYIbcSln8TRubEIdYfYXoTGDp4-2Oo_aem_C6Fm6i13yBlzshLQmhFLvw&amp;h=AT0WI7ipCPKclompZ_bNiB7dE6OwKMpIXNFR1Y5p7qw_TAMTM-tFf13UcnDpJJpI6f4-l0NwkH4UsSDqvUGO0D--c0BmYnansjLTJxqZe7I19Vz_q5PZz7NVXV0haX_J_anat0Vefata8pL-lYRp&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT2t7QR93sbmokKtsDsVVkv5VvjOXBUcYnh4RsvkclMq3cLzcORmHQ_oipa5k6x3zwomYUFEtcPLfjZqpWxLslfc3GNVFe5BSTiiOvMJIRMRMHDIzC0EL8j7Z1S3QMOtiNZMthkQ-YxL-XGtg-_cf9DUTWmTgb3mXJFfRQs6HjcoLlioLk9LeL22YJJyjb2c1bgw6cVT8eKjxgzkK5xtWKrxbKQ" target="_blank">https://engagemksk.mysocialpinpoint.com/manhattan-kansas...</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The City of Manhattan is preparing a Historic Preservation Plan. During the planning process, staff will identify buildings, places, and cultural assets worthy of preservation and protection. They also will determine historic preservation’s role in development within the City and determine actionable goals and initiatives to guide future preservation decisions in Manhattan.The City said if you have questions or want to learn more about the Historic Preservation Plan they want to hear from you. They have two upcoming public engagement opportunities on Wednesday, February 26 in the City Commission Room at City Hall — a morning session at 8:30 a.m. and an afternoon session at 4 p.m. Or you can email us with your comments at communitydevelopment@cityofmhk.com or check out the Historic Preservation Plan’s project page at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fengagemksk.mysocialpinpoint.com%2Fmanhattan-kansas-historic-preservation-plan%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1ftqimRablpReLM2GTRVtKmsnJiAYIbcSln8TRubEIdYfYXoTGDp4-2Oo_aem_C6Fm6i13yBlzshLQmhFLvw&amp;h=AT0WI7ipCPKclompZ_bNiB7dE6OwKMpIXNFR1Y5p7qw_TAMTM-tFf13UcnDpJJpI6f4-l0NwkH4UsSDqvUGO0D--c0BmYnansjLTJxqZe7I19Vz_q5PZz7NVXV0haX_J_anat0Vefata8pL-lYRp&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT2t7QR93sbmokKtsDsVVkv5VvjOXBUcYnh4RsvkclMq3cLzcORmHQ_oipa5k6x3zwomYUFEtcPLfjZqpWxLslfc3GNVFe5BSTiiOvMJIRMRMHDIzC0EL8j7Z1S3QMOtiNZMthkQ-YxL-XGtg-_cf9DUTWmTgb3mXJFfRQs6HjcoLlioLk9LeL22YJJyjb2c1bgw6cVT8eKjxgzkK5xtWKrxbKQ" target="_blank">https://engagemksk.mysocialpinpoint.com/manhattan-kansas...</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

City will develop a Historic Preservation Plan

Riley and Geary County emergency management officials have issued a no burning requirement for Wednesday due to weather conditions.

Riley and Geary County emergency management officials have issued a no burning requirement for Wednesday due to weather conditions.

Burn bans issued in Riley and Geary counties

MORRIS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30a.m. Tuesday in Morris County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Peterbilt semi driven by Robert Leroy Dauer, 74, Marquette, was eastbound on U.S. 56 approximately six miles east of Herington.

The vehicle crossed the center lane into the westbound lane. The driver was&nbsp;unable to gain control of the semi and rolled and came to rest on its side across both eastbound and westbound lanes of U.S. 56.

EMS transported Dauer to the Marion County Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

MORRIS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 9:30a.m. Tuesday in Morris County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Peterbilt semi driven by Robert Leroy Dauer, 74, Marquette, was eastbound on U.S. 56 approximately six miles east of Herington.The vehicle crossed the center lane into the westbound lane. The driver was&nbsp;unable to gain control of the semi and rolled and came to rest on its side across both eastbound and westbound lanes of U.S. 56.EMS transported Dauer to the Marion County Hospital. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man hospitalized after semi rolls

<a>On Monday, March 3, the final phase, Phase Three, of the I-70 pavement replacement project at Junction City is scheduled to begin.</a>

<a></a><a>KDOT said during the initial work, pavement grinding on westbound I-70 from mile markers 301 to 299, traffic will be reduced to one lane at the location of work.</a>

As work progresses, about March 17, median crossovers will carry all traffic at a reduced speed to the westbound lanes while deteriorated pavement is replaced in the eastbound lanes from mile markers 296 to 301.

<a>On Monday, March 3, the final phase, Phase Three, of the I-70 pavement replacement project at Junction City is scheduled to begin.</a><a></a><a>KDOT said during the initial work, pavement grinding on westbound I-70 from mile markers 301 to 299, traffic will be reduced to one lane at the location of work.</a>As work progresses, about March 17, median crossovers will carry all traffic at a reduced speed to the westbound lanes while deteriorated pavement is replaced in the eastbound lanes from mile markers 296 to 301.

I-70 pavement replacement resumes at Junction City

Geary County reminds us that less than two weeks away - Sunday, March 9, 2025, we "spring ahead" an hour to signal the start of Daylight Savings Time. 

This is a good opportunity to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors too.  Maybe change out your car's emergency gear from winter to spring as well.

Geary County reminds us that less than two weeks away - Sunday, March 9, 2025, we "spring ahead" an hour to signal the start of Daylight Savings Time. This is a good opportunity to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors too. Maybe change out your car's emergency gear from winter to spring as well.

Daylight Savings Time begins March 9

By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/people/sam-zeff">SAM ZEFF</a> <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2025-02-24/if-trumps-layoffs-hit-the-kansas-city-fbi-office-job-cuts-are-only-going-to-make-us-less-safe">KCUR</a>

President Trump’s pick for FBI Director, Kash Patel, has been confirmed — prompting fears of possible layoffs in the bureau. Some local officials worry that a diminished FBI presence in Kansas and Missouri could harm local law enforcement.

The FBI Kansas City Field Office has more than a hundred agents (the actual number is classified) but chances are you’ve never seen one. Unlike the police, they aren’t driving around in marked vehicles with lights on top. But they are there working on cases and assisting local police.

“We depend on them, and they depend on us to make America safe. There is no question of that,” Johnson County Sheriff Byron Roberson said.

As sweeping layoffs are announced at federal agencies under the new Trump administration, former FBI agents and top law enforcement officials worry about what will happen to the 56 field offices around the country, including Kansas City’s.

The Bureau has already&nbsp;<a href="https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/01/30/politics/senior-fbi-leaders-demoted-wray" target="_blank">fired or forced six top officials to retire</a>. The administration has also gone on a binge firing federal probationary employees — something that would have a huge impact on the FBI. The F.B.I. Agents Association says 10% of the workforce is still in their probationary period.

Department of Justice leadership also demanded a list of all employeeswho participated in January 6th investigations, prompting fear that those FBI employees would be targeted for firing. That would certainly include veteran agents assigned to Kansas City.

“My concern is, if we lose the institutional knowledge that those individuals have in their jobs through this process of eliminating federal employees, it's only going to make us less safe,” said former Kansas U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.

The FBI Kansas City Field Office has investigators spread across Kansas and western Missouri in eight offices called resident agencies. These small offices — often just two agents — work especially closely with local law enforcement.

Grissom was appointed U.S. Attorney by President Barack Obama and served from 2010 to 2016. He is now in private practice. He says even losing a few agents could be a big problem. An agent may be working 15 to 20 cases at a time. Many of those investigations involve intense coordination between FBI agents and local law enforcement.

“(Local agencies) are the eyes and ears on the ground,” Grissom told KCUR.

That includes counterterrorism, even in Kansas and Missouri.

“The counterterrorism problem is not just a national problem, but it's also a local problem,” said retired FBI agent Greg Vecchi, who now runs a security consulting firm in Olathe.

The local field office runs several task forces that include local and state law enforcement. The most important, Vecchi said, is the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

“The FBI has got to be able to have relationships with the various jurisdictions when and where the actual attacks are planned,” he said.

That was the case in 2018 when resident agents in Garden City, Kansas, worked with police and sheriff’s deputies to stop a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/03/20/595163065/mosque-bombing-plot-rattles-immigrants-in-kansas-meat-triangle" target="_blank">plot to bomb a mosque and apartment complex</a>&nbsp;to kill Somali immigrants.

“During my time as the U.S. attorney, we had two acts, I should say, potential acts of terrorism that the FBI was intimately involved in,” Grissom said. One stopped a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/08/31/436414417/wichita-man-sentenced-to-20-years-in-airport-bomb-plot" target="_blank">suicide car bombing at the Wichita airport&nbsp;</a>in December 2013 the other stopped another suicide car bombing in 2015&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/09/23/763544037/kansas-soldier-charged-with-teaching-bomb-making-to-far-right-extremists" target="_blank">targeting Fort Riley</a>, home to the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.

In addition, the Kansas City office runs the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Safe Streets Task Force, which targets gangs and drug cartels.

The office also provides training to local police and sheriff’s departments. Vecchi said when he ran the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit in Quantico, Virginia, his agents would often train local police on interrogation.

“That is a huge benefit to law enforcement,” he said. The office also offers training to local SWAT teams.

All of that, plus access to the FBI’s Washington lab and the Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory in Kansas City all comes at no additional cost to local governments or police departments.

Vecchi believes if local field agents are fired, those working in administration will be reassigned to the street. But if the cuts go deeper, that’s a huge problem. If there are mass layoffs or firings, Vecchi said, “It's going to absolutely cripple” training and investigating counterterrorism.

Roberson, who was police chief in Prairie Village before being elected sheriff, said any cuts at the Kansas City Field Office will damage local law enforcement.

“There is great leadership that could be lost in that organization that you can't just go out and reinvent and just pick that up off the street,” Roberson said.

Patel is also now in line to take over another agency in jeopardy — the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-director-kash-patel-atf-justice-department-e57250b2ac883af1c2fa7b4bf46ad876" target="_blank">according to the Associated Press</a>.

Missouri Rep. Eric Burlison from Springfield has filed a bill to abolish the agency. On social media, Burlison has said the ATF "consistently violates Second Amendment rights" and claims its functions are duplicative.

“The state of Missouri has all of the agencies that we need to regulate everything that the ATF does,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.missourinet.com/2024/12/13/missouri-congressman-burlison-wants-to-get-rid-of-atf-calls-social-security-a-forced-pension/" target="_blank">he told MissouriNet in December</a>.

Rep. Mark Alford, who represents much of suburban Kansas City and mid-Missouri, has joined as a co-sponsor.

"Proud to be a cosponsor of Rep. Eric Burlison's bill, H.R. 221 — ABOLISH THE ATF!" he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile/100089595940547/search/?q=abolish%20atf" target="_blank">wrote on Facebook</a>.

The ATF investigates gun crimes and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-04-08/a-missouri-county-wont-work-with-the-atf-claiming-the-federal-agency-is-unconstitutional" target="_blank">regulates federal firearms dealers</a>. It also looks into arsons, including an arson at the Waldo Heights apartments on 81st Street and Holmes in 2021 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article260238435.html" target="_blank">one at Stonegate Meadows apartments</a>&nbsp;in 2022 that injured 15 people, including nine children.

“The idea that you would just do away with that agency for political partisanship reasons only I think is incredibly shortsighted by the congressmen,” Grissom told KCUR. “I'm really surprised that Congressman Alford would take that position.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740494555747.png" alt="The Kansas City FBI office in Kansas City north has 300 employees and covers all of Kansas and western Missouri. Photo by Sam Zeff/KCUR" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas City FBI office in Kansas City north has 300 employees and covers all of Kansas and western Missouri. Photo by Sam Zeff/KCUR</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/people/sam-zeff">SAM ZEFF</a> <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2025-02-24/if-trumps-layoffs-hit-the-kansas-city-fbi-office-job-cuts-are-only-going-to-make-us-less-safe">KCUR</a><h2>President Trump’s pick for FBI Director, Kash Patel, has been confirmed — prompting fears of possible layoffs in the bureau. Some local officials worry that a diminished FBI presence in Kansas and Missouri could harm local law enforcement.</h2>The FBI Kansas City Field Office has more than a hundred agents (the actual number is classified) but chances are you’ve never seen one. Unlike the police, they aren’t driving around in marked vehicles with lights on top. But they are there working on cases and assisting local police.“We depend on them, and they depend on us to make America safe. There is no question of that,” Johnson County Sheriff Byron Roberson said.As sweeping layoffs are announced at federal agencies under the new Trump administration, former FBI agents and top law enforcement officials worry about what will happen to the 56 field offices around the country, including Kansas City’s.The Bureau has already&nbsp;<a href="https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/01/30/politics/senior-fbi-leaders-demoted-wray" target="_blank">fired or forced six top officials to retire</a>. The administration has also gone on a binge firing federal probationary employees — something that would have a huge impact on the FBI. The F.B.I. Agents Association says 10% of the workforce is still in their probationary period.Department of Justice leadership also demanded a list of all employeeswho participated in January 6th investigations, prompting fear that those FBI employees would be targeted for firing. That would certainly include veteran agents assigned to Kansas City.“My concern is, if we lose the institutional knowledge that those individuals have in their jobs through this process of eliminating federal employees, it's only going to make us less safe,” said former Kansas U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.<h2>Why have FBI field offices?</h2>The FBI Kansas City Field Office has investigators spread across Kansas and western Missouri in eight offices called resident agencies. These small offices — often just two agents — work especially closely with local law enforcement.Grissom was appointed U.S. Attorney by President Barack Obama and served from 2010 to 2016. He is now in private practice. He says even losing a few agents could be a big problem. An agent may be working 15 to 20 cases at a time. Many of those investigations involve intense coordination between FBI agents and local law enforcement.“(Local agencies) are the eyes and ears on the ground,” Grissom told KCUR.That includes counterterrorism, even in Kansas and Missouri.“The counterterrorism problem is not just a national problem, but it's also a local problem,” said retired FBI agent Greg Vecchi, who now runs a security consulting firm in Olathe.The local field office runs several task forces that include local and state law enforcement. The most important, Vecchi said, is the Joint Terrorism Task Force.“The FBI has got to be able to have relationships with the various jurisdictions when and where the actual attacks are planned,” he said.That was the case in 2018 when resident agents in Garden City, Kansas, worked with police and sheriff’s deputies to stop a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/03/20/595163065/mosque-bombing-plot-rattles-immigrants-in-kansas-meat-triangle" target="_blank">plot to bomb a mosque and apartment complex</a>&nbsp;to kill Somali immigrants.“During my time as the U.S. attorney, we had two acts, I should say, potential acts of terrorism that the FBI was intimately involved in,” Grissom said. One stopped a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/08/31/436414417/wichita-man-sentenced-to-20-years-in-airport-bomb-plot" target="_blank">suicide car bombing at the Wichita airport&nbsp;</a>in December 2013 the other stopped another suicide car bombing in 2015&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/09/23/763544037/kansas-soldier-charged-with-teaching-bomb-making-to-far-right-extremists" target="_blank">targeting Fort Riley</a>, home to the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.In addition, the Kansas City office runs the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Safe Streets Task Force, which targets gangs and drug cartels.The office also provides training to local police and sheriff’s departments. Vecchi said when he ran the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit in Quantico, Virginia, his agents would often train local police on interrogation.“That is a huge benefit to law enforcement,” he said. The office also offers training to local SWAT teams.All of that, plus access to the FBI’s Washington lab and the Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory in Kansas City all comes at no additional cost to local governments or police departments.Vecchi believes if local field agents are fired, those working in administration will be reassigned to the street. But if the cuts go deeper, that’s a huge problem. If there are mass layoffs or firings, Vecchi said, “It's going to absolutely cripple” training and investigating counterterrorism.Roberson, who was police chief in Prairie Village before being elected sheriff, said any cuts at the Kansas City Field Office will damage local law enforcement.“There is great leadership that could be lost in that organization that you can't just go out and reinvent and just pick that up off the street,” Roberson said.<h2>The ATF also at risk</h2>Patel is also now in line to take over another agency in jeopardy — the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fbi-director-kash-patel-atf-justice-department-e57250b2ac883af1c2fa7b4bf46ad876" target="_blank">according to the Associated Press</a>.Missouri Rep. Eric Burlison from Springfield has filed a bill to abolish the agency. On social media, Burlison has said the ATF "consistently violates Second Amendment rights" and claims its functions are duplicative.“The state of Missouri has all of the agencies that we need to regulate everything that the ATF does,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.missourinet.com/2024/12/13/missouri-congressman-burlison-wants-to-get-rid-of-atf-calls-social-security-a-forced-pension/" target="_blank">he told MissouriNet in December</a>.Rep. Mark Alford, who represents much of suburban Kansas City and mid-Missouri, has joined as a co-sponsor."Proud to be a cosponsor of Rep. Eric Burlison's bill, H.R. 221 — ABOLISH THE ATF!" he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile/100089595940547/search/?q=abolish%20atf" target="_blank">wrote on Facebook</a>.The ATF investigates gun crimes and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-04-08/a-missouri-county-wont-work-with-the-atf-claiming-the-federal-agency-is-unconstitutional" target="_blank">regulates federal firearms dealers</a>. It also looks into arsons, including an arson at the Waldo Heights apartments on 81st Street and Holmes in 2021 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article260238435.html" target="_blank">one at Stonegate Meadows apartments</a>&nbsp;in 2022 that injured 15 people, including nine children.“The idea that you would just do away with that agency for political partisanship reasons only I think is incredibly shortsighted by the congressmen,” Grissom told KCUR. “I'm really surprised that Congressman Alford would take that position.”

If Trump's layoffs hit the Kansas City FBI office, job cuts are 'only going to make us less safe'

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740496002068.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Riley County Arrest Report February 25

MANHATTAN— There were no injuries after construction crews struck a gas line in Manhattan.

At 4:17 p.m. on Monday, the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 1812 Fair Lane. for a report of a gas line that had been hit, according to a media release from the fire department.

Crews found the 8-inch natural gas line that a utility crew backhoe struck while jackhammering concrete.&nbsp; Crews evacuated two people from a nearby business, and the other employees at adjacent businesses had already evacuated.&nbsp; 

Fort Riley Blvd. was closed in both directions at Martin Luther King Blvd., as well as the 1800 block of Fair Lane, until the leak was stopped.&nbsp; 

Kansas Gas Service responded to the scene and brought in a crew to isolate the leak.&nbsp; The leak was stopped around 1:00 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Union Pacific railroad tracks were also shut down until around 10:00 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740491550258.png" alt="Photo Manhattan Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo Manhattan Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN— There were no injuries after construction crews struck a gas line in Manhattan.At 4:17 p.m. on Monday, the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 1812 Fair Lane. for a report of a gas line that had been hit, according to a media release from the fire department.Crews found the 8-inch natural gas line that a utility crew backhoe struck while jackhammering concrete.&nbsp; Crews evacuated two people from a nearby business, and the other employees at adjacent businesses had already evacuated.&nbsp; Fort Riley Blvd. was closed in both directions at Martin Luther King Blvd., as well as the 1800 block of Fair Lane, until the leak was stopped.&nbsp; Kansas Gas Service responded to the scene and brought in a crew to isolate the leak.&nbsp; The leak was stopped around 1:00 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Union Pacific railroad tracks were also shut down until around 10:00 p.m.There were no injuries reported.

Natural gas line struck causing evacuations in Manhattan

Moro Street through Manhattan's Aggieville district will remain open during the Fake Patty's Day activities in March.&nbsp; That was a key point noted by officials coming out of a meeting Monday attended by city and law enforcement leaders at City Hall.&nbsp;

Fake Patty's Day has been an annual event held in March before spring break in neighborhoods in and around the Aggieville area.

Topics covered during the meeting ranged from keeping everyone safe to ride sharing and traffic flow. There will be ride share areas in front of Chipolte and in the 1100 block of Moro in front of the Aggieville Business Association offices. There will be a 30 minute limit for vehicles to be in the ride share areas.

KSU will provide a deal where if your Lift account is associated with your KSU email you can ride free. It wil run from 10 p.m.Friday until 2 a.m.Sunday. There is a limit of two rides per month for those users.

Saturday March 8 is Fake Patty's Day. Riley County police will be enforcing all applicable laws and statutes.

Moro Street through Manhattan's Aggieville district will remain open during the Fake Patty's Day activities in March.&nbsp; That was a key point noted by officials coming out of a meeting Monday attended by city and law enforcement leaders at City Hall.&nbsp;Fake Patty's Day has been an annual event held in March before spring break in neighborhoods in and around the Aggieville area.Topics covered during the meeting ranged from keeping everyone safe to ride sharing and traffic flow. There will be ride share areas in front of Chipolte and in the 1100 block of Moro in front of the Aggieville Business Association offices. There will be a 30 minute limit for vehicles to be in the ride share areas.KSU will provide a deal where if your Lift account is associated with your KSU email you can ride free. It wil run from 10 p.m.Friday until 2 a.m.Sunday. There is a limit of two rides per month for those users.Saturday March 8 is Fake Patty's Day. Riley County police will be enforcing all applicable laws and statutes.

Plans are put in place for Fake Patty's Day

The City of Manhattan has announced that city commissioners have voted 5-0 to accept a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) in the amount of&nbsp;$5,439,282&nbsp;and authorize the construction of 12th Street, from Moro Street to Laramie Street, as well as the alley between Moro Street and Laramie Street, from North Manhattan Avenue to 12th Street. They also approved the Second Amendment to the Construction Manager at Risk Agreement with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=511489306c&amp;e=8c33f27c6f">BHS Construction Inc.</a>, splitting the 12th Street construction and Laramie Street construction into two phases.

Construction on these projects is scheduled to start later this&nbsp;spring&nbsp;and be completed in the first part of&nbsp;2026.&nbsp;

The City of Manhattan has announced that city commissioners have voted 5-0 to accept a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) in the amount of&nbsp;$5,439,282&nbsp;and authorize the construction of 12th Street, from Moro Street to Laramie Street, as well as the alley between Moro Street and Laramie Street, from North Manhattan Avenue to 12th Street. They also approved the Second Amendment to the Construction Manager at Risk Agreement with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=511489306c&amp;e=8c33f27c6f">BHS Construction Inc.</a>, splitting the 12th Street construction and Laramie Street construction into two phases.Construction on these projects is scheduled to start later this&nbsp;spring&nbsp;and be completed in the first part of&nbsp;2026.&nbsp;

City Commission sets max price for 12th St., amends agreement with BHS Construction

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement in Manhattan are investigating the theft of a store sign.

Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;filed a report of theft in the 500 block of McCall Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Pizza Ranch reported a large Pizza Ranch store sign was stolen by an unknown subject. Total loss associated with this report is approximately $2,000. 

Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://ks-rileycountypolice.civicplus.com/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740411306129.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement in Manhattan are investigating the theft of a store sign.Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;filed a report of theft in the 500 block of McCall Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.Pizza Ranch reported a large Pizza Ranch store sign was stolen by an unknown subject. Total loss associated with this report is approximately $2,000. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://ks-rileycountypolice.civicplus.com/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RCPD: Restaurant sign stolen in Manhattan

Division of Communications and Marketing release

MANHATTAN — Seven students in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University have been chosen for the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://vet.k-state.edu/admissions/financial-prep/rural.html">Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas</a>, or VTPRK, a loan forgiveness program funded by the state of Kansas.

The new recipients are first-year veterinary students Alexis Hansen,&nbsp;Belleville; Katherine Mongeau,&nbsp;Garden City; Madison Evje,&nbsp;Manhattan; Jenna Spencer,&nbsp;Mound City; Harley Allen,&nbsp;Parsons; Sydney Rohlman,&nbsp;Pretty Prairie; and Callista Moore,&nbsp;Topeka.

"This class of candidates was very competitive," said Hodes Family Dean Bonnie Rush. "These awardees join a tradition of excellence established by talented and dedicated VTPRK alumni who are serving livestock producers and pet owners in rural areas across the state."

The Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas was originally passed by the state Legislature in 2006 as a financial incentive to provide rural areas in Kansas with committed veterinarians, and it was enhanced in 2022 based on the program's demonstrated success in increasing the availability of veterinary care in rural Kansas.

Currently, upon completion of their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, each student is required to work at a full-time veterinary practice in one of 92 Kansas counties with fewer tthan 40,000 residents. For each year the students work in rural Kansas, up to $25,000 per year of qualifying student loans are forgiven over a period of four years

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740412061821.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Division of Communications and Marketing releaseMANHATTAN — Seven students in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University have been chosen for the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://vet.k-state.edu/admissions/financial-prep/rural.html">Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas</a>, or VTPRK, a loan forgiveness program funded by the state of Kansas.The new recipients are first-year veterinary students Alexis Hansen,&nbsp;Belleville; Katherine Mongeau,&nbsp;Garden City; Madison Evje,&nbsp;Manhattan; Jenna Spencer,&nbsp;Mound City; Harley Allen,&nbsp;Parsons; Sydney Rohlman,&nbsp;Pretty Prairie; and Callista Moore,&nbsp;Topeka."This class of candidates was very competitive," said Hodes Family Dean Bonnie Rush. "These awardees join a tradition of excellence established by talented and dedicated VTPRK alumni who are serving livestock producers and pet owners in rural areas across the state."The Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas was originally passed by the state Legislature in 2006 as a financial incentive to provide rural areas in Kansas with committed veterinarians, and it was enhanced in 2022 based on the program's demonstrated success in increasing the availability of veterinary care in rural Kansas.Currently, upon completion of their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, each student is required to work at a full-time veterinary practice in one of 92 Kansas counties with fewer tthan 40,000 residents. For each year the students work in rural Kansas, up to $25,000 per year of qualifying student loans are forgiven over a period of four years

College of Veterinary Medicine announces new training program for rural Kansas awards

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged sex crimes.&nbsp;

Just after 5p.m. Saturday, police arrested 18-year-old Matthew Klingforth of Haysville on a Riley County District Court warrant for rape, aggravated sexual battery, and sexual battery.

He is being held on a $50,000 bond, according to the Riley County Police Department Activity report.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for alleged sex crimes.&nbsp;Just after 5p.m. Saturday, police arrested 18-year-old Matthew Klingforth of Haysville on a Riley County District Court warrant for rape, aggravated sexual battery, and sexual battery.He is being held on a $50,000 bond, according to the Riley County Police Department Activity report.

RCPD: Kansas teen accused of rape

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Sunday in Riley County.

According to the Riley County Police Department activity report a Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by 24-year-old Hunter Waters was traveling in the 1900 block of Tuttle Creek Boulevard. The motorcycle slid on ice.

EMS transported a passenger 23-year-old Alyssa Butler to Via Christi for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The RCPD released no additional details.

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Sunday in Riley County.According to the Riley County Police Department activity report a Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by 24-year-old Hunter Waters was traveling in the 1900 block of Tuttle Creek Boulevard. The motorcycle slid on ice.EMS transported a passenger 23-year-old Alyssa Butler to Via Christi for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The RCPD released no additional details.

Woman hospitalized after motorcycle accident

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740409475595.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>

Riley County Arrest Report February 24

By LESLIE MANNING <a href="https://www.facebook.com/southeastspotlight/">The Spotlight</a> “We’ve never really been a one size fits all,” Mason Winter said. “In the sale barn industry, you get a taste of it all, and make due with what you’ve got.”

In December, Winter came on board at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock, Salina, representing the new ownership, Winter Livestock.

“We are going to keep everything the same,” Winter said. “Salina is the largest sale barn in Kansas, so whatever they were doing is working really well for them.”

Winter was born and raised in Dodge City, where his family owns and operates a sale barn, Winter Livestock, that began with his great-grandpa.

“I’m the fourth generation,” Winter said. “My family came to Dodge in 1936. My great-grandpa, Karl, bought stock yards from the railroads, and turned it into the local sale barn. It’s treated us pretty well ever since.”

Winter Livestock expanded throughout the generations, to its current capacity of three sale barns in Kansas, one in Colorado and one in Wyoming. Winter, one of four siblings, earned a degree in ag business from Oklahoma State, while returning home on weekends and for Wednesday sales to help operate the Dodge City sale barn. Upon graduation, Winter ran the Dodge City location.

“(Growing up) I was around the sale barn as much as possible,” Winter said. “I tried to dive in as much as I could. Once I got to high school, I started helping and not being in the way of everybody.”

Since December, Winter has dove in at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock, learning everything he can from sale barn manager, Mike Samples.

“It’s no secret in the state of Kansas that this is Mike Samples’ sale barn,” Winter said. “This place was built on his shoulders. We are happy to build off of what he has built.”

Samples will stay on as manager for two more years, to teach Winter the ropes of the structures in place at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock.

“There’s not really a secret formula,” Winter said. “You work really hard and treat people well, and they seem to do the same back to you. (Sale barns) all kind of follow the same plan, and the same systems, with their own personal touches on them.”

Farmers and Ranchers Livestock will continue to operate with a flat rate commission per head. Preparing cattle for the auctions on Mondays and Thursdays, with special auctions for vaccinated calves on Tuesdays, will remain a priority.

“The feeding, the watering and the facilitating of the cattle is a job in and of itself,” Winter said. “We’re trying to get as close to what they weighed at home. We want the smallest amount of shrink as possible. Through grass hay and pellets, we try to mitigate that shrink as much as possible.”

Kyle Elwood, will remain the assistant manager at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock, preparing the cattle for sale days. Elwood has been the assistant manager and an auctioneer for Farmers and Ranchers Livestock for over 30 years.

“Kyle has about as good of eye as anyone I’ve met,” Winter said. “He knows what is going to sell each week, and what the buyers are looking for. It’s impressive how in tune he is with where the cattle need to be and how they need to be sorted.”

Packaging the producer’s cattle, by characteristics like color, weight and sex, will remain the same.

“Each producer’s cattle is represented in categories in and of themselves,” Winter said. “Buyers are looking for the biggest bunch of like cattle that they can put together. As long as there’s something for them to buy, they make our job really easy. They are competing against each other, so their competitive spirits drive up the costs.”

Buyers will continue to see a selection of bottle calves, weaned calves, cow/calf pairs, cows and bred cows.

“We’ve got every facet covered and the buyers make our job really easy,” Winter said.

According to Winter, the hardest part of the job is unloading and loading and keeping everything straight.

“Everything that comes in has to go back out to its new home with low stress and no injuries,” Winter said. “It’s a lot of thankless jobs, that we wouldn’t be able to do without. It’s a lot of getting cattle in and getting cattle out.”

Horse sales will also continue at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock, with the 2025 sales scheduled for May 17 and one in October. Hog sales will continue on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. A buffalo sale is planned for December.

“I am here to learn as much as I can from Mike and Kyle,” Winter said.

Mike Samples began managing Farmers and Ranchers Livestock on August 31, 1987. Raised on an 80-acre farm north of Erie, he joined the FFA chapter in high school under the direction of vo-ag teacher, Ken Nuntin. Samples’ first FFA project was raising six pigs, leading him into raising hogs and cattle.

Also, while in high school, Samples went to the sale barn in Parsons as often as he could. Wanting to be a part of the auction world, he started driving and traveling with famous cattleman, E.J. Peck, learning about the cattle industry.

Samples worked for the Fredonia market, later running the Chanute Sale Barn for a short while before becoming the manager of the Parsons Livestock Market for Russell and Mark McKee. He had been running the sale barn in Parsons, when he left to take over Farmers and Ranchers Livestock in Salina.

“It was in pretty sad shape when I got here,” Samples said. “I’ve never had a lot of give up in me. I just went to driving around the country and meeting people. A lot of places I went to, people actually ran me off their property, because they didn’t like Farmers and Ranchers. I just kept coming back. Most of those people made really good customers of mine.”

In 1987, Farmers and Ranchers Livestock was owned by Joe Clemence, John Clemence, Chris Hoffman and Bill Hoffman. Joe Clemence was the son of an original owner, Laurence Clemence. Laurence Clemence started Farmers and Ranchers Livestock with Merrill Christiansen and Bob Muir in 1966.

“There were two sale barns already in Salina,” Samples said. “They shut the other two barns down. They got all the cattle and the other barns just went away.”

According to the Kansas State Department of Agriculture, by 1987, numbers were down, with Farmers and Ranchers Livestock running 88,606 head of cattle across the auction block during the year. By building relationships with producers and buyers, Samples increased those numbers to over 200,000 head each year.

“They didn’t have buyers and they didn’t have an active market,” Samples said. “Roger Johnson told me when I got here, ‘You’ll never be able to fill this barn back up, because you don’t have the buyers.' I got the buyers, I got the cattle and I got the market and all is good.”

Samples knew buyers, and began calling people. Now, every major feeding group in the Midwest is represented in the buyers’ seats at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock.

“When I got here, Junction City was getting a lot of cattle,” Samples said. “I just, slowly but surely, got the farmers to bring their cattle to us. It was not an easy task and it was not a quick task. It took time. After I got the thing going and started, then we became the largest livestock auction in Kansas.”

Winter Livestock owned the two largest sale barns in Kansas, Dodge City and Pratt. According to Samples, Dodge City had the biggest sale barn in Kansas for 50 years. Mike Lewis, a friend of Samples, ran the Winter Livestock sale barn in Pratt.

“When I started getting the business going, Mike Lewis was trying to pass Dodge,” Samples said. “Nobody had every passed Dodge. We joked with each other that I was going to pass them both after Pratt passed Dodge.”

Samples attributes the success of Farmers and Ranchers Livestock to several factors, including the location. With Salina at the junction of I-135 and I-70, the sale barn was easily accessible to both buyers and sellers. In addition, Samples notes, the conditions of the region allows for good livestock production.

“I like this part of the world, because there’s grass,” Samples said. “There are cattle and crops to feed the cattle.”

The success is also rooted in Samples’ drive and motivation.

"I had always wanted to run a big successful sale barn,” Samples said. “You gotta love what you do, people have to know that you like what you do and enjoy what you are doing.”

In 2021, Samples was inducted into the Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame. The honor recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to competitive marketing, as the backbone of true price discovery.

“Farmers and Ranchers is very highly respected in the auction business in Kansas and the Midwest,” Samples said. “We get sellers from Western Kansas, from Oklahoma, from Missouri and all over the state of Kansas.”

Samples intends to manage the barn for the next two years, and introduce Mason to the network of buyers and producers composing the business of Farmers and Ranchers Livestock.

“The main thing, I have a very tight relationship with my customers,” Samples said. “I thought when I first met Mason he would fit in. He’s met the people well, and they like him. People were looking for a home. They were going other places, and we give them a home.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740163753293.jpeg" alt="Mason Winter Photos Courtesy Leslie Manning" />
 <figcaption>Mason Winter Photos Courtesy Leslie Manning</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE MANNING <a href="https://www.facebook.com/southeastspotlight/">The Spotlight</a> “We’ve never really been a one size fits all,” Mason Winter said. “In the sale barn industry, you get a taste of it all, and make due with what you’ve got.”In December, Winter came on board at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock, Salina, representing the new ownership, Winter Livestock.“We are going to keep everything the same,” Winter said. “Salina is the largest sale barn in Kansas, so whatever they were doing is working really well for them.”<h2>Under new ownership</h2>Winter was born and raised in Dodge City, where his family owns and operates a sale barn, Winter Livestock, that began with his great-grandpa.“I’m the fourth generation,” Winter said. “My family came to Dodge in 1936. My great-grandpa, Karl, bought stock yards from the railroads, and turned it into the local sale barn. It’s treated us pretty well ever since.”Winter Livestock expanded throughout the generations, to its current capacity of three sale barns in Kansas, one in Colorado and one in Wyoming. Winter, one of four siblings, earned a degree in ag business from Oklahoma State, while returning home on weekends and for Wednesday sales to help operate the Dodge City sale barn. Upon graduation, Winter ran the Dodge City location.“(Growing up) I was around the sale barn as much as possible,” Winter said. “I tried to dive in as much as I could. Once I got to high school, I started helping and not being in the way of everybody.”Since December, Winter has dove in at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock, learning everything he can from sale barn manager, Mike Samples.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740163646969.jpeg" alt="Mike Samples" />
 <figcaption>Mike Samples</figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s no secret in the state of Kansas that this is Mike Samples’ sale barn,” Winter said. “This place was built on his shoulders. We are happy to build off of what he has built.”Samples will stay on as manager for two more years, to teach Winter the ropes of the structures in place at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock.“There’s not really a secret formula,” Winter said. “You work really hard and treat people well, and they seem to do the same back to you. (Sale barns) all kind of follow the same plan, and the same systems, with their own personal touches on them.”Farmers and Ranchers Livestock will continue to operate with a flat rate commission per head. Preparing cattle for the auctions on Mondays and Thursdays, with special auctions for vaccinated calves on Tuesdays, will remain a priority.“The feeding, the watering and the facilitating of the cattle is a job in and of itself,” Winter said. “We’re trying to get as close to what they weighed at home. We want the smallest amount of shrink as possible. Through grass hay and pellets, we try to mitigate that shrink as much as possible.”Kyle Elwood, will remain the assistant manager at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock, preparing the cattle for sale days. Elwood has been the assistant manager and an auctioneer for Farmers and Ranchers Livestock for over 30 years.“Kyle has about as good of eye as anyone I’ve met,” Winter said. “He knows what is going to sell each week, and what the buyers are looking for. It’s impressive how in tune he is with where the cattle need to be and how they need to be sorted.”Packaging the producer’s cattle, by characteristics like color, weight and sex, will remain the same.“Each producer’s cattle is represented in categories in and of themselves,” Winter said. “Buyers are looking for the biggest bunch of like cattle that they can put together. As long as there’s something for them to buy, they make our job really easy. They are competing against each other, so their competitive spirits drive up the costs.”Buyers will continue to see a selection of bottle calves, weaned calves, cow/calf pairs, cows and bred cows.“We’ve got every facet covered and the buyers make our job really easy,” Winter said.According to Winter, the hardest part of the job is unloading and loading and keeping everything straight.“Everything that comes in has to go back out to its new home with low stress and no injuries,” Winter said. “It’s a lot of thankless jobs, that we wouldn’t be able to do without. It’s a lot of getting cattle in and getting cattle out.”Horse sales will also continue at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock, with the 2025 sales scheduled for May 17 and one in October. Hog sales will continue on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. A buffalo sale is planned for December.“I am here to learn as much as I can from Mike and Kyle,” Winter said.<h2>Building a sale barn</h2>Mike Samples began managing Farmers and Ranchers Livestock on August 31, 1987. Raised on an 80-acre farm north of Erie, he joined the FFA chapter in high school under the direction of vo-ag teacher, Ken Nuntin. Samples’ first FFA project was raising six pigs, leading him into raising hogs and cattle.Also, while in high school, Samples went to the sale barn in Parsons as often as he could. Wanting to be a part of the auction world, he started driving and traveling with famous cattleman, E.J. Peck, learning about the cattle industry.Samples worked for the Fredonia market, later running the Chanute Sale Barn for a short while before becoming the manager of the Parsons Livestock Market for Russell and Mark McKee. He had been running the sale barn in Parsons, when he left to take over Farmers and Ranchers Livestock in Salina.“It was in pretty sad shape when I got here,” Samples said. “I’ve never had a lot of give up in me. I just went to driving around the country and meeting people. A lot of places I went to, people actually ran me off their property, because they didn’t like Farmers and Ranchers. I just kept coming back. Most of those people made really good customers of mine.”In 1987, Farmers and Ranchers Livestock was owned by Joe Clemence, John Clemence, Chris Hoffman and Bill Hoffman. Joe Clemence was the son of an original owner, Laurence Clemence. Laurence Clemence started Farmers and Ranchers Livestock with Merrill Christiansen and Bob Muir in 1966.“There were two sale barns already in Salina,” Samples said. “They shut the other two barns down. They got all the cattle and the other barns just went away.”According to the Kansas State Department of Agriculture, by 1987, numbers were down, with Farmers and Ranchers Livestock running 88,606 head of cattle across the auction block during the year. By building relationships with producers and buyers, Samples increased those numbers to over 200,000 head each year.“They didn’t have buyers and they didn’t have an active market,” Samples said. “Roger Johnson told me when I got here, ‘You’ll never be able to fill this barn back up, because you don’t have the buyers.' I got the buyers, I got the cattle and I got the market and all is good.”Samples knew buyers, and began calling people. Now, every major feeding group in the Midwest is represented in the buyers’ seats at Farmers and Ranchers Livestock.“When I got here, Junction City was getting a lot of cattle,” Samples said. “I just, slowly but surely, got the farmers to bring their cattle to us. It was not an easy task and it was not a quick task. It took time. After I got the thing going and started, then we became the largest livestock auction in Kansas.”Winter Livestock owned the two largest sale barns in Kansas, Dodge City and Pratt. According to Samples, Dodge City had the biggest sale barn in Kansas for 50 years. Mike Lewis, a friend of Samples, ran the Winter Livestock sale barn in Pratt.“When I started getting the business going, Mike Lewis was trying to pass Dodge,” Samples said. “Nobody had every passed Dodge. We joked with each other that I was going to pass them both after Pratt passed Dodge.”That is exactly what happened.Samples attributes the success of Farmers and Ranchers Livestock to several factors, including the location. With Salina at the junction of I-135 and I-70, the sale barn was easily accessible to both buyers and sellers. In addition, Samples notes, the conditions of the region allows for good livestock production.“I like this part of the world, because there’s grass,” Samples said. “There are cattle and crops to feed the cattle.”The success is also rooted in Samples’ drive and motivation."I had always wanted to run a big successful sale barn,” Samples said. “You gotta love what you do, people have to know that you like what you do and enjoy what you are doing.”In 2021, Samples was inducted into the Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame. The honor recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to competitive marketing, as the backbone of true price discovery.“Farmers and Ranchers is very highly respected in the auction business in Kansas and the Midwest,” Samples said. “We get sellers from Western Kansas, from Oklahoma, from Missouri and all over the state of Kansas.”Samples intends to manage the barn for the next two years, and introduce Mason to the network of buyers and producers composing the business of Farmers and Ranchers Livestock.“The main thing, I have a very tight relationship with my customers,” Samples said. “I thought when I first met Mason he would fit in. He’s met the people well, and they like him. People were looking for a home. They were going other places, and we give them a home.”

'Winter Livestock' takes ownership of 'Farmers and Ranchers Livestock'

Dwight Rural Water District is under a BOIL WATER ADVISORY from W of HWY 57 to the Morris County Line until further notice. More information will be forth coming when we know more information and posted on the Facebook page of Geary County Emergency Management

Dwight Rural Water District is under a BOIL WATER ADVISORY from W of HWY 57 to the Morris County Line until further notice. More information will be forth coming when we know more information and posted on the Facebook page of Geary County Emergency Management

Boil water advisory issued for Dwight Rural Water District

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740325400959.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Riley County Arrest Report February 23

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/aj-dome/">AJ DOME</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

OVERLAND PARK — Weather enthusiasts across the Plains are concerned about&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahomavoice.com/2025/02/04/oklahoma-house-advances-controversial-bill-giving-some-storm-chasers-emergency-vehicle-status/" target="_blank">a proposed Oklahoma bill</a>&nbsp;that they fear could empower some storm chasers over others.

Oklahoma Rep. Scott Fetgatter introduced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2426&amp;Session=2500" target="_blank">House Bill 2426</a>&nbsp;last month to create a special license that would allow personnel from legacy TV stations and weather researchers affiliated with specified universities operating around severe thunderstorms, to act as emergency responders in the immediate aftermath of a tornado.

The Oklahoma House Business Committee passed the bill on Feb. 4. If it becomes law, the measure would allow licensed storm chasers to affix flashing lights on their vehicles, giving them right-of-way through red lights and on closed roads. The storm tracker license would cost about $500 with a renewal fee of $250. In a statement, Fetgatter, a Republican from Okmulgee, Oklahoma, said the bill is still a work in progress.

WeatherNation meteorologist and storm chaser Erik Fox said he is actively trying to kill the bill because it could potentially create “some constitutional issues” from people simply watching the weather, although he understands the need for enhanced road safety measures as more people pursue storms.

“When I started chasing, I was lucky to see maybe five chasers on any storm,” Fox said. “Now it’s more like 20 to 30.”

Roughly 5,000 people across the country and internationally come to the Great Plains every year to chase storms. Alongside the growing number of chasers is the higher likelihood of them encountering damaged structures and injured people because of their proximity to a storm.

Nemaha County emergency management director and storm chaser Eddie Aldrine said anybody who wants to learn about storm chasing should also take a CPR class and “get to know your first aid kit.”

“Having the knowledge to save your life or someone else’s life is paramount because you may be the only help for miles around, due to the rural environments storm chasers normally operate in,” Aldrine said.

Aldrine taught a first aid class at the National Storm Chaser Summit, which took place Feb. 14-16 in Overland Park. Previous storm chaser conventions were held in Dallas, Denver, and Oklahoma City.

The event was originally called ChaserCon and was created in 2002 by storm chasers Tim Samaras and Roger Hill to provide an opportunity for weather enthusiasts to gather and share stories about their chases. Fox went to his first ChaserCon in 2008 and said he made some lifelong friends there.

Severe weather researcher Tim Samaras, along with his son, Paul, and their friend, Carl Young, were killed in 2013 by a 2.6-mile-wide multi-vortex tornado near El Reno, Oklahoma. Following their deaths, the convention morphed from a loosely organized social party with a couple of speakers into a professional education and networking-focused event with two days of presentations.

Fox is now president and founder of the chaser summit.

“I vowed when I took it over I was going to move it around to give everybody a chance to attend,” Fox said. “The Overland Park area has a very, very huge chaser contingent.”

This is the second year the summit has sold out of tickets, as interest in both severe weather and storm chasing continues to grow following the 2024 release of “Twisters,” a sequel to the 1996 Hollywood film “Twister,” which popularized storm chasing and studying tornadoes.

Kansans have other opportunities to learn more about severe weather this spring. National Weather Service meteorologists across the state are preparing for storm spotter talks, which are held annually in all 105 Kansas counties.

Spotter presentations began earlier in February in Labette and Neosho counties. Schedules for the spotter talks can be found on individual National Weather Service sites for<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ddc/2025spottertalks" target="_blank">&nbsp;Dodge City</a>,<a href="https://www.weather.gov/gld/2025StormSpotterTrainingSchedule" target="_blank">&nbsp;Goodland</a>,<a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/c82156f248964163b87ff425aad288d1" target="_blank">&nbsp;Topeka</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/spottertalks" target="_blank">&nbsp;Wichita</a>.

A virtual spotter training program is also offered through the NWS Topeka office. It will take place March 17. People interested in the virtual program<a href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4811465527032641113" target="_blank">&nbsp;can register online</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740152975847.png" alt=" Storm chasers watch rotating clouds hovering over in May 2024 in Gove and Ness counties in western Kansas. (AJ Dome for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Storm chasers watch rotating clouds hovering over in May 2024 in Gove and Ness counties in western Kansas. (AJ Dome for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/aj-dome/">AJ DOME</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>OVERLAND PARK — Weather enthusiasts across the Plains are concerned about&nbsp;<a href="https://oklahomavoice.com/2025/02/04/oklahoma-house-advances-controversial-bill-giving-some-storm-chasers-emergency-vehicle-status/" target="_blank">a proposed Oklahoma bill</a>&nbsp;that they fear could empower some storm chasers over others.Oklahoma Rep. Scott Fetgatter introduced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2426&amp;Session=2500" target="_blank">House Bill 2426</a>&nbsp;last month to create a special license that would allow personnel from legacy TV stations and weather researchers affiliated with specified universities operating around severe thunderstorms, to act as emergency responders in the immediate aftermath of a tornado.The Oklahoma House Business Committee passed the bill on Feb. 4. If it becomes law, the measure would allow licensed storm chasers to affix flashing lights on their vehicles, giving them right-of-way through red lights and on closed roads. The storm tracker license would cost about $500 with a renewal fee of $250. In a statement, Fetgatter, a Republican from Okmulgee, Oklahoma, said the bill is still a work in progress.WeatherNation meteorologist and storm chaser Erik Fox said he is actively trying to kill the bill because it could potentially create “some constitutional issues” from people simply watching the weather, although he understands the need for enhanced road safety measures as more people pursue storms.“When I started chasing, I was lucky to see maybe five chasers on any storm,” Fox said. “Now it’s more like 20 to 30.”Roughly 5,000 people across the country and internationally come to the Great Plains every year to chase storms. Alongside the growing number of chasers is the higher likelihood of them encountering damaged structures and injured people because of their proximity to a storm.Nemaha County emergency management director and storm chaser Eddie Aldrine said anybody who wants to learn about storm chasing should also take a CPR class and “get to know your first aid kit.”“Having the knowledge to save your life or someone else’s life is paramount because you may be the only help for miles around, due to the rural environments storm chasers normally operate in,” Aldrine said.Aldrine taught a first aid class at the National Storm Chaser Summit, which took place Feb. 14-16 in Overland Park. Previous storm chaser conventions were held in Dallas, Denver, and Oklahoma City.The event was originally called ChaserCon and was created in 2002 by storm chasers Tim Samaras and Roger Hill to provide an opportunity for weather enthusiasts to gather and share stories about their chases. Fox went to his first ChaserCon in 2008 and said he made some lifelong friends there.Severe weather researcher Tim Samaras, along with his son, Paul, and their friend, Carl Young, were killed in 2013 by a 2.6-mile-wide multi-vortex tornado near El Reno, Oklahoma. Following their deaths, the convention morphed from a loosely organized social party with a couple of speakers into a professional education and networking-focused event with two days of presentations.Fox is now president and founder of the chaser summit.“I vowed when I took it over I was going to move it around to give everybody a chance to attend,” Fox said. “The Overland Park area has a very, very huge chaser contingent.”This is the second year the summit has sold out of tickets, as interest in both severe weather and storm chasing continues to grow following the 2024 release of “Twisters,” a sequel to the 1996 Hollywood film “Twister,” which popularized storm chasing and studying tornadoes.Kansans have other opportunities to learn more about severe weather this spring. National Weather Service meteorologists across the state are preparing for storm spotter talks, which are held annually in all 105 Kansas counties.Spotter presentations began earlier in February in Labette and Neosho counties. Schedules for the spotter talks can be found on individual National Weather Service sites for<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ddc/2025spottertalks" target="_blank">&nbsp;Dodge City</a>,<a href="https://www.weather.gov/gld/2025StormSpotterTrainingSchedule" target="_blank">&nbsp;Goodland</a>,<a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/c82156f248964163b87ff425aad288d1" target="_blank">&nbsp;Topeka</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/spottertalks" target="_blank">&nbsp;Wichita</a>.A virtual spotter training program is also offered through the NWS Topeka office. It will take place March 17. People interested in the virtual program<a href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4811465527032641113" target="_blank">&nbsp;can register online</a>.