The Saline County Sheriff's Office has released Salina's Most Wanted list for February 2026.&nbsp;

The current number arrested is&nbsp;3,957.&nbsp;

All photos provided are courtesy of the Saline County Sheriff's Office.&nbsp;All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony / Theft

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony / Crim. Threat / DV Batt. / Theft / Intimidation of Witness/Victim

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Theft / Give False Information

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony FTA / Stalking x2 /Harass by Telephone x10 / Viol Pro Order x36

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony FTA / Poss Opiate

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony / Poss Meth / Poss Para

NAME:&nbsp;Harwell, Richard Preston

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony Bond Viol. / Poss. Opiate / Poss. Para. / No Drug Tax Stamp / Recruit Gang Member / Crim. Threat / Int. w/ LEO x2

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony / Att Distribution of Methamphetamine / Paraphernalia / Possess Hydrocodone / Possess Marijuana / Use of cell phone in Felony / No drug tax stamp

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony / Forgery / Att. Forgery / Theft / Att. Theft

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony Poss. Opiate / Poss. MJ / Poss. Para.

NAME:&nbsp;Martinez, Aaliyah Nichole

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Flee &amp; Elude

NAME:&nbsp;Martinez, Amanda Nicole

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Poss Opiate

NAME:&nbsp;McDowell, Tristian Pacey

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Poss. Opiates x2

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony FTA / Poss Opiates

NAME:&nbsp;Platte-Evans, Heather Renea

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony FTA / Flee &amp; Elude / Poss MJ

NAME:&nbsp;Stebbins, Christopher Joel

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony PV / Burglary / Theft / Crim. Damage to Property

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony FTA / Poss Opiate

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Felony Bond Viol. / Dist. Heroin / Poss. Opiates / Poss. Controlled Substance / Poss. Para. / No Drug Tax Stamp

Saline County Sheriff's Office Most Wanted — February 2026

Following is recent booking activity for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salinecountyks.gov/Sheriff-Office/Online-search/Booking-Activities">Saline County Jail</a>, as provided by law enforcement. Photos, if provided, are courtesy of Saline County Jail. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs Unknown severity

Saline County Jail Bookings, February 9 

K-State Extension – Central Kansas District Family and Community Wellness

Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your overall health, but finding motivation and time can be challenging. If you’re looking for a fun and achievable way to increase your physical activity, Walk Kansas might be just what you need.

This statewide program encourages team-based movement and provides accountability and encouragement to help you meet national Physical Activity Guidelines and improve your well-being. 

Understanding the Physical Activity Guidelines

The Physical Activity Guidelines for U.S. citizens from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, recommend that adults aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. Additionally, it’s important to include muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week. 

Following these guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve mental health, and enhance overall quality of life. 

Moderate-intensity physical activity means getting your heart rate up and breaking a sweat, but still being able to carry on a conversation. 

· Active household chores, like vacuuming or mopping

If you’re not sure whether you’re reaching a moderate level, try the talk test—if you can talk but not sing while being active, you’re in the right range! 

In addition to aerobic activity, adults should engage in muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week. Strength training is crucial for maintaining muscle mass, improving bone density, and reducing the risk of injury. 

· Bodyweight exercises (push-ups, squats, lunges)

· Lifting weights or using resistance bands

Walk Kansas provides an excellent opportunity to work toward these activity goals. This eight-week program encourages participants to team up and log physical activity while virtually traveling across the state of Kansas. The program is designed for all fitness levels and motivates participants to move more, sit less, and incorporate strength training into their routine.

· Team Accountability: Join friends, family, or co-workers to stay on track.

· Flexible Activities: Walk, bike, dance, or choose any movement you enjoy.

· Support &amp; Motivation: Weekly tips, recipes, and resources to encourage a healthier lifestyle.

Sticking to a fitness routine is much easier when you enjoy what you’re doing. The best physical activity is the one you’ll actually do—whether it’s walking with friends, gardening, or dancing in your living room. So, what’s your favorite way to move? If you’re looking for a great place to start, consider getting a team together, signing up for Walk Kansas and taking the first step toward a healthier, more active lifestyle!

Registration opens March 1, 2026. The program runs from March 22 - May 16, 2026.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.walkkansas.org">To learn more, visit Walk Kansas website.</a>

K-State health initiative encourages Kansans to stay active and have fun meeting fitness goals

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has launched a new&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2F1508%2FTravel-Health%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019c43186f5e-c0f3d35b-f2d4-49f3-a0d0-6508e0457071-000000/B--x3N4mBE2HtfQDbxmTcHKSLzJQBeQp0tgBaXTl0cQ=443">Travel &amp; Health webpage</a>&nbsp;to provide healthcare and public health partners with educational and clinical resources ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026TM.

This highly anticipated event is expected to bring increased domestic and international travel to the Kansas City metro area.

Higher travel volumes and mass gatherings increase the potential for the spread of infectious diseases, including conditions rarely seen in Kansas. Healthcare providers are encouraged to routinely “Think Travel History” when evaluating patients.

“With the World Cup approaching, early recognition starts with asking about travel,”&nbsp;KDHE Deputy Secretary for Public Health Ashley Goss said.&nbsp;“This new webpage gives providers a central resource to quickly access guidance and stay prepared for travel-related disease risks.”

The new Travel &amp; Health webpage includes:

- Disease-specific reporting and testing information.

- Infection Prevention and Control resources for healthcare facilities.

- Provider training webinars on domestic and international infectious diseases.

In the upcoming weeks, new resources will continue to be added. These will include additional training webinars, a clinical support dashboard which will allow clinicians to search for outbreaks and endemic diseases by country, and a Kansas specific dashboard which will track emergency department visits and wastewater surveillance data.

KDHE launches new webpage giving healthcare providers resources ahead of FIFA World Cup travel

Salina Police are investigating an anti-ICE protest, where possible charges are pending for a man.

According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Saturday at around 4:45 pm, a group of anti-ICE protestors were protesting on a grassy area near Dillons on 9th Street (2350 Planet). A 38-year old female reported a truck suddenly approached and drove near the area of the protestors.

Protestors were concerned and yelled at the driver to back away.

The driver then backed away and fled the scene before officers arrived.

Officers then came in contact with the male driver at his home address, who is identified as a 64-year old of Salina.

SPD are seeking for any surveillance video and possible charges are pending.

Possible charges pending for Salina man after anti-ICE protest incident

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

Salina Post understands the importance of honoring the deceased and welcomes all submissions of obituaries with a full summary of their life, survivors, services, website of the funeral home and a photo.

Salina Post accepts all obituaries&nbsp;free of charge&nbsp;and you can email all obituaries:&nbsp;<a href="https://newstips@salinapost.com/">newstips@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>&nbsp;and will be posted on the website within 24 business hours.

If you have an issue outside of business hours, if your obituary has not been published within 24 business hours, or if have any questions, please email:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://newstips@salinapost.com/">newstips@salinapost.com</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com">nicolas.fierro@eaglemedia.com</a>

Recent obituaries and service times, how to submit an obituary

<a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Salina&amp;state=KS&amp;site=ICT&amp;lat=38.8158&amp;lon=-97.6178">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Monitor local weather updates frequently in multiple ways by listening to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/nwr/">NOAA Weather Radio</a>, checking local news and emergency notifications. You can also stay informed by following Saline County and the National Weather Service on social media.

For the latest forecast updates, visit the National Weather Service Wichita office at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/">https://www.weather.gov/ict/</a>. To check forecasts frequently, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">weather.gov</a>.

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 9 - February 11

NAME:&nbsp;Huffman,Warren Raymond

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Theft by deception:Value $1,500 to $25,000

Saline County Jail Bookings, February 8

Dr. Steve Hoekstra, professor of Psychology at Kansas Wesleyan University, will join local psychologist Dr. Paula Fried in presenting “What’s Your Type? The History, Promise, and Limits of Personality Typing” at the Salina Art Center (242 S. Santa Fe Ave.) on Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 6-7 p.m.

The presentation will focus on the popular Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and explore the history of personality typing, its uses, its limitations and more.&nbsp;

“People instinctively want to classify people into groups and to use that knowledge to predict what people might do,” said Hoekstra.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Many personality tests are also used for workgroups or to judge relationship compatibility. We’re going to explore how personality forms, whether it can change, and how it is or isn’t useful in everyday life.”

The event is free to the public and will be located in the Salina Art Center’s gallery.

Additional information can be found at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://salinaartcenter.org/galleries">salinaartcenter.org/galleries</a>.

KWU Psychology professor to explore Personality Typing in presentation at Salina Art Center

The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce officially unveiled a new community brand as part of the Community Marketing Initiative (CMI), marking a major step forward in telling Salina’s story and positioning the community for long term growth.&nbsp;

The new brand, developed by Chamber staff in collaboration with community partners, reflects Salina’s authentic character, momentum, and potential. It is designed to strengthen local pride while reshaping how Salina is perceived by visitors, job seekers, families, and businesses across the region&nbsp; and beyond.&nbsp;

Key elements of the new branding, such as logo, fonts, and colors, will be utilized prominently for a new website (set to launch in the spring) and future digital marketing materials highlighting Salina and&nbsp; Saline County.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Good, bad, or indifferent, communities have reputations just like individuals and businesses do,”&nbsp; said Renee Duxler, President &amp; CEO of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce. “This initiative is about clearly defining who we are today, celebrating what makes Salina unique, and intentionally sharing that story in a way that builds pride locally and curiosity externally.”&nbsp;

The Community Marketing Initiative is a comprehensive, long-term digital marketing effort focused on three primary goals:&nbsp;

• Attracting visitors and new residents, particularly young professionals and families.

• Supporting workforce recruitment and economic development.

• Increasing resident pride and community engagement.

The initiative emphasizes authentic storytelling, data-driven strategy, and collaboration with local businesses, organizations, and institutions throughout Saline County.

At the heart of the CMI is a robust digital strategy that will include:&nbsp;

• The development and launch of a new SEO-optimized community website in spring 2026.

• Targeted digital and Google advertising campaigns.

• Ongoing social media storytelling and community-focused content.

• A comprehensive photo and video library showcasing Salina’s people, places, and quality of life.

• Blog content designed to improve search visibility and share real stories from the community.

“This is about meeting people where they are, on their screens, while staying true to who we are,”&nbsp; Duxler said. “A strong brand and consistent digital presence are critical tools for recruitment,&nbsp; retention, tourism, and long-term economic vitality.”&nbsp;

The new brand and marketing initiative are designed with not only external audiences in mind, but residents as well. By highlighting Salina’s arts scene, downtown growth, career opportunities, public spaces, and quality of life, the initiative aims to foster a sense of ownership and belonging among those who already call Salina home.&nbsp;

“When residents believe in the brand and see themselves in it, they become our best ambassadors,”&nbsp; Duxler added. “That word-of-mouth advocacy is incredibly powerful.”&nbsp;

The CMI will begin rolling out the new brand across digital platforms and community materials, with phased marketing campaigns launching throughout 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For more information about the Community Marketing Initiative, contact Marketing Director Marcus Petty at 785-827-9310 or email mpetty@salinakansas.org.&nbsp;

Chamber of Commerce announces new community brand, "building pride from the inside out"

NAME:&nbsp;Coble,Matthew James Wayne

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGE: Probation Violation

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit; Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs; Misdemeanor; No Proof Of Insurance; Operate a MV w/o a valid license; Transporting an open container

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Transmit/commun false info to req emerg srvc

Saline County Jail Bookings, February 7

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 6 - February 8

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 4 - February 6

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 1 - February 3

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 30 - February 1

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 28 - January 30

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 26 - January 28

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 23 - January 25

Saline County Emergency Management&nbsp;

The National Weather Service in Wichita reports an&nbsp;Arctic outbreak and winter weather&nbsp;will impact Saline County&nbsp;beginning Friday and continuing through Monday morning, bringing&nbsp;dangerous cold, hazardous travel conditions, and&nbsp;accumulating snow.

Arctic air is expected to move into the area early Friday morning and persist through the weekend, with&nbsp;dangerous wind chills between -10°F and -20°F&nbsp;likely from Friday morning through Monday morning. The coldest conditions are expected during the overnight and early morning hours.

Snow&nbsp;is expected to begin late Friday afternoon or Friday evening and continue through Saturday night, with&nbsp;slick roads&nbsp;and&nbsp;hazardous travel&nbsp;possible. While higher snowfall totals are more likely south of Saline County, confidence is high that snow will affect the area.&nbsp;Travel impacts are expected&nbsp;due to&nbsp;reduced visibility, slick roads,&nbsp;and&nbsp;prolonged cold conditions.

A&nbsp;Winter Storm Watch&nbsp;remains in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday night, and an&nbsp;Extreme Cold Watch&nbsp;has been issued for the entire forecast area through Monday morning. Confidence is high in the timing and severity of the cold, with medium confidence in exact snowfall amounts due to potential shifts in the heaviest snow band.&nbsp;

<a href="https://files.constantcontact.com/55d47694801/2b6fb17f-1676-4697-ac6f-7c32ed6b5928.pdf?rdr=true">Click here to view the full packet of the upcoming severe weather</a>

Arctic outbreak & winter weather to impact Saline Co. Friday - Monday

Three day weather forecast Salina, January 21 - January 23

WASHINGTON (AP) — A leading U.S. health official on Sunday urged people to get inoculated against the measles at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-south-carolina-utah-arizona-845643cd1342f1ce2ea01d11b74ee77b">outbreaks across several states</a>&nbsp;and as the United States is at risk of losing its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-measles-elimination-mexico-6f0bc8f7ef31d5ef82492e42ccb38e47">measles elimination status</a>.

“Take the vaccine, please,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dr-oz-mehmet-things-to-know-trump-be62594d66e07b9544e48ddf9febf7bf">Dr. Mehmet Oz</a>, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator whose boss has raised&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-rfk-jr-messaging-criticism-vaccine-1a2cbdc14eb0c256695fdfac00cbfb6d?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">suspicion about the safety and importance of vaccines</a>. “We have a solution for our problem.”

Oz, a heart surgeon, defended some recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/childhood-vaccine-schedule-trump-rfk-measles-flu-b31b4d6815d4395d72745f3a18f2263c">revised federal vaccine recommendations</a>&nbsp;as well as past comments from President Donald Trump and the nation's health chief, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., about the efficacy of vaccines. From Oz, there was a clear message on the measles.

“Not all illnesses are equally dangerous and not all people are equally susceptible to those illnesses,” he told CNN’s “State of the Union.” “But measles is one you should get your vaccine.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-south-carolina-utah-arizona-845643cd1342f1ce2ea01d11b74ee77b">An outbreak</a>&nbsp;in South Carolina in the hundreds has surpassed the recorded case count in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-vaccine-outbreak-texas-mmr-0744a165cfb354022092a1f158c698b0">Texas’ 2025 outbreak</a>, and there is also one on the Utah-Arizona border. Multiple other states have had confirmed cases this year. The outbreaks have mostly impacted children and have come as infectious disease experts warn that rising public distrust of vaccines generally may be contributing to the spread of a disease once declared eradicated by public health officials.

Asked in the television interview whether people should fear the measles, Oz replied, “Oh, for sure.” He said Medicare and Medicaid will continue to cover the measles vaccine as part of the insurance programs.

“There will never be a barrier to Americans get access to the measles vaccine. And it is part of the core schedule,” Oz said.

But Oz also said “we have advocated for measles vaccines all along” and that Kennedy “has been on the very front of this.”

Questions about vaccines did not come up later in a Kennedy interview on Fox News Channel's “The Sunday Briefing,” where he was asked about what kind of Super Bowl snack he might have (probably yogurt). He also he eats steak with sauerkraut in the mornings.

Critics of Kennedy have argued that the health secretary's longtime skepticism of U.S. vaccine recommendations and past sympathy for the unfounded claim that vaccines may cause autism may influence official public health guidance in ways contrary to the medical consensus.

Oz argued that Kennedy's stance was supportive of the measles vaccine despite Kennedy's general comments about the recommended vaccine schedule.

“When the first outbreak happened in Texas, he said, get your vaccines for measles, because that’s an example of an ailment that you should get vaccinated against,” Oz said.

The Republican administration last month dropped some vaccine recommendations for children, an overhaul of the traditional vaccine schedule that the Department of Health and Human Services said was in response to a request from Trump.

Trump asked the agency to review how peer nations approach vaccine recommendations and consider revising U.S. guidance accordingly.

States, not the federal government, have the authority to require vaccinations for schoolchildren. While federal requirements often influence those state regulations, some states have begun&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-west-coast-vaccines-trump-fd5ce557532a3c9f37b77ff9f14b07b9">creating their own alliances</a>&nbsp;to counter the administration’s guidance on vaccines.

U.S. vaccination rates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccination-rates-cdc-kindergarten-0d261546a130dc256735d7b1ff8c6a5f">have dropped</a>&nbsp;and the share of children with exemptions has reached an all-time high, according to federal data. At the same time, rates of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-measles-polio-whooping-cough-rubella-af4cd1aef8f408a960601df6372f9c32">diseases</a>&nbsp;that can be protected against with vaccines, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccination-rates-cdc-kindergarten-0d261546a130dc256735d7b1ff8c6a5f">measles</a>&nbsp;and whooping cough, are rising across the country.

Kennedy's past skepticism of vaccines has come under scrutiny since Trump first nominated him to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

During his Senate confirmation testimony last year, Kennedy told lawmakers that a closely scrutinized 2019 trip he took to Samoa, which came before a devastating measles outbreak, had&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7s-NnWUZwE&amp;t=8456s">“nothing to do with vaccines.”</a>

But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-measles-outbreak-samoa-emails-e04686f052e8c78b5a52be1e4fbcf62f">documents obtained by The Guardian and The Associated Press undermine that testimony</a>. Emails sent by staffers at the U.S. Embassy and the United Nations said that Kennedy sought to meet with top Samoan officials during his trip to the Pacific island nation.

Samoan officials later said Kennedy’s trip bolstered the credibility of anti-vaccine activists before the measles outbreak, which sickened thousands of people and killed 83, mostly children under age 5.

Oz's comments mark a broader pattern among administration officials of voicing discordant and at times contradictory statements about the efficacy of vaccines amid an overhaul of U.S. public health policy.

Officials have walked a fine line in criticizing past U.S. vaccine policy, often at times appearing to express sympathy for unfounded conspiracy theories from anti-vaccine activists, while also not straying too far from established science.

During a Senate hearing Tuesday, Jay Bhattacharya, the director of the National Institutes of Health, said no single vaccine causes autism, but he did not rule out the possibility that research may find some combination of vaccines could have negative health side effects.

But Kennedy, in Senate testimony, has argued that a link between vaccines and autism has not been disproved.

He has previously claimed that some components of vaccines, like the mercury-containing preservative thimerosal, may cause childhood neurological disorders such as autism. Most vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella do not contain thimerosal. A federal vaccine advisory board overhauled by Kennedy last year voted to no longer recommend thimerosal-containing vaccines.

Administration public health officials often cite the need to restore trust in public health systems after the coronavirus pandemic, when vaccine policy and the general public health response to the deadly pandemic became a highly polarizing topic in American politics.

Misinformation and conspiracy theories about the public health system also spread during the pandemic, and longtime anti-vaccine activist groups saw a swell in interest from the wider public.

Kennedy, who for years led the anti-vaccine activist group Children's Health Defense, has been criticized for ordering reviews of vaccines and public health guidelines that leading medical research groups have deemed settled science.

Public health experts also criticized the president for making unfounded claims about highly politicized health issues. During a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tylenol-cause-autism-trump-kennedy-0847ee76eedecbd5e9baa6888b567d66">September Oval Office event</a>, Trump asserted without evidence that Tylenol and vaccines are linked to a rise in the incidence of autism in the United States.

US health official urges Americans to get measles vaccine amid case surge

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Bipartisan legislation reflects idea devices distract students, harm mental health

TOPEKA — Central Christian Academy and Atchison County Community Schools serve distinct K-12 populations, but superintendents of both oppose a proposed mandate by the Kansas Legislature to force private and public schools to ban personal cellphones and other electronic devices during school hours.

A House Education Committee hearing Friday generated criticism that such a state law would undermine local control of education. Supporters of reform said personal devices could be a classroom impediment to academic success and contributed to mental health challenges of students.

David Landis, superintendent of the 660-student private Christian school in Wichita, said the school’s leadership adopted several years ago nearly all the cellphone restrictions proposed in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2421/" target="_blank">House Bill 2421</a>. He objected to the Legislature mandating those policies from Topeka.

“We stand opposed to the state making financial and reporting policy decisions on behalf of any private school,” he said. “We ask that HB 2421 be rewritten to exclude all nonpublic schools.”

Andrew Gaddis, superintendent of the Atchison County district and its 500 students, said the bill was a departure from the state’s commitment to the principle of local control in public education. He said elected school boards collaborating with administrators, teachers and families were best suited to adopt policy respectful of local values and culture.

While many public school districts in Kansas previously enacted cellphone restrictions, Gaddis said, a one-size-fits-all law wouldn’t reflect diversity of thought on the in-school use of devices.

“Preserving local control allows districts to adjust practices as student needs change, technology evolves and community input is considered,” Gaddis said.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly endorsed the concept of an in-school ban on cellphones. Twenty-eight Republicans and Democrats in the Kansas Senate sponsored a bill creating a statewide ban. In the House, nine Republicans or Democrats did the same.

Under House and Senate versions of the bill, students attending accredited nonpublic and public elementary or secondary schools would be prohibited from using cellphones, smartwatches and earbuds during instructional time. The prohibition would include lunch breaks and gaps between classes.

The bills would require personal electronic communication devices owned by students and brought to school to be securely stored. The legislation wouldn’t allow storage in backpacks or lockers, but neither bill would provide state funding for schools to buy containers to sequester electronic devices. A legislative document outlining the bills say it could cost nearly $13.4 million for public schools to purchase $30 fabric pouches with locks for 446,000 students.

Exceptions to the ban would be made for students with personal medical issues. Exemptions would extend to students with an individualized education plan, or IEP, and those with a 504 plan outlining school accommodations designed to guarantee equal access to education. Students would be able to contact a parent or guardian with a school-owned telephone or device.

The legislation would forbid school district employees from communicating with students privately or directly through social media apps for official academic purposes.

The bills would direct local public school boards of education or governing bodies of accredited private schools to comply by Sept. 1, 2026. School administrators must report to the Kansas State Board of Education the average amount of time students in first through fourth grades spent on electronic devices with a screen during a typical school day.

A companion bill banning in-school use of personal communication devices was introduced as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb302/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 302</a>. The Senate Education Committee conducted a hearing on the bill in January.

Adrienne Olejnik, vice president of Kansas Action for Children, said schools implementing bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions contemplated in the legislation were beginning to see signs that children experienced better relationships, mental well-being and educational achievement.

“Digital devices interfere with so many critical aspects of children’s development and schools should thoughtfully consider how technology is integrated into a student’s day,” she said.

Olejnik said use of individual digital devices wasn’t intrinsically dangerous for children, but it was important schools step in to help young people find a healthy balance.

Kim Whitman, a Kansas leader of Smartphone Free Childhood US, said cellphones and social media platforms were designed to be addictive. A study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association said students spent an average of 70 minutes per school day on their phones. That added up to loss of the equivalent of 30 instructional days per year, she said.

“When devices are stored away, students focus better and teachers can teach instead of policing phones,” Whitman said.

She said change was necessary because an estimated 11% of Kansas public school students were enrolled in districts enforcing phone-free policies covering the entire school day.

Wichita school board member Ngoc Vuong, a doctoral student at Wichita State University, endorsed the legislation. Vuong urged Kansas lawmakers to respond to unhealthy relationships many children and adolescents had with smartphones and social media.

“While I recognize and respect the local control argument, as a researcher and local school board member, I have come to the conclusion that, given the universality of problematic smartphone and social media use and its disproportionate impact on K-12 students, state-level action is necessary to mitigate its harms and promote more constructive, focused and engaging learning environments,” Vuong said.

Bills banning most cellphone use by Kansas students during school draws critics, champions

JACKSON COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just before 12:15 a.m. Monday in Jackson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Nadine A&nbsp;Aylesworth, 62, Whiting, was&nbsp;southbound in the northbound lanes of U.S.75 just south of 302 Road.&nbsp; The car struck a northbound 2010 Ford Fusion driven by Heather S K Browning, 18, Goff, head-on.

Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Both were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Two Kansas women killed in wrong-way, head-on crash

RILEY COUNTY —A member of the Kansas State University men's basketball staff under investigation for alleged violent crimes.

Just before 1:30a.m. Monday, 29-year-old Mark Vital was booked into the Riley County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;domestic battery; knowing rude physical contact with family member or dating relationship, according to the Riley County Police Department arrest report. Just after 3a.m. Vital met the requirement of a $2,000 bond and is no longer in custody.

He is in his first season as a graduate student manager at K-State, according to his online bio. Vital was a three-time All-Big 12 selection and a member of Baylor’s 2021 National Championship team where K-State head coach Jerome Tang was an assistant.  Vital is working towards a master’s in counseling and student development at K-State.

Police arrest K-State basketball grad student manager

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 5:30p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 8200 block of Troost, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

As officers arrived they were directed to a convenience store in the area. It was there they located a man suffering from unknown trauma to his head. Officers began performing lifesaving measures and ordered KCFD EMS to the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.&nbsp;

Investigators and crime scene personnel responded and began a death investigation.&nbsp;&nbsp;They processed the scene for physical evidence, surveillance footage, and canvassed for witnesses. KCPD detectives were contacted by hospital officials at a later time revealing the victim suffered a gunshot wound. This case is now being investigated as a homicide..&nbsp;

If anyone was in the area and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouri’s Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the State’s administering agency.

KCPD: Homicide victim shot in the head outside convenience store

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