By:<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">Sherman Smith</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>

TOPEKA — Former Saint Francis Ministries CEO Robert Smith admitted in federal court Thursday that he used the organization’s credit card for personal expenses and authorized payments for a co-defendant’s fraudulent invoices.

Then he pleaded guilty to a single charge of wire fraud for a $6,909.73 credit card payment.

Smith led the foster care organization from 2014 to 2020, where the Episcopal priest was known as Father Bobby.&nbsp;Federal authorities gathered evidence that Smith and William&nbsp;Whymark, who provided IT services, engaged in a scheme to bilk the organization of more than $4.7 million through inflated invoices. Smith also used the organization’s credit card for family travels, fine clothes, meals at five-star restaurants and cash withdrawals.

Kansas Reflector&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/20/kansas-foster-care-leader-charged-469k-to-credit-cards-hid-financial-losses/">first reported on the financial irregularities</a>&nbsp;shortly after Smith resigned in 2020.

Whymark&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Whymark-plea.pdf">pleaded guilty on Nov. 18</a>&nbsp;to two charges of wire fraud totaling more than $2 million, admitting his role in the scheme. He has yet to be sentenced.

The 54-year-old Smith faced 20 charges for crimes including wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. By pleading guilty to a single count of wire fraud, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will remain free until sentencing, which is set for July 15.

Danielle Thomas, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas, said&nbsp;“the discretion on whether to dismiss or proceed on the remaining charges remains.”

U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse gripped and spun a baseball in his hands Thursday as Smith affirmed for the judge that he understood the charges against him, that he would lose the right to vote, hold office or own a gun, that he received adequate counsel from defense attorney Sarah Hess, and that the judge alone would determine the length of his prison term.

“Does it remain your desire to plead guilty today?” Crouse asked.

Prosecutor Sara Walton then presented evidence that would be brought against Smith if the case were to go to trial. The evidence included Smith’s approval of fraudulent invoices, as well as the personal credit card expenses that he failed to report or reimburse. The count to which Smith agreed to plead guilty was a credit card payment from March 3, 2018.

Smith admitted for the record that the evidence was accurate. He sat stoically with hands folded on the defendant’s table as Crouse accepted the plea.

Bishop Paula Clark of the Diocese of Chicago, where Smith was ordained, said in a statement that the church would respond to his guilty plea by initiating a disciplinary process.

“I ask you to please pray for the Rev. Smith, his family, and all who are affected by this situation,” Clark said.

Saint Francis, a faith-based nonprofit, was the state’s largest foster care contractor, serving 3,100 children and 600 homes, when Smith resigned in November 2020. The organization nearly became insolvent under Smith’s management, which included severely underbidding a foster care contract in Nebraska.

Among other questionable purchases, Smith claimed he purchased&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/22/former-ceo-of-foster-care-provider-defends-travel-charges-cubs-tickets/">$65,000 worth of Chicago Cubs tickets</a>&nbsp;so he could flip them for a profit on the secondary market. Nebraska’s governor at the time, Pete Ricketts, who is now a U.S. senator, is part-owner of the Cubs.

Smith also invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in his wife’s plans to harvest a “miracle” food in El Salvador. An internal Saint Francis investigation later discovered a project manager in El Salvador had asked for a Visa card that could be used for cash bribes for government officials there.

The Kansas Department for Children and Families, after conducting its own investigation, required Saint Francis to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/30/kansas-foster-care-provider-to-repay-9-4m-in-unused-tax-dollars/">repay $9.4 million</a>. The state also replaced Saint Francis as the contractor for the Wichita area, but continues to contract with Saint Francis in other parts of the state.

“For more than 80 years Saint Francis Ministries has provided healing and hope to children and families and that remains our focus,” said Denny Marlin, spokesman for Saint Francis. “We trust the judicial process and remain committed to serving the children and families who rely on our care.”

Former Kansas foster care leader pleads guilty to wire fraud

Here is the lineup for the Saturday Morning Show with Dave Foor &amp; Nicolas Fierro on&nbsp;910 AM/107.5 FM KINA for&nbsp;February 21, 2026:

Megan Rico - Saline County Health Department; Food System Assessment &amp; "Community Health Matters"

Rolling Hills Zoo&nbsp;- Birth of Southern White Rhino Calf and updates

Bob Sears -&nbsp;&nbsp;Salina Senior Theatre Project; "Dinner at Seven, Panic at Nine" upcoming auditions

Salina Central Theatre&nbsp; - "Clue" performance selected to be presented at International Thespian Festival in Indiana&nbsp;

All episodes are recorded and uploaded on the&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/index.cfm?CFID=05fb1ecb-7d68-4542-adb3-9b7c11d9b5e5&amp;CFTOKEN=0&amp;stationCallSign=KINA&amp;onDemandAutoStart=true&amp;p92136680=true&amp;relocateURL=true">910 AM and 107.5 FM KINA website</a>, under the 'KINA Saturday Mornings'&nbsp;tab.

Saturday Morning Show lineup with Dave Foor & Nicolas Fierro, February 21, 2026

Salina Area United Way is honoring the life and service of longtime Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteer Phil Bowman, who dedicated more than 12 years to helping local families navigate tax season through VITA.

Out of respect, VITA Intake will be closed on Monday, February 23.

All scheduled morning appointments will be rescheduled, and the United Way office will reopen at 1:00 pm. 

Staff and volunteers will be attending his funeral to pay their respects.

“Phil’s commitment to serving others made a lasting impact on our community,” said Christina Small, Executive Director of Salina Area United Way. “We are incredibly grateful for his years of dedication.”

For additional information about VITA services or to reschedule an appointment, please contact the Salina Area United Way office at 785-827-1312 or visit <a href="http://unitedwaysalina.org">unitedwaysalina.org</a>.

United Way honors life and longtime volunteer of income tax assistance program

The VFW Post 1432 in Salina (1108 W. Crawford) will host a gun, knife and ammo show and 100% of funds collected will support local veterans.

This two-day event will be on Saturday, February 21, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm &amp; Sunday, February 22, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Admission is $5.00 each day and ages 12 - under w/ adult get in for free.

If anyone has any questions and wanting additional information, please reach out to Show Coordinator, Bob at: (785) 577-4819

VFW Post 1432 hosting gun show, 100% funds support local veterans

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.

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 20 - February 22

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;Theft of prop/services;Value $1,500 to $25,000

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Return for court testimony

REQUESTED CHARGE: Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Failure to appear

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Outside warrant/NCIC hit

REQUESTED CHARGE:&nbsp;Theft of prop/serv;&lt;$1500 3 business in 72 hrs

*No image available for&nbsp;Orear,David Allan (34)*

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Assault of LEO; Properly identified on duty; Interference with LEO; knowingly flee by means other than motor vehicle for misdemeanor case; Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner

REQUESTED CHARGES:&nbsp;Interfere w/ LEO; unknown circ; misd; Criminal trespass; Remain in defiance of order by owner

NAME:&nbsp;Wilson-Mosher,Sarah Mae

Saline County Jail Bookings, February 20

The Salina City Commission will hold its regular meeting on&nbsp;Monday February 23, 2026. The meeting will begin at&nbsp;4:00 pm&nbsp;inside&nbsp;Room 107&nbsp;of the&nbsp;City-County Building,&nbsp;300 West Ash Street.

For those who cannot attend the meeting, you can watch the livestream Monday, February 23 on YouTube at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas">https://www.youtube.com/cityofSalinaKansas</a>.

1.&nbsp;Consider approval of the February 9, 2026, regular meeting minutes.

2.&nbsp;Consider approval of Resolution No. 26-8337 appointing members to citizen boards, commissions, and committees.

3.&nbsp;Consider Resolution No. 26-8335 to declare the City owned parking lot on the corner of Santa Fe Ave. and Ash St. as a qualified municipal facility under the City of Salina Municipal Facility Naming Guidelines.

4.&nbsp;Consider accepting title to a building located in North Third St. right-of-way north of Elm Street from Matador Cattle Company for the sum of $10.00.

1.&nbsp;Consider approval of Resolution No. 26-8336 advising the issuance of IRBs for a sales tax exemption on construction materials for the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency (KMEA).

Residents are invited to share their comments for 3 minutes with the commission.

<a href="https://agendasuite.org/iip/salina/meeting/details/1189">For more information about each item click here.</a>

Discussion of Boys & Girls Club of Salina, consideration of sales tax abatement for business on agenda for Feb. 23 meeting

Thursday's cold front is expected to cause flurries and wintry mix for Friday across Kansas.

According to the US National Weather Service, light snow or flurries will impact central Kansas Friday night with a rain/snow mix further south. 

Snow accumulations up to a dusting are possible as well.

Furthermore, the cold front that moved across the region Thursday will lead to much cooler temperatures and even a chance for some light snow. Friday's highs will generally be in the 40s and lows in the upper teens and 20s.

Stay updated with local weather on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NWSWichita">US National Weather Service Wichita Kansas</a>&nbsp;Facebook page.

Weather: Cold front expected to cause flurries and wintry mix across Kansas 

The Salina Family YMCA is proud to announce the opening of its new “Y We Share” Food Pantry, now available to the public in the facility’s main lobby. 

The pantry is designed to provide convenient, stigma-free access to food for anyone in the community—whether they need assistance or wish to donate.

The “Y We Share” pantry operates on a simple principle: 

Currently, community members are welcome to visit the pantry during regular business hours to pick up essential items or drop off donations. All contributions go directly to supporting local individuals and families.

“We believe strong communities are built when neighbors support one another,” said Stacy Jagodzinske, Child Nutrition Director. “The Y We Share Food Pantry allows us to offer another layer of support to the families we serve and to anyone in Salina who may be experiencing food insecurity.”

The pantry accepts a variety of shelf-stable, produce and frozen foods, including canned items, boxed or bagged dry goods, refrigerated produce, and properly frozen products. All donations are inspected to ensure safety and quality. Items such as homemade foods, unlabeled products, or damaged packaging exposing food cannot be accepted.

This project, that was once only a dream, began to take shape when a passionate Leadership Salina Red Team approached Stacy with an interest in expanding the Y’s reach in serving more individuals facing food insecurity. 

Through this partnership, the team secured a grant from the Greater Salina Community and received local funding from Lowe’s, Blue Beacon, CKF Addiction Treatment Center, JRI Investments, Schwan’s, and Salina Regional Health Center. These funds provide the crucial early funding needed to launch the pantry. Many of these organizations’ dedication has remained constant, and they plan to continue to play an active role in the pantry’s growth and community impact.

In addition, a grant from YUSA has been awarded that will allow even greater impact.

Food insecurity continues to affect individuals across Kansas, and community-based resources like the Y We Share pantry aim to make access to food easier, more reliable, and more comfortable for those who need it.

The Y is also seeking a driven, community-minded volunteer to help keep the new pantry thriving. This key volunteer will play an important role in organizing donations, supporting families who visit the pantry, and helping us expand our impact. If you’re passionate about strengthening our community and making a direct difference for local families, we’d love to connect with you.

Community members with questions about the pantry or donation guidelines are encouraged to contact Stacy at sjagodzinske@salinaymca.org.

Donations can be made anytime during facility hours.

Salina YMCA opens “Y We Share” food pantry to support the community

A portion of U.S. Highway 36 through Phillipsburg in Phillips County will now be named in honor of Deputy Brandon Gaede.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2605/">House Bill 2605</a>&nbsp;was passed by Kansas legislators as the highway will be named as the "Deputy Sheriff Brandon Gaede Memorial Highway."

Gaede was fatally shot upon making an arrest on <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/ad828e72-33fb-42dd-b1f9-3a0e9866218b">Friday evening, June 27, 2025.</a>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ATrh9FGKJ/">Watch the full video here of the bill being passed.</a>

Bill passes to name portion of U.S. Highway honoring Phillipsburg deputy

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 18 - February 20

Gusty winds and dry conditions throughout central Kansas resulting in extreme grassland fire danger on Tuesday

According to the US National Weather Service, these gusty southwest winds will result in extreme grassland fire danger in the afternoon and evening throughout central Kansas.

Salina is in the area of the extreme grassland fire danger.

West winds are expected to increase late in the day gusting to around 45 mph at times in the region. 

However, clouds may limit fire weather concerns further east in south central and southeast Kansas although a very high grassland fire danger is still expected.

Gusty winds and dry conditions causing extreme grassland fire danger in central Kansas

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 16 - February 18

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 13 - February 15

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 11 - February 13

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 9 - February 11

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 6 - February 8

Three day weather forecast Salina, February 4 - February 6

KCATA gets funds to upgrade buses, facilities ahead of World Cup

The Supreme Court struck down&nbsp;President Donald Trump’s global tariffs&nbsp;on Friday. A significant loss for his economic agenda.

🎥President Trump reacts to Supreme Court decision on tariffs

The Kansas City Missouri Police Department is attempting to identify the suspects who were involved in a shooting that occurred in the 300 Block of Westport Road on February 8 at 08:54p.m., according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez.

Police released no additional details on the crime.

If you can identify the suspects, please contact the Assault Squad at 816-234-5227 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

KCPD asks for help to ID shooting suspects

WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from Executive Vice President of Government Relations David French in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the Trump administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs.

"The Supreme Court’s announcement today regarding tariffs provides much-needed certainty for U.S. businesses and manufacturers, enabling global supply chains to operate without ambiguity. Clear and consistent trade policy is essential for economic growth, creating jobs and opportunities for American families. We urge the lower court to ensure a&nbsp;seamless&nbsp;process to refund the tariffs to U.S. importers. The refunds will serve as an economic boost and allow companies to reinvest in their operations, their&nbsp;employees&nbsp;and their customers."

The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.&nbsp;<a href="https://nrf.com/">nrf.com</a>

National Retail Federation responds to Supreme Court ruling on tariffs

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;struck down President Donald Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-economy-liberation-day-d3458da225c1fdfade97ed494b23e868">far-reaching global tariffs</a>&nbsp;on Friday, handing him a significant loss on an issue crucial to his economic agenda.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1287_4gcj.pdf">Click here to read the ruling</a>

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2025/24-1287">Click here to listen to oral arguments</a> before court on Nov. 5, 2025

The decision centers on tariffs imposed under an emergency powers law, including the sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs he levied on nearly every other country.

It's the first major piece of Trump's broad agenda to come squarely before the nation's highest court, which he helped shape with the appointments of three conservative jurists in his first term.

The Republican president has been vocal about the case, calling it one of the most important in U.S. history and saying a ruling against him would be an economic body blow to the country. But legal opposition crossed the political spectrum, including libertarian and pro-business groups that are typically aligned with the GOP. Polling has found&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-trump-economy-approval-immigration-border-crime-373766302cde6d45624d6bb738b16231">tariffs aren't broadly popular</a>&nbsp;with the public, amid wider voter concern about affordability.

The Supreme Court ruling comes despite a series of short-term wins on the court's emergency docket that have allowed Trump to push ahead with extraordinary flexes of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-democracy-autocrats-authoritarian-constitution-threat-542ac437a58880e81c052f8f2df1643f">executive power</a>&nbsp;on issues ranging from high-profile firings to major federal funding cuts.

The tariffs decision doesn't stop Trump from imposing duties under other laws. While those have more limitations on the speed and severity of Trump's actions, top administration officials have said they expect to keep the tariff framework in place under other authorities.

The Constitution gives Congress the power to levy tariffs. But the Trump administration argued that a 1977 law allowing the president to regulate importation during emergencies also allows him to set tariffs. Other presidents have used the law dozens of times, often to impose sanctions, but Trump was the first president to invoke it for import taxes.

Trump set what he called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-stock-market-china-recession-deals-e8e54a68397e6829e1d27552a1d7bfb9">"reciprocal" tariffs</a>&nbsp;on most countries in April 2025 to address trade deficits that he declared a national emergency. Those came after he imposed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/trump-plans-tariffs-on-mexico-and-canada-for-tuesday-while-doubling-existing-10-tariffs-on-china/">duties on Canada, China and Mexico</a>, ostensibly to address a drug trafficking emergency.

A series of lawsuits followed, including a case from a dozen largely Democratic-leaning states and others from small businesses selling everything from plumbing supplies to educational toys to women’s cycling apparel.

The challengers argued the emergency powers law doesn’t even mention tariffs and Trump's use of it fails several legal tests, including one that doomed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-tariffs-7c44eedbf32bec35fc638e9953db2aeb">then-President Joe Biden's</a>&nbsp;$500 billion student loan forgiveness program.

The economic impact of Trump's tariffs has been estimated at some $3 trillion over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The Treasury has collected more than $133 billion from the import taxes the president has imposed under the emergency powers law,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/trade">federal data</a>&nbsp;from December shows. Many companies, including the big-box warehouse chain Costco, have already lined up in court to demand refunds.

Read the ruling: Supreme Court strikes down Trump's global tariffs

On Thursday, the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls reporting a 38-year-old man making statements and live-streaming from a location where he did not have permission to be, according to a media release from the Phillips County Sheriff's office. The property owner requested that the individual be removed.

Deputies located the individual identified in booking records as Steven E. Walker and observed him discharging fireworks toward the street. No vehicle damage was reported at this time.

Walker was taken into custody. During the arrest and transport process, Walker physically resisted, made threats toward law enforcement, struck a deputy with his leg, spit, and head-butted another deputy. While being repositioned for transport, Walker bit a deputy, breaking the skin.

Walker was transported to the Phillips County Jail and placed in secure holding pending further evaluation.

The injured deputy was treated at the hospital for minor injuries and released, with follow-up care scheduled.

Formal charges against Walker are pending review by the Phillips County Attorney’s Office.&nbsp; He is currently being held with no bond, according to online jail records.

A statement on community support from the Phillips County Sheriff

During Thursday’s incident on Main Street, several members of the public stopped to check on our deputies and asked if assistance was needed.

We want the community to know that we genuinely appreciate that support. Public safety is a shared responsibility, and it means a great deal to our office when citizens show concern for the safety of our deputies, neighbors, and the community as a whole.

Thank you for continuing to stand behind the deputies and staff of the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office.

 Kansas man attacked deputies during arrest

During the recent wildfires in southwest Kansas and Oklahoma, several firefighters sustained injuries, including two who were transported to the burn unit at St Francis for medical treatment.

On Thursday, Josh Griffin and the team at Wichita Fire Department 2B arranged for the son of one of the firefighters to visit his father through the window via the bucket, according to a social media report from the Kansas Firefighter's Museum.

This was undoubtedly an incredible moment. Well done, gentlemen. Furthermore, we are thrilled to report that both firefighters are recovering exceptionally well.

Fire truck lifts boy to see his father who was injured fighting wildfire

JACKSON COUNTY, MO.—Law enforcement are investigating a fatal dog attack in the Kansas City suburb of Independence.

Just after 2:30p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a home&nbsp; near E. Bundschu Road and N. Jones Road, according to a media release.

A dog was attacking the victim when officers arrived at the home. Because the dog was so aggressive and the victim's injuries were so severe, one officer shot the dog.

The dog then became aggressive toward the officers, and the officers shot the dog a second time and killed it.

Officers provided emergency treatment to the victim, later identified as 41-year-old&nbsp;Tyler Brennan, until an ambulance arrived and took him to the hospital.&nbsp; Medical staff pronounced Brennan deceased. There were no other injuries.

KC area man dies from injuries in dog attack

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he’s directing the Pentagon and other government agencies to identify and release files related to extraterrestrials and UFOs because of “tremendous interest.”

Trump made the announcement in a social media post hours after he accused former President Barack Obama of disclosing “classified information” when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obama-aliens-podcast-area-51-a23f03ebb1b4c3009415b20bec3df26b">Obama recently suggested in a podcast interview</a>&nbsp;that aliens were real.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, “I don’t know if they’re real or not,” and said of Obama, “I may get him out of trouble by declassifying.”

In a post on his social media platform Thursday night, Trump said he was directing government agencies to release files related “to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters.”

Obama, who made his comments in a podcast appearance over the weekend, later clarified that he had not seen evidence that aliens “have made contact with us,” but said, “statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there.”

Trump orders Pentagon to release files related to UFOs and aliens

By Dewey Terrill JC Post / Little Apple Post

Firefighters responded to a blaze at 1810 Caroline Ave. Building "O" in Junction City Thursday afternoon. There were no any injuries. Residents of 17 apartments were displaced.

The cause of the blaze is still undetermined. Fire Chief Jason Lankas reported that about one-quarter of the building was destroyed. A damage estimate has not yet been determined. Investigators from the State Fire Marshall's Office and Junction City Fire Department were brought in to work on the case.

Junction City and Geary County firefighters responded along with a ladder truck from Fort Riley. The military and Red Cross responded to the scene to help those who were displaced. Most of those people were members of the military and everyone has been taken care of.&nbsp; The fire call came in at 2:04 p.m.

This is the fourth building fire at the Bluffs since the complex opened many years ago.

Residents of 17 apartments displaced after Kansas fire

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

The Sacred Heart basketball teams continued to roll through the NCAA, sweeping Ellsworth on Thursday in a doubleheader that saw the Knights claim another league title.

Girls: Sacred Heart 53, Ellsworth 39

Ellsworth kept this game interesting through three quarters, but lockdown defense in the fourth quarter allowed Sacred Heart to pull away for a comfortable victory.

The Lady Knights saw a five-point first-quarter lead cut down to just one at the halftime break, but got their three-point shooting going in the third, knocking down four triples to push the advantage back to six.

In the fourth, Sacred Heart stifled Ellsworth, holding them to just three made field goals to pull away, all without sending the Lady Bearcats to the free throw line once.

Emmy Lee was the star of the show, scoring a game-high 21 points off the bench, complementing big nights from Addie Lee (15), and Skylar Douglas (11).

Lainey Peschka led the charge for the Lady Bearcats with 11 points on the evening.

With this win, Sacred Heart improves to 18-4 overall, and 9-2 in league play, while Ellsworth slides to 12-6 and 7-5 respectively.

Boys: Sacred Heart 51, Ellsworth 47

On the boys' side, the Bearcats kept things closer than many anticipated, giving the Knights a late scare on a night where sole possession of a league title was on the table.

Things went down to the wire but a big night from Will Tuttle allowed Sacred Heart to hold on and claim another NCAA title, now out of reach of Beloit in the standings.

Sacred Heart held a four-point lead at the end of the first quarter but a surging Bearcat squad outscored the Knights 14-6 in the second to take a four-point lead into the locker room.

The Knights got back on top in the third and had just enough gas in the tank to pull themselves over the finish line in a four-point victory.

Will Tuttle led the way for Sacred Heart with 20 points, and was the only Knight in double digits in this game.

That proved more than enough to combat solid evenings from Jace Thomasson (16) and Tucker Goss (11) for the Bearcats.

The Knights are now 20-2 overall, and sit atop the league at 11-0 in NCAA play while Ellsworth falls to 4-14 and 2-10 respectively.

You can watch both of these games on-demand any time below.

🏀 Knights secure league title in Sacred Heart sweep of Ellsworth

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4a348c38-1c24-44e1-9623-09f572a26dd2?elinkdata=38234">Zac Goldenberg</a> drove in eight runs, hitting a grand slam and a 3-run homer as the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes crushed the Avila University Eagles on Thursday at the Zarda Multisport Complex.

The Coyotes continued to do Coyote things, hitting eight home runs in the game, as KWU combined for a team homerun cycle - connecting on solo shots, 2-run shots, a 3-run shot and two grand slams.

It was all Wesleyan early, and often, and the Coyotes finished the game with a flourish, scoring 13 in the seventh inning.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6a6f8df4-d90f-4c85-9a55-04c03d321d4a?elinkdata=38234">Garrett Garfield</a> reached on a first inning error and then scored on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7b0c1cb4-2feb-4d7f-89ab-132e3d0a37df?elinkdata=38234">Fernando Ruvalcaba's</a> single.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4b119e53-28fd-46c2-a5c1-8583a6331f2d?elinkdata=38234">Blake Dale</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3f80b567-ddb5-4f0f-b24e-9f06c0c5dc55?elinkdata=38234">Logan Arndt</a> both singled to lead off the second inning and Goldenberg stepped to the plate and clubbed a 3-run homer to make it 4-0.

In the third, the Coyotes put five more on the board. Ruvalcaba walked, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/67de88ce-6f4a-4fd7-b7d7-61ac99d14cc1?elinkdata=38234">Chris Finocchario</a> was hit by a pitch. Dale hit into a double play, but Arndt walked and Goldenberg reached on an error loading the bases and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3fb3f70b-11a5-46fc-b00d-d4f34b189fdc?elinkdata=38234">Coulson Riggs</a> stepped up and unloaded them with a grand slam. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0f4cf12f-b3db-43bb-9ab4-0764cd099e8e?elinkdata=38234">Niko Olson</a> made it back-to-back jacks for the Coyotes following with a homer to make it 9-0.

Ruvalcaba homered in the fourth, a 2-run shot after Garfield was hit by a pitch.

Avila got on the board in the fourth with a solo homer, but the Coyotes got another back in the top of the fifth when <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/bf885390-ff58-4a3f-a09a-b86a86e6de99?elinkdata=38234">Carter Allen</a> homered.

In the sixth, the Coyotes added three more runs, with all three runs scoring on wild pitches.

Avila got three in the bottom of the inning, but in the top of the seventh, Wesleyan exploded offensively.

Wesleyan put 13 runs on the board in the top of the seventh inning. Garfield walked, Ruvalcaba singled and Finocchario walked to load the bases for Dale who doubled home two runs. Arndt then doubled home another run, Goldenberg drove in a run on a groundout, and Riggs hit his second homer of the day.

Olson walked and Allen followed with a 2-run homer. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4055aeec-f887-497b-8e2a-e190e6864da3?elinkdata=38234">Isaac Hawthrone</a> doubled, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e2323d50-f2ce-4733-9fea-1c02f8262c33?elinkdata=38234">Drew Wardell</a> was hit by a pitch and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7279e21e-65ab-4710-ae6a-56b4b7f1f3c8?elinkdata=38234">Chase Aurand</a> was hit by a pitch to load the bases. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/72ba360b-fdef-480c-b883-e60fb2f61360?elinkdata=38234">Tyler Nordyke</a> singled home a run, and in his second at bat of the inning, Goldenberg hit a grand slam to make it 28-4.

Wesleyan needed only 19 hits for the 28 runs. Riggs and Ruvalcaba had three hits each. Riggs drove in six runs.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/dfcd20bb-1057-4136-b2c0-6155edae1d4b?elinkdata=38234">Logan Baptista</a> went five innings to pick up the win allowing a run on two hits with three strikeouts.

⚾️ Bats come alive as Coyote baseball blasts Avila 28-4

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;As college athletics continues to evolve within the new era of revenue sharing, K-State Athletics has announced the public launch of&nbsp;Cats+&nbsp;(<a href="http://www.catsplus.com/" target="_blank">www.catsplus.com</a>), a new subscription-based service that provides fans a direct path to support Wildcat student-athletes while also seeing benefits in return.

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