Community Stories

Police are investigating a residential burglary reported in the 300 block of South 10th Street, where a 67-year-old resident discovered his home and shed had been broken into sometime between October 19 and October 23.

Among the stolen items were a 1980 Harley Davidson motorcycle valued at $26,000, multiple DeWalt tools—including a concrete grinder, sawzall, rotor zip tool, impact drills, and batteries—along with a scuba regulator, buoyancy compensator device (BCD), a 12-gauge Ithaca shotgun, and a Winchester .22 rifle. The total estimated loss is approximately $28,000.

Police said there were no signs of forced entry, and no suspects have been identified at this time. There was no surveillance footage available, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, where tipsters may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. The Salina Police Department can also be contacted directly at (785) 826-7210, referencing case 2025-28941.

The Salina Public Library has announced the winners of its 2025 Pumpkin Decorating Contest.

Winners were selected across four age categories. In the Littles category, Tillie M. won for her Cakepop pumpkin design. Gus V. took the Elementary category prize with a pumpkin transformed into Toothless from "How to Train Your Dragon." The Teen category winner was Caleb S. for his Oscar the Grouch creation, while Joseph S. won the Adult category with a Cauldron design.

Library officials thanked all participants for their creativity in this year's contest.

Deputies with the Saline County Sheriff’s Office responded to a crash at Kenwood Hall near the Expo Center and municipal pool around 1:10 a.m. on October 29. The driver, identified as 18-year-old Faith Klein of Salina, was reportedly performing donuts in the parking lot when she lost control of her vehicle.

The vehicle struck a dumpster before crashing through the south wall of Kenwood Hall, causing extensive damage to the building’s bathroom area. A 17-year-old passenger sustained a wrist injury and was transported to Salina Regional Health Center.

Klein was cited for reckless driving. Officials said the crash resulted in both structural and plumbing damage to the metal building, which is used for auctions and voting events.

The Salina Heritage Commission has approved a certificate of appropriateness for the refurbishment and restoration of the historic Champlin Oil sign located at the corner of Fourth Street and Iron Avenue.

The application, filed by Charles Renz on behalf of JGR Architects, requested approval to restore the historically designated sign that has been a fixture at the location since the mid-20th century. According to information presented at the meeting, the building at the southwest corner of Iron Avenue and Fourth Street was formerly a gasoline service station constructed by Huntington Oil Wholesalers in 1931.

Champlin Oil Service was affiliated with the business from 1952 to 1957. The pole sign was designated as a historic sign in 1999 after then-owner Abner Perney discovered that the original Champlin Oil panels were intact on the reverse sides of panels that had been repainted for his business, Abner's Autos.

The Salina Educational Automotive Museum of America (The Garage) has since purchased the property and plans to incorporate it as part of their expansion project.

The restoration plan includes: - Temporarily removing the sign for refurbishment - Repairing the existing perimeter sign components - Replacing the existing light housing with LED lights to uplight the round portion of the sign - Removing rust and repainting the vertical metal post and base - Repairing damaged conduit for proper wiring - Returning the sign to its original location once restored

"The intent is to refurbish the sign," Renz told the commission. "We have the original piece of metal that broke off on that light housing. They are planning on refurbishing that piece and having it powder coated and weatherproofed."

The Heritage Commission unanimously approved the certificate of appropriateness, finding that the proposed restoration aims to retain and preserve the historic features and materials of the sign while protecting its general structure and historic appearance.

A Salina man was arrested for impersonating a police officer after what he claims was a prank text message gone wrong.

On October 29, 2025, a 31-year-old Salina resident received a suspicious text message from someone claiming to be a Salina Police Department officer. The message warned that criminal charges were being filed against him and that a warrant would be issued for his arrest if he didn't contact the officer at a provided phone number.

The recipient grew suspicious and contacted the Salina Police Department directly to verify the message. Police confirmed it was fraudulent and traced the phone number to 32-year-old Tray Eisenman of Salina.

When contacted by authorities, Eisenman admitted he sent the text as a prank to the victim, whom he described as a known associate.

Eisenman was arrested and charged with false impersonation.

Reminder: Law enforcement agencies will never demand payment or threaten arrest via text message. Anyone receiving suspicious communications claiming to be from police should contact their local department directly using an official phone number.

Salina Central High School will celebrate student-athletes who have committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 5 at 3:00 PM in the Salina Central Cafeteria.

The community is invited to attend.

The following student-athletes will be honored:

Kaden Snyder will play football at the University of Kansas. 

Izzaiah Douglas will play soccer at Bethany College.

Addison Hansen will play volleyball at Hutchinson Community College.

Oscar Perez will play baseball at Butler County Community College.

Grayton Gross will play baseball at Butler County Community College.

Bodie Rodriguez will play baseball at Butler County Community College. 

The Saline County Commission approved a Kansas Forest Service grant application for Rural Fire District #3 to acquire foam suppression and related firefighting equipment (Action Item 2025-157).

Foam systems improve fire attack effectiveness, particularly in vehicle fires, flammable liquid incidents, and structure fire overhaul.

According to staff, the program provides cost-share funding that helps rural departments modernize gear and address safety and performance needs.

The county’s approval authorizes the district to seek the funding; if awarded, purchasing will comply with county policies and any state grant conditions. No additional county budget appropriation was authorized at this stage beyond any grant requirements.

The district would return for formal acceptance if funding is granted.

The Saline County Commission approved a Kansas Forest Service grant application for Rural Fire District #1 to purchase emergency response equipment (Action Item 2025-155).

The application supports the district’s capacity to respond to wildland and structure fires, with funds typically applied toward protective gear, communications tools, or apparatus support depending on final award guidance.

The Kansas Forest Service cost-share program helps rural fire districts acquire essential equipment that would otherwise strain local budgets.

County staff noted the grant does not commit county matching funds beyond any program requirements and that purchases will follow standard procurement policies if the grant is awarded.

Next steps include submitting the approved application to the Kansas Forest Service and, if funded, returning to the commission for any required acceptance and expenditure approvals.

The Saline County Commission approved a change order to extend the Burma Road asphalt overlay 1.36 miles, from 0.5 miles north of Hedberg Road to 0.85 miles north of Falun Road.

The scope includes a 2-inch hot-mix asphalt overlay matching the existing cross slope, a 2-inch overlay on Falun Road approaches, milling of approach pavement to tie into the existing surface, and a 30-foot milled butt joint at the south end.

According to the change order estimate, added work totals approximately $300,000. Line items include 2,529.6 tons of commercial-grade HMA (Class A) at $110.95/ton, 240 square yards of profile milling at $2.26/sq yd, and 400 tons of AS1 aggregate shoulder at $47/ton. With the increase, the contract value rises from $863,129.90 to $1,163,129.90.

The Road & Bridge Department set a target completion date of November 15, 2025, weather and contractor scheduling permitting. The project is part of the county’s ongoing pavement maintenance and roadway safety program.

The City of Salina is inviting residents to attend a public meeting tonight regarding building code updates. The meeting will be held in Room 107 on the First Floor of the City-County building.

Doors will open at 5:30 PM, with the presentation scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM. Attendees are advised to use the north entrance of the building.

City officials indicated that all members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting.

Salina Police arrested a 34-year-old man on October 28, 2025, following a confrontation at a South Ninth Street restaurant that escalated into a hit-and-run incident.

Officers responded to a disturbance at approximately 12:20 p.m. at a restaurant in the 3000 block of South Ninth Street. According to police, Daniel A. Chavez of Salina entered the establishment where his ex-girlfriend was dining with another man. Chavez sat next to the pair, engaged in a verbal exchange, and then left.

About 10 minutes later, as the couple was leaving the restaurant, Chavez returned and approached them at a high rate of speed in his vehicle. He stopped abruptly, exited the car, and allegedly grabbed the woman by her sweatshirt and attempted to strike her male companion. Police say Chavez also threw a rock at the victim's vehicle, causing damage.

Chavez is currently under a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order that prohibits him from contacting the woman.

When officers arrived on scene, Chavez fled in a white Chevrolet Silverado. During his escape, he reportedly ran a red light at Ninth and Riffel, striking another vehicle before abandoning his truck and continuing on foot.

Officers located Chavez hiding in a grassy area south of Schilling Road and west of Ninth Street. He was taken into custody, medically cleared at a local hospital, and booked into the Saline County Jail.

Chavez faces requested charges of stalking, violation of a protection order, domestic battery, battery, and disorderly conduct.

Officers with the Salina Police Department were investigating a report of a loose dog at The Airliner Motel, located at 781 North Broadway, when they encountered 55-year-old Leslie A. McMurray near room 21.

During the contact, officers observed that McMurray was holding a Yeti cup containing a plastic baggie with suspected methamphetamine residue. McMurray cooperated with officers and was taken into custody without incident.

She was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.