Salina local news summary

Commission awards nearly $3 million contract for water main replacement

Final phase of Broadway median project awarded for $548,718

Trucking companies voice opposition to planned Ninth Street roundabout

Residents request traffic signal amid safety concerns at Crawford and Markley

Citizen group submits petition to end breed-specific animal ordinance

County approves contingency plan for WIC employees amid federal funding crisis

County investment earnings exceed budget projections by over $900,000

Final days for early and advance voting announced

Commission awards nearly $3 million contract for water main replacement

SALINA, Kan. - The Salina City Commission unanimously approved a contract for nearly $3 million with Mies Construction of Wichita to continue its multi-year water main replacement program. The project, with a total authorization of $2,979,039, will replace approximately two miles of aging cast-iron pipes. Director of Utilities Martha Tasker reported that the city has now invested $27.6 million to replace 44 miles of lines since the program began in 2010. During discussion, commissioners questioned how projects are prioritized, and Tasker explained that staff uses data from water-main breaks and resident water-quality complaints to identify areas of greatest need.

Final phase of Broadway median project awarded for $548,718

SALINA, Kan. - The fourth and final phase of the Broadway median improvement project was approved by the commission, which awarded a contract to Prairie Landworks, Inc. of McPherson. The total project authorization is not to exceed $548,718.35. Public Works Director Ron Marsh confirmed this phase will complete the beautification and improvement work from Republic Avenue to Cloud Avenue. The project—described by a commissioner as well-received by the public—caps a multi-year effort to upgrade the major city thoroughfare.

Trucking companies voice opposition to planned Ninth Street roundabout

SALINA, Kan. - Jamie Bradley, president of Doug Bradley Trucking, spoke on behalf of several local industrial and trucking businesses to advocate for a traffic signal instead of a roundabout at the intersection of Water Well Road and Ninth Street. Citing Minnesota Department of Transportation research, Bradley argued that roundabouts increase the likelihood of semi-truck rollovers and are less safe for large vehicles; he also said a signaled intersection would cost significantly less than the estimated $3 million for the proposed roundabout. Separate studies from the transportation department indicate that while heavy-vehicle rollover incidence is higher at roundabouts than at signals, roundabouts reduce severe-injury and fatal crashes overall.

Residents request traffic signal amid safety concerns at Crawford and Markley

SALINA, Kan. - Representing the Presbyterian Manor Independent Living Council, a representative of a local senior living community formally requested the city install a traffic light at the intersection of Crawford Street and Markley Road, citing significant safety concerns. The representative detailed increasing traffic from new housing, the ballpark, a planned expansion of Presbyterian Manor and a new fire station. In response, the city manager confirmed that an engineering firm is conducting a traffic study of the intersection as part of the East Crawford widening project to determine if a traffic signal is warranted.

Citizen group submits petition to end breed-specific animal ordinance

SALINA, Kan. - A local citizen group, Salinans Against BSL, formally submitted a petition to remove breed-specific language from the city’s animal ordinances, City Manager Jacob Wood announced Monday. The petition will be sent to the county for certification of signatures. Once certified, the city commission will have a set timeframe to either adopt the proposed ordinance as written or place the issue on the ballot for a special election. A representative for the group spoke during the citizens forum, stating that a change is needed to help alleviate overcrowding at the local animal shelter.

County approves contingency plan for WIC employees amid federal funding crisis

SALINE COUNTY, Kan. - The Saline County Commission on Tuesday approved a measure to ensure health insurance eligibility for employees of the Women, Infants, and Children program who may face furloughs due to the federal government shutdown. Human Resources Director Marilyn Leamer explained the action allows the county to continue paying its portion of health insurance premiums if WIC staff must be placed on unpaid leave or have their hours significantly reduced. Health Department Director Jason Tiller reported that federal administrative funding for the program’s six employees ceased on Oct. 10, and the department is currently using salary savings from vacant positions to cover costs through mid-November. Tiller stated that furloughs are a “last resort” but the approved measure provides a critical safety net for affected employees.

County investment earnings exceed budget projections by over $900,000

SALINE COUNTY, Kan. - Interest earned on the county’s idle funds has already surpassed the 2025 budget projections by more than $900,000, County Treasurer Anthony Newell reported during his third-quarter update. The county has earned over $1.74 million in interest year-to-date, far exceeding the budgeted amount of $825,000. Newell projects the county will end the year with approximately $2 million in interest earnings. He noted that while the total is slightly less than the previous year due to lower interest rates and the spending of one-time funds, the return on investments remains exceptionally strong.

Final days for early and advance voting announced

SALINE COUNTY, Kan. - Early in-person voting continues at the county clerk’s office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, with special hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The final opportunity to vote early in person is Monday from 8 a.m. until noon. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Brought to you by (click me!)

Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:

citizen journal offers three flagship products: a daily national news summary, a daily Kansas news summary, and local news and school board summaries from 15 cities across Kansas. Each issue contains 5 paragraph-length stories that are made to be read in 5 minutes. Use the links in the header to navigate to national, kansas, and local coverage. Subscribe to each, some, or all to get an email when new issues are published for FREE!