’King in the Community’ an Eagle Media Podcast

Shelia Nelson-Stout, OCCK President/CEO

Since opening its doors in 1970, OCCK, Inc. has been facilitating partnerships and relationships with people who have disabilities, families, communities, businesses, social service agencies, and more.
 
On this episode, I speak with OCCK President and CEO Shelia Nelson Stout about a wide array of topics which include, what drew her to work at OCCK, the various local partnerships being formed with community stakeholders to expand in-home care services, and what OCCK is doing to increase access to mental health services in rural Kansas.

Salina Downtown Executive Director Leslie Bishop shares holiday event information

On this episode of the King in the Community podcast, I visit with Salina Dowtown Inc. Executive Director, Leslie Bishop about the exciting holiday events taking place in Downtown Salina this Nov. and Dec. 
 
Upcoming Salina Downtown Holiday Events
Holiday Open House Nov. 5  
Stores downtown will be open from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. and you will be able to get a head start on your holiday shopping, or better yet, find something special for yourself.
“According to the Huffington Post, spending $100 at a local business nets $68 in economic activity, compared to spending $100 at a big box retailer, which nets only $48 in local economic activity," Bishop said. 
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, November 17, 7:00pm-8:00pm at Campbell Plaza
 
 
Downtown Holiday Festival & Parade of Lights
Saturday, November 18, 11:00am-9:00pm in Downtown Salina
Holiday Art MarketSaturday, December 2, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Salina Art Center Warehouse  Twenty-three artisans will have handmade, one of kind gifts for sale. You will be able to find something special for that special someone on your holiday gift list.
Picture with Santa Claus
Saturday, December 9,1:00pm-3:00pm Campbell Plaza in Downtown Salina. Put on your best smile and get your pictures taken with Santa. 
Get ready to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit and discover all the magical experiences waiting for you Downtown Salina. Whether you're a local or planning a visit, this episode is a must-listen to make the most of the holiday season in Salina. 

Saline County Administrator, Phil Smith-Hanes

On this episode, I speak with Saline County Administrator Phil Smith-Hanes about
The Saline County Jail ribbon cutting taking place on Oct. 31 and events that will showcase the new jail
Plans for what the county intends to do with the soon-to-be "old jail,"
The Sept. meeting of the Saline County Planning and Zoning Committee and the confusing vote to deny a battery storage facility 
How property taxes are calculated and why it changes 
Have a question or concern for Phil? Contact him here. 
To access the Saline County appraisers website click here. 

Rafael Mendez, Leadership Salina 2021 and Leadership Kansas 2022 graduate

Rafael Mendez, a Salina resident and member of the Leadership Kansas Board of Advisors, joins me on this episode to discuss the recent visit of the Leadership Kansas 2023 class to the Salina area. 
 
Leadership Kansas is a statewide program designed to enhance and motivateleaders from various Kansas communities. Each year, Kansans representing various occupations in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, are nominatedto apply for the program.
 
Forty individuals are selected to participate in the program.Leadership Kansas seeks to provide a unique opportunity for these selected leaders to learn about a myriad of topics important to Kansans through seven monthly sessions held across the state. 
 
 "For us in Salina this was the first time ever, we were selected as an official session," Mendez said, "When you get to see from afar and up close, people who just give unselfishly to the community, folks who lay it down, don't talk about how awesome they are, but they show it through the volunteering, and the way that they pour their commitment into so many things in the community. It really leaves a mark, it's been the biggest influence in my life as to why it's important for me to continue to engage the community. I wanted to showcase so many other folks in Salina, so many other companies in Salina and in the surrounding area, that do that and allow their workers to do that as well." 
 
Hear about the stops they made here in Salina and the impressions and takeaways the 2023 Kansas Leadership Class had after their visit to Salina on this episode of King in the Community.
 
 
 

Saline County Clerk, Jamie Doss, 2023 Election Information

It may not be a presidential election year but plenty of local municipal general races in Saline County will be decided in the Nov. 7 General Election. Saline County Clerk Jamie Doss talks to Nate King about upcoming deadlines and things to know for the 2023 Election. 
"In a November of an even year election, we're at about 62 to 65% for voter turnout," Doss said. "In this city school election, we run somewhere between 18 and 22% for voter turnout. Local elections are hugely important, all elections are important, but this one hits you at a local level in your daily life."
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Advanced voting begins in Kansas on Wednesday, Oct. 18 during regular courthouse business hours. Doss also said advanced voting will be permitted the Saturday prior to Election Day, Oct. 4 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. You can check your voter registration via the Kansas Secretary of State MyVoterView website here.
 
For any additional questions call the Saline County Clerk's office at (785) 309-5820 or visit their website at https://www.salinecountyks.gov/election

Captain Jim Hughes, Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Trauma First Aid Training

On this episode, I sit down with Captain Jim Hughes, with the Saline County Sheriff's Office, to learn about free trauma first aid kits and classes that will be available to the public this winter.
 
Listen in and learn about what trauma first aid is and how an eight-hour training will empower and prepare you to save a life. Hughes also addresses the delays in offering the course, attributing them to a shortage of kits and supply chain slowdowns. Don't miss out on this insightful discussion on the importance of trauma first aid training and its impact on communities.

Salina City Manager, Mike Schrage

On this episode of King in the Community, I sit down for my monthly conversation with Salina City Manager Mike Schrage. Topics discussed in this episode include
An update on the pickleball court project and when we can expect to play on the courts
The Smoky Hill River Renewal Project
The role of the Law Enforcement Citizen's Review Board
Community interest in restructuring the city commission into districts as opposed to the current at-large structure
The Salina Animal Services study session
Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair

Jim DuBois, Saline County Treasurer Unclaimed Property

On this episode of King in the Community Saline hear how County Treasurer helped me find $150 dollars of unclaimed property the State of Kansas owed me. I'm not alone, in Saline County alone there is $4.2 million dollars of unclaimed property. There is a quick and easy way to see if you have money owed to you. Go to the State Treasurer's website here and search your name to see if Treasurer Steven Johnson will be sending you a check in the mail.
Listen in to our conversation and learn about the various sources of unclaimed property, ranging from uncashed paychecks to insurance dividends. Jim explains how his office has worked in tandem with the State Treasurers office to emply creative methods to locate the owners of these funds. 
"Number one, you know, people think of the treasurer's office of taking in money, mostly taxes, and what have you in December and and in May and personal property taxes," Dubois said. "Nobody thinks of us as trying to find money to give away right or money that's owed to people. unclaimed property across the state of Kansas in Saline County. Helping somebody else to find, a little bit of cash makes me feel pretty good, and makes our whole staff feel pretty good."
 

Michelle Weis, Saline County Emergency Management

On this episode of King in the Community, I sit down with Michelle Weis, executive director of the Saline County Emergency Management Department, to discuss the department's plan for preparedness.
This year, the department will take a new approach to its emergency training, utilizing a Dungeons and Dragons dice-rolling system to create unique and random scenarios. 
The emergency management department will host an emergency exercise using the dice-rolling system on Oct. 19.

Jane Anderson, Update on Smoky Hill River Renewal Project

On this episode on King in the Community, we hear an update on the Smoky Hill River renewal project from Jane Anderson, executive director at the Friends of the River Foundation.
The river renewal project dates back to the 1970s. Listen in as Anderson explains how the Smoky Hill River became a damaged ecosystem, how potential Corps of Engineer dollars will restore the river to its original flow allowing wildlife back to the area, and the ways the river will provide a recreational and relaxing area for visitors and citizens.
Jane also shares with us volunteer opportunities to work with the Friends of the River Foundation. Mark your calendars, Oct. 14, The Salina Fall Fix-Up will take place from 8 a.m. to Noon. 
"We'll be doing a cleanup project on the riverway or we may be helping out in partnership with Parks and Recreation," Anderson said. "If you want to do something that matters, come out and join us. It's a great way you can do things for your community and really feel good about yourself too."
The river cleanup isn't the only community event the Friends of the River is planning. The organization invites the community to attend its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 28, unveiling half mile of a concrete walking located near the river.
"It's about an eight to 10 foot concrete trail is in construction right now we're going to have a grand opening on October 28, at 10 a.m. for anyone to come," Anderson said. "We will have a few booths, drawings for prizes, and you'll get to walk a half mile and see 'Oh, my goodness this is surprisingly beautiful.'"
Anderson, who has worked as executive director for the Friends of the River for eight years, said one of the key things she's learnd through this project is to be patient.
"I've learned to be patient, it's not my best quality, but the project will become such a grand, beautiful project, we all have come to the conclusion that it's worth waiting for," Anderson said. "It's taken a long time to get to this right and people have been a little frustrated which I don't blame them," Anderson said. "We've been frustrated too, but it's just the nature of it. I encourage the community to come help with the Fall Fix Up cleanup project and come check out the new trails at the YMCA and help us celebrate the first real construction project of this Smoky Hill River renewal."