By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Hays city commissioners approved the 2026 street maintenance plan during a short meeting on Thursday.

The total amount of recommended bids and other in-house projects was $953,479, paid from the special highway fund in cash.

The total was almost $136,000 under budget. The remaining funds will be used for additional curb and brick repairs and pavement markings.

The largest project will be replacing several concrete panels on Fort Street between 22nd and 27th streets.&nbsp;

The other significant rehabilitation project scheduled this year is the reconstruction of the 500 block of Oak Street.

During commissioner comments at the end of the meeting, David Vilaysing asked city staff to research potential changes to the city's pet licensing requirements to reduce costs and time spent.

The city brings in about $14,000 a year in pet license fees.

"But most pet owners already go out and buy their own pet tags, which have owner contact information," Vilaysing said. "Many pets are now microchipped with pet and owner identification."&nbsp;

Vilaysing suggested revising the city ordinance to require that pet owners have their animals microchipped or provide identifying owner information.&nbsp;

"It would not only save the city money and staff time in the city clerk's office, but also for police officers and dispatch."

Staff will investigate options and bring the issue forward during a future work session.

🎙 Hays city commissioners approve almost $1M in 2026 street improvements

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The 2026 Kansas KidWind Challenge is expected to be record breaking. This year, 110 teams representing 38 schools from across the state are registered to compete, breaking the previous record of 94 teams in 2023.

The first regional challenge was held in Dodge City on Tuesday, Feb. 10. 

Five more regional events are scheduled throughout the month in Colby (Feb. 12), Hutchinson (Feb. 17), Overland Park (Feb. 19), Manhattan (Feb. 25), and Burlington (Feb. 27). All events are open to the public and free to attend. 

The 2026 KidWind Event Guide, complete with times and locations, is available&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kcc.ks.gov%2Fimages%2FPDFs%2Feducation%2FKidWindChallengeEventGuide_2026.pdf%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019c4486195a-4f796b39-f6c9-463d-b420-d2c86e8ad26c-000000/pjifiY89V0k0BtKCDrIQbKF3YLUHeW4EN_p3cUnFFFY=443">here</a>.

Student teams work together to design, build and test a wind turbine using the materials of their choice. Each team’s turbine will be put to the test in a wind tunnel at a wind speed of approximately 3.5-5 m/s (meters per second). Scoring is based on turbine performance, a knowledge quiz, a presentation to judges where the team explains its design process, and an instant challenge.

Students compete by age categories: 4th&nbsp;– 5th&nbsp;grade, 6th&nbsp;– 8th&nbsp;grade and 9th&nbsp;– 12th&nbsp;grade. The winning teams at regional events advance to the state finals on April 11 in Salina. State winners are invited to participate in the World KidWind Challenge in Madison, WI from May 18-21.

“KidWind is a fantastic hands-on opportunity that allows students to tinker and experiment with wind turbine designs. They experience the thrill of scientific discovery as their designs are validated through performance testing, and they hone their public speaking skills as they present their turbine design to a panel of judges,” explained David Carter, director of the Kansas Energy Program at K-State Engineering Extension.

Kansas KidWind is an energy-related STEM education event from the Kansas Corporation Commission and K-State Engineering Extension made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

More information about KidWind is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kcc.ks.gov%2Fenergy-education%2Fkidwind%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019c4486195a-4f796b39-f6c9-463d-b420-d2c86e8ad26c-000000/PapcukKL0LOTQbzLNMNthdPgPVOjjCbTWibFOKOAISY=443">https://www.kcc.ks.gov/energy-education/kidwind</a>.

Colby hosted regional KidWind Challenge on Thursday; more to come

Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Scott Summers, Hays USD 489 technology director, about school technology and cyber safety on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

🎙 Post Podcast: USD 489 technology director on school tech, cyber safety

By ALICIA BOOR Cottonwood Extension District

Many people receive Valentine’s Day gifts from loved ones, especially roses, but they decline shortly after Feb. 14. 

Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini offers guidelines to extend the life of floral arrangements and loose stems.

“For floral arrangements, keep the vase filled or floral foam soaked with warm water,” Domenghini said. “Add fresh, warm water daily and if the water turns cloudy, replace it immediately.”

Domenghini suggests recutting loose stems every time water is replaced by removing 1-2 inches with a sharp knife, under water to allow the stem to draw water instead of air.

“Keep flowers in a cool spot (65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit), away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, and not directly under ceiling fans, or near radiators,” Domenghini said.

For loose stems, begin by filling a clean, deep vase with water and add the flower food obtained from your florist.

“Remove leaves that will be below the waterline. Leaves in water will promote bacterial growth,” Domenghini said, “Stems should be cut immediately before putting them in water.”

If you cannot get flowers in a food solution right away, keep them cool, Domenghini added.

Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact her by e-mail at aboor@ksu.edu or calling 620-793-1910.

BOOR: Keeping those Valentine roses lovely past Feb. 14

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

As of the beginning of the year, the Norton County Sheriff's Department has encrypted its radio traffic, so the public can no longer hear it on a police scanner.

The dispatch and radio system is under the Norton County Sheriff's Department. The dispatch center handles radio traffic for both the Sheriff's Department and Norton Police Department.

Norton County Undersheriff Adam Wahlmeier&nbsp;said the change was made to protect private information, including medical information and victims' names.

He gave the example of information that might be on a driver's license, including date of birth and home address.

He said the encryption is required for departments to continue to use the criminal justice information system.

Although deputies have computer terminals in their vehicles, he said they do not have access to the information system through those terminals. They must go through dispatch while on the road.

Sheriff Troy Thomson shared a statement about the change in January.

"This change is not about secrecy. It's about protecting private information and meeting federal requirements," he said in the letter.

He said the change will not reduce transparency or accountability. Police reports, public records requests and court proceedings will remain open.

"You may ask, 'Why not just encrypt the sensitive part?' On fast-moving radio traffic, that's not practical. Fully encrypting the channel prevents private information from being accidentally broadcast and allows officers to focus on safety rather than technology."

"This change protects victims' privacy, officer safety and personal information without changing public access to records and accountability," Thomson said in the letter

Wahlmeier said the sheriff's department purchased six new portable radios for about $5,000 to upgrade its system. Car radios were also upgraded, he said.

The Norton Police Department is sharing activity on its <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NPD67654">Facebook page</a>, but&nbsp;Wahlmeier said he was not aware of any plan for the Sheriff's Office to do so.

In cases of natural disasters or area-wide emergencies, the county and city use reverse 911 systems. You can sign up for the system on the <a href="https://www.cityofnorton.com/">city of Norton's homepage</a>.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b120940f-5e46-45fc-8224-024090aec8b7">Ellis County encrypted its first responder radio traffic in 2024.</a>

Norton law enforcement radio traffic now encrypted

Colby Community College continues to rank among the state’s leading institutions for student success, placing third in graduation rate and sixth in full-time student retention among Kansas community colleges, according to the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://colbycc.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5b57f0e5db54568343af46e9e&amp;id=16a5b8d8b7&amp;e=844dda3633">2026 Kansas Community College Data Book</a>. Published by the Kansas Board of Regents, the annual report analyzes all 19 Kansas community colleges based on the most recent available data.

Colby’s two-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time students is 48.5%, ranking third in the sector and just 2.3 percentage points behind the highest graduation rate in Kansas. CCC has held the top rate seven times in 11 years.

The college’s full-time retention rate is 66.5%, placing Colby sixth statewide. Retention measures the percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking students who return for their second year. Colby consistently performs at the top of the state in retention, leading in five of the last seven years.

Colby Community College continues to strengthen the student experience through targeted investments in campus facilities, such as enhanced dining areas, residential spaces, recreation areas, and modernized technology. A wide range of support services is available to promote academic success, including free tutoring, &nbsp;personal counseling, and convenient walk-in advising. To ease financial barriers, the college provides no-cost learning materials for most classes, and students can access substantial scholarship opportunities through the Endowment Foundation to help offset educational expenses.

Colby remains among leaders in graduation, retention

By STACY CAMPBELL Cottonwood Extension District

Now is the time to finalize plans for kochia control. 

In western Kansas, kochia is among the first summer annual weeds to emerge in the spring. Recent research suggests that kochia can begin emerging in early February, with most kochia emerging by late April. Kochia seedlings have been observed as early as February 7 in southwest Kansas.

Good control of the first dense flush of kochia is essential for obtaining a good crop yield. 

Early-emerging seedlings use the limited spring soil moisture in dryland production fields. Kochia seedlings emerge in dense populations, making adequate herbicide coverage difficult. In addition, glyphosate-resistant kochia is prevalent across western Kansas, making kochia control even more challenging. For these reasons, it is important to apply preemergence herbicides in late winter or early spring to control kochia before it emerges.

Herbicide program components to effectively manage kochia at germination

To successfully manage kochia, an herbicide program needs two components:

1. A very soluble and effective herbicide that can be incorporated with very little precipitation, such as dicamba; and

2. An herbicide that has longer residual activity, which will require perhaps 0.75 inches or more precipitation for adequate incorporation, such as atrazine.

Precipitation events during late winter are often too small to activate longer-lasting residual herbicides, but dicamba may control kochia for 4 to 6 weeks until atrazine is incorporated.

The best time to apply herbicides for kochia control is prior to kochia emergence, generally January through the first week of March, but this depends on weather conditions. 

Later applications, for example, at the time of burndown, are more likely to occur after kochia emergence, which increases the risk of control failure. Fall-applied treatments can help ensure timely application; however, they are not likely to control later flushes of kochia effectively.

Other herbicides with good preemergence kochia activity include: mesotrione (Callisto, others), metribuzin (Sencor, others), saflufenacil (Sharpen), sulfentrazone (Spartan, others). Be sure to check product labels for crop-specific planting intervals. For example, sulfentrazone requires a 10 to 18-month rotation interval to corn.

The use of trade names is for clarity to readers and does not imply endorsement of a particular product, nor does exclusion imply non-approval. Always consult the herbicide label for the most current use requirements. 

For more information on controlling kochia, see the <a href="https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/2026-chemical-weed-control-for-field-crops-pastures-rangeland-and-noncropland_SRP1194">2026 Chemical Weed Control for Field Crops, Pastures, Rangeland, and Noncropland</a>, K-State publication SRP1194.

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Pre-plant herbicide applications for kochia control

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

TMP-Marian vs Phillipsburg Friday, Feb. 13th, 6 p.m Hays, Kan.

Radio:&nbsp;KHAZ (99.5)&nbsp;<a href="https://99kzcountry.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> <a href="https://mix103fm.com/"></a>Video:&nbsp;Monarchs Sports Network&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/3489434">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

Tip-off for the girls' game is set for 6:00 p.m. The Hertz Rent-a-Car Pregame Show begins at 5:40 p.m. on 99.5 KZ Country.

🏀🎥 TMP-Marian hosts Phillipsburg for Senior Night

Hays High at Liberal Friday, Feb. 13 - 6:00 Liberal, Kan.

Radio:&nbsp;KFIX (96.9)&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> <a href="https://mix103fm.com/"></a>Video:&nbsp;Hays High Sports Network &nbsp; WATCH HERE - <a href="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/3483733">CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE</a> &nbsp;

Hays High resumes Western Athletic Conference play as they head to Liberal on Friday evening. Both Indian programs currently lead the conference standings.

Girls: #5-5A Hays (17-1, 4-0) at Liberal (13-2, 3-1) Boys: #7-5A Hays (14-4, 4-0) at McPherson (1-15, 0-4)

Tip-off is set for 6:00. The Hertz Pregame Show will begin at 5:40 on 96.9 KFIX.&nbsp;

🏀📺 Hays High resumes WAC play in Liberal

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman talks with Krista Schneider of the Olmitz Park Project.

🎥  Forward Ever: Olmitz Park Project

Ana's Gift is collecting new stuffed animals for children who have experienced trauma.

At 16, Ana Hertel embarked on a mission to bring comfort to children experiencing trauma by collecting stuffed animals.

Although Ana died shortly after starting the project, her parents, Lori and Stan Hertel, have continued her mission.

The stuffed animals must be new with tags.

They can be dropped off at Eagle Radio, 2300 Hall; Jeter Law Firm, 1200 Main St #101; Golden Plains Credit Union, 2720 Broadway Ave.; and First Kansas Bank,&nbsp;1200 E. 27th St.

Stuffed animal donations sought for Ann's Gift

The Hays Area Planning Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

Agenda items include a public hearing for proposed&nbsp;Unified Development Code changes to reduce sideyard setbacks for&nbsp;carports.&nbsp;Under current regulations, carports must meet accessory structure side and rear setbacks of five feet.

Commissioners will also conduct the annual comprehensive plan review.

The complete agenda is available<a href="https://www.haysusa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02162026-1595"> here</a>.&nbsp;

Hays Area Planning Commission to conduct public hearing on setbacks for carports

Northcentral and Northwest Extension Districts and counties of K-State Research and Extension again will be hosting an online agronomy series, “Crop Talk”,&nbsp; which will highlight several topics important to crop producers. These will be on Tuesdays through March 10, and each session will be held from noon to 1:00 p.m. CST.

In the northcentral and northwest agronomy-focused areas, the meetings will feature presentations and comments by K-State Research and Extension faculty to enhance management strategies utilized by crop producers.

Planned topics of discussion include Available Soil Water at Planting and Related Management; Wheat conditions and Breeding efforts on Mosaic Viruses; Fungicide Applications in Corn and Sorghum, and Insects to watch for in the Field.

There will also be time for questions between Kansas crop producers and extension specialists at each of the sessions.

Register online by searching for “<a href="https://www.wkrec.org/events/croptalk/">KSU Crop Talk webinars</a>” or call your local Extension Office. Once you register, a link to the online sessions will be emailed to you.

CCA credits have been applied for with 1 credit for each session.

KSU Crop Talk webinar series returns for producers

Western Plains Arts Association COLBY —&nbsp;&nbsp;Western Plains Arts Association’s January 25th show was postponed because of weather and is now rescheduled for&nbsp;Sunday, February 22.

Jeff Davidson will have his public performance at the Quinter High School Auditorium at 3:00 p.m. Davidson is bringing the history of the Santa Fe Trail to life through song, stories and pictures. Admission will be by WPAA season ticket or at the door.

There will be a school presentation in the Quinter High School Auditorium on Monday, February 23 at 9:00 a.m. and then another at noon at the Oakley High School Auditorium for Oakley Elementary. School performances are free to all who attend.

Thanks again to our area sponsors, especially the Gove County Community Foundation and the Dane G Hansen Foundation. Additionally, it is sponsored in part by the state of Kansas through the Kansas Arts&nbsp; Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

RESCHEDULED: Jeff Davidson brings Santa Fe Trail history to life through song, stories, pictures

&nbsp;Submit events to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@hayspost.com">admin@hayspost.com</a>. Cover photo courtesy Pixabay

Special thanks to <a href="https://www.visithays.com/183/Events">The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau</a> and<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/"> Fort Hays State University</a> for their contributions to the community calendar.

Community Calendar

FHSU University Communications

A free virtual online open house will be hosted by Fort Hays State University on Tuesday,&nbsp;March 10, 4:30-6 p.m. CDT for area families and adult learners.&nbsp;

The event is open to&nbsp;any prospective student, including:&nbsp;&nbsp;

• Parents with&nbsp;college-bound students&nbsp;who want to learn more about admissions, financial aid, and next steps. • Working adults or parents considering returning to school or upskilling. • • Community members exploring flexible online degree options

This is a&nbsp;virtual, drop-in event, allowing participants to join at their convenience. Attendees can:&nbsp;&nbsp;

• Connect directly with faculty and university staff. • Get help with&nbsp;applications and FAFSA. • Learn about&nbsp;scholarship opportunities and prize drawings&nbsp;available to participants

Check out the event website to learn more:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fhsu.edu/online/open-house/">https://www.fhsu.edu/online/open-house/</a>.

Free FHSU Online Open House for Hays area families, adult learners

HaysMed will host the Healing Kids’ Heart Retreat on Saturday, March 28, 2026, offering a compassionate, supportive one-day program for children coping with the loss of a loved one. The retreat will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bob &amp; Pat Schmidt Community Center, 2510 Canterbury Drive in Hays.

The Healing Kids’ Heart Retreat provides a safe and confidential environment where children can learn healthy ways to understand and navigate grief. Participants will take part in hands-on activities, guided discussions, and meaningful projects designed specifically for their emotional and developmental needs.

“HaysMed is committed to caring for the whole person, and that includes supporting families and children through difficult emotional experiences,” said Sarah Dreiling, HaysMed director of clinical care. “Programs like the Healing Kids’ Heart Retreat help ensure that no child has to navigate grief alone.”

Throughout the day, trained volunteers will guide children through activities that honor the memory of their loved one, encourage healthy expression, and foster connection with peers who have gone through similar experiences. Each participant will be paired with a dedicated adult buddy for support and encouragement.

Lunch will be provided, and there is no cost for children to attend.

Participation is free, but registration is required and limited to the first 20 children. Forms must be submitted by March 1, 2026. Families interested in registering may contact the HaysMed Hospice Department, which can provide all registration details by phone or mail an application upon request.

For more information or to register, contact: Phone: 785-623-6200 Email: mjordan1@haysmed.com

HaysMed hosts Healing Kids’ Heart Retreat March 28 for children experiencing grief

Rose Garden to host Valentine's Day Buffet on Saturday

Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services&nbsp;

The Ellis County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and the Center for Empowering Victims of Gender-based Violence at Fort Hays State University invite the community to attend Surviving the I-70 Rapist: A Story of Strength and Healing on April 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Beach Schmidt Auditorium on the FHSU campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The evening’s main speaker, Stacie Edgett-Minson, is a survivor of the serial sexual assaults committed by the individual known as the I-70 Rapist. In a powerful and rare public presentation, Edgett-Minson will share her journey of survival and healing, including how her faith, alongside the support of dedicated investigators and prosecutors, helped her reclaim a sense of strength and hope after trauma.

“Choosing to share such a deeply personal experience takes tremendous courage,” said Anniston Weber, community engagement and sexual violence response coordinator at Options. “Stacie’s story is not only one of survival, but of resilience and perseverance. Hearing directly from her reminds our community why believing and supporting survivors matters.”

Edgett-Minson will be joined by Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett, and former Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent Mark Kendrick, both of whom were directly involved in the investigation and prosecution of the case. Their participation offers insight into how collaborative, survivor-centered responses can lead to accountability and justice.

Following the presentation, a panel of local professionals will be available to answer questions about sexual assault response and survivor services in Ellis County. Panelists will include representatives from Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, Hays Medical Center, the Hays Police Department, and the Ellis County Attorney’s Office.

“This event is an opportunity for our community to learn, reflect, and strengthen local response efforts,” said Jennifer Hecker, executive director at Options. “By bringing together survivors, advocates, healthcare providers, and law enforcement, we reinforce that healing looks different for everyone, and that survivors deserve support at every step.”

Content Notice: This event includes discussion of sexual violence and may be emotionally difficult for some attendees. Support resources will be available during and after the presentation, and community members are encouraged to care for their well-being when choosing to attend.

Organizers emphasize that the event is grounded in hope, healing, and community responsibility, and encourage anyone interested in understanding survivor experiences and local resources to attend.

For more information, please contact Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services at 785-625-4202.

Surviving the I-70 Rapist: Options to host speakers April 6

How the humanities shape understanding of race, justice, civic responsibility

PAWNEE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 2a.m. Saturday in Pawnee County&nbsp;

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Chrysler 300 driven by Jon Myles Woelk&nbsp; Blakely, 36, Rozell, was westbound on K156 Highway three miles west of the U.S. 183 Junction. The car traveled off the roadway to the left and the driver corrected.&nbsp; The vehicle returned to the road and rolled into the ditch.

&nbsp;Blakely was pronoumced dead at the scene and was transported to Beckwith Mortuary. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after car rolls into a ditch

An Arizona sheriff's department got more than 4,000 calls within 24 hours after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-arizona-b765fed6b9669441383b75860263ac99">release of videos</a>&nbsp;of a masked person on Nancy Guthrie's porch. Many tips will be worthless. Others could have merit. Experts say one thing's certain: They can't be ignored.

Tips can solve crimes — big or small — and eerie images of a mysterious male covered head to toe have been the most significant clues shared with the public during Guthrie's nearly 2-week-old disappearance in the Tucson area.

“It's a tremendous amount of work,” said Roberto Villaseñor, a former Tucson police chief.

“In a situation like this, you really cannot do what's been done without tips and public input,” he said. “They have processed the scene. But once that’s done and exhausted, it's hard to move forward without additional information coming in.”

The Pima County sheriff and the FBI announced&nbsp;<a href="https://pimasheriff.org/">phone numbers</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://tips.fbi.gov/home">website</a>&nbsp;to offer tips about the apparent kidnapping of Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” co-anchor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie</a>. Several hundred detectives and agents have been assigned to the case, the sheriff's department said.

The FBI said it has collected more than 13,000 tips since Feb. 1, the day Guthrie was reported missing. The sheriff's department, meanwhile, said it has taken at least 18,000 calls.

"Every tip is reviewed for credibility, relevance, and information that can be acted upon by law enforcement," the FBI said Thursday on X, adding that the effort is a 24-hour operation. It said it won't comment on the tips received.

Meanwhile, many people stopped Friday at KVOA-TV in Tucson, an NBC affiliate, to sign a large outdoor banner with a photo of Nancy Guthrie and the message “Bring her home.”

“They're like family, you know,” said Sandy Bryant, referring to her yearslong enjoyment of the “Today” show and the Guthrie family's local ties. “It's painful. It's scary, very scary.”

Major U.S. crimes for years have been cracked with a tip. In 1995, the brother and sister-in-law of Ted Kaczynski recognized certain tones in an anonymous, widely published anti-technology manifesto. Known by the FBI as the “Unabomber,” Kaczynski was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ted-kaczynski-unabomber-dies-federal-prison-95fdd4f398fbfe20aaadf5d53a91dc26">found living in a shack</a>&nbsp;in Montana and subsequently admitted to committing 16 bombings over 17 years, killing three people.

The 1989 murders of an Ohio woman and two teen daughters in Florida were solved three years later when St. Petersburg police asked the public if they recognized handwriting found in the victims' car. A former neighbor led investigators to Oba Chandler.

Retired Detroit homicide investigator Ira Todd recalled how images from a gas station camera solved the disappearance and death of a 3-month-old baby — and stopped authorities from pursuing the wrong person in 2001. “A niece of this guy saw it on TV and says, ‘That’s my uncle,’” he said.

The murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022 generated nearly 40,000 tips to state and federal authorities. None had a direct role in the capture of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bryan-kohberger">Bryan Kohberger</a>, but the public's involvement nonetheless was “absolutely” important, said Lt. Darren Gilbertson of the Idaho State Police.

“That's one of the things that kept us going for weeks,” he said, while authorities awaited DNA and other evidence.

Gilbertson said much of the early vetting in the Idaho murders was done by the FBI. He said agents and analysts who were screening tips had a good grasp of what information could be spiked and what should be handed up to key investigators. Some tips arrived by regular mail.

“Aliens to bears to crazy conspiratorial ideas — don't even pass that along,” Gilbertson said.

Nancy Guthrie was last seen Jan. 31 and was reported missing the following day. Hours before her family knew she was gone, a porch camera recorded video of a person with a backpack who was wearing a ski mask, long pants, jacket and gloves — images that were released by the FBI along with a public plea for help.

The FBI on Thursday said the person, now a suspect, is a man about 5 feet, 9 inches tall with a medium build. The agency also named the brand and model of the backpack.

Neighborhood resident Laura Gargano said she's tried to be helpful. She recommended that authorities look at an underground tank at Guthrie’s home, which was checked last weekend. She also told them that a rental house, not typical for the neighborhood, had recently been vacated.

“I noticed the cars were gone,” she told The Associated Press. “It could have been nothing, it could have been coincidental, but it was a change.”

The sheriff's department has not said whether any tips from the videos have advanced the investigation.

“I'm hopeful,” said Villaseñor, the former Tucson chief. “I have seen cases where simpler and less detailed information has helped bring somebody about. Maybe someone recognizes clothing, maybe the bag. You never know what someone will key on.”

Anyone with information: (800) 225-5324; (520) 351-4900;&nbsp;<a href="https://t.co/8PjMoU17mh">http://tips.fbi.gov</a>

Sorting through tips in cases like the Nancy Guthrie mystery

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/alex-veiga">ALEX VEIGA</a> Associated Press

Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell sharply in January as higher home prices and possibly harsh winter weather kept many prospective homebuyers on the sidelines despite easing mortgage rates.

Existing home sales sank 8.4% last month from December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.91 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. That’s the biggest monthly decline in nearly four years and the slowest annualized sales pace in more than two years.

Sales fell 4.4% compared with January last year. The latest sales figure fell short of the 4.105 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet.

“The decrease in sales is disappointing,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “The below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation this January make it harder than usual to assess the underlying driver of the decrease and determine if this month’s numbers are an aberration.”

Home sales slowed sharply across the Northeast, Midwest, South and West. But sales had their biggest annual and monthly drop in the West, which wasn’t as affected by last month’s winter storm as the other regions of the country. Plus, there’s usually a month or two lag between a contract signing and when the sale is finalized, so many of January’s sales reflect contracts signed late last year.

Despite the sharp drop in sales, home prices continued to climb last month. The national median sales price increased 0.9% in January from a year earlier to $396,800. Home prices have risen on an annual basis for 31 months in a row.

The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump dating back to 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. The combination of higher mortgage rates, years of skyrocketing home prices and a chronic shortage of homes nationally following more than a decade of below-average home construction have left many aspiring homeowners priced out of the market.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/housing-home-sales-real-estate-home-prices-d14d4f80bb90d6031292d1f0c377d708">Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes remained stuck last year at 30-year lows.</a>

Sales have been hovering close to a 4-million annual pace now going back to 2023. That’s well short of the 5.2-million annual pace that’s historically been the norm.

Still, mortgage rates have been trending lower for months, which helped give home sales a boost in December and brightened the outlook for the upcoming spring home-buying season — at least for home shoppers who can afford to buy at current rates.

Many of the homes purchased last month likely went under contract in November and December, when mortgage rates eased to their lowest levels of the year.

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage briefly dropped last month to 6.06%, the lowest level since September 2022, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. It has since inched higher, remaining this week at just&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-8078c72e225e45b9298e0bf3e0d2236f">above 6%</a>, but close to a percentage point lower than a year ago.

Even so, affordability remains a challenge for many aspiring homeowners, especially first-time buyers who don’t have equity from an existing home to put toward a new home purchase. They accounted for 31% of homes sales last month. Historically, they made up 40% of home sales.

“Today we have minimal foreclosures, housing wealth continues to build out, it’s just that renters who want to become homeowners are finding difficulty,” Yun said.

Uncertainty over the job market is also likely keeping many would-be buyers on the sidelines.

While the economy has been registering solid growth, the labor market has been sluggish for months.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-labor-economy-ai-layoffs-1304701fb238015de750a931c4175579">U.S. job openings fell in December</a>&nbsp;to the lowest level in more than five years. And while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-unemployment-labor-c760d3f86988833bc9ccb3936d44d61b">hiring by U.S. employers was surprisingly strong in January,</a>&nbsp;government revisions reduced the number of jobs created last year to the weakest total since 2020, when the pandemic began.

The sales slowdown means more homes are staying on the market longer.

There were 1.22 million unsold homes at the end of January, down 0.8% from December and up 3.4% from January last year, NAR said. That’s still well short of the roughly 2 million homes for sale that was typical before the COVID-19 pandemic.

January’s month-end inventory translates to a 3.7-month supply at the current sales pace. Traditionally, a 5- to 6-month supply is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers.

More homes traditionally go on the market ahead of the spring home-buying season, which could give prospective buyers a wider selection.

“Buyers will find a more favorable market as we head into spring,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS. “More inventory, lower rates and slower price growth will give buyers more room for negotiation.”

Why US homes sales fell sharply in January

Five individuals were federally indicted this week for their roles in an alleged $220 million nationwide fraud scheme involving purported cattle purchase contracts, according to United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.

Those indicted by a Fort Worth federal grand jury on February 11, 2026, were:

“Thousands of unwitting investors, ranchers, and others in the cattle industry nationwide were drawn in and victimized by the defendants’ multi-million dollar scheme alleged in this indictment,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould.&nbsp; “My office, in concert with our law enforcement partners, will hold these defendants accountable and pursue justice on behalf of the victims.”

“The defendants allegedly used false promises to lure prospective clients into their scheme and then misappropriated client funds to enrich themselves. One individual, Joshua Robert Link, remains a fugitive. We are asking the public to contact the FBI if they have any information regarding Link’s location,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.

As alleged in the indictment, each of the defendants were associated with Agridime LLC, a business headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas that offered cattle sales and meat processing and retail services to the public.&nbsp; Jed Wood served as the Operations Director.&nbsp; Joshua Link served as the Executive Director.&nbsp; Tia Link served as the Marketing Director.&nbsp; Taylor Bang served as a cattle broker, and Royana Thomas served as the financial controller.

The indictment alleges that, from January 2021 through December 2023, the five defendants, acting through Agridime, perpetrated a fraud scheme in which they falsely represented to individual cattle purchasers, cattle ranchers, and feedlots that Agridime would use their funds to purchase specific individual cattle for each victim, raise the cattle, and eventually sell the meat from the same specific individual cattle for a profit.&nbsp; In reality, as the indictment charges, the defendants did not use victim funds as promised and instead used newer cattle purchaser funds to pay Agridime operating expenses, pay funds owed by Agridime to earlier cattle purchasers, pay personal expenses, and purchase real property.&nbsp;

As alleged, the defendants fraudulently collected more than $220 million from over 2,200 individual victims located throughout the United States due to fraudulent misrepresentations the defendants made in public and private advertising statements.

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