WELLINGTON — With the lockdown of nursing homes due to COVID-19, people have gone as long as seven months without hugging their loved ones in long-term care facilities. Rivercross Hospice in Wellington has found a way for people to safely embrace. It’s called the “cuddle curtain.” The curtain is a plastic sheet with four holes—two on each side for people on opposite sides of the curtain to put their arms through. There are plastic sleeves covering the arms and participants wear plastic gloves when using the curtain. The main purpose is for families to be able to see their loved ones and to be able to hug them, according to Gina Wallace, LPN with Rivercross Hospice. The curtain is cleaned and sanitized before and after each use. (Salina Journal)

Kensington man dies when pickup rolls PHILLIPS COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 2:30 a.m. Sunday in Phillips County.

LA CROSSE — There were 17 thefts in La Crosse over a three-day period, according to Rush County Sheriff Ward Corsair. The thefts were reported on September 11, 12 and 13, and most involved unlocked vehicles. Three involved the suspect entering an unlocked garage and going through unlocked vehicles. There was also a stolen bicycle and an attempted break-in at Enslinger Lumber. A subject was seen fleeing the area, leaving items behind. There was a vehicle stolen from Bison earlier in the week which was unlocked and had the keys in the vehicle. Corsair encouraged everyone in the area to lock automobiles, garages and houses, and don’t leave valuable property in vehicles. (The Rush County News)

Family Dollar robbed in Greensburg GREENSBURG — The Greensburg Police Department and Kiowa County Sheriff’s Department were put on high alert Monday, Sept. 7, when an armed robbery took place at the Family Dollar Store in Greensburg.

Man trapped in truck by downed power line OBERLIN — Emergency crews were called to an accident in Jennings on Thursday, Aug. 27, when a man apparently fell asleep at the wheel and drove into a power pole on the south side of Highway K-383.

State officials celebrate I-70 anniversary GOODLAND — State officials marked the 50th anniversary of the completion of Interstate 70 in Kansas with a ceremony on August 20 at the port of entry near Kanorado, right near mile post 0, or the Colorado state line. The 119-mile stretch from Goodland west to the Colorado border was the final part of the Interstate to be completed in 1970.

Great Plains Manufacturing expanding SALINA — Great Plains Manufacturing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kubota North America, announced a $53 million expansion project last Thursday that includes buying a 750,000-square-foot building, according to president Linda Salem. The company is under contract to buy the Signify building on S.

Top drone manufacturer lands in Wichita NEODESHA — The American drone industry is exploding. Since COVID-19 came ashore, more and more consumers desire U.S.-built products.

Over $34K worth of property stolen from Saline Co. farmstead, recovered in Park City SALINA — A farmstead in northern Saline County had property valued over $34,000 taken from it sometime between 4 p.m.

Police make 4 arrests after drug busts in Great Bend GREAT BEND — Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects on drug charges after police executed two search warrants last week in Great Bend. As the first search warrant was served, Shawna Contrerez, age 31, was located inside a residence and arrested on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of stolen property.