Throughout the past year Salina had orange cones with construction and signs of growth almost everywhere. There also was something else growing for a banking business that calls Salina its home.
Sunflower Bank was honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration for having the highest total amount of SBA 7(a) loans by a bank lender in the Kansas District in fiscal year 2020.
Sunflower Bank was established in 1892 in Salina with the name of The Farmers National Bank of Salina. Throughout the 129 years of the institution the names changed and more locations were added throughout the state of Kansas, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Missouri. In 2017 the bank merged with First National 1870, Guardian Mortgage, and in four years the bank received notice of having a record-setting year in multiple markets. The bank is currently a $5 billion bank and growing with over 60 branches.
Three weeks after medical professionals received their COVID-19 vaccinations in Salina, some senior living residents and staff members who are most at risk were able to get their vaccination on Thursday. Several senior living residents in Salina will be getting the vaccine next week.
“There’s no doubt the senior population has been hit hard by the virus, along with the health care workers who’ve treated them,” said Christian Gilbert, executive director at Salina Presbyterian Manor in a release. “We couldn’t be happier to know there’s finally a bit of light at the end of such a difficult year.”
Holm Auto Good News: Blankets of love
Jean Kozubowski
LINDSBORG Beverly Burns thinks she knows why she didn’t die during either of two operations for a brain tumor in 1986.
Burns, 79, knits and crochets for the wellness totes given to cancer patients through the Wellness Tote Project in Saline County.
“God put me back on this earth for something,” Burns said. “If that’s the way I can do my something, then so be it. It makes my heart dance.”
Every tote has something that Burns has made, said Amanda Otto, a coordinator with her sister, Jennie Graham, of the project: a lap robe, beanie hat, slippers, scarf or seat belt cover. They deliver an average of 15 totes a week, Otto said.
SOLOMON A family-owned and operated company in north-central Kansas is reaching a big milestone as Abilene Machine celebrates 40 years of service to the region, the country and the world.
With beginnings as an idea between Randy Roelofsen and Loren Engel to help farmers solve problems and navigate the changing agriculture industry in 1980, the company grew over the years into what it is now, one of the largest family-owned agricultural parts companies in the U.S.
Located between Solomon and Abilene on Old Highway 40, family is at the center of Abilene Machine s story and its practices. Todd Roelofsen, Randy s nephew, joined what was at the time a small salvage parts and equipment resale operation in 1981 and helped to grow the company over the years as its vice president. Family isn t just about those working for the company, but those who interact and buy from it, too.
Kansas Gas Service, a division of ONE Gas Inc., has announced that its employees and retirees pledged more than $139,200 to the United Way.
With the ONE Gas Foundation matching every dollar, more than $278,400 will support organizations across the state that address the local needs of the communities we serve.
“In a year that has been full of challenges for so many residents, I’m proud that our employees continued with their longstanding commitment to charitable giving,” said Sean Postlethwait, vice president of operations for Kansas Gas Service. “We believe that serving our customers goes beyond providing natural gas service – it’s also about helping create a better tomorrow for our communities.”