SALINA, Kan. (AP) — An official says two tornadoes that recently touched down in eastern Saline County caused an estimated $500,000 in damage.

The Salina Journal  reports that Emergency Management director Hannah Stambaugh told county commissioners about the costs during their regular meeting on Tuesday.

An EF2 tornado touched down Oct. 6 just before 4:15 p.m. and stayed on the ground for a short distance. An EF3 tornado touched down near the town of Kipp around 4:20 p.m. that day, and traveled on the ground for 6.3 miles.

Stambaugh says no one was injured, but a home, several outbuildings, farm implements and power lines were damaged.

SEDGWICK COUNTY – Law enforcement and school officials in Sedgwick County are investigating a report of a possible mountain lion behind a Kansas elementary school.

Valley Center Police Chief Mark Hephner reported to West Elementary School principal Mark Bastian a mountain lion may have been spotted behind the school, according to a social media report.

On Wednesday, police department staff walked into the wooded area behind the school and did not see the animal, according to a note from the school to parents.

Despite that, the school cancelled all outside recess as a precaution.

SALINE COUNTY – Investigators are working to determine the cause of two fires in Saline County.

On Tuesday afternoon a fire damaged a trailer and consumed several bales of hay, according to Saline County Undersheriff Roger Soldan.

Just after 3 p.m., James DeBold of Tescott was hauling round bales of hay on Lockard Road, just west of Brookville Road, when his daughter, who was driving behind him, noticed
flames coming from within the bales.

DeBold pulled over, disconnected his truck from the trailer and notified Rural Fire District #3, who responded to the scene.

Damage estimates were not immediately available, according to Soldan.

A Wednesday morning fire southeast of Salina caused extensive damage to three oil tanks owned by Scott’s Well Service of Roxbury, according to Soldan.

The tanks located in the 2100 block of East Schilling Road near Johnson Sand Company caught fire just after 1 a.m.

The fire may have been sparked by lightning from an early morning thunderstorm passing through the area, according to Soldan.

Damage to the oil tanks has been estimated at $20,000.

DETROIT (AP) — Ford and Subaru issued vehicle recalls on Wednesday.

Ford is recalling nearly 412,000 older SUVs worldwide to fix fuel leaks that could cause fires.

The recall covers certain 2010 to 2012 Ford Escapes and 2010 to 2011 Mercury Mariners with 3-liter flex-fuel V6 engines.

Ford says a fuel supply part can develop a crack and leak gasoline that could catch fire. A company statement says it’s not aware of any accidents, fires or injuries caused by the problem. Most of the recalled SUVs are in North America.

Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module flange assembly at no cost to owners. Ford says customers will be notified by the week of December 12.

Ford says owners who smell gasoline or suspect problems should contact their dealer.

Subaru is recalling more than 100,000 of its top-selling models in the U.S. because a turbocharger air pump can run continuously, overheat and could cause fires.

The recall covers certain 2007 to 2009 Legacy and Outback vehicles, some 2008 to 2014 Imprezas and certain 2009 to 2013 Foresters. All the cars and SUVs have turbocharged engines. Subaru says in government documents that a relay controlling a secondary air injection pump can fail, causing the pump to run continuously. If it overheats, it can melt and catch fire.

The company reported two fires in government documents but did not list any injuries.

Dealers will replace the relay at no cost to owners. Subaru doesn’t have a schedule yet for the recall to begin.

RILEY COUNTY – A Kansas man was injured in an accident just after 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday in Riley County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Ford F350 driven by Charles J. Schumacher, 54, Maple Hill, was northbound on Kansas 177 on the south edge of Manhattan.

The driver didn’t see a 2013 Freightliner semi backing up across the highway. The pickup struck the semi’s trailer.

Schumacher was transported to Via Christi in Manhattan.

The semi driver Troy W. Higgs, 24, Pleasant Hill, MO., was not injured.

Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Results from a new study conducted by LendEDU has named the City of McPherson the second safest college town in the United States due to its low crime rate.

Research included towns that are home to at least one two-year or four-year college campus, according to a media release.

McPherson is home to Central Christian College and McPherson College, both four-year liberal arts colleges.

See the full list here.

The study ranked El Dorado, home to Butler Community college 7th.

Using the newest data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, LendEDU calculated the safest college towns by summing the number of violent and property crimes, then dividing the summation by the population living in the town. This calculation yielded the number of violent and property crimes per person in the town. “Increasingly, students, parents and future residents are considering safety as a key consideration during the college selection process,” noted LendEDU CEO Nate Matherson.

City Administrator Nick Gregory credits local law enforcement for maintaining safety and order to the McPherson community.

“Aspects of a strong public safety presence is just one of many attractive traits that make McPherson a coveted place for existing and new residents whether they are stopping in temporarily for college or whether they have decided to make McPherson a permanent home,” he said.

Police Chief Robert McClarty echoes Gregory’s thoughts. “Hearing about the survey ‘The Safest College Town’ and that McPherson is one of the safest communities in the United States makes me proud of my officers and staff,” said McClarty.

“The recognition of the excellent relationship which exists between our colleges, residents and the McPherson Police Department is outstanding. This is just another example of what makes our community a great place to live, work, and pursue higher education.”