(KAIR)--With early voting beginning Monday, October 19, KAIR 93.7 FM has completed a series of live candidate forums, giving voters an opportunity to hear directly from those seeking seats on the Atchison County Commission and in the Kansas House of Representatives.

The forums featured candidates in three contested races, answering questions submitted in advance and addressing issues affecting local residents.

On Monday morning, October 12, the candidates for the 2nd District Atchison County Commission position, Republican Randell Vanderweide and Democrat John Settich, answered questions during a live forum lasting approximately 40 minutes.

Wednesday morning's forum featured the candidates for the 1st District Atchison County Commission position, Republican Katherine Kohler and Democrat Charles Perdue.

Topics included land use and development, county infrastructure, taxes and spending, and other issues facing county government.

The series concluded Thursday morning, October 15, with the candidates for the 63rd District Kansas House of Representatives seat, incumbent Republican Allen Reavis and Democratic challenger Adam Booth.

The forums were designed to provide voters with an opportunity to compare candidates' positions and hear their responses to questions about the responsibilities and challenges of the offices they are seeking.

All three forums can be heard here. 

 

 

 

(KLZA)--The Richardson County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents and businesses about fake cashier’s checks circulating in our area.

 

These checks can look convincing, complete with bank logos, signatures, and security features. Their appearance does not guarantee they are legitimate.

 

The Richardson County Sheriff's office offers these tips. Verify suspicious checks directly with the bank using a phone number you independently look up.

Never send money back or purchase gift cards because someone sent you a check.

Money appearing in your account does not mean a check has cleared or is genuine.

 

If you receive a suspected counterfeit check, keep the check and any related messages, contact your bank, and report it to the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office.

 

 

 

 

(KAIR)--A two-vehicle, Friday morning Atchison wreck sent a teenage driver to the hospital.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, the wreck occurred shortly after 7:00 at the intersection of 14th Street and U.S. Highway 59.

A Chevrolet Cruze driven by 17-year-old Alexsha Scott, of Nortonville, was eastbound on U.S. 59 and turning north onto the 14th Street viaduct when it collided with a westbound Chevrolet pickup driven by 39-year-old David Miller, of St. Joseph, Missouri.

Scott was transported by Atchison County EMS to Amberwell Atchison

for hospital examination.

Wilson says Scott was cited for failure to yield.

 

 

 

(KAIR)--Two Atchison men were arrested Thursday in separate incidents, including one involving a felony warrant for a sex crime against a child.

According to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, 33-year-old Michael D. Lunsford was arrested Thursday afternoon around 5:30 in the 100 block of South 8th Street on a District Court warrant for aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Wilson says the arrest stems from an August 2025 investigation involving the alleged unlawful touching of a child under the age of 14, who was known to the suspect, at an Atchison residence.

Lunsford was taken to the Atchison County Jail, with bond set at $500,000.

In a separate incident, 64-year-old Jimmy D. Bush was arrested Thursday night around 10:00, following a traffic stop in the 300 block of North 2nd Street.

Wilson says an officer stopped Bush's pickup for a traffic violation and took him into custody for suspected driving under the influence. Police subsequently reported finding controlled substances.

Bush was arrested on allegations of DUI, transporting an open container, and possession of cocaine, fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.

Once in custody, he was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

 

 

(KAIR)--Atchison County veterans will be recognized during a Veterans Day ceremony at Atchison County Community High School.

According to a release from USD 377, the school’s Honor Society will host the ceremony Wednesday morning, November 11, at 9:00 in the JSH School Gym.

Veterans who want to take part should contact the high school by Friday, November 6, at 913-833-2240.

The community is invited to attend and is asked to arrive 15 minutes early so the program can begin promptly.

 

 

(KAIR)--A reported disturbance involving a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier is under investigation by the Atchison County Sheriff's Office.

According to Sheriff Jack Laurie, deputies responded to the 8000 block of Clay Street Wednesday evening around 5:45, after a 27-year-old Atchison man reported being sprayed with pepper spray used as a dog repellent.

The man told deputies the mail carrier had sprayed him before leaving the area.

Laurie says the suspect has been identified, and the investigation is continuing.

(KAIR)--Emergency preparedness took two forms in Atchison County this week: county employees took part in annual safety training Monday, and emergency agencies conducted a hazardous materials exercise Wednesday.

The county’s annual Columbus Day training began with specialized sessions in individual departments, followed by a group training at the courthouse. First District Commissioner Jamie Campbell described the format during Tuesday’s County Commission meeting.

“The departments all have specialized training in the morning for their staff members,” Campbell said. “Then they come to the courthouse, and there’s a mass training held here.”

Campbell thanked Safety Committee Chair Emily Sternsdorf and committee members for organizing the event. She said the gathering also gave county employees a chance to connect with colleagues they may not see often.

Employees also toured Benedictine College’s new library. Campbell thanked Courtney Keegan, a part-time county EMT and full-time college educator, for leading the tour.

On Wednesday morning, emergency response agencies and healthcare partners, including the City of Atchison Police and Fire Departments, took part in a full-scale hazardous materials exercise from 9 to 11:00.

The exercise tested coordination, communications, hazardous materials response, patient care, public information and incident command.

Activities took place near Gasoline Alley, the Atchison County Health Department and Amberwell Hospital; and those residents who may have seen additional emergency vehicles and first responders in those areas are reminded that it was only a drill.

Photo credit: Kansas Art Education Asssociation

 

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha elementary art teacher has been named the Kansas Art Education Association’s 2026 Outstanding Overall Art Educator.

Kate Miller has taught elementary art in Hiawatha for 14 years. She also serves as a forensics coach and is involved in school leadership and professional development.

Miller has held several leadership positions with the Kansas Art Education Association, including president. She also chaired the association’s 2025 fall professional development conference in Hiawatha.

Beyond the classroom, Miller is active in community arts and theater programs and has helped organize Hiawatha’s Halloween parade and art contest.

Her previous honors include the association’s Outstanding Elementary Art Educator award in 2017. She was also named Hiawatha Chamber and Visitor’s Bureau Volunteer of the Year in 2017 and 2025.

 

 

 

(KAIR)--A longstanding Atchison business that closed earlier this year after 95-years operating is expected to reopen under new ownership.

That announcement came this week in a post made to the official social media of Hilligoss Shoes, confirming the business has been sold and will resume operating under its longtime name.

The announcement, made Tuesday, follows the closing of the store, which was established in 1931 and operated under the ownership of the Smart family for 95 years. 

In the October 13 social media post, Sarah Kim Biechele, who has retired after more than 40 years with the business, confirmed the sale and expressed her gratitude to the community for its decades of support.

Biechele remembered her late parents, Doug and Patty Smart, and her late husband, Rex, along with son, Adam, as part of the family's history with the business.

She said that while she is enjoying retirement, she misses the customers who were part of her life six days a week for more than four decades.

The identity of the new owners and details about when the store will reopen were not included in the social media announcement, but the post did advise customers to expect future updates from the new owners. 

On Friday, the new owners took to social media, introducing themselves as Tyson and Shelbie Downing and saying no firm opening date is yet set. 

(KLZA)--The Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) released the 2026 Medicare Advantage Report ahead of the Medicare open enrollment period, which runs from October 15 through December 7. 
The report highlights the challenges Nebraska patients and hospitals are experiencing with Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. 
The report is based on Nebraska Hospital Association surveys of its member hospitals and reveals that Nebraska’s non-profit hospitals are continuing to have major challenges with Medical Advantage  plans. 
Reimbursement payments from MA plans are significantly less than those from Traditional Medicare for the same services and 94% of Nebraska hospitals say the shift to Medicare Advantage has negatively impacted their financial position. 
However, this year alone the federal government is projected to spend $76 billion more to cover MA enrollees than it would have if these beneficiaries were enrolled in Traditional Medicare.
Patients are feeling the impact as well. 96% of respondents say MA beneficiaries are often unaware of or misunderstand key aspects of their plan such as provider network restrictions, prior authorization requirements, or coverage limitations.
Medicare Advantage plans deny care more often than Traditional Medicare and can delay care when patients need it most. A staggering 94% of hospitals say prior authorization requirements by MA plans negatively impact clinical care by delaying necessary treatment. 
The NHA recommends policy changes for MA plans including reforming prior authorization policies, requiring timely approvals and payments, and aligning reimbursement to reflect the cost of care, as well as additional federal oversight and accountability for the program. Seniors should know the facts about Medicare Advantage and consult with their health care provider before enrolling or switching plans during open enrollment this fall.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners approved a contract with Fuxa Enterprises of Cedar Creek, Nebraska to haul 7,500 tons of road rock from the Wehtrock Quarry in Murray, Nebraska to Dawson, whenever rock is available at the quarry, to create a stockpile of available rock.

The cost will be $9.93 per ton which will amount to a total of nearly $74,500 in hauling fees.

Commissioners also met with representatives of Van Dorn Valley Constructions to review the Dawson Northwest project completion and final payment. 

The County determined that $11,843 has been incurred in liquidated damages because the work was not completed on schedule.

The work began May 27, 2026 and had a contracted completion date of June 19, 2026.

The company representatives presented information on the facts that hindered their ability to complete the project on time, including excessive rainfall and a sub-contractor for concrete work, leaving the project  and it becoming a struggle to find another contractor to complete the cement work.

The Board voted unanimously to not to pay the contract amount of $40,721, withholding the $11,843 in liquidated damages.

 

 

 

 

(MSC News)--Consumer prices in the Midwest rose 0.9% in September, with energy prices posting the largest increase.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the regional Consumer Price Index was up 4.2% over the past year. The Midwest index includes Kansas and Missouri, but does not measure prices in either state separately.

Energy prices rose 3.2% for the month and 22% over the year. Food prices were up 0.2% in September and 2.6% from a year earlier.

Core prices, which exclude food and energy, increased 0.8% in September and 3% over the past 12 months.

(KAIR)--Atchison Animal Control Officer Cassandra Shelton is the City of Atchison’s October Ace of the Month after helping free a young raccoon trapped in a car’s wheel well.

In a social media post, the city says Animal Control received a call about a raccoon hiding under cars in a parking lot to escape the heat. After a wildlife rehabilitator agreed to take the animal if it could be caught, Shelton responded.

The post says Shelton worked for more than 30 minutes to get the raccoon out of the wheel well, with help from the Atchison Fire Department, which jacked up the car. The raccoon ran off once it was free.

Shelton will receive a 50-dollar gift card to a local business of her choice and will be considered for the city’s Ace of the Year award.

(KNZA)--Advance voting begins Monday, October 19 in Brown County for the November third general election.

Registered voters may cast ballots at the Brown County Clerk’s Office during regular business hours through noon Monday, November second. A photo I-D is required.

The clerk’s office will also be open Saturday, October 31st, from 10 a.m. to noon for advance voting.

Voters who want to vote by mail must apply for an advance ballot by October 27th. Completed ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on Election Day, November third.

For more information, contact the Brown County Clerk’s Office at 785-742-2581.

(KLZA)-- NioCorp Developments hosted a number of state and federal officials Wednesday at the company's Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project near the community of Elk Creek Wednesday.

The officials made remarks about the project and it's importance to the future of the U.S., the state of Nebraska Johnson County in southeast Nebraska.

NioCorp CEO and Chairman Mark Smith talked about the critical minerals located underground in Johnson County.

Plans are to produce niobium, scandium, titanium and several magnetic rare earth elements at the mine.

Smith outlined the importance of the project to the country and the changes it will lead to for the area. All of the products will be processed in the United States and not sent off to a foreign country to be processed.

The mining operation will create approximately 1,200 construction jobs while the mine is constructed and will eventually provide about 500 high skilled permanent jobs over the 40 year life of the mine.

The mine will bring more opportunities to Johnson County and create billions of dollars in investments around the state.

U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts called the project a win-win-win. Ricketts said we are now living in a dangerous world with Communist China wanting to replace the U-S as the world's super power. Ricketts says the U-S cannot be reliant on our chief adversary for things that are critical to our defense.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright says development of the Elk Creek Mine Project is vital to America's future due to all of the uses for these rare earth elements.

He said China has changed the regime of providing the U-S with such critical minerals. Wright said anything with a button requires magnets from these rare earth elements and that aircraft, air force equipment and factories all require these inputs.

Also in attendance was Nebraska Senior U-S Senator Deb Fischer, Governor Jim Pillen, Third District Congressman Adrian Smith and 1st District State Senator Bob Hallstrom.

(KLZA)-- Auburn City Council member Johnny Curttright is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Nemaha County Court on November 3 at 3 p.m.

During his initial appearance for two counts of falsely swearing to a petition circulator's affidavit, Curttright's attorney requested a preliminary hearing.

The case stems from an effort to gather signatures on a petition to recall Auburn Mayor Chris Erickson.

The charges are Class IV felonies.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon in St. Joseph, Missouri, sent two people to the hospital.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the crash happened shortly before 12:45 p.m. at the intersection of North Belt Highway and Blackwell Road.

A 71-year-old Platte City man driving a Lexus entered the intersection from the northbound left-turn lane on a flashing yellow signal. His vehicle was struck on the passenger side by a southbound Toyota Tacoma driven by a 70-year-old Savannah woman.

The woman and her 19-year-old male passenger, also of Savannah, suffered suspected minor injuries and were taken by ambulance to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.

Both occupants of the Toyota were wearing safety devices. The Lexus driver was not.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol no longer releases the names of crash victims.

(KMZA)--Advance voting is now underway in Nemaha County for the November third General Election.

Registered voters may cast their ballots in person at the Nemaha County Clerk’s Office through noon on Monday, November second. Voters must bring a photo I-D.

Those who prefer to vote by mail must apply for an advance ballot by October 27th.

For more information, contact the Nemaha County Clerk’s Office at 785-336-2170, option one.

(KLZA)--Following discussion, the Johnson-Brock Board of Education approved renewing a Line of Credit with a limit increase to $1.5 million when they met Monday morning. 

The Board discussed potential options for improving the districts financial circumstances. Options discussed included requesting a public bond or levy override. 

Superintendent Jeff Koehler agreed to assist by providing additional financial information by the next board meeting, regarding the cost and process of pursuing each alternative.

 

Board members also discussed possible fixes to the track and broadcast booth at the football field. The school kitchen update was discussed.  Superintendent Koehler reported that Penny Neddenriep has been hired back to help complete paperwork and kitchen responsibilities.  

 

District patron Mark Caspers addressed the Board inquiring what the line of credit limit was last year and questioned why the limit was being increased in addition to why there is not a budget item for interest on the line of credit.  

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners approved a purchase order for a 2027 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Eco Boost vehicle through a state bid contract in an amount of $49,477 from Anderson Ford when they met October 7.  

Delivery of the vehicle is expected to be in January or February of 2027.

Commissioners also conducted the quarterly jail inspection during the meeting and found the facility to be in good order. 

Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. met with the Board.  Bids received for rock hauling were discussed.  Further review will be done during the Boards October 14 meeting. 

Darveau also reported that a representative form VanDorn Construction will attend the meeting to discuss funds that are being withheld from the Dawson Northwest project due to the date that construction was completed.  The contract specified the completion date was to have been earlier than the work was finished. 

 

 

 

(KAIR)--The renaming of a residence hall at Maur Hill-Mount Academy during the Catholic high school’s Homecoming weekend pays tribute to the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica and generations of graduates from Mount St. Scholastica Academy.

The dorm, formerly known as Howard Hall, is now St. Scholastica Hall.

The ceremony took place October 9, before the Homecoming football game that Friday night on the school’s Atchison campus.

The Benedictine Sisters presented the school with a statue of St. Scholastica, which now stands in front of the hall. In a social media post, the sisters said the statue represents the Benedictine tradition shared by the Mount and Maur Hill-Mount Academy.

The school says it hopes the hall will inspire future generations of young women and remind them of the legacy of Mount St. Scholastica Academy and its graduates.

(KAIR)--A major expansion of the Amberwell Atchison campus, which will eventually bring cancer treatment services to the community, will be the focus of a groundbreaking ceremony next month.

Atchison County Commissioners, according to a social media post from Atchison County, plan to attend the ceremony for Amberwell Health's new West Addition on Wednesday afternoon, November 4, at 1:00.

The project is part of a previously announced clinical collaboration between Amberwell Health and Mosaic Life Care to establish Amberwell Cancer Care, offering chemotherapy, infusion therapy and onsite oncology appointments in Atchison for the first time.

The two health systems announced earlier that the program is expected to begin serving patients by early 2028.

The new two-story, 20,000-square-foot addition will also expand rehabilitation services and provide additional specialty clinic space, with the building scheduled to open in 2027.

Under the agreement, Amberwell Atchison will own and operate the cancer care program, while Mosaic Life Care will provide oncology physicians and clinical direction.

Clinical oversight will be provided by Mosaic Medical Director of Oncology Dr. Rony Abou-Jawde, who has served the region for more than 20 years, and Dr. Vinay Gupta, who currently provides onsite infusion care in Atchison.

The expansion is also the focus of Building Hope, a $2 million capital campaign to support construction and equipment, including a $1 million matching gift.

(KAIR)--Let the game begin, and let the Atchison community be there, as the city’s mayor tosses the coin to begin the matchup.

That’s on the agenda for Benedictine College’s annual Atchison Community Day, Saturday, October 17, at Larry Wilcox Stadium.

Mayor La Rochelle Young will perform the coin toss before the Ravens face MidAmerica Nazarene, with kickoff set for 1:00.

According to a release from the college, the event celebrates the partnership between Benedictine and the community.

Atchison city and county residents can receive a two dollar discount on adult general admission by showing identification and purchasing their tickets at the gate.

The mayor and other elected officials will also be recognized during halftime, with performances by the Raven Dance Team and Raven Regiment Marching Band.

Residents are invited to arrive early to tailgate in the McDonald Parking Lot or on the practice football field, both next to the stadium.

(KAIR)--The Atchison County Treasurer’s Office is reminding residents that selling a vehicle within 120 days of purchasing another may qualify them for a trade-in credit or sales tax refund.

According to a notice shared by the office, the credit may be available when registering a newly purchased vehicle, whether new or used. It cannot be combined with a trade-in credit already provided by a dealership.

To receive the credit through the treasurer’s office, residents need copies of the bill of sale, registration, and both the front and back of the title for the vehicle they sold.

Those who have already registered their replacement vehicle may request a sales tax refund from the Kansas Department of Revenue using form ST-21VT. The form is available online and lists the documents required.

(KAIR)--A $235,000 bond is set for a 38-year-old Atchison man arrested Friday evening after police say he ran from officers responding to a disturbance near 9th and Riley Street.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, officers later found Kevin V. Maxey Jr. hiding in a detached garage off an alley in the 800 block of Mound Street. Police say Maxey resisted arrest, threatened and spit on officers, and tried to kick out the windows of a patrol vehicle. Officers also found alleged drug paraphernalia containing what they allege to be methamphetamine.

Maxey was arrested on suspicion of assault and battery on a law enforcement officer, criminal threat, interference with law enforcement, and possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He also had district court warrants involving criminal threat, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, interference with law enforcement, possession of a controlled substance and battery.

Once in custody, Maxey was booked into the Atchison County Jail.