(KNZA)--A Highland man convicted on 14 counts of harassment by a telecommunications device will have to serve 1 ½ years in jail.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says 55-year-old Gary Vigil was sentenced Wednesday to a total of 168 months ( 14 years)  in jail on the misdemeanor charges.

Hill says the Court denied Vigil’s request for immediate probation and remanded him to the Brown County Jail to serve 18 months of his sentence prior to be being released on probation for a period of 24 months.

Vigil was arrested in July following a lengthy investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department, which uncovered numerous victims, both locally and nationwide.

Hill says the investigation revealed Vigil would often impersonate family members of the victims being called, falsely describing involvement in sexual acts and the need for help from being victimized.  He says the calls caused fear and concern for the victims being called.

Hill credited the work of the Mobile Forensics Unit of the Hiawatha Police Department and the extensive training that Investigator Mickey Gruber has received at the National Computer Forensics Institute in Hoover, Alabama from the U.S. Secret Service and Homeland Security for the successful resolution of the case.  

(MSC News)--A smaller than proposed rate increase for customers of Kansas Gas Service, following the approval of a settlement agreement.

The Kansas Corporation Commission, in a news release Tuesday, says the settlement they have reached is nearly $20 million less than than what had been requested by Kansas Gas Service.

The settlement means that customers will see a $1.25 per month rate increase, as compared to the proposed $4.54 hike originally requested by KGS.

The application for the proposal sought a net revenue increase of $35.4 million.

The company was also seeking the approval of a Cost of Service Adjustment which would reset rates annually.

As part of the settlement agreement, KGS agreed to withdraw that request.

A public hearing held by the KCC in September, regarding the proposed increase, received 591 public comments.

(KAIR)--Atchison County tax payers who received incomplete tax statements in the mail should soon receive revised tax forms.

When the printer merged the information, the special assessments, mill levies and property tax levies weren’t included on the tax statement, said Atchison County Treasurer Shelia Bilderback.

“I contacted them Monday and they’re going to resend those back out,” Bilderback said.

She said her office hopes to send the correct statements out as soon as possible and tax payers should receive them in the next few days.

The first half of taxes are due Tuesday, Dec. 20.

(KNZA)--A vacancy has been filled on the Sabetha City Commission.

Norm Schmitt was appointed by the Commission this week to fill the unexpired term of Commissioner Kenny Miller.

Miller resigned effective November 28th because he’s moving out of town.  He had served as Commissioner of Utilities.

Schmitt previously served as Sabetha mayor.

(KNZA)--A Brown County bridge replacement project moves forward.

The Brown County Commission Monday accepted the low bid submitted by Norfolk Contracting, of Norfolk, Nebraska, for the replacement of a truss bridge on Sunflower Road, north of the K-20 junction, with a 28 by 95 foot steel beam bridge with concrete deck for $299,689.

Norfolk Contracting will provide the labor for the project and Husker Steel will provide the materials.

The bid was among three received.

Commissioner Keith Olsen says the project is expected to begin early next summer and be finished before the 2017 fall harvest season.

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph man charged in connection with a single-vehicle Doniphan County wreck in November 2015  that claimed the life of his 8-year-old granddaughter is scheduled for arraignment December 21st.

57-year-old Dennis Meers has been bound over to Doniphan County District Court on a charge of  aggravated endangerment of a child.

Killed in the November 22nd wreck on 175th Road west of Wathena was Cadence Orcutt, of Troy.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says Meers had given the child permission to drive his car.

The Patrol says Orcutt lost control of the car for an unknown reason.  The vehicle left the roadway where it went down an embankment and overturned.

Orcutt, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Meers was arrested in June in Buchanan County on a Doniphan County warrant and extradited to Doniphan County in October.   

He remains in the Doniphan County Jail, held on a $25,000 bond.
 

SMITHVILLE, Mo. (AP) – Authorities say there were no injuries as a result of a blaze that erupted when a gas pipeline ruptured north of Kansas City, Missouri.

A Platte County Sheriff’s Department dispatcher said the fire was reported about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Platte County, north of Kansas City and not far from Kansas City International Airport. The fire was later put out.

The responding Southern Platte Fire District said the blaze resulted from a pipeline explosion, though the cause was unclear.

The identity of the owner or operator of the pipeline was not immediately available.

The Kansas City Fire Department says the pipeline carries ethane and propane.

Joe McBride, a spokesman for the airport, said the blaze was not affecting flights at the airport and was not on airport property.

(KLZA)--Finding a parking place during the summer ballgames at Dallas Jones Park in Falls City can be challenging. 

During the November 21st City Council meeting, Third Ward Councilman John Vaughn said he liked an idea he heard from another Council member earlier to create more off-street parking. Vaughn suggested utilizing the unused tennis courts at the south end of the park for a parking lot. 

Vaughn suggested going further to the west and north to create additional parking. He said he had not looked into the cost of such a project.

The idea was referred to the Park Board for further consideration.  The tennis court nets are gone. The horseshoe pitching area adjacent to the tennis courts were removed several years ago.

City Administrator Gary Jorn also discussed an option that could help create even more parking in the area. Jorn noted that a group of people had raised funds to purchase the house at the corner of 14th and Barada Street. They will then deed the property to the City.

The house would then be razed and the trees removed to create more parking near the Fiedler Family Ball Complex.  

The Council approved the plan for the land transfer.  
 

(KAIR)--Two teenagers land behind bars following charges related to illegal weapon possession.

“It was around 11:00 on Thursday evening when officers responded to the 500 block of North River Road regarding reports of shots fired,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “At the same time, a vehicle description was given to the officers through dispatch describing the vehicle that left the area. One of the officers spotted that vehicle near Fifth and Main and stopped the vehicle.”

He says 18-year-old Ioannis Markou was arrested for criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and possession of liquor by an underage person and another 16-year-old male was arrested for criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, unlawful discharge of a firearm in city limits and possession of alcohol by an underage person.

Wilson says two others were in the vehicle as well and they were charged with possession of alcohol by an underage person.

“What we have kind of determined after completing that Thursday evening investigation is that there may have been some type of confrontation down on the River Road, Wilson added. “We believe there were two groups in two different vehicles. Following the confrontation, one of the vehicles had left and that’s when we came in contact with it and took four of these individuals into custody.”

Wilson said they believe at least one shot was fired into the air.

He said two guns were seized from those charged.

(KAIR)--Reckless driving lands one Atchison man behind bars on meth charges.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson says it was Monday night around 10:00 when officers were alerted of 61-year-old Randall Gilliland driving recklessly heading east on U.S. 59 in Atchison.

“Our officers located and attempted to stop a pickup truck near 14th and U.S. 59,” Wilson said. “The driver fled to the area near 5th and Q Street where he was taken into custody and methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found on his person.”

Wilson said he was arrested for fleeing and attempting to elude police, obstructing legal process as well as possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Gilliland, who is a registered drug offender in the state of Kansas, was booked into the Atchison County Jail where he remains without bond. 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska officials say they will try to change the state's death penalty protocol in an effort to get around the logistical problems that have prevented them from obtaining the necessary lethal injection drugs.

The proposal announced Monday would allow the state corrections director to choose which drugs are used in an execution. Condemned inmates would have to be told which drugs were chosen at least 60 days before the Nebraska attorney general's office requests an execution warrant from the Nebraska Supreme Court.
 

Nebraska hasn't executed an inmate since 1997, when it used the electric chair. The state has never used its current three-drug protocol consisting of sodium thiopental, pancuronium bromide and potassium chloride.

Nebraska voters reinstated the death penalty earlier this month, overturning the Legislature's decision to abolish the punishment.
 

(KLZA)-- A favorite holiday activity for many people is to ride around and look at Christmas lights.

This year, Falls City has unveiled new decorations along Highway 73, which is Harlan Street and around the Richardson County Courthouse. 

Falls City Chamber / Main Street Director David Branch says donations made the new decorations possible.  The Richardson County Visitors Committee, F & M Bank, the City of Falls City and many individuals and companies donated toward the lights. Even with an early purchase 40 percent discount the price tag was still $45,000.

There are new wreaths and garland around the Courthouse. There are 27, 6-foot, L.E.D. snowflakes hung on Harlan Street. There are also three new entrance signs that were put up.  

Branch praised the Falls City Line Crew for the work they had to accomplish to get the new lights up. That work included re-wiring the poles the snow flakes are hanging on. 

Another new entrance sign will be put up next year.  One of the poles that supports the sign, was taken down and has not yet been re-set.  

(KAIR)--The search for a new Superintendent of Schools for Brown County's USD 430 takes another step forward.

That follows an assessment of the matter during Monday night's special meeting of the Board of Education for the South Brown County Schools.

During the session, current Superintendent Dr. Steve Davies introduced to the board Dr. Brian Jordan, Director of Leadership Recruitment Services for the Kansas Association of School Boards.

Jordan supplied the board members with documentation outlining the KASB's approach when seeking a new superintendent for a school district.

The process includes four phases, outlined in-depth by Jordan for the Board.

He explained that the KASB each year recruits 30 to 35 superintendents, leaving the organization experienced in the process.

Following Jordan's presentation, the Board of Education voted unanimously to utilize Jordan, through the KASB, to head-up the search for a new superintendent.

The need to fill the role comes as Davies plans to retire at the end of the 2016-2017 school year, ending 16-years in that role for the South Brown County Schools.

He announced his decision in July.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission has approved an ordinance implementing the half-cent sales tax for street improvements approved by voters during the November 8th general election and agreed to move forward on a plan to repair the streets of Hiawatha.

That follows action taken at last week’s meeting.

The sales tax will take effect April 1st, 2017 and be in effect for 30 years.

Mayor Steffen Shamburg says one of the biggest issues during the town hall meeting on the sales tax proposal was the fate of the downtown brick streets.

In order to address the issue, the Commission agreed to set up a committee of 7 people, including one commissioner.

Shamburg says it’s important to get everyone involved—including those who are passionate about saving the brick streets and those who would like to see the streets paved.

Shamburg urged anyone interested in serving on the committee to contact city hall.

(KMZA)--An investigation is launched after a Wetmore home is burglarized.

The Nemaha County Sheriff's Office says an unknown person entered a residence at 211 4th Street sometime between 10:30 the morning of November 12th and 3:00 the afternoon of November 13th.

Taken were a 48 inch TV, a Roku and Samsung tablet.

The loss was estimated at $550.

Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to contact the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office in Seneca.

(KNZA)--The former Hiawatha Chamber of Commerce treasurer accused of violating the terms of her probation in an embezzlement case will answer to charges in Richardson County before her case continues in Brown County.

During a hearing Monday, Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says the attorney for 43-year-old Beth Mikita asked for more time to review evidence from the Richardson County case.

Hill says her attorney's request for an O.R. bond was denied. Mikita was given a furlough to go to Richardson County to answer the charges there, but was ordered to be returned to the Brown County Jail upon release from the Richardson County Jail.

Mikita faces charges of felony possession of meth, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia in Richardson County stemming from a September 12th traffic stop in the county.

She was convicted in Brown County of embezzling funds between August 2014 and April 2015 while serving as Chamber treasurer.

In June, Mikita was placed on 12-months supervised probation on charges of felony criminal use of a financial card and felony theft.  She was also ordered to pay more than $8,000 restitution.

In October, she was arrested for allegedly violating the terms of probation by possessing methamphetamine, failing to report to her probation officer as directed and failing to report her Richardson County arrest.

(KMZA)--A Humboldt, Nebraska man is jailed in Nemaha County, Kansas following what authorities say was a robbery committed with a baseball bat.

18-year-old Joseph Creamer is accused of using the bat to strike his victim in the head in order to steal undisclosed items.

The Nemaha County Sheriff's Office says that happened on the night of August 10, near 208th Road, with the investigation ongoing since that time.

The probe led to the issuance of search warrants, which authorities say have produced evidence implicating Creamer in the crime.

On November 23, he was taken into custody in Nebraska on a Nemaha County warrant in connection with the August crime.

Waiving extradition, Creamer was transported to Nemaha County, where he remains jailed on a bond of $150,000.

He faces charges of aggravated battery, aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated battery, and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery.

(KAIR)--An investigation is launched following an Atchison burglary report that included missing firearms.

“We do believe it occurred in the afternoon hours on Sunday in the 400 block of South Sixth,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “Taken from that burglary included three guns, specifically a rifle, handgun and shotgun. There was also some jewelry taken and a television that was recovered near the scene.”

He says the total value of items taken was $1,700.

Officers are following up on leads. Anyone with information is urged to contact Atchison Police.

(KMZA)--In 24 hours of giving, $107,088.33 was donated to area nonprofits and projects that are a part of the Greater Sabetha Community Foundation. $25,000 in matching fund will be divided up between the 21 nonprofits which brings the total to more than $132,000.

After adding matching funds, the top nonprofits on the leaderboard are The Sabetha Health & Wellness Center which received $65,015, The Main Event $24,275 and Neighbor-2-Neighbor $5,705. The entire leaderboard can be viewed at www.givetogrowday.com .

The event was sponsored by the Greater Sabetha Community Foundation which is a vehicle for people of all means to make a lasting difference in their local community. All donations are tax deductible and help fund local projects or existing nonprofits. GSCF was established less than one year ago and is operated by a 13 member board of directors and currently has an asset base of over $1.5 million. GSCF is an affiliate of Greater Manhattan Community Foundation. GSCF can assist other organizations or people with ideas for community projects as well as help individuals establish donor advised funds which allows a donor to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax benefit and make personal planned giving decisions over time.

GSCF will hold a Community Celebration Gala on January 14 to honor the organizations in the area and celebrate the first GIVE TO GROW Match Day.

For more information about GSCF, go to www.sabethafoundation.org.

(KAIR)--An Effingham woman goes to jail on drug charges stemming from an Oct. 6 single-vehicle injury wreck.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 59-year-old Iris Johnson was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of narcotics.

Laurie said it was back in October when Johnson claimed to swerve to a miss a bird while traveling westbound on 274th Road near Greeley Road.

She overcorrected and went off the road hitting a fence post and tree before the vehicle stopped.

Johnson was transported to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph for treatment of her injuries.

While investigating the wreck, deputies found what they believed to be methamphetamine and hydrocodone pills.

Laurie said the sheriff’s office filed an affidavit for a warrant to be issued to Johnson.

That warrant was served Friday. She was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

 Johnson posted a $7,500 bond and was released.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners have approved a contract with Weathercraft to repair the roof at the Courthouse.  

Company representative Christ McClintock met with the Board last week, presenting a quote of $11,367 for the repairs. McClintock said the repair should make the roof membrane water tight for up to 10 years. 

It is expected the project will take 30 days to complete once started.  

Commissioners also approved a request from Veterans Service Officer Mona Godeman to move the Veterans Service Office to the south hallway on the first floor where the Probation Office is currently located.

The probation office will be moving to the second floor.  

(KAIR)--Three arrests are made following a late Sunday morning Horton wreck that happened inside the Atchison County line.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie says 41-year-old Joy Matchie, of Mayetta, was arrested for driving under the influence, while her two passengers, 35-year-old Monica Keo and 48-year-old Quentin Green, both of Horton, were arrested for transporting an open container.

The arrests followed a wreck that the Kansas Highway Patrol says happened around 11:40 Sunday morning, one mile west of U.S. Highway 159, in Horton, at the intersection of 310th and Anderson Roads. It was there that 18-year-old Garrett Meyers, of Horton, westbound on 310th Road, failed to yield his car at the uncontrolled intersection, causing him to collide broadside into a northbound van, driven by Matchie.

Laurie says Matchie was booked into the Atchison County Jail, while Keo and Green were released with notices to appear in Atchison County District Court.

The Patrol, which assisted Laurie's office at the scene, says Keo was transported to the Horton Community Hospital for the treatment of possible injuries.

Everyone in the two vehicles were wearing seatbelts.

Editor's note: Below is an earlier version of the story, which incorrectly identified the wreck occurring in Brown County, due to preliminary investigation information released by the Kansas Highway Patrol. 

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle Brown County wreck late Sunday morning sent a Horton woman to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened at the intersection of 310th and Anderson Roads about one mile west of U.S. 159 Highway in Horton.

The Patrol says 18-year-old Horton resident Garrett Meyers was driving a car westbound on 310th Road when he failed to yield at the uncontrolled intersection to a northbound van on Anderson Road driven by 41-year-old Mayetta resident Joy Matchie and struck the van broadside.  

A passenger in the Matchie vehicle, 35-year-old Monica Keo, was transported to the Horton Community Hospital for the treatment of possible injuries.

Meyers and Matchie were not hurt.

The Patrol says all the occupants were wearing seatbelts when the wreck occurred around 11:40.     
 

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Tree Board will be re-established.

Local arborist Nick Haedt proposed to the Hiawatha City Commission last week that the board be re-established.

Haedt said  it’s important to monitor the health of the city’s tree population, especially in Hiawatha where 67 percent of the population involves a single species like the Sugar Maple.

He told the Commission if the city moves forward without a tree board they could back themselves into a corner should a destructive pest move through town.    

City Administrator Mike Nichols says city ordinance calls for the board to consist of five members, and the Commission agreed to start accepting names of residents that would be interested in serving on the Tree Board.  Those interested are encouraged to contact City Hall.

(KLZA)--Pawnee county Commissioners met with Pawnee County Memorial Hospital CEO Ruth Stephens Tuesday.

Stephens provided the Board with the revised bylaws of the Hospital Board of Directors along wit the annual evaluation report for the fiscal year 2015-16.

Highway Department Administrative Assistant Heather Duryea presented information on new prices for rock from Martin Marietta that go into effect January 1.  The price for inch-and-a-half crush and run rock will be $12.70 per ton and the one-inch clean rock will be $15.50 per ton.  

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners have approved a three-year contract with the City of Humboldt for the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office to provide law enforcement services.

The contract is effective retroactive to September 1, 2016. The total of the contract is $202,988. 

Humboldt will make monthly payments of just over $5,600.  

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners conducted a quarterly Safety Committee meeting during their November 22nd meeting.

Sheriff Don Pounds reported some hoes outside the north door of the Law Enforcement Center / Jail in the grass need to be filled so no one trips in them. Pounds also reported the driveway at the facility appears to be undermining in a certain area and requested the Road Department, look at the area and make repairs as needed.

Highway Superintendent Scott Huppert reported the Humboldt County Shop Building is in bad condition and needs to be replaced. Huppert also suggested additional lights be added to motor graders to help motorists see the machines through dust. 

A discussion was also held regarding the water leaks through the basement of the Courthouse coming from the lawn sprinkler system on the north side of the building.  

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle wreck late Saturday morning on a Doniphan County road sent a St. Joseph teenager to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on 315th Road about a 1/2 mile west of White Cloud around 11:40.

The Patrol says 19-year-old Patricia Page was westbound when her car left the roadway and struck a tree.

Page, who was wearing a seatbelt, was transported to the Hiawatha Community Hospital for the treatment of possible injuries.

Jesse Tyler Brandon

(KAIR)--A Topeka man is jailed in Jackson County following what's described by Sheriff Tim Morse as a short pursuit in the southern portion of Jackson County.

Arrested Friday morning was 21-year-old Jesse Tyler Brandon. He was booked into the Jackson County Jail on charges of fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer and reckless driving.

He's held on a $5,000 bond.

Morse says a deputy attempted to stop Brandon around 9:30 Friday morning for committing a traffic infraction on U.S. Highway 75, near Hoyt.

Instead, Morse says Brandon sped off behind the wheel of a Pontiac Grand Prix, eastbound on 102nd Road, with the pursuit ending north of 94th Road on T.4 Road, where he was taken into custody.

Dru Hinson

(KAIR)--A Cummings man is injured, and an Atchison man jailed, after an alleged attempt to flee after their vehicle smashed into a Jackson County residence.

Sheriff Tim Morse says a Ford Edge was spotted around 10:30 Friday night, west of Circleville, going in and out of a ditch just east of J. Road.

When deputies arrived, they discovered 22-year-old Cummings resident Brandon Michael Vander Ross as a passenger in the vehicle.

Suffering from disabling injuries, Ross was transported for treatment, first to Holton Community Hospital and then to a Topeka hospital.

Investigators learned that Ross suffered the injuries when the car earlier smashed into the side of a Circleville home, located at 25386 K-79 Highway. Morse says that happened when the eastbound car, driven by 20-year-old Atchison resident Dru Hinson, left 254th Road at the intersection of the highway, went airborne, and then crashed through an iron fence and then into the side of the home.

Although the residents were inside, they were not hurt.

Morse says Hinson was spotted fleeing into a field, west of Circleville, and then into a brushy, wooded area along Elk Creek.

Not knowing Hinson's medical condition in the cold temperatures, Morse says an extensive search was launched, including the use of a Kansas Highway Patrol helicopter, and assistance from the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office and the Potawatomi Tribal Police

According to Morse, Hinson was located hiding in a residence at 101 Mill Street, in Circleville, near Elk Creek.

Apparently not injured in the earlier wreck, Hinson was arrested, and booked into the Jackson County Jail.

He faces charges of driving under the influence, transporting an open container, minor in possession of alcohol, leaving the scene of an injury accident, and aggravated battery.

(KNZA)--A new director has been hired for the Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.

She is Lori Banks, who began work last week.

The Holton Recorder reports Banks worked in the banking industry for several years prior to her new role as director. She graduated from Atchison County Community High School in Effingham and attended Highland Community College for two years.

Banks is currently pursing a degree in business management through an online university program.

Banks and her fiance, Jason, live on the east edge of Jackson County where he farms. She has two children.

Also Ashlee York of Holton was recently hired to serve as an administrative assistant at the Chamber.

(KNZA)--The jury trial for a Hoyt man accused of sex crimes involving a girl under the age of 14 has been postponed for a second time.  

50-year-old Leon Hollaway had been scheduled to go on trial beginning November 28th on charges of rape, two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.  

However, his attorney, Topeka Attorney William Rork, filed a motion last week asking for a continuance due to his ongoing health issues.  

The court has appointed Atchison attorney John Kurth to act as a secondary counsel for Hollaway due to Rork’s health issues.  A new trial date has not been set.  

Hollaway was arrested in May of last year following an investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.  He is charged in connection with alleged sex crimes occurring between April 2013 and March 2015 in the city of Hoyt.  

Hollaway remains free on bond.  .

(KNZA)--Nearly 4-years in prison.

That's the sentence handed down for a Holton man accused of the attempted strangulation and rape of a Holton woman.

Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller tells MSC News Manual Juarez-Benito was sentenced on a charge of aggravated battery.

He pleaded guilty to that charge in October as part of a plea-agreement, that meant the dismissal of seven other charges, including attempted first-degree murder and rape.

Juarez-Benito was arrested February 9th after officers responded to a domestic incident at a Holton residence involving an alleged attempted strangulation. The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries. The victim also testified during a preliminary hearing in May that Juarez-Benito had allegedly raped her several times between April 1st and September 30th of last year.

(KLZA) - Santa Claus is coming to Falls City Friday afternoon to visit with kids.

The Falls City Chamber of Commerce / Main Street is the sponsor for the event entitled “Home of the Holiday’s.” Santa will arrive at 4:30 Friday afternoon and kids can see him arrive from 17th Street south to 15th Street on Stone Street.

The Santa House will be set up at the corner of 17th and Stone Street where Santa will visit with kids until 6:30 p.m. There will be cookies and hot chocolate along with sleigh rides and carollers downtown.

All the kids that visit Santa at 17th and Stone Street Friday will receive the annual Falls City Coloring Book.

L to R: Cassandra Hughes, Chad Gorrell Sr. and Chad Gorrell Jr. 

(KAIR)--A father and son from Atchison, wanted in connection with three Jackson County burglaries, are now in custody.

Sheriff Tim Morse says his office received a tip that 44-year-old Chad Gorrell Sr. and 22-year-old Chad Gorrell Jr. were hiding at a residence in Topeka.

Topeka Police were notified and the two, who were considered armed and dangerous, were taken into custody Wednesday.

Booked into the Jackson County Jail, they each are held on a bond of $50,000.

Already in custody at the time of their arrests was 31-year-old Hiawatha resident Cassandra Hughes. She was arrested in Topeka Tuesday after investigators were led to a car that had been spotted in the area of two of the Jackson County burglaries.

The vehicle had been stolen from Saint Joseph.

Hughes is jailed in Jackson County, held on a bond of $50,000, also in connection with the burglaries.

A search of a Hiawatha residence, following her arrest, led to the recovery of items Morse says are believed connected with the Monday burglaries.

(KAIR)--A California man who died this week in a motorcycle crash is being remembered by friends as a former student in Atchison.

According to Facebook posts made by former classmates, 44-year-old Jason Alexander Shirley was a member of the Atchison High School class of 1990.

Victor Valley News is reporting that Shirley, a resident of Oak Hills, California, died Monday night.

The newspaper's website, citing the California Highway Patrol, says he was killed when his motorcycle struck a left-turning Honda Pilot, causing Shirley to be ejected. He was then struck by a Ford pickup truck as he lay in the roadway.

Funeral arrangements aren't immediately available.

Local residents, in their Facebook posts, are recalling the time they knew Shirley, and are offering prayers to his family.

(MSC News)--Gas prices across Kansas are the lowest they've been since the 2008 Thanksgiving travel weekend.

That word comes from AAA, with the agency saying the state average stands at $1.90, compared to the 2008 average of $1.81.

The comparison comes as AAA predicts 3.9 million motorists hitting the road for their Thanksgiving Day travel destinations.

The average Kansas price for a gallon of gas has dropped for 41 consecutive days, from $2.11 that motorists were paying at the pumps as of October 11. Topeka remains the fourth lowest price gas average in the nation.

At last check, only 31 towns in Kansas remained at an average over $2.00. Nationwide, retail averages have fallen steadily since November 6, for a total savings of eight cents per gallon. According to AAA, the national average is expected to near $2.00 a gallon by the end of the year.

(KAIR)--An investigation is launched following a report of missing vehicle parts and damage to several vehicles in Atchison County.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie said Eldon Roles reported the theft and damage on Nov. 22 at 6302 Sherman Road in Atchison County.

Roles estimated the total loss around $1,000.

Taken, was a 1968 Ford Mustang back window and vehicle emblems, a 1947 international pickup body decals, a grill for a 1978 Chevrolet pickup and emblems from a 1989 GMC sierra pickup.

If you have information regarding the thefts and damage, contact the Atchison County Sheriff’s office.

(KLZA)--A Shenandoah, Iowa, resident suffered moderate injuries in a one-vehicle wreck in Atchison County, Missouri early Wednesday morning. 

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 28-year old Kellyn Rodgers was southbound on U.S. Highway 59 about 3:40 a.m. when his 2008 minivan crossed the center line and ran off the east side of the highway striking an embankment. 

The Atchison-Holt Ambulance Squad transported Rodgers to the Shenandoah Medical Center for treatment of injuries. 

The van was totaled.

The Atchison County Sheriffs Department assisted the Missouri Highway Patrol at the scene of the wreck.  

(KLZA)-- The Auburn Board of Education approved a number of repair and upgrade projects when they met last week.

The most costly, will be repairs to the track at Bulldog Stadium. Superintendent Kevin Reiman says there are places the coating has worn down to the cement. Pro Track and Tennis will put on a protective coating at a cost of around $75,000 to extend the life of the track by up to 15 years.

The estimate to resurface the track is $150-200-thousand. 

The Board also approved repairs to the side baskets in the Middle School / High School gymnasium. Reiman said new cabling and new motors will be installed to bring the baskets up to code. 

During the meeting Board members also approved the Districts Safety Plan for the next year.  

(KLZA)--The Humboldt City Council met with Glen Hogue last week to discuss the Building Inspector position.

Hogue serves as Building Inspector for Peru, Johnson and Auburn. After hearing what services he provides, the Council authorized Council member Dean Bogle to negotiate a contract with Hogue to serve as Building Inspector for Humboldt. 

The council approved a resolution designating 8th Street between the intersection of Central Street and the intersection of Edwards Street and 8th Street as two-way traffic.

This area had previously been designated as one-way traffic when the school used 8th Street for loading and unloading students from school buses.  
 

ODELL, Neb. (AP) - A veteran teacher has been accused of slapping a student in southeast Nebraska.

The incident occurred last week in an agriculture classroom at Diller-Odell High School in Diller. Authorities say a student was leaning against or otherwise moving a desk, causing the desk legs to make a squeaking noise. The teacher told the student to stop moving the desk and, while standing behind the student, slapping a side of the boy's face.

The teacher described it to a Gage County Sheriff's Office investigator as a light slap. The teacher was ticketed for misdemeanor assault. Online court records don't yet show that he's been formally charged.

Superintendent Mike Meyerle declined to comment Tuesday but said the teacher had worked 31 years for the district.
 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A 168-foot-tall Kansas waterslide on which a state lawmaker's 10-year-old son was killed last summer will be demolished once the unfolding investigation of the tragedy is finished, the water park's operators said Tuesday.

Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts and the family that runs it said in a statement that the "Verruckt" ride at the Schlitterbahn park in Kansas City, Kansas, will be permanently removed from its tower "once the investigation is concluded and we are given permission by the court."

The ride — billed as the world's tallest waterslide — has been closed since Caleb Thomas Schwab died Aug. 7 during one of its runs. 

(KLZA)--Ground was broken Tuesday for a new $3.5 million assisted living facility in Pawnee City. 

The 14,700 square foot structure will offer 22 resident units of assisted living with licensing for 24 beds.

USDA Rural Development is providing nearly $3.2 million to the City of Pawnee City in loans and a grant. The Pawnee City Development Corporation will provide $200,000 and nearly $123,000 has been donated towards the project.

A $2.9 million Rural Development loan will be repaid over 40 years and a $147,500 loan will be repaid over two years. A grant of more than $102,000 was also provided. 

Pawnee City Mayor Charlie Hatfield called the project a great asset for the community.  

USDA Rural Development Community Programs Specialist Janice Stopak told those gathered for the ceremony, the project will create 10 jobs in Pawnee City. She noted that interested parties have already voiced their desire to live in the facility. 

L to R: Cassandra Hughes, Chad Gorrell Sr. and Chad Gorrell Jr. 

(KAIR)--A Hiawatha woman is in custody, and two Atchison men are wanted, following an investigation into three residential Jackson County burglaries that happened Monday.

Sheriff Tim Morse identifies the woman in custody as 31-year-old Cassandra Hughes, who faces three counts of residential burglary and two counts of criminal damage to property.

She's held in the Jackson County Jail on a bond of $50,000.

The arrest of Hughes followed a tip that was received regarding a gold colored Ford Mustang photographed in the area of two residential burglaries that happened in southern Jackson County.

The car, stolen from Saint Joseph, Missouri, was recovered in Topeka, which then led investigators to Hughes.

A search warrant was served Tuesday afternoon at a Hiawatha residence where Morse says property believed to have been stolen in the burglaries was recovered.

The Brown County Sheriff's Office and the Hiawatha Police Department assisted with the search.

Morse says the investigation has also led to the search for 44-year-old Chad Gorrell Sr. and 22-year-old Chad Gorrell Jr. for the role they are believed to have played in the burglaries.

Considered to be armed and dangerous, Morse says anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the two men should contact the Jackson County Sheriff's Office at 785-364-2251.

(KAIR)--Although the winter holiday season is underway, thoughts turn to summer as the lineup for Atchison's annual LakeFest country music concert is announced.

Held each July as the kick-off for the city's Amelia Earhart Festival, held in honor of the famous, one time resident, the Warnock Lake based concert on July 14 will be headlined by Big and Rich. Consisting of singer/songwriters Jon Rich and “Big” Kenny Alphin, the pair was launched to fame in 2004 with the release of their song, “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy).”

According to the official LakeFest Facebook page, the high energy duo will hit the stage following a performance by Cam, the single-named country music artist known for such hits as “Burning House” and “Mayday.”

Opening the 2017 LakeFest concert will be singer/songwriter Erik Dylan, a native of Muscotah.

Although tickets aren't officially on sale yet, the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce traditionally offers gift certificates for $25.00 as a way to give tickets as Christmas gifts..

The July 14 concert will again be followed the next day with a celebration of famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart, with Atchison commemorating the distinction of having been her birthplace.

(KAIR)--Life in prison.

That's the sentence handed down Tuesday in Federal Court for the Atchison man accused of the death of his then girlfriend's daughter following a pursuit with police.

5-year-old Cadence Harris died as the result of a shootout between Marcas McGowan and police on Leavenworth's Metropolitan Avenue.

In May, McGowan entered a guilty plea to the federal charges of one count of kidnapping resulting in death and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. In the plea, he admitted that on July 18th, 2014, he shot and killed the girl after he kidnapped her and exchanged gunfire with police when his vehicle became ensnared in road construction.

According to online court documents, U.S. District Judge Julie A. Robinson sentenced McGowan to life in prison on the count of kidnapping and ten-years behind bars to the count involving the use of the firearm. The sentences will run consecutively.

Harris was shot to death following a high-speed pursuit that began in Atchison, crossed into Missouri, and ended in Leavenworth. Authorities say it stemmed from a domestic dispute between McGowan and his girlfriend at her Atchison residence. Threatening her with a gun, prosecutors say McGowan drove off with her daughter as police arrived.

(KLZA)-- 17 Falls City Public School students were honored by District Principals Monday night for achieving perfect scores on the Nebraska State Assessment this past spring.  

The students parents were also recognized for their part in supporting their children and the school district. Special recognition also made to the Falls City Public School teachers for their hard work and dedication.

Eighth grader Zach Beaver attained perfect scores in both writing and math tests. In the sixth grade Aiden Ebel posted perfect scores in reading and math.

A list of the honored students is included with this story at MSCNEWS.net.

Also honored for writing were:
11th grade – Cheyenne Dovel;

8th graders – Beavr, Dillon Ebel, Kailyn Frederick, Maggie McNeely, Alylyssa Mez and Alexis Sutton. 

4th grade – Hannah Berger and Marcus Pommier;

Sixth graders honored were Abigail Boatright, Grace Holys and Lindsey McNeely for Reading.

Fifth grade students recognized were Bryson Butrick for Math, Reece McNeely, Elyse Poppe and Emily Thrash for Reading.

Third grader Paige Young had a perfect score in Math.  

North School Principal Shawn Emerson is the District 56 Assessment Director. 

(KLZA)--Falls City Council members have approved the purchase of a new system to increase efficiency in payroll work and help track employee information.

Council members voted 7-0 Monday night with Councilperson Angie Nolte absent to purchase “Time Management Program” at a cost of just over $12,400.  There will be an annual fee of $1,750.

In other action, Council members approve the appointment of C. Ken Simpson as Chief of the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department. Simpson will be serving his 10th year.  Matt Beer wills serve as First Assistant Chief and J.R. Vernon Wisdom will serve as Second Assistant Chief.  

The appointments were made with the recommendation of the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department.

The Council also approved the appointment of two new members of the Volunteer Fire Department.  Mike Mirelez and Travis Rasmussen will now be members of the Department.  

(KLZA)-- Unemployment rates were slightly higher in four of six counties in extreme Southeast Nebraska in October.

The jobless rate was up in Richardson, Pawnee, Johnson and Gage counties while dipping slightly in Nemaha and Otoe counties. 

Gage County had the highest unemployment rate at 3.5 percent, Johnson and Otoe County had an unemployment rate of 3.4 percent.

In Nemaha County the jobless rate was down 2-tenths to 3.3 percent. Pawnee County had an increase in unemployment from 2 percent to 2.5%.

The Richardson County rate was 3.1 percent.

Statewide in October the jobless rate inched up a tenth of a point to 3.3 percent. The national jobless rate is 4.9 percent, which dropped one-tenth of a point from September.  

(KLZA)--The Auburn City Council last week approved two ordinances on first reading concerning parking.  Mayor Scott Kudrna explained the first ordinance concerns trailers, mobile homes and the like, which are not allowed to park on city property except at the Rec Complex in the R.V. Park. Some of these are being left in city owned parking lots.

The Mayor went on to explain the second ordinance establishes at “24 hour” parking limit on city owned property, parking stalls and lots. Kudrna says trailers and vehicle have been left in the same spot in some cases for weeks at a time. 

An ordinance that would have prohibited On-Street Parking at all times on 14th Street west of the “O” Street intersection was not passed. Auburn does not allow on-street parking. The issue in the area of Irving Park south of the Middle School / High School usually only occurs during activities in the area.

No parking signs will be erected in the area to remind motorists.  

(KAIR)--An investigation is launched following the theft of financial information from customers of an Atchison bank.

According to the Atchison County Sheriff's Office, 19 victims have been notified that their financial cards, connected to their accounts at Bank of Atchison, have been compromised. Braden McGinnis, Marketing Officer for Union State Bank, which includes Bank of Atchison, tells MSC News the fraud is believed to have affected the customers of other unrelated banks as well. “Very likely bank customers that do not belong to Bank of Atchison, or Union State Bank, have maybe fallen into this compromise. That's why we'd like to alert everyone to review your bank statements, and just keep an eye on your transactions, especially during the heavy debit card usage time of holiday shopping.”

According to the preliminary investigation, numerous transactions, using the compromised cards, have been made in the Kansas City area. The cards themselves are not reported stolen, only the numbers related to the cards necessary to make financial transactions. It's not immediately made public how the financial information was obtained, but it likely occurred through a hack of a business, not located in Atchison, but utilized by those who were affected.

The local victims were notified of the scam by Shazam Security Services, issuer of the cards, with McGinnis speaking highly of the effectiveness of his bank's security protocol. “Our fraud monitoring service is one of the great perks that we have to offer to our customers. Our fraud service will shut the card down until they can get a hold of the customer.”

McGinnis offers advice on how to protect debit cards during transactions. “The biggest thing that we can say to protect yourself while you're out doing Christmas shopping, and things like that, is just making sure you're using the pin number,” McGinnis says. “If it asks you debit or credit, we always recommend using the debit side of it, and putting in your four digit pin number. That helps all card issuers to know that the likeliness that the customer is the actual one doing that point of sale transaction.”

No suspects have yet been identified as the investigation continues.

(KNZA)--A teen accused in the stabbing death of another teen at a St. Joseph park last month will stand trial.

The St. Joseph News Press reports 18-year-old Sebastian Dowell was bound over for trial on a charge of second-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Kaytlin Root after waiving his preliminary hearing Monday.

Arraignment was set for December 8th.

A 17-year-old female is also charged with second-degree murder in Root’s death.  A December 8th hearing has been set to determine whether she should be tired as an adult.

Root’s body was found by a jogger at Krug Park on October 16th.  Authorities say the two suspects lured Root to take a ride that ended up at the park where she was stabbed multiple times.

Dowell remains held in the Buchanan County Jail without bond.

(KAIR)--Two, including a 4-year-old child, go to the hospital following a single-vehicle wreck in Atchison .

“On Nov. 22 at 8:35 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of River Road and Atchison Street,” said Atchison Police Lieutenant Tim Stout. “During the investigation, officers determined that a vehicle driven by Tracy Shepard was headed southbound in the 300 block of River Road when it went left-of-center and hit several large rocks on the side of the roadway.”

Stout says both Shepard and the 4-year-old passenger were transported by Atchison EMS to the hospital for treatment of injuries.

Shepard was cited for speeding and not having the child passenger in the proper safety seat in the vehicle.

(KAIR)--A two-vehicle, roll-over wreck in Atchison Monday sends one to the hospital.

Atchison Police Lieutenant Tim Stout says at around 6:00 Monday evening, officers were sent to Sixth and Green Street concerning an injury wreck.

“A vehicle driven by Bobby Holle was traveling southbound on Sixth Street when it was struck by a vehicle driven by August Malm which was headed west on Green Street,” Stout said.

Stout said Holle was transported by Atchison EMS to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Malm was given a notice to appear in court for failing to stop at a stop sign.

  
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - A downtown St. Joseph building that once housed a nationally-known opera house has been destroyed by fire.

Firefighters spent most of Monday battling the blaze at the Pioneer Building. No injuries were reported.

KQ2TV reports the building, which was currently vacant, was built in 1872. It was once known as the Tootle Opera House, which was known as the finest theater west of Chicago when it opened.

Part of the multi-story building's walls collapsed and a nearby office was evacuated as the fire filled downtown with smoke.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.
    

(KAIR)--Repair work Wednesday on a major travel route between Atchison and Saint Joseph could mean delays for motorists.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, Bankers Crossing Bridge, on U.S. Highway 59, south of Saint Joseph, will be narrowed to one lane.

That's expected to happen at 7:00 Wednesday morning, and is being done so crews can conduct work on the northern edge of the bridge.

A traffic signal will be put in place to guide motorists through the work zone.

The bridge is expected to reopen to two-way traffic by early Wednesday afternoon.

 
(KNZA)--Sewer rates will be going up for customers of the city of Hiawatha.

The City Commission Monday evening approved an ordinance increasing rates, effective January 1st.

The minimum charge will increase $5 a month to $32.03 for customers inside the city limits and to $39.37 for customers outside the city limits.

In addition, customers inside the city limits will pay a user charge of $29.84 per 1,000 cubic feet of water and those outside the city limits will be $59.68 per 1,000 cubic feet of water.

It’s the second part of a rate increase to meet funding requirements for  phase 2 improvements to the city’s sanitary sewer system.   The first part of the rate increase took effect in January of this year.

(KMZA)--A name was drawn from a cup at Monday’s Nemaha County Commission meeting to break a tie vote for Berwick Township Treasuer.

Rod Strahm and Ross Montgomery each received 4 write-in votes during the November 8th general election.

Strahm was selected as the winner after his name was drawn from the cup.

In other business,  Sheriff Rich Vernon informed Commissioners he’s hired Daniel Ross, of Sabetha, to fill a vacant jailer position, effective November 22nd.

Ross will be paid a starting salary of $13.01 an hour.    

(MSC News)---Unemployment was up in a majority of area northeast Kansas counties in October.

The Kansas Department of Labor says Atchison, Doniphan and Jackson Counties were the only area counties to see a drop in their jobless rates.   

Brown and Pottawatomie Counties saw their unemployment rates hold steady.

Atchison County continued to have the highest unemployment rate at 6.3 percent while Nemaha County had the lowest at 2.7 percent.

Brown County’s unemployment rate in October was 3.7 percent; Doniphan, 3.9 percent; Jackson, 3.2 percent; Jefferson, 3.7 percent; Leavenworth, 4.2 percent; Marshall, 3.3 percent and Pottawatomie, 3.2 percent.

All the figures were up from October 2015.

Statewide, the unemployment rate in October was 4.4 percent.  That’s unchanged from September and up from 4 percent in October 2015.   
      

(KNZA)--The Brown County Historical Society plans to purchase two connecting buildings in downtown Hiawatha to house Jack’s Trains and artifacts from the Francis Sewell Plamann estate.

Historical Society Director Eric Thompson met with the Brown County Commission Monday to discusses the organizations plans to purchase the buildings 605 and 607 Utah Street next to their downtown museum.

The buildings currently house the Hiawatha World and Larry’s Barbershop. Thompson says the two businesses would stay in their current locations and rent from the Historical Society.

He says the Historical Society Board decided it would be better to purchase the buildings than construct a new building at their Ag Museum site to house the train display and Plamann artifacts.

They are currently located in a county-owned building at 518 Oregon in downtown Hiawatha that sold at a public auction earlier this month. The new owner, Greg Buser, of rural Robinson, is to take possession of the building January 2nd, 2017.

(KAIR)--An investigation is launched following three Jackson County residential burglaries Monday.  

Sheriff Tim Morse says two occurred in southern Jackson County--one on 142nd Road east of U.S. Hwy 75 and the other north of 142nd Road on U Road.

He says the third happened in northern Jackson County near Jackson Heights.

The sheriff’s office is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying any suspicious vehicles or individuals that were in these areas Monday.

If you have any information regarding the burglaries, contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 364-2251.

To see a picture of a gold car that was spotted in the area of the southern burglaries, visit http://jck.4unow.us/. 

An investigation is launched following a report of a missing vehicle.

“On Nov. 19 at 3:37 p.m. Jocelyn Giles reported the theft of her vehicle from the 1000 block of Kearney Street,” said Atchison Police Lieutenant Tim Stout. “She said it occurred sometime between Nov. 18 and Nov. 19. Giles described her truck as a 2004 silver Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab.”

He said the investigation is ongoing with no suspects at this time. Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Police Department is joining other law enforcement agencies  across the state, including the Kansas Highway Patrol, in the Kansas Thanksgiving Traffic Enforcement Campaign “ You Drink, You Drive, You Lose” now underway through Sunday, November 27.

According to a press release from Police Chief John Defore, a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation will underwrite overtime enforcement efforts that specifically aim at removing impaired drivers from roads and ticketing vehicle occupants who are unrestrained or whose child passengers are unrestrained.

In comparison with other holidays, the release says the Thanksgiving holiday period (Wednesday-Sunday) outranks all but New Year’s in average number of crashes in which driver impairment is cited as a factor.

Defore says those driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs not only endanger themselves, but also others they share the road with. On average, across Kansas, five persons are killed or injured in alcohol/drug-related crashes each day. And the crashes tend to be more severe.

Also responsible for needless death and injury is the failure by many teens and adults to simply buckle up, or to properly buckle up child passengers.  The release says twice as many Kansans who die from a crash are unrestrained as are restrained. Even worse is the fact that injuries suffered by those who are unbuckled are likely to be much more severe and disabling than injuries suffered by those who are buckled in.

(KLZA)--The Richardson County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men suspected in a burglary at a Humboldt business.

The Sheriff's Office says deputies responded to a call of a burglary in progress at the R&D Grocery at 734 3rd Street about  9:45 last Thursday evening.

When officers arrived, they interviewed the business owner and started to conduct a search for two suspects. The suspects were later located and arrested.

21-year-old Melvin Campbell and 25-year-old Brandon Miller were arrested in Humboldt and booked into the Richardson County Jail.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the theft of a trailer from a rural Bern property.

The Sheriff’s Office says an unknown person stole the trailer from 2336 T Road sometime the evening of November 14th.

The loss was estimated at more than $1,600.

The sheriff’s office is also investigating the theft of items from a vehicle parked at 2345 U Road in rural Sabetha.

The theft is believed to have occurred sometime between 5 p.m on November 4th and 8 a.m. on November 7th.

Taken were two handyman jacks and a box of tools.

The loss was estimated at $300.

Anyone with information on the thefts is urged to contact the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office in Seneca.  

 
(KMZA)--For the 17th year, the Seneca United Methodist Church will hold a Community Thanksgiving Dinner.  

The free dinner will be held on Thursday, November 24th in the church basement from 11:30 to 1:00.

The dinner is sponsored by Seneca United Methodist Church in appreciation for the community support  of church activities and anyone in the community is invited to attend.

Shut ins are encouraged to call 336-3236 by Wednesday evening to have a meal delivered to their door.

Turkey’s for the dinner are being donated this year by Ray’s Apple Market and CJ Foods.

While the dinner is free, monetary donations are welcome.  The donations  will go to the Nemaha County Christmas Bureau and to a world mission to be determined in January.    

(KNZA)--The jury trial for a Wathena man facing a charge of aggravated battery in connection with an altercation in April that left the victim needing surgery for facial injuries has been pushed back.

Ryan Smith had been scheduled to go on trial last week in Doniphan County District Court on the felony charge.  However, his trial was postponed to February 14th.    

Smith was arrested April 17th after a Doniphan County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a farm north of Wathena.

He’s accused of attacking J.T. Euler while he was in the cab of a tractor at the location planting corn after confronting Euler about who had permission to hunt on the property.

(KNZA)--The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has again received a Federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant award in amount of nearly $77,000.

Sheriff Tim Morse says the Sheriff’s Office will continue to utilize the funding to provide free support services to victims of crime in Jackson County.  

The Crime Victims Fund was established by the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA) and serves as a major funding source for victim services throughout the country.

Each year, millions of dollars are deposited into the Fund from criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds, penalty fees, and special assessments collected by U.S. Attorney's Offices, U.S. Courts, and the Bureau of Prisons.

Morse says the dollars come from offenders convicted of federal crimes not from taxpayers. The funds are then administered at the state level through competitive grant opportunities.

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle roll-over wreck in Jefferson County Sunday afternoon sent a Grandby,Missouri woman to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on U.S. 24 Highway about 7 miles east of Perry shortly after 4:00.

The Patrol says 25-year-old Johanna Bettes was eastbound when her car drifted off the right side of the roadway. Bettes overcorrected and her vehicle to crossed the roadway where it went off the left side of the road and overturned multiple times.

Bettes, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected.

She was taken to the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City with what the Patrol described as disabling injuries.

(KLZA)--A groundbreaking ceremony is set Tuesday to mark the start of construction on a long planned assisted living facility in Pawnee City.

According to a press release issued by Pawnee City Assisted Living Chair John DeFreece, the ceremony will begin at 1:00 at the site of the future facility, to be constructed on 12th Street, between C and D Streets in Pawnee City.

DeFreece calls the project a “focus of many civic organizations including the Pawnee City Development Corporation, the Pawnee City Foundation, the Pawnee City Promotional Network as well as the Pawnee City Council and the Assisted Living Board.”

Construction of the building is planned to begin in December, financed with a loan from USDA. Occupancy of the facility is set to begin in early 2018.

Initial operation of the assisted living facility will be funded through community donations, with the fundraising effort continuing, despite the initial cash requirements of the USDA having been met.

The facility will feature 22 apartments. Residents will be offered support services based on their needs.

Chamber of Commerce president, Dan Lovercheck, calls the facility a “fantastic resource” that will “bridge the gap between independent living and nursing home care allowing residents to stay in Pawnee City when they can no longer live at home alone.” Pawnee City Mayor, Charles Hatfield, noting that the project has been in the works for more than 5-years, commends the volunteers, civic-minded citizens, and the Pawnee City City Council for working to make the project a reality

Refreshments will be served in the Community Room of the Pawnee Village immediately following the ceremony Tuesday.

(KAIR)--Guilty.

That’s the verdict handed down from an Atchison County District Court jury to an elderly Atchison man accused of child sex crimes.

68-year-old Larry Mercer heard the guilty verdict this week for aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

However, he was acquitted of other charges of rape and criminal sodomy.

Sentencing for Mercer will be Dec. 30.

Charges for Mercer stem from an early February arrest. Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News his office began an investigation Jan. 30 after being contacted by a family member of a victim. The investigation focused on unlawful sexual acts committed against a female victim under the age of 14.

Wilson said Mercer and the victim were acquainted. 

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph man convicted in the death of an elderly St. Joseph man during a carjacking in June has been sentenced to 30-years in prison.

28-year-old Paul Belding was handed the sentence Friday in a Buchanan County courtroom on a charge of 2nd-degree murder.

Belding pleaded guilty to the charge in late September.

Police say 77-year-old Richard Gray suffered a traumatic brain injury while trying to prevent Belding from taking his van June 13 from the parking lot of a St. Joseph convenience store.  Gray died five days later at a local hospital.

The St. Joseph News Press reports Belding will have to serve 85 percent of his sentence before he can be considered for parole. 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The Kansas court system is seeking a $20 million increase in state appropriations to improve the pay of judges and court employees, who are being paid less than peers in other states.
 
The request came Friday after two studies found that every job classification in the state's judicial system was paid below market value, ranging from 4.6 percent to 22.2 percent.
 
One study from the National Center for State Courts found one-quarter of judicial branch employee positions earn starting salaries below the federal poverty level for a family of four. It also found that one-third of court employees work more than one job, a rate 24 percent higher than the state average.
 
Court employees have received only a 2 percent cost of living increase in the last eight years.

(MSC News)--The premiere of a documentary film on Hiawatha native, John McLendon was hosted Thursday night by the University of Kansas, “Fast Break: The Legendary John McLendon” was produced by Scott Unruh and directed by award-winning director Kevin Willmott, KU professor of film & media studies, who has also written films with Spike Lee and other notable directors and producers.

An interview with Coach McLendon's cousin and Hiawatha resident Flo Combs was included in the documentary along with interviews with basketball luminaries, Larry Brown, Bill Self and former professional players who played for Coach McLendon.

Inspired by the award-winning biography “Breaking Through: John B. McLendon, Basketball Legend and Civil Rights Pioneer,” by Milton Katz, the film reviews the life of Coach McLendon, the first black student at KU to earn his degree in physical education and who studied under and was mentored by the inventor of basketball, James Naismith.

McLendon was born in Hiawatha on April 5, 1915 and graduated in 1937 from KU, where he integrated the Robinson Center swimming pool as well as the KU Senior Prom. He then earned a master’s degree in physical education from the University of Iowa.

His successful coaching career included service at North Carolina College for Negroes (now North Carolina Central University), Tennessee State University and Kentucky State University. McLendon was also the first black head coach of an integrated professional sports team when he coached the Cleveland Pipers and later coached the Denver Rockets, now the Denver Nuggets. He served as assistant coach of the 1968 and 1972 U.S. Olympic basketball teams. Widely credited with inventing the fast break, Coach McLendon was also a civil rights pioneer credited with playing a large role in integrating basketball and society in general. Following his coaching career, McLendon worked for Converse Shoes as a worldwide ambassador for basketball, introducing the sport of basketball to China, Japan and numerous other countries.

Attending the premiere at the invitation of Coach McLendon's biographer, Dr. Milton Katz, were Hiawatha residents Flo and Vickie Combs, Tim and Jean Abeita and Kevin and Ellen Hill.

On October 28, 2014 a group of Hiawatha students with the assistance of Abeita and Hill unveiled signs honoring McLendon and recognizing Hiawatha as his birthplace. Attending the 2014 unveiling were special guests including KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger and Dr. Milton Katz. "

(KMZA)--A boil water advisory for Nemaha County Rural Water District #4 has been lifted.

That word Friday from Water District Operator Leo Wessel.

As a result, customers no longer need to boil the water they use for drinking or food preparation prior to use.  

The boil advisory was issued following a water line break Sunday evening, resulting in a loss of pressure.

(KLZA)-- USDA Rural Development State Director Maxine Moul recently presented a plaque to Tamela Stephens for her excellence in performance as the City Clerk for Pawnee City, Nebraska. 

The Lincoln Area Nebraska USDA staff nominated Stephens for the award as she has utilized various USDA programs, including the Community Facilities and Water and Environmental, to accomplish needed projects in Pawnee City. 

USDA has worked with Pawnee City in recent years on water, sewer and recycling projects. Stephens was also recognized for her work with the Assisted Living Foundation and the Library Foundation.  

(KLZA)-- Following a public hearing, drawing no public comment Monday evening, the Auburn City Council approved the 2017 Auburn Board of Public Works proprietary budget. 

BPW General Manager Dave Hunter discussed the budget with the Council.

Mayor Scott Kudrna says the only rate increase will be a slight increase for the Electrical Department. Kudrna noted there is a surplus of in the Water Department of approximately one million dollars, the Sewer Department has a $2-million reserve and there is about $9-million in reserve funds in the Electrical Department. 

The Council did approved on a 4-2 vote a pay application on the 2016 Water System Improvement Project in an amount of nearly $200-thousand.

Council members Tom Clark and Rick Janssen cast the nay votes.  
 

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Highway Superintendent Scott Huppert informed the Board of Commissioners Tuesday the cost of road rock is going up.

Martin-Maritetta notified the Road Department the price of rock will increase from $12.30 to $12.70 per ton.  

Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Kirkendall met with Commissioners to discuss the purchase of a map scanner for use by the Road Department, Emergency Management Agency and for use by all County departments. 

The Board will consider the request on November 24th. 

Extension Educator Kaytlyn Kennedy met with Commissioners to discuss office personnel. She noted the position of office assistant is vacant with the resignation if Kim Riggs.  Plans are to have the position filled by the end of the year. 

The Board also approved an agreement with the City of Falls City for the electrical utility improvements at the Courthouse. The Certificate of Substantial Completion of the Law Enforcement Center & Jail was also approved.  

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council has approved an increase in rural fire service fees.

The Council voted Wednesday evening to increase the fees for the rural areas served by the city’s fire department by $10,000, with the cost to be divided among the local entities based on their assessed valuation.
    
The additional funding will go toward the purchase of a new fire truck.

The new fees will be in effect from 2017 to 2020.

The last fee increase was in 2013.

In other business, the Council voted unanimously to deny a request by the Seneca Housing Authority for a waiver of its annual payment in lieu of taxes.

The Council took the action on the recommendation of a council committee.

The city Housing Authority requested the waiver in July, saying it would use the more than $17,000 payment in lieu of taxes for capital improvements.   The request was tabled at that time to allow time for the committee to study the issue.  

The city Housing Authority operates two public housing projects with Federal Housing and Urban Development oversight.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Board of Education this week discussed bus loading and unloading options at the Elementary School to address safety concerns.

Following discussion, the Board agreed to pilot a new plan.

Under the plan, busses will pull up to the parking area south of the kindergarten wing on Miami Street to drop off kids in the morning.

If the plan works, it may be possible to integrate it into the future rehabilitation of Miami Street.

In other business, the Board approved the purchase of new tables for the high school cafeteria.

While the actual cost wasn’t available, the Board agreed to set a maximum expenditure of $16,500 for the tables.

And the Board also approved providing lunches at cost to employees that help in the cafeteria.    

While the lunches were provided for free in the past, Superintendent Penny Hargrove said that the district is now being charged for the meals and will not have the funds to cover them.  

(KNZA)--The jury trial for a Mayetta man accused of the November 2015 stabbing death of a Mayetta woman has been postponed until the spring of next year.

A judge made the decision during a hearing this week in Jackson County District Court because he had not received the final report yet on a psychological evaluation that was performed on 50-year-old Wilson Noriega.  

The trial was rescheduled to begin May 15th. It had originally been scheduled to begin December 12th, and is the second time the trial has been pushed back.

Noriega is charged with first-degree murder and two drug counts stemming from the fatal stabbing of 49-year-old Leann Sanchez early November 21st of last year at a residence on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation where the two lived.

He also faces charges in two other separate cases, with trials in those cases to be held following the conclusion of the murder trail.

Noriega remains in the Jackson County Jail, held on a $1 million bond.

(KAIR)--Two people go to jail after illegally inhabiting another’s property.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 36-year-old Brian Thomas of Noble, Oklahoma and 33-year-old Samantha Miller of Atchison, were arrested on charges of criminal trespass at 913 South Fifth Street in Atchison County Wednesday.

Miller also faces a failure to appear in court charge.

The report states the pair was given a notice to vacate the property back on Nov. 8. The area was then secured and possession of the residence given back to the owner.

However, on Wednesday, it was discovered the two were back inside the residence against the court order and had broken a padlock to gain entry into the residence.

Both were booked into the Atchison County Jail.

Thomas, released on a $1,500 bond; Miller remains in jail held without bond. 

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central USD 115 Board of Education this week heard a report from the director of the Highland Community College Western Center.  

Cara Baker informed the board of current courses being offered by the college in Baileyville.  She specifically spoke about the courses offered under Senate Bill 155 which allows high school juniors and seniors to take approved courses tuition free.

Currently, the college offers five technical programs: Construction Technology, Diesel Technology, Industrial Welding, Medical Office Assistant, and Precision Agriculture. Some Nemaha Central students are participating in the classes. The college also offers Certified Nurses Aide (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician and GED classes.

In other action, Nemaha Central junior Max Holthaus showed board members a mobile phone app he has been in the process of developing. He began the process for his personal use but upon finding out that an app had been discussed by the board, presented his idea to the administration. He presented a timeline in which he hopes to have the iOS version ready by January and the Android version by the end of the school year. Following a few questions, the board voted unanimously voted to give Holthaus  permission to continue with the development of the app for the district.

In capital outlay project related discussion, since the price to air condition the two gyms at the high school is cost prohibitive at this time, large ceiling fans were suggested. The cost for six eight foot in diameter fans for the main gym would be nearly $32,000 and a single 20 foot fan in the center of the gym would cost $6,500. It was the consensus of the board members to hold off on any major capital outlay projects at this time; however, to  pursue the purchase of fans.  

(KLZA)-- The Johnson-Brock School Board conveyed their congratulations to the high school volleyball team for winning a second consecutive Class D1 State Championship when they met this week. 

Board members also congratulated the Eagle football team for qualifying for the state playoffs. 

Superintendent Jeff Koehler discussed the Transportation Committee setting up parameters for the purchase of an activity bus for the school district.  

Board members also received updates on new state testing requirements.  Eighth grade students will be taking a new Language Arts test requiring use of writing and thinking skills. 

(KLZA)-- The Auburn City Council has approved advertising for bids for a splash pad project at the Auburn Recreational Complex. 

Mayor Scott Kudrna expects to bids to be opened in January. The City has budgeted $200,000 for the project.

The Council also approved a service project by a group of Cub Scouts at the Rec Complex to build benches to be placed along the walking trail.  

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Board of Education Project Committee did a complete facility walk-through in October to review capital improvement projects and to continue planning for short and long range work.  

When the project list is refined and prioritized primary consideration will be given to new gymnasium bleachers in the McIntyre – Henderson Field House at the High School and expanded concrete in the high school parking lot. 

The high school welding and industrial technology shop and classroom areas remain to be a priority in future facility planning.

It was also noted the class of 1966 will be making a contribution of more than $10,500 to go towards an outdoor commons / sitting area at the Falls City High School. The design is currently in the early stages. 

Board members are also reviewing the terms and rate charges for facility usage.   

(KLZA)-- The Auburn Board of Education has decided to make a change in the school districts accreditation. 

Superintendent Kevin Reiman explained that in the past several years, the Auburn District did not feel the Advanced Education, formerly North Central was giving Auburn the bang for their buck they had previously. The Auburn School District had been with the same group for approximately 100 year.

Auburn Public School’s will now be accredited through the Nebraska Department of Education accreditation model.   

The Board approved a three-year lease with Mark Harms to farm the School District owned McGrew property. Harms will pay the District $10,500 annually.

A lease for use of the gymnasium at the Southeast Training Center in Stella, the former Southeast Consolidated School was approved. The Auburn School District will be able to use the facility for basketball practice this winter and if needed volleyball in the fall.  The cost to the District is essentially the cost of the utilities to heat the gym. 
 

(KLZA)--The Nemaha NRD Board of Directors has approved an amendment to the contract with HDR Engineers for designing a sediment basin at Kirkman’s Cove Recreation Area near Humboldt. 

The amendment will increase this years contract amount with HDR by $10-thousand, allowing completion of the environmental work required to obtain a Corps of Engineers 404 permit.  

Board members approved a well permit application for Anthony Johansen southeast of Falls City. The well met the required number of points for approval. 

After 10 years of unchanged rates for use of the Nemaha NRD Districts no-till grass drilling service, the Board approved a new rate of $26 per acre with a $150 minimum charge beginning in the spring of 2017.  

(KLZA)-- iVantage Health Analytics and the National Organization of State Office of Rural Health have recognized Community Medical Center in Falls City for overall excellence in Outcomes, Patient Satisfaction and Financial Strength.

The honor indicates high performance among all rural acute care hospitals in the nation.

Hospital CEO Ryan Larsen said “ our doctors, practitioners and staff are absolutely committed to our patients and community.” Larsen said he is pleased to see their efforts recognized. 

The rankings are determined by the Hospital Strength INDEX, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance.  

(KNZA)--A man who died after being tased during an altercation with deputies during a drug investigation in St. Joseph has been identified.

KQ2-TV reports the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office Thursday identified the man as 39-year-old St. Joseph resident Bruce Lee Edward Johnson.

Undersheriff Col. Bill Puett says members of the sheriff's office's Drug Strike Force encountered Johnson Wednesday afternoon while trying to serve an arrest warrant on another person at a residence in south St. Joseph.  He says deputies got into a struggle with Johnson after he threatened them with a baseball bat.

After refusing commands, Puett said deputies tased Johnson.  After Johnson was subdued, he became unresponsive and was taken to a hospital where he died.

An autopsy is planned to determine the cause of death.

Puett says the Sheriff's Office has asked the Missouri State Highway Patrol to investigate.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas congresswoman Lynn Jenkins will be leaving a position on the House Republicans' leadership team when the newly elected Congress convenes in January.

Jenkins said Wednesday that she is stepping down as GOP conference vice chairwoman to focus on health care and tax reform legislation.

She is a member of the Ways and Means Committee and expects it to review both tax and health care proposals.

Jenkins is seen as a potential candidate for governor in 2018 to replace term-limited Republican Sam Brownback. She said she's always willing to consider opportunities for returning to Kansas.

Jenkins has represented the 2nd District of eastern Kansas since 2009.

(KMZA)--A single-vehicle wreck on a Marshall County road Wednesday evening claimed the life of a Marysville man.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says killed in the wreck at the intersection of 5th and Sunflower Roads about 8 miles south of U.S. 36 Highway was 43-year-old Lee Busch.

The Patrol says Busch was southbound on 5th Road when he lost control of his van while attempting a curve at Sunflower Road. His vehicle went into the ditch where it rolled, landing on its top.

Busch, who was wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A passenger, 40-year-old Waterville resident Timothy Busch, was transported to Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville for treatment of possible injuries.

The wreck was reported shortly before 7:30. 

(KNZA)--An elderly man drowned Wednesday afternoon while fishing in a Jackson County farm pond.

Sheriff Tim Morse identified the victim as 91-year-old John H. Johnson, of Berryton.

Morse says Johnson was fishing with  two other men when their small boat capsized. He says Johnson is believed to have drowned while trying to swim to shore. The other two men in the boat survived.

Morse says his office and several other agencies recovered Johnson's body after they responded shortly before 3:00 to the pond at the southwest corner of 182nd and T Roads, near Mayetta.

The Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, are continuing to investigate.

Morse says assisting those agencies in responding to the report of the drowning were the Potawatomi, Mayetta, and Hoyt Fire Departments, along with Jackson County EMS.

(KNZA)--Two projects at Sabetha High School advance following action taken by the Prairie Hills USD 113 Board of Education this week.

Superintendent Todd Evans says Sabetha Booster Club representatives Scott Burger and John Pierson met with the Board to discuss replacement of the press box at the high school football stadium, which is in bad shape.

Evans says the Board authorized the Booster Club to raise funds for the replacement of the press box and to pursue getting plans and a price quote.
He says Pierson suggested the press box be built with Booster Club money, donations and district capital outlay funds.

In other action, Evans says the Board accepted two donations for the Sabetha High School FFA greenhouse project---$10,000 from Farm Credit Services of America and $1,000 from Dolores Althouse.  He said the Board also accepted the low bid from Hummert International for materials for the project in the amount of nearly $41,000.

In addition, Evans says the Board approved the final resolution authorizing the refinancing of bonds issued in 2009 by the former USD 441.  He says the action will result in a savings to the taxpayers of the former USD 441 of more than 11 percent of the principal or a net present value savings of more than $655,000. Evans says the action will allow the district to pay off the bonds three years early.  

(KLZA)--During their November meeting, the Nemaha Natural Resources Board of Directors received staff updates on recent activities related to the water issues with the public water supply wells for the Village of Shubert. 

Water Resources Manager, Chuck Wingert explained efforts to investigate working with Richardson County Rural Water District #2 to include Shubert in their upcoming expansion to Indian Cave State Park.

Wingert also discussed the possibility of loan forgiveness from the USDA Rural Development for one of the Shubert wells that has experienced problems.  

(KAIR)--An Atchison man is behind bars following two separate arrests on illegal weapon possession charges and theft.

21-year-old Benjamin W. Ervin was arrested by Atchison Police Tuesday after allegedly attempting a theft at a local gun store.

“When he was in the local gun shop, he removed a hand gun from an enclosed case and concealed it on his person,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “He did not leave the store with it, so it was attempted theft.”

Wilson said it was also determined he possessed a separate gun while in the store that belonged to an associate of his. Due to his criminal history, it was illegal for him to possess a weapon.

In that arrest, he was charged with possession of a weapon by a felon and attempted theft.

But charges don’t end there for Ervin.

According to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, he was arrested by county deputies the same day.

Laurie said Ervin allegedly attempted to sell a firearm to an undercover Atchison County Sheriff’s Deputy at 17349 Country Club Road in Atchison County.

He arranged the sale over the telephone and was taken into custody shortly after making the call.

In that case, he faces two counts of a felon in possession of a firearm as two guns were found on him during the arrest.

He was booked into the Atchison County Jail where he remains held without bond. 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraskans who want to donate or receive deer meat can participate in the Deer Exchange.

This program brings together hunters who have a surplus of deer with people who could use the venison.
 
The Deer Exchange runs through March 1. Hunters and potential recipients join a database and search for other participating parties in their area. The venison may not be sold, but recipients may pay for the processing.
 
Recipients will have the choice of accepting whole field-dressed deer, skinned and boned deer, wrapped and frozen deer or processed meat. Donors are responsible for field dressing and checking deer at a check station before transfer. Transfers tags are available in the 2016 Big Game Guide.
 

(KLZA)-- During their November meeting, the Nemaha Natural Resources Board of Directors received staff updates on recent activities related to the water issues with the public water supply wells for the Village of Shubert. 

Water Resources Manager, Chuck Wingert explained efforts to investigate working with Richardson County Rural Water District #2 to include Shubert in their upcoming expansion to Indian Cave State Park.

Wingert also discussed the possibility of loan forgiveness from the USDA Rural Development for one of the Shubert wells that has experienced problems.  

(KLZA)-- The Richardson County Commission has approved the purchase of a new fire truck for the Dawson Rural Fire Department.

Representatives of the Fire Department presented plans to the Commission this week for the purchase of a 2017 Ford fire truck at a cost not to exceed $50,114.

The truck will be financed for a year through a loan with the State Bank of Table Rock Humboldt Branch at a 2.5 percent interest rate..

The new truck will replace the current truck that is 40 years old. Plans are to sell the current fire truck.  

The purchase requires bonded indebtedness, which must be approved by the Commissioners.  Richardson County is not responsible for the cost of the truck.  

(KLZA)-- Falls City School Board members received the annual audit and financial report from Julie Bauman, CPA when they met this week.  There were no significant issues discovered during the audit.

Superintendent Tim Heckenlively reported health insurance rates will increase nearly 8-percent next year. The Education Health Alliance, a consortium that manages the plan said the increase applies to all EHA Medical and Dental plan options. The three previous years the increases were 4.9%, 1.9% and 2.3%. 

The 2017-18 plan has no increase in medical deductibles and other copays. In addition the dental benefits have been updated.  

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has given the green light to a streambank stabilization project southeast of Robinson  

Representatives of the Natural Resources Conservation Service met with the Commission Monday to discuss the project along 205th Road.

The stream bank suffered heavy erosion during a storm on September 13th that brought heavy rainfall and flooding, which is posing a public safety hazard because of its close proximity to the road.

Brown County qualifies for funding through the NRCS’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program to repair about 350 to 400 feet of the stream bank.  The program would provide 75 percent federal funding for the project, with the county responsible for the remaining 25 percent.

Commissioners were told earlier this month that the project will cost  significantly more than originally estimated because additional work will be required at the site.

Bids will be sought for the project, with a mid-December bid opening.  

Commissioners voted to accept the project.  In addition, the Commission voted to authorize Chairman Warren Ploeger to sign paperwork requesting federal funding for the project.  

(KLZA)-- The Auburn City Council took another step toward possibly building a convention center Monday night.

Mayor Scott Kudrna said the Council approved an option to purchase two pieces of real estate in the Grandview Addition for the facility. The properties are between the bowling alley and the ESU #4 building along Highway 136.

Next spring, Auburn voters will decide whether or not an additional half-cent sales tax will be approved to pay for the project. The initial estimated cost for the project is two – three million dollars.

Mayor Kudrna cast the deciding vote after the Council split 3-3. Council members Jeff Jennerett, Tom Clark and Rick Janssen cast nay votes with Council members Katie Billings, Chris Erickson and Shawn Clark voting in favor 

Mayor Kudrna said architects needed a proposed site to help determine the cost if the project. 

One of the properties is owned by the bowling alley and the option to purchase is $32,500. The Caspers property to the east has a price tag of $65,000.  

(KNZA)--Longtime Horton High School Principal Dave Norman will retire at the end of the 2016-17 school year.

Following an executive session Monday evening, the USD 430 Board of Education accepted Norman’s resignation.

He has served as principal since 2002.  Prior to that, he served as a science teacher at Horton High School, beginning that position in 1991.  

The Board also accepted the retirement resignation of longtime Horton Elementary School teacher Joy Lednicky, effective at the end of the 2016-17 school year.  She has been with the district since 1984.

Both resignations were accepted with regrets.

In addition, the Board approved the hiring of Paula Wenger as Board Office secretary/accounts payable clerk, beginning December 1st.

In other action, the Board was informed the high school home improvement house is ready to sell.

The Board voted to have Superintendent Dr. Steve Davies contact Maximum Realty to see what their fees would be to sell the house.

School district attorney Mike Schmidt will prepare the documents for the closing at a cost of $450 to $900.

(KAIR)--One man is arrested following the alleged theft of prescription drugs.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News 31-year-old Thomas Triplett was arrested Sunday after allegedly stealing a female victim’s prescription medication from her home in the 300 block of South 5th.

Wilson said the victim and Triplett were acquainted.

Triplett was charged with theft, arrested and issued a notice to appear in court.

 TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Budget uncertainties have forced the Kansas Department of Transportation to postpone two dozen road projects that were scheduled to start next summer.
 
 The Wichita Eagle reports an estimated $32 million in projects were to be put up for bid in December before KDOT learned last week that the state faces a $350 million budget gap.
 
 The 24 projects now are delayed indefinitely.
 
 Transportation Department spokesman Steve Swartz says the affected paving and resurfacing projects were not emergencies, adding that some could still be done if funds are available.   
 
 Gov. Sam Brownback has swept more than $1 billion from the state's highway fund since 2011 to make up for budget shortfalls. KDOT announced in April the delay of 24 projects that were set to begin this or next fiscal year.
     

(AP)--The Kansas Board of Regents has chosen interim Kansas State University president Richard Myers as the next president.
 
The nine-member board made the decision Tuesday on the campus of the roughly 24,000-student university's main campus in Manhattan.
 
Former president Kirk Schulz announced in March he was leaving the university after seven years at the helm to become Washington State University's president.
 
Myers had been Schulz's interim successor. Myers is a retired four-star Air force general and the former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman.
 

(MSC News)--Two are in custody after a stabbing in St Joseph Monday night that sent a man to the hospital.

KQ2-TV reports police were called to the 300 block of South 12th Street around 10:45 after a male victim had been stabbed.

St. Joseph Police say the man was stabbed multiple times following an argument.

The victim was transported to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph with serious injuries.

Two suspects, a man and a woman, were arrested and charges are pending.

Names weren’t immediately released.

(KNZA)--Plans are underway for the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner in Hiawatha.

The free dinner will take place Thursday, November 24 at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center at 210 Lodge Road from noon to 1, with delivery service beginning at 11.

The dinner is sponsored by the First Baptist Church Mission Board, the Melster Family and other community volunteers.

Helen Melster says her family began the tradition more than 30 years ago when they operated a local restaurant.

Organizer Deb Roland says volunteers are needed to help with this year’s dinner, and they also need people to make pumpkin pies.  If you would like help you can call Roland at 742-7201.  

Also your asked to call Roland to make reservations for the dinner or for delivery service.  

While the dinner is free, organizers say monetary donations are welcome.  They can be sent or dropped by the church.  

(KMZA)--A new chief financial officer is on the job at Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville.

Dan Fehr began work November 7th.

With nearly 20 years of healthcare experience, Fehr will be responsible for all financial operations at CMH.

He had served in various positions within Hospital Corporation of America and Health Midwest.  They include controller at North Suburban Medical Center in Thornton, Colorado, controller and revenue cycle manager at HCA Midwest in Kansas City, Missouri and controller at Research Psychiatric Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Fehr has a bachelor of science degree in accounting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and an executive master of business administration degree from Benedictine College.

He and his wife, Patricia, have three children.

Fehr says he’s excited about his new position as CFO and looks forward to working in a rural health care setting.

Community Memorial Healthcare Inc. has a medical staff of seven family practice doctors, six nurse practitioners and a general surgeon.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public's assistance in identifying a suspect in a car chase.

The department posted a photo on its Facebook page Monday of an individual wanted in connection with a car chase the evening of November 5th with the Wathena Police Department.

The suspect fled on U.S 36 Highway into St. Joseph.

The department is asking anyone who may know him to call 785-985-3711.

(KAIR)--Two land behind bars on drug charges following court arrests.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 31-year-old Kevin Miles and 47-year-old Kristi Urban—both of Atchison—were arrested at 904 Henry Street in Atchison Saturday night.

Miles for failing to appear in court; Urban on an Atchison County District Court Warrant.

During both arrests, Laurie said the pair was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and now face those charges as well.

Both Urban and Miles were booked into the Atchison County Jail. 

(KNZA)--The final vote tally is in and Hiawatha voters have approved a half-cent retailers sales tax for street, alley and parking improvements by a 7-vote margin.

Following a canvass of ballots from the November 8th general election by the Brown County Commission Monday, the sales tax was approved by a vote of  635 to 628.

A total of 106 provisional ballots were cast in the election, with 38 of those cast in Hiawatha.

The Commission decided to count 65 of the provisional ballots based on state statute.

A provisional ballot is used to record a vote when there are questions about a given voter’s eligibility.

The sales tax will take effect April 1st, 2017 and be in effect for 30 years.

The sales tax is projected to raise around $335,000 a year.    

(KNZA)--No injuries were reported in a residential fire Sunday evening in Circleville.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says the Sheriff’s Office received a report of the fire at 301 Lincoln Street shortly after 9:00.

Morse says the resident returned home to discover the fire inside the residence.

The Circleville, Holton and Soldier Fire Departments responded to the scene.  Upon arrival, firefighters found fire bellowing out the door of the residence.  Firefighters were able to quickly bring the fire under control.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office and Circleville Fire Department.

Morse says the structure had previously been used as a grocery store in the past and is currently being used as an apartment house.  He says it was not occupied at the time of the fire.     
    

(KAIR)--An investigation is launched in Atchison following the report of a missing vehicle.

“It was sometime during Friday night when unlawful residence was made into a residence in the 1500 block of Atchison Street,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “There were several things taken from that residence including keys to a vehicle that was outside—specifically a 2005 Toyota Forerunner.”

Wilson said police are following up on leads including a suspect.

He says Atchison resident Sandra White reported the theft and it appears she was acquainted with the suspect.

(KNZA)--A chase over the weekend shut down a Brown Co Highway as authorities tried to convince a driver to surrender.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says deputies responded to the vicinity of K-20 and Foxtail Road at about 2:30 Saturday afternoon on a report of a suspended driver. The reporting party also advised there was a small child in the vehicle and the suspect was possibly armed.

Merchant says a Kickapoo Tribal police officer located the vehicle and made a traffic stop for a short period of time before the driver drove away.

A slow speed chase ensued for about 5 miles before the vehicle was stopped.

K-20 was shut down for about one hour while officers tried to convince the driver to surrender.

About 90 minutes after the initial call, 33-year-old Topeka resident Jason Thomas surrendered to authorities without incident.

Merchant says the child was unharmed and returned to the mother.

No weapon was located.

Thomas was booked into the Brown County Jail on charges of child endangerment, obstruction, felony fleeing and eluding and driving while license cancelled.   

Assisting were the Kickapoo Tribal Police Department, Sac and Fox Tribal Police Department, Horton Police Department, a Nemaha County Sheriff’s deputy and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

(KMZA)--A boil water advisory has been issued for Nemaha County Rural  Water District #4.

Water District Operator Leo Wessel says the boil advisory is being issued due to a water main break Sunday evening, resulting in a loss of pressure.

 Water district customers are advised to boil the water they use for drinking or food preparation one minute prior to use.

The boil advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central High School KAY club has received special recognition for their long history of distinguished service and student leadership training. 

The Nemaha Central KAY Club was one of 10 clubs across the state recognized with the Distinguished Service Award during a ceremony November 5th at the Kansas State High School Activities Association Office in Topeka.  The event was hosted by the  Kansas Association for Youth Alumni Network.

Criteria for the award included consistent achievement of KAY Goal Awards each year, attendance at Leadership Camp, hosting and attendance at regional conferences, demonstration of leadership by serving as Area Presidents, Area Sponsors, and Camp Staff members, and student recognitions as Wanda May Vinson Scholarship recipients.

The Nemaha Central Club began in 1946 as the Seneca High School Kayettes and has a long-standing tradition of student attendance at leadership training events as well as hosting several regional events. The club has an impressive record of goal attainment, service participation and the desire to make a difference in the lives of others. Two of their longest serving sponsors include Jolene Bloom and Jeanne Jacobson. Sharon Meyer, current head sponsor, is in her tenth year.

The Kansas Association for Youth (KAY) is a character-building, leadership-training, service organization sponsored by Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA).

(KNZA)--A new director of nursing is on the job at the Highland Community College Technical Center in Atchison.

Jane Zaccardi comes to the College from Stratford Commons Rehabilitation in Overland Park where she was director of nursing services for the 45-bed sub-acute rehabilitation center.

Prior to Stratford, Zaccardi was Director of Health Occupations and Practical Nursing programs at Johnson County Community College. In addition, she has been a self-employed staff development consultant, Director of Nursing for Acute Rehabilitation at Meadowbrook Rehab Hospital in Gardner, and held a variety of leadership positions at several other healthcare facilities.

Zaccardi began her new role at the College on November 7 and will be working with Cynthia Jacobson, who is retiring from the position, for a period of transition.

(KNZA)--A lawsuit has been filed against Doniphan County in connection with an injury accident in 2014 that left a Highland man with serious injuries.

Named as defendants in the suit filed by Ted Collins are the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Department and county Road and Bridge Department.

Collins was injured the evening of January 26th, 2014 after being struck by a vehicle while removing a large tree that had fallen on 240th Road about 3 miles east of Highland due to extreme winds that evening.

The suit states the accident occurred more than an hour after the Sheriff’s Department had been notified that the tree had blown down and was blocking both lanes of travel.

The suit alleges the accident would not have occurred if the Sheriff’s Department and road and bridge department had timely removed the tree and warned driver’s of the hazard.  

The Kansas Chief reports the lawsuit seeks more than $150,000 for injuries and compensatory damages.

The suit alleges the county is liable for damages caused by the negligence and reckless acts or omissions of the workers of the two county departments.

A jury trial has been requested and an out-of-county judge appointed to preside over the trial.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) - Authorities say an inmate has turned himself in after walking away from a minimum-security federal prison camp in Leavenworth.

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons said in a release Sunday that 41-year-old Timothy Taylor turned himself in late Saturday night, and is back in the Bureau of Prisons' custody. The department did not provide details about how or where Taylor surrendered.

Taylor was found missing from the Federal Prison Camp at Leavenworth late Friday night.

The department says Taylor was serving a 10-year sentence on a drug charge out of the western federal district of Missouri.

There were no details about how Taylor managed to leave the Leavenworth site, which has about 400 male inmates.

(MSC News)--Authorities are seeking information regarding who's responsible for a burglary at the Wathena American Legion.

KQ2-TV reports the burglary was discovered Friday morning, Veteran's Day.

The crime is believed to have happened Thursday night.

Sergeant at Arms Duston Hansen discovered the burglary. He tells the TV station that WWI pictures, and memorabilia, were stolen.

While he says the items stolen carry no cash value, they are priceless to the Post and to the community.

Anyone with information about the crime should notify Wathena Police or the Doniphan County Sheriff's Office.

(MSC News)--Congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump.

Those words are offered by U.S. Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins following Trump's victory in Tuesday's election.

The Kansas Republican, in a written statement, says she is looking forward to working with Trump “to put forward a conservative, common-sense agenda that will help empower Kansans and Americans everywhere.”

Now that the election is over, Jenkins says the focus can be placed on better ways to fix the nation's broken tax code and improve the United States healthcare system by repealing and replacing Obamacare, formally known as the Affordable Care Act.

Among Trump's campaign promises was his goal to repeal and replace President Obama's landmark legislation. Following the election, Trump released his health care plan.

Jenkins won re-election Tuesday to her 5th term representing Kansas' 2nd Congressional District, defeating Democratic challenger Britani Potter and Libertarian James Bales.

Although the votes don't become official until Monday, and despite a write-in campaign launched for the Atchison County Treasurer's Office, the unofficial results prove that seat will go to Connie Ellerman.

The win comes despite a strong write-in effort staged by longtime Treasurer Sheila Bilderback, who lost to Ellerman in the August Republican primary election.

The unofficial results of Tuesday's general election show that Atchison County voters cast 4,490 votes for Ellerman.

That's compared to the 960 votes cast by voters exercising the write-in option who correctly spelled Bilderback's full name. Each misspelled write-in required a separate entry, with a total of 299 of such votes recorded.

With all apparent write-in votes cast for Bilderback totaled, she received support from 1,209 voters.

Other candidates written in for the Treasurer's role included the fictional Mickey Mouse, Anyone Else, and a variety of local residents not seeking election.

All results from Tuesday's general election will remain unofficial until they are canvassed Monday morning by the Atchison County Commission, acting as the Atchison County Board of Canvassers.

 (KNZA)--An usual accident early Friday morning in Jefferson County sent a Lecompton man to the hospital with serious injuries.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 30-year-old Justin Powell was riding on the hood of a SUV being driven by 27-year-old Perry resident Johna O’Trimble when he fell off and was struck.

The incident occurred shortly after 2:00 south of Perry, just west of Main Street.

Powell was transported to Topeka’s Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center with what the Patrol described as disabling injuries.

O’Trimble and another passenger in the vehicle were not hurt.

(MSC News)--30 years in prison.

That’s the sentence handed down to a St. Joseph man convicted in the beating death of his wife last year.

The St. Joseph News Press reports 56-year-old Martin Davis was sentenced Thursday in a Buchanan County courtroom on a charge of first-degree domestic assault.

A jury found Davis guilty of the felony charge last month.

Prosecutors said Davis caused the death of his wife, Sandra, as a result of a beating on April 30th, 2015.             

(KMZA)--A new comprehensive plan for the city of Seneca is close to being finalized, almost two years after work started on the document.

City Administrator Matt Rehder says the document, which was last updated in 1995, will give guidance for Seneca’s future.

Kevin Marvin of Marvin Planning Consultants, of David City, Nebraska, was hired in January 2015 to prepare the plan.

Rehder says input received through public meetings and a website played a big role in creating the plan.

The city Planning Commission will hold a public hearing Monday evening at 5:00 at city hall to consider adoption of the new comprehensive plan, along with new zoning regulations and sub-division regulations.

The documents will then go to the City Council for final approval in December.

(KNZA)---The 20th Annual Jingle Bell Ride will hit the streets of  Hiawatha Sunday.

Organizer Patty Merchant says the goal of the ride is to help the less fortunate children in Brown County experience the joy of Christmas.

Merchant says around 60 riders are expected to participate in the event, riding around town to pick up new unwrapped toy’s for children up to the age of 18.

Rider registration will begin at 10:30 Sunday morning on the south side of the Courthouse Square, followed by festivities beginning at 11:00....including a silent auction, face painting and the arrival of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.  

A parade, at 1:00, will happen on Oregon Street prior to the riders beginning the collection of donated gifts.

If you would like to donate a toy or a monetary gift your asked to call 785-741-0861.

Last year, the Jingle Bell Ride helped more than 100 families and provided toys for around 220 children.

(KNZA)--A three-vehicle wreck on U.S. 24 Highway near Perry Thursday afternoon claimed the life of an Oskaloosa woman and left two others injured.

THe Kansas Highway Patrol says killed in the wreck at the intersection with Thompson Road was 57-year-old Leanna Hickman.

The Patrol says Hickman was northbound on Thompson Road when she pulled out in front of a westbound semi tractor-trailer on U.S. 24.  The semi struck Hickman's car and then struck an eastbound pickup truck driven by 58-year-old Ozawkie resident Wade Fischer head-on.

Hickman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fischer and a passenger in his vehicle, 45-year-old Valley Falls resident Wade Jepson, were both transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center with what the Patrol described as disabling injuries.

The semi driver, 57-year-old Woodward, Oklahoma resident Gary Dowdy, was not hurt.

The Patrol says all the occupants were wearing seatbelts when the wreck occurred around 2:45.

(KAIR)--Just days following the 5th year anniversary of the Atchison grain elevator explosion that claimed six lives, the U.S. Attorney's Office says there will be no criminal charges.

That message is delivered in a statement released Thursday by U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

Beall says his office has closed the inquiry into the explosion, determining that “there is not sufficient evidence to support criminal charges against the owner, Bartlett Grain Company.

Beall clarifies that his announcement “does not dismiss pending enforcement actions by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.”

The explosion happened on the night of October 29, 2011, killing John Burke, Chad Roberts, Ryan Federinko, Travis Keil, Derrick Klahr and Curtis Field.

The company, following an OSHA investigation launched after the fatal blast, was cited for several infractions: five willful violations and eight serious violations of workplace safety rules.

Bartlett Grain has maintained the incident was a tragic accident, denying any wrongdoing.

Four of the victims' families filed wrongful death lawsuits against the company.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - A former St. Joseph school district superintendent who was overpaid more than $660,000 in pension payments has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison.
 
The sentence imposed Thursday stems from retirement benefits that 70-year-old Dan Colgan, of St. Joseph, received from the Public School and Education Employee Retirement Systems of Missouri. Through his plea, Colgan admitted that his salary was improperly inflated to increase his retirement benefits.
 
He served as superintendent from 1992 to 2005, and then on the school board from 2010 until March 2015. His tenure on the board ended about one month after the district received a highly critical state audit.
 
As part of his wire fraud sentence, he also paid restitution.

(KAIR)--Construction of a new Atchison walking and biking trail—nearly three years in the works—was given a stamp of approval from Atchison City Commissioners.

That decision follows Monday’s meeting where commissioners passed a resolution 3-2 authorizing City Manager Trey Cocking to sign contract documents with KDoT and Heavy Construction LLC for construction of the South Atchison Trail Project.

The more than $1 million project was awarded $1.17 million by KDOT in the pedestrian and bicycle facilities category of the Transportation Alternatives program. The city was also awarded $55,000 in funding from the Sunflower Foundation grant for the project.

In total, the city is expected to spend $135,000 of its budget on the new trail.

When complete, the trail will begin at the intersection of U.S. Hwy 59 and U.S. Hwy 73. The ten-foot-wide, asphalt trail will continue for approximately a mile and a half in southern Atchison ending at Raven Hill Road by the hospital and Walmart.

(KNZA)--A Wathena man is facing a charge of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

55-year-old Thomas Eugene Miller was arrested November 3rd by the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Department on the felony charge.

According to the criminal complaint, Miller is accused of the lewd fondling or touching of a child under the age of 14.

A preliminary hearing in the case has been set for December 6th.

Miller remains in the Doniphan County Jail, held on a $100,000 bond.  

(KMZA)---The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the burglary of a Wetmore home.

The Sheriff’s says sometime between October 20 and November 1st an unknown person or persons forced entry into a residence at 428 2nd Street.

Among the items taken were two televisions, a DVD player and frozen foods.

The loss was placed at over $2,400.

Anyone with information on the burglary is urged to contact the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office in Seneca.  

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas' secretary of state says he's serving on President-elect Donald Trump's transition team.

Kris Kobach, a conservative Republican, told various Kansas media outlets Wednesday he has no expectation of a role in Trump's eventual administration. But he says he's open to working for Trump, if offered.

As part of his unpaid role with the transition team, Kobach will help advise Trump on policy matters leading up to his January inauguration.

Kobach previously advised Trump on immigration policy during the campaign, successfully adding to the Republican Party's platform Trump's plan to build a wall along the U.S.'s southern border with Mexico.

Kobach also has served as counsel to Attorney General John Ashcroft during the President George W. Bush's administration.

(KNZA)--It will be Monday before its known for certain if a half-cent retailers sales tax will be imposed in Hiawatha to fund street, alley and parking improvements.

Unofficial results following Tuesday’s election had the sales tax being approved by just a 9-vote margin, 625 to 616.

However, thirty-eight provisional ballots were cast Tuesday and they won’t be considered until Monday when the Brown County Commission meets to canvass ballots from the election.

A provisional ballot is used to record a vote when there are questions about a given voter's eligibility.  

If approved, the sales tax would take affect April 1st, 2017 and be in effect for 30 years.   

The sales tax is projected to raise around $335,000 a year.  

(KAIR)--A Valley Falls man goes to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries following a vehicle wreck with a semi-tractor trailer in Atchison Wednesday morning.

“A 2007 Saturn vehicle driven by Nakoma Gomer was eastbound on Main when he drove left of center and struck a westbound semi-tractor trailer driven by James Stalder Jr. of Atchison,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “Gomer was transported by EMS to the hospital with injuries.”

He added possible citations are pending against Gomer regarding driving left of center. 

(KLZA)--Falls City Council members voted unanimously Monday night to approve a change order in excess of $284,000 for the new electrical generator project.

Utility Superintendent Alan Romine told the Council the new generator the City is going to have installed will require more room for all of the switching gear. 

A Houston, Texas company bid a pre-fabricated building at a cost of $283,728. Romine said there are two companies in Nebraska that can provide the same type of building so it will be rebid with hopes of one of the Nebraska companies submitting a better price. 

The Board of Public Works recommended the change order be approved. 

(KLZA)-- Results of the contested Southeast Nebraska and Northwest Missouri elections on Tuesday are as follows. 
 
In Richardson County Terry Frank was elected Third District Commissioner. He defeated Rick Martin 790-493.

In the Humboldt Ward I City Council election Delores Martinez defeated Kevin Burnison 105-82.

Elected to the Village Board of Rulo was Melissa Coonce and Becky Simmonds. 

For the Humboldt-Table Rock – Steinauer School District the three incumbents were re-elected to the seats. Mike Bredemeier, Rock Herr and Sandra Stalder will continue to serve. 

In Pawnee County elections, Pawnee City voters approved an additional half-cent sales tax to be used for street repairs that will cost more than $2-million. The vote was 240  - 137 to approve the additional sales tax.  

Elected to serve on the Pawnee City School Board are Amy Gyhra, Jason Vetrovsky and A.J. Tomky.

Elected to the Lewiston School Board were Spencer Anderson, Steve Janssen and Larry Husa.  

Ben Laun and Daryl Buchholz were elected to the Table Rock Village Board. 

Galen Steinacher and Wayne Zimmerman were voted onto the Lewiston Village Board.  

In Nemaha County, Nebraska, Rick Janssen was elected to another term on the Auburn City Council, serving in Ward II.

Elected to the Brownville Village Board were Paul Fish and Gary Stuchal.  

In Johnson County, Travis Goracke defeated Lavern Bartels for the Tecumseh Ward II Council seat.

Stephen Lempka and Andy Thies were elected to serve on the Sterling Village Board.  

Teresa Goracke an incumbent, Rebecca Plager and Arlin Beethe were elected to positions on the Johnson County Central School Board.  

In Holt County, Missouri, voters approved the control and eradication of Johnson Grass.

Atchison County, Missouri voters elected Jim Quimby to serve as North District Commissioner defeating Steve Joesting 528 – 223.  

Fifteen counties in Southeast Nebraska served by Southeast Community College soundly defeated a proposed $369-million bond issue proposed by the college. Nearly 68-percent of the votes cast were against the proposal.  

(KNZA)--Plans to  bring new life to a Hiawatha motel move forward.

Following a hearing Monday evening drawing no public comment, the Hiawatha City Commission approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of up to $1.5 million in industrial revenue bonds for BARK Hospitality, L.L.C. to purchase and renovate the Hiawatha Lodge and Gateway Inn on South First Street.

Mayor Steffen Shamburg says the Lincoln-Nebraska based company has done alot of studies and feels there is a need for additional motel rooms in the community.  

Shamburg says the city didn’t recruit the company, and is excited about the interest in the property.

 He noted issuance of the bonds will not financially obligate the city.

The new rejuvenated motel is to carry a nationally recognized hotel/motel name.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Voters are retaining four Kansas Supreme Court justices targeted for removal by abortion opponents and conservative Republicans.
 
The results from Tuesday's election mean that Chief Justice Lawton Nuss and Justices Carol Beier, Dan Biles and Marla Luckert will remain on the seven-member court for another six years.
 
Voters also retained Justice Caleb Stegall. He was GOP Gov. Sam Brownback's only appointee and was not targeted.
 
The ouster campaign started with critics of rulings that overturned death sentences in capital punishment cases. Abortion opponents also joined the effort, as did a gun-rights group. Conservative Republicans were critical of previous court rulings in education funding cases.
 
Nuss and Luckert were appointed to the court by moderate GOP Gov. Bill Graves. Beier and Biles were appointed by Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

(KAIR)--A new Fire Chief has been selected for the City of Atchison. 

Chosen to fill the position is Ted Graf, a 23-year veteran of the department. "This is an opportunity that I've been looking forward for a really long time," Graf tells MSC News. "I want to thank everyone out there that supported me."

Graf has served as Interim Fire Chief for the City of Atchison since June . He stepped into that role due to the retirement of 35-year Fire Chief Mike McDermed. "I feel that we have a good direction that we can go in with the Fire Department, and we can continue to build on, in the future, the foundation that's been laid in the past," Graf says.   

Graf's selection follows an intensive hiring process. According to a news release from the City of Atchison, the position was open to both internal and external candidates. A two-part interview process resulted the field in initial candidates being narrowed down to four. Last Friday, the four participated in a day and a half interview process, leading to the consensus to select Graf as the City's Fire Chief. 

"Chief Graf has a great feel for the community and is ready to lead the department," City Manager Trey Cocking says in the news release. “Ted is very intelligent and will be a great asset for the citizens of Atchison.”

(KMZA)--Union Pacific Railroad crossing repair projects in the Marshall County community of Frankfort will lead to road closures.

The Kansas Department of Transportation says northbound and southbound K-99 will be closed Wednesday just north of Vermillion Street between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., weather allowing.

Then on Thursday, KDOT says northbound and southbound K-9 just west of Oak Street will be closed between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., weather allowing.

A marked detour will be provided both days.

(AP)--Republican Donald Trump has fulfilled expectations that he'd carry Kansas in the presidential election. 

The election Tuesday confirmed the state's status as a GOP stronghold in national elections. The last Democratic presidential nominee to carry the state was Lyndon Johnson in 1964. 

The brash New York businessman was always considered likely to pick up the state's six electoral votes even though Texas Sen. Ted Cruz won the state's GOP caucuses in March and many top GOP officials backed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. 

While lukewarm in their support for Trump, many Kansas Republicans couldn't stomach voting for Democratic nominee and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. 

Former President Bill Clinton averaged less than 35 percent of the vote in Kansas in his presidential races in 1992 and 1996. 

ATCHISON COUNTY

3rd District County Commissioner
17.... precincts out of... 17 reporting and advance ballots
Bill Pohl (incumbent) (R) ---1,4058 *
Tom Mangimelli (D)-----923

(Note: The Atchison Co Clerks office says Review Board (write-ins) are not yet tabulated as of 11:00 Tuesday night.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BROWN COUNTY

Final unofficial results

Hiawatha Special Question:

Half-cent sales tax for street, alley and parking improvements
Yes....625 *
No--- 616

Hiawatha City Commission---Commissioner of Streets and Parks

Malachi Oswald...506
Becky Shamburg...703 *

( position currently held by Irv Schwalm who didn’t seek re-election)

Hiawatha City Commission---Commissioner of Utilities

Toni Hull ( incumbent)....783 *
Kedrin Pyle....406

3rd District County Commissioner

Dwight Kruse...832 *
Penny Gastineau..304

( seat currently held by Warren Ploeger who didn’t seek re-election)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JACKSON COUNTY

Final unofficial results

Sheriff
Tim Morse ( incumbent)...4,542 *
Robert “ Bob” McNicholas....1,144

2nd District County Commissioner

Janet Zwonitzer ( incumbent)...994 *
Edward Lutz....938

3rd District Commissioner

Melvin Bailey..630
Bill Elmer ( incumbent)...736 *
John Coleman--376

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JEFFERSON COUNTY

Final unofficial results

County Attorney

Josh Ney (R)...5,612 *
Jacob Smith (D)....2,407

County Commission 3rd District 

Richard Malm (incumbent) (R) 1,545 *
Jeff Van Wey (D) 758

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARSHALL COUNTY

Final unofficial results

3rd District County Commissioner

Pat Caffrey...568
Lynn Feldhausen...887 *
Alison Slifer..103

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOCAL KANSAS LEGISLATIVE RACES:

Final unofficial results

1st Kansas Senate District

142 precincts out of 142 reporting

Jerry Henry (D)...12,891

Dennis Pyle (R) ( incumbent)...18,054 *

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
61st Kansas House District
37 precincts out of 37 reporting

Francis Awerkamp (R)....6,117 *

Lauren Van Wagoner (D)....3,844

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

63rd Kansas House District

30 precincts out of 30 reporting

John Eplee-- 6,634 *
W. Brett Neibling..2,447
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For local Nebraska County election results, go here. 

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha woman has been sentenced to nearly 3 1/2 years in prison for her role in a teenage runaway case.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says 22-year-old Jaimie Wardrup was sentenced  Monday in Brown County District Court to 29 months in prison on a felony charge of aggravated interference with parental custody and to 12 months in prison on a misdemeanor charge of contributing to a child's misconduct.

She was arrested April 26th in Arkansas with three teenage runaways from the Hiawatha area who disappeared the day before.

A pair a child-sex related charges were filed against Wardrup in a separate case following an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department and after she was extradited to Kansas.

She was sentenced in September to 4 years in prison on charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and criminal sodomy in that case.

Hill says the new sentence is to be served at the same time as the sentence in the child sex case.

(KNZA)--The arraignment for a Hiawatha man facing charges in a child abuse case has been postponed.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says the attorney for 25-year-old Frankie Rodriquez Monday requested more time to review the medical documents and asked for a continuance.  His arraignment was rescheduled for December 5th.

Rodriquez was arrested in late August on one count each of aggravated battery and felony child abuse following an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department and Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

The investigation was launched after a two-year-old girl was brought to the Hiawatha Community Hospital on August 26 with a severe head injury.  The child was later flown to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

Rodriquez remains in the Brown County Jail on a $500,000 bond after his motion for a bond modification was denied Monday.

(KAIR)--November 16 is the starting date for Atchison County's new EMS Director.

The decision to hire Lieutenant Corey Scott was made last week, following discussion during an executive session at the weekly meeting of the Atchison County Commission.

The decision to hire Scott was unanimous.

He accepted the County's offer of a salary of $62,000 for the first year. He will also be furnished with a vehicle sometime after January 1, and will receive an annual evaluation.

Scott, during last week's meeting, was instructed to work with the county's Human Resources department to begin the process of developing job descriptions for the ambulance service personnel, and to begin looking to fill positions, including the hiring of a financial employee to oversee billing for the service.

According to the Atchison County EMS Facebook page, Scott was named the 2015 Employee of the Year in the Atchison County EMS division.

Scott is a paramedic who, according to the announcement of his award, has overseen numerous administrative duties while conducting public education events.

The search for an EMS Director was launched in September after the County Commission decided to place the ambulance service under County oversight, instead of contracted management.

(KLZA)-- Following two public hearings Monday night, Falls City Council members approved actions, furthering efforts to expand two Falls City businesses.

First was discussion on a proposed expansion of Armbruster Motor Company in the 1600 block between Towle and Barada Streets.  Lincoln attorney Andrew Willis discussed the project, seeking to use tax increment financing for a 15-year period. 

Willis said the project to would include a shop area approximately 6,000 square feet and office and parts department space of just over 4,000 feet. This is estimated to increase the valuation of the building site from approximately $65-thousand to half a million dollars.

The TIF funds would be used to pay for infrastructure improvements including curbs, city water extension, sewer extension, drainage, storm sewer improvements, new sidewalks, and the reconfiguration of electrical lines. 

Willis noted the project is ready to being with Council approval.  

Council members voted unanimously to approve the redevelopment plan for Armbruster Motors.

The second business expansion project is more controversial with some neighbors. Kylie Vollan, is wanting to move and expand her pet grooming business, moving to a site on the southwest corner of 7th and Morton Streets.  She wants to add doggy daycare to her services in addition to grooming. 

The site is zoned for residential, not light industrial. Charles Hayes who lives across the street is against the proposed zoning change. 
Hayes said he thinks it would be “spot zoning” to approve the change, would break the nuisance law and said if approved, he would contact the Nebraska Real Estate Commission.

Randy Coulter, who lives on the northeast corner of the intersection also spoke against the change, noting the uncertainty. He said the residential zoning allows a bit of a buffer between his home and the industrial area. 

Laura Coulter also spoke against the change, she said dogs barking, and traffic from people dropping off and picking up pets would not allow her to enjoy living in her home. 

Following a lengthy public hearing and discussion and questions by the Council, the vote to approve the zoning change on first reading was 3-3with Council members Don Ferguson, John Vaughn and Kirby Roubidoux  voting yes, and Council members Jim Wisdom, Anthony Nussbaum and Judy Murphy casting nay votes. Councilman Mike Dougherty was absent and Council member Angie Nolte, declared she had a conflict of interest, she and Vollan are related. 

Mayor Jerry Oliver broke the tie voting yes.

Originally, the Planning Commission recommended the zoning change be denied. Vollan appealed the decision to the Council. 

Prior to the public hearing on the proposal, the Council voted 6-1 with Councilman Wisdom voting no, to approve an ordinance allowing pet grooming and pet training as a permitted use in a light industrial zoned area.

That will need to pass two more readings for final approval.  

(KLZA)-- Want to find out the election results after the polls close on Election Day.  

The Richardson County Clerk’s Office will post the results on the Richardson County web site, www.co.richardson.ne.us/ , shortly after the precincts return their results to the County Clerk’s Office.  Returns should be completed by 10 o’clock Tuesday night. 

These results will be labeled “unofficial results” and won’t be certified as 
“official results” until the adjournment of the County Canvassing Board who will complete the counting of the provisional ballots from the precincts and any early voting ballots that were received before the closing of the polls on Election Day.   The Canvassing Board is expected to adjourn by late afternoon on Wednesday, November 9.

Results will also be transmitted to the local radio stations, KTNC and Sunny 
101.3. as they become available and will appear in the next editions of the Falls City Journal and the Humboldt Standard.  The results will also be posted on the following website:  http://election.mips.me.   
    
 

(MSC News)--Numerous races, from the President of the United States, to local county commissioners, will be decided at the polls today, November 8, 2016. 

Do you know where to cast your ballot? Google has made locating your polling place simple, with the location easily found here. 

Polls in Kansas are open from 7:00 in the morning unitl 7:00 in the evening. In Nebraska, the polls are open from 8:00 in the morning until 8:00 in the evening. In Missouri, the polls are open from 6:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening. 

Once the polls close, you can count on MSC News for up to the minute updates on your local races. We'll be updating mscnews.net throughout the night as the results come in. 

(KAIR)--A former federal prison guard has pleaded guilty to taking bribes to smuggle tobacco to inmates.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall, 47-year-old Kansas City, Kansas resident Marc Buckner entered the plea Monday.

In his plea, he admitted the crimes occurred while he worked as a guard at Leavenworth Penitentiary. Buckner said he was paid each time he smuggled tobacco into the prison. He hid tobacco and rolling papers in two handmade insoles in his shoes.

 Inmates paid Buckner $750 for each can of Bugler brand tobacco and rolling papers he smuggled. He said he smuggled tobacco once or twice a month for years. 

Sentencing will be set for a later date. He faces a penalty of up to 15 years in federal prison.

( MSC News)--Voters in area northeast Kansas counties will go to the polls today to decide county, state and federal races.

In addition, Hiawatha voters will decide whether a half-cent sales tax should be imposed for street, alley and parking improvements. There are also two contested races for positions on the Hiawatha City Commission.

Kansas voters will also decide the fate of a proposed amendment to the state constitution declaring that residents have the right to hunt, fish and trap wildlife. In addition, voters will decide if five Kansas Supreme Court Justices should be retained.

The polls will be open from 7:00 this morning until 7:00 this evening.

In southeast Nebraska, Pawnee City voters will decide whether to impose an additional half-cent sales tax for street repairs.

In Richardson County, there is a contested race for 3rd District County Commissioner. There are also contested races for the Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer School Board, the Ward 1 Humboldt City Council seat and the Rulo Village Board of Trustees.

In Pawnee County, there are contested races for a seat on the Pawnee City Board of Education, Lewiston School Board, Table Rock and Lewiston Village Boards.

In Nebraska, the polls will be open from 8 o'clock this morning until 8 O'clock this evening.

We will bring you election updates this evening after the polls close.

(KAIR)--An arrest is made following an early October disturbance that led to the lock down of an Atchison County school.

Sheriff Jack Laurie says it happened October 6 when his office was called to the Atchison County Community Elementary School, in Effingham, following the report of an out of control adult.

Arrested, following a review of the case by Atchison County Attorney Jerry Kuckelman, is Katie Vollmer. Laurie says she turned herself into authorities after a warrant was issued for her arrest.

The USD 377 Twitter account initially stated the lock down was implemented after a parent was heard using loud, inappropriate language that was overheard by students.

However, the resulting investigation by the Sheriff's Office alleged that Vollmer, along with the verbal altercation at the school, had physical contact with two employees.

After she was taken into custody Thursday, Laurie says Vollmer was booked into the Atchison County Jail, held on a bond of $1,500.

(KNZA)--A county-owned building in downtown Hiawatha that's been utilized by the Brown County Historical Society for several years was sold at a public auction Monday morning.

Sheriff John Merchant conducted the auction for the building located at 518 Oregon in the 1st floor lobby of the courthouse.

Greg Buser, of rural Robinson, was the lone bidder with a bid of $45,001, just one dollar over the minimum bid set by the county. The building is appraised at about $127,000.

The County Commission voted following the auction to accept his bid.

The building, which currently houses Jack’s Trains and artifacts from the Frances Sewell Plamann Estate, was deeded to the county by the Historical Society for insurance reasons.

Buser will not take possession of the building until January 2nd, 2017, a stipulation asked for by the Historical Society to allow them time to move the train display and estate artifacts to a temporary location until a new building can be constructed at their Ag Museum site to house them.

Buser was required to put 20 percent down Monday morning, and will pay the remaining 80 percent when he takes possession of the building January 2nd.

(KAIR)--Details are made public following an Atchison County pursuit that stemmed from the report of a stolen vehicle Saturday night.

According to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 23-year-old Jesse Hundley notified the Sheriff's Office around 9:15 that his pick-up truck had been stolen.

Naming 32-year-old Horton resident Megan Hollister as the suspect, Deputies responded to the area of Sherman Road and 244th Road, where the crime had allegedly taken place.

The vehicle was located, stopped at 244th Road; and, when the Deputy turned around, Laurie says Hollister sped off, heading northbound at a high rate of speed.

Losing sight of the vehicle, the Deputy continued the search, which led to Atchison's Raven Hill Road, where Hollister wrecked the pickup, just west of 6th Street.

Hollister was gone, having fled on foot, but was located a short time later following a search for her whereabouts.

She was transported to the Atchison Hospital for treatment of injuries suffered in the wreck.

Laurie says Hollister remained hospitalized as of Monday morning for treatment of a fractured leg. No other major injuries followed the rollover wreck, which involved the stolen pickup hitting a tree after Hollister lost control and overcorrected.

Remaining under the custody of the Sheriff's Office, Hollister is facing charges of theft, driving while suspended and fleeing and eluding. She was also wanted on a Jackson County District Court warrant for burglary.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A Topeka police detective and a suspect were wounded as officers tried to take the suspect into custody.

Topeka police Lt. Colleen Stuart told The Topeka Capital-Journal that the detective was in fair condition after he was shot in the leg and the abdomen late Saturday.

Police say the suspect sustained life-threatening injuries.

Police say the two were wounded when the suspect exchanged gunfire with police responding to a convenience store robbery in northeast Topeka.
        

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the theft of items from a vehicle parked in rural Sabetha.

The Sheriff’s Office says the theft occurred at 2663 T Road sometime between October 25th and November 1st.

Removed from the vehicle were the stereo, speakers, and several car parts.

The loss was placed at $700.

Anyone with information on the theft is urged to contact the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office in Seneca.

(KNZA)--An Atchison County bridge replacement project moves forward.

The Kansas Department of Transportation has accepted a bid from WCI Inc. of Paola for the replacement of a bridge about 3 miles southeast of Atchison.  The bid was for just over $433,000.

A start date hasn’t been announced yet for the project.

Bids were opened October 19th in Topeka.

(MSC News)---Friday is Veterans Day, and several local events are planned to mark the occasion.

In Sabetha,  all area veterans along with family members and friends are invited to attend a buffet breakfast at the Buzz Café, beginning at 7:00 in the morning.

All military veterans’ meal will be free, courtesy of Sabetha Memorial Post 7285 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Your asked to RSVP by calling the Buzz Cafe at 785-284-3177.

In Doniphan County, Veterans Day programs are planned at the Troy and Riverside High Schools.  

The annual veterans assembly will be held in the Troy High School gym starting at 9:30.  

The Riverside High School Veterans Day ceremony will be held in the auditorium at the high school, beginning at 10:00, with lunch following.

In Holton, a Veterans Day parade is planned around the Square at 1:00 in the afternoon.  The event is being organized by the Holton Rotary Club, and area floats featuring veterans are encouraged, as well as other clubs and organizations.

In Horton, the annual Veterans Day parade sponsored by Horton American Legion Post 7 will be held beginning at 2:30 in the afternoon down Central and East 8th Streets.

In Hiawatha, the annual Brown County Veteran’s Day Dinner will take place Friday evening, starting at 6:00 at the National Guard armory.

A free meal featuring smoked meat with all the trimmings will be provided for Brown County veterans and their spouses.  No reservations are required.

The guest speaker will be Lt. Colonel Thomas Powers, assistant division commander of the 35th Infantry Division of Fort Leavenworth.

All veterans along with VFW and American Legion Auxiliary members are invited to  attend.  

Those who need help with transportation are asked to make your reservation by calling  646-5605.

 
LANSING, Kan. (AP) - A man has been sentenced to 20 years for escaping from a Kansas prison and fleeing through Missouri as another escapee fired at pursuing officers.
 
Thirty-four-year-old Allen Hurst was sentenced Thursday in Platte County, Missouri after entering a guilty plea. Hurst, Scott Gilbert and Randy Ridens escaped in May 2013 from the Lansing Correctional Facility.
 
Hurst and Gilbert stole a pickup truck from a worker in Leavenworth and drove to Platte County, where officers began to pursue them. They were accused of attempting to kidnap the Edgerton, Missouri, mayor before barricading themselves inside an unoccupied residence.
 
They surrendered after several hours of negotiations, and Ridens was caught in Kansas. Gilbert was sentenced to 128 years in prison, while Ridens was sentenced to 10 years and two months in prison.

(KNZA)---Guilty of all charges.

That was the verdict returned Thursday night against 45-year-old Roderick Ellis, charged with holding a woman hostage at a St. Joseph motel last October after kidnapping and shooting her.   

Following about 5 hours of deliberation, the jury found the St. Joseph man guilty on five felony counts---kidnapping, first-degree domestic assault, first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer and two counts of armed criminal action.

Sentencing was scheduled for January 9th.  

Prosecutors say Ellis forced Rebecca Urban, with whom he had been having an affair, to drive from her work to the Motel 6 on Frederick Boulevard where he shot her in the arm, dragged her into his motel room and held her hostage for nearly 11 hours before surrounding to law enforcement.

Urban was treated at a Kansas City hospital.  No officers were injured during the standoff.

The trial began Wednesday morning after jury, selected from a pool from Clay County, was seated to hear the case.

(KAIR)--The man arrested in connection with an apparent grow operation at his residence will spend nearly a year behind bars.

44-year-old Lancaster resident John Shufflebarger was sentenced in Atchison County District Court to 11 months in prison for possession of methamphetamine, 11 months for possession of drug paraphernalia and 18 months probation for possession of marijuana.

Those sentences will all run at the same time.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, Shufflebarger allowed deputies to search his home at 105 Kansas Street in August. There, they discovered a marijuana grow operation in a closet. Shufflebarger also revealed to deputies a wooden box containing what deputies to believed to be methamphetamine.

HAYS, Kan. -- The Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University conducted a poll from Nov. 1 through Nov. 3 to measure respondents’ preferences in the upcoming election on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Results for this poll showed Donald Trump (58%) holds a 24-point lead over Hillary Clinton (34%), up from the 8-point lead showed in the Kansas Speaks survey released on Oct. 30, which had a data collection period of Sept. 1 to Oct. 13.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (77%) is up 64 points from challengers Patrick Wiesner (13%) and Robert Garrard (10%) and appears to be comfortably on track to secure his seat for another six years.
 
The retention vote for five justices of the Kansas Supreme Court seems close with 40 percent of likely voters saying they will “Retain All” justices, while 25 percent say they will “Retain
Some” and 24 percent saying they will “Retain None” of the Kansas Supreme Court justices up for retention. 

When broken down by each justice, the numbers
show:

•        Chief Justice Lawton Nuss – 46 percent of likely voters said they would retain, while 35 percent said they would not retain, and 19 percent said they don’t know.

•        Justice Marla Luckert – 46 percent of likely voters said they would retain, while 35 percent said they would not retain, and 19 percent said they don’t know.

•        Justice Carol Beier– 46 percent of likely voters said they would retain, while 35 percent said they would not retain, and 19 percent said they don’t know.

•        Justice Daniel Biles– 46 percent of likely voters said they would retain, while 35 percent said they would not retain, and 19 percent said they don’t know.

•        Justice Caleb Stegall – 52 percent of likely voters said they would retain, while 29 percent said they would not retain, and 19 percent said they don’t know.

The Docking Institute contacted a total of 753 Kansas residents by cellular and landline telephone, with 346 of them completing the survey. With a cooperation rate of 46 percent, and with 313 of the respondents identified as likely voters, the result is a margin of error of plus or minus 5.5 percent at the 95-percent confidence level.

A margin of error of 5.5 percent means a 95-percent probability that findings among the sample vary no more than plus or minus 5.5 percent from the value that would be found if all adult Kansas residents were surveyed.

(MSC News)--A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday in St. Joseph to mark the start of a nearly $71 million project to repair the levees along the Missouri River.

KQ2-TV reports the project spans 17 miles of the levee system and will be divided into four phases.

The first phase of the project will completely replace the gatewell and drainage pipe that serves interior drainage for the Rosecrans Memorial Airport and nearby areas.  That phase is to be completed by October 2017.

65 percent or almost $46 million of the funding for the levee repairs is coming from the federal government.  The state is providing $5 million, with the remainder coming from local sources.

Buchanan County voters in August approved a quarter-cent sales tax for project.    The tax is to go into effect January 1st and has a sunset clause of 4 years.

Officials expect all the phases of the project to take anywhere from five to seven years.

(KNZA)--Hiawatha High School Principal Andrew Gaddis has been honored by his peers.

The Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals has announced that Gaddis was named as the organization’s Area 1 High School Principal of the Year.

KAASP is an organization of more than 400 secondary high schools principals from across the state of Kansas.

Gaddis was nominated and selected by peer principals. Candidates are evaluated on their school leadership, school improvement, dedication, professionalism and service to students.

Gaddis has served as principal at Hiawatha High School since July 2014. Prior to that he was the assistant principal and activities director for 3 years.  

103.9 KNZA on air signal is currently experiencing technical difficulties....you can still listen to KNZA through our online stream http://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/v5/KNZA

You can find the KNZA stream under Listen Live menu or you can listen on your smartphone by downloading the MSC Radio app.

The Holton at Baldwin game will be broadcasted on KNZA but you will have to listen on the stream or listen/watch on the Holton Channel (link under listen live menu) 

We are working to get the signal back up and we appreciate you listening and your patience.

103.9 KNZA on air signal is currently experiencing technical difficulties....you can still listen to KNZA through our online stream http://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/v5/KNZA

You can find the KNZA stream under Listen Live menu or you can listen on your smartphone by downloading the MSC Radio app.

The Holton at Baldwin game will be broadcasted on KNZA but you will have to listen on the stream or listen/watch on the Holton Channel (link under listen live menu) 

We are working to get the signal back up and we appreciate you listening and your patience.

(KAIR)--Guilty.

That’s the plea from an Atchison woman accused of a burglary and theft that occurred earlier this year.

41-year-old Tracey Vollmer pled guilty to one count of burglary of a dwelling in Atchison County District Court.

Sentencing for Vollmer is set for Dec. 2.

Vollmer was arrested in September by the Atchison County Sheriff's Department in connection with a report dating back to Feb. 10.

Sheriff Jack Laurie said a shed at the residence of 6879 Lincoln Road in Atchison County was illegally entered and that entry left an air compressor and a lawn mower missing.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Sheriff's Department is investigating the theft of more $3,200 worth of items from a rural Wetmore property.

The sheriff's Office says the theft happened sometime between October 26 and October 28 from a property at 500 W-6 Road.

Taken were chainsaws, hand tools, brush trimmers, a ladder, drill and many other items.

Anyone with information on the theft is encouraged to contact the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office in Seneca.

(KLZA)-- An Auburn man has been sentenced to prison on charges in both Nemaha and Johnson counties.

According to a release from Johnson County Deputy County Attorney Benjamin Beethe, 35-year-old William Snyder was sentenced in multiple charges in both counties.

In Nemaha County, Snyder was sentenced to 1 – 3 years on a charge of strangulation. In November 2015, Snyder dragged a victim down a flight of stairs and impeded the victims breathing by applying pressure to her throat. 

Snyder’s probation was revoked in Nemaha County on a terroristic threats charge. Snyder received a sentence of 20-60 months in Nemaha County on the charge.

In Johnson County Snyder was sentenced to 1-3 years for strangulation and one year for witness tampering. These incidents occurred in June, 2016. 

The Nemaha and Johnson County Sheriff’s Offices investigated the cases. Deputy Johnson County Attorney Benjamin Beethe, prosecuted the Johnson County cases and the Nemaha County strangulation case. Johnson County Attorney Richard Smith was special prosecutor for the Nemaha County probation revoacation.  

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A federal judge has ruled against a Tecumseh State Correctional Institution inmate who sued the state prisons director and prison staff, saying they failed to protect him during a riot last year.

The Lincoln Journal Star  reports that Robert Clayborne Jr. had protective custody status when inmates gained control of the prison for several hours after an attack on prison staff on May 10, 2015. Two inmates were found dead after order was restored.

Clayborne's lawsuit said understaffing led to the riot and that staff showed a deliberate indifference to his right to safety and medical care. He says the incident almost cost him his life.

The judge dismissed the lawsuit, saying staff had to retreat to an office in the lobby for their safety and that the prison wasn't understaffed at the time of the disturbance.
 

(KLZA)- District Judge Daniel E. Bryan, Jr. has announced he plans to retire. 

In a letter to friends and members of the Bar, dated November 1, Bryan said he has decided to retire at the end of this year after 27 years on the bench. 

Bryan has served as the 1st Judicial District Judge serving Clay, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Nemaha, Nuckolls, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, & Thayer counties since 1999. 

In the letter Bryan states, “that having more than fulfilled my life’s ambitions and goals, it is time to give someone else a chance.”

Bryan will officially retire on December 31, but will continue, by appointment to cover the district for January and February, allowing the system to appoint a successor.  

(KNZA)--Emergency repairs will be made to a Doniphan County road on the southwest edge of Troy damaged by heavy rainfall in September.

The Doniphan County Commission voted this week to purchase 1,000 tons of rip rap from Whetrock Inc. at a cost of $15.50 a ton to make the necessary repairs to 180th Spur Road, which is old K-7 Highway.

A letter from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which conducted an on-site damage assessment, said the site currently creates an imminent threat to life and property and qualifies for funding through the Emergency Watershed Protection program

The NRCS has estimated the cost of the repair project at around $42,000, which includes stabilization construction and anticipated materials.   

Doniphan County will be responsible for 25 percent of the cost or just over $10,000, which may be in-kind.

(KNZA)--A jury trial has begun for a St. Joseph man accused of holding a woman hostage at a St. Joseph motel in October of last year.

45-year-old Roderick Ellis is charged with five felonies---kidnapping, first-degree domestic assault, assault on a law enforcement officer  and two counts of armed criminal action---in connection with the October 14th, 2015 standoff.

The St. Joseph News Press reports testimony began Wednesday morning after a jury, selected from a pool from Clay County, was seated to hear the case and opening arguments.

Prosecutors allege Ellis forced Rebecca Urban, with whom he had been having an affair, to drive from her work to the Motel 6 on Frederick Boulevard where he allegedly shot her in the arm, dragged her into his motel room, and held her hostage for nearly 11 hours before surrounding to law enforcement.

Urban was treated at a Kansas City hospital following the ordeal.   No officers were injured during the standoff.

If convicted on the charges, Ellis could spend the rest of his life in prison.

(KAIR)--48 hours behind bars.

That’s the sentence handed down to the woman accused of misusing charitable funds.

55-year-old Cindy Gillispie was sentenced in Atchison County District Court to 12 months with the Kansas Department of Corrections on charges of making false information and theft by deception. However, that sentence was suspended to 18 months probation including the 48 hours behind bars.

She was also ordered to pay more than $9,000 in restitution.

Charges for the Weston woman stem from a Aug. 16 arrest by the Atchison Police Department following their investigation.

Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News Gillispie issued unauthorized checks that totaled $8,000 between September of 2015 and July of this year while working as the manager of the Atchison Emergency Assistance Center for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.

Following her arrest, Gillispie was released on a $10,000 bond.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A group investigating the mystery of what happened to Amelia Earhart says it's uncovered another similarity between the pioneering pilot and a body found 76 years ago on a remote Pacific island.
 
But The International Group for Historic Aircraft Discovery says its finding doesn't prove the body is Earhart's.
 
The group says a forensic analysis of a photo of Earhart shows a match between the size of her bones and those of the skeleton found in 1940 on Gardner Island in Kirbati. A 1998 analysis found a general similarity between the bones and a female of Earhart's type.
 
Some critics insist the Pennsylvania-based group hasn't found anything tied to Earhart.
 
Earhart's plane vanished over the Pacific while she was attempting to fly around the world in 1937.

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the fatal shooting of his neighbor.

The St. Joseph News Press reports 51-year-old Lonald Ueligger was handed the sentence Tuesday.

Ueligger pleaded guilty in September to one count of voluntary manslaughter for the shooting death of 54-year-old Perry Smith.

Authorities say the shooting happened June 24 in the basement of Ueligger’s home in the 2900 block of Dover Road.

(KNZA)---Jackson County voters can vote in advance of the November 8th general election.

The Jackson County Clerk’s office is having advance voting today  (Wednesday ) and Thursday at the Highland Community College Center at 430 Arizona Avenue in Holton (Banner Road and Hwy 75) from 8:00 in the morning until 8:00 in the evening.

The County Clerk’s office says any registered voter in Jackson County can vote there.  It is not just for the City of Holton.  You will need to show a government issued photo ID to vote. (Driver’s License, Military ID, Tribal ID)

Advance voting is also going on in the Jackson County Clerk’s office at the courthouse until Monday, November 7th at noon.  Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners reviewed a problem with adjustments that need to be corrected with the air conditioning and exchange equipment at the new  County Law Enforcement Center and Jail with Don Prochaska of Prochaska and Associates during their Tuesday meeting.

Prochaska said his staff would get the adjustments made to a satisfactory level. The certificate of substantial completion documents, were also reviewed, and will be considered by the Board during the next commissioners meeting.

Prochaska also indicated his staff would continue to work with the contractor on the kitchen project at the Jail to make sure it is completed to specifications.  

Commissioners and County Attorney Doug Merz met with Falls City Mayor Jerry Oliver, Administrator Gary Jorn and Utility Superintendent Alan Romine to discuss the agreement between the entities for improvements to the electrical utilities involving the Courthouse. 
 

(MSC News)---Two area counties will be offering extended hours for any registered voter who wishes to vote in advance of the November 8th general election.

Doniphan County Clerk Peggy Franken says her office will be open this Saturday morning from 8 to noon for advance voting.

Also the Nemaha County Clerk’s Office will be open Saturday morning from 8 to noon for advance voting.

Voters are reminded to bring a photo ID.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission has approved the opening of a portion of a county road.

Following a hearing Monday, the Commission unanimously approved a resolution to open a portion of M Road, which lies on the boundary between Nemaha and Washington townships.

No public comment was given.

Several landowners had approached the Commission last month asking that the road be opened to allow access to their property.

(MSC News)--A rule that prevents utilities from disconnecting Kansas customers during extreme cold took effect Tuesday.

The cold weather rule, which is enforced by the Kansas Corporation Commission, runs through March 31st.

The rule bars utilities from disconnecting electric or natural gas service for non payment when temperatures of 35 or lower are forecast for the following 24 hours.

Utility companies must offer customers a 12 month payment plan to maintain or re-establish service.

Shutoffs must be announced 24 hours in advance, and may be carried out only if the temperature is expected to top 35 degrees for 48 hours.

Any residential customer with a past due balance will qualify for payment arrangements under the Rule. However, it is the customer’s responsibility to contact the gas or electric company to make those arrangements.

The Cold Weather Rule applies only to residential customers of electric and natural gas utility companies under the KCC’s jurisdiction.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man is behind bars after allegedly illegally entering an Atchison home.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News it was 27-year-old Brandon Medicine Horse who made unlawful entry to a residence in the 800 block of Spruce Street on Oct. 25.

“The victim there is a 36-year-old female who he knew,” Wilson said. “He went in and took several personal items from the residence.”

He now faces charges of burglary and theft.

He was booked into the Atchison County Jail where he remains.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee County Board of Commissioners has approved a conditional use permit allowing Hamm’s Quarry to expand the quarry in the West Branch area of Pawnee County. 

A public hearing was conducted during the October 25th Board meeting concerning the application to expand the quarry. The Pawnee County Planning Commission had recommended approval of the permit.

In other action Commissioners approved a certification of cost allocation plan with Maximum regarding reimbursement for Child Support for the Clerk of the District Court and County Attorney.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Sheriff’s Department deputies issued 10 citations for minor in possession in Rulo this past weekend.

At approximately 7:30 Friday evening Deputies were dispatched to a residence on 8th Street in Rulo after receiving a report of a large party, possibly involving minors.

Upon arrival and investigation the citations were issued.

Sac and Fox Tribal Police assisted with the investigation.  

(KLZA)--A Draper, Utah man is facing 10 counts of first degree sexual assault of a child.

The crimes are outlined in a criminal complaint filed in Richardson County District Court last week.

44-year-old Isaac Kemp, also known as Paul Smith, is accused of committing the crimes between May of 2014 through February of this year.

Court documents state that the victim was born in 2000.

According to the arrest affidavit, the investigation was launched after North Carolina authorities received a complaint in May, apparently by the victim's parents, after learning their daughter had engaged in sexually explicit conversation.

The probe led to Draper, Utah, and the Attorney General's Office was called in, with a special agent notifying the Nebraska State Patrol that Kemp was in alleged contact with a Nebraska teenager who lived in Falls City.

The document states the girl was 13-years-old when contacted by Kemp, who allegedly identified himself online as a 16-year-old Utah boy.

Authorities say she sent him over 100 nude images of herself, and eventually met Kemp, who apparently traveled to Falls City.

It's alleged that the two engaged in sexual contact at three different Falls City locations, identified as two motels and one hotel. The last occurrence, according to the affidavit, happened in February, 2016, when sexual videos were produced.

Kemp is currently in custody in Utah, awaiting extradition to Nebraska to answer to the charges.

10 years in prison.

That’s the sentence handed down to the Lancaster man who pled guilty to two counts of indecent liberties with a child under the age of 14.

59-year-old William Huckaby was sentenced in Atchison County District Court Monday on the charges stemming from crimes that occurred between Jan 1, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2013.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News the victim was 7-9-years-old at the time when the crimes occurred. An investigation was launched back in Aug. 14 of this year after his office was informed on the crimes. Huckaby turned himself into the sheriff’s office Aug. 15.

(KMZA)--A former Marysville High School teacher and coach is facing child sex charges.

The Butler County Times-Gazette reports Mike Melcher was arrested October 25th on charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and solicitation of a child.

The newspaper says the arrest followed an investigation by the El Dorado Police Department.

Melcher is a special education teacher and coach at El Dorado High School.  The El Dorado school district says he’s currently on paid administrative leave.

According to court documents, Melcher is accused of fondling or touching a child under the age of 14 in September . He's also accused of soliciting a child under 14 for sex.

Melcher, who is currently free on bond, is scheduled to make his next appearance  in a Butler County courtroom on November 28th.

The Marysville Advocate reports Melcher was a special education teacher and varsity basketball coach at Marysville High School from 2008 to 2014.

(KMZA)--A Bern man is accused of threatening his girlfriend with a hammer.

The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department says 24-year-old Devin Hall was arrested October 25th on charges of aggravated assault and domestic battery.

Sheriff Rich Vernon says Hall’s girlfriend left the residence following the alleged incident and went to Sabetha to file a complaint.

Hall was then taken into custody at the home.

He remains in the Nemaha County Jail, where he’s also being held on a Brown County warrant for failure to appear.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff’s Office will be offering two scholarships to Brown County seniors.

Sheriff John Merchant has announced the "Brown County Sheriff's Office
Memorial Scholarship" application has been finalized and the application
forms have been delivered to the Hiawatha and Horton  high school
counselors.    

Merchant says they will be providing two, $1,000 scholarships---one to a senior from Horton and the other to a senior from Hiawatha.

He says applications will also be available in the Brown County Sheriffs office lobby.

Applications are to be completely filled out and returned to their
respective school counselors no later than  April 18th, 2017.  

Those with questions can contact Merchant at the Brown County Sheriff’s Office.

(KMZA)--A single-vehicle wreck in Washington County, Kansas over the weekend claimed the life of an Odell, Nebraska father and his stepson.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says killed in the wreck Friday evening on K-9 Highway near Waterville was 42-year-old Bill Schotte and his 11-year-old stepson, Kayne Stoute.

The Sheriff’s office says Schotte was westbound when his 1999 International truck left the roadway.  The vehicle continued down an embankment and overturned, coming to rest on its top.

Both Schotte and Stoute were pronounced dead at the scene.

Stoute was a sixth grader at the Good Shepherd Lutheran School in Marysville.

A joint funeral service will be held Wednesday morning at 10:00 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church north of Bremen.

The Kinsley Mortuary in Marysville is handling the arrangements.     

(MSC News)--Second degree murder.

That's the charge for the 23-year-old man accused of a fatal Sunday night shooting south of Saint Joseph.

KQ2-TV reports Buchanan County Prosecutor Dwight Scroggins Monday filed the charges against Justin Appleberry.

According to probable cause statements, Appleberry shot, and killed, 74-year-old Louis Nold, in the victim's home, on Southeast McQueen Road.

Court documents indicate Appleberry once lived with Nold.

Prosecutor's allege he forced his way inside, where he obtained the firearm that he used to shoot and kill Nold.

Arraignment for Appleberry is set for Friday.