(KAIR)--The Atchison County Undersheriff has resigned. 

Sheriff Jack Laurie confirmed Joe Butner's resignation in a press release issued Saturday. 

Butner resigned following his arrest on suspicion of DUI. Laurie's statement follows: 

Undersheriff Joe Butner has resigned from the Sheriff’s Office following his arrest by the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) for suspicion of driving under the influence at approximately 9:00PM 12/30/2016.  Butner advised that he had intentionally pulled off of the roadway on South 73 Highway for a brief moment and KHP had stopped to make contact with him a short time later. (No details to the investigation are available from the Sheriff’s Office) Butner was later booked into the Atchison County Jail and posted a cash bond.  

Sheriff Laurie was contacted by Butner, while in custody about the incident and advised that he was resigning effective immediately.  Butner stated that he would not be available for comment but asked Sheriff Laurie to pass on the following message:

“No matter the outcome of the pending results, I want to sincerely apologize to the Sheriff, the Sheriff’s Office, KHP, all law enforcement, the Atchison Community, and my family for any embarrassment or disappointment that this incident may have caused.  I greatly appreciate the opportunity I was given to serve the community the last four years and I will always cherish the support that the community has for the Sheriff’s Office.  Please continue to support the Sheriff and the Sheriff’s Office as they will continue to do fine job.”

It is very unfortunate that Joe’s time here had to end this way as he has been a huge asset to me and the Sheriff's Office these last 4 years.  Joe had already given me notice of his retirement for the first week of March.  I do appreciate his dedication and passion for the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office and serving the community.  Everything that he has done for the Sheriff’s office and the Atchison Community will not be forgotten.   I am confident that Joe will persevere and live his retirement to the fullest.

Please be safe this holiday weekend and PLEASE don’t drink and drive.

(No further comment will be given about this matter by the Sheriff or the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office.)

(KNZA)--The road will remain open.

That's the outcome of Friday's meeting of the Brown County Commission, which included a second public hearing regarding the proposal to close the portion of Kingfisher Road that lies over two railroad crossings, north of 250th Road.

Both the Commission and the Union Pacific Railroad previously expressed support for the closure in the name of safety.

The first public hearing on the matter was held Tuesday, with voices opposed to the closure, including Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, heard at that time.

The Commission Tuesday placed the decision on hold due to the absence of Commissioner Steve Roberts.

On Friday, the proposal was revisited, with six individuals, including Larry Weast speaking on behalf of the Post Office, voicing opposition. Commissioner Warren Ploeger stated he had received three phone calls also opposing the plan, while Commissioner Keith Olsen received a letter expressing the same.

Following the public hearing, Ploeger opened the floor to a motion pertaining to the closure, but no Commissioner offered one, causing the issue to die.

The railroad previously offered the county a payment of $150,000 to close the portion of the road where the two rail crossings are located. That would be done to alleviate the costly prospect of installing warning devices at the crossing.

(KAIR)--Law Enforcement Officer of the Year 2016.

That honor was presented Thursday to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie by Atchison VFW Post 1175.

The award was presented by Commander Les Smith and Junior Vice-Commander Fred Gage. “We have recognized Jack as our law enforcement officer of the year because, frankly, since he’s been elected, he has done several significant issues to better the performance of his staff and also the communications in the county area for emergency services,” Gage said.

Laurie says he was surprised when Smith and Gage arrived at his office, but was curious prior to their visit based on questions posed to him by Undersheriff Joe Butner. “Undersheriff Butner was asking me if I was going to be around the office at a certain time and he wouldn’t tell me why, I really didn’t ask I guess. But, I told him I would be and here they came in, Les Smith and Fred Gage and Undersheriff Butner, it was a really nice award.”

Gage says the award began as a way to show those who serve that they are appreciated by the community. “Every year we go throughout the community looking for those individuals that have done a little bit above and beyond because these individuals on a daily basis do marvelous things for our community,” Gage said. “And, they don’t get the recognition they need. A lot of times they just say, ‘Oh, that’s my job.’ But, the VFW has been working to recognize these people a little bit more.”

Gage, who serves as Pershing Chapter Secretary and Treasurer, says the award is part of a VFW goal to provide such recognition. “For many years, the national VFW have encouraged their post commanders to recognize those individuals that do a lot of work for the community such as policeman, fireman, EMTs, hospital workers. The VFW has programs to recognize those both at the post and state level.”

One firefighter is also honored by VFW Post 1175 each year, and Gage says that recipient will be announced next week.

(KAIR)--New year, new hours.

That word from the Atchison Library.

According to the its’ website, the library will be closing three hours earlier on Saturday afternoons.

Instead of closing at 5:00, the Atchison library will now close at 2:00 in the afternoon.

The shortened Saturday hours take effect Jan. 1.

Additionally, the library will be closed Dec. 31 - Jan. 2.

Regular hours for the library will resume Jan. 3.

(KAIR)--Numerous ongoing construction projects in Atchison continue to make progress as mild winter weather has worked in construction’s favor.

“There are certain things you can do when it’s cold and certain things you can’t do,” said Atchison’s Public Works and Utilities Director Justin Pregont. “But certainly if it’s 50 degrees, there are almost no limitations so everything happens really fast.”

While some larger projects like the new hotel and YMCA won’t be completed until late 2017, residents will soon notice improvements around Atchison.

“We’re working with Westar and StressCrete to replace some of the old streetlights downtown and that project should finish up in the next six weeks,” Pregont said.

He also mentioned a federal grant the city received to do a series of sidewalk improvements of the west half of downtown between Main Street and Kansas.

Downtown isn’t the only area of Atchison slated for new construction.

“In the next four weeks, our South Atchison Trail Project should get under construction and that’ll be done between three and five months,” Pregont said. “That’s something to be on the lookout for.”

Pregont added he’s working on multiple grant applications for other construction projects and he’s hopeful those will be added to the list of projects for the upcoming year.

(KLZA)--The Pawnee City Council has approved a new Street Plan calling for new concrete for 48 blocks of the streets in the community. 

Evan Wickersham with JEO Consultants suggested new concrete for the 48 blocks to be paid for with a half-cent sales tax increase approved by Pawnee City voters in November.  

The action was taken during the December 27th Council meeting.  

The Council also agreed to a request from the Pawnee City Chamber of Commerce to pay the monthly electrical bill on a lighted billboard on Highway 50 on the north edge of Pawnee City.  The fee is approximately $22 per month. 

(KAIR)--Formal charges are filed against the man accused of leading authorities on a pursuit from Doniphan County into Saint Joseph, Missouri, where the chase ended in a crash Tuesday night.

KQ2-TV reports Saint Joseph resident Slade Miller is charged in Buchanan County with driving while intoxicated and driving with a revoked license.

He is additionally charged with misdemeanor domestic assault, stemming from what the TV station reports was Miller's alleged attempt Monday to run over his ex-girlfriend. Court documents reveal he hit a neighbor’s car, causing damage, during the alleged vehicular attack.

Miller is also charged with leaving the scene of an early December Saint Joseph wreck.

According to court documents, Miller, running a red light during the Tuesday night pursuit, crashed his vehicle into another vehicle in the area of Saint Joseph's South Belt Wal-Mart.

Two people in the vehicle he collided with suffered injuries.

Miller apparently fled from Doniphan County authorities Tuesday night when they attempted to stop him for a broken tail-light and improper tags.

(KAIR)--Take the plunge this Saturday morning at Horton’s first annual Polar Bear Plunge and Walk.

The charity event sponsored by Horton Parks and Recreation kicks off at 9:30 at the Horton Lake Boat Dock.

“The walk will be about a mile, mile and a half long,” said Horton Parks and Recreation Director Keith Olson. “The plunge shouldn’t take too long, everyone will just jump in or stick their feet in—whatever they want to do to take part in it.”

He says it’s open to all ages and costs $25 per person to participate with the proceeds being donated to the Horton Pool Fund.

Horton voters approved a one-percent citywide retailers sales tax to fund the construction of the new Horton Swimming Pool during the August primary elections.

A new pool for Horton has been a top priority for the past three years since the old pool was closed due to safety reasons.

Back in 2015, Horton Mayor Tim Lentz called the new pool a major goal of his after being sworn in as Mayor for another term.

(KAIR)--A burn ban for Atchison County is now in place until further notice.

According to a text alert from the County Emergency Management Director, no open burning is allowed.

The alert states the National Weather Service has issued a red flag fire warning for Atchison County.

Check mscnews.net for further updates on the ban.

(KLZA)-- No deficiencies and no findings was the report from Julie Bauman, CPA when she presented the Fiscal Year 15-16 Audit to the Pawnee City Mayor and Council Tuesday evening. 

The Council reviewed structural engineer observation reports from Jason Suelter concerning properties at 522 G Street and 526 G Street owned by Jerry Graham. Graham reported he is in discussion with someone on fixing up the buildings.

A property owned by Marissa and Travis Kobza at 601 G Street was also discussed. The former dental office has been declared dangerous and for safety reasons Mayor Charlie Hatfield has ordered barricades be placed around the building. The Kobza’s are attempting to sell the building. 

The Council requested Graham and the Kobza’s to return in 60-days with an update on their plans for the buildings.

(KAIR)--The hearing for a Wathena man facing a child sex charge is still on hold.

55-year-old Thomas Miller’s motion for a competency evaluation was approved last Wednesday in Doniphan County District Court.

No other hearings are scheduled while the evaluation is being done.

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

He was arrested in November on the felony charge.

Miller remains in the Doniphan County Jail on a $100,000 bond after the motion for a bond modification was denied.

(KAIR)--The decision to close a portion of a Brown County road is on hold. That follows a public hearing held Tuesday during the regular meeting of the Brown County Commission.

At issue is the possible closure of the portion of Kingfisher Road that lies over two railroad crossings, north of 250th Road. Both the Commission and the Union Pacific Railroad are seeking the closure for safety reasons.

During Tuesday's public hearing, voices of opposition were heard, with nine individuals voicing their concerns should the road be closed. Among them was Brown County Sheriff John Merchant. “I've had concerns from county residents that live out that way,” Merchant tells MSC News. “[They] expressed a concern about of a lack of emergency response time, should that road be closed, and the ability to get emergency services there, as they should be.”

During the public hearing, no one voiced support for the proposed closure.

No decision was reached, as Commissioner Steve Roberts was absent from the meeting. Instead, Commissioners Warren Ploeger and Keith Olsen voted to table the matter until Friday morning's 9:00 meeting of the Commission when Roberts will be present.

The railroad has offered the county a payment of $150,000 to close the portion of the road where the two rail crossings are located. That would be done to alleviate the costly prospect of installing warning devices at the crossing.

TROY, Kan. (AP) - A man whose 8-year-old granddaughter died in a northeast Kansas crash after he let her drive him home from church is awaiting sentencing. The St. Joseph News-Press reports that Dennis Meers, of St. Joseph, is set to be sentenced Feb. 6 after pleading no contest last week to aggravated child endangerment.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says Meers' granddaughter, Cadence Orcutt, was killed in November 2015 when she lost control of the car. The vehicle plunged down an embankment and overturned in rural Doniphan County. Meers also was injured.

Meers previously was sentenced to two years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for felony driving while his license was revoked. In 1996 and 2001, Meers was convicted in Missouri on charges of being a persistent offender for driving while intoxicated.

(KLZA)-- A name change has been ordered for the now former Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge in Holt County, Missouri.

According to the Mound City News, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Daniel Ashe  made the decision in early December that Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge will be renamed.  

“Squaw Creek” has been replaced by the interim name Eagle Flats National Wildlife Refuge. 

The name change was discussed in mid-December during an invitation-only meeting it was reveasled that Director Ashe made the decision to remove “Squaw” from the name of the refuge because of the derogatory and offensive nature of the word among many Native Americans. 

A permanent name for the refuge is to be selected. 

During the meeting, a number of people voiced their displeasure with the name change. 

Those present suggested the name Loess Mounds National Wildlife Refuge be submitted to the director for consideration as the permanent name.  

The name change is expected to be official in early January. 

Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge was established on August 23, 1935 by an Executive Order by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

The refuge includes more than 7,400 acres of wetlands, grasslands, and forests along the eastern edge of the Missouri River floodplain. 

(KAIR)--A Tuesday night, Atchison County rollover wreck sends a Summerfield resident to the hospital.

Sheriff Jack Laurie says it happened around 11:20 when 58-year-old Ricky Kauffman was northbound on U.S. Highway 73, near Huron at Graham Road.

The 2003 Ford Ranger left the roadway and rolled over, trapping Kauffman inside.

The Atchison County Rescue unit extricated Kauffman from the wreckage, and he was transported to the Atchison Hospital by Atchison County EMS.

Laurie says Kauffman suffered possible injuries to the neck in the crash, but his condition was not considered life threatening.

(KAIR)--An Oskaloosa resident requires hospitalized care following a single vehicle Atchison County crash Tuesday afternoon.

Sheriff Jack Laurie says 29-year-old Dawn Seymour was northbound on Osbourne road, when she fell asleep.

With no one in control at the wheel, Seymour's car drifted off the west side of the road, struck some small trees, and then went down a steep embankment, where it was stopped by a large tree.

Laurie says Seymour was transported to the Atchison hospital for the treatment of possible non-life threatening head injuries.

(KAIR)--The Junior Senior High School, in Effingham, will be without power for several hours Thursday.

Superintendent of Atchison County's USD 377, Steve Wiseman, says the outage, necessary for the installation of a new power pole, had been planned for Wednesday.

However, Wiseman says Westar rescheduled due to limited manpower.

He says the outage, planned to begin at 8:00 Thursday morning, means the district will be without internet, which also affects the telephone system.

Power is expected to be restored by noon.

(KAIR)--A two-vehicle roll-over wreck on Atchison’s Westside, at what is commonly referred to as ‘Omaha Junction,’ sent one to the hospital.

According to a report from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson, it was 2:00 Monday afternoon when a pickup driven by Atchison resident Taylor Funk was headed south on Service Road. While turning East onto U.S. 59 Highway, the truck collided with a Westbound vehicle driven by Atchison resident Jennifer Reavis.

Funk’s pickup ended on its side. The report said first responders broke a window of the truck to allow Funk and one passenger to exit the vehicle. Both were uninjured.

Reavis was taken to the hospital by EMS for examination.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story included a misspelled name. We have corrected the error and apologize for any inconvenience. 

(KAIR)--A pursuit that began in Doniphan County Tuesday night ends with a crash in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

KQ2-TV reports the vehicle being pursued by the Doniphan County Sheriff's Department crashed in front of the city's South Belt Walmart.

Citing Saint Joseph Police Sergeant Keith Dudley, the TV station reports the suspect vehicle crashed into another vehicle unrelated to the pursuit.

Injuries are reported, with at least one person transported for treatment at Saint Joseph's Mosaic Life Care. Details about who was hurt are not immediately made public.

Exactly what led to the pursuit, and who was involved, also remains unspecified as the investigation continues.

(KNZA)--Two are jailed in Jackson County, following what Sheriff Tim Morse describes as a Tuesday afternoon pursuit.

He says it happened around 12:30, when a deputy attempted to stop a pickup truck bearing what authorities believed was a stolen dealer's tag.

The vehicle, traveling near 166th and U.S. Highway 75, failed to stop, leading to a pursuit, with the truck leaving the roadway, and driving into a field, off of Q. Road, south of 134th Road.

The vehicle became stuck, and Morse says that while the passenger surrendered immediately, the driver fled on foot into a wooded area.

The Kansas Highway Patrol, complete with helicopter assistance, Potawatomi Tribal Police, and the Hoyt Police Department, all joined the search.

The suspect was captured by a Jackson County Deputy, around 1:20, as he attempted to flee the area in a creek bed.

He is identified as 38-year-old Troy Hill, of Topeka. He faces charges of felony fleeing and eluding, felony interference with law enforcement, driving while revoked, and possession of stolen property.

The passenger, 29-year-old Andrea Godfrey, of Topeka, faces charges of felony interference with law enforcement, and possession of stolen property.

Both were booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KAIR)--A man asleep behind the wheel of a car draws attention, and that leads to his arrest in Atchison County on charges related to drug possession.

Sheriff Jack Laurie says it happened on Christmas morning, around 7:45, at the intersection of 254th Road and U.S. Highway 59, when his office received a report regarding the sleeping man.

Deputies responded and found 39-year-old Kevin Teeter Jr. asleep in the driver's seat of the vehicle.

Teeter, of Topeka, was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Following his apprehension, Teeter was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KAIR)--A two vehicle, Leavenworth County crash, sends a Leavenworth man to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened Monday night, around 9:30, at 158th Road and State Avenue, in Basehor.

It was there that an eastbound pickup truck, driven by 21-year-old Basehor resident Tyler Austin, ran a red light, and pulled in front of a westbound SUV, driven by 47-year-old Leavenworth resident Jeffrey Adams.

That caused Adams' vehicle to smash into the passenger side of Austin's truck in the intersection.

Adams was transported to the University of Kansas Hospital, in Kansas City, Kansas, for treatment of unspecified injuries.

The Patrol says Austin suffered only possible injuries.

According to the Patrol's report, both drivers were buckled up at the time of the crash.

DODGE CITY, Kan. (AP) – Three tornadoes were reported in Kansas on Christmas Day, causing some damage but no injuries.

The Dodge City office of the National Weather Service says the first tornado was reported six miles southeast of Bucklin Sunday morning, destroying a cattle building.  KAKE-TV reports that 20 minutes later, a horse shed was damaged three miles south of Greensburg.

Another weak tornado touched down later in a farm field southwest of Rush Center in Rush County. No damage was reported from that tornado. Strong winds attached to thunderstorms caused damage to roofs, a grain bin and trees.

No injuries are reported from the storms.

(KAIR)--The discovery of a stolen vehicle in the parking lot of a Holton business sends three to jail on charges ranging from theft to meth.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says both Sheriff's Deputies and Holton Police Officers responded to the parking lot of the Holton Walmart Friday evening, investigating a suspicious 2003 Chevy Tahoe parked in that location.

They learned the vehicle had been stolen from Topeka. The investigators also received a report that a purse had been stolen from inside another vehicle that was parked next to the Tahoe.

The purse was then located in the restroom of the Holton 7-Eleven, while the suspects were tracked to the Country Mart grocery store, where they were arrested.

Taken into custody were three Topeka residents, 33-year-old Dennis Gonzales Jr., 29-year-old Torey Truitt, and 20-year-old Alexa Cox.

Morse says all three were arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of stolen property. Truitt also faces a charge of theft.

Following their arrests, the trio was booked into the Jackson County Jail.

(KAIR)--A missing Atchison County inmate has been located.

According to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 48-year-old Shawn Jenkins was arrested Wednesday morning, taken into custody on a district court warrant for aggravated escape from custody.

The warrant was issued after Jenkins walked away from Atchison County District Court on September 27.

At the time of his escape, Jenkins had been ordered into custody by Judge Robert Bednar. He was to serve time in custody on the felony charges of flee and elude and interference with law enforcement.

Laurie says Jenkins was taken into custody in Buchanan County, Missouri, and has waived extradition.

(KAIR)--The transition for Atchison County to take over EMS service from previous management Techs. Inc. is underway.

City and county Commissioners were given an update on the progress and status of the EMS transition by Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf and recently-appointed EMS Ambulance Director Corey Scott at a joint City-County Commission meeting Monday.

The county will officially take over EMS service at 10:00 the morning of Jan. 31.

“Between now and then obviously there’s a few hurdles to jump,” Graf said. “It’s not the easiest thing in the world to do, but it certainly can be done.”

He emphasized the desire to the fire department and EMS departments to work closely together and share rules, regulations and even treatment methods.

“We will be utilizing EMS protocol,” Graf said. “County Rescue will be sharing those as well. Our two agencies are going to be very alike in a lot of different ways. I personally thing that’s in all of our best interests.”

Graf said there’s still specific logistics to work out for the transition, but he and Scott are both confident they’ll be accomplished in time for the switch.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Sheriff Don Pounds informed the Board of Commissioners this week that the new kitchen equipment is being installed in the new law enforcement center and the food management system will be starting services January 1.

Commissioners voted to approve the 2017 grant application to be submitted to the Nebraska Crime Commission for the Community-based Juvenile Services Aid funds with a grant amount of more than $75,000. The local match is nearly $8,400 and is split between Richardson, Pawnee, Nemaha and Johnson counties.

(KAIR)--A financial crime investigation by Atchison Police—going on for more than a month—lands one Atchison man behind bars.

“It centered around the theft of a debit card that belonged to an elderly victim,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “It involved multiple times that this debit card was used at various convenience stores, ATMs and even in several other nearby cities—totaling thousands of dollars that was fraudulently used on this card.”

That’s Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

He says 20-year-old Eric Smith was taken into custody on Wednesday for the alleged financial crimes. Smith was acquainted with a family member of the elderly victim.

Smith is facing multiple charges of computer crime, criminal use of a financial card and theft.

He was booked into the Atchison County Jail where he remains held on a $10,000 bond.

(KLZA)-- Two men go to jail on felony drug charges following an early Wednesday morning traffic stop.

According to Falls City Police, an officer stopped the vehicle for displaying fictitious license plates.

The driver, 34-year-old Donald Larson, of Humboldt, and 45-year-old passenger Darren Tracey, of Falls City, were both arrested on outstanding warrants, as well as possession of methamphetamine.

Police say Larson was also arrested for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no operator’s license, and unlawful display of plates.

Both men were booked into the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center.

(KLZA)-- Falls City Council members approved the expenditure of more than $45,000 Monday evening for a light fuel oil feeder pump module and light fuel oil back flush filter with bypass from the Wartsila Company.

Utility Superintendent Alan Romine said by purchasing the equipment from the company installing the new electric generation engine at the power plant,  will save some money by cutting down on engineering costs and going out for bids. 

Romine said the engineers on the project recommended purchasing the equipment from Wartsila. Their feeling was Wartsila would be responsible for making everything interfaces correctly with the new generator motor. 

Wartsila said the equipment at a weight of nearly 3,600 pounds would require a significant amount of custom design work and more expense if another company provided the equipment.

The Board of Public Works also recommended the purchase. 

(KNZA)--A warning has been issued for water customers of the City of Hiawatha as the city again exceeds the allowable level of nitrates in its drinking water.

The notification released by the city says concentrations of 11 milligrams per liter were found in a sample collected December 5, exceeding the state and federal maximum contaminant level.

Customers are told that while the water is safe to consume for most, it should not be given to infants, as children below the age of 6 months could become seriously ill. Pregnant women, or those with specific health needs, should consult a doctor prior to ingestion. The water should also not be boiled.

The high nitrate warning also effects customers of Brown County Rural Water District #2, the city of Powhattan, city of Robinson and Doniphan County Rural Water District #1, which receives its water from Hiawatha.

The city plans to construct a new water treatment plant to address the high nitrate issues, already securing the funding needed, with an engineering firm hired to design and oversee the construction. The city anticipates the plant being done in 18 to 24 months. In the meantime, the city says it will continue to adjust its wells to lessen the level of nitrates in the drinking water.

Meanwhile, Brown County Rural Water District No. 2 has partnered with several other water suppliers in the region to create Public Wholesale Water Supply No. 27 for the purpose of distributing high quality water that is low in nitrates to its member entities at the lowest cost possible.

The new public wholesale water supply district is expected to be under construction later this year and operational by the spring of 2017.

The full warning notices are below: 

 THE CITY OF HIAWATHA has exceeded the state and federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) allowed for nitrate (as N) in drinking water.  Concentrations of 11.0 milligrams per liter (mg/l) were found in a sample collected on December 5, 2016.  Nitrate above 10 mg/l is considered to be an acute MCL violation.

What to do?

DO Not GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS.  Infants below the age of six months who drink the water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die.  Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome.  Blue baby syndrome is indicated by blueness of the skin.  Symptoms in infants can develop rapidly, with heath deteriorating over period of days.  If symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately.

• Water, juice, and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with tap water.  Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants until further notice.

• DO NOT BOIL THE WATER.  Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not reduce the nitrate level.  Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated, because nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates.

• Adults and children older than six months can drink the tap water (nitrate is a concern for infants because they can’t process nitrates in the same way adults can) However, if you are pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.

Source of Nitrate

Nitrate in drinking water can come from natural, industrial, or agricultural sources (including septic systems and run-off).  Levels of nitrate can vary in drinking water throughout the year.  The City of Hiawatha will let consumers know when the amount of nitrate is again below the limit.

Corrective Action

The City of Hiawatha is working with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and USDA Rural Development to bring the nitrate levels to an acceptable level. We have secured funding for a water treatment plant and have hired an engineering firm to design and oversee the construction. We anticipate the plant being done in 18 to 24 months. In the meantime, we will continue to adjust our wells to lessen the level of nitrates in the drinking water.

For additional information, please contact Rick Koenig at (785) 742-7850 or stop at City Hall at 701 Oregon Street, or call (785) 742-7417.

This notice is being sent to you by City of Hiawatha, State Water System ID# KS 8500.

Distributed on December 21, 2016.

DRINKING WATER WARNING

Brown County Rural Water District No. 2 water system has high levels of nitrate

The City of Hiawatha collected a water sample on December 5, 2016 from which Rural Water District No. 2 purchases water and it showed nitrate levels of 11.0 mg/L. This is above the federal and state nitrate standard or maximum contaminant level (CL) of 10 mg/L. Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six months old.

What to do?

• DO NOT GIVE THE WATER TO INFANTS. Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. Blue baby syndrome is indicated by blueness of the skin. Symptoms in infants can develop rapidly, with health deteriorating over a period of days. If symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately.

• Water, juice and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with tap water. Bottled water or other water low in nitrates should be used for infants until further notice.

• DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, filtering or letting water stand does not reduce the nitrate level. Excessive boiling can make the nitrates more concentrated, because nitrates remain behind when the water evaporates.

• Adults and children older than six months can drink the tap water (nitrate is a concern for infants because they can’t process nitrates in the same way adults can). However, if you are pregnant or have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.

Source of Nitrate: Nitrate in drinking water can come from natural, industrial or agricultural sources (including septic systems and run-off). Levels of nitrate in drinking water can vary throughout the year. Brown County Rural Water District No. 2 will let you know when the amount of nitrate is again below the limit.

Corrective Action: Brown County Rural Water District No. 2 has partnered with several other water suppliers in our region to create Public Wholesale Water Supply No. 27 for the purpose of distributing high quality water that is low in nitrates to its member entities at the lowest cost possible.  PWWSD #27 has been designed by its engineering consultant and has secured funding from Kansas Department of Health and Environment and USDA Rural Development.  PWWSD #27 is currently under construction and is expected to be in operation by spring of 2017.  

For more information, please contact Harold Keller at 785-474-3407 or by mail at 110 N. Commercial St, P.O. Box 126, Powhattan, KS 66527.

This notice is being sent to you by the Brown Co. RWD #2, State Water System ID # 8510.

(KNZA)--Authorities are warning the public of a new scam circulating in the local area.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant told MSC News several residents have reported receiving telephone calls from someone claiming to represent President-Elect Donald Trump. The scammer then tries to collect money from residents for the falsified reason of providing funding to Trump.

Residents reported the callers were pleasant, convincing and professional. Merchant said one man even reported the caller asked if he had voted for Trump. When he indicated he had, the conversation turned to a donation for Trump to keep ‘things going in the right direction,’ the caller had said.

Nobody who reported the scam gave money, but simply hung up.

Merchant tells residents this is a scam and reminds everyone to never to give personal information over the phone.

He said anyone who reports scams like this are appreciated so his office can inform the public.

(KAIR)--Another Atchison man is arrested in connection with the theft of firearms from an Atchison residence.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News 19-year-old Trevor VanHoozer allegedly assisted another 21-year-old male in the theft of firearms on Nov. 15.

“That investigation determined that VanHoozer assisted in the transportation of 13 stolen guns from a crime scene to two separate locations where we recovered all the guns,” Wilson said. “VanHoozer was prohibited from possession of the firearms because of his criminal history.”

Wilson said VanHoozer was taken into custody Tuesday evening around 10:30 when an officer spotted a vehicle in the 1600 block of Santa Fe they believed to be associated with VanHoozer.

After stopping the vehicle, officers discovered marijuana, drug paraphernalia and alcohol. He now faces charges of marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession and possession of alcohol by an underage person.

In connection with the theft of guns, he’s charged with criminal possession of a firearm and attempted theft of a firearm. Lastly, he faces a district court warrant for failure to appear in court.

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

(KAIR)--The boil water advisory in place for the Doniphan County community of Troy has been lifted.

According to a text alert from the city, customers no longer need to boil the water prior to drinking or cooking.

The advisory has been in place since Sunday following a water main break.

(KLZA)-- The Southeast Community College Board of Governors Tuesday approved a purchase agreement with Armbruster Motor Company of Falls City on nearly eight acres of land adjacent to the Falls City Aquatic Center. The reported purchase price will be $75,000.

This will be the site of the Southeast Community College, Falls City Regional Learning Center.

The college has been looking for a location since August of 2015. Many sites and buildings around Falls City were researched. Falls City EDGE Executive Director Beckie Cromer said the Learning Center will allow the training needs of the entire region to be addressed. 

EDGE plans to work with the college and their architects on a design build to meet the needs of the area workforce. An exact time frame for construction is not known. During the February SCC Board of Governors meeting, several construction projects will be prioritized. 

The Falls City Learning Center is expected to be a 10-thousand square foot facility. 

Cromer thanked the EDGE Tri State Labor Committee members for their work on the project. Members include Charlie Radatz, Ryan Larsen, Tim Heckenlively, Valerie Buckminster, Ruben Koopman, Katie Youngquist, Mayor Jerry Oliver, Doris Erickson and Cromer.
In addition, she thanked SCC President Dr. Paul Illich and the SCC Site Team, led by Bob Morgan.

Cromer offered special thanks to Armbruster Motor Company for their willingness to sell the land. The current addition to the Armbruster Motor Company at it’s present location made the site available.
Comer says without landowners that are willing to sell, these types of projects cannot move forward.  

The Learning Center in Falls City will serve the training needs of the region by providing coursework in the areas of manufacturing, healthcare and education. Southeast Community College is also planning new learning centers in Nebraska City, Hebron, Plattsmouth, Wahoo and York.

 LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has warned thousands of current and former students about a computer security breach.

Campus officials said Tuesday in a letter to about 30,000 people that the breach potentially exposed thousands of student names, ID numbers and grades to an outside source. Officials say no Social Security numbers, credit card information or other personal data was stored on the computer server, which has been shut down.

The breach occurred sometime in the past two years. University spokesman Steve Smith says the source of the server breach isn't known. A routine scan of the server during a system update uncovered the breach.

The letter to the students says the university has no evidence "that anyone has used this information for illegal or malicious activity."
 

(KLZA)-- Unemployment figures for the month of November were mixed in extreme Southeast Nebraska counties.

Pawnee County had a November unemployment rate of 1.9 percent, down six-tenths from October.  

Nemaha County had an increase in unemployment of four-tenths to 3.7 percent.  The Johnson County unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.4 percent.

Unemployment in Richardson County was up two-tenths to 3.3 percent and the Otoe County jobless rate was up a tenth to 3.5 percent. 

In Gage County the unemployment rate dipped four-tenths to 3.1 percent in November.

Statewide the unemployment rate in November was 3.4 percent.  Up a tenth from October and up four-tenths from November, 2015.  

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City Council members discussed the 1 & 6 Year Street Plan when they met last week. 

It’s likely the 46 blocks proposed to be in the upcoming paving project will be in the One-Year Plan.  Pawnee City voters approved an additional half-cent sales tax to pay for the street projects in November.  

Several other streets could be added to the paving projects if bids come in low enough.  Those streets will likely be on the Six-Year List. 

There was also much discussion about a couple of gravel streets in the city limits. Evan Wickersham with JEO Consultants will be asked to look at the streets and develop a solution. 

Pawnee City Council members will likely discuss the plans again during the December 27th Council meeting.  

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth woman was sentenced Tuesday to four months in custody followed by four months home confinement for embezzling more than $500,000 from the bank where she worked. She was also ordered to pay full restitution.

 According to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall, 29-year-old Ashley Blacketer pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank employee. In her plea, she admitted the crime occurred while she worked for Exchange National Bank & Trust in Leavenworth.

 Over a period of six years, Blacketer covered up the crime by falsifying a ledger showing the amount of cash in the bank’s vault. The crime was discovered during an audit after she left the bank for another job.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners discussed the condition of 710 Road west of Highway 73 with Jim Balke of Dawson Ag Service during their December 13th meeting.

Bahlke suggested moving the portion of the gravel road running along the Nemaha River due to the river banks approaching the road right of way. 

No decisions were made. Highway Superintendent Scott Huppert was present at the meeting.

Commissioners also met with Richardson County Public Defender William VonSeggern to review his claim submitted for reimbursement for expenses incurred during a recent trial.  

No decision was made on the claim during the meeting.  
 

(KLZA)-- Falls City Council members approved two contracts with unions representing city workers Monday night.

Contracts were approved with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 571 and with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1536. Under the new agreements, employees will receive a 2.5-percent pay raise each year of the three-year contract.

The new contracts are effective October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2019.

Council members Judy Murphy, Kirby Robidoux and Jim Wisdom were absent from the meeting.  

In other business the Council approved amending the ordinance on current electrical rates, fees and charges. The action will not actually change customers overall rates, but is due to a customer putting in solar panels and being allowed by statute, to sell a certain amount of electricity back to the City.
 

(KLZA)-- Bob Miller, President of the Pawnee City Economic Development Corporation informed the City Council last week of property being donated to the group that will eventually be owned by the City. 

Fred and Louise Kenton have agree to donated property located just to the north of where the new Assisted Living facility is to be located to the Pawnee City Community Foundation.  The properties will then be turned over to the City. Pawnee City will then be responsible for razing two homes on the property.

The area could eventually be utilized for further developments.  

(KNZA)--The two winners of this year’s Hiawatha Chamber of Commerce “ Shop Local” campaign have been announced.

Chamber Director Deidra Leander said Tuesday Megan Massey was the winner of the $1,000 give away.  Her winning ticket came from Sarah Kathryn’s.

Leander said Christy Hageman was the winner of the $500 give away.  Her winning ticket came from  Just for You Jewelry and Gifts.  

The winning ticket numbers were announced Tuesday morning on KNZA Radio.

18 businesses participated in this year’s “ Shop Local” campaign, which ran from November 14th  to December 17.

The two prize winners will have until December 19th, 2017 to spend their winnings at the participating businesses.

(KAIR)--A dedication to cooperation.

That’s the key takeaway from the combined Atchison City Commission and County Commission meeting Monday.

Commissioners discussed a variety of topics ranging from economic development to the EMS service.

“If there is someway to work together getter,” said City Manager Trey Cocking. “I think it’s happening at the fire level. It’s been happening at the law enforcement level. I think there are places it’s happening.”

He wasn’t the only person to voice support for joint county and city cooperation.

“Together we’re better,” said Mayor Jack Bower. “If we keep ourselves focused on what’s ahead of us, we’ll be better.”

County Commission Chairman Bill Pohl suggested city and county commissioners meet more often to increase joint efforts between the two branches.

Though no actions were taken during the meeting, commissioners felt the discussion and joint-work works to make a better community.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Foundation of Economic Development has a new director.

Mikaela Moore recently began work as director of the organization.

Moore was introduced Monday to the Brown County Commission by HFED
board member Connie Matthewson.

Matthewson said Moore moved back to the area last year with her husband, Jeff.

She has a degree in public relations.

Moore replaces Kristen Hillyer who resigned in May after serving as director more than 2 years.

On the recommendation of Moore, the Commission approved the appointment of four individuals to the county micro-loan committee.  They include T.J. Wilson, Greg Rodvelt, Ben Walker and Dr. Steffen Shamburg.

HFED is to hold their annual meeting January 12th at 6:00 in the evening at the Klinefelter farm barn.

(KAIR)--Suspected damage to an Atchison County shed leads investigators to an Atchison man, who ends up in jail after he's arrested on meth related charges.

According to Sheriff Jack Laurie, 45-year-old Jason Thomas was arrested after his vehicle was located in the 1900 block of Pine Street, in Atchison, Monday afternoon.

The search for the vehicle began after the Sheriff's Office received a report that someone was using a hammer in an apparent attempt to damage a shed, located at 4026 U.S. Highway 59.

Although Laurie says the owner of the property will not press charges, Thomas, when located, was found to be in possession of what authorities say was methamphetamine. He was taken into custody on related charges, and booked into the Atchison County Jail.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - State analysts say Westar Energy is putting shareholder enrichment ahead of reasonable electric rates for customers with its proposed sale to Kansas City Power & Light.

The Wichita Eagle reports that analysts representing the staff of the Kansas Corporation Commission and the Citizens' Utility Ratepayer Board raised the concerns in hundreds of pages of testimony filed late last week. Also expressing concerns were several consumer intervenors in the case.

A Westar spokeswoman says the company remains confident of completing the merger next spring.

KCP&L's parent company, Missouri-based Great Plains Energy, is seeking to buy Westar. The $12.2 billion transaction would involve taking on $3.6 billion in Westar debt.

If the merger's approved, Westar and KCP&L will become a single electric company straddling the Kansas/Missouri border, with 1.5 million customers.

 WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - State analysts say Westar Energy is putting shareholder enrichment ahead of reasonable electric rates for customers with its proposed sale to Kansas City Power & Light.
 
The Wichita Eagle reports that analysts representing the staff of the Kansas Corporation Commission and the Citizens' Utility Ratepayer Board raised the concerns in hundreds of pages of testimony filed late last week. Also expressing concerns were several consumer intervenors in the case.
 
A Westar spokeswoman says the company remains confident of completing the merger next spring.
 
KCP&L's parent company, Missouri-based Great Plains Energy, is seeking to buy Westar. The $12.2 billion transaction would involve taking on $3.6 billion in Westar debt.
 
If the merger's approved, Westar and KCP&L will become a single electric company straddling the Kansas/Missouri border, with 1.5 million customers.

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (left) talks to Atchison Boys and Girls Club Unit Director Joel Hardy (right) about cards the Senator was given by the club members.

(KAIR)--The Boys and Girls Club of Atchison was Monday's destination for United States Senator Jerry Moran.

During the stop, the Kansas Republican met with Unit Director Joel Hardy, members of the club's board, and volunteers, discussing the operations of the club, funding possibilities, and the challenges that come with overseeing the needs of the local youth. “The boys and girls club invited me to come see the club and what they do,” said U.S. Senator Jerry Moran. “There are federal grants available for boys and girls clubs and I’m always interested in making sure that money that taxpayers spend is spent well. But, mostly I wanted to be here to encourage local people to engage in trying to make life better for other people—particularly our youngsters.”

During the visit, Moran was given cards created by the club's young members, who posed questions to the Senator. “I say it’s good to be in front of kids—it’s also very intimidating,” Moran said. “You never know exactly what the question is going to be. It’s sometimes hard for a guy at my stage of life to relate to these youngsters. But I do want them to know there’s someone in the nations’ capital who works on their behalf, cares about them and their family, who knows where Atchison is and who knows what a boys and girls club is.”

Atchison was the Senator's final stop on his latest Kansas visit, departing the Boys and Girls Club to catch a plane destined for Washington D.C.

(KNZA)--Doniphan County employees have been granted a pay raise for 2017.

The Doniphan County Commission voted 2-1 Monday to approve a 50 cent an hour pay increase for county employees and elected officials, with the exception of the county commissioners, beginning January 1st.  Commissioner Jerry McKernan cast the lone no vote.

The Commission also voted unanimously to increase the starting salary for county employees to $10 an hour beginning January 1st, 2017.

In other business, the Commission voted to enroll a second site on 180th Spur Road, which is old K-7 Highway, in the USDA Emergency Watershed Protection Program through the Natural Resources Conservation Service for a bank stabilization project.   Federal funds would  pay for 75 percent of the projected $53,000 project cost, with the county responsible for the remaining 25 percent.    

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission has approved an engineering agreement for street improvements to be funded by a half-cent sales tax approved by voters in November.

The Commission voted 4-1 Monday evening to approve an agreement with Lawrence-based BG Consultants for the design and preparation of the construction plans and bid specifications for the project.  Commissioner Bill Collins cast the lone no vote.

The firm will be a paid a lump sum fee of $265,000 plus reimbursable expenses.

Engineer Brian Kingsley with BG Consultants said plans are to have the project ready to put out for bid in June.

Meanwhile, members of a newly appointed committee that's to help determine the fate of the downtown brick streets met with the Commission.

Mayor Steffen Shamburg discussed the expectations for the 7-member advisory committee, which is to make a recommendation to the Commission.

Shamburg told the committee members there isn't a timeframe for that to happen, but the sooner the better.

One of the first things the committee will do is to develop a questionnaire to be included with water bills to gather the input of residents on the issue.

In other action, the Commission approved a merit raise for City Administrator Mike Nichols following an executive session.  Nichols annual salary will increase to $82,000.          

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has accepted a bid for a streambank stabilization project southeast of Robinson. Greg Bebermeyer reports..

The Commission Monday accepted the low bid submitted by Aller’s LLC, of Hiawatha, in the amount of $201,680 for the project along 205th Road, contingent on the company meeting several requirements.

The bid was among two received.

Funding through the Natural Resources Conservation Services Emergency Watershed Protection Program will pay for 75 percent of the project cost, with the county responsible for the remaining 25 percent.

About 350 to 400 feet of the stream bank along the Wolf River will be repaired.  The stream bank suffered heavy erosion during a storm on September 13th that brought heavy rainfall and flooding.

District Conservationist Matt Sprick says a start date for the project will not be set until there’s a 20-day window available to complete the project without any weather issues.

In other business, bids were opened for the purchase of a new rotary mower for the county road and bridge department.

The Commission accepted a bid from Skyview Equipment of Hiawatha for a  New Holland disc mower for $5,000 with the trade-in of a 2012 mower.

Hiawatha Implement submitted a bid for the same amount for a John Deere mower, but the Commission opted to go with the bid from Skyview Equipment since the county has used parts on hand for a New Holland mower.      

(MSC News)---A new trial date has been set for a former physician assistant accused of sexually abusing patients at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Leavenworth.

A jury trial for 64-year-old Mark Wisner, of Horton, is now set to began April 3rd in Leavenworth County District Court. The trial is scheduled for five days.

The Leavenworth Times reports that comes after the two criminal cases against Wisner were consolidated.

He faces charges of aggravated sexual battery, aggravated criminal sodomy and three misdemeanor counts of sexual battery.

The crimes allegedly occurred in 2014 while Wisner worked at the Eisenhower VA Medical Center.

Wisner surrendered his medical license last year after at least seven patients accused him of abusing them.

In addition to the criminal charges, Wisner also faces multiple civil lawsuits that have been filed in federal court.

(KLZA)-- During last weeks Auburn School Board meeting Jamie Victor, Vice President of the Fine Arts Boosters met with the Board. 

Victor provided information on the organizations activities and the programs they are supporting.

One of their major projects is to raise funds for new band uniforms. Discussion was held on various ways to raise the funds needed for uniforms. 

Board members also approved a resolution honoring National Mentoring Month during the meeting.  

(KAIR)--Three are arrested in Atchison after the theft of a blank check from a residence in the 1100 block of Santa Fe.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News 23-year-old Ashlynn Clinton was arrested for forgery and theft after she allegedly stole and cashed the blank check in the amount of $300 from her mother 44-year-old Melissa Gabe.

However, Wilson said during the investigation, officers determined Gabe was wanted on a State of Louisiana warrant for bank fraud and she was arrested for that charge.

Additionally, another man, who Wilson described as a boyfriend to Clinton, was arrested for obstructing legal process after he gave officers a false name during the investigation

All three were booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KLZA)--A Stella, Nebraska man was pronounced dead at the scene of a two-vehicle crash in Richardson County Friday afternoon.

Richardson County Sheriff Don Pounds says killed in the wreck at the intersection of Highways 62 and 75 west of Stella was 49-year-old Dennis Lockard.

Pounds says Lockard was westbound on Highway 62 when he failed to yield the right of way to a southbound pickup truck on Highway 75 driven by 48-year-old Omaha resident Timothy Shoup.  Shoup’s pickup struck Lockard’s vehicle when it entered the highway.  Shoup was not hurt.

Pounds says authorities were not able to determine if Lockard slid through the intersection or failed to stop. He says the roads were slick when emergency personnel responded to the call around 1:30 Friday afternoon.

Also responding to the scene of the wreck were Humboldt Fire, Humboldt Rescue, Richardson County Emergency Management and the Nebraska Department of Roads.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Council approved the annual appointments by Mayor Charlie Hatfield during their December 12th meeting.

City Attorney – L. Joe Stehlik.
Deputy City Attorney – Jennifer Stehlik-Ladman.
City Clerk – Treasurer – Tamela Stephens.
City Street Superintendent – Evan Wickersham with JEO Consulting Group.
JEO will serve as the Consulting Engineer.

Council member Sandi Corbitt-Sears will serve as the Council President.  

Law Enforcement Committee: Mayor Hatfield, Council members Sandi Corbitt-Sears and John Dahlgren.

Health Board: Hatfield, Sheriff Jaymee Reed, Dr. Rick Jackson, and Corbitt-Sears. 

Reuse Committee: Joe Stehlik, Jim Kubik and Mayor Hatfield. 

Council Appointments included:
Ric Helms – Streets, alleys and crossings, and Tree Board.
Mark Sunneberg Jr. – Library, Parks, Recreation and Swimming Pool.
John Dahlgren – Sewer, Pawnee City Development Corporation and Assisted Living.
Sandi Corbitt-Sears – Water and Fire, Animal Control Board. 

Duane Westing will represent the City on the Assisted Living Committee.

(MSC News)--A jury has convicted a Jefferson County man on charges in connection with a deadly crash during a police pursuit.

The Topeka Capital Journal reports a Shawnee County jury found 63-year-old Sherman Jenkins guilty Friday of eight charges--including felony first-degree murder--after deliberating about an hour.

Jenkins was also found guilty on two counts of aggravated battery, two counts of felony fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and three misdemeanor counts.

Sentencing was set for January 30th.

Authorities say Jenkins lead officers on a slow speed chase early February 4th in north Topeka that ended with a deadly three-vehicle crash at Southwest 6th and Topeka Boulevard. A passenger in one of the vehicle struck by Jenkins, 34-year-old Topeka resident Mia Holdon, died from injuries.  Three others, including Jenkins, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The pursuit began after an officer attempted to stop Jenkins, who was driving a stolen pickup truck, for driving without operating tail lights.

(MSC News)--A boil water advisory has been issued for the Doniphan County community of Troy.

That follows a water main break Sunday morning.

Notice of the water main break was reported shortly before 7:00 in a text alert, and water service has since been restored.

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

The boil advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

(KNZA)--A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper was injured Saturday afternoon in a three-vehicle wreck involving a Valley Falls woman.

It happened on Interstate-70 about 7 1/2 miles west of Topeka shortly before 2:15.

The Patrol says 19-year-old Suvana Badgett was eastbound when she lost control of her Volkswagon Beetle and struck a patrol car that was legally parked on the left shoulder, partially in the grassy median, with its emergency lights activated. Badgett's car then struck an unoccupied vehicle in the grassy median which had been involved in a previous crash.

A trooper sitting in the passenger seat of the patrol car, 29-year-old Topeka resident Scott Moses, was transported to a Topeka hospital for the treatment of unspecified injuries.

Badgett was not hurt.

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle wreck early Saturday afternoon on a Buchanan County, Missouri road sent a St. Joseph man to the hospital with serious injuries.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 56-year-old George Thuston was eastbound on Cook Road, a 1/4 mile east of Riverside Road in St. Joseph, when he lost control of Hummer on the ice covered road.  The vehicle went off the side of the road, struck an embankment and overturned.

Thuston, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected through the sun roof of the vehicle.

He was transported to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.

The wreck was reported shortly after 1:00.

(KNZA)---A Jefferson County roofing contractor has been temporarily banned from doing business in the state.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt says a Jefferson County judge Thursday entered a temporary restraining order prohibiting Sonny Peterson, doing business as S & J Carpentry and Roofing, of Nortonville, from acting as a roofing contractor in the state.

Schmidt filed a lawsuit alleging Peterson conducted door-to-door sales of roofing services to multiple customers in Jefferson County.  He says in all the cases, Peterson failed to provide customers with notice of their three-day right to cancel and cashed checks before the required five-day waiting period.

In some cases, Schmidt said customers paid Peterson for work that never was performed.  In addition, he says Peterson failed to register as required by the Kansas Roofing Registration Act.

In the lawsuit, Schmidt is seeking restituton and penalties against Peterson.

Schmidt reminds residents to make sure roofing contractors are properly registered before signing any contract or having any work done.   

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle wreck on U.S. 73 Highway in Brown County late Friday morning sent an Atchison woman to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 35-year-old Jamaica Seymore was southbound, just north of 160th Road, when her car left the roadway, traveled down a small embankment and overturned shortly before 11:00.

Seymore, who was wearing a seatbelt, was transported to the Horton Community Hospital for the treatment of unspecified injuries.

Frizzing drizzle was falling at the time of the wreck, creating slick road conditions.   

(KAIR)--Another person is in custody in connection with financial crimes first reported Nov. 17 in Atchison County.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, St. Joseph resident, 28-year-old Lisbet Ramirez Gonzales was arrested Thursday for multiple counts of computer crimes and criminal use of a financial card.

During the ongoing investigation by the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and investigators have been asking for video and photos from businesses affected by the fraudulent financial transactions.

Based on that footage, deputies were able to determine a connection between Gonzales and Yunier Benitiz Perez—who was arrested Dec. 9 by Atchison Police for the same crimes.

Clothing Perez was wearing at the time of his arrest matched clothing worn by a suspect in some of the video footage obtained by the sheriff’s office. That suspect was determined to be Gonzales.

Laurie said Perez will be facing more charges from the Sheriff’s Office on the financial crimes.

Gonzales remains in the Atchison County Jail without bond.

Perez, Gonzales’s alleged partner in the crimes, was arrested after a resident of Jefferson County alerted Atchison Police Dec. 9 of fraudulent purchases at Walmart.

(KAIR)--A single-vehicle Atchison County wreck on Thursday sent a Horton woman to the hospital with injuries.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 26-year-old Rebecca Lentz was traveling west on 254th Road when her 2003 Ford Expedition went off the side of the road. She over corrected causing the vehicle to roll.

Lentz’s two-year-old passenger was not injured in the wreck.

The Atchison County Rescue responded to the scene and assisted in removing Lentz from the vehicle.

Jackson County EMS transported Lentz by ambulance to Stormont Vail in Topeka.

Horton Police also assisted at the scene.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has selected a new contractor for a roof replacement project.  

The Commission last week had accepted the low bid from Griffin Roofing and Contracting, of Troy, to replace the wood shake roof on the Tennent-Baker house in Troy in the amount of $7,900.

But Monday, owner Ryan Griffin withdrew his bid and declined the project.

That came after he was told by Commissioners that the county does not pay in advance of a project being completed.  Griffin had requested the county pay 50 percent of the bid amount prior to commencement of the project.

The Commission voted to rescind the motion made last week to accept the bid from Griffin Roofing and Contracting.   

The Commission then voted to accept the next low bid from Specialty Roofing, of Hiawatha, in the amount of $9,669.

Three bids were received for the roofing project.

(MSC News)--An investigation is launched after Leavenworth city workers discover human skeletal remains near the Missouri River.

Leavenworth Police Chief Pat Kitchens says the remains were found Tuesday afternoon by Parks and Recreation Department employees who were clearing bush on an embankment north of the Riverfront Community Center.

Kitchens told the Leavenworth Times it was clear that the remains had been there for quite some time.

An autopsy is planned.

Kitchens says investigators have already starting reviewing reports of potential missing people from the community and surrounding area.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central USD 115 Board of Education this week heard a proposal for upgrades to the high school welding shop.

Welding instructor Paul Wertenberger proposed the construction of ten welding booths and the installation of new exhaust fans to improve ventilation.

Wertenberger said he had received a bid for new booths from two outside companies at about 18-hundred dollars per booth.  He said the Welding II students could make the booths, with material costing about $350 each.

Wertenberger also priced new exhaust fans from Eisenbarth Plumbing who submitted an estimate of more than 59-hundred dollars.

In addition, he requested two new welding supply cabinets and a carpentry tool cabinet totaling 49-hundred dollars.

The primary discussion was that of adequate ventilation.  The Board discussed a trunk line with drops for each booth.  The directed Wertenberger to obtain additional information.

The Board approved the purchase of materials so that the Welding II students could begin fabricating the individual welding booths.       

In other business, the Board approved the addition of a Current Events class to the middle school schedule for the second semester.  The class will part of the current study skills class two or three times per week.

Also Superintendent Darrel Kohlman informed the Board he’s in the process of interviewing six candidates for the new Vo-Ag teacher position and will bring a recommendation to the Board at their January 9th meeting.

(KNZA)---The Hiawatha Board of Education has ratified a negotiated agreement with teachers for the 2016-17 school year.

The action came following an executive session at the Board’s meeting Monday evening.

Under the agreement, Superintendent Penny Hargrove says teachers will receive an average salary increase of 3.9 percent. The base salary for a beginning teacher will increase $800 to $33,560.

Also under the agreement, Hargrove says for the next 7 years teachers eligible to retire can get the post retirement health insurance benefit for a maximum of 10 years.

Teachers approved the agreement November 29th.

Hargrove says the Board also approved pay raises for administrators and classified staff.

Administrators will receive an average increase of 2.48 percent.

Classified staff will receive a 15 cent an hour increase, with the understanding that a full review of classified wages will be conducted to determine whether hourly employees are fairly compensated.

(MSC News)--The Jackson Heights school district will not be adding baseball and softball programs at this time.

Despite student and patron interest in the formation of baseball and softball teams, the Holton Recorder reports the USD 335 Board of Education this week voted 5-1 against adding the two sports at the Jackson Heights High School.

The Board cited concerns with enrollment sustainability, available facilities and available resources.

Board members noted the possibility of taking the matter up again in the future.

District patron Russell Bacon approached the board in August with the proposal to add baseball and softball, suggesting the programs could be paid for through donations.

(MSC News)--A Lansing Correctional Facility inmate has been sentenced to an additional ten years for escaping from the prison in 2013.

53-year-old Scott Gilbert was handed the sentence Wednesday in Leavenworth County District Court on a charge of aggravated escape from custody.

Gilbert was found guilty of the charge earlier this month following a bench trial.  

He and two other inmates escaped from the Lansing facility in May 2013.

Gilbert was sentenced last year to 128 years in prison in Platte County, Missouri on ten felonies for crimes committed after his escape.

At the time of his escape, he was serving a prison sentence for burglary and theft.

(KNZA)--Citing safety reasons, the Brown County Commission plans to permanently close and barricade a portion of a county road that lies over two railroad crossings.

The County Commission Monday reviewed a notice that will be published setting a public hearing for December 27th at 9:00 in the morning in the Commissioner’s room on the proposed closure of a portion of Kingfisher Road, north of  250th Road.

Both the county and Union Pacific Railroad are seeking the closure.

Commissioner Steve Roberts says with the increase in train traffic and train speeds there are safety concerns at the crossings, which don't contain warning devices.  

Roberts says adjacent property owners will still have access to their property.

(KLZA)-- The Humboldt-Table Rock – Steinauer School Board recognized the MOCK Trial team for their 5th place finish at state and the FFA Students that qualified for the National Convention when they met this week. 

Superintendent Sheri Edumundson said the Board accepted the resignation of the school district tech person Jeremy Marteney. 

No action was taken concerning a new scoreboard at Power Field. Before purchasing a new football scoreboard, administrators are going to see if they could get a better deal if they also purchase a pair of new scoreboards for the gymnasium at the same time.  

Superintendent Edmundson also reported there is nothing new on the being able to sell the football field property at Table Rock.

During an executive session the Board discussed 
personnel, concerning the donation of leave time and 
negotiations with teachers on a contract for the
2017-18 school year.  

(KLZA)-- The weather outside will be frightful starting Friday morning in parts of eastern Nebraska.

Dave Eastlack, meteorologist with the National Weather SErvice - Omaha says freezing drizzlie should start to develop early Friday morning and continue throughout the day in east, east-central and northeast Nebraska. This could make travel conditions dicey at best. 

Eastlack says travel conditions could deteriorate fast due to freezing drizzle beginning Friday morning in Southeast Nebraska then spreading northward by noon. Freezing drizzle is expected to continue through the day on Friday. A cold surge is expected to hit about midnight Friday night turning the preciptation to all snow.  

Snow is expected to be less than an inch south of I-80 and 1-3 inches is possible north of I-80.  

There is potential for up to 100th-of-an-inch of ice that will coat roads making driving dangerous.

In addition there is also a chance of patchy fog on Friday. THe low Friday night is predicted at 16-degrees with winds up to 25 mile per hour. 

Saturday the high is predicted for the mid-teens with wind gusts exceeding 30 mile per hour.  

(KAIR)--A Horton man is facing drug charges after being arrested for failing to appear in court.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, deputies arrested 38-year-old Jeradon Myers Wednesday morning in the 900 block of Santa Fe in Atchison.

He was wanted for two Atchison County District Court warrants for failure to appear in court and one Atchison Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear.

During his arrest, Laurie said deputies found Myers to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

He was booked into the Atchison County Jail on all charges where he remains without bond.  

(KNZA)--A competency evaluation is being sought for a Wathena man facing a child sex charge.

A hearing on the motion filed by the attorney for 55-year-old Thomas Miller has been scheduled for December 21st in Doniphan County District Court before District Judge Jim Patton.   

A preliminary hearing for Miller, who is facing a charge of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, was placed on hold earlier this month after the motion was filed.

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

He was arrested in November on the felony charge.

Miller remains in the Doniphan County Jail on a $100,000 bond after a motion for a bond modification was denied.  
    

(KNZA)--The Sabetha Middle School will be getting a new HVAC system.

Superintendent Todd Evans says the USD 113 Board of Education Monday evening accepted the low bid from Piping Contractors of Kansas for the project in the amount of $287,450.    It was among two bids received.

Evans says the Board held the first reading on proposed new graduation requirements beginning with the class of 2018.  He said the main change is the removal of the technology requirements.  Evans says technology courses will still be offered, but the change will provide flexibility for students to select courses based on their individual plans of study.  A total of 25 credits will continue be required to graduate.

The Board will consider final approval of the proposed new graduation requirements at their January meeting.

Sabetha High School Counselor Briana Evans had students demonstrate the Career Cruising program to the Board.   The program is used by students to create their individual plans of study.

Sabetha High School Vocational Instructor Chris Bauerle provide the board with an update on the FFA Greenhouse project.  

Bauerle said they’d like to have the concrete poured by the end of December, weather allowing.  He said fundraising is going well and they’ve received several generous donations of money, labor and material.  

 Bauerle asked the Board if they’d consider paying $10,000 for fencing to go around the greenhouse.  No action was taken on the request.

(KAIR)--An investigation is launched after an Atchison woman reported damage to her vehicle.

“That vehicle sustained damage to the ignition area,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “We believe there had been an attempt to steal the car. Although that attempt was unsuccessful.”

He says it was Sunday when Patricia McKelvey reported the damage when her vehicle was parked in the 600 block of North 9th in Atchison.

Anyone with information about the damage is asked to contact police.

(KMZA)--Longtime Nemaha County Treasurer Rose Wilhelm has announced her retirement resignation.

Wilhelm provided the Nemaha County Commission Monday with her letter of resignation, effective January 31st.

Wilhelm has served as county treasurer since July 1993.

The Nemaha County Democratic Precinct Committee will nominate someone to fill her unexpired term.  The name will then be forwarded to the governor for appointment.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska will be changing the way it numbers farm and commercial license plates to reduce the chances that residents will receive erroneous notices about fines and parking tickets. 
 
The Grand Island Independent reports the change will eliminate about 500,000 duplicate plate numbers. Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles director Rhonda Lahm says commercial and farm license plates with a county numerical designation will have an alpha character added to the end of the plate number. 
 
The change will start with the 2017 license plates.
 

(KAIR)--One year and a day behind bars.

That’s the sentence given to the Basehor, Kansas woman whose business failed to pay more than $850,000 in federal taxes.

According to a press release from U.S. Attorney Tom Beall, 53-year-old Elizabeth Lucero was sentenced Tuesday for willful failure to collect or pay over employment tax.

Lucero owned Sunshine Home Health, a business with nearly 70 employees. From 2007 to 2011, Lucero’s company withheld payments from employee’s paychecks including federal income taxes, Medicare and Social Security taxes.

In addition, the release said Lucero used company profits to pay hundreds of thousands of dollar of her personal expenses—including cash withdraws at casinos and a $50,000 Cadillac Escalade.

As part of her prison sentence, she’ll also pay nearly $857,000 in restitution.

BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) - Authorities have identified a person who died after collapsing at a Beatrice auto parts manufacturing company as a member of a cleaning crew.

The Beatrice Daily Sun reports  that 67-year-old Michael Robertson, a Mosaic resident, was cleaning the Neapco facility Monday morning when he and another worker became ill. Workers reported a bad smell in the break room of the facility, and officials are investigating a possible chemical incident.

Mosaic is a faith-based organization that treats people with intellectual disabilities.

Both Robertson and the other worker were taken to hospitals. Officials say Robertson died at the Nebraska Heart Institute in Lincoln.

Police have not identified the other man, but say he was treated and released form Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center.
 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Jobs are on the rise and unemployment continues to decline in Missouri. 
 
The state Department of Economic Development on Tuesday announced seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment grew by 1,900 jobs in November. 
 
Jobs again hit a record high, with a total of more than 2.8 million in the state. The state gained about 57,000 jobs in the past year, which is a growth of a little more than 2 percent. 

The most job growth last month occurred in the accommodation and food services industry. 
 
Unemployment also dropped to 4.7 percent in November. That's down from 5.1 percent in October. 
 

(KLZA)--Falls City School Board members heard a report this week on the Southeast Nebraska Career Academy Partnership in which Southeast Community College is partnering with 38 school districts, including Falls City.

Southeast Community College will offer high school students an opportunity to enroll in the SENCAP program, offering several academies.  Falls City High School is planning to offer courses in Health Sciences, Education and Early Childhood Education. 

Juniors and seniors in high school will have an opportunity to take college-level coursework in a career field of their interest and also have multiple opportunities to explore their career in a hands-on approach through job shadowing, field trips, speakers, mock interviews and other career-related activities. 

The program is designed for students to participate for two years, with the intention to earn college credit.  Students may take their SENCAP courses in a variety of formats including online, distance learning and face to face. 

Southeast Community College has committed to waiving half of the student tuition fees for their commitment and dedication to prepare for their career and post-secondary education.  
 

(KLZA)-- Johnson-Brock School Board President Darren Oestmann and Superintendent Jeff Koehler presented plaques of appreciation to Board members Lonnie Neddenriep and David Bohling for their service on the Board.

Neddenriep has served 12 years on the Board and Bohling 8 years. The December board meeting was the last for each man. They did not seek re-election to the Board.

During the meeting, the Board approved the 2017-18 negotiated agreement with the Johnson-Brock Education Association. The base salary will increase $500 and one $50 stipend for membership in a professional organization will be included.  

Superintendent Koehler informed the Board about issues with two of the three boilers at the school.  A technician from Lincoln is to determine what the problems are.

(KLZA)--Three men who were re-elected to the Auburn City Council in November were sworn in again Monday night.

Tom Clark will serve in Ward I. Rick Janssen will continue to serve in Ward II and Jeff Jennerett will serve in Ward III.

Janssen was elected to serve another year as President of the Council.  

The Council also confirmed a number of annual appointments during the meeting. The City Clerk will be Sherry Heskett, Treasurer Joe Casey, City Attorney Angelo Ligouri, Assistant City Attorney Louie Ligouri, Building Inspector and Zoning Commissioner Glenn Hogue,  Physician Gary Ensz, Street Commissioner Harry Bridgmon and City Engineer, Even Wickersham with JEO Consulting.  

The Auburn City Council also approved continuing the interlocal agreement to have the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office provide law enforcement services for the community of Auburn. The cost for the next year will be $322,000.

All animal control, ordinance enforcement and regular law enforcement services are provided.

Mayor Kudrna said, prior to contracting for law enforcement services it cost the City in excess of half-a-million dollars per year to have a police department.

(KMZA)--An investigation by the Seneca Police Department leads to the arrest of four Seneca resident on drug charges.

Police Chief Jordan Weaver says 33-year-old Wendi Wahl, 30-year-old Joshua Heideman, 24-year-old Brandy Scott and 27-year-old Terry Warren, Jr. were arrested Tuesday evening following the execution of a search warrant at a home at 514 North 4th Street.

Weaver says the four were arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, marijuana  and drug paraphernalia.  He says they were also arrested for the sale of drugs within 1,000 feet of a school.

The four were booked into the Nemaha County Jail.  Warren has since bonded out.

Assisting in the execution of the search warrant were the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department and Kansas Highway Patrol.

(KMZA)--Development of a wind farm in the southern portion of Nemaha County, Kansas has received county approval.

The Nemaha County Commission Monday adopted a resolution approving a conditional use permit and wind farm district for the project proposed by Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources.

More than 10 county residents attended a public hearing on the proposed project, voicing both support and opposition to the development of a wind farm in portions of Harrison, Red Vermillion, Reilly and Wetmore townships.

A representative of NextEra said development of the wind farm, which is to contain 40 wind turbines, won't began until a buyer is found for the electricity that will be produced.

By adopting the resolution, the Commission also rescinded a resolution adopted in 2012 that established setback requirements for wind turbines constructed in the county. 

NextEra Energy Resources operates more than 100 hundred wind energy projects in the United States and Canada, including the Steele Flats Wind Energy Center in Jefferson and Gage Counties in southeast Nebraska.

(KAIR)--A single-vehicle wreck in rural Atchison County Monday sent one woman to the hospital.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 65-year-old Betty Shade was driving eastbound on 314th Road, east of Sedwick Road, when her 2001 Ford Ranger pickup went off the road.

She over-corrected and lost control of the vehicle. The pickup overturned as she crossed the road to the north.

The vehicle came to rest in the north ditch.

Laurie said Shade was transported by ambulance to the Atchison Hospital for treatment for possible injuries.

BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) - One worker has died after collapsing at an auto parts manufacturing company in southeast Nebraska, and another worker remains hospitalized.

Beatrice firefighters were called to the Neapco Components plant Monday morning, and a suspicious smell was reported. Before firefighters arrived, one worker needed CPR.

Both workers were taken to hospitals, and one man later died at the Nebraska Heart Institute in Lincoln. The workers' names weren't immediately released.

Deputy Fire Chief Jake Carrel says hazardous materials crews investigated the odor into the afternoon and identified the likely source.

But Carrel wouldn't identify what caused the odor until it is confirmed. He says the smell was only in one room of the Neapco plant and didn't affect the rest of the facility.
 

(KAIR)--An ongoing investigation by the Atchison Police Department lands a Texas man in jail for alleged financial crimes.

“It was determined we have a victim who reported the unlawful use of a financial account—that person actually lives in neighboring Jefferson County,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “We learned that on Dec. 6 the information from that financial account was used at the local Walmart store to purchase items.”

He said arrested was Houston resident, 33-year-old Yunier Perez.

The victim never actually had a financial card stolen.

“But the information from that account was stolen and was transferred to a counterfeit card that this suspect used at Walmart,” Wilson said.

Perez was arrested Dec. 9 after he returned to the same Walmart store and police were notified.

“We took him into custody there in the store,” Wilson said. “We found on his person a counterfeit card with the financial information on it from the victim whose account was compromised earlier that week.”

Wilson says his office is still investigating the incident.

Official charges for Perez are theft, criminal use of a financial card, forgery and computer crime.

He was booked into the Atchison County Jail where he remains held on a $20,000 bond.

(KAIR)--Four of the five people arrested in connection with the death of a St. Joseph teenager after an attempted drug deal and robbery heard their fate in a Buchanan County courtroom Monday.

KQ2-TV reports Gabriel Dawson, Jay-den Maynard, Ashten Surritte and Kyle Smith were all sentenced for their part in the crimes.

Dawson was given 14 years in prison for first-degree attempted robbery.

Facing the same charge, Surritte was sentenced to the maximum of 15 years behind bars; while Maynard was granted probation with a 120 days behind bars sentence.

Smith was given 13 years for armed criminal action and possession with intent to distribute.

The TV station reported the fifth defendant, Dayne Matthews still faces sentencing. His charges are possession with intent to distribute and tampering with evidence.

The teens face charges after arrests following the May shooting death of 18-year-old Skylar Powell.

(KNZA)--The final phase of  improvements at Hiawatha schools funded by a $9.2 million bond issue approved by voters in the spring of 2015 is now set.

On the recommendation of the P1 Group, the USD 415 Board of Education Monday evening voted to accept the low bid submitted by Select One for the installation of security cameras and key card systems at the district’s three schools in the total amount of $299,291, with alternates included.

It was among three bids received and was under under what had been estimated.  

The alternate bids include the installation of security cameras at the school parking lots, bus loading zones and high school football stadium.

Superintendent Penny Hargrove says the project will start in May and be completed by August 1st.

Representatives of the PI Group, who are serving as construction manager at risk on the bond projects, also address concerns with the new HVAC systems installed  at the district's schools this summer.  According to staff members, there's been problems controlling and maintaining proper temperatures in many of the rooms.

Dana Dunn with P1 said that with the heating system not kicking on until late November, they are about 60 days behind where they would like to be. The representatives assured the board they will continue to fine tune the system and should have the problems solved in the next couple of months.

(KNZA)-- The preliminary hearing for a Holton woman accused in the November 2015 murder of her infant son has been pushed back.

The hearing for 32-year-old Alicia Whipple-Decker, which had been set for last Thursday in Jackson County District Court, was continued to January 26th to give attorney’s on both sides more time to review new information in the case.

Whipple-Decker has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of her son, who was only two weeks old at the time of his death.

She was arrested October 8th and remains in the Jackson County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

(KAIR)--An Atchison woman goes to jail after allegedly stealing checks and using them on multiple occasions.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News 30-year-old Allison Laurie was arrested Sunday for forgery, attempted forgery and theft.

“The theft involves the taking of checks and several other items from two victims, Wilson said. “The complaint filed by the county attorney’s office focuses on several forgeries that were completed in early March involving three separate checks that were cashed and also an attempted forgery.”

Wilson said the victim came forward in mid-October and the investigation has been ongoing over the past month.

Both victims were known to Laurie.

She was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle rear-end collision on U.S.  24 Highway in north Topeka Monday morning claimed the life of a Topeka man.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says killed in the wreck was 36-year-old Dustin Gillespie.

The Patrol says a semi was westbound when it slowed down due to mechanical problems and was struck in the rear by a car driven by Gillespie.  The impact caused the car to leave the roadway, where it went down an embankment and came to rest in a field.

Gillespie, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was transported to a Topeka hospital where he died.

The semi driver from Iowa was not hurt.

The wreck was reported near the Goodyear plant shortly before 11:00.

(MSC News)---Hearings are being held this week in northwest Missouri on whether a high-voltage power line should be built across the northern part of the state.

The Missouri Public Service Commission began hearings across the state last month on a request by Clean Line Energy Partners to build the power line from the state’s western border near St. Joseph to the eastern border near Hannibal.

A hearing will be held Tuesday evening in Faucett at the Mid-Buchanan High School multi-purpose room beginning at 6:00

The line would be part of a 750-mile route carrying power from wind turbines in western Kansas to utilities in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.

The power line is dubbed the Grain Belt Express. It’s opposed by some landowners who fear the high-voltage wires could reduce property values, get in the way of farming and create health risks.

The staff of the Missouri Public Service Commission also is opposing Clean Line’s request.

(KAIR)--Erase overdue book penalties with “Food for Fines,” going on now at the Atchison Library.

“If you have any sort of fines, you can bring in canned food non-perishables,”

said Atchison Library Director Jacque Slingsby. “You get a dollar off per can or item.”

The food stays local and is donated to the Atchison Salvation Army.

They only ask the food is unexpired.

“There’s no limit on what you can bring in—we had someone recently pay off $20 fine with canned items.”

Slingsby did clarify the food does not cover lost or damaged items.

“It’s a really great way to give back to the community,” Slingsby said. “Fines are something we can forgive easily and it’s a great community partnership.”

“Food for Fines” is going on now until Dec. 30.

(KAIR)--One year behind bars.

That’s the sentence given to the Atchison man arrested for theft charges but who later faced multiple other charges.

29-year-old Brandon Mottin was sentenced to one year in the Atchison County jail for theft, one year in jail for violation of a protective order and attempted escape from custody and six months for domestic battery and criminal damage.

However, those sentences will run at the same time.

Mottin was arrested in August after Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson said he took fentanyl patches from an apartment in the 1200 block of N. 6th Street.

(KLZA)-- Falls City fire fighters were called to the South Side Bar and Grill early Saturday morning when owner Dion Grier smelled something burning.

Falls City Fire Chief Kenny Simpson said a thermal camera was used to detect a hot spot in the wall near an electrical outlet.

Simpson said there was no fire, but noted the outlet was overloaded with too many things plugged into it, including a space heater.

Chief Simpson asks that everyone be cautious when using space heaters during the cold winter months and says it is not a good idea to use an extension cord with a space heater.

Eight members of the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call at 623 Harlan Street and were on the scene for just over 15 minutes.  

(KMZA)--A Humboldt, Nebraska teenager charged in Nemaha County, Kansas in what authorities say was a robbery committed with a baseball bat has entered into a plea agreement.

The Nemaha County Attorney’s office says 18-year-old Joseph Creamer pleaded  no contest last week to a single count of aggravated battery.

In exchange for the plea, three additional felony counts were dismissed.

Sentencing was set for January 12th.

The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office says Creamer used a bat to strike his victim in the head the evening of August 10th near 208th and F Roads in order to steal undisclosed items.

He was arrested November 23rd in Nebraska on a Nemaha County warrant and was transported to Nemaha County after waiving extradition.

Creamer remains in the Nemaha County Jail after his bond was revoked.

(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council has approved a new electric power purchase agreement.

The Council last Wednesday evening approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of power from Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources through the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency.

The contract will be effective for 5 years, beginning January 1st, 2017.

The new contract replaces a contract the city has with Kansas City Power and Light, which expires at the end of this year.

City Administrator Matt Rehder says the city will have 2 ½ megawatts of base load resource from NextEra and also what’s called a 5 by 16 resource, which will be available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The contract with NextEra will provide the city with power at a cost of $25.79 per megawatt hour. The city is currently receiving power from KCPL for $30.75 per megawatt hour.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The latest Census data raises new concerns about the brain drain in Nebraska because the state has been losing twice as many people who hold at least a bachelor's degree in recent years.

Between 2011 and 2015, the state saw a net loss of 11,640 people with at least a bachelor's degree. That's up from 5,520 during the previous five-year period, which included the Great Recession.

David Drozd with the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Center for Public Affairs Research says the state now ranks 44th in the rate at which it is losing residents with college degrees. Between 2006 and 2010, Nebraska ranked 34th.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the increase in people with degrees leaving the state is likely related to the economic recovery since 2009.
 

(MSC News)--A Highland Community College faculty member has been appointed to a state council.

According to a news release, HCC criminal justice and psychology instructor Eric Ketchum has been appointed to appointed to the Kansas Board of Regents’ Transfer and Articulation Council (TAAC).

The release says the Council’s mission is to create structures and processes that facilitate student transfer and degree completion within Kansas higher education, while assuring quality and adherence to the agreed-upon learning outcomes of system-wide courses.

TAAC has overseen the approval of 66 courses for guaranteed transfer. A student who completes one of these courses at any Kansas public university, community college, or technical college can be certain that he or she can transfer it to any other Kansas public post-secondary institution offering the course.

The release says Ketchum’s involvement with TAAC will help the College maintain its position of being on the leading edge of providing course offerings that are readily transferable.

(MSC News)--Authorities are investigating after a Topeka police car was involved in a fatal wreck with another car.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says the crash occurred around 1:00 Sunday morning at the intersection of 12th and Webster on Topeka’s west side.

The Patrol says 29-year-old Topeka resident Tourquoise Abercrombie was killed when she ran a stop sign at the intersection and struck the patrol car on the passenger side.

The Patrol says Abercrombie was driving without her headlights on at the time of the wreck.

The officer, 39-year-old Laura Mayer, was patrolling at the time and was taken to a Topeka hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

(KNZA)--A 17-year-old charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of another teen at a popular St.Joseph park in October will be prosecuted as an adult.

According to a news release from the Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney's office, Amanda Bennett was charged Friday as an adult with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of 17-year-old Kaytlin Root.

That came after a judge granted the prosecution's motion that Bennett, who had been charged in juvenile court, be certified as an adult.  

Co-defendant, 18-year-old Sebastian Dowell, is also charged with second-degree murder in the case.  He waived formal arraignment Thursday and is due back in court in February. He continues to be held without bond in the Buchanan County Jail.

Authorities say Dowell and Bennett lured Root to take a ride that ended up at Krug Park where she was rendered unconscious and stabbed multiple times. Her body was found by a jogger at the park on October 16th.

Bennett's bond has been set at $250,000 cash and she is to make her first appearance in court Tuesday.

(KLZA)--Pawnee City High School is the Class C-2 State Champs in Play Production.

Pawnee City students performed “ Orphan Train” and scored better than Hartington – Newcastle; Loup City; Howells-Dodge; Amherst and North Platte St. Patrick to win the title.

Steven Bruns was named Outstanding Male Performer and Eve Beethe was named Outstanding Female Performer.

The Class C2 competition was Thursday at the Johnny Carson Theatre in Norfolk.

(KAIR/AP)--Manhattan High School is keeping its Indians mascot for now.

The Manhattan-Ogden school board unanimously voted Wednesday to create a committee to study several issues as part of a compromise in which the mascot was retained.

The Manhattan Mercury reports the committee also would look for ways to educate the community about Native Americans and recognize a former coach whom the mascot is meant to honor.

Atchison's USD 409 has also formed a committee focused on the local district's Native American themed mascot.

Superintendent Dr. Susan Myers says the district has received written communications pertaining to the use of the Redmen mascot.

Following discussion at their most recent meeting, the Board of Education, encouraging transparent discussion regarding the issue, decided to convene a workgroup to address the matter.

Myers says the group will be comprised of students from the high school and the middle school, district administration, community members, alumni, Native American representatives, and School Board members Diane Liebsch and Sean Crittendon.

The workgroup will provide a report of their efforts to the Board of Education in March.

Myers says the consensus of the Board is to have the group's discussion serve as a learning experience and as an opportunity to bring people together.

(KNZA)--A Doniphan County road relocation project moves forward.  

Following a hearing drawing no public comment, the Doniphan County Commission this week approved the relocation of a portion of Friendship Road.

The road is to be moved about 40 yards to the southeast, east of 250th Road.

The road is being relocated and built back up after heavy rains in September caused the Wolf River to swell out of its banks, washing out a 50 by 50 foot section of the road.   

The Commission recently approved an agreement with Kathleen and Fred Twombly for the purchase of two acres of land for $6,500 an acre for the relocation project.

Meanwhile, another rain-damaged road repair project has been completed.

Commissioner Terry Horner told his fellow Commissioners that repair work on 180th Spur Road, which is old K-7 Highway, is complete and the road has re-opened to traffic.

Federal funds were acquired through the USDA Emergency Watershed Protection Program to complete the project with the assistance of the Natural Resources Conservation Services office.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) - Manhattan High School is keeping its Indians mascot for now.
 
The Manhattan-Ogden school board unanimously voted Wednesday to create a committee to study several issues as part of a compromise in which the mascot was retained.
 
The Manhattan Mercury reports that issues the committee will study include determining the cost of retiring the Indian mascot and exploring the creation of a new mascot. The committee also would look for ways to educate the community about Native Americans and recognize a former coach whom the mascot is meant to honor. The coach, named Frank Prentup, was a descendant of the Tuscarora tribe
 
Members of the committee will include those seeking to change the mascot and keep it the same, as well as students, teachers and administrators.

(KLZA)-- A loss of funding is being blamed for the Southeast District Health Department cutting out their Immunization Outreach Program. 

Immunization Nurse, Chris Eltiste said the immunizations  will no longer be available at Outreach Clinics in Falls City, Humboldt, Nebraska City, Pawnee City, Syracuse and Tecumseh. Every two year, the organization must apply for grant funding and this time around the funding was not granted.

The Vaccines for Children program will continue with the shots available at the Southeast District Health Department Office at 2511 Schneider Avenue in Auburn. They will work around your schedule. Beginning in January, the SEDHD will not be able to travel to hold Outreach clinics. 

Eltiste says those that need to get a copy of their immunization records should contact her. The toll free number is 1-877-777-0424.

Eltiste emphasized the need to keep kids on track with their immunizations. 

For more information you can visit the Southeast District Health Department website at www.sedhd.org or call the Auburn Clinic toll free at 877-777 0424.  

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners gave the approval to proceed with connecting the generator to parts of the Courthouse in Falls City that are not currently connected.

Richardson County Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Kirkendall determined part of the building is not connected. Kirkendall also discussed staffing in the Emergency Management Agency office with Commissioners.

Sheriff Don Pounds informed the Board that equipment for the kitchen at the Law Enforcement Center is scheduled for delivery next week. The Sheriff also discussed patrol vehicle maintenance.  

Commissioners also met in executive session with County Attorney Doug Merz to review county litigation.  
 

(KMZA)--Special honors for a 12-year-old Axtell student, recognized for being both a regional and statewide winner in the 2016 Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day poster contest.

As one of three northeast Kansas regional winners, the Kansas Department of Transportation said in a news release that Sierra de Koning received a bicycle and a bicycle helmet donated by Safe Kids Kansas during an assembly Thursday afternoon at the Axtell Public School.

As one of three statewide winners, the release says Sierra received a family package including an overnight stay at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, admission to the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center and the Topeka Zoo, a $50 gift card from the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store, and movie passes from Triple A Kansas.

KDOT says Sierra and her siblings have participated in the annual poster contest for several years now. Sierra was first runner-up last year for regional honors in the same age category as her sister Reagan and she also received regional honors in 2011. Sierra’s sister, Reagan’s past awards include regional honors and statewide honors in 2011, 2013 and 2015.

A total of 824 poster contest entries were received from across Kansas with 18 students receiving regional honors and three students receiving statewide honors.

KDOT says the poster contest helps bring awareness to all ages for the need to reduce fatalities on our nation’s highways.

(MSC News)--Motorists, traveling in four designated areas of the local Kansas region, can expect to be stopped at checkpoints planned to be held Sunday.

According to a news release from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, the checkpoints are planned to be held on Kansas 7 Highway near White Cloud, US 36 Highway, near Elwood, US 59 Highway, near Nortonville and US 75 Highway, near Sabetha. The scheduled time for the stops is not made public.

Game Wardens will partner with Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers to conduct the joint highway checkpoints, which are intended to help enforce state and federal wildlife laws, as well as Kansas driver's licensing laws.

The checkpoints are timed with the hunting seasons for upland and migratory birds, as well as deer.

The news release states that the motorists stopped for license validation will then be asked if they are hunters or transporting wildlife. If so, those drivers will be directed to a second check lane overseen by the Game Wardens. If they are not hunters, and if licenses are valid, motorists will be allowed to resume travel.

Minimal delays are expected in both cases.

The checkpoints will depend on weather conditions.

Additional wildlife checkpoints will occur around the state during the fall and winter hunting seasons.

( KMZA)--Formal charges have been filed against a Seneca man accused of child sex crimes.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert said Friday in a press release that a complaint has been filed  in Nemaha County District Court charging 19-year-old Brayton Levi Enneking with aggravated indecent liberties with a child, electronic solicitation of a child and sexual exploitation of a child.

Lippert says the charges stem from incidents which are alleged to have occurred in Seneca on or about December 5th.

He says Enneking has also been charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, which is alleged to have occurred on December 8th.

Enneking was arrested Thursday following an investigation by the Seneca Police Department.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for December 21st.

Enneking remains in the Nemaha County Jail, held on a $300,000 bond.

(KNZA)--Firefighters battled a structure fire at a rural Robinson hog farm Thursday morning.

Robinson Fire Chief Dennis Tietjens says the Robinson Fire Department was dispatched to Edwin Parker’s hog farm at 2456 280th Street shortly after 7:15.

Upon arrival, Tietjens says firefighters found moderate smoke coming from the eves of the office building.

He says the fire was mostly contained to the attic area with significant damage occurring.

Tietjens the fire is believed to have been electrical,  possibly caused by heat tape, but is still under investigation by the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office.

Firefighters remained on the scene until 10:15.

Assisting were the Hiawatha Fire Department, Brown County Rescue Squad, Town and Country EMS and Brown County Sheriffs Department

(KAIR)--An Atchison man goes to jail after allegedly abusing a child.

“We did initiate an investigation on Wednesday after we received a report from the Department of Children and Family Services related to some concerns about a pre-adolescent male,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “It does involve physical abuse and we did take a 30-year-old into custody on Wednesday afternoon in relation to the case.”

He said 30-year-old Carl Surritt faces the charge of abuse of a child.

Wilson, who was hesitant to name the exact age of the child, describes him as pre-adolescent—under the age of 13 but older than an infant.

The victim, who was known to Surritt, had been placed under his supervision when the abuse allegedly occurred.

Surritt was booked into the Atchison County Jail where he bonded out Wednesday on a $10,000 surety bond.

(KNZA)--An investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department leads to the arrest of four Hiawatha residents on drug charges.

Police Chief John Defore said his department has been investigating allegations of illegal drug activity at a home at 610 Kansas Avenue. He said officers were able to develop probable cause and obtained a search warrant, which was executed Wednesday evening.

Defore says arrested at the residence were 33-year-old Donald Lee Manis, Jr., 49-year-old Timothy Wayne Manis, 37-year-old Jamie Dian Pain and 19-year-old Tanya Ann Rhyne.

The four were booked into the Brown County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Assisting the Hiawatha Police Department in the execution of the search warrant was the Kansas Highway Patrol.  

(KAIR)--A celebration of Christmas in a Jefferson County community, as a not-for-profit organization encourages the lighting of homes, offering a cash reward as an incentive to go all out for the season.

That's happening in Perry, where the organization, Perry Pride, is hosting a christmas lights contest, open to residents of the city.

The organization will select four homes from inside the Perry city limits, with those finalists to then be ranked through a public vote.

The first place winner will receive $100, followed by a $75 prize for the second place finisher. $50 will be given to the home that comes in at third, while $25 will go to the fourth place finisher.

Voting will begin December 17 and run through December 20.

All votes will be cast on the Perry Pride Facebook page, which can be found here.

According to the announcement of the competition by Perry Pride, the organization is hosting it as a way to “spread the message of hope, peace, and joy through lights.”

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission has appointed seven residents to a committee that will help determine the fate of the downtown brick streets.

Appointed to the advisory committee Monday evening were Kay Rankin, Ian Schuetz,  Jim Brennan, Terri Smith, Ben Benson,  Dr. Bryon  Bigham and Linda Jimeson.

Mayor Steffen Shamburg says the committee will be asked to attend the next meeting to be given direction.  

He said one of the first things he would like to see the committee do is to develop a brief questionnaire to be included with water bills to get local opinion on what residents want to do with the brick streets.

Shamburg says he expects the committee will meet a couple of months before coming back to the Commission with a recommendation.

Hiawatha voters in November approved a half-cent retailers sales tax to fund street improvements.  The sales tax is to take effect April 1st, 2017 and be in effect for 30 years.

Also Monday evening the Commission appointed five residents to staggering terms on the newly re-established Hiawatha Tree Board.

They include Nick Haedt, Kyle Nelson, Dave Middendorf, Elaine Schilling and Glenda Rieger.

Haedt, a local arborist, proposed at the Commission’s November 21st meeting that the Board be re-established.    
           

( MSC News)--The Northeast Kansas Community Action Program is among ten non-profits and public housing authorities that will share nearly $1.5 million in Tenant Based Rental Assistance to help Kansas families obtain safe, affordable housing of their choice.

NEK-CAP, which serves seven area northeast Kansas counties, has been awarded $200,000.

Funded through the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program and administered by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, TBRA helps income-eligible households afford rental subsidies, utility deposits and security deposits.
     
Awarded annually, the grants are based on a community's housing needs, the number of households estimated to be served and the organization's experience in administering TBRA funding. Public housing authorities and non-profit organizations may apply for grants of up to $300,000.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle rear-end collision on K-116 Highway in Atchison County Wednesday afternoon sent a Leavenworth teenager to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 70-year-old Holton resident Lee Banks was eastbound driving a pickup truck pulling a trailer when he slowed to turn into a private driveway and his trailer was stuck in the rear by a car driven by 18-year-old Haylee Graves, which failed to slow down.

Graves was transported to the Atchison Community Hospital with unspecified injuries.

Banks was not hurt.

The Patrol says both drivers were wearing seatbelts.

The wreck was reported shortly before 3:45 just east of Cheyenne Road. 

(KAIR)--Guilty.

That’s the plea from the Atchison educator charged with child sex crimes.

39-year-old Robert Bulk entered the guilty plea in Atchison County District Court Wednesday.

County Prosecutor Jerry Kuckelman said Bulk accepted A plea bargain resulting in final charges being two counts of sexual exploitation of a child eliminating previous drug charges and other sex crime charges.

Sentencing in the case is set for Jan. 9.

Kuckelman said Bulk is facing a sentence ranging from 31-136 months for each count.

Charges for Bulk stem from incidents with an Atchison teenager.

According to the probable cause affidavit from Atchison County District Court, Bulk began an electronic relationship with the teen back in January. Their communication resulted in $745 that Bulk paid to the teen in exchange for sexual photographs.

During the relationship, investigators say Bulk sent the teen sexual images and videos and requested the male victim to do the same and arranged payment through Paypal.

The illegal communication is said to have occurred between March and June. Court documents say Bulk never engaged in any physical relationship with the teen, but made four requests to do so.

Bulk remains in the Atchison County Jail held on a $100,000 bond.

(MSC News)--“Unacceptable.” That's what Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt calls this week's failure of cellphone alerts related to the issuance of an Amber Alert.

According to a press release from his office, Schmidt has ordered a top-to-bottom review of the operations of the Kansas Amber Alert, asking KBI Director Kirk Thompson to conduct a complete review of the program. Schmidt wants to see that completed, along with recommended steps that can be taken to ensure reliability, no later than January 31.

Schmidt's concerns arise from the issuance of an Amber Alert this week when a mother and her three children were reported as having been abducted from their Wichita home. “The Amber Alert program is a vital public safety tool,” Schmidt said. “During the critical time of need when a child has been abducted, there is no room for error. Any mistake or procedural failure, regardless of its cause, that results in an Amber Alert being less than fully implemented and effective in a timely manner is unacceptable and must be addressed.”

The Amber Alert System was activated to alert the public of the situation, but he special signal that activates cellphones failed to activate.

As part of the review, Schmidt asked Thompson to convene a meeting of the full Amber Alert Advisory Board to ensure all Amber Alert partners have the opportunity for input.

(KAIR)--Pay raises for city employees.

That follows an executive session during Monday’s Atchison City Commission meeting.

Atchison City Manager Trey Cocking says the resolution passed unanimously by commissioners increases pay by 50 cents an hour for all non-sworn law enforcement employees and 70 cents and hour for sworn law enforcement.

Cocking says the resolution allows for market adjustments as needed within approved ranges.

In addition to the raises, one-time bonuses will be doled out to Public Works and Utilities Director Justin Pregont and City Finance Director Becky Berger in the amount of $5,000.

Cocking said the bonuses are related to community development work.

Lastly, commissioners extended Cocking’s contract as City Manager until 2019 at a salary of $99,000 with a one-time $7,000 bonus for community development.

(KAIR)--60 days in jail.

That’s the sentence handed down to the Atchison woman convicted in an Atchison County burglary.

41-year-old Tracey Vollmer was sentenced in Atchison County District Court this week to 13 months in prison, but that sentence was suspended to two years probation including the 60 days behind bars on a charge of burglary of a dwelling.

Charges for Vollmer stem from a September arrest in connection with a burglary report back in February.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie said Vollmer illegally entered a shed at a residence of 6879 Lincoln Road in Atchison County. That illegal entry left an air compressor and lawn mower missing.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council has approved on final reading an ordinance that would allow pet grooming and pet training as permitted uses in an area zoned Light Industrial.

The action, taken at this week's meeting, is expected to clear the way for construction of a new building for Kylie Vollan to expand her pet grooming business to include pet training and doggy daycare at the corner of 7th and Morton Streets.

The council also approved contracting with Staffing Services to hire two temporary workers to help clean out the old water treatment building on south Crook Street.  Mayor Jerry Oliver said most of the items are junk.  The plan is to hire two people to work 40 – 60 hours each on the cleanup project.

Oliver said City Crews are very busy and this would be a cheaper option than having City workers do the cleanup. 

Action on a request from Jeremy Richey to have the lien on his house at 2206 Harlan Street released was tabled.  Richey received a Community Development Block Grant to make improvements to the home in 2014.  He accepted a job in Lincoln in February of this year.  

Richey is unable to sell the house with the block grant lien against it.  He is asking to be allowed to pay back what is owed over 5 –1 0 years, or for the City to forgive the remainder of the amount he owes. 

Mayor Jerry Oliver said the City would work with Richey to solve the issue, but need to make sure it is done correctly.  

(KAIR)--Two of the three teenagers arrested in connection with an Atchison carjacking heard their sentence in Atchison County District Court on Monday.

Both teens faced one count of felony theft.

Jasea Sanders was sentenced to 14 months with the Kansas Department of Corrections.

His co-defendant in the case, Justin Arbee was given 12 months, but that was suspended to 60 days in jail with 12 months supervised probation.

Charges for Sanders and Arbee stem from a report of a carjacking back in July.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the victim was approached by the three teens in the area of 4th and Main asking to borrow her phone.

They then asked for a ride and displayed a stun gun inside the vehicle.

At that point, the victim was forced out of the car and the three subjects left in the vehicle.

The teens, aged 14, 15 and 16 were located and arrested just days after the report.

(MSC News)--Cost savings are expected for customers of Westar Energy.

That word comes in a press release issued Monday by the company.

The statement, citing Westar's submission of a $27 million rate reduction with the Kansas Corporation Commission, says the average household will save $1.20 each month.

The submission was filed Friday.

Westar says the savings is due to an update of the property tax surcharge, meaning the amount of property tax that is more or less what was estimated and included in customers' base rates.

The updated price is expected to begin next month.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the theft of a skid loader from property in the southeast portion of the county.

The Sheriff’s Office says the theft of the Bobcat loader was reported on November 29th from 214 K-62 Highway.

The loss has been estimated at $10,000.
    
Also the Sheriff’s Department is investigating the theft of 50 hedge posts from a field on 224th Road about a ½ mile west of  U.S. 75 Highway.

The theft is believed to have occurred sometime between November 27th and December 3rd.

The loss was estimated at $500.

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

(KNZA)--The Glacial Hills R C & D has opened a new business resource center in Sabetha.

Glacial Hills R C & D Director Gary Satter says the more than 17,000-square-foot Center is located in the former Cobblestone Court building at 913 Dakota Street, which was donated to the non-profit rural development organization.

Satter says the building has been converted into a business incubator that assist entrepreneurs with starting or growing an existing business.

He says the Center offers an array of business support resources including entrepreneurial training seminars, business planning, access to capital, one-on-one coaching, physical office space for lease, co-working space and networking opportunities.

Satter says they currently have 4 office spaces available for rent.  In addition, he says meeting rooms are available to host seminars and workshops and are also available for organization meetings and family events.

A commercial shared-use kitchen is also available for food entrepreneurs in developing, processing and growing their food based businesses.

Satter says an open house is planned Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:00 by the Sabetha Chamber of Commerce.  The public is invited to attend and learn about the services offered.

(KNZA)--A Lansing Correctional Facility inmate has been found guilty of escaping from the prison in 2013.

According to a news release from Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, 53-year-old Scott Gilbert was convicted Monday of aggravated escape from custody following a bench trial.

Sentencing was set for December 19th.

Gilbert was previously convicted of 10 felonies in Platte County, Missouri for crimes committed after his escape from the Lansing prison. He was sentenced in Missouri to 128 years in prison.

At the time of the escape, Gilbert was serving a prison sentence for burglary and theft.

He escaped with two other inmates, Randy Riddens and Allen Hurst, in May 2013.

Riddens previously pleaded guilty to aggravated escape and was sentenced to 122 months in prison.

Thompson said Hurst is still awaiting trial on an aggravated escape charge.

(KNZA)--Brown County has been awarded federal funding for a steambank stabilization project southeast of Robinson.

The Brown County Commission Monday approved a grant award agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service for the project along 205th Road presented by District Conservationist Matt Sprick.

The Commission also approved the issuance of a check to the Division of Water Resources in an amount not to exceed $600 for a permit for the project.

The Commission is scheduled to open bids for the project at their December 19th meeting.

Sprick says the project is to start January 3rd and is scheduled for 10 days, weather allowing.

Federal funding through the NRCS’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program will pay for 75 percent of the project cost, with the county responsible for the remaining 25 percent.

About 350 to 400 feet of the stream bank along the Wolf River will be repaired.  The stream bank suffered heavy erosion during a storm on September 13th that brought heavy rainfall and flooding.

(KAIR)--A step forward in court proceedings for the Atchison educator arrested for alleged child sex crimes.

39-year-old Robert Bulk waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Atchison County District Court on Monday.

Bulk’s Topeka-based lawyer, Thomas Lemmon said he and Atchison County Prosecutor Jerry Kuckelman believe they’ve reached a plea agreement but needed further discussion.

Both said they should be ready to move forward with an agreement shorty and the case was set for Dec. 7 at 2:00 in the afternoon.

Bulk faces charges stemming from incidents with an Atchison teenager.

According to the probable cause affidavit from Atchison County District Court, Bulk began an electronic relationship back in January with the teen. Their communication resulted in $745 that Bulk paid to the teen in exchange for sexual photographs.

Bulk was arrested July 8th following an investigation by the Atchison Police Department when alerted by the teen’s mother of the illegal sexual relationship.

During the course of the relationship, which began on Facebook and moved to cell phone texts and Snapchat, investigators say Bulk sent the teen sexual images and videos and requested the victim to do the same and arranged payment through Paypal.

The illegal communication is said to have occurred between March and June. The affidavit does say Bulk never engaged in any physical relationship with the child, but did made four requests to do so.

His charges are electronic solicitation of a child and sexual exploitation of a child. Along with the sex charges, he faces drug charges. After a July 7th search warrant resulted in the discovery of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

He remains in the Atchison County Jail held on a $100,000 bond.

Bulk has been placed on administrative leave from his duties with Atchison’s USD 409, according to Superintendent Dr. Susan Myers. He had been employed with the district for 17 years.

Additionally, he was asked to step down from his role as Co-Chair of the Atchison County Democratic Party.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man accused of causing a severe head injury to a child stood mute during his arraignment Monday in Brown County District Court.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says the court entered a not guilty plea on behalf of 25-year-old Frankie Rodriguez to charges of aggravated battery and felony child abuse.

Hill says a pre-trial hearing was set for January 9th.

Rodriguez was arrested in late August 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 26th with a severe head injury.  The child was later flown to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, where she remains hospitalized.

Rodriguez remains in the Brown County Jail, held on a $500,000 bond.       

(KLZA)-- The four individuals elected in November to the Falls City Council were sworn in Monday evening.

Only one of the four is new to the Council.  Charles Bentley is the new Second Ward City Council member. He replaces Angie Nolte who did not seek re-election.

Bentley was a long time city employee retiring as the foreman of the Line Crew.

In addition, Mike Dougherty in Ward I, Jim Wisdom in Ward IV and Kirby Robidioux in Ward III were re-elected.  Robidoux was appointed to fill an unexpired term in the Third Ward in 2015.

Once the Council members were sworn in, Second Ward Council Person, Judy Murphy was elected to serve another year as Council President. Ward I Council member Don Ferguson was elected to another year as Acting President of the Council. 

(KAIR)--A Friday night report of criminal damage to property lands one St. Joseph man behind bars on drug charges.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News officers responded to the 1200 block of North Fourth Street after receiving a call about a man breaking windows at an apartment complex.

“When our officers arrived, they did locate 29-year-old Brett Beadles who was taken into custody for criminal damage to property in relation to the several broken windows,” Wilson said. “He’s also charged with criminal trespass for unlawfully entering into a residence.”

Additionally, Wilson said officers discovered Beadles was in possession of methamphetamine and he now faces that charge as well.

He was booked into the Atchison County Jail where he remains held on a $10,000 bond.

(MSC News)--Two area fire departments have been awarded grants through the Kansas Firefighter Recruitment and Safety Grant Program.

The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office has announced the first-ever recipients of the grant funds, which include Netawaka Rural Fire District #6 and the Waterville Fire Department.

The program, made possible with the 2016 budget passed by the Kansas Legislature and signed by Governor Sam Brownback,  is aimed at assisting volunteer and part-time fire departments across the state with firefighter recruitment.

Grants issued through the program will cover the cost of safety gear for new firefighters, plus funds for the purchase of new washer-extractor machines used to clean bunker gear following a fire.  Funds were also made available through the grant program for the creation of Junior Firefighter programs to attract youth volunteers into the fire service.

Netawaka Rural Fire District #6 will receive more than $6,600 for safety gear—including funding for a Junior Firefighter program.

The Waterville Fire Department will receive more than $5,800 for safety gear.  In addition, the department will receiving funding for a new washer/extractor machine.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office was given approval to spend up to $200,000 through the program, and 41 fire departments submitted applications totaling more than $814,000.   

(KLZA)-- A Mound City woman suffered minor injuries in a one-vehicle wreck Friday evening in Holt County. 

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 64-year-old Patricia Stinnettt was northbound on Route DD and entered the intersection at U.S. 159 Highway. Stinnett went off the north side of U.S. 159 and struck the ground.

The Atchison-Holt Ambulance Squad transported Stennett to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. 

The wreck was reported around 9:30 Friday night about eight miles south of Mound City. 
 

(KAIR)--An 11-year-old girl is dead, and three other teens injured, following a Monday morning Doniphan County crash involving the vehicle they were traveling in and a semi.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports it happened around 7:30, on U.S. Highway 36, 5 miles east of K-136, near Troy.

Dead is Kay-Lynn Drinkert who was a passenger in a Jeep Liberty driven by 17-year-old Wathena resident Cierra Waitt.

The Patrol says Waitt's vehicle, southbound on Randolph Road, entered the intersection of the highway, lost control, spun counter-clockwise, and re-entered the westbound lane of the highway. When that happened, her Jeep was struck head-on by the semi.

Waitt and two passengers, 15-year-old Elijah Waitt and 14-year-old Trinity Waitt, were all initially transported to Saint Joseph's Mosaic Life Care with what the Patrol identifies as disabling injuries.

Riverside School District Superintendent Mike Newman, in a statement, says Drinkert, of Wathena, was a 4th Grade student at USD 114. "We are saddened by the tragic death of a Riverside 4th grade girl today. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends. We also had three high school siblings receive non-life threatening injuries with two of these students being transferred to Children’s Mercy Hospital for pending surgeries. The school district will be providing counselors for students needing to talk about the accident. We ask that everyone keep all of the children and students and their families in your thoughts and prayers."

The Patrol's report states Drinkert was not wearing a seat belt, but the driver was buckled up. It remains unclear if the other two passengers were properly restrained.

The driver of the semi, 55-year-old Boonville, Missouri resident Alan Quint, was not hurt.

Although the report does not specifically state what led Waitt to lose control of her Jeep, it's known that morning roadways in the Doniphan County area were reported as slick at the time of the wreck.

The investigation is continuing.

(KNZA)--Two area electric cooperatives are now sharing a general manager.

Jim Currie, of rural Horton, recently accepted a position as shared manager of both the Doniphan Electric Cooperative Association and Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative Association.

Doniphan Electric reached out to the Brown-Atchison Board about the possibility of the two cooperatives sharing Currie as a manager after their longtime manager, Arlan Mitchell, got sick.  Mitchell, who had served as general manager of the cooperative since 1998, died November 2nd of this year.
    
Currie has worked for the Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative since 1978 holding various positions—including that of general manager since 2013.

Currie told the Kansas Chief he currently plans to send one to two days week at the Doniphan Electric Office in Troy and the rest of the week at the Brown-Atchison Electric Office in Horton.

Currie stressed that the two cooperatives have not merged and will continue to operate as two separate entities.    

(MSC News)--The Kansas Department of Transportation has approved bids for several area highway construction and maintenance projects.

In Brown County, more than 7 miles of U.S. 75 Highway will be resurfaced from the east U.S. 36 junction to one mile north of Sabetha.  Bettis Asphalt and Construction, of Topeka, was awarded the contract for the more than $1.2 million project.

The company was also awarded the contract for an asphalt rehabilitation project on a nearly 6 mile stretch of K-246 Highway in Brown County from the U.S. 75 junction to the west city limits of Morrill at a cost of nearly $262,000.

In Doniphan County, Bettis Asphalt and Construction was awarded the contract for a asphalt rehabilitation project on a nearly 6 mile stretch of K-7 Highway from the K-20 junction to 1.6 miles north of the U.S. 36 junction at a cost of more than $380,000.

Bids were opened November 16th in Topeka.

(KNZA)--A fund-raising campaign has been launched for the erection of a memorial honoring a Sabetha veteran.

Sabetha American Legion Post 126, Sabetha VFW Post 7258 and the Sabetha Chamber of Commerce have announced plans for a “Sergeant Major Wilbur Bestwick Memorial.”   

The 120 by 48 inch engraved limestone memorial is to be erected north of Sabetha near the Lane Trail marker.

An American flag and Marine Corps flag, which will be illuminated at all times, will grace the memorial.  In addition, four benches will be placed around the memorial.

Bestwick graduated from Sabetha High School in 1932 and was first person to hold the title of Sergeant Major.  The rank of “ Sergeant Major” was first implemented in the Marine Corps in 1957.

According to a letter from the Sabetha American Legion and VFW, the Memorial will cost $25,000 to $30,000 and they are seeking sponsorship donations ranging from $500 to $5,000 to cover the cost.

The letter says an account has been set up at United Bank and Trust in Sabetha and ask that checks be made payable to Wilbur Bestwick Memorial and deposited into that account.

Organizers hope to complete the project by early next summer in order to have a dedication ceremony on Memorial Day 2017. However, say they can only proceed as donations are received.  

Those with questions are asked to contact Sabetha American Legion Adjutant Randy Garber at 285-1238, Sabetha VFW Commander Jack Barnes at 285-1689 or the Sabetha Chamber at  285-0111.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle rear-end collision Friday evennig on U.S. 59 Highway about 3 miles south of St. Joseph left an Atchison, Kansas man with serious injuries.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 77-year-old St. Joseph resident George Parker was slowing to make a left turn when his SUV was struck in the rear by a car driven by 31-year-old Aaron Callaway shortly before 6:30.

The Patrol says Callaway was transported by Buchanan County EMS to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.

Parker was not hurt.   

The Patrol says both drivers were wearing seatbelts.

(KNZA)--A Wathena, Kansas woman escaped serious injury late Friday night in a single-vehicle DeKalb County, Missouri wreck.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 29-year-old Alberta Wolfenbarger was the passsenger in a car driven by 33-year-old King City, Missouri resident Brian Steveson.

The Patrol says Steveson was southbound on Route D about five miles north of Weatherby when he lost control of his car, which left the roadway and struck a ditch.

Steveson and Wolfenbarger were both taken to the Cameron Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.

The Patrol says both were wearing seatbelts when the wreck occurred shortly after 10:30.

(AP) - A jury has convicted a 32-year-old Falls City man of first-degree murder in the death of his cousin.
 
The Nebraska attorney general's office says a Richardson County jury on Friday found Desiderio Hernandez guilty of killing his cousin, Joseph A. Debella Jr.  Hernandez also was found guilty of use of a firearm to commit a felony and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
 
Debella was found on Aug. 5, 2015, in the basement of a Falls City home. He had been shot in the head and died from the wound Aug. 13 at a Lincoln hospital.
 
Hernandez was arrested after a nearly seven-hour standoff at a home in Horton, Kansas.

He will be sentenced Jan. 31.
 

(KAIR)--A celebration of the Sights and Sounds of Christmas is planned in Atchison Saturday.

That includes a visit from Santa Claus, with the Santa House, in the 500 block of the city's downtown mall, to be open from 10 until 2:30.

From noon until 4:30, various carriage rides will be provided, while Santa's Workshop, for ages 3 through 10, will happen at the same time in the Mall Towers dining room.

Story Time, aboard the Atchison Trolley, will run from noon until 4:00, while the Little Christmas Train, in the 600 block of the mall, will provide rides from noon until 4:30.

Those, and other planned activities, lead up to the evening's “Parade of Lights,” set to start at 5:30.

Winding its way through downtown Atchison, the parade will consist of three entry categories: family, business, and church/youth groups.

Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce President Jacque Pregont told MSC News Friday afternoon 40 entries were confirmed to take part in the early evening parade.

Everyone is invited to take part in any, or all, of the activities, as a way to celebrate the sights and sounds of an Atchison Christmas.

(MSC News)--Public comment is now being accepted regarding the proposed acquistion of Westar Energy.

According to a press release issued by the Kansas Corporation Commission, comments pertaining to Great Plains Energy's goal to purchase the energy provider can be submitted online, by phone, or in person.

Comments will be accepted through 5:00 on the evening of January 18, 2017.

They can be submitted online here, by clicking the link under Your Opinion Matters.

Comments can also be made by calling the KCC at 1 800-662-0027 or (785) 271-3140.

Letters can also be mailed to the Kansas Corporation Commission, Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604 4027. Docket #16-KCPE-593-ACQ should be referenced in the letter.

Meanwhile, the KCC has scheduled a public hearing about the proposal, which will be held Monday evening.

That will happen at 6:00 at Shawnee Heights High School, in Tecumseh, Kansas.

The hearing can be viewed live online here, and will be recorded for later online viewing beginning the next day.

(KMZA)--Details have been released on a two-vehicle wreck in Nemaha County that sent a Centralia woman to hospital.

The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department says it happened Monday morning shortly after 7:00 on E Road, just north of 1st Road.

The Sheriff’s Office says 24-year-old Onaga resident Wyatt Correll was southbound when he crossed the center of the road and struck a SUV parked along the road occupied by 28-year-old Kayla Jones.  

Jones had been involved in a car-deer accident about 15 minutes earlier.

She was transported to a hospital by EMS for the treatment of unspecified injuries.

Correll was not hurt.

(KMZA)---A Florida-based company is looking at developing a wind energy project in the southern part of Nemaha County, Kansas.

Alan Anderson, an attorney representing NextEra Energy Resources, met with the Nemaha County Commission this week to request that they adopt a conditional use permit resolution before the end of the year for the proposed project.

Anderson said they are currently in the early stages, and few details are being released at this time.

The wind farm is being proposed for portions of Harrision, Red Vermillion, Riley and Wetmore Townships.

Following discussion, the Commission agreed to set a public hearing for the morning of December 12th at 10:00 in the Commissioner’s room at the Nemaha County Courthouse to consider approval of a conditional use permit for the project.

The Commission will also consider amending or rescinding a resolution adopted in September 2012 placing a requirement on how close wind turbines can be located to a house or property line.

The resolution was adopted after a group of landowners voiced concerns about a proposed wind energy project at the time in the northern part of the county.

It requires that wind turbines be no closer than 3,000 feet from a home and 15-hundred feet from a property line.  The setbacks can be waived if all parties affected by the location of the proposed wind turbine sign off on it.

NextEra Energy currently operates a $138 million wind farm in portions of Gage and Jefferson Counties in southeast Nebraska.

The wind farm, which became operational in November 2013, generates nearly 74-megawatts of electricity from 44 turbines.

All the power generated by the project is being provided to the Nebraska Public Power District.   
      

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - An investment company says it plans to build a casino and expo center in downtown St. Joseph.

The St. Joseph News-Press  reports that Missouri-based Inner Circle Investments LLC hopes to build the casino in the parking lot just north of the Radisson Hotel, and then move the St. Jo Frontier Casino to that location.

The city has contacted Affinity Games, the company that owns Frontier, several times about possibly moving downtown.

Planning and community development director Clint Thompson says Affinity Gaming was reluctant to move without some kind of incentive. Thompson says Inner Circle provides more incentive for Affinity than the city would.

The St. Joseph City Council will vote on a memorandum of understanding with Inner Circle that shows support for the project this month.

(KNZA)---The 25th annual Horton Christmas Luminarias will take place Sunday evening, December 4th.

The event, sponsored by the South Brown County Ministerial Alliance, will be held from 5:30 to 8:00.

The Luminarias transforms ten city blocks into living, dramatic scenes of the life of Christ.  Men, women and children of the area take their place as Biblical characters in a setting of live animals, colorful props, costumes and music.  The atmosphere is enhanced by 13-hundred glowing candles
outlining the route from scene to scene.

The event, also known as the “ Festival of Lights”, draws hundreds of vehicles each year.  Shuttle busses have been added to help traffic flow. Shuttles may be boarded, at a no charge, at Jim Thriftway.

A free will donation may be dropped in a receptable at the end of the route to support the South Brown County Ministerial Association’s benevolence outreach.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City Council members have given final approval to an ordinance to impose an additional half-cent sales and use tax to pay for city street projects.

In November Pawnee City voters approved the sales tax increase. With the final approval by the Council, collection of the additional sales tax will begin April 1, 2017.

No action was taken concerning a nuisance property at 439 F Street. Don Graham is still living in the house. An effort is underway by his brother, Jerry Graham, to relocate him to another home so the house and garage can be razed. The property has been deemed a nuisance.

Mayor Charles Hatfield asked that the item be placed on the agenda for the next council meeting.

Council members voted to move the second meeting in December to Tuesday, December 27th due to the 26th being a holiday for City employees.  
 

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle rear-end collision on U.S. 75 Highway in Shawnee County Thursday morning left a Hoyt woman injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened shortly before 8:00 about a ½ mile north of I-70.

The Patrol says 32-year-old Katie Moss was southbound and had slowed with traffic when her SUV was struck in the rear by another SUV driven by 25-year-old Topeka resident Eric Palmer, which failed to slow in time.

Moss, who was wearing a seatbelt, was transported to Topeka’s Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center by private vehicle for the treatment of unspecified injuries.  

Palmer was not hurt.       

(KLZA)-- Earlier this year, Falls City received the funds for the Downtown Revitalization Grant projects.

Approximately $460,000 worth of improvements are planned. Falls City Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Executive Director David Branch said approximately $240,000 will be used for replacing the sidewalks in the 1600 block of Stone Street. That would leave around $190,000 for building improvements with the rest going to administrative fees.  

Roofs and storefront windows are the top priorities for the buildings. The committee felt if the buildings roof was not in good shape, there is not sense in fixing up the rest of the building. Another committee goal is to make funds available to as many businesses as possible.   

The majority of the grant monies have been designated for new sidewalks in the 1600 block of Stone Street. Hope are there is enough money to tear out the current sidewalks and replace them with new sidewalks that will hopefully be 18 inches narrower on both sides. The committee also hopes to have enough money for new light posts in the 1600 block of Stone Street. 

An engineer has to develop the sidewalk plans. The sidewalk project must then be re-bid to the engineers specs. 

Branch noted that around 14 projects are planned. Hopes are for several of the roof projects to be completed this fall before winter weather hits the area.  

(KLZA)-- A Falls City home has been deemed a total loss following a Wednesday morning fire.

Falls City Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ken Simpson says firefighters were called to the Tom and Mary Lunsford residence at 920 McLean Street shortly before 9:00.

He said their daughter Andrea Lunsford and an infant grandchild, who also live at the two-story home, were home at the time of the fire and got out safely.

Simpson says the State Fire Marshall Office determined a space heater plugged into the same outlet along with several other devices, behind a television, overloaded the outlet and caused a short.

He says the fire burned the television set and cabinet, spread up a wall and burned the living room before spreading into the kitchen where it was extinguished. 

10 members of the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department and eight members of the Falls City Rural Fire Department responded to the call.  Firemen were at the site until about 1:30 Wednesday afternoon.  

(KLZA)--A first degree murder trial is underway in Richardson County District Court after being postponed three times.

35-year-old Desiderio Hernandez of Falls City is on trial for the August 4, 2015 murder of his 31-year-old cousin.

Hernandez is accused of shooting Joseph Debella Jr. in the basement of a Falls City home. Debella died eight days later.

Along with first degree murder, Hernandez is charged with use of a weapon to commit a felony and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

After the shooting, Hernandez left the home, gaining a ride to Horton, Kansas where he was arrested following a near seven hour standoff with authorities.

Jury selection was completed Monday afternoon followed by opening arguments.

The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office is handling the prosecution.

In earlier court proceedings, an attorney for Hernandez argued the element of “Killing” was not proven since Debella died only after being taken off life support equipment.

(KNZA)--A name was drawn from a hat at the Brown County Commission meeting Wednesday to break a 4-way tie for a township trustee position.

Commission Chairman Warren Ploeger drew the name of Brad Swearingen to win the position of Padonia Township Trustee.

Swearingen, Griff Howard, Chuck Bebermeyer and Mark Mueller each received two write-in votes during the November 8th general election.

No one filed for the position.