(KAIR)--The City of Atchison is remembering the life of longtime, former Fire Chief Mike McDermed.

McDermed died Thursday following a battle with brain cancer. “We are all with heavy hearts right now,” current Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf told MSC Radio News. “We kind of knew this was coming, but you just never quite prepare for it.”

Graf is among those in the community remembering McDermed. “I've heard him described as the consummate professional, just professional at all levels, and he really truly was,” Graf said. “I wish that I could be that way, and maybe I will learn that someday.”

McDermed served the Atchison community for 45-years, with 35 of those spent as Fire Chief.

He retired last year due to his health issues. “The fact that he confidence and faith in me means a lot to me,” Graf Said. “The fact that when he first became ill and took an extended leave of absence the first time, I was his choice to fill in as the interim Chief. [He] gave me numerous opportunities to succeed, and that's the reason that I'm in the position that I'm in today, and there's many of our other members that would say the exact same thing.”

In a press release issued by the City of Atchison Friday, Atchison Mayor Allen Reavis calls McDermed “an exceptional leader and devoted public servant,” adding that “he will be missed as a mentor and a role model.”

Along with his duties as Fire Chief, McDermed would serve as interim City Manager when that role needed to be filled due to an absence.

Funeral Services for McDermed are planned for Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 at the Atchison Event Center.

The family requests that guests wear Hawaiian, or bright colored clothing, at the celebration of McDermed's life.

Atchison City Hall will be closed Wednesday afternoon to allow staff to attend the services.

(KAIR)--A change in oversight of environmental issues at Atchison-based MGP Ingredients.

That comes through the promotion of Munim Hussain Ph.D to the position of corporate director of environmental engineering at the company.

Hussain has served as corporate environmental engineer at the company since 2012, and will continue to oversee those responsibilities in conjunction with his new role.

According to a press release issued by MGP, Hussain's new responsibilities will include the direction of functions and programs associated with environmental compliance and environmental management, as well as environmental engineering, at MGP's Atchison and Lawrenceburg, Indiana operations.

MGP Vice-President and Chief Administrative Officer, Dave Rindom, says Hussain's “professional experience, along with the achievement of his doctorate and the recent completion of a master's degree in business administration, will be mutually beneficial to him and MGP well into the future.”

(KNZA)--A jury has found a Leavenworth man facing a charge of attempted first-degree murder in connection with the 2015 shooting of another man guilty of a lesser included offense of aggravated battery.

According to a press release from the Leavenworth County Attorney’s Office, the verdict was returned Thursday in the case of 30-year-old James Thompson whose trial began Monday.

Thompson was also found guilty of aggravated assault, criminal discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle and aggravated child endangerment.

Thompson was convicted of shooting Jeffrey Williams in the chest on August 28th, 2015 following a vehicle collision on 10th Avenue in Leavenworth. Williams survived the shooting.

The aggravated child endangerment charge was related to Williams' 2-year-old son who was in one of the vehicles at the time of the shooting.

(KAIR)--Comments made by a student started the investigation that led to the arrest of a police official this week on child sex crimes related charges.

Joshua Barnes, the Assistant Chief of Police for the Kickapoo Tribal Police Department, was arrested early Tuesday morning on a charge of indecent liberties with a child less than 14-years-old, following an investigation by the Holton Police Department.

Holton Police Chief Gale Gakle tells MSC News a school counselor learned of the female student's comments, and a report was made to his office in May of last year.

The resulting investigation led to arrest, which was conducted by the Brown County Sheriff's Office.

Gakle says the victim and Barnes were known to each other.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim was born in 2009.

The document says the alleged crimes were committed in January 2015 and May 2016.

The 33-year-old Barnes began serving as the Assistant Chief of Police for the Kickapoo Tribal Police Department last year.

According to Tribal Police Chief Loren Lossman, Barnes has been placed on paid leave.

Barnes, of Meriden, was released from custody on a bond of $50,000.

A court date for Barnes is not immediately available.

(KNZA)--The Morrill Fire Department has received an $1,800 grant for a grain bin rescue tube. 

According to a press release, the grant is provided through the Frontier Farm Credit Working Here Fund.    

When assembled, the tube goes around the trapped person and provides a barrier that keeps grain from falling on top of the person while rescuers dig him or her out.

Morrill Assistant Fire Chief Harland Schuster says in view of the potential for grain entrapment in the area they serve, he feels its critical they have the means to rescue victims in this situation.

The release says Morrill firefighters will be trained on the proper use of the new equipment.

The Department is one of nine organizations to receive a Working Here Fund grant in the fourth quarter of 2016.

The Morrill Fire Department provides fire protection, basic rescue and medical first responder service for 84 square miles--including the towns of Morrill and Hamlin in Brown County.

(KLZA)--A Falls City man has pleaded not guilty to felony and misdemeanor charges of theft by unlawful taking.

25-year-old Jacob Lee entered the pleas this week in Richardson County District Court.

Lee is accused of stealing a 2011 Buick car from a rural Falls City residence on March 5th.

In addition, he's accused of stealing a horse bridle from another Falls City residence.

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for May 30th.

Lee remains in the Richardson County Jail on a $2,500 bond after his request for a bond reduction was denied.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Council has awarded a bid to have the city water tower cleaned.

Monday night the Council opened four bids for cleaning the outside of the water tower. Bids ranged from a low bid of nearly $5,700 up to more than $17,000.

Following discussion, the Council voted to approve the low bid of $5,695 from the National Wash Authority.  Approval is contingent on the company being bonded and insured.

A date for the project to begin has not been set.  
 

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Council has awarded a bid to have the city water tower cleaned.

Monday night the Council opened four bids for cleaning the outside of the water tower. Bids ranged from a low bid of nearly $5,700 up to more than $17,000.

Following discussion, the Council voted to approve the low bid of $5,695 from the National Wash Authority.  Approval is contingent on the company being bonded and insured.

A date for the project to begin has not been set.  
 

(KLZA)-- NioCorp Development has submitted a pre-construction notification permit application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a waterline, proposed to run form it mining site near Elk Creek to the Missouri River. John Nixon reports. 

The permit application is for the outfall structure portion of the waterline in the Missouri River.  Under current federal law, the remainder of the 33-mile waterline can move forward under non-notifying parameters of Nationwide Permit 12.

The proposed waterline is to have no permanent impacts on wetlands or stream channels and is to have only temporary impacts during construction. 
NioCorp’s proposed underground mine, surface processing facilities and tailings impoundment are estimated to result in zero permanent impacts to any federally jurisdictional waters, thus requiring no discretionary permit from the Corp of Engineers. 

According to the company release, the Elk Creek Project must still obtain a number of state and local permits prior to construction and operation.  These include water, air quality, and other permits from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and other agencies.  

NioCorp CEO Mark Smith said “We want to do the right thing for the environment, and that is a key reason why we invested more time and resources into further optimizing our plans for the Elk Creek mine and processing facility and the waterline.” 

Smith called the optimizations a win for the project, the environment and Southeast Nebraska. 

(KNZA)--A jury trial has been set for a Horton woman facing charges in a Jackson County burglary case.

32-year-old Megan Hollister recently pleaded “ not guilty” to six counts in Jackson County District Court.

The Holton Recorder reports a two-day jury trial has been scheduled, beginning August 3rd.
 
Hollister is accused of breaking into a Whiting residence last August.  Taken were a number of electronic items.

Co-defendant, 19-year-old Whiting residence Shelby Hopkins, is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence after being convicted in October on charges of burglary and obstruction of official duty in the case.

Hollister was placed on the “ Jackson County Most Wanted” list and remained at large until November 5th when she was arrested in Atchison after crashing a stolen pickup truck following a chase.

She faces charges in Atchison County of theft, driving while suspended and fleeing and eluding.

Hollister remains free on a $10,000 bond.    

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission is once again making available a dust control program to interested residents who live or own property on county-maintained roads. 

The program consists of applying DustGard to rock roads in front of houses and properties in an effort to control dust created by vehicles.

The cost of the program will be borne by individual residents and individual property owners who request to participate.  The minimum distance required to apply dust control is 500 feet.  The cost of material, labor and equipment to treat a 500-foot strip of road is $1.50 a foot, for a total cost of $750.

Anyone wishing to participate in the program will need to sign-up and make payment by Tuesday, April 4th in the Nemaha County Highway Department Office located at 710 Pioneer Street in Seneca.  Payment must be made in the office at the time of enrollment in the program.

Those with questions can call 785-336-2168.  

(KNZA)--A Morrill man escaped serious injury in a single-vehicle Brown County wreck late Thursday morning.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 40-year-old David Frey was northbound on K-246, north of 280th Street, when his pickup truck left the roadway, coming to rest on its top in the east ditch.

Frey was transported to the Sabetha Community Hospital with what the Patrol described as possible injuries.

The Patrol says Frey was buckled up when the wreck occurred shortly before noon.

(KAIR)--A preliminary agreement is reached following the stay of a vacancy notice given to the Atchison Genealogy Society to leave the Kansas Room at the Atchison Library.

Atchison Library Director Jacque Slingsby told MSC News the two parties have reached a comprise she said was acceptable for everyone.

Slingsby said the agreement has been sent to an out-of-town attorney for review.

“We decided to do that just so there was no conflict of interest,” she said. “We're going to have them take a look at it and make sure the language is all official. We'll come back and make sure what the attorney has drafted is acceptable to everybody. Then, we should be in good shape.”

The agreement outlines the purposes and goals of both the library and Genealogy Society.

“It comes down to, we want to make sure that everybody can access this material that is very unique,” Slingsby said. “The genealogy society wants to make sure the material is there, in the future. It spells out how we'll be able to do this.” Being cataloged and accessible is really a key point. With the roof coming, I think that really solidified with everyone involved—there's material that can't be replaced.”

The agreement comes after the genealogy society was asked to vacate the Kansas Room—where they had been for more than 25 years in the name of fairness to all groups wishing to use that space.

After that announcement, strong disapproval from some in the community sparked a discussion between the two and a 60 stay of the vacancy notice until a compromise was met.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Council has approved on first reading an amendment to an ordinance concerning All-Terrain / Utility-Terrain vehicles. 

The ordinance was passed this week allowing only Utility-Terrain vehicles on city streets.

It  does not include all-terrain vehicles, golf carts or low-speed vehicles. 

To be able to drive a UTV on city streets, several requirements would have to be meet.

The vehicle would have to be  inspected by the Sheriff’s Office, owner provide proof of insurance and  pay a $15 annual fee,

In addition,a headlight and taillight would be required and the UTV must be equipped with a bicycle safety flag extending not less than five feet above the ground.  

UTV's could only be operated on the streets from sunrise to sunset.

The ordinance must pass two more times before going into effect.  

(KLZA)-- A 20-year old Maitland, Missouri man was injured in a single vehicle wreck Thursday morning in Holt County, Missouri. 

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol report, just past 4:00 A.M., Jamison Loucks was northbound on Missouri Highway 113 approximately three miles south of Maitland when his pickup traveled off the side of the road, became airborne and began to overturn, striking an embankment.  

Loucks, who was not wearing a safety device, was transported by the Atchison-Holt EMS to St. Francis Hospital in Maryville with what were described as moderate injuries.

The 2014 Chevrolet pickup came to rest on its wheels in a ditch. The pickup was totaled.  
 

(KAIR)--An early morning traffic stop in Atchison lands one Atchison woman behind bars.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, deputies conducted a traffic stop at 4:00 a.m. Thursday morning in the 900 block of Main Street in Atchison.

During that stop, a passenger in the vehicle 32-year-old Charlsie Harris, was arrested after a quantity of methamphetamine and other narcotics were discovered.

The report stated Harris faces charges of possession of meth with intent to distribute, unlawful possession with intent to distribute prescription pills and possession with intent of drug paraphernalia for illegal use and no drug tax stamp.

He was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KMZA)--Nemaha County’s sanitation code needs updated.

That’s what Dennis Foster with Northeast Kansas Environmental Services told the County Commission this week.

Foster says the code has not been updated since it went into effect in 1993.

Discussion was held concerning establishing a committee to make recommendations of needed updates to the sanitation code to Commissioners for their approval.

Foster thanked Commissioners for the $10,000 they provide annually for the organization.

He also introduced new employee, Logan Bausch, of Hoyt.  Bausch recently graduated with a degree in biology from Ottawa University.

(KAIR)--An early morning traffic stop in Atchison lands one Atchison man behind bars.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, deputies conducted a traffic stop at 4:00 a.m. Thursday morning in the 900 block of Main Street in Atchison.

During that stop, a passenger in the vehicle 32-year-old Charlsie Harris, was arrested after a quantity of methamphetamine and other narcotics were discovered.

The report stated Harris faces charges of possession of meth with intent to distribute, unlawful possession with intent to distribute prescription pills and possession with intent of drug paraphernalia for illegal use and no drug tax stamp.

He was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

( AP)--Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has vetoed a bill that would have extended the state's health coverage for the poor under former President Barack Obama's signature health care law.

The conservative Republican governor made the move Thursday. He explained that he thinks the expansion would fail to serve the truly needy and would burden the state with what he called "unrestrainable entitlement costs."
 
The bill would have expanded Medicaid coverage to as many as 180,000 additional adults.
 
Legislators gave final approval to the measure Tuesday. It had strong bipartisan majorities in both chambers, but supporters were short of the two-thirds majorities necessary to override a veto. Nevertheless, they are expected to try.
 
Brownback has been a vocal critic of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare," and his action was expected.
 

(MSC News)--The Kansas Cold Weather Rule ends this Friday, March 31. That means Kansans who are behind on electric and natural gas utility bills will be subject to disconnection of service unless they contact their utility company to make payment arrangements.

The Cold Weather Rule, in effect November 1 through March 31 each year, provides protection to residential customers who cannot fully pay winter utility bills from companies under the Kansas Corporation Commission's (KCC) jurisdiction. That protection ends on Thursday. Failure to make arrangements or failure to adhere to an already established payment plan could result in service disconnection. Reconnection may require payment in full.

The Cold Weather Rule requires utilities to set up 12-month payment plans for customers who cannot afford to pay their full bill. As part of this arrangement, the customer must make an initial payment of 1/12 of the overdue amount, 1/12 of the bill for current service, the full amount of any disconnection or reconnection fees, plus any applicable deposit owed to the utility. The balance will be billed in equal payments over the next 11 months in addition to the regular monthly bill.

The KCC adopted the Cold Weather Rule to protect customers during cold winter weather by providing a reasonable and organized method of paying past due and current bills. The Cold Weather Rule applies only to residential customers of electric and natural gas utility companies under the KCC's jurisdiction. For a complete list of utilities regulated by the KCC visit: http://www.kcc.ks.gov/pi/jurisdictional_utilities.htm.

More information about the Cold Weather Rule is available at:http://www.kcc.ks.gov/pi/cwr_english.htm. Kansans may also contact their local utility company or the KCC's Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at (800) 662-0027.

Left: Booking photo of Joshua Barnes. Right: Joshua Barnes as pictured on the Kickapoo Tribal Police Department website. 

(KAIR)--Alleged sex crimes with a child lead to the arrest of a local police official.

According to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, Joshua Lee Benjamin Barnes was arrested early Tuesday morning on a charge of indecent liberties with a child less than 14-years-old.

He was taken into custody by the Brown County Sheriff's Office in connection to what Morse says is a Holton Police Department investigation.

Barnes, of Meriden, was released from custody on a bond of $50,000.

The 33-year-old Barnes, since last year, has served as the Assistant Chief of Police for the Kickapoo Tribal Police Department.

Tribal Chief of Police Loren Lossman tells MSC News that Barnes has been placed on leave, with pay, but had no further comment on the arrest. 

According to the department's website, Barnes began working for the Kickapoo Tribal Police on March 11, 2013. He was promoted to Investigator in July 2015 and to Assistant Chief of Police on February 18, 2016.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City Council members heard an update on the Assisted Living facility project when they met Monday evening.

John DeFreece, President of the Pawnee City Assisted Living Group, said the plans for the facility have been approved. AHRS Construction of Bern, Kansas will be the contractor.

Hopes are to begin construction around May 1.  It is expected it will take a year to complete the project.  
 

(KLZA)-- Following a public hearing Monday night, the Pawnee City Council approved a resolution that will help clear the way for a couple to open a bar and restaurant.

The Council approved a resolution allowing Mitchell and Kenzie Turnbull to receive $32,500 in Community Development Block Grant – Economic Development Program Income Reuse funds to help them purchase the former Adobe Bar & Grille in downtown Pawnee City. 

The Turnbulls plan to open “The Blazin Bull” around May 1. 
 

(KAIR)--Atchison County Sheriff's Deputies are investigating after two barricades—blocking entry traffic from traveling over a bridge—were damaged.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, the Atchison County Road and Bridge Department reported on Tuesday someone had damaged the barricades on a bridge near the intersection of 22nd and Barton Road in Atchison County. The report stated $200 in damages were caused.

No suspects are known at this time, and the investigation is ongoing.

If you have information about the damage, contact Atchison County Sheriff's Office.

(KAIR)--An investigation is launched after an Effingham woman reported a fraudulent use of her debit card.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, Karen Falk reported her Exchange Bank debit card was fraudulently used at Menard's in St. Joseph in the amount of $126.

The report indicated no suspects are known at the time, and the investigation is continuing.

If you have any information about the fraudulent usage, contact Atchison County Sheriff's Office.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha teenager is facing a pair of child sex-related charges.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says 17-year-old Alex Seeman has been charged with one count each of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated criminal sodomy.

Hill says the alleged offenses involve a child born in 2003.

Seeman made his first appearance in court Tuesday.

He has been released to the custody of his parents under court supervision.

The juvenile case was filed March 8th.   

(KNZA)--The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing Holton woman.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says 28-year-old Briana Slayton was last seen in the Holton area around 3:30 Tuesday afternoon.

Morse says Slayton has been consuming alcohol and has suicidal tendencies.

She is described as a Native American, standing 5 foot 4 and weighing 120 pounds.  Slayton has brown eyes and hair. 

Morse says Slayton is possibly in possession of a tent.

She has known contacts in Jackson County, the Potawatomi Reservation, Shawnee County and the Lawrence area.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.   

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man facing drug charges has entered into a plea agreement. 

26-year-old Kalan Pyle pleaded no contest Monday in Brown County District Court to a felony count of possession of methamphetamine.  

In exchange for the plea, a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia was dismissed.

Sentencing was set for May 22nd.

Pyle and 44-year-old Hiawatha resident Beth Mikita were arrested January 6th in the Hiawatha Wal-Mart parking lot after the Brown County Sheriff’s Department’s K-9, Ari, alerted on their vehicle.  That came after a resident contacted authorities to report suspicious activity.   

The arraignment for Mikita was continued Monday to April 24th.   

She faces charges of possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia and traffic contraband into a correctional facility.

The pair also faces drug charges in Richardson County following a traffic stop last September.

In addition, Mikita is accused of violating the terms of her probation in an embezzlement case.

She was convicted of embezzling funds from the Hiawatha Chamber of Commerce between August 2014 and April 2015 while serving as Chamber treasurer.

Last June, Mikita was placed on 12-months supervised probation on charges in that case and ordered to pay more than $8,000 restitution.

(KAIR)--A continuance is granted in the case of a former physician assistant accused of sexually abusing patients at a local area Veterans Affairs hospital.

The Leavenworth Times reports the continuance in the case surrounding Horton resident Mark Wisner was placed on hold following a decision of the judge.

That decision is a reversal of the judge's earlier ruling that there would be no delay, scheduling the start date of Wisner's trial for April 3 in Leavenworth County District Court.

However, the newspaper, citing court documents, says the continuance was granted Friday.

Wisner is charged with one felony count of aggravated sexual battery, one felony count of aggravated criminal sodomy, and three misdemeanor charges of sexual battery.

The crimes are alleged to have occurred between 2012 and 2014 while Wisner was employed at the Eisenhower VA Medical Center, in Leavenworth.

Another hearing is scheduled for April 4.

A new trial date is expected to be set at that time.

The continuance request stemmed from the defense counsel's need for additional time to prepare, following the discovery of a new expert witness.

(KLZA)-- Unemployment figures in February were down in all but one county in southeast Nebraska.  

In Pawnee County, the unemployment rate was up a tenth of a point to 3.3- percent in February, but that remains the lowest rate in the area. 

Nemaha and Johnson counties had the highest jobless rate at 4.1-percent.  That is down 8-tenths in Nemaha County from January and down 2-tenths in Johnson County. 

In Richardson County, the February unemployment rate dipped 3-tenths to 4-percent.  In Gage County, unemployment was down 4-tenths to 3.8-percent and in Otoe County, the 3.9-percent unemployment rate is down 2-tenths. 

Statewide, The Nebraska Department of Labor says the February unemployment rate was 3.3 percent.  Down a tenth of a point from January.  The National rate for February was 4.7-percent.  

(KNZA)--A Kansas City, Missouri man has been charged in connection with a weekend shooting in St. Joseph that left a woman critically injured.

KQ2-TV reports that 37-year-old Dion Clark has been charged with a felony count of first-degree domestic assault.

According to court documents, Clark is accused of shooting a 30-year-old Kansas City, MO woman in her torso early Sunday morning at the Belt Sports Complex.

The woman was taken to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, where she remains in critical condition.

Court documents indicate Clark was in a romantic relationship with the woman.

Clark made his first appearance in a Buchanan County courtroom Tuesday morning.  A preliminary hearing has been set for April 11th.  

He remains in the Buchanan County Jail, held without bond.

TARKIO, Mo. – Surface improvements, added shoulders, and repaired culverts this spring and summer will make for a smoother ride along U.S. Route 136 in Atchison County, Missouri. 

Contractors from Herzog Contracting Corp., working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, will begin Monday, April 3, by repairing culverts east of Tarkio. The repairs will necessitate single-lane closures in short sections between one-half mile east of Route O and one-half mile east of Route M. Flaggers will guide motorists around the lane closures. Repairs to the culverts should be completed on or before May 1, 2017, weather permitting.

The asphalt overlay and shoulder improvement portions of the project are planned for mid-July through the end of August.

Schedules are subject to change. 

For more information about this and other MoDOT projects, visit www.modot.org/northwest and view the online Traveler Information Map.
 

(KLZA)-- The public is invited to an open house Wednesday evening from 6 – 7:00 at the Nemaha Natural Resources District office in Tecumseh.  

This will be a chance for landowners and residents of Southeast, Nebraska to learn about the Nemaha River Basin Water Quality Management Plan.

This plan provides a single, coordinated strategy to identify water quality threats and needs, prioritize watersheds and areas for improvement, and identify practices and activities to address the known deficiencies in water quality.  

Representatives from the NRD and Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality will be present to discuss the intent of the plan, key recommendations and how the Plan will benefit the public as projects are implemented in the future. 

Currently the top priority for the Nemaha NRD is toe address the declining water quality at Kirkman’s Cove Lake northwest of Humboldt.  Other priorities include small sediment structures above Duck Creek reservoir and maintaining a grass cover within the Burchard Reservoir watershed.  

The Nemaha NRD is also considering a new program to assist communities with reducing nitrate pollution and promoting water conservation practices within Drinking Water Protection Area’s.

You can visit the Nemaha NRD website www.nemahanrd.org for more information on the plan.  
 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas' Republican-controlled Legislature has approved an expansion of the state's Medicaid program under the federal Affordable Care Act.
 
The state Senate voted 25-14 on Tuesday for legislation that would expand state health coverage to thousands of poor adults. The House approved it last month on an 81-44 vote, meaning the measure now goes to conservative Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.
 
Brownback has been a vocal critic of the federal health care law championed by former President Barack Obama. Brownback hasn't said he would veto the bill, but lawmakers expect it.
 
The bill's supporters would need 27 of 40 votes in the Senate and 84 of 125 in the House for the two-thirds majorities for overriding a veto.

(KNZA)--A second suspect has pleaded guilty in the murder of a teenage girl at a popular St. Joseph park.

KQ2-TV reports 18-year-old Sebastian Dowell entered the plea Monday in a Buchanan County courtroom to a charge of second-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Kaytlin Root.

Co-defendant, 17-year-old Amanda Bennett, pleaded guilty in February to the same charge.   Bennett told the court at the time that the killing was part of what she described as a demonic sacrifice.

Authorities say the pair lured Root to Krug Park in October where she was stabbed multiple times.

Her body was found near one of the trails at the park on October 16th.

Both Dowell and Bennett are to be sentenced in May.

Left: Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson (left) says goodbye to Sgt. David Leeper (right) Right: Detective Carey Stone (left) says goodbye to Sgt. Brent Duncan (right) Photo Credit: City of Atchison/Facebook

(KAIR)--A warm farewell to a longtime member of the Atchison Police Department.

That happened Friday when a reception was held for Sergeant Brent Duncan, as he retires from the department.

Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News the retirement was effective as of this past weekend. “He started with us in 1998, very successful career as a policeman with us,” Wilson said. “We're proud of him for a lot or reasons. Everything from rising to the rank of sergeant to one time being our special response team leader to originating our motorcycle patrol. We've had our motorcycle patrol now since 1999. That was initiated because of the efforts of Sgt. Duncan.”

Wilson says Duncan's departure comes on the heels of another police department retirement in January. “Just several months ago we had another patrol sergeant retire – that was Sergeant David Leeper,” Wilson said. “Because of Sgt. Leeper retiring and knowing that Sgt. Duncan was going to retire, we've actually promoted two new sergeants. We have those supervisors now in place that will take over.”

Promoted to the rank of Sergeant are Al Kelly and Nelson Birkinsha. Prior to the promotion, Wilson says both served as Corporals, meaning the two vacancies, in that rank, also had to be filled. “Because of that, we've also promoted two corporals,” Wilson explained. “That's Travis Eichelberger and Brian Johnson. Two sergeants leave, two corporals become sergeants and two officers become corporals.”

Wilson says a vacancy, created by the retirements, has been filled in the department by the return of a one time officer. “Adam Bush, who was a longtime employee with us, who left for a short time to become a Buchanan County sheriff, Wilson said. “Chose to come back and brought back years of experience with him.”

Wilson says one vacancy remains, and the process of filling that role moves forward.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A group of 12 state attorneys general—including Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt--and one governor is urging a federal appeals court to allow Donald Trump's revised travel ban targeting six predominantly Muslim countries to take effect.

In a brief filed in the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday, the states say the president's executive order is not a "pretext for religious discrimination." They say the president acted lawfully in the interest of national security.

Besides Kansas, the states are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and West Virginia. Gov. Phil Bryant of Mississippi also joined.

The states are urging the Richmond-based appeals court to overturn a lower court ruling that blocked the ban from going into effect. A judge in Hawaii has issued a separate ruling blocking the executive order.

(MSC News)--Unemployment was down in all but one area northeast Kansas county in February from the previous month.  

According to the Kansas Department of Labor, Atchison County had the highest jobless rate among area counties at 6.1 percent while Nemaha County had the lowest at 2.8 percent.

Elsewhere, Brown County’s unemployment rate in February stood at 3.8 percent; Doniphan, 4 percent; Jackson, 3.7 percent; Jefferson, 4.3 percent; Leavenworth, 4.5 percent; Marshall, 3.9 percent and Pottawatomie, 3.4 percent;

All the figures were down from January except in Marshall County.   

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in February was 4 percent.  That’s down from 4.1 percent in January and down from 4.1 percent in February 2016.     

(KMZA)--Marshall County band students will have the chance to practice and perform with the pros.

“What we're doing in Marysville is something that we think is very special and is very near and dear to our hearts as musicians, and that is getting an opportunity to work with those students in the local band program,” said Josh Bledoe, a member of the Presidio Brass.

It's part of the Marshall County Arts Cooperative and its mission to provided every Marshall County student access to professional artist every year.

For more than 10 years, the cooperative has brought artists to Marshall County to work with students.

Brad Ekiss, president of the arts cooperative said, in a press release, having the musicians stay and work with students as well as give a performance is a win-win because the artist's share their talents with students, but the public still gets to see quality show.

“In the middle of our show, we'll invite the students on stage and play a piece from Jurasic Park with those students that we have prepared together earlier in the week,” Bledoe said.

The brass group will work with Marysville band students Tuesday during the day, and the free concert starts at 7:00 Tuesday night in the Marysville High School auditorium.

Then, on Wednesday, the group is headed to Axtell to work with those students and a performance to Axtell High School students.

(KLZA)--An attempted traffic stop in Holt County, Missouri Sunday afternoon leads to the seizure of a large quantity of marijuana.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says a trooper attempted to stop a southbound Dodge Charger on I-29 around 1:30 when the vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit began.

The Patrol says the driver, 40-year-old Denver resident Charles Jones, eventually lost control of his vehicle which crashed into a guardrail about 14 miles south of Mound City.

A search of Jones vehicle by the trooper revealed 26 pounds of marijuana.

Jones was transported by ambulance to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph for the treatment of what the Patrol described as serious injuries.

He faces a charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

(KLZA)-- Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer won the Class C2 State Speech title in Kearney Friday. 
 
The Titans scored 110 points to win the title.  Crofton was second with 104 points. 

Carl Linnerson is the Speech Coach at HTRS.     

In the individuals competitions, earning medals for the Titans were: 

Poetry - Chloe Workman – 2nd 
Entertainment Speaking –John Kanel – 5th 
Informative Speaking - Lauren Patzel – 4th 
Persuasive Speaking – John Kanel –2nd 
Serious Interpretation - Chloe Workman – 2nd 
Serious Interpretation - Lauren Patzel – 4th 
Duet Acting - Alex Flynn, Chase Merwin – 3rd 

In Class D1 Pawnee City scored 48 points and Falls City Sacred Heart had 32. 

Pawnee City 
Serious Interpretation - Eve Beethe – 3rd 
Humorous Interpretation – Ann Cline – 4th 
Oral Interpretation of Drama - Steven Bruns, Ann Cline, Kellen Habegger, Kodenn Koester – 1st place 

Falls City Sacred Heart 
Informative Speaking - Nate Finck – 3rd 
Entertainment Speaking - Teresa Morehead – 3rd 

In Class C2 Johnson-Brock students scored in one event.
Oral Interpretation of Drama      - Joshua Andersen, Bailey Johnson  - Johnson-Brock – 5th 

(KLZA)-- A Denver, Colorado man was hospitalized following a one-car wreck on Interstate 29 in Holt County, Missouri Sunday afternoon. 

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol report, 40-year-old Charles Jones was southbound in I-29, lost control of his car and struck a guardrail before coming to rest.  

Jones, was transported by the Atchison–Holt Ambulance Squad to Mosaic Life Care, in St. Joseph, with serious injuries.   

Jones was not wearing a safety device at the time of the wreck.  His car sustained extensive damage and was towed from the scene.  

The Holt County Sheriff’s Department assisted at the crash site.  
 

(KAIR)--An investigation is ongoing after a Kansas City, KS man reported multiple thefts from his shed in Potter, KS.

According to report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 41-year-old Johnny Hogue reported someone had entered his shed on his property at 403 Rawlins Road in Potter.

Taken, was a aluminum flat-bottom boat, an electric winch and a tool box containing several tools. The thefts were believed to have occurred between March 4 and March 26.

No suspects are known at this time. If you have any information regarding the thefts, contact Atchison County Sheriff's Office.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Farmers Market will have a new location beginning this year.

The Hiawatha City Commission last week approved allowing organizers to use the former site of the city-owned RV park on South 1st Street.

The Farmers Market has been held in the former Hiawatha Thriftway parking lot.  

In a letter, Hiawatha Farmers Market manager Lynn Galey said the new location will provide better visibility, good parking and some shade.

Galey said the Market will be held this year on Wednesday’s from 10 to 1.  

The Market is to begin in mid-to-late May and run through the beginning of October.

In previous years, Galey says they’ve had 5-10 vendors on average, and hopes the improved location and time will draw in additional growers.

Vendors may sell only produce or products grown/produced in Brown County or adjacent counties.

(MSC News)--On Monday, March 27, work will begin on a City of Leavenworth intersection improvement project at U.S. 73/K-7 (4th Street) and Marion Street Leavenworth (Leavenworth County). Project work includes installation of new traffic signals and pedestrian crossings.

Beginning Monday, northbound and southbound U.S. 73/K-7 (4th Street) will be reduced to one lane in each direction with limited left turn movements at the intersection. In addition, for approximately 3-4 weeks during the project, Marion Street on the east side of the intersection will be closed to all traffic. Marion Street traffic will follow a marked detour via Spruce Street. There will be a 12-foot lane width restriction on U.S. 73/K-7 through the project work zone throughout the duration of the project.

Drivers should expect minor delays during the daytime work. Traffic will be guided through the project work zone via channelizers and signage.

Gunter Construction Company (Kansas City, KS) is the primary contractor on this $485,000 intersection project. The entire project is scheduled to be completed in early June 2017, weather permitting.

(KMZA)--A new Axtell Public School principal has been hired.

Prairie Hills USD 113 Superintendent Todd Evans announced Friday that Jayson Tynon has accepted a contract for the principal position for the 2017-18 school year.

Tynon has served as a physical education teacher at Axtell for the past two years along with activities director and coached multiple sports.

He is a 2003 graduate of Frankfort High School and graduated from Peru State College in 2009 with bachelor's degree in K-12 physical education.  Tynon received a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Kansas State University in May 2016.

Evans says he's excited about Tynon's vision and the leadership that he can provide to enhance the educational experience in Axtell.

Tynon will replace Larry Geist who has resigned effective at the end of the current school year to become superintendent and K-12 Principal of USD 399 in Russell County. 

The USD 113 Board of Education accepted his resignation during a special meeting Tuesday evening.   Geist has served as principal at Axtell for a year.

(KLZA)-- Governor Pete Ricketts Ag Week tour of Nebraska brought him to Auburn High School Thursday. 

The Governor toured areas of the school aided by grant funds to help students expand their education. Ricketts visited the newly completed greenhouse, the family and consumer science classroom updated with new appliances through a grant and the Industrial Technology shop featuring a new plasma cutter prior to lunch and a question and answer session with students.

FFA students from Auburn, Johnson-Brock and HTRS schools met with the Governor.  Ricketts invited the students to stay in Nebraska, or return following graduation from college, he noted the large number of opportunities in the agricultural fields in the future with the need to double the amount of food produced for the world by 2050. 

Following the luncheon, Governor Ricketts said he was happy with what he was seeing at the Auburn School, noting how career vocational classes are being brought back in to expose kids to the great variety of jobs that will be available in the future. 

Ashton Bohling is the Auburn FFA instructor. Since the program was re-started three years ago she said major steps forward have occurred.
That includes a new plasma cutter in the shop area and a new greenhouse completed in January.  Grant funds helped pay for both. 

Students are also using an aquaponics system, which has fish in the bottom, with the water pumped up to plants providing nutrients and filters the water. 

The greenhouse is used to raise lettuce, radishes and carrots, which are donated to the school cafeteria.  Vegetable and flowers will also be grown for the school landscaping and for a spring plant sale.  

Principal Vernon Golladay led the tour and Superintendent Kevin Reiman welcomed the Governor.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man goes to jail after allegedly damaging his neighbor's truck.

“Shortly after 8 am on Thursday morning, officers responded to a disturbance called in the 700 block of south 5th,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “A dispute occurred between two neighbors and one of them reported criminal damage to a 1999 Chevrolet truck that included dents and scratches that other neighbor is now accused of causing with a wooden post and large bucket.”

Arrested is 62-year-old Rogelio Lopez formally charged with criminal damage to property and pedestrian under the influence.

Lopez was booked into the Atchison County Jail where he was released on a $1,500 bond.

(KNZA)--A Highland man is accused of the theft of $32,000 from a Highland business.

45-year-old Christopher Lee Coffelt has been charged in Doniphan County District Court with one count of felony theft.

The cash was alleged taken from the Highland Stop and Shop.

Formal charges were filed earlier this month.

Coffelt is scheduled to make his first appearance in court April 4th.

He remains free on a $25,000 bond.

(KMZA)--A single-vehicle wreck north of Marysville early Tuesday morning claimed the life of a Marysville man.

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office says Mike“ Slup” Slupianek was southbound on U.S. Highway 77 near Indian Road when his pickup truck left the roadway for an unknown reason and rolled several times, coming to rest in a field.

Slupianek was ejected from the vehicle.

He was transported to Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville, where he died.

The wreck was reported shortly after 6:00 Tuesday morning.

Slupianek ran Slup’s Repair in Marysville.

According to his obituary, he also served twenty-five years as a volunteer  with the Marysville Fire Department and was on the department’s dive team for several years.

Among his survivors are his wife, Michele, along with two sons.

(KNZA)--The city of Horton is supporting the Kickapoo Tribe in their efforts to gain  federal Congressional approval of a water rights agreement between the tribe and state of Kansas.

At the request of Tribal Chairman Lester Randall, the Horton City Commission this week agreed to sign a letter support.

Mayor Tim Lentz signed the letter, which will be sent to U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins.  

The tribe is working with the two Congressional lawmakers to develop a bill approving the agreement.

The agreement between the tribe and state was approved last September but still must be ratified by Congress.   

The agreement quantifies the tribe’s water rights in the Delaware River Watershed.

Randall said the letter of support is for the water rights only, not for the proposed Plum Creek Reservoir project, as they are two separate issues.

He is also seeking letters of support from the Brown County Commission and Hiawatha City Commission.

(KNZA)--A portion of the Brown County Courthouse windows will be replaced.

Ron Hill with Jim Hill’s Paint and Glass, of Falls City, informed the County Commission this week that 48 of the Courthouse’s 390 windows will have to be replaced due to a seal failure.

He said replacement windows have been ordered and are covered under the warranty that is nearing its 10-year expiration.

While the windows are covered under the warranty, the county will have to pay $3,400 for labor.

Hill says he expects to start the replacement in mid-April.

(MSC News)--The federal officials who conducted site surveys of Fort Leavenworth and other mainland sites for possible relocation of terrorist detainees from Guantanamo Bay were aware there were concerns about the legality of their activities.

That's revealed in newly released documents.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt Thursday released the sixth and final installment of records provided to him by the U.S. Department of Defense after a federal court ordered the Department of Defense to comply with Schmidt’s Freedom of Information Act request for records related to planning for detainee relocation.

The 1,211 pages of documents brings to 2,481 the total number of pages released under court order in response to Schmidt’s FOIA request. According to a press release from Schmidt's office, all or almost all of the content of almost every page was redacted to be unreadable, so very little could be learned from them. But a few notable provisions remained legible.

In December 2015, Schmidt filed a FOIA request for documents related to the Obama Administration’s planning to relocate terrorist detainees from the facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the U.S. mainland, possibly to Fort Leavenworth. When the documents were not forthcoming, Schmidt filed a federal lawsuit in July 2016, and a federal magistrate judge ordered the Defense Department to turn over the documents. That production of documents has been ongoing since September, and the most recent documents are the last scheduled to be produced.

The administration of President Donald Trump has indicated it does not intend to move detainees from Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. mainland.

(KMZA)--Axtell Public School Principal Larry Geist has resigned, effective at the end of the current school year.

The Prairie Hills USD 113 Board of Education accepted his resignation, with regret, during a special meeting Tuesday evening.

In his letter of resignation, Geist says he has accepted an offer to become superintendent and K-12 principal of USD 399 in Russell County.

In the letter, Geist said he has thoroughly enjoyed his time in Axtell and USD 113 but feels its an opportunity he must pursue as they have offered his wife a position in the district as well.

Geist has been principal at Axtell for one year.

Superintendent Todd Evans says the Board has already begun the search for a new principal.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission has agreed to proceed with keeping the  downtown brick streets in some fashion after a majority of residents responding to a survey indicated their support for keeping them

Ian Schuetz , a member of the downtown brick streets committee, told the Commission Monday evening that 289 residents responding to the survey favored restoring the brick streets, while 187 felt they should be replaced with concrete.

The survey, which was to be returned by March 10th, was included in this month’s water bill.   About 13-hundred surveys were mailed out.

Schuetz said a number of the surveys included comments.   He said those in support of restoring the brick streets felt they should be kept for their historical value while those on the side were concerned about the cost associated with restoring them.

Schuetz said some felt the restoration option outlined on the survey was not the best way to go.  That option involved taking up the bricks, laying down six inches of concrete and putting the bricks back on top.

He said the committee doesn’t feel confident in recommending the city move forward with that option.  "We would like to suggest that the Commission continue to sanction the Brick Street Committee, as a group, to explore what options are out there," Schuetz told the Commission. "A lot of the no's said "I'd be for this if the cost wasn't double," and the more we talk to folks, we think there may be ways to do that."
 
Mayor Steffen Shamburg directed the committee to research options and bring back a recommendation to the Commission.

(KLZA)-- A Tarkio man suffered injuries described as moderate in a Holt County, Missouri wreck shortly after 10 Wednesday evening.  

The Missouri Highway Patrol report indicates 64-year-old Marmer King, was northbound on U.S. Highway 59 approximately four miles north of Craig, when his 2001 Ford SUV traveled off the road and struck a concrete embankment.  King was transported to a St. Joseph hospital by the Atchison-Holt Ambulance Squad. The vehicle was totaled in the crash.  

 The Holt County Sheriff’s Office and Holt County Fire Department responded to the scene of the wreck.

(KLZA)-- Three men are facing charges in connection with an alleged assault and theft that occurred in downtown Falls City March 18th. 

According to Richardson County Court documents, 32-year-old Joseph Hart, of Grand Island, is charged with a felony count of assault and 21-year-old Jereamy Sharp, of St. Paul, Nebraska,  is charged with a felony count of theft by unlawful taking.

The third person, Billy Hart was cited by the Falls City Police Department Wednesday with a misdemeanor charge of assault. His age and address are not immediately known. 

According to a probable cause affidavit, Richard Rowland, of Salem, around 2:00 Sunday morning, told Falls City Police  that he and his son, Scott, had been assaulted by three men in front of The Would Eye Bar in the 1800 block of Stone Street. The elder Rowland required hospitalized treatment. 

Rowland said his wallet, containing several thousand dollars in cash,  had been stolen.  

As part of the ongoing investigation, a surveillance video was obtained from the bar. 
On Monday, Joseph Hart returned to Falls City to be interviewed and allegedly admitted striking both Scott and Richard Rowland.

Affidavits also allege that on Sunday, Jereamy Sharp admitted in a phone call with a Falls City Police Officer that he had picked up a wallet and later threw it into a dumpster.  It was noted in the report that Rowlands wallet was found in a dumpster, but had no money in it. 

Sharp also returned to Falls City Monday, and during an interview with police, allegedly admitted to taking $3,900 in cash from the wallet he picked up off the ground.

Both Joseph Hart and Sharp appeared in court Wednesday for bond hearings. 
Cash bond for Hart was set at $1,250 and cash bond for Sharp was set at $650.  
Both men are scheduled for an appearance in Richardson County Court on April 10th.

(KAIR)--An investigation by the Atchison County Sheriff's Office sends one man to jail on multiple charges related to methamphetamine.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 44-year-old Atchison resident Gary Fultz was arrested Wednesday for distribution of methamphetamine, use of communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Two separate warrants were obtained to make the arrest.

The first, was obtained after an investigation was conducted by Atchison County Sheriff's deputies where methamphetamine was purchased from Fultz.

The second, after meth and drug paraphernalia was discovered by deputies during an encounter with Fultz.

He was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KMZA)--A local area farm family has been recognized for agricultural innovation.

The Haverkamps are the owners of Kelly Hills Dairy, in Seneca.

The family has been named a 2017 Member of Distinction by Dairy Farmers of America.

According to a press release issued by the organization, the honor recognizes dairy farmers who excel on their operations, in their communities, and in the industry.

Honorees inspire others through their actions, leadership, and involvement.

The news release cites the efforts of Brian Haverkamp who, along with his wife, Kristina, work to find new ways to improve and grow their dairy, whether through employee training, new facilities, or new technology. “I wanted to build a dairy that was for the future, one that wasn’t going to live in the past,” said Brian Haverkamp.

He said Kelly Hills Dairy currently has 15 full time employees working to keep milk quality high, along with other responsibilities.  

“The employees we have here are awesome. We treat them like family.”

Brian Haverkamp took over the operations of the dairy from his parents in 2002. Since that time, the dairy has greatly expanded.

Now, the couple looks to further expansion, working with their daughter, Ashley Hunninghake, and her husband, Kevin, to make that happen.

On the wish list for the future are extending a freestall barn and adding a robotic milking system.

(KMZA)--A local area farm family has been recognized for agricultural innovation.

The Haverkamps are the owners of Kelly Hills Dairy, in Seneca.

The family has been named a 2017 Member of Distinction by Dairy Farmers of America.

According to a press release issued by the organization, the honor recognizes dairy farmers who excel on their operations, in their communities, and in the industry.

Honorees inspire others through their actions, leadership, and involvement.

The news release cites the efforts of Brian Haverkamp who, along with his wife, Kristina, work to find new ways to improve and grow their dairy, whether through employee training, new facilities, or new technology. “I wanted to build a dairy that was for the future, one that wasn’t going to live in the past,” said Brian Haverkamp.

He said Kelly Hills Dairy currently has 15 full time employees working to keep milk quality high, along with other responsibilities.  

“The employees we have here are awesome. We treat them like family.”

Brian Haverkamp took over the operations of the dairy from his parents in 2002. Since that time, the dairy has greatly expanded.

Now, the couple looks to further expansion, working with their daughter, Ashley Hunninghake, and her husband, Kevin, to make that happen.

On the wish list for the future are extending a freestall barn and adding a robotic milking system.

(KAIR)--Attempted murder.

That's the accusation against a 21-year-old Kansas City, Kansas man, who remains held in the Jefferson County Jail.

Brandon Cordell is charged with two counts of attempted 1st degree murder, along with misdemeanor theft.

He was arrested by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office on February 23.

According to court documents, Cordell allegedly attempted to kill a woman on July 6 of last year in Jefferson County.

She is identified in the criminal complaint as Shirley Cordell, but it's not immediately clear how the victim is connected to the accused, nor are the specifics of what led to the attempted murder charge.

A status hearing in the case is scheduled for March 27.

Jefferson County Jail records indicate that Cordell remains behind bars on a bond of $100,000.

(KNZA)--Guns are now banned in the Hiawatha City Commission chambers and Municipal Courtroom at City Hall.

On the recommendation of Police Chief John Defore and Municipal Judge Mike Riley, the City Commission took action earlier this month to exempt the city from a state law allowing the open and concealed-carry of firearms into a public building.  

The law allows local municipalities to seek an exemption for all or part of a public building provided adequate security measures are in place.

From now on, a police officer will use a metal detector wand to check those attending Commission meetings and Muncipal Court for firearms.   Muncipal Court is held in the Commission chambers on the second floor of City Hall. 

The practice was used for the first time during this week's City Commission meeting.

A sign is posted on the chamber doors that guns are prohibited.

Defore says the Kansas Attorney General’s office has indicated they have no issue with the city’s security plan.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) - A 50-year-old woman accused of killing her estranged husband in Leavenworth, Kansas, has been found mentally unfit to stand trial.
 
The Leavenworth Times reports that a Leavenworth County judge on Wednesday made that ruling after Barbara Frantz of Kansas City, Kansas, underwent mental competency testing.
 
She'll be sent to the Larned State Security Hospital for treatment, and her proceedings will be suspended until a judge concludes her mental fitness for trial has been restored.
 
Frantz is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 54-year-old Gary Frantz.
 
Leavenworth police say Gary Frantz was shot several times Jan. 27 on a Leavenworth parking lot. Barbara Frantz was arrested hours later in Burlingame, Kansas.
 
Police have said the case involved domestic violence but did not offer further details.
   

(KNZA)--Plans for the construction of a new municipal swimming pool in the Brown County community of Horton suffer another setback.

City Administrator/City Clerk Kim Clausen tells MSC News bids were opened last Friday for the project and the five bids received all came in well over budget.

Clausen says city officials are not sure at this point if they will put the project out for bid again or work with the bids they have.

She said they are trying to determine what’s making the bids so high, and think it might be the shower house.   

In January, the City Commission rejected the lone bid received for the project after it came in over budget and voted to re-bid it with a completion date of May 1st, 2018.

Horton voters last August approved a one-percent citywide retailers sales tax to fund construction of a new pool.  Collection of the tax began January 1st of this year and will be in effect for 20 years.

The new pool is to be constructed at the site of the current pool which has been closed the past several seasons and is no longer insurable due to safety issues.   

(KLZA)--Auburn, Nebraska residents can again consume the public water, following successful repairs made Wednesday afternoon.

That comes following what the Auburn Board of Public Works calls a chemical feed malfunction at the Peru Water Plant.

The problem, which occurred Wednesday, led to an overfeed of chlorine, making the water potentially unsafe to consume.

However, by 4:15 Wednesday afternoon, the all clear was given, with the Board of Public Works saying water can again be consumed.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) - A former worker at a youth center on Kansas' Fort Leavenworth has been sentenced to seven years and seven months in prison for the sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl.
 
The Kansas City Star reports that 24-year-old Nicholas Clark was sentenced in Leavenworth County District Court for aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated solicitation of a child.
 
Authorities said Clark solicited the child at the center in August 2014, and that the girl's mother went to police after finding conversations between Clark and the girl on the girl's cell phone.

(KAIR)--Three Atchison residents go to jail after a traffic stop—including one on methamphetamine charges.

“It was around 5 pm on Tuesday afternoon when we had an officer stop a vehicle in the 1000 block of Parallel for a traffic violation,”said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “The driver was taken into custody and two passengers were also taken into custody.”

Arrested, was 19-year-old Devon Huninghake for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a narcotic and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The driver, 20-year-old Kyle Kinsman was arrested for driving while suspended and illegal tag.

The third, 19-year-old Cheyenne Blanton was arrested on charges of possession of alcohol by an underage person and transporting an open container.

All three were booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KAIR)--The request for a continuance in the trial for a former physician assistant accused of sexually abusing veterans has been denied.

The Leavenworth Times reports the trial for Mark Wisner remains scheduled for April 3, following a hearing Tuesday in Leavenworth County.

Wisner, of Horton, is charged with one felony count of aggravated sexual battery, one felony count of aggravated criminal sodomy, and three misdemeanor charges of sexual battery.

Another hearing in the case, focused on the admissibility of evidence, is scheduled for Friday in Leavenworth County.

The crimes, alleged to have occurred between 2012 and 2014, are alleged to have happened while Wisner was employed at the Eisenhower Veterans Affairs hospital, in Leavenworth.

The case sparked a federal inquiry, led by United States Senator Jerry Moran, and a push to change laws related to background checks for VA staff.

(MSC News)--Strong winds remain in the forecast, leaving burn bans in place across the local area.

That includes Doniphan County, where Emergency Management Coordinator Julie Meng says the ban remains in place until further notice.

Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter echoes Meng's statement.

In Brown County, the Sheriff's Office continues to offer no burn permits for the time being, based on the weather conditions.

Ashley Rhyne and Thelma Losson

(KNZA)--A drug investigation by the Hiawatha Police Departments leads to the arrest of three Hiawatha residents.

According to a press release from Police Chief John Defore, Hiawatha Police with the assistance of the Kansas Highway Patrol's special response team executed a search warrant at a residence located at 518 Kansas Avenue early Tuesday morning following the investigation.

Arrested at the residence were 36-year-old Adam Kloss and 24-year-old Ashley Rhyne.  

Defore says Rhyne was booked into the Brown County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernlia.  

He says Kloss was arrested on a warrant from the city of Topeka and will be facing drug-related charges in Brown County.  Kloss was transported and booked into the Shawnee County Jail.

Defore says the third individual, 48-year-old Thelma Losson, was arrested later in the day at a separate location and booked into the Brown County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

(KNZA)--For the forth year in a row, the Hiawatha Police Department has been recognized by AAA Kansas for their efforts in addressing local traffic safety issues.

The department is among twenty-five police departments across the state selected for a 2016 Community Traffic Safety Award.

Bob Hamilton, law enforcement liaison for the Kansas Department of Transportation, presented the award to Police Chief John Defore during Monday evening’s City Commission meeting.

The police department received a platinum award—the top award presented.

Hamilton says KDOT works with AAA to identify law enforcement agencies that they feel deserve the award.  He says the award is presented by AAA to encourage communities to address local traffic safety issues in a coordinated and cost-effective way.

The Hiawatha Police Department received points for having a community-based traffic safety committee, participation in seatbelt enforcement campaigns and DUI saturation patrols.

(KLZA)-- A new Fourth Ward City Council member was sworn in during  the Monday night Council meeting in Falls City.  

Derrick Leydon, Vice-President and Loan Officer at F&M Bank in Falls City, will serve the remaining term of Anthony Nussbaum who resigned in February.  

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth County Sheriff's Deputy escapes injury despite being shot at during an early Monday morning pursuit.

The Leavenworth Times reports the Deputy's vehicle was struck at least once.

The pursuit ended with the arrest of two suspects.

That includes a 28-year-old female passenger who was apprehended in a parking lot at K-7 Highway and Kansas Avenue, in Bonner Springs, by the Deputy.

The driver of the vehicle continued the pursuit after his passenger had exited, ultimately stopped and arrested in Kansas City, Kansas.

The passenger was booked into the Leavenworth County Jail, while the driver, identified as a 31-year-old man, was taken to jail in Wyandotte County, where he was wanted on warrants.

(KLZA)-- Falls City Council members voted unanimously Monday evening to authorize civil proceedings for abatement of a nuisance house at 1813 McLean Street. City Administrator says the house has deteriorated to the point it needs to be removed.

Jorn says hopes are to raze three nuisance homes during this fiscal year. $19-thousand dollars was earmarked in the budget for demolition of nuisances.

Houses at 924 Fulton and 2021McLean are currently in the process in the system to be declared nuisances and being razed. 

There is a list of properties the City is hoping owners will clean up or fix up, or action against the properties will likely be taken in the future.  

(KNZA)--An early Tuesday morning Jackson County crash north of Holton claimed  one life.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says it happened on U.S. Highway 75, north of 262nd Road.

The Kansas Highway Patrol identifies the victim as 26-year-old Topeka resident Anthony Bostick.

He was behind the wheel of a car that was northbound on the highway shortly after 5:00. The Patrol says the car left the roadway for an unknown reason, and rolled over, reportedly into a field.

According to Morse, the driver was ejected, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Patrol says Bostick was not buckled up at the time of the fatal crash.

(KNZA)--Brown County Commissioners say they want to do more research before deciding if they will sign a letter of support for the Kickapoo Tribe’s efforts to secure federal legislation approving a water settlement agreement between the tribe and the state of Kansas. Greg Bebermeyer reports

Kickapoo Tribal Chairman Lester Randall met with the Commission Monday to request the letter of support. He made a similar request last month, but was turned down by the Commission.

The agreement between the tribe and state was approved last September but still must be ratified by Congress.

The agreement quantifies the tribe’s water rights in the Delaware River Watershed.

The Commission last month turned down the Tribe's request, citing concerns brought to them by landowners pertaining to the Tribe's effort to revive a water reservoir project. However, Randall says the agreement doesn’t have anything to do with the proposed Plum Creek Reservoir project, saying the water rights and that effort are two separate issues.

County Attorney Kevin Hill agreed with Randall's assessment.  “What they're asking for in the letter is just a letter of support to to the Congressional leaders in our area to support what the state has already agreed to.”

Following discussion, the Commission tabled the request for a letter of support until next week. Commissioner Keith Olsen will contact Kansas Water Office Director Tracy Streeter to see if he can attend the next meeting to discuss the matter.

Meanwhile, Randall appeared before the Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening to seek a letter of support from the city. 

While Mayor Steffen Shamburg was receptive to the idea, he said he wanted City Attorney Don Cashman to review a sample letter submitted by Randall to make sure there are no legal issues.  The matter will be put back on the Commission's agenda in two weeks.

(KAIR)--Not guilty.

That’s the plea entered by the Denton resident accused of stealing personal images from devices after they were taken to his Atchison store for repair.

42-year-old Jason Seetin entered the not guilty plea Monday in Atchison County District Court to two counts of breech of privacy and two counts of computer crime.

A jury trial is set for June 27th in the case.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson said charges for Seetin stem from a January incident when a 21-year-old victim reported images from her phone were unlawfully obtained while the phone was in Seetin’s possession at his Atchison business, All American Pawn for repair.

After the initial report, another victim came forward who also had personal photos taken from her laptop that was taken to All American Pawn weeks prior.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth child dies after being left unattended in a bathtub.

The Kansas City Star reports the 10-month-old girl was found unresponsive when authorities were called to a residence in the 500 block of Miami Street Monday night.

Arriving around 8:00, life-saving measures were initiated, with the child rushed to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Police identify the child as Caydence Little-Curtis

The newspaper reports two other children in the home were taken into protective custody as the investigation continues.

(KLZA)-- First District State Senator Dan Watermeier of Syracuse says it is critical that Nebraska come up with a way to relieve the property tax burden on Nebraska’s farmers. 

A recent report indicates ag values and farm income are headed in opposite directions of the local property tax requirements. While ag land is decreasing, it is not dropping as fast as farm income has fallen. In addition, local taxing authorities have continued to increase property taxes on farmland, despite sharply dropping farm earnings.  In 2013 and 14, assessed values of farmland in a 10-state region increased an 11.4 percent while farm earnings dipped 18 percent.

During the same time period, school spending per student was increased by  more than 3 percent, while in Nebraska, the spending per student increased 7.3 percent, the highest among the 10 states.  

Watermeier says despite this information, some Senators as well as Governor Ricketts, are focusing on income tax relief as well as property tax relief.  Watermeir, a farmer himself, says the only one way he will support income tax relief, is if for every dollar of income tax relief the property tax relief is $10. 

Watermeier serves on the Legislatures Appropriations Committee and says cuts need to be made at the state level as well as the local level. He noted the state if facing a billion-dollar shortfall. 

Without spending cuts, the only answer is an increase in taxes, which the Senator says nobody wants.  

(KLZA)-- Another feather in the cap for a Northwest Missouri School District. 

The Mound City R-2 School District is one of 15 schools from among the more than 520 districts statewide to be selected as a Missouri Model School. The Missouri Department of Education made the announcement in February.

Superintendent Ken Eaton explained the criteria was based on the district’s collaborative work model, positive behavior support system, standardized test scores, low drop-out rate, high attendance rate and college / career readiness of graduates. 

The Mound City Superintendent said he felt it important the opportunity does not create added work for the staff, and that since most of the data is already being done, it should not be a burden to teachers or administrators. 

By participating in the program, Eaton is hoping to impact the standards for Missouri Schools.  He is excited about being part of setting the next set of standards. He feels the standards need to include common sense, and should be set at levels that can be achieved, while including the things kids need to know and learn. He does not want to see the standards set by a group that does not understand what we do everyday for a living setting the standards. 

Mound City is the only school district in Northwest Missouri to be selected for the honor.  

(KAIR)--It's believed the cause of death for two 3-year-old Platte County children was accidental.

That word is delivered by the Platte County Sheriff's Office following the discovery Monday of the bodies of Arrabelle Wagner and Elijah Wagner.

The discovery followed the report late Monday morning by the father of the twins that they were missing from their South Ridgely Road residence.

Both were found in a pond behind the residence.

A press release from the Sheriff's Office says Elijah was pronounced dead at the scene while his sister was pronounced dead following her arrival at an area hospital.

According to The Kansas City Star, the residence is located south of Edgerton and west of Smithville Lake.

Platte County Undersheriff Major Erik Holland says the investigation is continuing, but the preliminary probe “points to an accidental death for both children.”

(KMZA)--Three out of state individuals are jailed in Nemaha County, arrested over the weekend on drug charges.

According to a press release issued by the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office, all three were apprehended by the Kansas Highway Patrol on Saturday.

Arrested were 39-year-old Rusel Morales and 23-year-old Megan Vaughn, both of Noblesville, Indiana, and Raymond Martinez, of Ontario, California.

All three were arrested on charges including possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, no drug tax stamp, and use of a communication facility to commit a drug felony.

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

(KLZA)-- The Nemaha Natural Resources District Board of Directors has approved an expense of slightly more than $40,000 to bring power into the Duck Creek Recreation site under development near Peru. 

Omaha Public Power Districts Proposal to supply the equipment for the electrical service was approved during the March 9th Nemaha NRD Board meeting.  

Board members also approved a bid of $8,144 for 20 grills and 40 fire rings at the site. The Pilot Rock Company from Cherokee, Iowa submitted the low quote for the equipment. The Boadr also agreed to purchase eight-thousand pounds of tall fescue grass mix for the area. Miller Seed of Lincoln submitted the quote accepted in an amount of $10,125. 
 

(KAIR)--Too many key programs impacted.

That's the reason given behind Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins not supporting President Donald Trump's proposed budget.

In a statement received by MSC News, Jenkins said, “While I am encouraged by the President’s desire to enhance our national security and take better care of our veterans, I cannot support his budget proposal. This budget blueprint would severely impact key programs, such as Meals on Wheels, that are important to Kansas and the nation."

Jenkins outlined four specific cuts concerning her in the budget.

The first, is the elimination of the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education Program.

The second is a proposed $1 billion in cuts to the Department of Justice's prison construction program.

A third, includes a multi-year reauthorization proposal to shift air traffic control functions of the Federal Aviation Administration to an independent, non-governmental organization.

Lastly, a $5.8 billion cut in funding for the National Institutes of Health.

Lynn said in the coming days and weeks, she will work with colleagues in Congress to create a thoughtful and responsible balanced budget.

Video courtesy of Tim Strathman/Facebook

(KMZA)--A strong showing of local support for the victims of Kansas wildfires.

That follows a call to action issued by Seneca-area farmer Andy Evans.

Earlier this month, the owner of Nemaha County's Rocking E Cattle Company put out the request that all varieties of supplies needed by ag-producers who lost property in the fires be donated.

A convoy of vehicles was loaded with the donated items and then delivered Saturday to the fire ravaged areas in southwest Kansas. “We ended up with 18 semi loads of hay, three big gooseneck loads of hedge posts, a couple half-semi loads of hedgeposts, a van trailer load of fencing supplies, feed, small square bales, perishable foods, washing detergent, some clothes,” Evans tells MSC News. “It was a long day but we made it through. We had a couple little hiccups along the way, but when you have fifteen trucks and three goosenecks going, you should expect to have a little trouble somewhere along the way.”

Despite the minor setbacks, Evans says the effort was well worth the work, based upon the warm reception shown by those receiving the donated goods. “It was very much appreciated when we got down there, because you could just tell by when you pulled into town the amount of support that people were giving everyone, for everything they were doing. It was very humbling” Evans says. “I just want to say thank you to everybody that helped make this week possible, and make it possible for Saturday. It definitely was well worth it and I think everyone came together and did a great job.”

21 Kansas counties were affected by the wildfires, which led to an extensive loss of property and seven lives.

(KAIR)--Further reports of mailbox damage.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, two mailboxes were reported damaged Friday.

The first, reported by Dana Noll of Cummings, appeared to be struck by a vehicle traveling south on McPherson Road and veered over, struck the mailbox, and veered back onto the road and left the scene.

The second, reported by Morgan Lane, also of Cummings, was attached to a wooden pole, and it appears the mailbox was struck and knocked off the pole incurring damage.

It is not immediately known if this incident is connected to previous reports of mailbox damage.

However, Laurie said it can't be ruled out completely.

If you have any information about the mailbox damage, contact Atchison County Sheriff's Office.

(KAIR)--Another effort to recall three members of the Tribal Council of the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas.

It follows a similar effort last August to remove Chairman Edmore Green Vice-Chair, James Jensen, and Treasurer Nancy Keller.

The past recall attempt was made after proponents of the recall say the three members of the five-person council walked out of the annual general meeting being held in the Brown County community of Reserve.

After they left, votes were cast to remove them from office. However, they remained, and the attempt to recall them was met with a stay issued by a Tribal District Judge.

Now, Tribal Council member Patricia Gutierrez tells The Topeka Capital-Journal she has submitted a petition, containing the required 50 valid signatures, to recall the three.

She tells the newspaper Green has refused to accept the petitions, saying that the original copies be submitted.

Gutierrez says she refuses based upon concerns that the originals would be destroyed.

Green told the newspaper he's not yet willing to discuss the issue.

(KAIR)--Atchison Police are investigating after a report of stolen lawn equipment that totaling $6,000.

According to the Atchison Police report, Sterling Jackson reported the theft from the 600 block of South 7th Street.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson says they believe the items were taken sometime Feb. 19.

Taken, was a sod cutter valued at $5,000. Other items taken include: weed eaters, chainsaw, leaf blower and a hedge trimmer.

The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information regarding the thefts, contact Atchison Police.

(KAIR)--It's a matter of wait and see for local school districts, following the Kansas Supreme Court decision earlier this month that funding for schools in the state is inadequate.

The court ruled that the Kansas Legislature must enact a new education funding law by the end of June.

Steve Wiseman, the Superintendent of Atchison County's USD 377, is watching the issue closely.

“Right now, we don't know what they're going to do,” Wiseman said. “It appears the legislature may be considering raising the 20 mil property tax levy and that pumps money directly into schools and doesn't require them having to go in and figure out more complex income or cooperate taxes. With our declining enrollment in the past two years, I think that right now, based upon school finance experts, if we can come out without a loss in general funding, then we'll be in good shape.”

Dr. Susan Myers is the Superintendent of Atchison's Public Schools of USD 409. She says while she's hopeful the Legislature will find a fix for funding, she's concerned that the state's budget woes could be a roadblock to success.

“They have an upward battle of course, given the financial situation of the state of Kansas,” Myers said. “My heart goes out to them to come up with a good, productive decision. I know they will work on that. I guess, my hopes are they will have a formula that will be beneficial to the students of Kansas—specifically USD 409.”

She said her fear is if that doesn't happen.

Myers says under the current financial model for funding Kansas schools, the district's funds remain frozen.

“Well basically, we're frozen,” she said. “I'm sure people can understand that concept, prices go up but yet, your income does not. One of the things that they took out with the new formula or block grants, is that if you get new students, there is no additional funding. So, we have been growing.”

Myers said they have been cutting their budget for the past nine years, this is not a new problem for them in terms of school finance.

The issue was also addressed during the most recent meeting of the Board of Education for the South Brown County Schools. During the March 13 meeting, USD 430 Superintendent Dr. Steve Davies told the Board it's his belief that school budgets will be cut before the end of the current school year, saying the state budget is still short $325 million for the current quarter, and $600 million short for the year.

The Supreme Court's ruling this month was made in regards to a lawsuit filed by four school districts in 2010. They argued that legislators were violating the state constitution by failing to finance a suitable education for each of the state's 458,000 students.

That decision was handed down as the state is already facing projected budget shortfalls totaling more than $1 billion through June 2019.

(KLZA)-- Lower than anticipated cost for the Auburn Legion Park restroom / concession stand building, is going to allow for improvements at the Auburn Recreation Complex. 

During their March 13th meeting the Council approved the purchase of three new scoreboards at the Rec Complex at a cost of $10,000.  .  Mayor Scott Kudrna said the Parks and Pool Committee was planning to purchase the scoreboards next year, but the savings on the Legion Park project lest them with enough money to move forward with the purchase.

The hope is to have the new scoreboards in place prior to the start of the season.  

The council also approved closing Highways 75 and 136 on Friday, July 14th during the Nemaha County Fair Parade.  There will only be one parade this year.  

Mayor Kudrna also reported the Council approved the re-appointment of Dale Thomas to the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department and approved the sale of the 1981 Fire Truck for $2,500. The fire truck was sold on a recent consignment auction.  

(KLZA)-- During the February meeting of the Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer School Board, agreements were approved with teachers and administrators.  

The Board approved an additional step on the salary schedule. Superintendent Sherri Edumundson said the step was added to the bottom of the pay scale which will allow teachers that had no more steps to move on, to receive a pay raise without furthering their education or getting a Masters Degree.  The pay increase will amount to about $1,700.

The negotiated agreement is for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years.  

The Board also approved new contracts for the district Principals. 
Kari Lottman will serve as a half-time Assistant Principal and half-time math teacher. Currently Lottman is Assistant Principal / Special Education Coordinator.

Lisa Othmer’s contact was changed from an 11-month to a 12-month contract and she will received 15 days vacation and school holidays off with a $4,500 pay increase.

Superintendent Sherri Edmundson’s salary will increase $6-thousand for the next school year.

Comparison studies indicated the principal and superintendent positions were near the bottom of the pay scale with schools of similar size.  

(KAIR)--As of last check, both Atchison and Doniphan Counties remained under burn bans.

The bans were implemented due to the strong winds, and dry conditions, that dominated the local area Sunday.

Emergency management officials in both counties said no open burning was being permitted until further notice due to the fire danger posed by the conditions.

The Brown County Sheriff's Office is currently issuing no burning permits, based on the weather. 

Monday's forecast remains dry, but not as windy, with northeast winds expected up to around 9 mph.

Windy conditions are forecast to return Tuesday, along with a chance of rain, and cooler temperatures.

(KLZA)--The Pawnee City Board of Education approved action to improve security in the school district when they met Monday evening. 

Board members approved a bid of just over $6,000 to replace six non-functioning surveillance cameras and install low voltage cable to the camera unit locations. Security Equipment Inc. will do the work with funds coming out of the Depreciation Fund.

The members of the Pawnee City Public School Education Foundation Board of Directors were renewed as recommended.  A.J. Tomky, Jason Vetrovsky, John Wissler, Lisa Hunzeker, Marie Glenn, Marisa Kobza and Randy Niss will serve as board members. 

The Board also approved hiring Dani Niss as a certified teacher beginning with the 2017-18 school year. Superintendent Brian Rottinghaus was authorized to issue employment contracts to certified staff members other than those whose employment and contract may be recommended for reduction, termination or non-renewal. 

(KLZA)--March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month and The Southeast District Health Department encourages adults over age 50 to get screened as well as offering free screening kits.

Colorectal cancer or colon cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States that affect both men and women.  However, it does not have to be. Colorectal cancer screening saves lives.  Screening can find precancerous polyps so that they can be removed before turning into cancer.

When found early, treatment often leads to a cure.  According to information from the Southeast District Health Department, about nine out of every 10 people whose colorectal cancers are found early and treated appropriately are still alive five years later. 

Colorectal cancer affects men and women of all racial and 
ethnic groups and is most often found in people aged 50 years or
older. 

Those younger than 50 who think they might be at higher than 
average risk for colorectal cancer, should speak with your 
doctor about getting screened. 

Southeast District Health Department is offering free Fecal 
Occult Blood Test kits to anyone age 50 to 75 at distribution sites 
in Richardson, Pawnee, Nemaha, Johnson and Otoe Counties.

To find out where to get your free FOBT kit, contact
Southeast District Health Department toll free at 877-
777-0424 or check out their website www.sedhd.org. 

(KLZA)--The Nemaha NRD Board of Directors has recommended the NRD staff being looking into creating a wellhead protection area pilot project.

Recent concerns with some public water supply wells prompted the staff to consider initiating a wellhead protection area.  The program would provide incentives to landowners that would protect water quality and / or quantity within a wellhead protection area.  

The Operations & Education Committee discussed plans for the solar eclipse coming up August 21.

With Kirkman’s Cove Recreation Area in the pate of the total eclipse, its anticipated there could be increased interest in camping that weekend.  

Staff members offered several options to handle the expected interest. Final details are to be announced in the next several weeks.  

(KNZA)--The City of Hiawatha has announced that Phase III of the downtown streetscape project will begin Monday, March 20th, weather permitting.

According to a text alert from the city, construction will begin at the intersection of Eighth and Oregon. From there, the contractor will move west on Oregon Street towards Ninth Street.

When completed with that block, they will move to the intersection of Fifth and Oregon Streets and work in that vicinity.

Bern-based AHRS Construction will serve as contractor on the nearly $854,000 project.

A grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation will pay for 80 percent of the construction cost, with the city responsible for the remainder.

The project will include improvements in the 800 block of Oregon and the remaining portion of the 500 block of Oregon.  The improvements will include new sidewalks, lighting and planters similar to the first two phases of the project.  

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle wreck on I-29 in Platte County, Missouri Saturday afternoon claimed the life of a Omaha, Nebraska man.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says killed in the wreck was 32-year-old Chad Keene.

The Patrol says Keene was southbound when he lost control of his vehicle.  His vehicle left the roadway, became airborne and overturned multiple times, striking several trees.

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

A passenger, 29-year-old Omaha resident Courtney Keene, was transported to North Kansas City Hospital with what the Patrol described as serious injuries.

The wreck was reported shortly before 3:30.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri Gaming Commission report showing declining numbers has prompted a St. Joseph casino to begin a re-branding campaign.
 
The St. Joseph News-Press reports St. Jo Frontier Casino's announcement to realign the image it projects to customers comes after the report was released in February. The report says that along with a 3 percent decline in revenue, admissions also fell last month by 11 percent compared to February 2016.
 
Casino Vice President Jim Simms alludes the declining performance to the winter season.
 
Major investments for the project include new employee uniforms, advertising billboards and food items. Additional plans include remaking the gaming floor's bar and creating a dining area there.
 
Officials are confident the re-branding will turn around declining report figures. The plan is slated to begin in April.

(KMZA)--Seneca City Treasurer Kathy O’Brien has filed for re-election to another two-year term.

O’Brien is the first candidate to file for city offices up for election this fall in Seneca.

Also up for election is the position of mayor and three city council positions.  They include the 1st ward council position currently held by Bruce Hermesch; 2nd ward council position, currently held by Alice Lackey and 3rd ward council position, currently held by Jim Mitchell.

Hermesch has announced he won’t seek re-election to the position he’s held for 12 years.

Candidates have until noon, June 1st to file at the Nemaha County Clerk’s Office.

(KLZA)-- Ground was broken for a new hospital on the north edge of Syracuse Friday. 

The new Community Memorial Hospital will include 50-thousand square feet for the hospital and 20-thousand square feet for the medical clinic and administrative offices.  

The nearly $30-million facility will be paid for using $2.55-million from Community Memorial Hospital District, a $25-million loan from USDA Rural Development to be paid back over 40 years and a $2-million USDA Rural Development loan to be paid back over seven years.

Interest on each loan will be 2.875 percent. 

Community Memorial Hospital President and CEO Michael Harvey said the new facility, will help secure that healthcare will continue to be provided locally for generations to come.  

(KLZA)-- Ground was broken for a new hospital on the north edge of Syracuse Friday. 

The new Community Memorial Hospital will include 50-thousand square feet for the hospital and 20-thousand square feet for the medical clinic and administrative offices.  

The nearly $30-million facility will be paid for using $2.55-million from Community Memorial Hospital District, a $25-million loan from USDA Rural Development to be paid back over 40 years and a $2-million USDA Rural Development loan to be paid back over seven years.

Interest on each loan will be 2.875 percent. 

Community Memorial Hospital President and CEO Michael Harvey said the new facility, will help secure that healthcare will continue to be provided locally for generations to come.  

Civil rights hero Joan Trumpauer-Mulholland speaks at Hiawatha High School. 

(KNZA)--A civil rights hero of the 1960’s visited Hiawatha Thursday as her story was showcased.

A screening of the award winning documentary “ An Ordinary Hero” was shown at the Hiawatha High School auditorium Thursday evening on the life of Joan Trumpaue Mulholland.   Following the film, Mulholland took questions from the audience.

By the time she was 19, Mulholland had participated in dozens of sit-ins, Freedom Rides and protests.  She was arrested in 1961 and housed on death row in Mississippi’s notorious Parchman Penitentiary for two months.

Mulholland was involved in one of the most famous and violent sit-ins of the civil rights movement at the Jackson Woolworth lunch counter and helped plan and organize the March on Washington.

As a white southern woman, Mulholland was not supposed to join the fight for racial equality.  She endured jail time, violence and hatred because she believed what she was taught as a young girl in Sunday school

“When I went to Sunday school, we had to memorize bible verses about how to live, love thy neighbor as thyself and do onto others as you would have them do unto you and you got a gold star on your bible if you got it right,” she said. “And I thought, we aren't practicing what we preach. We're being a pack of hypocrites, and that's wrong. So, I wanted to do what I could to make the south the best it could be for all of us.”

Mulholland said while her father was not a segregationist and was supportive of her efforts, her mother was a different story.

“My mother was from the rural south, and where the law and customs and church all supported segregation, and that's the way she grew up,” she said. “That's what she believed. She never really changed her attitude on that literally to her dying day.”

Mulholland was asked what advice she would give to a young person on how to respond to racism in a positive way.

“Be friends,” she said. “With whoever you want to be friends with. And, if somebody is being picked on because of who they are, support them. If need be, a group of you walk them through the halls of school. But, mainly, be friends. And let other folks know you are.”

Earlier in the day Thursday, Mulholland spoke to Hiawatha students.  It was her first trip to Kansas for the 75-year-old Virginia resident.

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska Public Power District has a planned power outage scheduled for Sunday morning that will affect Pawnee City and Steinauer along with rural areas between the communities. 

The outage is planned to occur between 12:30 a.m. and 3 a.m. 

NPPD will be conducting substation maintenance work that will require the power to the area to be switched off so the utility crews can work safely. The early Sunday morning hours were selected so as not to interrupt businesses.

NPPD recommends you avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer while the power is out. You should also turn off all computers, monitors, printer, copiers, scanners and all other electronic devices.  This will help to avoid any potential power surge when the electricity is restored.  

(KLZA)-- Southeast Nebraska Community Action Inc. has planned a Town Hall Meeting for Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend to discuss the strengths, weaknesses, and needs of the community and prioritize those needs.

Everyone’s input is valued.  In addition, there will be a short survey.  

The meeting will help determine how SENCA can better serve the community.

The meeting is to be held in the lower level meeting room at the Richardson County Courthouse in Falls City, 

(KLZA)-- Two Mound City men were injured in an Atchison County, Missouri single vehicle wreck about 2:20 Thursday afternoon.  

21-year-old Dalton Honea was driving west on Missouri Highway 46 approximately 7 miles east of Fairfax when his Chevy Tracker traveled off the road, struck and embankment and overturned, coming to rest on it’s drivers side.

Both Dalton Honea and his passenger, 20-year-old Dylan Honea were ejected. According to the Missouri Highway Patrol report, neither man was wearing a safety device at the time of the wreck.

Both men were transported by private vehicle to the Fairfax Hospital for treatment.  Dalton Honea’s injuries were described as moderate while Dylan Honea had minor injuries.  

The vehicle was totaled in the wreck. 

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City officials continue to work on the requirements for the swimming pool remodeling project to proceed. 

City Clerk Tammy Stephens says they are scaling the project back to its original scope to come in under budget.

Sealed bids for the work will be opened June 10 with the bid to be awarded June 12.

Once the bid is awarded, Stephens says the project cam get underway August 15th and the contractor will need to be done by April 1, 2018.

The project includes new piping of the pool and work on the bowl of the pool.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission awarded Pawnee City a matching grant of more than $85,000 for the pool renovation project.  
 

(KLZA)-- Auburn City Council members voted to move forward with the demolition of a house on a nuisance property during their meeting Monday evening.  

Mayor Scott Kudrna said the property owners did not respond to requests to make improvements. The City received permission from the District Court to demolish house at 1123, 13th Street.

The Lumberjack Company from Nebraska City was awarded the $6,000 bid to complete the project, which will include razing the structure and removing all debris.  

In other business the Council gave favorable comment to a special designated liquor license application for Bowldog Alley. They plan to host a beer garden at 1818 Central Avenue during the Bike Ride Across Nebraska overnight stop in Auburn on June 4.

Favorable comment was also given for the Southside Saloon application for an addition to their liquor license to include a deck off the back of their building. 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A land-market report by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln shows a 10 percent decline in the state's average farmland value over the past year.
 
The Lincoln Journal Star reports the survey appeared in the Wednesday edition of Cornhusker Economics. It reveals slower bids and land sales, resulting in the value drop.
 
Agricultural economist Jim Jansen says Nebraska appraisers, farm managers and agricultural finance professionals replied to the survey saying low commodity prices and high property tax concerns are putting pressure on land values.
 
The drop marks the third consecutive year the state's average farmland price has declined. As of Feb. 1, the average was a little over $2,800 per acre, 15 percent lower than 2014's more than $3,315 per acre.
 
Waldo Realty co-owner Pat Chohon says most of the active land buyers are neighbors looking to expand their farms.
 

(KMZA)--Sewer rates for customers of the city of Seneca will be going up.

The City Council Wednesday evening approved an ordinance increasing rates, with councilman Bruce Hermesch casting the lone no vote.

City Administrator Matt Rehder says currently residential customers are paying between $8 to $10 a month and that will increase to $26.25 a month, which is the state average.  The new rates will take affect with next month billing.

 Rehder says the sewer rate increase is needed because the city is embarking on a $2.2 million sewer rehab project.

He says the city has applied for a $140,000, 20-year loan though the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for the project and the loan payments are to begin in March or April of next year.

In addition, he says the city wants to be eligible for Community Development Block grants in the future, which requires the city be within the state average for sewage fees.

(KMZA)--Nemaha Central students will be getting new laptop computers and Ipad devices a year ahead of schedule.

The USD 115 Board of Education this week approved the purchase of the new devices at a cost of just over $357,000 and authorized the sale of the current three-year-old devices.  

The process will occur over the summer months.

Superintendent Darrel Kohlman requested that the original plan to replace the technology on a four-year cycle be revisited.  He said the district could get the greatest value by selling the current devices now and buying new ones on sale.

He said the district could get just over $107,000 by selling the devices now versus just over $71,000 in one year.  In addition, he said the cost of the devices will increase about $41,000 after March 31st.

In other business, the Board approved the purchase of a software program that introduces career planning to students.

After hearing a presentation from High School Principal Ben Scism and High School Counselor Deb Kramer,  the Board approved the purchase of the Career Cruising program.

The program will be used as part of the student Individual Plan of Study in the high school.

The cost for the program is $1,500, half of which will be paid by the state the first year.  The state will also reimburse the district for the $800 one-time set-up fee.

(KAIR)--The fluctuating weather this time of year causes several minor annoyances. But one you may not think about.

“This time of year, potholes become more prevalent,” said Atchison Public Works Director Justin Pregont. “When the freeze/thaw cycle is going back and forth a cross that thaw point of 32 degrees. This is high season for that kind of thing. Our streets guys work on it most days. There's really no way to avoid them, it's just part of what we have to do.”

He says although potholes are unavoidable, city crews work hard to repair them as they happen.

“We can't fix them if we don't know about it,” Pregont said. “While, we're proactive with filling potholes and getting them fixed, if you have one that's a particular concern to you, I recommend you call the city shop at 367-5561 or there's also a tool on the city's website that allows you to report a pothole.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is defending itself at trial against more than 300 farmers and other landowners who say the agency's management of the Missouri River has contributed to major flooding in five states, most notably 2011 flooding that caused billions of dollars in damage.

The civil trial that began March 6 in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Kansas City, Missouri involves a 2014 lawsuit alleging the Corps has de-emphasized flood control along the Missouri and put more emphasis on habitat restoration.

The U.S. government counters that authorities never promised to stop all Missouri River flooding.

 A decision isn't expected until summer, at the earliest.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has been asked to close a portion of a county road.

County resident Mark Burke met with the Commission Monday to request that a portion of Elgin Road, south of Denton, be closed to traffic.  Burke said the road is impassable.

County Attorney Charles Baskins told the Commission that a public notice must be given to adjoining landowners and published in the official county newspaper that the matter will be considered at a public hearing by the Commission.

The Commission voted unanimously to start the procedure to close the stretch of road.

A public hearing date hasn’t been set yet.

AUBURN, Neb. (AP) - A former Peru State College basketball player accused of stabbing three other Peru State athletes is scheduled for a May trial.
 
Court records say 24-year-old Jeffland Neverson, from Brooklyn, New York, has pleaded not guilty to assault, use of a weapon and tampering with evidence - all felonies. His trial is set to begin May 1 in Nemaha County District Court in Auburn.
 
Authorities say the crimes occurred after a fight broke out Sept. 17 last year about a block from the Peru State stadium in Peru. Several Peru State football and basketball players were involved in the melee. At least three of the athletes required medical treatment.
 

(KNZA)--A Holton man accused of sex crimes against five women and a teenage girl will face four jury trials, instead of six.

That comes after a judge Wednesday moved to combine four of the cases against 22-year-old Jacob Ewing.

The Topeka Capital Journal reports special prosecutor Jacqie Spradling had requested that all six pending trials be consolidated into one, citing similarities and double jeopardy issues.

Ewing’s attorney, Kathleen Ambrosio, objected to consolidation of the cases.

The judge also Wednesday denied a motion by Ambrosio that the alleged teenage victim in the one case undergo a mental evaluation.

The trial involving the teen is to be held first, currently set to begin April 17th.  The trial for two of the combine cases is set for June and the other two combined cases for August.   The last trial is set for November.

Ewing faces a total of 19 counts in the cases dating back to January 2014.

He remains in the Jackson County Jail.

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle wreck in Jefferson County Wednesday evening claimed the life of a Topeka man.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 40-year-old Travis Huggins was eastbound on 62nd Street at a high rate of speed when his Pontiac Firebird left the roadway and struck a utility pole.

Huggins, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash was reported around 8:00, west of K-4 Highway.

(KLZA)-- The Nemaha Natural Resources District once again has a full-slate of Board members.

During the March 9th meeting two vacancies on the Board were filled. 
Eldon Snoke of Humboldt was appointed to fill the vacancy in Subdistrict 8 representing parts of Richardson, Pawnee and Johnson counties. Snoke noted his background in agriculture and experience on several similar boards as factors in his decision to join the NRD Board.

Bob Lassen, a retired pharmacist from Firth will fill the Subdistrict 1 seat.  Lassen will represent Gage and Lancaster counties on the Board.  Lassen says he is interested in natural resources, especially trees and wildlife. 

Both men will serve two-year terms on the Board, which will then be up for election in 2018 to complete the final two years of the term.  

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City Council members discussed amending an ordinance to allow all-terrain and utility terrain vehicles to be used on city streets during their Monday evening meeting.

Research has been ongoing and an ordinance based on state statutes mingled with ordinances from area communities, allowing the vehicles to be used on city streets is being reviewed.  City Clerk Tammy Stephens said the Sheriff’s Office has been reviewing the proposal as well.

Stephens tells MSCNEWS that if the measure is approved, there will be a number of requirements to be met. The requirements would include a vehicle inspection by the Sheriff’s office. A permit checklist would also include working headlights, working tail lights and brake lights, an original equipment muffler, and a federally approved flag.

Stephens said there will also be a fee for the registration sticker and proof of insurance would also be required. 

(KLZA)-- Two staff members at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution required outside medical attention following an attack by inmates Wednesday afternoon. 

Inmates assaulted four staff members in housing unit 2B.   As a result of the incident on March 2nd, housing unit 2AB was on modified operations. During an outbreak of violence on March 2nd, two inmates were killed and others injured. No prison staff members were injured that day. 

 Immediately prior to the assaults Wednesday, four inmates had been allowed out of their cells; some for the purpose of cleaning after their cells had been flooded and others for their meal.  The cause of the flooding was from toilets that had been plugged. Unit 2B houses 43 inmates. 

According to a release from the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, staff who were assaulted and staff who responded Wednesday used physical force to stop the assaults and subdue the inmates. Those inmates involved in the assaults and others on the unit made threats regarding additional assaults as they were demanding to be let out of their cells.   

Housing unit 2A remains on modified operations as a result of the March 2nd incident. Housing unit 2A’s level of movement will not be reduced as result of the Wednesday assaults.  The remainder of TSCI is under normal operations.

(KAIR)--Despite an extensive search following a report that someone had jumped into the Missouri River, at Atchison, no body has been found.

That word Thursday morning from Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter, following the search that happened Wednesday evening.

The Atchison County Rescue Service was joined by the Atchison Fire Department in conducting the effort.

After the report was made around 6:00 Wednesday evening, emergency vehicles lined the Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge as part of the search, which included the use of rescue boats.

Around 7:45, the Atchison Fire Department ended their involvement in the search, which Lieutenant Michael Wahwasuck tells MSC News was decided due to the availability of a second boat belonging to Atchison County Rescue. Wahwasuck says his department's rescue boat had been utilized earlier in the search effort.

Atchison County Rescue continued the search, which Lanter says lasted until around 8:30 Wednesday evening.

With no body discovered, and no definitive proof that a jump had occurred, the decision was made to end the search.

(KAIR)--Saint Joseph area motorists should take note of a needed change in travel plans.

That comes as the Missouri Department of Transportation plans work in that area.

According to a press release, the ramp from southbound I-229 to Felix Street will close Monday morning at 7:30 and remain closed through the afternoon of the following Friday.

MoDot says motorists will need to use an alternate route during the closure.

The project involves work on expansion joints.

The timeline for the project is dependent upon the weather.

(KLZA)-- Nebraska Governor Peter Ricketts will be visiting Auburn High School next week.  

The Governor will be touring a number of communities around the state in honor of National Ag Week.  

The Thursday, March 23rd event is closed to the public.  The Governor will tour the schools greenhouse, shop and family and consumer science areas that have been revamped.

Gov. Ricketts will also have lunch with students who will have a chance to ask him about ag topics and concerns student have who are thinking about going into an agricultural career.  

The Governor will be in Auburn from 11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.

(KLZA)-- Pay increases have been approved for the Falls City School Districts Principals. 

The Falls City Board of Education approved pay increases of approximately 2.7 percent for High School Principal Gale Dunkhas, Middle School Principal Rick Johnson and South School Principal J.P. Holys Monday night.

The Board approved a contract with new North School Principal Shelly Leydon for the 2017-18 school year. 

Superintendent Tim Heckinlively’s contract was approved previously with a similar pay increase.

The Board also approved the resignation of Cecilia Simon, a 5th grade teacher who has been with Falls City Public Schools for 28 years.  

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Council discussed the water well inspection report from Layne Christensen Monday evening.

City Clerk Tammy Stephens explained concerns were raised when the water production dropped off on wells 1 and 2. 

Layne Christensen will come back and do another inspection to determine why there has been a drop off. 

Well one just underwent an overhaul and everyone feels it should be producing at a higher rate. Stephens says the wells are working well, they are just concerned about the downward trend in production. 

(KLZA)-- Bills introduced in the unicameral, backed by Governor Peter Ricketts have been prioritized in the Nebraska Legislature.  

One of the bills is reduce income taxes and change ag-land values from a market approach to more of an income approach. 

Another bill would change the state aid to schools formula.  LB-265 would provide a minimum amount of state aid to schools, starting at $1,500 per student and increasing to $5,500 per student to increase state aid to schools, and lower the burden on property taxes to support local schools.

Other priority bills also intend to cap the value of agricultural land for school funding by lowering the percentage of agricultural land used to calculate local resources in the school state aid formula from 72-percent, to 20-percent.   LB-640 would cap the property tax portion of total General Fund Revenue used for school districts at 60 percent and lowers the maximum levy for school districts from $1.05 to $1.00 per $100 of taxable valuation. 

These bills are all to be debated by the full legislature before the 90-day session ends.  

(KAIR)--A pedestrian is struck by a motorist late Wednesday morning, sending emergency crews to the scene in downtown Atchison.

It happened around 11:15 at 5th and Kansas Avenue.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson says it happened when Nortonville resident Emma Lou Niemann was crossing the street on foot.

As she did so, an eastbound SUV, stopped at the stop sign at the intersection, drove forward, striking her.

Niemann suffered injuries, and following treatment at the scene, was transported by Atchison County EMS for hospitalized treatment.

The driver of the SUV, Laverne Fitkin, of Atchison, was not cited in connection with the accident.

(KNZA)--A Hoyt man will stand trial for alleged sex crimes involving a three-year-old child.

26-year-old Theodore Purdy III waived his preliminary hearing last week and was bound over on charges rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

The Holton Recorder reports arraignment is scheduled for April 28th in Jackson County District Court.

Authorities say the alleged sex crimes occurred between September 1st and October 14th of last year.

Purdy was arrested October 20th following an investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

He remains free on an $80,000 bond.  

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission has agreed to provide funding to help with  a brick and mortar restoration project at the old jail building and sheriff’s residence in Seneca. 

Representatives of the Nemaha County Historical Society met with the Commission Monday to request the financial assistance.

The group said they have a $10,000 grant for the project, but need another $9,000 to complete it.

The Commission voted to provide the $9,000 needed, with the funding to come from the Commissioner’s fund.

In other business, the Commission accepted a quote from Eisenbarth Plumbing, of Seneca, in the amount $22,541 for improvements to the restrooms at the Nemaha County Community Building.

Sheriff Rich Vernon informed Commissioners that he had problems last week with the backup generator at the Law Enforcement Center.  Vernon said the warranty on the generator is no longer valid and it will cost the county about $3,500 to repair the generator.  Commissioners advised the sheriff to move forward with the repair.

Kansas Fur Harvesters Association representative Jim Buser met with the Commission about holding the association’s annual conference in Seneca in either 2018 or 2019 and again in 2022.

The conference would require use of the Nemaha County Community Building and Nemaha County Recycling Building.

Commissioners told Buser said they would be glad to see the conference held again in Seneca and would allow use of the specified buildings.  

(KNZA)--The Kansas Association of School Boards will assist the Hiawatha school district in its search for a new superintendent.

Following an executive session Monday evening, the USD 415 Board of Education voted to hire the KASB to help in the search for a fee of $2,750 plus mileage expenses.

The organization will advertise the position, screen the applicants and recommend 3-5 candidates to the Board for interviews.

An April 21st deadline has been set for applications.

As part of the consent agenda, the board accepted the resignation of current superintendent Penny Hargrove, effective June 30th.

Hargrove has accepted an offer to become superintendent of the Mingus Union High School District at Cottonwood, Arizona, effective July 1st.

She has served as superintendent of the Hiawatha school district for five years.
       

(KNZA)--This year's annual Brown County Spotlight Auction was a big success.

More than 340 items and services donated by area businesses were auctioned off Monday and Tuesday evening over KNZA 103.9 FM, generating $10,800.  

The items auctioned off brought 84 percent of retail value.

Proceeds from the auction will be used for operation of the 99th Annual Brown County Fair to be held this July.

(KAIR)--A familiar figure in the Oskaloosa community is being remembered, following his death this week.

Larry Bowser was 79-year-old when he died Monday at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Among his accomplishments, Bowser was well known for his years of banking leadership, serving as the President of the State Bank of Oskaloosa from 1974 until his retirement in 2015.

According to his obituary from the Mercer Funeral Home, in Holton, Bowser had previously worked at the Denison State Bank from 1960 until 1966, and the State Bank of Stanley, from 1966 to 1974.

Among his survivors are his wife, Barbara, his son, Eric, and his daughter, Julie McGinnis.

Funeral services for Bowser will be Friday morning at 10:00 at the Oskaloosa United Methodist Church.

(KLZA)-- The preliminary unemployment figure for January in Nebraska was 3.3 percent, down from 3.4 percent in December.

In Southeast Nebraska, the unemployment figures for January were considerably higher than the previous month. 

Nemaha County, Nebraska had the biggest jump in unemployment, up 9-tenths to 4.9 percent for January.  Unemployment was up 7-tenths of a point in Richardson, Johnson and Gage counties.  The rates were 4.3 percent in Richardson and Johnson Counties and 4.2 percent in Gage County.

Unemployment went up half-a-percentage point in January to 3.2 percent in Pawnee County and 4.1 percent in Otoe County. 

Statewide the unemployment rate of 3.3 percent is well below the national figures of 4.8 percent.

Nebraska non-farm employment remained above 1 million in January.
 

(KLZA)-- The Auburn Board of Education approved a number of personnel changes when they met Monday evening. 

Several administrative contracts were to be acted on during the meeting.
Superintendent Kevin Reiman said over the weekend, he learned two administrators are leaving the district. 

Auburn High School and Middle School Principal Vernon Golladay and the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Scott Anderson, have both accepted positions at Fremont.  Golladay will be the Assistant Principal at the High School. Anderson will serve as the full-time Athletic Director. 

The Board did approved renewing a contract with Jackie Kelsay as Calvert Elementary School Principal at a salary of $92,250. Director of School Improvement Nancy Fuller’s contract was renewed for next year at a salary of $101,400. Superintendent Reiman said the salaries are frozen at this years level because of the budget crunch the School District is experiencing due to loss of state aid.  

In other personnel action the Board approved the Early Retirement applications from Chris Allgood and Bill Moran. The early retirement program was approved last month as a cost-savings measure in the district.  The agreement will provide both instructors and their spouses with health insurance for three years.  

Allgood is an instructor in the Life Skills program and Moran teachers Spanish.

The Board accepted the retirement of Industrial Tech instructor Steve Petersen and the resignation of Vocal Music instructor Phillip Arnold. 

The Board also approved hiring Andrew Seuferer to be the Vocal Music instructor for the 2017-18 school year.  

(KLZA)-- Nebraska 1st District State Senator Dan Watermeier of Syracuse has prioritized LB-44, to help Nebraska collect sales taxes from on-line shopping.

If passed, on-line sellers without a physical presence in the state would be required to collect and remit state sales tax if their gross revenue in the state exceeds $100,000 or they have more than 200 sales in the state.  If they refuse to collect, the company must then inform the customer they will have to file forms and pay the state sales tax.  

The Senator from Syracuse thinks if passed, this would be a big help to the state budget. While estimates are revenue could be increased $30-40-million annually, Watermeier feels the total could be closer to $100-million annually for the state coffers.  
By prioritizing the bill, it guarantees it will be debated during the current legislative session.  

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) - A Leavenworth County man who admitted killing a Kansas police detective has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
 
Curtis Ayers was sentenced Tuesday in the May 9 shooting death of Detective Brad Lancaster during a confrontation near the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas.
 
Prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty when the 29-year-old Ayers pleaded guilty in January to capital murder.
 
Ayers didn't comment before he was sentenced.
 
He also was sentenced for nine other felonies, including burglary, robbery, battery, kidnapping, assault and weapons counts, all committed after Lancaster was shot.
 
He was arrested in Kansas City, Missouri, after he was shot by a police officer while allegedly trying to steal a woman's car.
 
Ayers still faces charges in Jackson County, Missouri and Leavenworth County, Kansas.

(KAIR)--Commuters to Kansas City International Airport should expect delays this week, as roadway repair work gets underway in Missouri.

According to a news release, the Missouri Department of Transportation is planning to begin repair work along northbound and southbound I-29, between I-435 and Route 273, beginning Wednesday.

The project is expected to continue through May 26.

According to the transportation department, the construction will cause intermittent lane closures, as the work is conducted during the nighttime hours of 7:30 in the evening to 6:00 in the morning.

All of the work depends on the weather.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - Kansas Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins faced booes and  shouts of "Do Your Job!" as she defended a Republican plan for overhauling health care.

The five-term Republican congresswoman had a raucous town hall meeting Monday in Lawrence reminiscent of recent events in which GOP lawmakers in other states have been booed and jeered. About 300 people attended the Jenkins event in perhaps the most liberal community in her eastern Kansas district.

The crowd booed Jenkins when she said the House GOP leaders' plan for repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act would not cause people to lose their coverage. Members of the crowd shouted, "That's not true!"

She had the event as the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projected that 14 million Americans would lose their coverage within the next year.
   

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission plans to purchase a new chip spreader for use during the road oiling season.

Doug Hermman with Van Keppel Company, of Topeka, offered Monday to sale the county a new machine for $186,000, with the trade-in of the county’s current 7-year-old machine.

However, Hermman said the machine would not be available until August after this year’s chip and seal season.

The county is looking at financing the purchase of the new machine through a 3-year lease purchase arrangement. Commission Chairman Steve Roberts asked Hermman to submit a lease-purchase agreement for the Commission’s consideration.

The county has been having problems with their current chip spreader and will have it worked on preparation for this summer’s chip and seal projects.

The county had checked into renting a machine but couldn’t find one to meet the county’s needs.  

(KNZA)--Two separate criminal cases against a Mayetta man accused in the November 2015 stabbing death of a Mayetta woman have been dismissed.

On the recommendation of Assistant Jackson County Attorney Brian Yearout, The Holton Recorder reports a Jackson County District Court judge Friday dismissed the two cases against 51-year-old Wilson Noriega.

A January trial on one of the two cases resulted in a hung jury.  In that case, Noriega was charged with trafficking in contraband in a correctional institution, criminal use of a weapon and criminal damage to property.  The charges stemmed from an alleged December 2015 incident at the Jackson County Jail.

In the other dismissed case, Noriega was charged with two drug counts stemming from an alleged July 2015 incident.

Noriega faces charges of first-degree murder and two drug counts stemming from the fatal stabbing of 49-year-old Leann Sanchez early November 21st, 2015 at a residence on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation where the two lived.  A five-day jury trial in that case is set to begin May 15th.

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

(KAIR)--A rash of vandalism in Doniphan County ends with the arrest of five juveniles.

That word was delivered Monday by Sheriff's Deputy Raymond Hall during the regular meeting of the County Commission.

Hall told the Commission the suspects were taken into custody in connection with the crimes that were committed during the weekend of March 4 through 5.

The vandalism targeted both residential mailboxes and county road signs, and happened in rural areas surrounding Troy, Wathena, and Blair.

Hall brought the matter to the Commission in order to seek their support for punishment for the juveniles.

He told the Commission that as part of their restitution and sentencing, the suspects would perform 150 hours each of community service, with approval.

The Commission, on consensus, agreed with the punishment, and approved Hall's request.

(MSC News)--Scholarship opportunities, in Nemaha County, are announced by the Striving to Ensure Progress Foundation.

According to a press release issued by STEP, The Elmer Heiman Memorial Scholarship of $1000 is given in memory of our father and husband a 1939 graduate of Baileyville High School. We are honoring his support of the B&B school district and his service to the Baileyville and Seneca communities. Applicants must be a senior at Nemaha Central High School and a former B&B student. They also must plan to attend an accredited post-secondary school. The deadline for the Elmer Heiman Memorial Scholarship is April 15th to the STEP Foundation PO Box 165, Seneca. Late applications will not be accepted.

The B & B Legacy Scholarships of $1000 total (given out twice in $500 increments) is provided through the STEP Foundation to graduating seniors who previously attended B & B High School. The Legacy Scholarships are a result of a challenge presented to the St. Benedict and Baileyville communities and alumni by Dr. August Bergman during the 2006 graduation ceremony. Thus began the fundraising to match Dr. Bergman's seed money of $25,000. During the fundraising, another graduate, Albert Wietharn added an additional $25,000 if the communities would match his gift. Both challenges were met and the $100,000 was exceeded. The B & B Legacy Scholarships became a reality due to the dedication and generosity of the alumni and communities of St. Benedict and Baileyville. Applications for the B&B Legacy are due by April 21st to Laurie Niehues at the Nemaha Central Elementary & Middle School, Seneca. Late applications will not be accepted.

The STEP Foundation has announced the availability of the Harry C.M. Burger Nemaha Central Scholarship. This scholarship was established by the late Harry Burger to encourage youth to further their education. The scholarships are renewable yearly throughout the students’ career at Kansas State University. For more information and applications, please contact Mrs. Bruna, Nemaha Central High School counselor. The deadline for applications for the Burger I scholarships is April 15th and late applications will not be accepted.

Harry Burger also established a Harry C.M. Burger Nemaha County Scholarship, the proceeds from which will be awarded to graduating seniors who plan to attend Kansas State University. This scholarship is renewable for four years. For more information and applications, please see your local school counselor. The deadline for applications for the Burger II scholarships is April 6th and late applications will not be accepted. The STEP Foundation will administer both the Burger I and Burger II scholarships.

(KLZA)-- A man from Bloomington, Illinois suffered minor injuries in a Saturday afternoon wreck a mile south of Mound City on Interstate 29.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports a pair of northbound vehicles were involved in the wreck around 2:30.

38-year-old Shayna Bryan of Bennington, Nebraska traveled off the west side of the roadway in her SUV, struck the guardrail, returned to the roadway and struck the drivers side of a car driven by 20-year old Patrick Kennedy of Bloomington, Illinois.  

The Bryan SUV came to rest partially blocking the northbound lanes.  The Kennedy car came to a controlled stop on the east shoulder of the northbound lanes.

Kennedy was transferred to the Fairfax Community Hospital by the Atchison-Holt Ambulance Squad. Bryant was not injured.

The Mound City Police Department, Holt County Sheriff’s Department and Missouri Department of Transportation assisted the Missouri Highway Patrol at the scene of the wreck.  
  
 

(KNZA)--City and school board elections will be held this fall.

Three positions will be up for election on the South Brown County USD 430 Board of Education.

According to a press release from the district, they include position #4, currently held by Tim McClaskey; position #5, currently held by Greg Dishon and position #6, currently held by Jacob Bruning.

School board members must be registered voters in the school district and cannot be an employee of the district.  Board members who are elected from certain areas of the district ( rather than at-large), must live in the area of the district from which they are seeking office.  School board members serve staggered four-year terms, so the entire board is not up for election at the same time.

Those interested will need to file no later than noon, June 1st at the Brown County Clerk’s office.  There is a $20 filing fee.

An informational pamphlet is available at the USD 430 Board of Education office at 522 Central Avenue in Horton outlining the filing guidelines and an overview of the responsibilities of board members along with a copy of the district boundaries.    

The general election will be November 7th and a primary election will be held August 1st, if needed.  

(KNZA)--The City of Hiawatha has announced that Phase III of the downtown streetscape project will begin Wednesday, March 15, weather permitting.

City Administrator Mike Nichols says construction will begin at the intersection of Eighth and Oregon. From there, he says the contractor will move west on Oregon Street towards Ninth Street. When completed with that block, Nichols says they will move to the intersection of Fifth and Oregon Streets and work in that vicinity.

Bern-based AHRS Construction will serve as contractor on the nearly $854,000 project.

A grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation will pay for 80 percent of the construction cost.  The city is responsible for the remaining 20 percent, plus construction engineering costs.

The project will include improvements in the 800 block of Oregon and the remaining portion of the 500 block of Oregon.  The improvements will include new sidewalks, lightning and planters similar to the first two phases of the project.  

(KNZA)--A hero of the civil rights movement of the 1960's is coming to Hiawatha as part of Women’s History Month.

Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, who was involved with the lunch counter sit-ins and Freedom Rides through Mississippi and nearly lost her life as a result, will be giving a presentation on her inspirational life at the forefront of the movement Thursday evening at 7:00 at the Hiawatha High School auditorium.  

Organizer Kevin Hill says the presentation, which will include the award winning documentary on her life, " An Ordinary Hero" and a question and answer period, is open to the public free of charge.

“We're really excited to have Joan coming to Hiawatha,” Hill said. “I think this her first trip to Kansas for a speaking engagement. She's a highly sought after speaker on the civil rights era, and we're very fortunate that she has agreed to come to Hiawatha.”

Hill says Mulholland will begin her day Thursday with a booking reading at the Hiawatha Elementary School of a children’s book written on her life, followed by a question and answer period.  That afternoon she will give a presentation at Hiawatha High School for high school and middle school students that will include the showing of a short portion of the documentary film followed by a question and answer period.

Hill says Mulholland, who is now 75-years-old and lives in Virginia,  was one of the few people that were involved in so many facets of the civil rights era.

“Her story is just fascinating,” Hill added. “She grew up in a family who believed in segregation. She was Christian, and so as she was going through church and bible school, she really began questioning how you can be Christian and favor segregation.” Hill said when she became involved in sit-ins, she was alienated by her family and friends. “The civil rights movement became her family,” he said.

Hill says he became aware of Mulholland during a family summer trip that included a tour of a lot of the civil rights sites in Alabama and stop at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.

“Part of the museum in Memphis, there is a wall with all of the mugshots of the freedom riders that were arrested for simply riding on a bus with African Americans,” Hill said. “Her picture really stood out. She was one of the few white females participating in the freedom rides.”

Hill said through follow-up on her story, he found she was involved in one of the most famous and violent sit-ins of the movement at the Jackson Woolworth lunch counter and helped plan and organize the March on Washington.  

A group of Hiawatha 8th graders are working to spread the word about Mulholland’s visit.  Three of them, Nikki Stueve, Sophia Hill and Kate Madsen, talked about Mulholland’s involvement in the civil rights movement during an interview with MSC News, which can be heard below. 

Hiawatha 8th grade students ( L-R) Nikki Stueve, Sophia Hill and Kate Madsen discuss Joan Trumpauer Mulholland's involvement in the 1960's civil rights movements during an interview with MSC News.

Nikki Stueve interview: 

Sophia Hill interview: 

Kate Madsen interview: 

(MSC News)--Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse has been appointed to the National Sheriff’s Association Immigration and Border Security Committee by NSA President Greg Champagne.  Sheriff Morse will serve as a member of the committee representing Midwestern sheriffs on immigration policy. Currently, there are 3,085 sheriffs in the United States of America.

Sheriff Tim Morse is honored to be considered for this appointment to the NSA.  Sheriff Morse says, "There could not be a more important time than now to deal with immigration concerns in our nation. With over one million criminal illegal aliens walking the streets of American, and the current methamphetamine and heroin epidemic brought to us by the Mexican drug cartels, every state has become a border state.  It is imperative for our country to have sound immigration policies and it is just as important to enforce those policies regardless of party politics."

(KNZA)--A former Kickapoo Tribal Council official has been found guilty of fraud and misuse of tribal funds.

According to news release Friday from the tribe, former tribal treasurer Bobbi Darnell was convicted of six criminal counts following a jury trial.

The news release says complaints alleged Darnell and two other former tribal council officials acted to draw money from the tribe’s federal burial fund, then falsified resolutions showing the tribal council action was for a much larger amount.

The release says those amounts were transferred from the tribe’s burial fund, which is held by the federal government, to the tribe’s bank account, where the money was used to subsidize payroll and other tribal expenses.

Tribal Chairman Lester Randall said in a statement “All tribal members are disappointed by the illegal actions of Ms. Darnell who’s [sic] selfish actions serve to deprive needed resources for the benefit of those tribal members who benefit from the tribe’s burial fund. This conviction makes Ms. Darnell accountable to the Kickapoo tribal membership for this wrongdoing.”

Darnell is scheduled for sentencing March 27th.

Former chairman Steve Cadue and former secretary Adolph Cadue Jr. face similar criminal charges.

(KAIR)--The Kansas Open Meetings Act was not violated through an email exchange involving two of three Atchison County Commissioners, and one County staff member; however, a long running investigation by the Kansas Attorney General's Office does “not condone the Commission's use of email to even raise questions about business that should be discussed at an open meeting.”

Those findings were revealed in a letter, dated March 8, and received by MSC News Friday.

The correspondence follows an investigation launched after the news organization filed a complaint on August 26, 2016.

The emails in question were obtained after MSC News filed an open records request in August.

The email exchange, dated June 4, 2016, involved discussion pertaining to possible staff changes, and possible cost savings, at the Atchison County Lake.

The potential change, addressed by the County's Road and Bridge Superintendent, was sent to Atchison County's three Commissioners, but only two replied, with 3rd District Commissioner Bill Pohl doing so first, using the reply all email function.

2nd District Commissioner Eric Noll voiced his opinion by replying only to Pohl.

The Attorney General's Office, through their review, found that the issue was never acted on officially, and found no ill intent on the part of the two Commissioners.

As part of the investigation, the Commission did admit that while it believes it followed the letter of the Kansas Open Meetings Act, “the spirit of the KOMA may have been infringed.”

While there will be no punitive measures, the letter says the Commission has “stated a willingness to undergo training on the KOMA” and “recognizes the danger of serial communications.”

(MSC News)---Daylight Saving Time officially begins at 2:00 Sunday morning.

Don’t forget to set your clocks forward an hour before going to bed Saturday night.

Fire department officials also encourage people to install new batteries in their smoke detectors when they change their clocks.

(KMZA)--A local area farmer is working to offer assistance to those affected by the destruction caused by devastating Kansas wildfires.

Andy Evans, a farmer in the Seneca area, tells MSC News he is in the process of collecting supplies needed by ag producers who lost property in the fires.

“We're trying to put an effort together to go and get hay, fencing material, anything as small as two bails, one bail, anything to help to take out toward Hutchinson and out that way to help the wildfire victims,” Evans said.

Evans says it's his hope that the giving spirit of the local area will allow an outpouring of support to his effort.

“It sounds live they've lost a lot and, around here, we live in such an awesome community that, if it happened around here, I know there would be a ton of people to help us,” Evans said. “So, I'm just trying to organize and put together some loads to take out there and try and help them”

Anyone wanting to help can contact Evans.

“They can call me at 785-799-4022 if they would like to donate hay or fencing materials to take out there,” Evans said. “Just give me a phone call, and we can arrange a time or if you can deliver it, that would be great.”

Since they began last weekend, officials report that 21 Kansas counties were affected by the fires.

On Friday, the Associated Press reported that more than 1,100 square miles in the state are under control, leading the state to withdraw response teams from the firefighting effort.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management said Friday that crews in Clark County have a blaze there 70 percent contained. Containment levels in Kansas' Comanche, Ellis, Reno and Rooks counties exceed 90 percent.

The blaze that encompassed Comanche and Clark counties along Kansas' southern border with Oklahoma is the biggest wildfire on record in Kansas.

Although Kansas has no burn ban in effect, the state's emergency management agency warns there's still potential for grassfires because of dry conditions statewide.

(KNZA)--Doniphan County is preparing for this summer’s chip and seal road work.

The County Commission this week accepted a bid from Kansas City, Missouri-based Vance Brothers for the purchase of RS-IH+ road oil in the amount of $1.63 a gallon, delivered.

The county plans to chip seal 30 miles of roadway this year.

Commissioners discussed contracting with Vance Brothers to do the chip seal projects versus the county continuing to do the work.

Following discussion, the Commission decide to have county crews perform the work.  

(KAIR)--Atchison police are searching for an identified suspect in connection with the theft of a vehicle.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson says it was sometime Thursday evening when a 2007 Dodge Caravan was taken from the 1500 block of South 8th..

“The vehicle has not been recovered yet, as of Friday,” Wilson said. “We do have a suspect that was identified seen leaving that neighborhood in that vehicle. We're searching for a 28-year-old female.”

If you have any information about the theft or suspect, contact Atchison Police.

(L-R) Hiawatha volunteer firefighters John Merchant, Jr., Nick Siebenmorgen and Ryan Shockley provide assistance in battling wildfires in southwest Kansas

(KNZA)--Three Hiawatha volunteer firefighters answered the call for mutual aid to battle wildfires raging in southwest Kansas.

Nick Siebenmorgen, John Merchant, Jr. and Ryan Shockley left early Thursday morning for Clark County to help in the firefighting efforts.

Jordanne Shockley, public information officer and wife of Ryan Shockley, said the three firefighters worked a 10-hour shift Thursday, and returned home late Thursday night.

The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office sent out a plea to all fire departments in the state for mutual aid in battling the fires, and Hiawatha city officials contacted them to see what they could provide.

Since last weekend, wildfires in Kansas have charred more than 1,000 square miles of land and damaged or destroyed dozens of structures.

The firefight Thursday was focused on four counties, down from twenty-one Monday.

One blaze, encompassing two counties along Kansas’ southern border with Oklahoma, is the biggest wildlife on record in Kansas.

(KLZA)-- Members of the Law Enforcement Building Committee met with Nemaha County, Nebraska Commissioners this week. The Committee presented recommendations for offices to be placed in the Sheriff’s Department addition. 

The Committee is recommending the Emergency Management offices remain at the Multi-Plex Building and the County Attorney’s Office be moved to the new addition. 

This would open the present county attorney office to be used as private offices for the judges of County Court and District Court.  

Commissioners took no action on the recommendation during the meeting. They will give the recommendation further thought and likely take action at the next meeting.  
 

(KLZA)-- Some much needed improvements have been approved for Legion Park in Auburn.  

During the February City Council meeting a bid was awarded to Lavigne Construction of Auburn to construct a multi-use restroom / concession stand building in the park.  The bid was nearly $170,000 but came in more than $15-thousand dollars less than what was budgeted. 

Mayor Scott Kudrna said the facility will match the existing architecture and design, including the band shell. 

Costly issues with the restrooms in the park that date back to 1940 were a factor in moving forward with the project.  

The concession area will include stainless steel counter space and electrical outlets. It will be available for groups to use during events in the park.  

Legion Park plays host to a number of events with large crowds throughout the year.  

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve the placement of STOP signs on Barada Street at the intersections of 16th and 17th Streets.

Mayor Jerry Oliver explained while there are currently YIELD signs on Barada at the intersection with 17th Street, it is getting more congested. 

Currently there are no traffic signs at 16th and Barada and with the addition to Armbruster Motor Company, it will be more difficult to see traffic.  
 

(KLZA)-- Beginning Monday, weather permitting, US-75 Highway on the southeast edge of Nebraska City will be temporarily closed overnight, for girder erection on the two overpass bridge structures. 

 Work is scheduled to begin Monday, March 13, with closures beginning at 10 p.m. and ending at 6 a.m. each day until anticipated completion on Friday, March 17, according to the Nebraska Department of Roads.

Constructors Inc., of Lincoln, Nebraska is the contractor on the nearly $24.5- million project.  

Northbound and southbound traffic on US-75 will be temporarily detoured utilizing Nebraska Highway -2, Nebraska Highway-50 and US Highway -136 until the girder erection is completed at the intersection of US-75 and Nebraska-2.  N-2 will not be affected by this construction.

Motorists are encouraged to monitor local message boards for updates for this project and to drive cautiously through construction zones.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha seventh-grader has been honored for her volunteer efforts.

Mark Bigbee with Prudential Financial presented an engraved silver medallion to 13-year-old Sydney Smith Friday at the Hiawatha Middle School gym in recognition of her selection by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards as one of Kansas’ top two youth volunteers of 2017.

Smith raised nearly $1,800 for diabetes research by soliciting donations and selling homemade crafts in conjunction with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation annual fundraising walk in Kansas City.

Smith told MSC News that for her, the fundraising is very personal.  “ I’ve had Type 1 diabetes since I was 16 months old, and there are two more people in our middle school that have diabetes,” said Smith.

Two state honorees—one middle and one high school student—are selected for the award based on criteria such as personal initiative, effort, impact and personal growth.  This year’s high school honoree is from Olathe.

As a state honoree, Smith also will receive $1,000 and an all-expense paid trip in early May to Washington D.C. for several days of national recognition events.  During the trip, ten of the state honorees will be named America’s top youth volunteers

(KAIR)--56 mumps cases have been reported across the state of Kansas.

That word comes from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, with a news release stating the cases, as of March 4, had been reported in 12 counties, including locally, Atchison and Marshall, with Nemaha County added to the list this week.

KDHE is working with the health departments in the affected counties to identify cases and “implement appropriate isolation and exclusion policies to prevent further spread of the mumps.”

KDHE Secretary Susan Mosier says she encourages Kansans “to take precautions to prevent the spread of the disease,” to make sure that families “are up-to-date on vaccines, and stay home if you do get mumps.”

Mumps is a contagious disease, caused by a virus, and typically starts with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and a loss of appetite, followed by swollen salivary glands.

For details on the warning signs of mumps, and what you can do to keep you and your family safe, go here.

Garrett Michael Collins and Brandon Michael Scrimsher

(KNZA)--A Thursday morning Jackson County traffic stop sends two Topeka men to jail on drug charges.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says the driver is identified as 31-year-old Garrett Michael Collins. He was arrested on charges including possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and driving while suspended.

The passenger, 38-year-old Brandon Michael Scrimsher was arrested on charges including possession of methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.

Both were booked into the Jackson County Jail.

Collins is held on a $25,000 cash only bond, while Scrimsher's bond was set at $2,500.

Morse says the arrests came after Sheriff's Deputies stopped the vehicle the two were traveling in, near 4th and Arizona, in Holton, shortly after 11:00 Thursday morning.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A proposal to run the Keystone XL pipeline through Nebraska has won support from a super-majority of the state's lawmakers.
 
A mostly Republican coalition of senators signed a letter calling on the Nebraska Public Service Commission to approve a route through the state. The letter released Wednesday was signed by 33 of the Legislature's 49 senators. All but three are registered Republicans.
 
The letter says the project will create jobs and generate local property tax revenue, and argues that the pipeline has already undergone a thorough review.
 
Project opponents in Nebraska are mobilizing once again to try to derail the project, as they have before. The proposal has stalled several times after concerns were raised about its impact on groundwater and property rights.

Among the Senators signing the letter of support was First District Senator Dan Watermeier of Syracuse.  
 

(KNZA)--Another scam circulates in the local area, with authorities saying it's the latest attempt to rip off unwitting victims. 

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says it was brought to his attention by a local financial institution. 

He says phone calls are being placed to local residents, with the pre-recorded message telling whoever answers that their social security number has been placed on hold. 

The recorded message then provides a phone number which is falsely portrayed as the method to fix the purported error. 

Merchant says that number should not be called, as it's an apparent attempt to gain financial information. 

He says those who receive the call should report it to the Kansas Attorney's General's Office. 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback isn't committing to staying in that job through the end of the legislative session this spring.

Brownback wouldn't comment Thursday on Kansas Public Radio reports that he will be named the U.S. ambassador for three food and agriculture organizations in Rome. He told reporters he's focused on fixing the state's budget problems and writing a new education funding formula. When asked whether he was committing to staying through the legislature's session, he declined to comment.

Kansas is facing a budget crisis and Brownback is trying to stave off income tax increases supported by many fellow Republicans. The state Supreme Court also ruled that the state must spend more on schools.

If Brownback steps down, Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer will become governor. Colyer also had no comment.

(KAIR)--The Atchison County Sheriff's Department is investigating after three rural Atchison residents reported the destruction of their mailboxes.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, it was sometime between 10:30 Monday night and 6:00 Tuesday morning when the mailboxes were destroyed.

All three were in the area of Morton and 326th Roads.

The report says they don't have any suspects at this time, but it is believed a car was used to run the mail boxes over.

(KNZA)--A Falls City man convicted on a felony drug charge in Doniphan County has been placed on probation.

27-year-old Cameron Mitchell Gill was given a 20-month suspended prison sentence this week and placed on 12-months supervised probation on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.

Gill was also ordered to pay nearly 17-hundred dollars in fines and court costs.     

He pleaded no contest to the charge last month.  In exchange for the plea, five additional charges were dismissed.

Gill was arrested last September by the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Department following a traffic stop on U.S. 36 Highway.  During a consent to search his vehicle, authorities say a black pouch was located with baggies and residue of what appeared to be methamphetamine.  

(KNZA)--Holton area motorists may want to find an alternate route, following a Thursday morning wreck that's left traffic slow going on a portion of U.S. Highway 75.

According to an alert sent by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, southbound traffic is slowed to one lane, in Holton.

Sheriff Tim Morse says that's due to a large grain hauler overturning at the intersection of K-16 and the highway.

According to Morse, his office, along with the Holton Police Department, the Kansas Highway Patrol, Holton Fire, and Jackson County EMS, is on the scene.

Morse says the driver is not reporting any injuries.

According to Morse, the truck was hauling dried fertilizer. 

The wreck was reported shortly after 11:00.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca is looking at moving and expanding the hospital’s helipad. 

Hospital representatives Kiley Floyd and Mike Stallbaumer met with the Nemaha County Commission Monday to discuss the possibility of obtaining an easement from the county so they can re-locate and enlarge their helipad.

The property is located on the north side of the hospital and south side of the county’s fairgrounds on Community Drive.

Stallbaumer said FAA regulations state that the helipad needs to be a 40 by 40-foot hard surface pad and needs to be further from the hospital building.  The current pad is 24 by 24-foot.  

There are also trees on the property that would need to be removed.

Following discussion, the Commission advised the hospital representatives to move forward with getting the property surveyed and speaking with a tree service about relocating some of the trees in the area.

(KLZA)--A Colorado-based company plans to open a plant in Falls City.

Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise has announced that Great West – Teeuwissen plans to open a location in Falls City.

Great West – Teeuwissen will process, export, import and trade animal by-products serving pet food and animal feed industries. 

The facility will be in the Falls City Industrial Park at 404 Pacific Street, in the former Gold Star Sausage plant. Plans call for $1.7-million in capital investment for acquisition of the building and the purchase of equipment.  20 new full-time jobs are to be created.

Company president Doug Haycock and members of his management team have made several site visits to the Falls City facility.  This will be a third location for the company. They also operate facilities in York, Nebraska and Highlands Ranch, Colorado. 

Falls City EDGE plans to host a job fair in order to assist the company with recruitment of employees.  The jobs being created are in the food processing industry and will include managers, maintenance, warehouse, production and office personnel. 

The company is hoping to advance to the final stages of development in the coming weeks. No official date for the opening of the business has been set.  
 

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners have awarded the bid for a new Shop at the County Yard in Humboldt to McNealy Construction of Humboldt.

The bid of $80,695 was among five received for the project.  This was the low bid of five submitted for the project.

Commissioners also reviewed documents from the Nebraska Department of Roads for the purchase of right-of-way for the Highway 73 project.  Commissioners are requesting a representative of the Department of Roads meet with them to review some concerns and questions they have regarding the project.  
 

(KNZA)--An increase in the number of inmates being housed in the Doniphan County Jail could create budget problems this year for the Sheriff’s Department.

That’s what Sheriff Chad Clary told the Doniphan County Commission Monday.

Clary said that due to a $50,000 cut in his budget for 2017 by the Board, his department could go over budget based on the increase in inmate count and meal costs.

He said in previous years the average inmate count was between 5 to 7 per day.  This year, the average inmate count has risen to 15 per day, all factors Clary says the Board did not take into account when cutting the Sheriff’s 2017 budget.  

As of Monday, 16 local prisoners were being held in the Doniphan County Jail.  In addition, Clary said they are currently housing up to 10 inmates a day from Wyandotte County and four inmates for Atchison County.

Doniphan County is charging the two counties a rate of $40 per day per inmate.

(KNZA)--A legislative forum will be held in Holton Saturday morning.

The Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce will host the event from 9 to 11 at the first floor meeting room in the Jackson County Courthouse.

State Representatives Francis Awerkamp and Randy Garber along with State Senator Dennis Pyle have been invited to meet with constituents to discuss the current legislative session.  

So far, Awerkamp and Garber have confirmed they plan to attend.

The public is invited.

Coffee and doughnuts will be provided.

(KNZA)--A Kansas City, Kansas man was injured Wednesday night after crashing his car during a pursuit in Jefferson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 26-year-old Jimeal Glover was attempting to elude a Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy when his Pontiac Grand Am left U.S. 59 Highway about one mile south of Oskaloosa and rolled multiple times around 9:30.

Glover was taken to Topeka’s Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center with unspecified injuries.

It was not immediately known what led to the pursuit.

Jeremy Lynn Simon and Curtis Lowe Simon

(KAIR)--Two Horton men are jailed in Jackson County, arrested following what authorities say was a Wednesday afternoon pursuit that ended with a crash.  

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says arrested are 39-year-old Jeremy Lynn Simon, identified as the driver, and his passenger, 37-year-old Curtis Lowe Simon. 

According to Morse, Jeremy Simon is facing charges of felony flee and eluding, reckless driving, felony interference with law enforcement, driving while suspended, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He's also held on an outstanding warrant. 

Curtis Simon is facing a charge of felony interference with law enforcement. 

Additional charges are possible. 

Morse says the pursuit began around 2:30 Wednesday afternoon when deputies attempted to stop the car for an alleged traffic infraction, south of Holton. 

According to Morse, the driver refused to stop, and continued southbound on U.S. Highway 75. The car then went westbound on 198th Road, and then southbound on M., which Morse says is a dead end. 

The car went off the roadway, and through a pasture, then went airborne, crashing in a gully. 

The two men then attempted to flee on foot, but were quickly apprehended by deputies. 

Both were booked into the Jackson County Jail follwoing their arrests. 

(KAIR)--A potential road closure in Jackson Park.

That’s the proposal that followed a presentation by the Atchison Parks & Forestry Board outlining results from a recent survey distributed throughout Atchison.

The survey, which had more than 400 respondents and was promoted mainly through Facebook, showed

“Jackson Park was one of the most visited parks, 83 percent of those respondents said that they utilize Jackson Park,” said Lorin Affield with the park board. “The others things that came out of that was the use of trails, hiking, biking, those sort of things. Which allowed us to convene as a group with the other members of our parks and forestry advisory group to be able to put some plans together to be able to act on those surveys rather than just sitting on them.”

Park Board Member Shawn Rizza presented the board's plan.

“We'd like to propose closing down some of the roads in Jackson Park to traffic having it just be pedestrian, bike, running, etc.,” Rizza said. “It will be a lot safer for them. It will give the community a longer walking trial that they can use right away, and it will be at very little cost to the city.

Rizza said the plan entails closing the south road that goes out to Guerrier Hill and loops around it. Then, the center concrete road that goes down the hill that leads to the ADA accessible trial.

“To do that, and still leave the ADA trail accessible to cars, we would reverse the flow of traffic on the north road, it would go out to the trail instead of coming back,” Rizza said. “Then, you would exit to 3rd Street.”

Discussion followed the presentation with commissioners questioning how many residents would be negatively affected with no vehicular access to the lookout at Guerrier Hill.

One member from the public spoke in opposition to the plan saying too many elderly people would not be able to climb the hill in order to access the views from atop Guerrier Hill.

Ultimately, commissioners tabled the issue until the next commission meeting in order to allow for more fact-gathering and discussion.

(KAIR)--The Atchison Library is set to re-open Friday after powerful winds Monday afternoon ripped the copper sheeting off the roof.

Library Director Jacque Slingsby said they decided to get creative to try and raise money for the repairs.

“We decided to do a Go Fund Me, and if a lot of people can help a little bit, we thought that would be a really neat way to have the community support,” Slingsby said. “We've had so many people reach out to us and ask how they can help us.”

In addition to thanking the community for their support, Slingsby had this message to city employees.

“The response from the city was awesome—from Trey popping over here, the fire department, police department, public works, they have just been incredible,” Slingsby said. “Public works crew spent the better part of today cleaning up. They've been great.”

To contribute to the fund raising efforts, see the library's page on gofundme.com.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The Kansas Livestock Association is launching a relief effort for ranchers affected by wildfires that have scorched hundreds of square miles of land in the state.
 

The group said Tuesday it is accepting donations of feed, fencing supplies and cash for the ranchers who've lost fencing, forage resources, harvested feed and an undetermined number of cattle in the blazes.

The association says ranch homes and outbuildings also were among the losses.

 Donations may be made by contacting the association, with cash contributions payout through the Kansas Livestock Foundation, the association's charitable arm.

(KAIR)--Details are released regarding a single vehicle rollover wreck that sent a Severance resident to the hospital.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie says it happened Saturday morning shortly before 7:00, when 36-year-old James Enloe was northbound on K-7 Highway, at 330th Road.

His vehicle drifted off the roadway, and onto the shoulder, where the car went sideways, and then rolled over.

Enloe was transported to the Atchison Hospital, suffering from what Laurie describes as a cut and possible head injuries.

His injuries were not believed to be serious or life threatening.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska's corrections director says his department is still struggling to hire and retain prison employees but contends the situation has improved.

Director Scott Frakes made his comments during a budget hearing with lawmakers on Monday. His testimony followed a prisoner uprising Thursday that left two inmates dead at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, which has more than 50 job vacancies.

Corrections officials have said the prison was adequately staffed at the time. But union officials say prison workers are frequently asked to work overtime because of employee turnover and unfilled jobs, which drains their morale.

Frakes says annual turnover rates for the entire corrections system has fallen from 32 percent to 26 percent over the last four months, but he wants to see an even lower rate.
 

BROWNVILLE, Neb. (AP) - Federal regulators will inspect Cooper nuclear power plant next week to determine why a key heat-removal system and its backup were both offline at the same time last month.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says it will conduct a special inspection at the plant owned by the Nebraska Public Power District to determine what led to the error.

Regulators say that on Feb. 5 workers discovered a problem with a system that would help remove heat from the plant during an accident. That system may have been offline for months.

During the time that system was disabled, workers did maintenance work on a back-up heat-removal system, and it was offline for about 72 hours.

(KAIR)--20-years in federal prison for distributing child pornography.

That's the sentence handed down for a Leavenworth man who pleaded guilty to the crime.

According to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall, 33-year-old Joshua Grimm entered the plea to one count of distributing child porn Monday.

According to a prosecutor at the sentencing, Grimm, in an online chatroom conversation, told a detective in Arizona that he had sexually abused a 4-year-old girl.

Sending a photo of the child, Grimm told the undercover detective he had “thought about kidnapping a young girl from a park or busy store.”

At the time of the conversation, which began in June 2016, molestation charges were pending against Grimm.

(KAIR)--After heavy rounds of budget cuts slashed its budget, the emergency domestic and sexual violence safe house, DoVES servicing Doniphan, Atchison, Brown and Nemaha counties, is relying on donations from the community to keep its doors open.

“Anything. Monetary donations is at the top of the list,” said DoVES Executive Director Debbie Duncan. “But, we also need other things like personal hygiene products. I always say, anything that is needed in the home. Volunteering would be wonderful. The victims would be truly grateful for any assistance. I am the only employee now, and I live there.”

She says the cuts came from state agencies and governor's office.

“My opinion, is they're trying to cut theses small shelters, and that will hurt us because we're a small, rural farming area,” Duncan added. “The problem with that is, how are our victims going to get to Kansas City and why make them move out of their comfort zone?”

Despite these cuts, Duncan says the shelter hasn't scaled back any services they offer to victims, and nobody is ever turned away.

“We can service 10 women and 10-12 children,” Duncan said. “Our time line is 30-90 days, but if they're not ready in 90 days, it could be longer. What we try to do at DoVES, is give them time to heal so we can empower and assist them in starting a new life. Some women, think there is no life after abuse. But, I am one of those survivors now, and I know there is life after abuse. ”

Anyone interested in donating either money or materials to DoVES can call 913-367-0365. Monetary donations can be mailed to DoVES P.O. Box 262, Atchison KS 66002. Or visit their website.

The shelter's 24-hour crisis hot line is 1-800-367-7075 or 913-367-0363.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man convicted on child abuse charges has been sentenced to more than 7 years in prison. 

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says 25-year-old Frankie Rodriguez was sentenced Monday to a total of 86 months in prison on charges of aggravated battery and felony child abuse, the maximum sentence possible.

He was found guilty on the felony charges following a bench trial in January.

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 child was brought to the Hiawatha Community Hospital August 26th with a severe head injury.  The child was later transferred to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.  

During his trial, Investigator Beau Hasenohr with the Hiawatha Police Department testified that Rodriguez admitted to investigators that after becoming upset with the child for not eating, he slammed the back of her chair to the floor, causing the child's head to hit the floor.  After the child stood up attempting to regain her balance, Hasenohr said Rodriguez then struck the child hard in the back of the head, rendering her unconscious.

After spending several months in critical condition, the child was released from the hospital in December.

(KLZA)-- A second arrest has been made in connection with Monday's arrest of 32-year-old Brandon Kopf by the Metro Area Fugitive Task Force in Richardson County. 

Richardson County Sheriff Don Pounds arrested 25-year-old Cherish Lovell Tuesday morning on a felony charge of harboring a fugitive.

According to a probable cause affidavit, U.S. Marshall’s learned that Lovell was Kopf’s girlfriend.  She was contacted March 2, by authorities, who informed her there was an arrest warrant for Kopf for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.  Lovell was allegedly told if she assisted in concealing Kopf from arrest she would be in violation of the law, and signed a form acknowledging she understood. 

On Monday, the U.S. Marshal Fugitive Task Force, working with  Sheriff Pounds, went to a residence east of Verdon to search for Kopf.  

The resident of the home, Matthew Hillyard, at first would not give consent to search the residence, but changed his mind less than an hour later. Kopf was located, and he was arrested.

Authorities say Kopf and Lovell had been living together in the home, and she was there when the search, and arrest, happened. 

(KLZA)-- Highway 136 has re-opened west of Rock Port after being closed due to smoke from a fire at EnTire Recycling Monday. 

The blaze started late Sunday evening and is expected to continue to burn for sometime at the plant located at Phelps City, Missouri. 

Old tires are ground up at the plant to be used in athletic fields across the country.  The plant is on the south side of Highway 136 and the strong winds Monday was blowing the smoke across the highway creating a dangerous situation.

Fire fighters from Rock Port, Watson, Tarkio, Westboro and Fairfax responded to the scene. The smoke generated by the tires is hazardous to breathe and firefighters were concerned about the possibility of explosions.

(KAIR)--The city of Atchison is working with its insurance company to fix damage to the roof of the Atchison Library.

Strong winds Monday afternoon ripped portions of copper sheeting off the library's roof prompting the closure of the library and the surrounding streets around the library.

Although no injuries were reported following the damage, pieces of the metal sheeting did fall on the sidewalk outside the 4th Street entrance of the library.

Atchison City Manager Trey Cocking said the city sought assistance from three different contractors yesterday to get the copper sheeting off the roof, but the strong winds made conditions unsafe for anyone to be on the roof.

Now, crews are working to get a temporary tarp in place.

The inside of the library also sustained minor damage.

“We did have some water damage, the floor is wet,” Cocking said. “But, largely the building is unaffected. Right now, it's just a matter of working with the insurance company, getting a temporary tarp put on. After that, getting bids and getting the rest fixed going forward.”

At this time, the Atchison Library remains closed.

(KNZA)--An investigation is launched following the vandalism of a number of mailboxes in Doniphan County.

Sheriff Chad Clary told the Doniphan County Commission Monday the vandalism happened over the weekend throughout the second and third districts.

Clary says an active investigation into the vandalism continues.

Also Commissioners were told that several road signs were damaged by vandals over the weekend.

The county Road and Bridge Department will make a list of all signs damaged to turn over to the sheriff’s department and county attorney for prosecution.

Anyone with information on the vandalism is urged to contact the Doniphan County Sheriff’s Department.

(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.

According to a notification released by the city, concentrations of 11 milligrams per liter were found in a sample collected February 13th, 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 all receive their water from Hiawatha.

The City of Hiawatha plans to construct a new water treatment plant to address the ongoing problem of high nitrate levels in its water supply system.

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 wholesale public water supply district is expected to be in operation in 3 to 6 months.  

Editor's note: The two official notification letters, sent by the City of Hiawatha and Brown Co Rural Water District #2, are below. 

Drinking Water Warning

City of Hiawatha water system has high levels of nitrate

 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 February 13, 2017.  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 12 to 15 months.

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 March 6, 2017.

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 February 13, 2017 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.  We expect the PWWSD #27 to be in operation in 3 to 6 months.

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.

Distributed on March 7 , 2017.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha firefighter has been recognized for exemplary service in the line of duty.

Fire Chief Gary Shear presented a certificate to Cory Lay during Monday evening’s Hiawatha City Commission meeting in recognition of his actions during a fire at the Pemberton Village Apartments on North 1st Street in the early morning hours of January 28th.

At great risk to himself, Shear says Lay assisted residents in their escape from the burning structure.

Shear said Lay did what all volunteer firefighters are trained to do, he responded to the call from his fellow citizens.   At his own peril, Shear said Lay helped evacuate residents from a very dangerous situation, and did so without any thought of fame or fortune.

The fire in apartment building D started from a hallway heater and spread through the roof.   

When firefighters arrived, flames were visible coming out of the roof on the west side of the building.

A second fire was reported in the same building the evening of January 28th.  It was confined to one apartment and was blamed on wiring.  .      

Storms impacting Brown County, KS on Monday, March 6, 2017. Credit: Greg Buser

(MSC News)--Severe thunderstorms rolled across the region Monday evening, bringing with them strong, damaging winds, hail, and heavy rain.

That followed the issuance of a Tornado Watch during the afternoon, with tornadic activity developing as day turned to evening.

Tornado Warnings were issued for such nearby locations as Leavenworth County, Kansas and Buchanan County, Missouri.

In Brown County, storm spotters report the development of what they are calling gustnadoes, which are commonly mistaken for tornadoes, but are not the same.

The severe weather breakout happened on the first day of Severe Weather Awareness Week, underway now through Friday.

The time is set aside annually to prepare for times of springtime severe weather, and will again include the statewide tornado drill for Kansas.

National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist Chad Omitt says that is planned for Tuesday morning at 10:00. “Think about where you're at, think about where you go and what you do in the event that it's a real warning.”

April, May, and June is the peak severe storm season in Kansas, but the extreme activity Monday was a reminder that such dangerous weather can arrive whenever conditions are favorable.

(KAIR)--An Atchison pedestrian requires hospitalized treatment after she's hit by av vehicle while crossing an Atchison street Monday afternoon.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News it happened around 2:00 as 39-year-old Rebecca Phillips was crossing the street, on foot, in the 200 block of North 8th.

It was there she was struck by a southbound Toyota, driven by 24-year-old Platte City resident Anne Harrison.

Phillips was transported to the Atchison Hospital by EMS for examination.

As of Monday night, she remained as a patient.

(KAIR)--Two Atchison men are facing charges after allegedly falsely reporting a crime last week.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson says 20-year-old Zachary Hefner and 19-year-old Corrigon Depoy were issued notices to appear in court for falsely reporting a crime on Thursday evening from the 1500 block of North 7th.

“We believe the motive behind this false report is connected to a theft that was committed on Thursday night,” Wilson said. “That theft case occurred at a local convenience store. We believe that the person who possessed that vehicle that night was trying to distance themselves from being connected to being to this theft case that's also under investigation.”

Wilson says a third person they have identified will most likely face charges for the theft.

(MSC News)--A Tornado Watch is in effect for the local area.

The National Weather Service Monday afternoon issued the watch, which will remain in effect until 10:00 Monday night.

Local Kansas counties included in the watch are Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Nemaha, and Pottawatomie.

In Missouri, local area counties included in the watch are Buchanan, Platte, Holt, and Andrew.

Included Nebraska counties are Nemaha and Richardson.

The Tornado Watch is issued on the first day of Severe Weather Awareness Week, which runs through Friday.

It's held as a time to make preparedness plans for times of actual dangerous weather conditions.

(KLZA)-- A man wanted on  a felony warrant in Lancaster County and for criminal activity in Gage County was arrested without incident Monday morning at a house just west of Falls City.

Beatrice Police Lieutenant Mike Oliver confirmed to MSCNEWS that 32-year-old Brandon Kopf was arrested near Falls City by the Metro Area Fugitive Task Force.

Kopf was wanted in Gage County for fleeing to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, violating a traffic control signal, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and driving while suspended or revoked. 

According to the Gage County Sheriff’s Department website report, shortly before 9 p.m. on February 28, Gage County Deputies were attempting to locate Kopf on the Lancaster County warrant.

Deputies observed a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle Kopf was believed to be driving. When an attempt was made to stop the vehicle as it pulled into the parking lot of a convenience store in the 800 block of  West Court Street.  When a Deputy attempted to make contact, the vehicle rapidly accelerated and left the parking area, traveling east down Court Street in Beatrice at a high rate of speed. 

A pursuit began but deputies lost site of the vehicle when it turned north.  A short time later, it was discovered that Kopf’s vehicle, a black, GMC, SUV had collided with a fire hydrant and then smashed into a building at 800 Court Street housing the Tom Cass Insurance agency.  

Kopf allegedly fled on foot and Gage County authorities have been looking for him since.  

The picture posted with this story is from the Gage County Sheriff's Department Website. 

(KAIR)—Strong Monday afternoon winds rip roofing materials from the Atchison Library, causing a public danger, leaving metal sheeting hanging down from the roof top.

Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf tells MSC News some tumbled to the ground, on the 4th Street side of the building, causing alarm, but no injuries. "The extreme south winds that we're having today apparently blew a large amount of the roof covering off of the library, here at 4th and Kansas Avenue," Graf said. 

The Library is closed in the name of safety, with caution tape strung around the building. "The concerns right now are with the hanging metal...we don't anymore of it to blow off...we're asking everybody to avoid this area right now...expecially the 200 block of North 4th, to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic...and certainly anything north of this." 

Caution tape was strung around the building, and remains in place.

The 200 block of North 4th Street was closed to traffic, along with the stretch of Kansas Avenue in front of the Library. Those routes remain off limits to motorists.

According to a Facebook post from Atchison City Manager Trey Cocking, tarps have been placed inside the library to protect books, and other materials, until the roof damage can be repaired. 

(KAIR)—Strong Monday afternoon winds rip roofing materials from the Atchison Library, causing a public danger.

As of 1:00, metal sheeting was seen hanging down from the roof top.

Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf tells MSC News some tumbled to the ground, on the 4th Street side of the building, causing alarm, but no injuries.

The Library is closed in the name of safety, with caution tape strung around the building.

Graf says the area in and around the library should be avoided, due to potential danger.

(KMZA)--Details have been released on a single-vehicle Nemaha County wreck that sent an Onaga woman to the hospital.

The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department says it happened shortly after 11:30 last Thursday night on K-9 Highway about a ½ mile west of W-6 Road.

The Sheriff’s Department says 19-year-old Michelle Hosler was westbound when her car left the roadway and overturned.

Hosler was transported by ambulance to the Holton Community Hospital with unspecified injuries.

(KNZA)--The public’s assistance is being sought in locating a missing Hiawatha teenager.

According to information posted by Kansas Missing and Unsolved, 18-year-old Teaini Simmons went missing Friday.

Authorities believe she is with Brett Smith and they may be headed to Ohio or California. It’s unknown if she is with Smith willingly or against her will.

They are believed to be driving a silver Ford Explorer hatchback SUV possibly bearing a 60-day temporary Kansas tag.

Simmons is 8 ½ to 9 weeks pregnant, and her pregnancy is considered high risk.

She is described as 5 foot 5 inches tall, weighing 154 pounds, with dyed brown hair and brown eyes.

Simmons has several tattoos.  They include “ Promise" on the right pinkie, “ I Believe” on the right wrist, a cross on the right ankle, “ R.I.P. K.J.” in the suicide prevention ribbon and cross, stars on the right side, and “ Always a lesson, Never a failure” on the other side.  Simmons nose is pierced as is the inside of her ear.

Anyone with information regarding Simmons disappearance or her whereabouts is asked to call the Brown County Sheriff’s Department at 785-742-7125.

Video credit: Atchison Co, MO Emergency Management

(KLZA)-- Atchison County, Missouri officials are advising people to stay clear of the smoke being generated by a fire at the EnTire Recycling plant at Phelps City, Missouri. 

Officials are also advising everyone to stay clear of the location of the fire as the smoke generated by the fire is hazardous to breathe and the possibility of explosions. 

Smoke from the fire has caused U.S. Highway 136 west of Rock Port to be shut down. The plant is on the south side of U.S. 136 approximately two miles west of Rock Port. 

According to the Atchison County Emergency Management Facebook page, the fire started shortly before 11 o’clock Sunday night.  Firefighters from Rock Port, Watson, Tarkio, Westboro and Fairfax have responded to the scene and continue to fight the fire.

The facility is completely engulfed.  Due to the tires and strong winds fueling the fire, it is extremely difficult to battle and will continue to burn for some time. 

The direction of the wind is predicted to change direction this evening.

Anyone living in or near the area of the smoke is advised to vacate until the smoke clears. The smoke could also be harmful to pets and animals as well as humans.   

(KMZA)--The city of Seneca will help with the cost of installing water service to a new 12-house residential development.

On the recommendation of a committee, the Seneca City Council voted last week to charge developer Dean Luckeroth for the cost of materials, just over $3,300, but not for labor to bring a water line to the South Amber Estates property line on the west side of South 8th Street.

Luckeroth requested the city help with the cost of installing water service.

City Administrator Matt Rehder told the Council last month the city’s policy is the city doesn’t cover any of the cost for providing water service to new developments.  However, the city has made exceptions.

The Council agreed last month to extend electric service underground to the north and south property lines of the development.

In other business, the Council voted to grant the Boy Scouts permission to use the shooting range at the Seneca Airport for their Day camp from May 29th to June 1st.  60 to 80 boys are expected to attend the event.

And the Council approved a request from the Centralia Pride group to use the city’s property south of Skoch Park on Community Drive for their annual tractor pull on June 11th.   

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle rear-end collision on U.S. 36 Highway in Doniphan County Sunday afternoon sent an elderly Wathena couple to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol 19-year-old Agency, Missouri resident Alexandra Johnson was eastbound when her car struck the rear of a SUV driven by 80-year-old Franklin Cochran just before the Pony Express bridge causing his vehicle to leave the roadway and overturn.

Franklin Cochran and his passenger, 80-year-old Shirley Cochran, were both taken to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph with unspecified injuries.

Johnson was not hurt.

The Patrol says all of the occupants were buckled up when the collision happened around 12:50.   

(KNZA)--The search is launched for a missing skid loader, believed to have been stolen sometime Sunday in Jackson County.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says the John Deere 320 disappeared just north of the Shawnee County line, near 94th and X Road or Brown Road, in Shawnee County.

Morse describes the rubber tire skid loader as yellow in color, missing the cab door, with two green suitcase style weights on the rear, with pallet forks on the front.

Anyone with information related to the theft should call Morse at 785-364-2251.

Matthew Joseph Scott Skidmore Ashley Renee Jenkins

(KAIR)--Two are arrested on meth-related charges following a Jackson County investigation.

Sheriff Tim Morse says the arrests were made Friday afternoon, after Deputies served a search warrant at a Holton residence located at 805 3rd Street, Lot #8.

According to Morse, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found during the search.

Taken into custody were two Holton residents, 19-year-old Matthew Joseph Scott Skidmore and 28-year-old Ashley Renee Jenkins.

Both face charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and endangering a child.

Following their arrests, the two were taken to the Jackson County Jail.

(KAIR)--An up close look at matters of the Kansas Legislature is the goal as the annual Legislative Coffee gatherings continue in Atchison.

According the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce, the series will continue Saturday morning, timed with the current Legislative session underway in Topeka.

It will begin at 9:00 at the Santa Fe Depot, in Atchison.

Republican State Representative John Eplee has confirmed his attendance.

The coffee series allows area residents the chance to informally discuss the happenings in Topeka with state lawmakers.

An additional Legislative Coffee is scheduled for April 1. Eplee has already confirmed his attendance for that session, as has United States Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins.

Coffee and Donuts will be served at each event. 

(KNZA)--The victim of a fatal shooting in St. Joseph has been identified.

KQ2-TV reports St. Joseph Police have identified 50-year-old Jeffrey Allen Mason as the man who was found Friday morning suffering from a gunshot wound after police were called to a home in the 400 block of Ohio Street on the city’s south side.

Mason later died.

Police say they are investigating Mason's death as suspicious.

No additional details about the alleged shooting are being released at this time as the investigation continues.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) - A 50-year-old woman accused of killing her estranged husband in Leavenworth will undergo a mental competency evaluation.
 
The Leavenworth Times reports that a Leavenworth County judge on Wednesday ordered the evaluation for Barbara Marie Frantz, of Kansas City, Kansas. She's charged with first-degree murder in the death of 54-year-old Gary Frantz.
 
Leavenworth police say Gary Frantz was shot several times Jan. 27 on a Leavenworth parking lot. Barbara Frantz was arrested hours later in Burlingame, Kansas.
 
Police have said the case involved domestic violence but did not offer further details.
 
The Kansas City Star has reported that Barbara Frantz referred to Gary Frantz as her ex-husband in a Facebook post in December. He listed his marital status on Facebook as separated.
  

(KLZA)-- The City of Pawnee City will be applying for funds that could be used by residents to help rehabilitate homes.

City Clerk Tammy Stephens said Southeast Nebraska Development District representative Crystal Dunekacke addressed the Council last month on two types of programs that might help. The City can apply for a Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund grant in an amount of $250, - $350,000 which requires no match. This grant would also allow another village in the county to piggyback onto the grant if approved and there was interest there.

The other possibility is for a Community Development Block Grant, which is what Pawnee City has utilized previously.  

Following the discussion, the Council decided there could be an advantage to applying for the NAFTA funding. With an earlier deadline to apply, if unsuccessful, Pawnee City would still have time to apply for the CDBG funds. 

Stephens noted several people have come forward already to find out about the housing rehab program. Have people show interest in the program will help with the application.  

Pawnee City should find out in a few months if their application is successful.  

(KLZA)-- The City of Falls City has been involved in a number of lawsuits in recent years brought against the City and other entities by David Leon Frederick and Salem Grain.

During the February 20th Council meeting, City Administrator Gary Jorn updated the Council on these legal actions. 

The first case was David Leon Frederick vs. the City of Falls City and EDGE. There was a second amended complaint filed. Frederick claimed he did not receive the public records he requested. The District Court denied his request, that ruling was appealed to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has denied the second amended complaint, which should end this case. 

In another case, Salem Grain and David Leon Frederick has sued the City of Falls City Community Redevelopment Authority and Consolidated Grain and Barge. This case was originally filed in 2012. The District Court ruled on 11 of 12 causes of action. That ruling was appealed to the Supreme Court, which sent it back to the District Court to try the 12th cause of action. 

A trial was held February 9, and in mid-February the ruling was issued that said based on evidence submitted, no public meetings took place by the CRA on August 15th or November 9th, 2012. 

In another lawsuit, Attorney’s David Haughton and Doug Merz are suing the City of Falls City for attorney fees. They claim fees are  owed to them, based on benefits they allege the City received from a lawsuit being filed against the Nebraska Municipal Power Pool and Nebraska Public Gas Agency.  Jorn provided the Council with some history on the case.

Jorn said the District Court ruled in the cities favor, that ruling was appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court which ruled Falls City had no standing to file the lawsuit, meaning Falls City received nothing.  

Jorn says he is hopeful the suit will be completed sooner rather than later. 

Mayor Jerry Oliver also commented, noting the City did not hire Merz and Haughton, that Merz was the City Attorney at the time and Haughton used him as a reference at the time.

The City filed the original legal action in 2006.  

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) - Investigators have determined that a fire in the Aggieville bar and shopping district near the Kansas State University campus was accidental.
 
The Manhattan Fire Department says in a news release that floor finishing materials sparked the blaze. The fire was reported around 3:45 Thursday morning in a building that had housed a bookstore called the Dusty Bookshelf and was being renovated into another business. Thirty firefighters fought the blaze before it was extinguished about four hours later. No one was hurt.
 
The fire also caused smoke damage to adjoining businesses that sell doughnuts and T-shirts. A cat was rescued from one of the businesses.
 
Investigators estimated $673,000 in damages to the former Dusty Bookshelf building and its contents. Another $149,000 in damages occurred in the other two buildings.

(KMZA)--The Seneca Police Department has been recognized by AAA Kansas for their efforts in addressing local traffic safety issues. 

Jim Hanni, vice-president of AAA Kansas, presented Police Chief Jordan Weaver with the organization’s 2016 Community Traffic Safety SILVER award during the Seneca City Council meeting Wednesday evening.

Hanni said only twenty-five police departments across the state were selected for the 2016 awards.   Its the first time the Seneca Police Department has received the award.

Hanni says the award is presented by AAA to encourage communities to address local traffic safety issues in a coordinated and cost-effective way.

Among other things the department received points for their participation in seatbelt enforcement campaigns—including SAFE.  

Hanni says evidence of their efforts this past year are borne out in that the city has seen a drop in vehicle occupant injuries from 14 to 8 and no fatalities over the past five years.

(KAIR)--Dry and windy conditions are expected to remain across the area through Monday; and, because of that, burn bans remain in place locally.

On Friday morning, Doniphan County Emergency Management Coordinator Julie Meng clarified that open burning remains off limits county wide.

She says the burn ban will stay in effect until further notice.

Earlier this week, Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter also issued a burn ban. That, too, remains in place indefinitely.

Meanwhile, at last check, the Brown County Sheriff's Office was continuing the process of not issuing burn permits due to the weather conditions.

The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement pertaining to the situation.

The agency says a very high fire danger is expected for Friday afternoon, as dropping relative humidity values combine with strong, southerly winds, gusting up to 25 mph.

Warmer temperatures are forecast for the weekend, along with strong, southerly winds across the local area.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Road and Bridge Department will getting new motor grader.  

The Nemaha County Commission Monday approved the purchase of a John Deere 672G motor grader from Murphy Tractor and Equipment, of Topeka for $123,194, contingent on the buy back of the county’s 2011 John Deere motor grader for $122,000.

It was among two bids received.

In other business, Sheriff Rich Vernon informed Commissioners the engine needs to be replaced in a patrol car.  Vernon said the 2015 Dodge Charger is still under warranty and the vehicle was back in service as soon as the engine is replaced.

The Commission approved a contract with Bachelor Controls Inc., of Sabetha, to provide IT services for Nemaha County for 2017 at an annual cost of $8,100.

County Senior Services and Public Transit Director Diane Yunghans informed Commissioners she has hired two new employees.  Yunghans says she has hired Sharon Haverkamp as a relief dispatcher and relief nutrition center employee.  She is to begin work March 6th at pay rate of $12.80 an hour.  Yunghans says she has also hired Roger Adams as a relief driver.  He is to begin work May 2nd at a pay rate of $13.05 an hour
     

Damon Fitzgerald and Michael Galindo

(KLZA)--Nebraska Prison officials have publicly identified the two inmates killed during Thursday's disturbance at the Tecumseh State Prison.

Dead are Damon Fitzgerald and Michael Galindo.

Nebraska Department of Corrections Director Scott Frakes Thursday said the two were murdered.

In a statement released Friday, Frakes stated that “any loss of life is tragic,” but said the TSCI staff handled the situation extremely well and that “the public's safety was never compromised.”

Fitzgerald was serving a sentence for sexual assault in the first degree, among other offenses, while Galindo was serving a sentence for attempted possession of a controlled substance.

The Nebraska Department of Corrections confirmed in one of several news releases that nearly 40 inmates in a housing unit refused to return to their cells around 1:00 Thursday afternoon. As the incident unfolded, fires began and smoke was seen by those outside the prison.

Officials have not labeled the disturbance as a riot. 

By late Thursday afternoon, NDCS emergency response teams were able to enter the housing unit with the teams securing all inmates and extinguishing the fires. 

The housing unit is described as habitable and secure in one of the several news releases issued in connection with the disturbance.

 In May 2015, the correctional facility was the site of a riot that left two inmates dead, and caused more than $2 million in damages. TSCI Warden Brad Hansen, apparently referring to that past tragedy, says in a news relase that there have been “so many improvements over the last year and a half,” but notes that Thursday's incident “is a reminder that this is a dangerous business,” reminding prison officials to remain vigilant in the effort to keep people safe.

The Nebraska State Patrol is leading the criminal investigation and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal is conducting the investigation into the fires. NDCS staff and investigators will also conduct an internal critical incident review. 

(KAIR)--A goal of $650,000 is set by the Second Harvest Community Food Bank.

That was revealed when the Saint Joseph based organization hosted its annual fund drive kickoff.

KQ2-TV reports the agency will work towards reaching that goal by May.

The funds are used to support such programs as Backpack Buddies, senior meal programs, and others.

The TV station reports that after the conclusion of Wednesday's ceremony, 30-percent of the goal had been reached.

Second Harvest provides service to 19 local area counties in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas. That includes working with partner agencies located in Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, and Leavenworth.

(KLZA)--During the February Auburn City Council meeting,, the 1 & 6 Year Street Plan was approved.  

Most of the work will be overlay projects on the One-Year plan.  Overlay projects are planned east of Highway 75 between the Highway and “G” Street south of U.S. Highway 136.  26th Street will also get an overlay to the west city limits.

The long-range portion of the plan includes work around the Nemaha County Courthouse. One of the major projects on the “wish list” is Courthouse Avenue and re-doing the brick streets around the Nemaha County Courthouse.

JEO Engineers helps the City of Auburn with their planning of Street projects.  

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha school district will be searching for a new superintendent.

Superintendent Dr. Penny Hargrove confirmed to MSC News Thursday morning that she has accepted an offer to become superintendent of the Mingus Union High School District at Cottonwood, Arizona, effective July 1st.

The Verde Independent reports Hargrove was among four finalists interviewed for the position and the school district's board voted unanimously Tuesday to offer a contract to her.

Hargrove says she plans to submit her resignation to the Hiawatha USD 415 Board of Education at their March 13th meeting, which will be effective at the end of the current school year, June 30th. She says she has informed Board President Dr. Pete Rosa and the other board members of her decision to accept the position in Arizona. “I have got a wonderful district in Hiawatha,” Hargrove told MSC News. “It's very difficult. It's been an extreme emotional roller coaster the last few days.”

Hargrove says her decision boils down to family. “I have a need, as does [my husband] Grover, to get closer to one our sons. Our son Kenny lives in Phoenix, Arizona, and we knew we didn't want to be in Phoenix proper, but we wanted to be within a few hours drive to be able to attend some of our grandchildren's events.”

Hargrove says the Mingus Union High School District has 13-hundred students in grades 9-12, which come from three partner schools. She says she like's Mingus Union's emphasis on college preparedness and career-ready programs, much like Hiawatha.

Hargrove has served as superintendent of the Hiawatha school district for five years. Her husband, Grover, currently serves as Recreation Director for the city of Hiawatha.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Tree Board continues to develop plans for dealing with what has been described as a devastating Emerald Ash Borer problem affecting a large portion of the United States. 

City Administrator Gary Jorn updated the Falls City Council when they met February 20th.  Jorn said the Tree Board watched a webinar on topic and are hoping to develop a plan and can educate the public.

It is estimated there are around 200 Ash trees on city owned right of way and City property in Falls City.  

(AP)--The Kansas Supreme Court has ordered the state to increase its spending on public schools, but it didn't say by how much.

The court ruled Thursday that legislators must enact a new education funding law by the end of June.

The decision comes with the state already facing projected budget shortfalls totaling more than $1 billion through June 2019. Lawmakers are considering rolling back steep income tax cuts championed by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. 

The justices ruled in a lawsuit filed by four school districts in 2010. They argued that legislators were violating the state constitution by failing to finance a suitable education for each of the state's 458,000 students.

The districts argued for an $800 million increase in the state's $4.1 billion in annual aid. 

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) - Crews have extinguished a fire that heavily damaged one building and caused smoke damage to two others in the Aggieville bar and shopping district near the Kansas State University campus.
 
Deputy Manhattan Fire Chief Ryan Almes says the fire was reported around 3:45 a.m. Thursday in a building that had housed a bookstore called the Dusty Bookshelf and was being renovated. Almes says dangerous conditions inside the building forced firefighters to exit the building. He says 30 firefighters then fought the blaze from outside the building before extinguishing it around 8 a.m. No one was hurt.
 
The fire also caused smoke damage to adjoining businesses that sell doughnuts and T-shirts. A cat was rescued from one of the businesses.
 
The state fire marshal's office will help investigate the fire's cause.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriffs Office is making the public aware of some suspicious activity being reported in the southern part of the county.

Sheriff John Merchant says his office has received a number of reports about  a white van with several occupants going door to door representing themselves as Kirby vacuum salespeople. He says the female has been described as being in her 30's with blond hair in a pony tail and the male driver with either long hair or beard or both.

Merchant says concerned residents are reporting that at times it appears that the van speeds away from houses when they notice that county residents are observing them more carefully.  While he says the Sheriff’s Office is not wanting to alarm anyone or accuse these people of any wrongdoing, the way they are acting and trying to conduct business not only makes residents suspicious, it has caused concern for several county residents.

Merchant says he has not  been contacted by any Kirby salespeople stating they would be selling in the county.

He is asking residents who notice the van to contact the Sheriff’s Office as he would like to speak with them personally to make sure they are credible.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - The last of six people involved in a teenager's death during a botched drug deal in St. Joseph has been sentenced to prison.

Dayne Matthews was sentenced Wednesday to up to 10 years in prison for his role in the May 2016 death of 18-year-old Skylar Powell.

The St. Joseph News-Press reports Powell's mother said during the hearing that she blamed Matthews for her son's death because he set up the marijuana deal.

Buchanan County Prosecutor Dwight Scroggins says another man was the mastermind of the plot but described Matthews as a significant drug dealer.

Matthews' attorney asked for probation.

Court documents say Powell died after the drug deal turned bad and a gun fight broke out.
 
    

(KAIR)--Burn bans remain in place locally, as a heightened fire weather concern continues.

The National Weather Service says that's due to breezy winds and dry atmospheric conditions that continue across the area.

Burn bans were put in place in Atchison and Doniphan Counties Wednesday, with both still in effect for Thursday.

In Brown County, the Sheriff's Office will not issue any burn permits until further notice. 

Thursday's forecast calls for strong winds gusting up to nearly 30 mph.

Breezy conditions are forecast to continue through the weekend.

(KAIR)--Construction on the new Holiday Express Hotel in downtown Atchison progresses. 

That includes a change from above-ground power utilities to underground. 

Rumors that the city of Atchison is paying for that aspect of the work has been circulating locally, but Atchison City Manager Trey Cocking says there's no truth to the rumor. “That's between the developer and Westar. As far as development, the developer is paying the cost to relocate the utilities underground. The city is not involved in the project.”

Since plans for the hotel first began, some residents have maintained the belief the city is somehow involved in the development and payment for the project.

“The only real role the city had in it was we owned the property,” Cocking said. “So, we sold the property—just like anybody else who owns property. But, the property is being developed by a private developer, using private dollars to construct this hotel.”

The property, a public parking lot at 4th and 5th Streets, was sold to the developers for $100,000. 

Cocking reiterates that residents can reach out to city hall with questions or concerns regarding the hotel project.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said the developer had originally intended to keep the above ground utilities. Instead, utilizing the underground method has always been the plan. The story has been edited to reflect this. 

(KNZA)--A Horton woman will stand trial on charges in a Jackson County burglary case.

The Holton Recorder reports 32-year-old Megan Hollister waived her preliminary hearing last week and was bound over six counts.

Arraignment was set for March 24th.

Hollister is accused of breaking into a Whiting residence last August.  Taken were a number of electronic items.

Co-defendant 19-year-old Shelby Hopkins, of Whiting, is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence after being convicted in October on charges of burglary and obstruction of official duty in the case.

Hollister was placed on the “ Jackson County Most Wanted” list and remained at large until November 5th when she was arrested in Atchison after crashing a stolen pickup truck following a chase.  

She faces charges in Atchison County of theft, driving while suspended and fleeing and eluding.

Hollister remains free on a $10,000 bond.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Federal prosecutors say a series of thefts from mailboxes in Wichita began when someone stole a master key to the city's mailboxes.

Eleven people—including 33-year-old Leavenworth resident Jason Farner-- were indicted Tuesday in a scheme that included the mail thefts, identity theft and bank fraud.
 
The U.S. Attorney's office says when a mail truck was robbed in December 2012, the thieves took an arrow key, which is a master key to unlock mailboxes. Prosecutors say the thieves made copies of that key and stole items from mailboxes over four years. They are accused of cashing about 30 checks.
 
The thieves hit collection boxes, residential mailboxes, mail rooms, churches, businesses and post offices. Prosecutors say they then forged signatures or made counterfeit checks to cash checks and money orders.
 

(KNZA)--Doniphan County Commissioners have given the green light to the repair of a bridge in the southern portion of the county that’s been closed for about two years.

After hearing from a group of landowners, the Commission voted unanimously Monday to approve the repair of the bridge located near the intersection of 105th and Friendship Roads at a cost of nearly $130,000, contingent upon the creek banks being stabilized to prevent future erosion problems.  

Columbus, Nebraska-based Husker Steel will provide the materials for the project, while Norfolk Contracting, of Norfolk, Nebraska will provide the labor.

Dan Schletzbaum, speaking on behalf of the group of fourteen landowners, asked the Commission to consider repair of the bridge.  Schletzbaum said the bridge closure cuts off access for emergency vehicles to residents in the southern portion of Doniphan County along with access to agriculture land.

He said the adjoining landowners would donate rip rap for the project from an adjacent rock ledge in order to stabilize the creek bank.  However, Schletzbaum said the county would be responsible for stripping, blasting and hauling.

County Road Superintendent Bob Edie said he will speak to Independence Township board members to ask for monetary assistance with road rock and rip rap, if necessary.
 

(KNZA)-A Sabetha man convicted on charges in connection with a five-hour armed standoff last March is back behind bars, accused of violating the terms of his probation.

On February 22nd, the Sabetha Police Department along with the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office and Nemaha County Court Services was conducting an investigation involving 51-year-old James McKenney when he fled out of town on a motorcycle.   

Following a citizens tip, McKenney was arrested the following day by the Brown County Sheriff’s Department, Horton Police Department and Kickapoo Tribal Police Department at a residence in Horton on a $50,000 bond warrant for probation violation.

He was later arrested on a $10,000 bond warrant for criminal possession of a firearm, interference with law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Last October, McKenney was placed on 12-months supervised probation on charges of criminal threat, interference with law enforcement and possession of drug paraphernalia in connection with the standoff.

He pleaded “ no contest” to the charges in September.  In exchange for the plea, four additional counts were dismissed.

McKenney remains in the Nemaha County Jail.    
    

(KNZA)--Brown County is preparing for this summer’s chip and seal road projects.

The County Commission Tuesday accepted the low bid submitted by Kansas City, Missouri-based Vance Brothers for the purchase of about a half-million gallons of RS-IH road oil for $1.73 a gallon delivered.  The bid was among two received.

While the bid was higher than what the county paid last year, it was lower than what the county paid in 2015 and 2014.

The Commission tabled discussion until next Monday on a bid from Vance Brothers for services which include oil, a chip spreader, distributor and three operators.

In other business, bids were opened for the purchase of assorted tubes for the county’s three road districts.  The Commission accepted the low bid submitted by Welborn Sales, of Salina, for a total of $38,105.  It was among four bids received.  

And Commissioners accepted the lone bid received from Ray Vonderschmidt for the right to harvest about 22-acres of brome hay at the county landfill this year for $550.