LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) - A Leavenworth woman has pleaded not guilty in the death of her mother.
 
Victoria Smith entered the plea Friday and will go to trial July 17. She is charged with first-degree murder in the July 2016 death of her 85-year-old mother, Anna Higgins.
 
The Leavenworth Times reports Higgins died at Smith's home. A probable cause statement alleges Smith told police she hit her mother with a hammer.
 
 Police said they went to Smith's home after receiving several 911 calls.

 Smith remains in custody at the Leavenworth County Jail.
 

(KAIR)--Benedictine College has announced that the 2017 Distinguished Educator of the Year is Dr. Matthew Ramsey, associate professor, director of special education and chair in the Department of Education. The award, which is the highest honor a faculty member at the college can receive, has been given for more than 30 years. Ramsey was nominated for the distinction by Benedictine College students, faculty and staff.

“I am incredibly honored to have been named the Distinguished Educator of the Year. Within a community full of faculty so deeply committed to the teaching and learning of our students, this honor is humbling. I am incredibly thankful to Benedictine College for the opportunity to continue to learn from those around me and to continue to develop as a teacher,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Benedictine College, earning Bachelor’s degrees in Elementary and Special Education in the fall of 1998, then returning to earn his Master of Arts in School Leadership in 2005. He also holds a Master of Science in Psychology and Special Education from Emporia State University. His doctorate is in Education Leadership and Policy Studies with a minor in Special Education from the University of Kansas.  

He taught in the classroom for five years, serving students with emotional and behavioral needs in USD 409, Atchison Public Schools.  He served as principal of the Gillis School, a private, special purpose school in Kansas City, Missouri, for two years.  He returned to Benedictine as a faculty member in 2007.

“Matt is an outstanding educator,” said Dr. Dianna Henderson, professor and Director of Secondary Education in Benedictine’s Department of Education. “Our number of special education majors has increased significantly over the past eight years under his leadership in this program. Matt's teaching and expertise develops a passion in his students for working with special needs K-12 students. His students are tremendously devoted to him and Matt's influence on them carries over into their initial years of teaching.”

Dr. Ramsey's research focuses on the supervision and training provided to paraprofessionals and special education finance.  He also works with local school districts in program implementation and teacher and leadership coaching. Along those lines, he helped spearhead the effort to begin training teachers in a classical education concentration. The program requires Latin, Greek and courses offered through Benedictine’s Great Books curriculum and is designed to provide teachers for the burgeoning classical education programs in primary schools across the nation.

“The value of a classical education is the benefit of an education in which students are taught to become independent learners and thinkers through the use of sound pedagogy, reason and the great intellectual tradition of our society,” he said.

Ramsey compared the concentration to the certification Benedictine students can earn to teach theology.

“Dr. Ramsey is an excellent educator and an inspiration to all his students,” said Julia Johnson, a senior Elementary Education and Special Education major. “Not only does he have a deep passion for his career that he shares with his students, he also cares very deeply for each individual who comes into his life. I have been lucky to know and learn from him these past four years, and he has shaped the course of my life forever, which is a sentiment I believe many of his current and former students share. He absolutely deserves to be recognized and honored for his commitment to education, his students and Benedictine College.”

Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas. The school is proud to have been named one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report for the past four years as well as one of the top Catholic colleges in the nation by the Newman Guide and First Things magazine. It prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging. It has a mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

(MSC News)-No charges will be filed in an officer-involved shooting that happened in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

Announcement of the decision was made Thursday by Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Scroggins.

Jason Fanning was shot and killed at 20th and Charles Streets on February 20.

KQ2-TV reports that Scroggins' office, in a news release, says the officer will face no charges because “a law enforcement officer is allowed to use deadly force if that officer has a reasonable belief that the use of such force is necessary to protect another from serious physical injury or death.”

The “other” the officer was protecting was an unarmed Buchanan County Sheriff's Department reserve officer ride-a-long.

The shooting happened after the officer confronted Fanning, who was inside a vehicle.

The investigation indicates Fanning attempted to back out of a private drive as the ride-a-long stood outside the patrol car.

The officer determined Fanning's driving posed a threat to the ride-a-long.

The prosecutor's office says there's no evidence to indicate Fanning was attempting to injure the officer and was not necessarily aware of the presence of the ride-a-long officer.

Saint Joseph Police, following the announcement from Scroggins, has now released the name of the officer who fired the fatal shots.

NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (AP) - Authorities say a crop-dusting plane landed in an open field after striking a power line in southeast Nebraska.
 
The Otoe County Sheriff's Office says the pilot found a spot to land southwest of Nebraska City near where the line was hit Thursday night. A nearby resident took the pilot to a hospital.
 
The pilot's name and other information about the accident have not been released.
 

(KAIR)--Two Washington, Kansas teenagers go to jail after a brief vehicle pursuit through downtown Atchison.

“It was shortly after 10 pm on Wednesday night when we had an officer attempt to stop a gray Ford passenger vehicle in the downtown area,” Wilson said. “The vehicle fled from the officer but was stopped about four blocks north of downtown. There was a driver and two passengers in the vehicle.”

That's Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

He said the driver, 19-year-old Stephen Welch was arrested on charges of attempting to elude, driving while suspended. Additionally, Wilson said a small quantity of marijuana was found on his person, and he faces a possession of marijuana charge as well.

One of the passengers, 18-year-old Amanda Bush also faces a possession of marijuana charge.

Both were booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee County Commissioners have approved a drive-thru drop box being installed at the Pawnee County Courthouse.

Pawnee County Treasurer Cheryl Dahlgren and County Clerk Candi Nicholas discussed the proposal with Board members Tuesday. It is to allow more convenience for constituents by allowing them an opportunity to drop off items when time allows, 24 hours per day. 

The drop box will be located north of the circle drive where people can drive in, insert their items and leave.

Commissioners also approved the Pawnee County Weed Superintendent making the findings and to issue and deliver individual notices pursuant to the Noxious Weed Control Act.  

Following a public hearing drawing no public comment the Board approved a resolution setting the 911 surcharge for 2018 at $1.00 per month on each telephone number or functional equivalent of service users whose primary place of use is within the 911 service area of Pawnee County.  The rate remains the same, but the resolution had not been updated in more than a decade.  

The Pawnee County Board also received the annual Southeast Nebraska Community Action program update.  A proclamation declaring May as Community Action Month was unanimously approved.  
 

AUBURN, Neb. (AP) - A June 21 sentencing hearing in southeast Nebraska has been scheduled for a former Peru State College basketball player who took a plea deal in an assault case stemming from a brawl.
 
Nebraska City radio station KNCY reports that 25-year-old Jeffland Neverson, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded no contest and was convicted Thursday in Nemaha County District Court of felony assault. Prosecutors dropped two related charges in exchange. His trial had been set to begin May 1.
 
Authorities say the crimes occurred after a fight broke out September 17 last year about a block from the Oak Bowl football stadium in Peru. Several Peru State football and basketball players were involved. At least three of the athletes required medical treatment.
 

(KMZA)--Community Memorial Healthcare is again asking Marshall County Commissioners to let voters decide on a sales tax proposal to provide financial support for the hospital and its three clinics.

The Marysville Advocate reports CMH officials met with the Commission this week to request that a half-cent sales tax proposal be placed on the November general election ballot.

A motion last year to place a half-cent sales tax on ballot for the hospital died due to the lack of second.

The Commission was told CMH is currently among only 13 rural hospitals in Kansas that does not receive local tax support.  Financial difficulties, spurred by cuts in federal Medicare reimbursements and the state’s resistance to expand Medicaid coverage of uninsured Kansans, have led  CMH’s board this past year to begin looking for new sources of revenue.

A half-cent sales tax is projected to generate about $500,000 a year.

Commissioners asked for more documentation of the hospital’s financial challenges and said they would think about the request and possibly have reply in May.

(KNZA)--A new 125-foot fence will be installed at the county barn facility in Horton.

Brown County Commissioner Keith Olsen informed his fellow Commissioners this week that he had received a bid of nearly $3,500 from a company in Topeka to install the fence.

Olsen says the fence is being installed after Horton Mayor Tim Lentz made him aware of complaints received from Horton residents about the property.  

The fence will be installed along the alley, on the west edge of the property located at 1725 Central Avenue.

Approval of the fencing was not needed from the remaining two commissioners since the cost was under $5,000.

(KMZA)--A member of the Prairie Hills USD 113 Board of Education is seeking re-election.

The Nemaha County Clerk's Office says Ed Reznicek, who holds position 4 on the board, filed this week for another 4-year term.

Three positions are up for election this November on the USD 113 Board.

Reznicek is the first candidate to file.

Also filing this week for re-election is Wetmore City Council member Jason Claycamp.

The position of mayor and five council positions are up for election.

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

The general election is November 7th.  

(KNZA)--A June 15th jury trial has been set for a Hiawatha woman facing drug charges.

44-year-old Beth Mikita pleaded not guilty Monday in Brown County District Court to charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, traffic in contraband in a correctional institution and misdemeanor theft.

Mikita and 25-year-old Kalan Pyle, of Hiawatha, 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 after a resident contacted authorities to report suspicious activity.

Pyle pleaded no contest earlier this month to a felony count of possession of methamphetamine and is to be sentenced May 22nd.  

The misdemeanor theft charge against Mikita stems from the alleged theft of clothes from the Hiawatha Wal-Mart.

She is also accused of violating the terms of her probation in an embezzlement case.   The probation violation case against Mikita was continued to May 26th.

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

Last June, she was placed on one year supervised probation on charges in that case and ordered to pay more than $8,000 restitution.

Mikita remains in the Brown County Jail on a $75,000 bond.

(MSC News)--A Mayetta woman was arrested early Thursday morning after a low-speed police chase in Topeka’s downtown area.

The Topeka Capital Journal reports the chase began around 1:00 after a sport utility vehicle nearly hit officers who were working a check-welfare call on the Topeka Boulevard Bridge.

Responding officers quickly located the SUV and a chase ensued.

Police say the chase remained at slow speeds, winding through downtown Topeka, then heading eastbound on I-70, eventually coming to a stop when the SUV crashed into a median near 21st and Adams.

29-year-old Eva Eteeyan was taken into custody on two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding, driving under the influence, open container and several other traffic offenses.

No injuries were reported.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in locating a missing man.

According to a post on the Department's Facebook page, 46-year-old Michael  "Chipper" Gorrell has not been seen since around 9:00 Wednesday morning.

Police say Gorrell has physical and mental issues which require some supervision and medications.

He has not been contact with immedidate family members since Wednesday and may possibly in the Nebraska City area.

Anyone who sees Gorrell or knows of his whereabouts is urged to contact the Hiawatha Police Department at 785-742-2156.

(KAIR)--The Boys and Girls Club, in Atchison, is welcoming their new Unit Director for the club.

According to a press release from the Boys and Girls Club, Atchison native Sean Crittendon was chosen as the new director following an interview process that included three other candidates.

In the release, Executive Director of the club, Sherry Swendson said, “We are very excited about this new chapter for the club. I have no doubt that Sean will take the club to the next level.”

Crittendon starts the new position May 2 on a part time basis and will take over full time June 9th when current Unit Director, Joel Hardy leaves the position.

(KNZA)--The public will have a chance to meet two of the finalists seeking to be the new Hiawatha school district superintendent.

A meet and greet has been set for Tuesday, May 2nd and Wednesday, May 3rd from 3:30 to 4:30 each day at the Hiawatha Middle School commons.   

The USD 415 Board of Education will be interviewing three finalists for the position of superintendent May 1st, 2nd and 3rd.  The name of each candidate will be released on the day of their interview.

The Board had selected four candidates for interviews during a special meeting last Friday, but one of them has since taken another job.

Current superintendent, Penny Hargrove, is resigning at the end of the current school year to take a job as superintendent of the Mingus Union High School District in Cottonwood, Arizona.

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

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners met with Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Kirkendall Tuesday to discuss a grant program from the United State Geological Survey.

USGS is proposing a stream gauge be installed and operated on the Muddy Creek at Verdon.  The initial cost for the gage equipment and installation totals $13,500.  

Kirkendall explained to the Board there is grant funding available.  At the present time Emergency Management is researching whether or no other agencies are interested in being a partner and sharing the cost.

The Nemaha NRD and USGS are each paying a third of the initial cost, which comes to $4,500 each.  Richardson County and other interested entities would split the other $4,500 expense.

The operation and maintenance costs for May 1 – September 20, 2017 is estimated at $6,820 which is split in thirds.  A full year of operation is estimated to cost $14,975.

Further review will be done, before a decision is made.  
 

(KAIR)--A suspect in an Atchison homicide remains on the loose.

“We're investigating a homicide, so obviously there is a person who we need to get identified and get into custody—and it's not if, it's when,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

He says an investigative team made up of members of the Atchison Police Department as well has the Kansas Bureau of Investigation have been investigating the death of 49-year-old Atchison resident Michael Moeck that happened Monday evening around 7:00 at a residence in the 1100 block of Parallel in Atchison.

“All those investigators involved in this are working around the clock,” Wilson said. “All investigate avenues are being pursued. We continue to make progress and we will work tirelessly until this case is resolved.”

Wilson urges any members of the public who have information on the case to come forward.

“I'm not going to minimize the fact that it is a homicide, it's a serious case,” he said. “We will get this person identified and in custody soon—that's what we're hopeful for.”

Continue to check mscnews.net for details in this homicide investigation as they become available.

(KNZA)--A former Kickapoo Tribal leader is going to jail for more than a year, sentenced in connection with crimes prosecutors say were committed while serving as the Tribal Treasurer.

46-year-old Bobbi Darnell was sentenced Monday to 18-months in the Brown County Jail in one of the cases she was earlier convicted on. In the second related case, she was sentenced to 22-months in the jail.

However, according to a press release issued by Tribal Special Prosecutor Tom Lemon, the sentences will run concurrently, with Darnell to spend a total of 18-months behind bars.

Darnell was already being held in the Brown County Jail at the time of her sentencing.

According to jail records, she was arrested, and booked into custody, March 31 for violating the terms of her probation.

A jury found Darnell guilty last month on six criminal counts related to the fraudulent handling of recordable documents, tampering with records, and misuse of tribal funds.

Former Chairman Steve Cadue and former Secretary Adolph Cadue, Jr. face similar criminal charges.

It's alleged that the former tribal council officials took action to draw down money from the tribe’s federal burial fund then falsified resolutions showing the tribal council action was for a much greater amount. Based on those resolutions, those amounts were then transferred from the tribe’s burial fund held by the federal government on behalf of the Tribe to the Tribe’s bank account where the money was used to subsidize payroll and other tribal expenses.

Both men face upcoming, separate trials.

(KLZA)-- On a 2-1 vote the Pawnee City Council approved the recommendation of the Wage Committee for fiscal year 2017-18 wages for City employees when they met Monday evening. 

Employees will receive a three-percent cost of living increase.  A 25-cent increase will also be given upon obtaining each certification.

The Christmas bonus has been eliminated. A performance bonus of up to $75 or a $25 minimum will be instituted, but will be based on the City Employee’s overall performance.

Utility Clerk Olivia Weinmans wage will be increased to $13 per hour beginning May 2. 

Councilman John Dahlgren cast a nay vote and Councilman Mark Sunneberg Jr. was absent.  

The Council did accept the letter of resignation from Deputy Clerk / Treasurer Carol Glathar.  Glathar has accepted a position as the City Clerk in Humboldt. 

The Council approved advertising to fill the position of Deputy Clerk / Treasurer. Applications will be accepted until May 12 with interviews to be conducted the week of May 15th.  

(KLZA)-- Efforts are underway to raise $100,000 to complete the first phase of a fieldhouse renovation at Peru State College.

A ribbon cutting for a new football home locker room was held last Saturday, prior to the annual Blue and White Scrimmage. More than $40,000 has been contributed so far.  Another $60,000 is needed to complete the first phase of the renovation of the former Peru Elementary School and name if in honor of Jerry Joy.

Joy, from Stella is a 1964 graduate of Peru State.  He worked for the college for nearly 20 years as head football coach and as an administrator.

Joy did not know prior to the ribbon cutting that event organizers and members of his family had been working behind the scenes on the project.

Joys daughter, Cristy Joy shared the announcement with the large crowd gathered and revealed the effort to raise the rest of the needed money and name the locker room for Jerry Joy.

Anyone wishing to help complete the project and support the naming initiative can send contributions to the Peru State College Foundation, P.O. Box 10, Peru, 68421.

For more information you can contact the Peru State College Foundation.  

When Jerry Joy is not out supporting the Bobcats or working at Ayars and Ayars Architects or with American National University, spends a few Friday nights doing color commentary during high school football games on SUNNY 101.3 and on A.M. 1230, KTNC.  
 

(MSC News)--Law enforcement agencies across Kansas will be collecting unused leftover medications for safe disposal Saturday.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt says the collection events are part of a nationwide effort to safely dispose of leftover medications to prevent accidental or intentional misuse.

Locally, unused prescription drugs will be accepted Saturday from 10 to 2 at theBrown, Jackson and Nemaha County Sheriff’s Offices along with the Marshall County Health Department. In Atchison, collections will be made at CVS. They will also be accepted at two locations in Leavenworth---Price Chopper and CVS Pharmacy.

The National Drug Take-Back Day is coordinated by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, which collects and safely destroys the medications.

Since the program began in 2010, Schmidt says more than 50 tons of unwanted medications have been collected and destroyed in Kansas alone.

The following was submitted by Brown Co Sheriff John Merchant:

I would like to inform county residents that Saturday April 29th is
"National Take Back Day."  This is a national event to garner support of
the public to clean out their medicine chest of unused, unwanted or expired
medication and to provide safe and secure local drop off points.  

The Brown County Sheriffs office has been a part of this very worthwhile program since the program was established in 2010.  Since that time, more than
5,525,021 pounds  of unwanted, unused or expired medications have been
turned in for destruction nationwide.   By statistic, more than 46,000
Americans die each year from drug-related deaths.  According to the 2014
National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.5 million Americans abused
controlled prescription drugs and a majority of abused prescription drugs
are obtained through family and friends, including from their home medicine
cabinets.

We not only participate in this national event, but we are also a 24 hours
a day, seven day a week drop off location for these medications.  In the
past we have had such a positive turn out, I felt a need to provide this
service at any time of day or night to provide a way for the public to
properly dispose of their medications.

 By participating in this event, we at the Sheriffs Office,  safely store the acquired medications in a secure holding area and then turn the custody over the to DEA agents for proper disposal, so we encourage the public at any time to bring their medications to us at 709 Utah Street in Hiawatha.  Dispatchers are on duty 24 hours a day to accept the medications.

We cannot accept needles/syringes or injectable medications.

To date, we have collected and turned in over 1,000 pounds of these
medication in Brown County.  I appreciate everyone's cooperation and
encourage the public to check your medicine cabinets and turn in your
expired, unwanted or unused prescriptions.  "By working together this helps
make Brown County a safer place to live and raise a family."




 

SYRACUSE, Neb. (AP) - Authorities say six students have been cited for possessing LSD at a high school in southeast Nebraska.
 
 The Otoe County Sheriff's Office says deputies confiscated LSD found Monday inside Syracuse High School and cited the students.
 
One of the teenagers also was cited for delivery of narcotics and delivery of drugs within 1,000 feet of a school and another was cited for aiding and abetting the sale of drugs.
 
 None of the students was taken into custody. School officials had reported to the Sheriff's Office their suspicions about the drug activity.

(KMZA)--A Nemaha County organization is seeking additional funding from the county for 2018.  

Sarah Renyer and Nick Scott with Nemaha County United 4 Youth met with the County Commission Monday to update Commissioners on the mentoring program the organization is sponsoring in the county’s schools.

Renyer thanked the Commission for the $1,200 in funding the organization currently receives from the county every quarter along with a portion of the county’s alcohol control fund.

She requested nearly $2,400 in additional funding from the county for 2018 in order to continue the mentoring program.

Commissioners agreed to include the funding in the county’s 2018 budget.

In other action, Ross Mosteller with the Nemaha County 4-H program came before the Commission to inform them of about a 4-H project Thomas Edelman would like to do at the Nemaha County Community building.  

Mosteller said Edelman would like to add some landscaping on the south side of the building.  

Commissioners agreed to allow the project to be completed.

Left to right: Jolene Walters, Clinic Director, Tenille Forbes RN, Lester Randall Kickapoo Tribe Chairman, Phil Griffin Deputy Director, Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention/Submitted Photo

(KAIR)--A local nurse is heading to Washington D.C., the site of a ceremony where she will receive national recognition for nursing success.

Tenille Forbes is a Registered Nurse who works at the Kickapoo Nation Health Center. She has been named Kansas State Immunization Nurse of the year from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Center For Disease Control.

“Basically, this particular award is based off of education,” Forbes said. “So, educating community members on the importance of immunizations. I revitalized the whole immunization program for the health clinic. Basically, it's just about being able to recognize and reinforce commitment to childhood health and wellness.”

Forbes learned that she had received the award Tuesday.

“I found out during the annual health fair out here at the Kickapoo Tribe and I found out that I was nominated by our clinic physician and our clinic director,” Forbes said. “I never thought that I would be a competitor, an awardee for such high achievement, and I was just really shocked. But, I'm so excited about it.”

Forbes this summer will receive state recognition, and then travel to the nation's capital to receive additional honors as part of the award.

“You have to be nominated for the state award and once you're chosen by the state, then it goes to the committee for the Center for Disease Control,” she said. “They have a committee that goes through all of the state winners and then they pick a national awardee.”

In June, there will be a state award ceremony followed by a national award ceremony in Washington D.C.

Forbes is a resident of the Atchison County community of Effingham.

(KNZA)--Racist, hate-filled, vulgar messages are left behind by vandals who struck a local school, scrawling their messages in marker, while damaging classrooms with spray paint.

The crime is now under investigation by the Sabetha Police Department, with a $1,000 reward offered for information leading to arrests of whoever vandalized Sabetha High School.

According to a post on the Department’s Facebook page, it happened sometime between Friday, April 14th and Saturday, April 15th.

During the break-in, police say a vending machine was also damaged to steal candy.

Anyone with information on the crime is encouraged to contact the Sabetha Police Department at 785-284-2158.

(KAIR)--A former Atchison resident is among two men arrested earlier this month on drug charges in Edwards County, Kansas.

According to The Dodge City Daily Globe, 58-year-old Ivan Cushinberry was arrested along with 51-year-old Kelvin Dabney following the execution of search warrants on the morning of April 11.

Both men are identified as current residents of the city of Lewis.

The newspaper reports two separate warrants were served in Lewis as part of an 8-month investigation, leading to the seizure of what's identified as a large amount of marijuana and pharmaceutical drugs.

The investigation was led by the Edwards County Sheriff's Department,with the Lewis Police Department and the Kansas Department of Revenue assisting.

Cushinberry is charged with six counts of distribution of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, while Dabney is charged with one count of distribution of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

Cushinberry has been released on a bond of $100,000, while Dabney, as of last week, remained in custody on a bond of $75,000.

Preliminary hearings for both are scheduled for Thursday in Edwards County.

(KAIR)--Resignations are accepted, and the search for a new Superintendent of Schools is set to begin.

That's the outcome of a special meeting Monday evening of the USD 377 Board of Education.

According to information provided by the District Office for the Atchison County Community Schools, the board, during the session, formally accepted the resignation of Superintendent Steve Wiseman.

Wiseman, after 12-years in that role, submitted his letter of resignation on April 20, having accepted a mathematics teaching position with the Saint Joseph, Missouri Public Schools. “I've always had a passion for math,” Wiseman said during an April 20 interview with MSC News. “The opportunity to get back to the classroom and work one on one with students is very appealing to me. I'm just really looking forward to it. Excited.” 

Wiseman's resignation is effective June 30.

The search for a new Superintendent for USD 377 is now set to begin, with the board Monday evening agreeing to enter into a contract with the Kansas Association of School Boards. According to documents related to Monday evening's meeting, the partnership comes at a cost of $3,750, and means the association will lead the search effort.

Along with that of Wiseman, the board also accepted another resignation.

That comes as 4th grade elementary teacher Jennifer Dobbs decides to exit her role.

Tim Draftz (left) and Jack Bower (right) field questions as nominees for First District Atchison County Commission. 

(KAIR)--Once the formal appointment is made by Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, current Atchison City Commissioner Jack Bower will be sworn in as the new First District Atchison County Commissioner. “I want to see quality of life, just a great place to raise a family,” Bower told MSC News after being named to fill the seat.

Bower was one of two nominees for the unexpired term being vacated by Jeff Schuele.

Bower defeated his challenger, Tim Draftz, on a secret ballot majority vote cast by the six First District Committee Persons during Tuesday evening's Republican Party District Convention held to select Schuele's replacement. “And the results [of the vote] are, Tim Draftz, 2, Jack Bower, 4,” Atchison County Republican Central Committee Chairman, Derek Franklin, announced after the ballots had been counted. Franklin was selected to serve as chair of the convention.

Bower was nominated by West Third Committee Person David Butler, while Draftz was nominated by East Third Committee Person Susan Draftz.

The two nominees fielded questions posed by West Second Committee Person Steve Estes, as well as Butler, prior to Bower's selection. “I just want to step up to another role, besides the city,” Bower told MSC News. “Maybe try to work some strategic initiatives, to try to work on economic development, working together with other municipalities. Maybe create some synergies within our working groups.”

The documentation pertaining to Bower's election will now be forwarded to Governor Brownback. Atchison County Counselor Patrick Henderson says Brownback will have seven days from the time of its receipt to make the formal appointment. Until that time, Schuele remains in place as First District Commissioner. Once the formality is finalized, Bower will be sworn into office, either at the May 2 or May 9 meeting of the County Commission. Henderson says which of the two meetings that will happen at depends on the timing of when the documentation is received by the County from the Governor's office.

Bower, prior to being sworn in, will have to resign from the Atchison City Commission, where he currently serves as Vice-Mayor. Henderson says state requirements will not allow Bower to serve in both roles.

The unexpired county term runs through January 14, 2019.

According to the City of Atchison website, Bower's current City Commission term expires in January, 2020.

( KAIR)--Construction on the River Road Reconstruction Project is set to kick off Monday.

According to a press release from Atchison Public Works and Utilities Director Justin Pregont, no extended road closures are planned. But, there may be scattered temporary closures during portions of the project.

Atchison County Road and Bridge will be doing the construction, with materials paid for by the city of Atchison in the way of a $200,000 Capital Improvement Program contribution.

Atchison City Manger Trey Cocking said, in the release, “This is a great example of intergovernmental cooperation. The condition of River Road has been a challenging problem for us to solve and we’re very thankful for Atchison County’s partnership in this project.”

Construction is anticipated to last about six weeks, weather depending.

(KAIR)--Due to ongoing construction, River Road, in Atchison, will be closed Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until  5:00 p.m.

That word according to Atchison Road and Bridge Department in a city text alert.

In a press release, Atchison Public Works and Utility Director Justin Pregont said during the six-week construction project, River Road may temporarily need to close at scattered times.

However, no extended road closures are planned.

The complete reconstruction of River Road from the north boat ramp to city limits is the first step in an extended project.

The city of Atchison won a quarter-of-a-million dollar grant to extend the River Road Trial from the southern boat ramp to just north of the city's raw water intake pump station.

That project is set to happen sometime in 2018.

(KLZA)-- An award winning Falls City journalist is being remembered following his weekend death. 
According to his obituary from the Dorr and Clark Funeral Home, William Scott Schock was 68-years-old when he died Saturday at his home from an apparent sudden cardiac arrest. 
The retired Falls City Journal Publisher and popular columnist was also well known for his civic service, including his role as Chairman of the Falls City Educational Foundation. During his time of leadership, he led the effort to gain public support for the passage of a bond issue that funded the multi-million dollar renovation of the Falls City High School. 
During his 38-year association with the Falls City Journal, Schock wrote the “Off the Cuff” column for nearly 40-years, and was named the winner of the Nebraska Press Association's Harpst Leadership Nebraska Award. That honor is presented to a newspaper or publisher “that best illustrates efforts in promoting leadership within their community.” He also earned the Omaha World-Herald’s Francis L. Partsch Award for Editorial Leadership. 
Among Schock's survivors are his children, Amy Meinzer and Jason Schock. 
A memorial service will be held Friday afternoon at 2:00 at the Dorr and Clark Funeral Home, in Falls City, followed by inurnment in the Steele Cemetery. 

(KLZA)-- Peru State College and the City of Peru will team up for the 2017 Citywide Cleanup on Friday. 

Th event will be part of the ServeNebraska Week registered with the Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission. April 23 – 29, is also National Volunteer Week, thousands of Nebraska residents  demonstrate their commitment to volunteerism by engaging in activities to benefit their communities, schools, churches, parks and other causes.

Anyone interested in volunteering to help plant flowers in Peru will meet at City Hall at 9:00 a.m.

Anyone with items for the town cleanup should leave them on the curb Friday morning by 9. Trucks will be by to pick items up after 9.  If you need help moving an item, contact Cindy Moran at the Peru City Hall. 

Items that will be picked up include bagged garbage, furniture, appliances, computers, but no monitors, circuit boards, copiers, CD/DVD players and drives, fax machines, keyboards, modems, printers, scanners, servers, lawnmowers, snow blowers, garden tillers, bicycles, swing sets, metal and scrap iron.

Televisions and computer monitors must be brought the Peru City hall on April 27th for disposal.

Tires, propane tanks and use oil will not be accepted.

For more information contact Cindy Moran at 402-872-6685. 

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has approved the hiring of three new road department employees.

Following an executive session Monday, the Commission on a 2-1 vote approved the hiring of Kenneth Herring and Douglas Stewart to work full-time for the 2nd District Road Department.

Commissioner Jerry McKernan cast the lone no vote.

Herring will be paid $10.50 an hour plus benefits and Stewart will be paid $10 an hour plus benefits, subject to a 90-day probationary period.

Both are to begin work May 1st.

The Commission also approved the hiring of Tim White on a part-time as needed basis for the Road Department at a salary of $10 an hour, effective May 1st.

(KAIR)--"We are investigating a homicide."

That word comes from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson in regards to an investigation launched Monday night. The confirmation of a homicide was made late Tuesday morning. Prior to that time, the case was being referred to only as a death investigation. 

The investigation follows the discovery of the body of 49-year-old Michael Moeck, of Atchison, around 7:00 Monday evening.

Wilson says the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the probe into Moeck's death.

According to a press release issued by the KBI, Moeck's body was found at his residence, located at 1145 Parallel Street, in Atchison.

It's not yet revealed how he died, and there's not yet any word regarding possible suspects in the case.

The KBI is asking for assistance from the public. The agency says anyone with information pertaining to the investigation should call 1-800-KS-CRIME.

(KNZA)--A rear-end collision early Monday afternoon on K-4 Highway in Shawnee County sent an Oskaloosa man to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 52-year-old Marvin Branch was northbound when he slowed for a farm vehicle and his Honda Civic was struck in the rear by a GMC Envoy driven by 37-year-old Topeka resident Jamie Huffman.

Branch, who was buckled up at the time of the wreck, was transported to Topeka’s Stormont-Vail Hospital with unspecified injuries.

Huffman was not hurt.

The wreck was reported shortly before 12:20, north of Seward Avenue.  

(KAIR)--An aggressive dog is shot and killed by Atchison County Sheriff's Deputies after the dog attacked an Atchison resident.

That word comes in a news release issued by Sheriff Jack Laurie following the incident that unfolded Sunday afternoon.

Laurie says an 81-year-old man reported the attack occurred around 4:30 on River Road, at the Independence Creek fishing path.

Deputies responding to the scene were met by the injured man, who told deputies he was able to fight the dog off, showing them where the dog had attacked his truck after he managed to get to safety inside.

Laurie says the dog was then spotted; and when deputies attempted to confront the animal, identified as a Pit Bull, it “charged them aggressively attempting to attack the deputies.”

Laurie says the deputies shot the dog to avoid the attack.

The man attacked by the dog required treatment at the Atchison Hospital for bite injuries on his back and shoulder area.

Laurie says it's believed the dog was a stray.

(KAIR)--Due to scheduling conflicts and lack of staff, Atchison Chamber of Commerce's annual spring clean-up is canceled.

“Unfortunately, we have so many things scheduled in the month of April and we actually got the beautification council together and we just don't have the staff to do it,” said Atchison Chamber of Commerce President Jacque Pregont. It's very unfortunate because I know a lot for people look forward to it. But, physically it cannot happen so we had to cancel it.”

Even though the spring clean up won't happen, she said the fall clean-up is on the calendar.

“We have one planned—our fall one—and we will be working on the things that sometimes we do in the spring to make sure we can take care of everybody in the fall.”

Pregont said the fall clean up is set for Sept. 9.

(KAIR)--Strong winds and low humidity means burning is off limits.

That's according to Doniphan County Emergency Management Coordinator Julie Meng, who says the burn ban will remain in place through Monday.

The National Weather Service calls for southerly winds gusting up to 35 mph Monday.

(KLZA)-- The SENCA office in the Richardson County Courthouse is moving. 

Last week Richardson County Commissioners approved request from Pam Armknecht and Melissa Hardenberger with Southeast Nebraska Community Action Partners to locate their office to a different room. 

The SENCA Office at the Courthouse will soon be in room 101, the former Veteran’s Service Office just inside the west entrance.   

(KLZA)-- Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has appointed Julie D. Smith as the new First Judicial District Court Judge.

Smith is currently the Nebraska prison systems general counsel.  Smith is 37 and has practiced law in Nebraska for more than 12 years. She previously served as County Attorney in Johnson County and as a partner at Smith &  Smith Attorneys at Law in Tecumseh. 

Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Drake University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law. 

The First Judicial District consists of Richardson, Pawnee, Nemaha, Johnson, Clay, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Nickolls, Saline and Thayer counties.  The primary place of the office for the judicial vacancy is Auburn.  

The vacancy was due to the retirement of Judge Daniel E. Bryan Jr. which was effective December 31, 2016.  

(KNZA)--A Sabetha city commissioner has filed for re-election.

The Nemaha County Clerk’s Office reports Maridel Wittmer recently filed for another 4-year-term as Commissioner of Finance.

Wittmer is the first candidate to file for the position.

The commission seat along with that of mayor are up for election this fall.  Doug Clark currently serves as Sabetha mayor.

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

The general election will be November 7th.

A primary election, if needed, will be August 1st.  

(MSC News)--Unemployment was down in area northeast Kansas counties in March.

That’s according to a report released Friday by the Kansas Department of Labor.

Atchison County continued to have the highest unemployment rate among area counties at 5.4 percent while Nemaha County continued to have the lowest at 2.4 percent.

Elsewhere,  Brown County’s jobless rate in March stood at 3.6 percent; Doniphan, 3.4 percent; Jackson, 3.2 percent; Jefferson, 3.8 percent; Leavenworth, 4.2 percent; Marshall, 3 percent and Pottawatomie, 3 percent.

All the figures were down from February and March 2016.

The state Department of Labor says Kansas gained 46-hundred private sector jobs last month, and its unemployment rate dropped to the lowest it’s been since November 2000.

The report says the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in March was 3.8 percent, down from 4 percent in February.

The National unemployment rate also dropped last month to 4.5 percent from 4.7 percent in February.  Kansas is one of 19 states with unemployment rates below the national one.  
 

(KAIR)--A current school board member for Atchison's USD 409 has decided to seek re-election.

Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips confirms that Dr. John Eplee has filed for another term on the school board.

He is currently serving his second term in that position.

Eplee also serves as the 63rd District Kansas House Representative.

Phillips says his seeking to continue serving on the school board is not considered a conflict of interest by the State of Kansas.

Eplee so far is the only candidate to file for the November election.

The filing deadline is noon June 1.

The November 7 General Election will include school boards and city government.

That follows a change previously approved by the Kansas Legislature which moved the elections to the fall from the spring, when they were traditionally held.

Locally, the elections will include four seats on the USD 409 Board of Education and three on the USD 377 Board of Education.

Three positions are also up for election on the Atchison City Commission.

If a primary election is necessary, it will be held August 1.

(KAIR)--Nine months in prison.

That's the sentence handed down in Atchison County District Court for an Atchison man that led police on a pursuit in February.

Donald Harvey III was sentenced to nine months with the Kansas Department of Corrections on one felony count of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement.

His sentence will run consecutive to a prison sentence he's serving in connection with a past conviction in Doniphan County on unrelated charges.

The February 24 pursuit began when the then 24-year-old Harvey refused to stop for police. Instead, he drove from central Atchison to the western edge of the city, on U.S. Highway 73, where he crashed his truck into a fence. He then fled on foot into a wooded area, but was apprehended through the use of a Kansas Highway Patrol K9, and the assistance of the Atchison County Sheriff's Office.

(KLZA)-- Falls City Public Schools have announced three individuals will be stepping into leadership positions as District 56 prepares for the start of the 2017-18 school year.

In a news release, Superintendent Tim Heckenlively congratulated Kristene Ogle who has accepted the position of Curriculum & Professional Development Director. She has 23 years experience as an elementary teacher, 14 of them with Falls City Public Schools.

Jason Vitosh will serve as the K-12 High Ability Learner Coordinator and Math Coach, in addition to his teaching duties in the high school mathematics department. Vitosh has been with the Falls City High school mathematics department for 18 years and is a Robert Noyce Master Teacher Fellow.

Wendy Craig is advancing form a position on the School Improvement Steering Committee to the School Improvement Co-Chair position. She as taught 16 years in District 56.

(KNZA)--The Riley County Police Department says a suspect has been identified in a hit-and-run that injured a Horton woman.

The Department said in a news release late Thursday night that a man has come forward, identifying himself as the driver of the pickup truck that struck 21-year-old Amber Wilhelm early last Friday morning while she was crossing a Manhattan street.

Police say the man has not been arrested and his name will not be released until the investigation is completed.

The development came just hours after police released a video of the white pickup involved in the hit-and-run.

Earlier this week, Amber’s parents both released video statements asking for the public’s help in finding the person responsible for hitting their daughter.  The video’s were posted on the Riley County Police Department’s Facebook page.  In addition, a $10,000 reward was offered for information in the case.

As of last report, Amber remained in critical condition at Topeka’s Stormont-Vail Hospital.

(KLZA)-- A man serving life in prison for murder of a Pawnee County man has now been charged with first degree murder and use of deadly weapon to commit a felony in the death of his cellmate at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institute north of Tecumseh.  

According to a news release from the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, 39-year-old Patrick W. Schroeder has been charged in the death of 22-year-old Terry L. Berry Jr..

According to the release Berry and Schroeder were the only occupants in a cell at the Tecumseh Prison on April 15 when Corrections personnel were alerted to respond to the cell the two occupied.  

Berry was unresponsive and transported to Bryan Medical Center West in Lincoln.  He was placed on life support and then pronounced dead April 20.

An autopsy was conducted Friday.  The report says the cause of death is asphyxia, due to compression of the neck structures. The manner of death is homicide.

Schroeder is expected to appear in Johnson County Court on May 3.

Johnson County Attorney Rick Smith and prosecutors from the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the case. 

Schroeder is currently serving life in prison for the April, 2006 robbery and murder of Kenneth Albers who lived on a farmstead just outside of Pawnee City.  Albers died from multiple blows to the head by a blunt instrument.  His body was then dumped down a well located on the farmstead.  

Schroeder lived in DuBois, when he was convicted of the murder in June, 2007.

In 2009, Schroeder was sentenced to more than nine years in prison for robbing the State Bank of Steinauer in January, 2006. The federal sentence is to be served consecutively to the murder sentence.  

Terry Berry Jr. was serving a 3- to 4-year sentence for felony forgery and a jail assault conviction from Platte County. He was up for a parole next month and set for release in December.

Berry was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, but had lived at Steinauer  and finished his schooling at the HTRS School according to his obituary. 
 

(KAIR)--The selection of a new First District Atchison County Commissioner is set to happen next week.

That follows the resignation of current Commissioner Jeff Schuele, who announced his decision to resign April 13, due to additional business responsibilities.

Atchison County Republican Central Committee Chairman, Derek Franklin, tells MSC News filling the vacancy will happen Tuesday evening at 6:30, in the County Commission Room at the Atchison County Courthouse.

There, the Republican Precinct Committee Chairpersons will ultimately decide upon a qualified candidate to fill Schuele's unexpired term. “A registered Republican, that lives within that district, that's interested, would speak to the county precinct chairpersons that are eligible,” Franklin says. “There's three precincts in that district so there's six people that will make this determination, so they will address those six. Then, there is a secret ballot. The secret ballot is then counted. If no candidate receives a majority of all votes cast, the candidate receiving the fewest number of votes will be removed from the ballot, and then additional rounds of voting will take place, following the same procedure, until one candidate receives the majority of all votes cast.”

The names of that selected candidate will then be forwarded to the office of Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, who will formally appoint the selection to the open seat.

The unexpired term runs through January 14, 2019.

Whoever is selected would then decide whether or not seek election to the seat.

The public is welcome to observe Tuesday's evening's convention proceedings. 

(KLZA)-- On a 7-1 vote, the Falls City Council this week approved a request to build a wood post frame building with metal siding at 1718 Abbott Street. 

Kirby Oliver plans to build a 32 x 26-foot garage in the residential neighborhood. Requests to construct metal buildings in a residential neighborhood come before the Council for approval.  City Administrator Gary Jorn said he researched the origins of the process, noting previous concerns about metal buildings being constructed in residential neighborhoods. 

Fourth Ward Council member Derrick Leyden said he had visited with the closest neighbor who had no issue with the idea.  

Third Ward Councilman John Vaughn cast the dissenting vote, noting that in his opinion, a large post-frame building does not belong in a residential neighborhood. 

Oliver will be replacing a garage that was previously damaged by fire.  

(KNZA)--Distinct honors for a local high school student, named as a semifinalist for the 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Joseph Kunkel is a graduating senior at Hiawatha High School. He becomes one of 722 semifinalists who were selected from a field of nearly 5,100 candidates expected to graduate from high school in 2017.

According to a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Education,  the program "is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character, and involvement in community and school activities.

The program is in its 53rd year, established in 1964 by Executive Order. President Lyndon B. Johnson was the first to present the scholarships.

The program was expanded in 1979 and 2015.

Annually, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen.

A group of up to 32 eminent citizens appointed by the President will select the finalists, with the U.S. Department of Education to announce the Scholars in May.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved the expenditure of an additional nearly $6,700 for steel materials when they met Tuesday.

A representative of Midwest Service and Sales met with the board, to discuss an error on the steel bid submitted, that was awarded March 11. The error was in the cost quoted from the supplier to the bidder.

Commissioners approved the added cost on a unanimous vote. 

Following a public hearing drawing no public comment, Board members voted to give favorable comment to a liquor license request by Classic Club 8, doing business as the Falls City Golf Course.  
 

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department will be getting new dispatch equipment. 

At the request of Sheriff Rich Vernon, the Nemaha County Commission this week approved the purchase two refurbished 911 radio systems for just over $43,000, with the funding to come from the county’s 911 fund.  

Vernon says the equipment will come from Commenco Radio’s of Kansas City, where he says he has purchased equipment before.

He says price for new equipment is nearly $87,000.

Vernon also informed Commissioners that the Kansas 911 Council is now recommending that dispatchers receive 21 hours of training each year.  He says his dispatchers are already complying with that recommendation, but now will need to begin logging those hours.

Vernon also told Commissioners he has hired two new corrections officers for the jail.  Scott Meade and Cole Lehwald will both begin work with the county on April 24th at a salary of $13.31 an hour.

(KNZA)--Four candidates will be interviewed for the position of Hiawatha USD 415 superintendent.

During a special meeting Friday morning, the Board of Education set interviews for April 27th, May 1st, May 2nd and May 3rd.  The name of each candidate will be announced the day of their interview.

The Kansas Association of School Boards, which is assisting the school district in search for a new superintendent, recommended the four to the Board from among 13 applicants.

Current superintendent, Penny Hargrove, is resigning at end of the current school year to take a job as superintendent of the Mingus Union High School District at Cottonwood, Arizona.

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

(KAIR)--The safest college campus in Kansas.

That title was given to Atchison's Benedictine College by YourLocalSecurity.com, an ADT affiliate.

According to a press release from the college, the rankings are found using statistics from the FBI and U.S. Department of Education based on low crime rates and programs designed to provide on-campus protection.

These rankings take crimes reported by universities and place them into three main categories: violent crime, property crime, and violence against women. Each crime is weighted by severity to give a total crime score, which is then divided by the school’s enrollment to produce a per-capita score.

Vice President of Student Life at Benedictine, Dr. Linda Henry said in the release, “Safety is a primary concern for many college students and parents. On our campus, we have a great sense of community and safety. It is extremely important to us to make sure we do everything we can to help students experience their Benedictine College education in a safe and respectful environment.”

(KNZA)-Not guilty.

Following four hours of deliberations, that was the verdict handed down Thursday afternoon by a jury in the case against a Holton man accused of sex crimes involving a child under the age of 14.

22-year-old Jacob Ewing was acquitted on charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated criminal sodomy.

The jury began deliberations shortly before noon following closing arguments in the trial that began Monday in Jackson County District Court.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Ewing's defense attorney, Kathleen Ambrosio, said she was “overwhelmingly pleased” with the verdict.

Special Prosecutor Jacquie Spralding told the newspaper she respects the jury's service and the jury system and “will accept their verdict."

Ewing was accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 2014 at a rural Jackson County cemetery, near Circleville.

Despite the jury's decision, Ewing isn't yet free of his legal battles. He faces three additional jury trials for alleged sex crimes involving five women.

(KNZA)--Improvements are being sought at Hiawatha’s Noble Ballpark.

American Legion baseball coaches Ryan Meiniger and Brice Loyd approached the Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening to discuss needed repairs at the ballpark.

Meiniger said the ballpark, which use to be the best field in northeast Kansas, needs alot of attention.

Meiniger said the Legion is looking at getting some volunteers to do some painting and give the ballpark a facelift.  He said they plan to hold an Action Day in coming weeks for anyone interested in helping.  The date has been set for Saturday, May 6th at 2 p.m. 

He said new rock and dirt is also needed at the ballpark.

Meiniger asked if the city could provide funding to help purchase the paint and other materials needed to make the improvements at a cost of around $1,000.

Mayor Steffen Shamburg and Commissioner Bill Collins agreed to donate the funding needed.  Shamburg issued a challenge to other community members to donate funds.

City Administrator Mike Nichols said the city has some leftover haydite that can be used at the ballpark.  The city is also looking into getting 8 to 10 loads of dirt that can be used to rebuild the pitchers mound and play areas.   

Meiniger says they have a full Legion rooster and plan to hold their first home game the second week of June.    

(KAIR)--After 12-years-of leadership, the Superintendent for the Atchison County Public Schools is saying goodbye.

Steve Wiseman Thursday submitted his letter of resignation.

He tells MSC News he is leaving the district to return to the classroom, accepting an offer to teach mathematics in the Saint Joseph, Missouri Public School District next year.

A special meeting of the USD 377 Board of Education is scheduled for Monday evening at 6:30. Approval of Wiseman's resignation, and release from his contract, is listed on the agenda. Additionally, the board, during the session, will explore entering a contract with the Kansas Association of School Boards to lead the search for Wiseman's replacement. Cost of the agreement would be $3,750. 

Wiseman's resignation becomes effective at the end of the current school year.

MSC Radio News Director Brian Hagen spoke with Wiseman about his decision.

That can be heard here.

(KLZA)-- Three staff members at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institute were assaulted by an inmate Wednesday evening.

A news release form Communications Director Dawn-Renee Smith says staff members were removing several inmates, who appeared to be under the influence of homemade alcohol, from a housing unit. One inmate was standing with his hands crossed in front of him when a corporal approached him and told him he was going to place handcuffs on him. At that point the inmate swung at the corporal, who was knocked to the ground and received contusions to his head.

The inmate then moved across the room and assaulted another corporal who was restraining another inmate.  The corporal suffered contusions to the head, required five stitches and received a chipped tooth with another tooth being knocked loose. 

Staff members responded using a spray to stop the assault and subdue the inmate. While attempting to restrain the inmate, he bit a caseworker in the thigh.

The two corporals were treated and released from Johnson County Hospital. The caseworker did not seek outside medical care. 

The incident was isolated to one inmate and did not require the unit to be locked down. The facility is operating normally. 

The identities of the inmate or the staff members involved have not been released.
 

TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) - Officials say an inmate has attacked two guards and bitten a caseworker at the state prison in Tecumseh.
 
The Nebraska Correctional Services Department said in a news release Thursday that the melee broke out around 7:45 Wednesday evening when staffers were removing from a housing unit several inmates who appeared to be inebriated.
 
The department says one inmate punched a guard who'd told the inmate that he was going to be handcuffed. Then the inmate punched another guard who was restraining another inmate.
 
The department says more staffers responded with pepper spray to stop the inmate, who bit the caseworker in a thigh.
 
The two guard corporals were treated at Johnson County Hospital and released. The caseworker didn't seek outside medical care.
 
The department hasn't released the inmate's name.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - State prison officials say an inmate found unresponsive in his cell at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution has died, and a criminal investigation into the death has been launched.

A news release Wednesday from the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services says 22-year-old Terry Berry Jr. was found in his cell Saturday. He was taken to a Lincoln hospital, where he was declared brain dead on Monday. He was taken off life-support Wednesday.

Berry was serving a 3- to 4-year sentence for felony forgery and a jail assault conviction from Platte County. He was up for a parole next month and set for release in December.
 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - State prison officials say an inmate found unresponsive in his cell at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution has died, and a criminal investigation into the death has been launched.

A news release Wednesday from the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services says 22-year-old Terry Berry Jr. was found in his cell Saturday. He was taken to a Lincoln hospital, where he was declared brain dead on Monday. He was taken off life-support Wednesday.

Berry was serving a 3- to 4-year sentence for felony forgery and a jail assault conviction from Platte County. He was up for a parole next month and set for release in December.
 

(KMZA)--A local northeast Kansas high school class traveled to the southwestern part of the state to show their support for victims of the wildfires in Clark County.

KWCH-TV reports seniors at Axtell High School decided to forgo their senior trip and donate the remaining money in their class fund to families in Ashland who lost their homes in the wildfires.

The class voted unanimously to donate the nearly $2,000 to the fire victims.

The entire class, along with their sponsor Pam Buessing and Principal Larry Geist  made the five-hour trip on Wednesday. They presented a check to the USD 220 Fire Disaster Fund. The money will then be distributed to families.

The class says it will use a small portion of the funds raised to throw an end of the year pizza party.

(KNZA)--An investigation leads to the arrest of two Morrill residents on drug charges.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Special Response Team executed a search warrant Wednesday at a residence in Morrill following the investigation by a Drug Enforcement Administration task force with the assistance of his office.

Hill says 39-year-old Ernest " Chip" Reynolds and 38-year-old Amber Zimmers were arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana.

He says the pair are currently being held in the Brown County Jail awaiting the filing of formal charges.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) —  Kansas regulators have rejected the proposed sale of the state's largest electric company to a Missouri-based utility for $12.2 billion.

The Kansas Corporation Commission issued an order Wednesday against the proposal from Great Plains Energy of Kansas City, Missouri, to buy Topeka-based Westar Energy.

Critics of the deal argued that Great Plains would be paying as much as $4.9 billion too much. They said the combined company would be so economically fragile that utility regulators would be forced to boost rates for its 1.5 million customers from central Kansas to central Missouri.

Both companies said the acquisition would create nearly $2 billion in efficiencies over the next decade and keep electric rates in check.

Great Plains is the parent of Kansas City Power & Light Co.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha man is facing additional charges after police attempted to arrest him twice on an outstanding warrant, with a scuffle ensuing during one of the incidents.

Police Chief John Defore says 26-year-old Jordan Pallesen had been sought on a warrant for failure to appear in court.

He says an officer tried to take him into custody Saturday at a local business, but Pallesen fled out the fire exit.

Defore says an officer then tried to take him into custody Sunday evening at a local convenience store, but the attempt led to the scuffle. He says Pallesen damaged a front door at the business when running out the door.

Defore says Pallesen was finally taken into custody Tuesday morning without incident behind a local business.

He now faces charges including battery on a law enforcement officer, interference with law enforcement and criminal damage to property.  In addition, Pallesen faces a charge of misdemeanor theft in a separate case.

He remains in the Brown County Jail on a total bond of more than $11,000.  

(MSC News)--The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 11:00 Wednesday night for the the KS counties of  Brown, Jackson, Nemaha, Marshall and Pottawatomie.

A tornado watch has also been issued until 10:00 for southeast Nebraska, including Richardson, Pawnee, Nemaha and Otoe counties. 

(KLZA)-- A Rock Port, Missouri man was seriously injured in a single vehicle wreck about a quarter mile east of Watson, Missouri Tuesday afternoon. 

The Missouri Highway Patrol report indicates 23-year-old Robert Kopejtka was northbound on Route D when the brakes failed on the 1994 GMC Straight Truck he was driving.

As Kopejtka came to a “T” intersection at Route D and Route A. The truck crossed route A, started to skid and struck an anhydrous ammonia storage tank on private property.  The anhydrous ammonia tank was knocked off its supports and tipped over onto its side. The truck came to rest facing east, pinning the driver in the cab. 

A Lifenet helicopter transported Kopejtka to University Hospital in Omaha with what were described as serious injuries.  The truck was totaled 

The Atchison County Sheriff’s Department, Rock Port Fire and West Atchison Fire Departments also responded to the scene of the wreck.  
 

(KLZA)-- iVantage Health Analytics and The Chartis Center for Rural Health recently named Community Medical Center in Falls City one of the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals in the United States. 

CMC scored in the top 100 of Critical Access Hospitals on iVantage Health Analytics’ Hospital Strength INDEX.  The INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive ratings of rural providers.  

The Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals play a key role in providing a safety net to communities across America and the INDEX measurers them across eight pillars of hospital strength: Inpatient Share Ranking, Outpatient Share Ranking, Cost, Charge, Quality, Outcomes, Patient Perspectives and Financial Stability. 

Community Medical Center administrator Ryan Larsen called the achievement gratifying, noting, he is proud of the staff.  Larsen said “ We work hard to provide the best health care possible while maintaining an efficient and effective facility.”

Of the 100 hospitals honored nationwide, 10 were in Nebraska and nine were in Kansas.  
 

(KAIR)--A 31-year-old mother goes to jail after leaving her 2-year-old child in the car alone for more than an hour.

“At 6:15 Tuesday evening, our officers responded to the 100 block of North 4th to investigate a child being left unattended in a parked vehicle,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “Officers located a vehicle where a 2-year-old child was strapped in a car seat left alone. The child showed signs of being overheated in the car with an outside temperature in the upper 70s. The child's mother was taken into custody.”

He said arrested was Jessica Boldridge, of Atchison on aggravated endangering of a child. It was determined she was inside the Atchison YMCA while the child was alone in the vehicle.

Atchison EMS did respond to the scene to examine the child, but Wilson says the child did not require hospitalization and was released to a family member.

Boldridge was booked into the Atchison County Jail where she remains held without bond.

(KLZA)-- An arrest warrant has been issued in connection with the shooting death of a former Falls City resident. 

29-year old Trent Stutheit of Omaha died from a gunshot wound suffered Sunday night near an apartment complex near 26th and Hamilton Streets in Omaha.  

According to an Omaha World Herald report Stutheit had lived in Omaha for about 10 years and lived in Falls City prior to that.

An arrest warrant has been issued for 30-year-old Antoine C. Johnson, of Omaha in connection with Stutheit’s death. Johnson is charged in the warrant with second-degree murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony.
Omaha police say Johnson should be considered armed and dangerous.

A funeral service for Stutheit will be Saturday afternoon at 2:00 at the Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn.  

(KLZA)-- When the Humboldt – Table Rock – Steinauer School District sold the Table Rock site last fall, it also meant the school districts bus barn facility sold along with it.  

Since that time, upkeep work on the buses has been going to outside sources since there was no where to work on the buses. Superintendent Sherri Edmundson says the process to build a new bus barn has begun. The HTRS Board has scheduled a contractor meeting for May 8th to show interested contractors where the facility will be. Bids will be opened in May with the Board to approve a bid for the work in June.

Initial plans are to build on the school parking lot, west of the school. 
 

(MSC News)-- A 17-year-old charged in connection with a two-vehicle collision in eastern St. Joseph that claimed the lives of four other teens was arraigned Tuesday.

Skylar Lucas-Cox appeared in a Buchanan County courtroom on one count of involuntary manslaughter.

A preliminary hearing was set for May 11th and bond was denied.

Authorities say Lucas-Cox was driving a stolen truck on Riverside Road, near Cook Road, last Friday morning when he lost control of the vehicle and crossed into oncoming traffic, striking another vehicle head-on.

Four teenagers, ranging in age from 15 to 17, died as a result of the crash. Three others, including Lucas-Cox, were seriously injured.

According to court documents, Lucas-Cox tested positive for cocaine, marijuana and benzodiazepines at the time of the crash.

Prosecutors allege his reckless driving and impaired nature of driving, directly resulted in the death of the four victims.

(MSC News)---Testimony is underway in the first trial for a Holton man accused of sexually assaulting a teenager and five women.

The Topeka Capital Journal reports a 15-year-old girl testified for more than three hours Tuesday about the summer night in 2014 she says 22-year-old Jacob Ewing drove her to a cemetery and allegedly sodomized her on the hood of his car.  He was 19 years old at the time; she was 13.

The testimony came following opening arguments in the case.

Ewing is charged with aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated criminal sodomy.

Seven women and five men were selected Monday to serve on the jury for the trial which is expected to run through Friday.

Ewing faces three other jury trials involving the five women.

He has pleaded not guilty to a total of 19 charges in the cases dating back to January 2014.  

(KAIR)--The city of Atchison has been awarded a quarter-of-a-million dollar grant that will help extend the trail at the Atchison Riverfront.

According to a press release from Atchison Public Works and Utility Director Justin Pregont, the city received a letter from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism informing them of the 250,000 grant submitted through the federal Recreational Trails Program.

The grant will be used for the Riverfront Trail Extension Project that will more than double the distance of the current trail to the north. When fully constructed, the Riverfront Trail Extension will be an eight-foot-wide, concrete, multi-use trail spanning just under 0.5 miles along the west side of River Road from the southern boat ramp to just north of the City’s Raw Water Intake Pump Station.

The release states the grant will be supplemented with funding from the Atchison Riverfront Foundation and the city of Atchison. The city's 2017 Capital Improvement Program includes a $60,000 contribution to the trail project.

The City expects the project to be built sometime in 2018. A full reconstruction of River Road from the north boat ramp to the City Limits, is expected to begin in the next few weeks. The River Road Reconstruction Project will be completed well before any work on the trail gets underway.

(MSC News)-- A Mayetta man facing a charge of first-degree murder in the November 2015 stabbing death of a Mayetta woman has pleaded no contest to a reduced charge.

As part of a plea agreement, The Holton Recorder reports 51-year-old Wilson Noriega entered the plea last Friday in Jackson County District Court to a charge of voluntary manslaughter.

In exchange for the plea, two drug charges were dismissed.

A five-day jury trial in the case had been set to begin May 15th.

Noriega was charged in 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 sentencing date has not been set.    

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas grocery and convenience stores will be able to sell regular beer starting in 2019 after a years-long effort to get full-strength brews into the stores.

Republican Governor Sam Brownback signed a bill Tuesday allowing grocery and convenience stores to sell beer with up to 6 percent alcohol by volume. They can now sell cereal malt beverage with 3.2 percent alcohol by weight.

In exchange, liquor stores will be able to sell cereal malt beverages and more non-alcoholic products, such as shot glasses, mixers, lottery tickets and tobacco products.

The House and Senate passed the bill earlier this month. Lawmakers have debated the issue for years.

Some said they were concerned large grocery chains would put independent liquor stores out of business. But grocery and liquor stores found the compromise.

(KMZA)--Authorities searching for a man who jumped off a Kansas River bridge while fleeing from law enforcement have found a body.

Pottawatomie County Sheriff Greg Riat said in a statement that that the body was found Monday about a mile from the bridge and near the bank. A man jumped from the bridge northeast of Paxico earlier this month when the pursuit ended with him crashing into a patrol car. The man was being sought in connection with an alleged auto theft in Wamego.

Highway patrol aircraft and sheriff's office and Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism watercraft have been used in the search.

Riat says the identity of the man will be released pending positive identification.

( KNZA )--A $10,000 reward is now being offered for information that leads to the driver that struck a Horton woman with a pickup truck and then fled the scene.

Riley County Police have been searching for the driver since early Friday morning when Amber Wilhelm became a victim of the hit and run while crossing the intersection of 12th and Bluemont, in Manhattan, on foot, around 2:00 Friday morning.

The 21-year-old Kansas State University student remains in critical condition at Topeka’s Stormont-Vail Hospital, and her father wants answers. “[We're] just looking to see if anybody has any information leading up to an arrest, just to help find the person so we can pick up the pieces and move on.”

That video message from Darryl Wilhelm was posted Tuesday to the Riley County Police Department's Facebook page. A second video, from Amber's mother, Donna, was posted a short time later. “We are needing your help to find this person that has done this,” she said in the video. “If you are the person, please come forward. We just want to put the pieces together.”

A GoFundMe account has now been launched to help raise the reward money to find the person who witnesses say was behind the wheel of a light colored 2011 to 2016 Chevy or GMC extended cab pickup.

If the goal of $10,000 is not reached, the family will provide the remainder of the amount if someone provides information that leads to the driver.

Any amount over $10,000 will be used towards Amber's mounting hospital bills.

Anyone with information regarding the case is urged to call the RCPD at 785-537-2112 or use the Manhattan/Riley County Crimestoppers tip line at 785-539-7777.

(MSC News)--A Kansas Senator is named to fill the role of State Treasurer.

Governor Sam Brownback Tuesdsay appointed south eastern Kansas native Jake LaTurner to fill the seat being vacated by Ron Estes. Estes was recently elected to represent the fourth congressional district in the House of Representatives.

LaTurner will begin his new duties later this month.

LaTurner, in a press release from the Governor's office, says being selected to serve in the position “is both humbling and exciting, adding that he looks forward to “continuing the quality work that Kansans have rightly come to expect from their state treasurer.

LaTurner currently serves as Senator for the state's 13th Senate District, a position he has filled for the past five years.

Prior to his election to that seat, LaTurner worked for former state treasurer, Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins.

(KNZA)--A Valley Falls woman has died from injuries received in a single-vehicle wreck over the weekend in Shawnee County.

According to an obituary from the Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls, 77-year-old Margaret Heuertz died Monday at a Topeka hospital.

The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Department says Heuertz was westbound on Northeast Calhoun Bluff Road early Saturday evening when her Dodge Durango drifted off the north side of the road, causing Heuertz to lose control.  The vehicle crossed both lanes of traffic and struck a guardrail, causing the vehicle to roll into a creek.

A deputy located her vehicle underneath a bridge.

The Sheriff’s Department says Heuertz was able to self extricate herself.  She was transported to a local hospital.

The Sheriff's Department was investigating if a medical issue led to the wreck.

Mass of Christian Burial for Heuertz will be held Saturday morning at 10:30 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Meriden.

(KLZA)-- On a 5-3 vote Monday night the Falls City Council denied a request to make the intersection of 16th and Barada Street a 4-way-stop.

Terry Stradtman who lives on the southwest corner of 16th and Barada made the request, suggesting with two businesses there and children in the area, it could make it safer.

The Council tabled the agenda item April 3rd.  Since that time, Councilman Charlie Bentley said he had observed traffic in the area.  Bentley said the average was 12 – 20 vehicles an hour.  But he felt the intersection is no more dangerous than any other intersection in town.   

City Administrator Gary Jorn said he had received a letter supporting the STOP sign request. Debbie Nussbaum, manager of the Falls City Senior Center said she was concerned about the safety of her senior center patrons and would support the 4-way-stop proposal. 

Councilman John Vaughn said adding STOP signs on 16th Street would mean four consecutive intersections with stops, suggesting another stop would be overkill. 

Bentley’s motion to deny the request was approved on a 5-3 vote with council members Mike Dougherty, Kirby Robidoux and Judy Murphy casting nay votes.  

(KNZA)--The father of a 21-year-old Horton woman who suffered critical injuries in a hit and run last week has released a video statement pleading for information about the driver responsible for putting his daughter, Amber, in the hospital. “I got the phone call early Friday morning that my daughter had been in an accident,” Darryl Wilhelm says in the video posted by the Riley County Police Department. “Heard she was going to be in Topeka and drove here to find her laying in bed with tubes hooked up everywhere.”

Amber Wilhelm was struck shortly before 2:00 Friday morning while crossing the intersection of 12th and Bluemont, in Manhattan, while on foot. The pickup truck that hit her fled the scene.

Wilhelm remains in critical condition at Topeka’s Stormont-Vail Hospital, and her father wants answers. “[We're] just looking to see if anybody has any information leading up to an arrest, just to help find the person so we can pick up the pieces and move on.”

Investigators are still in the process of interviewing witnesses and collecting video surveillance of the area from several businesses as well as traffic control cameras.

Witnesses told police a light colored 2011 to 2016 Chevy or GMC extended cab pickup truck struck Wilhelm.

Anyone with information regarding the case is urged to call the RCPD at 785-537-2112 or use the Manhattan/Riley County Crimestoppers tip line at 785-539-7777.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has appointed a legislator as the next state treasurer to replace Republican Ron Estes after Estes won a special congressional election.
 
Brownback announced Tuesday that GOP state Senator Jake LaTurner of Pittsburg will served the rest of Estes' four-year term as treasurer. LaTurner is expected to seek a full term in 2018.
 
The 29-year-old LaTurner has been active in Republican politics in southeast Kansas for at least a decade. He previously served on congresswoman Lynn Jenkins' staff, was elected to the Senate in 2012 and re-elected last year.
 
The 60-year-old Estes was elected last week to replace former congressman Mike Pompeo in the 4th District of south-central Kansas following Pompeo's appointment as CIA director.

Estes plans to step down next week when he is sworn in as the new congressman.

(KAIR)--Discussion continues as to where to hold the Wagner Carnival this year, a staple of the Amelia Earhart Festival.

The old location for the carnival—400 block of Main Street—is unavailable due to construction of the new Holiday Inn Express.

Atchison Chamber of Commerce Director Jacque Pregont said she and festival organizers have been working on a new location that makes everyone happy.

At Atchison's April 3 city commission meeting, Commissioner Jack Bower voiced concern he'd heard from business owners who would be affected by the carnival's move who fear their business that weekend would be harmed.

“We've regrouped,” Pregont said. “I think we have a location that's going to work for everybody. I do not have all the people signed off yet to do that—there's new policy that we have to get everybody to sign-off if we're going to use parts of a parking lot. So, I'm in the process of doing that. Everybody I've talked to so far is very agreeable.”

Pregont said finding a location to suit all needs is tricky since they need adequate electricity, space and proximity to downtown.

“I think people really need to understand that the carnival is one of the few places that the festival makes some money,” Pregont said. “By doing that, it helps fund all the free stuff we give people. We offer a huge firework show at no cost to anybody. A lot of our stuff on the mall is at no cost to anybody. So, there has to be ways that we can make some money. If it weren't for all the sponsorship that we have, there wouldn't be a festival. We just have to try to end up in the black.”

Pregont said she hopes to have everyone sign off on the new location sometime next week. When that happens, the new carnival location will be released.

(KAIR)--An alleged theft at an Atchison store lands one man behind bars on drug charges.

“Midday on Saturday, our officers responded to the Dollar General Store at 727 Kansas Avenue to investigate a shoplifting case,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “When we get called to the case, the subject is still at the scene and was taken into custody at the scene. During his arrest, he was found to be in possession of a drug pipe which contained methamphetamine.”

Arrested was 30-year-old Joshua Spurlock on charges of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Wilson said the value of the items taken was just under $50.

He was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Council tabled discussion concerning a Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Housing rehab grant.

Craig Eberle with Southeast Nebraska Development District informed the Council that further research discovered this particular grant requires at 10-percent match.

There is also a possibility of seeking a Community Development Block Grant for housing rehab later this year.  A match is not required for the CDBG housing rehab grant. 

The Council passed on second reading, Ordinance #940 amending the All-Terrain / Utility Terrain vehicle ordinance to allow only Utility Terrain vehicles.  

On a 3-1 vote with Council member John Dahlgren casting the dissenting vote, a resolution was adopted to capture funds left in the General Fund at the end of each Fiscal Year to be transferred to the Housing Demolition Reserve Account.  

City Clerk Tammy Stephens estimates that would likely amount to less than $15,000 annually.   

(KLZA)-- The Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer School District continues to search for ways to resolve what to do with the former football field property in Table Rock.  

The Table Rock School received grant funds for the facility years ago, which continues to tie the hands of the HTRS School District in selling or even giving the property away. 

Superintendent Sherri Edmundson says the HTRS Administration continues their attempts to find help with the situation. Recently, HTRS representatives met with state and federal officials about the issue. Officials say they cannot change the law, and the property must be used as an outdoor, recreational facility.  In addition, if another entity is willing to accept the property, it cannot be operated for profit, any monies generated by the property, must go back into the upkeep of the facility.  
  
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer’s representatives are aware of the situation and seem willing to try and help alleviate the issue at the federal level, at some point in the future  
 

(KLZA)-- The City of Auburn continues to aggressively pursue efforts to cleanup rundown properties in the community. 

During the April 10th Council meeting the Council approved a resolution for a special assessment and lien on a property at 1123, 13th Street. 

The City was awarded permission by the District Court to abate the nuisance house and clean up the property.  The assessment is an effort to recover the costs associated with cleaning up the property. 

The Council also approved a motion to sell, by sealed bid, lots at 1211, 14th Street. There was a two-story house on the property that was razed by the City.  A house at 722 10th Street will also be sold.  The purchaser will be required to remove the house on the site that has been condemned. 

If there are no bidders, the City will move forward with razing the property and then sell it.  

(MSC News)--Today is tax day, and time is running out to file your 2016 Income Tax Return before the midnight deadline.

In addition to several for-profit companies, last-minute filers can also use the free online file service from the IRS. Some taxpayers may be eligible to use the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Center. However, K-State Research and Extension family resource management specialist, Elizabeth Kiss, says doing nothing is not an option.

“If you can’t pay on time, you do need to complete your return, and pay what you can. You can request a payment arrangement through the IRS. The thing that you do not want to do is not do anything.”

Although you can file an extension for getting your finished paperwork to the IRS, interest on any amount due, not paid by April 18th, will begin to accrue. Options and payment plans from the IRS are available online. If you get an unsolicited phone call regarding your taxes, Kiss (kish) says it’s most likely a scam.

“The government is very clear, they don’t typically contact people by phone, they definitely don’t ask you for money over the phone, and they don’t tell you to wire money or send debit cards, or things like that.”

Kiss has some advice for handling those unsolicited calls. “Your goal, if you get one of those calls and you’re not sure, even if it sounds somewhat credible, is to slow it down and ask for information without giving information.”

The IRS is also warning of increased email and phishing scams and reminding taxpayers that sensitive data will never be requested via email.

More options and resources for last-minute filers can be found at irs.gov.

The reason the tax filing deadline is three days later than normal is because the 15th fell on Saturday and Washington, D.C. Emancipation Day was yesterday, forcing the deadline to be pushed back to April 18th.

(KAIR)--Plans are being put in place for an Atchison Riverfront music festival, with a funding request for the event made during Monday evening's meeting of the Atchison City Commission.

The request was made by local musician, and business owner, Scott Weinmann, who outlined the plans for the Muddy River Music Festival. “I am working with Jacque at the Chamber, to plan this event,” Weinmann told the Commission. “We estimate to bring in 2,500 to 3,000 people to the riverfront for this event. We will be working in conjunction with the Humane Society as they also are having events in the Independence Park parking lot...same day, same time. It's a free, family-friendly activity for all citizens of Atchison and surrounding communities. Also will increase tourism and just better use of the riverfront, which I feel is very under utilized.”

Following questions from Commissioners regarding the event, Mayor Allen Reavis spoke, voicing support for the possibility of providing the $5,000 requested by Weinmann. However, he said the Commission would not make an immediate decision, needing to take the matter under consideration to explore how such funding should be structured.

The Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce has already budgeted $6,000 for the one day festival, planned for September 16.

According to Weinmann, a variety of musical styles are expected to be represented by a projected 6 bands for the main stage. Four other bands will be featured on a smaller stage, while other local acts perform on additional stages.

Approximately 75 art vendors would also be included as part of the day.

The goal is make the festival an annual event in Atchison.

(KNZA)--Seven women and five men have been selected to serve on the jury for the first of four trials against a Holton man facing multiple sex-related charges involving five women and a teenage girl.

The Topeka Capital Journal reports the jury was selected Monday from a pool of 142 prospective jurors for the trial of 22-year-old Jacob Ewing on charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated criminal sodomy.

The charges stem from alleged sex offenses in May 2014 involving a girl who was 13-years-old at the time.

Opening arguments in the case are to be heard Tuesday morning in Jackson County District with testimony to follow.

The trial is set to run through Friday.

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

(KLZA)-- The Auburn City Council honored a longtime city employee during the April 10th City Council meeting. 

Auburn Mayor Scott Kudrna presented an engraved watch to City Hall Secretary Denise Eggers for her 40 years with the City. 

The Mayor credited Eggers with being the driving force behind Auburn’s Tree City USA Awards, which are the most received by any community. 

Auburn was recently awarded their 41st consecutive “Tree City USA” Award. 

The Mayor also pointed out Eggers is not planning to retire. 

After hearing about the Legion Park Bandshell concert plans for this summer from Kevin Casey, the Council approved funding for the series. 

Eight concerts and two movie nights are planned as part of this year’s program. 

The Council also agreed to provide $1,000 for signage and the rental of port-a-potties during the Bike Ride Across Nebraska overnight stay in Auburn on June 4th.  

(KLZA)-- The Humboldt – Table Rock – Steinauer, School Board accepted the resignation of Matt Mezger at Athletic Director and Special Education Teacher when they met last week. 

Mezger has accepted a position as principal with the Diller-Odell School District.

The Board also accepted the resignation of Para-educator Pat Joy.

With Mezger leaving it will mean some coaching changes as well at HTRS.  Mezger was the boys basketball head coach.  Taylor Dunekacke who has been the girls basketball head coach will now lead the boys.  Trent Platt will move up from assistant coach with the girls to head coach.

(KLZA)-- The Humboldt – Table Rock – Steinauer, School Board accepted the resignation of Matt Mezger at Athletic Director and Special Education Teacher when they met last week. 

Mezger has accepted a position as principal with the Diller-Odell School District.

The Board also accepted the resignation of Para-educator Pat Joy.

With Mezger leaving it will mean some coaching changes as well at HTRS.  Mezger was the boys basketball head coach.  Taylor Dunekacke who has been the girls basketball head coach will now lead the boys.  Trent Platt will move up from assistant coach with the girls to head coach.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee City may finally have an answer to what is causing issues with their water wells.  

During last weeks meeting, the Council heard an update from the Layne Christensen Firm. Testing indicates the variable frequency drive on well 1 needs to be replaced. That repair will have an estimated $6-thousand price tag.  

(KNZA)--The Brown County Courthouse was back open Monday after temporary repairs were made to a sewer line.

The courthouse was closed around 2:00 Thursday afternoon and remained closed Friday after courthouse employees noticed a strong odor due to a plugged sewer line.

St. Joseph-based Waldinger Corporation made temporary repairs to the sewer line Friday.

However County Commissioners say the entire line from the courthouse to the street will have to be replaced.  The line was installed when the courthouse was built in 1925.

Commissioners Monday declared an emergency based on public health and safety, which allows the county to proceed with the project without soliciting bids.

Commissioners took the action on the advice of County Attorney Kevin Hill based on state statute.

Waldinger began work Monday on the replacement of the sewer line.

(KMZA)--A Marshall County man convicted of operating a marijuana grow operation at his residence south of Blue Rapids has been sentenced to more than 4 years in prison.

Gregory Tyner was recently sentenced in Marshall County District Court on five felony counts—including unlawful cultivation of marijuana.

A jury found Tyner guilty on the charges in February.

He was found not guilty on a firearm-related charge.

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department raided his residence in October 2015, seizing up to 50 marijuana plants and equipment to grow plants.      

(KAIR)--An ongoing investigation leads to the arrest of an Atchison man on multiple drug charges.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 47-year-old Ross Blanc was stopped by Atchison County Sheriff's deputies in the 1100 block of South 6th in Atchison.

He's facing charges of distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of morphine and two counts of using a communication facility in the commission of a drug felony.

In addition, Blanc was found to be in possession of the prescription-only drug morphine.

The report states the investigation is ongoing to determine how Blanc obtained the morphine.

(KNZA)--The search continues for the vehicle involved in a hit and run last week that left a Horton woman in critical condition.

According to a press release from the Riley County Police Department, 21-year-old Amber Wilhelm suffered the injuries shortly before 2:00 Friday morning.

Wilhelm, a student at Kansas State University, required helicopter transport to Topeka's Stormont Vail for treatment.

According to police, Wilhelm was struck, while on foot, at 12th Street and Bluemont Avenue, in Manhattan.

Witnesses told police a light colored 2011 to 2016 Chevrolet or GMC extended cab pickup truck struck Wilhelm.

Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact police at 785-537-2112.

The investigation is ongoing.

OTOE, Neb. (AP) - No injuries or building damage has been reported from a tornado that touched down in southeast Nebraska.
 
The National Weather Service says it formed near Otoe and lasted about 10 minutes Saturday afternoon. Another funnel cloud was reported Saturday night six miles west of Stella in Richardson County.
 
The service also says hail as big as 2 1/2 inches in diameter was reported in eastern Nebraska.

(KNZA)--A statewide law enforcement fundraiser is set to launch, and in light of numerous circulating scams, a local Sheriff is working to let the public know the membership drive by the Kansas Sheriff's Association is legitimate.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says the association is offering honorary memberships to the public, and to businesses, as a way to promote public interaction.

The forms will be received by U.S. Mail.

Merchant says the monies raised through the campaign will be used to fund a variety of resources, ranging from the improvement of community relations to scholarships.

Merchant says all participation is voluntary, and anyone with questions, or concerns, should call his office.

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle wreck early Saturday evening on a Shawnee County road sent a Valley Falls woman to the hospital with serious injuries.

The Shawnee County Sheriff's Department says 77-year-old Margaret Huertz was traveling on Northeast Calhoun Bluff Road when her car drifted off the north side of the road and crossed both lanes of traffic before hitting a guard rail.  Her car then rolled into a creek.

Deputies responding to the wreck shortly before 5:00 found the car underneath a bridge.

Huertz was taken to a Topeka hospital with what the sheriff's department described as life-threatening injuries.

The wreck remains under investigation.

(MSC News)--A St. Joseph teen has been charged in connection with a head-on collision Friday morning in east St. Joseph that claimed the lives of four teens and injured three others.

KQ2-TV reports the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department has confirmed that 17-year-old Skylar Lucas-Cox has been charged with felony involuntary manslaughter.

He was one of six occupants of an allegedly stolen truck involved in the collision near the intersection of Riverside and Cook Roads.

Two of the teens were pronounced dead at the scene and two others died later at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.

Three others, including Lucas-Cox, suffered moderate to serious injuries.

St. Joseph Police have not officially released the names of the victims ranging in age from 15 to 17.

Bridget Blevins, communications director for the St. Joseph School District, said two of the teenage victims attended Webster Learning Center and one attended Lafayetta High School.

Blevins says counselors will be available for students and staff when school resumes Monday.

(KAIR)--Atchison County has a new Undersheriff.

That word from Sheriff Jack Laurie, who says selected for the job is a current member of the Atchison Police Department.

He's Toby Smith, who brings 12-years of law enforcement experience with him into the position.

Smith currently serves as a detective for the Atchison Police Department, where he began his law enforcement career in 2005.

Laurie, in a news release, says Smith was appointed to the position because he will be “a strong leader and an asset to the Sheriff's Department.”

He replaces former Undersheriff Joe Butner who resigned prior to the start of the current year.

Smith's first day in his new role will be Monday, May 1.

(KAIR)--Possession of methamphetamine sends one Atchison man to jail.

“It was 7:30 pm on Thursday evening when we had an officer stop a vehicle in the area of K-7 and Country Club Road,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “The officer knew that the driver, James Smith, had outstanding district court warrants. When he taken into custody, he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.”

That's Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. Smith was booked into the Atchison County Jail where he remains held without bond.

(KAIR)--A Denison man goes to jail arrested on child abuse and domestic battery charges.

“At 2:30 on Wednesday afternoon our officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the 1900 block of U.S. 73,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “A 26-year-old female and 2-year-old child were victims of battery. A 30-year-old suspect, Kevin Parker had fled the area but was apprehended by officers several blocks away.”

He says Parker fled on foot and witnesses were able to tell officers the direction he'd gone. They found him hiding in brush. He was arrested on charges of theft, abuse of a child and domestic battery.

“He faces domestic battery with the 26-year-old as well child abuse involving striking the 2-year-old child,” Wilson said. “The theft is the theft of a cell phone and some cash from the 26-year-old female.”

Parker was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KNZA)--The Riverside school district didn’t have to go far in its search for a new high school principal.

The USD 114 Board of Education this week voted to offer a one-year contract to current first year high school math teacher Marlin Roach for the position.

Roach was among three candidates interviewed by the Board during a special meeting March 28th.

Prior to coming to Riverside, Roach served as high school activities director in the Cameron, Missouri school district for two years.  Before that, he served four years as a principal in the Lexington, Missouri school district.

Roach will replace Bob Blair who will take over as superintendent of the Riverside school district beginning next school.  Blair is replacing Mike Newman who is retiring at the end of current school year after holding the superintendent position for 14 years.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central Board of Education has approved the purchase of a new science curriculum for students in grades K-8. 

The action came during this week’s Board meeting.

Staff representatives have been researching a new curriculum for over a year and recommended the Foss curriculum since it has been updated to align with the new science standards.

The total cost of nearly $33,000 includes permanent equipment, consumables, technology access and three professional development days for staff.

The cost will be paid through the textbook fund, where textbook rental fees are deposited.

In other action, the USD 115 Board approved summer school staff and fees.  

The summer school fees will remain the same.

The Board accepted the resignations of middle school math teacher Ashley Carlson, elementary school secretary Kim Sudbeck and special education para Mary Koezler.

The Board also approved the purchase of a 6 by 12-foot trailer from Engelken Farm and Feed Supply, of Seneca, for $3,850.  

The trailer will replace a 5 by 8 foot trailer, which will be sold by sealed bids.

The trailer is used to transport athletic and band equipment.

(KLZA)-- Pawnee County Commissioners discussed the possibility of renovating the restrooms on the third floor of the Pawnee County Courthouse when they met last week. 

Building and Grounds supervisor Mark Tegtmeier is to have the tile tested for asbestos and then discuss the results with the Board before a decision is made on the renovations. 

Highway Superintendent Chris Rauner met with the Board discussing various projects.  Following the discussion Commissioners approved an Interlocal Agreement between Gage County and Pawnee County for a bridge replacement project.  Pawnee County will be responsible for half of the preliminary engineering and material costs totaling $16,700.

Gage County will also pay all of the right-of-way costs, the utility relocation costs and the construction costs.  
 

(KLZA)-- Following a public hearing Monday night the Pawnee City Council approved a request to loan $150,000 in Community Development Block Grant – Economic Development Program Income Reuse Loan funds for a new Pawnee City business. 

Valerie Lefler, a native of Lewiston is the President of Transportation Tech, Incorporated, planning to open their new business in the former Pawnee Playcare Building in the 500 block of “G” Street.

The company will be in the business of writing manuals for equipment such as street lights and those futuristic cars that do not require a driver.

While such vehicles are being built now, there are no manuals that tell technicians how to fix them when they break. 

The company plans to open with five employees. Stephens says they have already contacted the Pawnee City School in an attempt to prepare future employees. 

The CDBG money will help the company secure funding to create their business and must be paid back.  

(KNZA)--Additional Hiawatha Elementary School students will getting a new technology device.

The USD 415 Board of Education Monday evening approved the purchase of 80 chromebooks, four carts for the devices and 15 LearnPads for a total cost of  $33,285.

Superintendent Penny Hargrove says the purchase will finish the one-to-one initiative at the elementary school.

Hargrove said 4th graders have been using chromebooks this year and the new chromebooks will allow each third grader to also have a device.  She says the purchase of the additional LearnPads will allow each K-2nd grade student to have the device.  

In other action,  the Board accepted the low bid from Midwest Coating of Topeka for the installation of a new roofing system on two portions of the Hiawatha High School for a cost  $34,450.  The bid was well under the $60,000 that had been estimated and was among two received.

The Board also accepted the lone bid from NL Driveway Maintenance of Holmesville, Nebraska for the repair of the middle school and high school parking lots at a total cost of  $26,994.

As part of the consent agenda, the Board accepted the resignations of 4th grade teacher Carissa Williams and 2nd grade teacher Ellen Hill, effective at the end of the current school year.

Following an executive session, the Board approved the hiring of Linda Barnhill to replace Williams and Steffany Walker to replace Hill.  Barnhill currently teaches in Falls City and lives in Robinson.  Walker recently moved to Hiawatha.  

(KAIR)--A long discussed change for the Atchison County Lake comes to fruition this week with the termination of the County Lake Caretakers.

That action happened during Tuesday's meeting of the Atchison County Commission.

The issue has long been under consideration, and was the subject of an exchange of emails in June of last year by Commissioners Bill Pohl and Eric Noll that were the focus of an alleged open meetings violation.

When discussed at that time, Commissioner Noll, in response to Commissioner Pohl, said he liked the idea of doing away with the caretaker position, and that “maybe we get through election, we sell it?”

The Kansas Attorney General's office, in March, ruled there was no violation, partly because no binding action was taken on the issue.

Now, that binding action happens, with caretakers Dennis and Gail Statler removed from the position.

The decision reached at Tuesday's meeting, as expressed at the session by Commission Chairman Noll, was that care taking of the location be taken over by the County Road and Bridge Department. “We're kind of discussing taking the County Lake maintenance in a different direction,” Noll said. “Considering getting rid of the caretaker positions and have the maintenance done by road & bridge.”

Commissioner Jeff Schuele was absent from the meeting. “I didn't know that Mr. Schuele was going to be gone,” Noll said. “I had kinda put this on the agenda today so I'm the one who called for it—like I said, I didn't know he was going to be gone.”

Gail Statler was present, and spoke prior to a formal decision being reached. “A lot of concerns people had is, parties will be back out there, tearing it up,” Statler said. “That's one of the things commissioners wanted us to get rid of when we came out there.”

Among the factors cited in eliminating the position was cost savings. “The declining use of the lake, we're getting to that point where we're trying to save money and as the use declines, it's a tough call to make,” Noll said.

Ultimately, Noll and Pohl voted to terminate the caretaker position, with the job responsibilities ending immediately.

The Statlers, as part of the agreement, were provided with 60 days of pay, 60 days of benefits, and 60 days to relocate from the caretaker's home at the lake.

(KNZA)--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is alerting residents of two phone scams being reported locally.

Merchant says several county residents have reported being called by people representing themselves as the   " Geek Squad" and told their computers are sending out viruses to everyone in their contacts.

Merchant says the scammers are trying to get information from your computer and urges residents not to allow anyone you do not personally know to access your computer.

He said one resident was told their computer could be fixed for $5 and the caller wanted bank card information to proceed.

Had the information being given out, Merchant says the scammers could clean out your bank account.

In a second scam, Merchant says callers representing themselves as Medicare/Medicaid officials are contacting county residents requesting verification of their identification numbers and saying they have been compromised.

Again, he says this is a scam to obtain your information. Should there be a problem, Merchant says you would be contacted by mail or informed there is a problem and never asked to provide your number over the phone.

He says many of these scammers have the ability to make false names and numbers appear on caller ID's so don't always think you are talking to the person identified on your caller ID until you make certain they are who they claim to be.

Merchant again reminds county residents to never give out personal information to someone you do not know.

(KAIR)--Citing increased business responsibilities, First District Atchison County Commissioner Jeff Schuele has submitted his letter of resignation. “What I felt was, what was right for citizens is, at the high level that I want to see the job done, I felt I wasn't going to be able to give more of my time toward being commissioner,” Schuele told MSC News. “I felt it was time now better than ever to concentrate my efforts on that. It was nothing personal at all. It's actually been a very rewarding experience. It's more about a couple business decisions that I needed to make. At this point in my career, I needed to focus in on those two things.”

Schuele, who first ran for office in 2010, is currently midway through his second term. “It's really been humbling and eye-opening for myself and my family to get involved in the community that most people don't get involved with,” Schuele said. “And that's serving as an elected official.”

Schuele, in his letter of resignation sent to both Atchison County Republican Chairman Derek Franklin and Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, says he will continue to serve until his replacement is appointed. “I don't know what the time frame would be,” Schuele said. “The process is that the party's Republican chairman of the person resigning, they have to convene and come up with a majority nomination of a person that's eligible—a registered Republican voter in this case, since I'm Republican, in that district. They have to be nominated to the governor and appointed by Governor Brownback.”

Schuele says despite stepping down from the First District seat, he plans to remain active in the Atchison County community. “I'm a member of Project Atchison, that's been a fun grass roots movement to see expand,” Schuele said. “I'll help out where I can in different aspects of the county. I'm on the Live Well, Live Atchison board, and I think that would be a great avenue for us to discuss and motivate. I'm also on the Project Concern Board. The two big things we do are providing meals for people that are home-bound. But the public transportation piece is a big deal—expanding that transportation piece.”

Schuele's current term expires on January 14, 2019, and whoever is appointed as his replacement will serve through that time.

To hear Schuele's full interview regarding his decision to resign, go here. 

(KMZA)--Special recognition for a Nemaha County ( Ks) official from her peers.

Nemaha County Sheriff Rich Vernon says county 911 Coordinator Amy Lierz  received the “911 Director of the Year” award Tuesday from the Kansas Association of Public Communications Officials during their conference in Overland Park.

“Amy's dedication and knowledge are an incredible asset to the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office and the citizens that they serve,” Vernon told MSC News. “Congratulations to Amy for this honor and one that is well deserved.”

Lierz is in her 20th year with the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department, and says she's thankful for the appreciation shown to her by her staff. “I'm honored that my staff here chose to nominate me for it, and I'm even more honored the committee chose me for it.”

As 911 coordinator, Lierz is in charge of all aspects of the 911 system and dispatch center.

Kansas APCO is a chapter of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, an international organization focused on the enhancement and enrichment of public safety.

(KLZA)-- The Johnson-Brock Board of Education has approved an interlocal agreement to receive instruction for students taking Spanish through the distance learning network.  

During the Monday meeting the Board voted unanimously to approved the agreement with the Sterling Pubic Schools.  The Board also approved a contract with Tia Miller as Pre-School teacher for the 2017-18 school year. The Special Education Services contract for the next school year with Educational Service Unit #4 was approved.  The contract is for $175,640.  

Superintendent Jeff Koehler discussed three bus bids he has received.  The Board approved the purchase of a 71-passenger, 2014 Thomas bus for $74,900.  The bus has 50-thousand miles on it. It is equipped with air conditioning, air ride and has underneath storage. The purchase is contingent on the factory warranty being bumper to bumper.    Koehler also discussed the upcoming summer project list including drainage work at the football field and bus barn, refinishing the old gym floor, painting the gymnasium walls and remodeling and updating restrooms.

(KLZA)-- Nemaha County, Nebraska Commissioners approved the purchase of two new pickups for the Sheriffs Department during their April 5th meeting. 

Only one bid was received.  Meyer-Earp Auto Center submitted a bid of $36,000 for each 2017 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab, 4 x 4 Special Service trucks.  

Nebraska Public Power District representatives Jerry Whisler and Lance Davis met with the Board to discuss re-striping the paved road to the NPPD Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville and a request to have a street light installed on the west end of the plant access entrance road. 

Mainellei Wagner and Associates indicated the light would need to meet the new clear zone for the roadway. That will require a traffic count. Commissioners asked if NPPD would be willing to pay for the costs for engineering the street light request. That request will be taken back to NPPD.

The Nebraska Department of Roads will be contacted to see if they would re-stripe the road for the County.  

Commissioners also approved a letter of agreement with Prochaska & Associates to provide Preliminary Architectural Design services for the Nemaha County Law Enforcement Center through a Design-Build Association with AHRS Construction in an amount of $18,500. 

(KAIR)--Working with investigators, reviewing safety procedures, and financially assisting those who were affected.

That's a snapshot of the steps that continue to be taken by Atchison based MGP Ingredients following a toxic chemical release at the company's specialty wheat protein and starch facility in Atchison last year.

The accident left 140 persons seeking hospital treatment, and led to the evacuation of schools, businesses, and some homes.

The outline of the ongoing, internal review of the situation comes in the form of a press release issued by the company. It follows a press conference held in Kansas City Wednesday by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. At that time, the independent federal agency revealed its preliminary findings into the investigation focused on the October 21 chemical release.

The investigation so far reveals that human error and improper labeling helped lead to the accidental mixing of sulfuric acid, unloaded from a tanker truck, into a fixed sodium hypochlorite tank at the plant, causing the two materials to combine and produce chlorine gas.

The statement from MGP reveals the company, over the past six months, has been working with members of the community who sought medical attention. The statement says MGP has been covering costs associated with treatment, paying medical bills and related expenses, “including ambulance services and radiology and pharmacy bills of 134 individuals who sought care at area providers.”

Additionally, the company says it “has cooperated fully with federal, state, and local agencies in their ongoing investigations,” and has hired the engineering firm Burns and McDonnel “to provide a comprehensive review” of the company's loading, unloading, and chemical storage methods in order to strengthen the safety of MGP's systems.

The press release also expresses thanks for the assistance provided during the accident by emergency responders, and says the company has “worked proactively with City and County first responders to assess collective response and further augment emergency response planning.”

The investigation by the CSB is expected to result in additional recommendations regarding safety procedures.

Those findings will be revealed in the fall.

(KLZA)-- A Forest City, Missouri woman suffered minor injuries Wednesday afternoon when an electrical pole struck her car while she was sitting in a private driveway.  

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol report 46-year-old Jason Bierman of Mound City was southbound on Missouri Highway 111 at East Richardson Street in Forest City, driving a John Deer tractor, pulling a field cultivator.  The cultivator struck an overhanging line and as the tractor continued south for several hundred yards, multiple electric poles were damaged.  MSC News also learned that some electrical services were pulled off of houses.

One of the electric poles struck the 2015 Kia Soul operated by 67-year-old Karen Stone as she was sitting in a private driveway.

Stone was transported by private vehicle to the St. Francis Hospital in Maryville, Missouri with what were described as minor injuries. Her car sustained extensive damage.

There was only minor damage to the tractor and equipment and Biermann was not injured.

The Holt County Sheriff’s Office and Holt County Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the wreck.  
 

(MSC News)--Atchison's Benedictine College plans to rename its yoga classes and change the content to ensure they focus only on physical exercise and not spiritual or cultural elements. 

Officials at the private Catholic College say the college will rework its yoga classes after this semester is over.

The campus newspaper, The Circuit, first reported on the change, saying it comes after concerns were raised by students, alumni and faculty. 

Catholic church leaders have cautioned Catholics for years to avoid the spiritual aspects of yoga because they contend the Hindu-based practice conflicts with church teachings. 

The Rev. John Riley, chancellor of the Archdiocese or Kansas City in Kansas, said Catholics are encouraged to look for exercise routines that don't include a spiritual dimension.

An online petition, opposed to the action of the college, has been started. Begun by a user identified as "Concerned student body," the petition is seeking 500 signatures, and is planend to be delivered to college President Steve Minnis. 

The Associated Press, The Wichita Eagle, and The Circuit all contributed to this story. 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Authorities are looking for a man who jumped off a bridge into the Kansas River last week while fleeing from law enforcement.  Heidi Wolfgang reports..
 
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Pottawatomie County Sheriff Greg Riat  said Wednesday that he thinks the man remains in the river. Highway patrol aircraft and sheriff's office and Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism watercraft have been used in the search. Law enforcement officers and police dogs also have looked on the ground.
 
Riat says the man jumped from the bridge northeast of Paxico when the pursuit ended with him crashing into a patrol car. The man was being sought in connection with an alleged auto theft in Wamego.
 
Riat says he won't release the missing man's name "until positive identification has been made."  However, family members have identified the missing man as 24-year-old Tyler Gibson.   

(KLZA)-- The Auburn Board of Education has approved the 2017-18 negotiated agreement with the teachers.

Superintendent Kevin Reiman said the salary freeze in the Auburn School District did not allow for many changes. The base pay will remain the same as the current school year at $34,050.  

The Board also approved the tuition rate for those students attending summer classes. It will cost $100 per course to take summer school.  If successfully completed by the student the money is reimbursed.

Reiman expects 20-30 students to take part in the Summer School program.

In other action Board member approved two mid-term graduations for next year.  Morgan Jones and Sheldon Rightsell will be allowed to graduate at the end of the first semester.  
 

(KLZA)-- The Falls City School Board this week approved the 2017-18 school year lunch and breakfast prices.

The cost for meals for students in Kindergarten through 12 will increase a nickel for the new school year.

Superintendent Tim Heckenlively explained to meet the USDA equity requirement for reimbursement, the district must meet the minimum price for meals. 

The Board also voted to increase the admission price to Middle School games from $3 to $4.  Admission prices for High School contests wil remain $5 with the Family Pass remaining the same at $170, the adult pass will be $65 and the student pass $40.  People 65 and older are admitted free. 

(KLZA)-- Three new members have been elected to the Table Rock Village Board.

The results of the mail-in election ordered by the Secretary of State have Cayle Rauner, Milan Tomek and Shad Gager elected to serve.

The election was necessary following the resignation of three people from the Board. 

Rauner received 75 votes, Tomek 52 and Gager 50.  The fourth candidate, Leland Schneider, received 33 votes.

(KLZA)-- The Auburn City Council heard an update on the proposed Community Center during Monday night’s Council meeting.

Auburn Mayor Scott Kudrna said the conceptual drawings are on display at City Hall and should be up on the Auburn website soon.  

Auburn voters will be receiving a mail-in ballot next week.  The ballots will be mailed out by the Nemaha County Clerk’s Office April 17th and must be returned to the office by 5 p.m. May 9th.  

Mayor Kudrna explained the cost projections for the roughly 20-thousand square foot facility will be $2.6-million.  The annual utility and management costs are estimated at $39,000.  The parking lot and landscaping costs are $600-thousand and the equipment and furnishings are estimated at $300-thousand for a total cost of $3.5-million. 

Depending on the configuration for the event, seating capacity will range from 504 to more than 1,300. 

The City of Auburn has an option on property on the north side of Highway 136 near the bowling alley if voters approved the half-cent sales tax increase to pay for the project. 

Mayor Kudrna says the potential, annual economic impact the building has been estimated by an economist for NPPD.  The direct impact for Auburn is estimated at $330,000 with a secondary impact to other businesses in the community estimated at $4295,000, making the total annual impact $825,000.

Approximately 2,300 ballots will be mailed out.  The County Clerk’s Office says it will cost $3.04 per ballot for the mail-in election versus a cost of $5.37 per ballot if polling places were to be used.
 

( KNZA)--Due to setbacks, the start of the third phase of the Hiawatha downtown streetscape project has been pushed back.

According to a text alert from the city, construction is now set to begin May 1st.    

The project had originally been set to begin last month.

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.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth County man pleads guilty to producing child pornography.

U.S. Attorney Tom Beall says that happened Tuesday, in federal court, where 26-year-old Bradley Hilt entered the plea to one count of producing child pornography and one count of distributing child pornography.

The Linwood resident, in his plea, admitted that a forensic examination of his computer revealed more than 18,000 still images of child pornography and 135 videos.

Prosecutors say one of the videos was produce by Hilt and involved a girl 5 to 7 years old.

According to a press release from Beall, law enforcement launched an investigation after an FBI task force member discovered images online that Hilt was allegedly sharing with other users on an peer-to-peer network.

Beall says an agreement leads to the recommended punishment of 15-years in federal prison.

Sentencing for Hilt will be at a later date.

( Burlington Junction, MO.)   Routine maintenance work will close Missouri Route 113 this week. 

On Thursday, April 13, local maintenance crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation will close Route 113 for a culvert replacement between U.S. Route 136 and 210th Street. 

The road will be closed from approximately 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting. During this closure, motorists will need to use an alternate route.

(KAIR)--Kansas City served as the site Wednesday for a press conference, held to reveal the preliminary findings of the ongoing investigation into October's chemical release at Atchison based MGP Ingredients.

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. Lucy Tyler is serving as Investigator in Charge. “At about 7:35 a.m., a Harcros truck containing sulfuric acid arrived at the MGPI processing plan,” Tyler said. “The MGPI operator also unlocked the sulfuric acid line. The CSB found that the MGPI operator likely did not notice that the sodium hypochlorite cam leather coupling on the fill line was already unlocked before returning to the operation facility which allowed the Harcros delivery driver to make the wrong connection. As a result of the incorrect connection, 4,000 gallons of sulfuric acid from the truck was discharged into the nearly full tank of sodium hypochlorite.”

Tyler outlined the findings so far as related to the chemical release on the morning of October 21. “In its' investigation, the CSB has identified a number of deficiencies related to the design and operation of transfer equipment used during chemical deliveries at MGPI,” Tyler said. “The investigation team has reviewed similar incidents at other facilities that involved the inadvertent mixing of chemicals. Some of those incidents resulted in more serious consequences such as worker fatality. The CSB found that there are actions that facilities and motor carriers can immediately take to prevent similar types of incidents from happening in the future.”

Tyler said the investigative team has identified 6 preliminary key findings regarding remediation of future such occurrences. “Facilities should ensure labeling of transfer equipment is clear and accurately represents the material contained within that equipment,” Tyler said. “The label for the sulfuric acid line was found detached from its piping after the incident and the piping was mislabeled hydrochloric acid from a prior service. The sodium hypochlorite fill line was loosely attached to its piping and the text was upside down. The labels designating sulfuric acid and sodium hypochlorite were not placed near their connection points. The sulfuric acid fill line and the sodium hypochlorite fill line were located only 18 inches apart. Neither MPGI nor Harcros followed internal chemical unloading procedures at the time of the incident. MGPI had not way to stop the truck from continuing to empty its contents into the incorrect tank because the facilities did not have an emergency shut down mechanism that could actuated from a remote location. Chlorine gas quickly filled the control room and operators were unable to safely mitigate the release by manually closing the sodium hypochlorite valve located outside of the line. Lastly, emergency shut off valves and trucks should be activated when necessary. Driver should be fully trained on the use of such equipment.”

The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating industrial chemical accidents. It is not a regulatory agency, and does not have the authority to levy fines or other penalties. However, the agency  makes recommendations based on the findings of its investigations.

Those recommendations, related to the MGP chemical release, are expected to be revealed this fall.

The accident sent 140 persons to area hospitals for treatment that Friday morning.

Two were admitted for long term care.

Following the conclusion of the press conference, MGP released the following statement: 

Since the incident on October 21, 2016 at our specialty wheat protein and starch facility in Atchison, Kansas, MGPI Processing, Inc. has cooperated fully with federal, state and local agencies in their ongoing investigations. In addition, we are currently making every effort to enhance our operations so this type of situation does not happen again. As part of this effort, we hired Burns & McDonnell to provide a comprehensive review of our loading, unloading, and chemical storage methods to strengthen the safety of our systems.

Over the past six months, we have worked closely with members of the community who sought medical attention following the incident to cover costs associated with treatment. We have paid for the medical treatment and related expenses, including ambulance services and radiology and pharmacy bills of 134 individuals who sought care at area providers, including Atchison Hospital, Holton Community Hospital, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Hiawatha Community Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital, Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, and others.

We are thankful for the emergency responders, including the Atchison Fire and Police Departments, City and County officials, and the Kansas Highway Patrol, as well as the EPA and OSHA, who came together with us to quickly and effectively respond to the situation and keep our community safe. We are grateful to Atchison Hospital and the many other medical service providers who provided care to those impacted. Since the event, we have worked proactively with City and County first responders to assess our collective response and further augment emergency response planning.

MGP appreciates the important work that the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) performs to assist in the prevention of incidents. The company understands that CSB’s findings are preliminary and could be subject to change as further information is forthcoming.

MGP is proud of our history in Atchison and the strong partnership we have with the City. We are committed to being a good corporate citizen and to doing what is right by the members of our community.

(KNZA)--A former teacher for the South Brown County Schools returns to serve as High School Principal.

That follows the decision of the USD 430 Board of Education Monday night, following an executive session focused on the hiring of district staff members.

Selected as Principal of Horton High School is Fred Winter.

Winter, hired for the 2017-2018 school year, fills the vacancy created by the resignation of current High School principal David Norman, who is retiring at the end of the current school year.

Winter previously worked in the local school district, serving as the high school and elementary school physical education instructor from 2004 to 2008.

Winter, who currently serves as special education instructor at the Alternative High School in Hays, Kansas, was hired at an annual salary of $72,000.

Along with Winter, the Board of Education also hired several teachers for the school district's 2017-2018 school year.

That includes the selection of Kertis Keehn as high school science and college biology teacher, and two teachers for the Horton Elementary School,  Ashley Dishon and Annie Ross.

Two teaching resignations were also accepted as an outcome of the meeting.
That includes Second grade teacher JoLynn Gasper and current high school language arts and world history instructor, Alexandra Kilhoffer.

(KNZA)--The Prairie Hills Board of Education is considering the possible addition of a pre-school program at the Wetmore school.

Superintendent Todd Evans says the Board discussed the issue during their regular meeting Monday evening.

He says there has been discussion about the possibility of the Wetmore school having a pre-school program similar to the one in Sabetha where students would qualify to attend based on a number of factors.

Evans said the idea presented by Wetmore Principal Janelle Boden was that the program could be offered without increasing personnel by combining the preschoolers in the same classroom with kindergartners.

He said the Board was receptive to the idea but indicated further information is needed before a decision can be made.

In other business, Evans says the Board  discussed the possible addition of a ½ time pre-school teacher at the Sabetha Elementary School for next school year.

Partially because of the closure of the Sabetha Headstart program, applicants for the program have increased in recent years.

Evans said there was concern expressed by the Board that adding an additional section of preschoolers could adversely impact the three other community-based pre-schools in Sabetha.

He said more research will be conducted because a decision is made at the May 8th board meeting.

Also Evans says the Board discussed the possibility of combining  elementary grade classes at the Wetmore school.

He said the discussion stemmed from concerns by board members that class sizes are decreasing at the school and concern that the Wetmore facility will need to find reductions in order to continue meeting the economic viability standard set by the board

The issue is to be re-visited at the October board meeting after expenditures are audited from the 2016-2017 school year.

(MSC News)--A cease and desist order is issued against an investment adviser accused of operating illegally in the state of Kansas.

That word comes in a press release issued by the Office of the Securities Commissioner, regarding the action taken against Chad Walker Brooks.

According to court documents, Brooks, a one time resident of Missouri, is currently residing in Panama, but had been operating as an unregistered investment adviser in Kansas since 1998.

The statement from Kansas Securities Commissioner Josh Ney alleges that Brooks violated the Kansas Uniform Securities Act through his associations with companies identified as ABM Management, Inc. and AMCAP Premier, LP.

Along with the cease and desist order, Ney has issued a notice of intent to impose administrative actions in connection with the alleged crimes.

Although Brooks did not have offices in any local community, Director of Communications for the Office of the Securities Commissioner, Caley Love, tells MSC News in an email, "We are aware of business dealings with people in Atchison and Hiawatha. We are also looking into Leavenworth and Kansas City, but believe he could have clients from anywhere in Northeast Kansas and into Missouri as well."

Brooks, and ABM Management, have 30 days to request a hearing regarding the allegations.

Ney urges anyone who has had dealings with Brooks, or the companies, to contact his office at 785-296-3307 or by email. 

(KAIR)--A Muscotah man will spend the next 10 months performing national service as part of the Atlantic Region's National Civilian Community Corps.

According to a press release from AmeriCorps, Kenneth Lowe will be one of 126 men and women participating in the NCCC's 23rd class as part of an AmeriCorps program.

In the release, Lowe says, “I grew up helping in my community. “I was a member of my church's youth group and we took yearly mission trips to other places that needed help within their communities. This taught me to want to help in any community, both at home and wherever it was needed.”

Lowe will spend the next 10 months working with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, National Parks Service and others focusing on infrastructure improvement, urban and rural development, energy conservation, disaster response and recovery efforts and environmental work.

Upon completion of his 10-month service time, he will graduate from NCCC in November 201 with an education award of just under $6,000 to continue education or pay back student loans.

(KAIR)--A former federal prison guard at Leavenworth Penitentiary is going to prison.

According to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall, 47-year-old Marc Buckner was sentenced Monday to three years for taking bribes to smuggle tobacco to inmates.

The Kansas City, Kansas resident's sentencing follows a guilty plea to one count of a public official accepting bribes.

In his plea, Buckner admitted that he was paid each time he smuggled tobacco into the prison by hiding it, and rolling papers, in two handmade insoles in his shoes.

Inmates paid him $750 for each can of Bugler brand tobacco and rolling papers, which he says he did once or twice a month for years.

Buckner was indicted for the crime last summer.

(KLZA)-- Personnel changes for the 2017-18 school year dominated the Auburn Board of Education meeting Monday night.  

Board members accepted six resignations and voted to approve contracts for three new teachers.

The resignations accepted were those of High School / Middle School Principal Vernon Golladay and his wife, Middle School Counselor Gretchen Golladay.  Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Scott Anderson and his wife Tiffany Anderson who teaches Kindergarten.  Also resigning are Music Teacher Ben Hanika who accepted a technology position with Educational Service Unit #4 in Auburn and Pre-School teacher Tia Miller who accepted a similar position at Johnson-Brock. 

The Board approved hiring April Binder to teach Spanish, Breann Wills to teache Kindergarten and Casie Allen to teach Pre-School.

Superintendent Kevin Reiman said due to cuts in state aid, only essential personnel are being hired. Spanish is now a requirement to get into some colleges.  60-70 kindergarten students are expected for the 2017-18 school year and the goal is to have class sizes under 20. In addition, expectations are for a large number of pre-school students to be enrolled next fall.  

The Superintendent says to continue to receive grant funding for the pre-school program you need to have fewer than 20 students in each class. 

While there was no action take on hiring a Middle School / High School Principal Monday, Reiman is optimistic the position will be filled in short order. 

The Auburn School District anticipates losing more than $280-thousand dollars in state aid this year. That is on top of the more than $480,000 in state aid lost last year.  

(KLZA)-- During the April 6, Mound City Aldermen meeting, Mike Klosek with Klosek’s Trash Service met with the Council to review recycling and the annual Spring Clean-up event.

The Mound City Environmental Club inquired about the possibility of having recycling in Mound City.  Klosek told Alderman it is a lot of work and costly to recycle the right way.  He reviewed options that could be available. Mayor Chris Krueger said he would discuss the options with the Environmental Club and get together with Klosek.

Klosek requested the City split the cost for he annual cleanups.  He says the averaged cost per cleanup is approximately $1,940. The City agreed to pay half of the total cost per cleanup.  The Spring Clean-up will be Saturday afternoon, May 20th from 1-3 at the swimming pool parking lot.  

In other business Police Chief John Panning informed the Board a Drug Take Back Event will be held in Mound City on Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at City Hall. He also noted the new Police Department pickup should be delivered around April 19th.  

Aldermen also voted to advertise for bids for the replacement of the retaining wall at the City Hall Park. Tabled until May was discussion about no parking on either side of the 200 block of 8th Street.  
 

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Board of Education approved the retirement resignation of a longtime high school teacher Monday night.

Norma Thompson has taught at Falls City Public School for 37 years, currently serving as High School Mathematics and Computer Science teacher.

Superintendent Tim Heckenlively reported the Sixpence Board of Trustees has approved the District 56, grant allocation in the amount of $465,500 for the 2017-18 grant term.  The grant provides $240,500 for the Home-Based Program and $225,500 for the Childcare Partnership Program.

The programs combined offer support services to children from birth to age 3, their parents, and community-based child-care programs.

Heckenlively also reported the installation of the new high school bleachers is to begin in approximately 40 days. The old bleachers have been removed and the power requirements for the new bleachers will be completed prior to the installation of the new bleachers beginning the week of May 15.  

(KNZA)--A Wathena man convicted of assaulting another man at a farm north of Wathena last year, leaving the victim requiring surgery for facial injuries, has been placed on probation.

Ryan Smith was recently sentenced in Doniphan County District Court on an amended charge of misdemeanor battery.  

Smith was given a suspended 6-month jail sentence on the charge and placed on 24-months supervised probation.  He was also ordered to pay more than $2,300 restitution.

Smith, who had originally been charged with a felony count of aggravated battery, pleaded no contest in February to the reduced charge.  The action canceled a jury trial that had been set in the case.

Smith was charged with assaulting J.T. Euler in April of last year.    

Authorities say the altercation occurred while Euler was in the cab of a tractor planting corn after Smith confronted him about who had permission to hunt on the property.

(KAIR)--If you receive a suspicious text message claiming to originate from Facebook, don't click on the link that comes with it.

Several Atchison area residents, in Facebook posts, have shared screenshots of the dubious text, which claims their Facebook account will be shut down unless they agree to what the text calls new terms and conditions. The message includes a link intended for the recipient to click.

Although Facebook hasn't directly commented on the specific text, the company says such messages should be considered a scam and reported.

It's likely the text is being sent in an attempt to hack personal accounts or to gain some other personal information.

(KAIR)--A former federal prison guard at Leavenworth Penitentiary is going to prison.

According to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall, 47-year-old Marc Buckner was sentenced Monday to three years for taking bribes to smuggle tobacco to inmates.

The Kansas City, Kansas resident's sentencing follows a guilty plea to one count of a public official accepting bribes.

In his plea, Buckner admitted that he was paid each time he smuggled tobacco into the prison by hiding it, and rolling papers, in two handmade insoles in his shoes.

Inmates paid him $750 for each can of Bugler brand tobacco and rolling papers, which he says he did once or twice a month for years.

Buckner was indicted for the crime last summer.

(KLZA)-- Last week the Nebraska Legislatures Revenue Committee advanced a package of tax cuts to the full Legislature for debate.

First District State Senator Dan Watermeier from Syracuse is not pleased with the proposal, saying he is disappointed with the options dealing with tax relief. 

The package includes LB-461, it offers the opposite of what Watermeier was hoping for. The Senator said earlier, he would only support a bill offering $1in income tax relief, for every $10 in property tax relief.  LB-461 offers the opposite.  

Watermeier said LB-461 would annually cost nearly $450-million in 10 years. 

Watermeier finds an amended proposal, LB-640, which caps property taxes at 55-percent of a school districts general fund revenue.  The money would come from the property tax credit fund. He believes the property tax credit fund is a good way to dollar-for-dollar provide property tax relief. 

The Legislature is expected to continue debating the best ways to offer tax relief while facing a major deficit.  

(KLZA)-- The Nebraska State Patrol is focusing on reducing the potential for serious injury and fatality crashes involving teen drivers.

To attain the goal, the Patrol is focusing efforts on educating young drivers about seat belt use.  

Nebraska State Troopers conducted over 70 safety presentations between January and March, reaching nearly 24-thousand people across the state. From April through June, troopers will continue their educational efforts utilizing grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Roads, Highway Safety Office.  

The Nebraska Strategic Highway Safety Plan indicates drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 years of age represent the highest number of unbelted fatalities. More than half of the young drivers involved in fatal crashes were not wearing seat belts.  

If you have a group interested in hosting a safety presentation, visit the Community Policing / Safety Programs page of the Nebraska State Patrol website for information on scheduling a safety demonstration.  

(KAIR)--A midnight encounter with law enforcement sends one Atchison man to jail on methamphetamine charges.

“It was around midnight on Saturday night when we had an officer on patrol that saw a vehicle in the parking lot in the 100 block of S 8th,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “In that vehicle was 42-year-old Jason Price. The officer knew there to be outstanding district court warrants on Jason Price. He confronted him, took him into custody on the warrants and found methamphetamine on his person.”

Price was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KNZA)--For a second time, the Brown County Commission has declined to send a letter of support for the Kickapoo Tribe’s efforts to gain Congressional approval of a water rights agreement between the Tribe and state of Kansas. 

Saying there are still a lot of  unanswered questions,  the Commission voted unanimously Monday against signing a letter of support.

The decision comes after state and tribal officials meet with the Commission last week to discuss the agreement and the Tribe’s plans to construct a reservoir.

Commissioner Keith Olsen said while he got some questions answered last week, he still has questions that haven’t been answered.

Commissioner Dwight Kruse says he understands the Tribe wanting to have water rights and feels they are going to move ahead whether the county sends a letter of support or not.

He said he would feel more comfortable if he knew the specific size of reservoir they are looking at.

The agreement, which quantifies the Tribe’s water rights in the Delaware River Basin, was approved last September but still must be ratified by Congress.

The Commission initially declined to send a letter of support in February  after hearing from of group of landowners concerned about the Tribe’s efforts to revive the Plum Creek reservoir project.

The Tribe asked the Commission to reconsider their decision.

(KMZA)--An investigation is launched following the burglary of a vehicle in Corning.

The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office says sometime between 7:45 the morning of April 5th and 5:00 the evening of April 6th, an unknown person removed a wallet containing cash and a drivers license from a vehicle parked at 6409 Madison Street.

The loss was placed at $81.

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

(KAIR)--Atchison's lakes and ponds are getting visitors this time of year.

“Warnock Lake is a stop on the way of the spring migration,” said Assistant Public Works Director Clinton McNemee. “Each group of birds that we see, probably stay a few days, up to a week.”

He says the various groups of birds and ducks most likely choose Warnock randomly, but the lake does offer a few advantages to the birds.

“A lot of these birds prefer lakes that are groomed around the edges so they can come and go on the land,” McNemee said. “We do have those islands that might offer some attraction to them.”

A group of bird-watchers from Topeka made the trip to Atchison Saturday to catch a glimpse of the rare sightings.

“We have seen some great birds today,” said Carol Morgan with Topeka Audubon Society. “There are still numerous duck species here. We've seen ruddy ducks, blue winged Teal, lesser scaup and Canada geese—of course, and pied-billed grebe. Lots of good duck species here.”

McNemee encourages everyone to go out and see the rare groups of birds that won't be here forever.

(KAIR)--A roll-over wreck early Sunday morning sent one Lancaster teen to the hospital.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, it was around 2:30 Sunday morning when 18-year-old Levi Garrison fell asleep behind the wheel of his 2003 Ford F250 heading northbound on Jewell Road between U.S. 73 Highway and 286th Road.

The truck veered to the left and impacted the ditch causing the truck to roll over once, coming to a rest on its wheels.

Garrison went on foot to his residence in Lancaster where EMS transported him to the Atchison Hospital for treatment of his injuries, including a large cut on his forehead.

(KAIR)--Formal charges against one of two men accused of a weekend shooting that stemmed from a stolen vehicle have been filed.

He is identified as 23-year-old Zachary Bixby, who is charged with one count of criminal use of a weapon.

He is scheduled to appear in a Buchanan County Courtroom Tuesday morning.

The second person, identified as Kyle Butts, has not been charged in connection with the case. 

According to the felony complaint, the charge against Bixby was filed based on the allegation that he fired a weapon at another vehicle on Saturday morning, on U.S. Highway 59.

According to the probable cause statement, the alleged shooting followed an encounter at the Dollar General Store on Saint Joseph's King Hill Avenue.

It was there that witnesses saw Bixby and Butts with a Volkswagen Beetle that the witnesses knew had been stolen from a friend Saturday morning.

Bixby and Butts drove off, with the witnesses following behind.

In the 9000 block of South Highway 59, in Buchanan County, the suspect vehicle slowed down and pulled onto the shoulder of the northbound lane, where both men exited the vehicle. It was then, the probable cause statement says, that Bixby used a handgun to shoot at the witness vehicle, with one round striking the car's hood.

The pair then fled on foot in opposite directions, with Bixby making his way to a residence along the highway where he allegedly entered without permission and demanded at gunpoint that the homeowner give him the keys to his vehicle.

Telling Bixby the keys were inside the Ford pickup parked outside, Bixby drove off, but quickly became stuck in a muddy field.

Fleeing on foot, Bixby was apprehended by authorities.

Butts was also located, taken into custody north of where the shooting occurred.

Court documents say that a search of the area led to the discovery of a loaded 9mm handgun.

The investigation was conducted through a joint effort between the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office and Saint Joseph Police.

No injuries are reported.

Editor's note: Below is an earlier version of the story as first reported. 

(KAIR)--Two are in custody following the alleged theft of a vehicle that resulted in shots being fired.

The Saint Joseph News-Press reports it happened Saturday morning, on U.S.Highway 59, in Buchanan County.

Citing Sheriff Bill Puett, the newspaper reports that residents spotted the stolen vehicle, knew that it had been taken, and began to follow it.

Apparently seeing they were being pursued, the suspect vehicle stopped and allegedly opened fire on the other vehicle.

It's alleged that one of the suspects then went to a nearby residence and stole another vehicle.

No one was injured in the shooting.

The suspects were later captured through a joint effort of the Saint Joseph Police Department and the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office.

Eyewitnesses tells MSC News investigators were spotted along the highway Saturday, apparently searching the area with the assistance of metal detectors.

Law enforcement not connected with the investigation says that was likely being done in the attempt to locate shell casings connected with the alleged shooting.

The case remains under investigation.

Names are not immediately released pending the filing of formal charges.

(KNZA)--A member of the staff of U.S. Senator Jerry Moran will visit Hiawatha Thursday afternoon, April 13 to hold open office hours.

The staff member will be at the Morrill Public Library meeting room at 431 Oregon Street from 1:30 to 2:30.

Individuals who are experiencing difficulties with Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ affairs or have other concerns regarding federal issues are encouraged to attend.
                                                        

(KAIR)--The continuous, low flying helicopter spotted across Atchison Friday has sparked questions and led to speculation.

However, the small, blue, white, and yellow helicopter is being used by Westar energy for inspection work.

According to a statement from the electric utility, the specially equipped helicopter is flying along sections of Westar's transmission system, capturing images that will “help identify areas that may need maintenance and create a more modern record of the transmission system.”

Kelly Harrison, Vice-President of Transmission, says the flights “provide a more precise and searchable visual record of the transmission system, which improves our efficiency and reliability.”

The flight schedule began last month in south-central Kansas, and has progressed across the state, including the flight above Atchison, viewing both transmission lines and substations.

(KMZA)--A two-vehicle Pottawatomie County wreck Thursday afternoon sent a St. George man to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened at the intersection of U.S. 24 Highway and Blackjack Road around 1:15.

The Patrol says 70-year-old Michael Weaver was northbound on Blackjack Road when he pulled out in front of westbound pickup truck on U.S. 24 driven by 26-year-old Wamego resident Sean Langston.

Weaver was transported to Manhattan’s Via Christi Hospital with unspecified injuries.

Langston was not hurt.  

The Patrol says both drivers were buckled up when the wreck occurred.

(KLZA)-- The Humboldt City Council will be contacting Richardson County to again discuss the condition of 1st Street, which leads to the cemetery.

Bob Mendenhall met with the Council Tuesday night to discuss the condition of the road.

In other action members of the Southeast Nebraska Memorial Garden Committee met with the Council to discuss parking and an electrical service to the area.

The Committee has requested the City provide electricity to the site for their water wheel. The Memorial Garden is under development at the northwest corner of the Lake Park in Humboldt. 

MOUND CITY, Mo. – Pavement repairs will require the closure of one lane of northbound Interstate 29 next week. 

Local maintenance crews plan to close the northbound driving lane of I-29 at mile marker 75.6 near the Oregon exit on Monday. The lane will close at approximately 7:30 a.m. Monday and will remain closed overnight. The lane should reopen by 8 a.m. Tuesday. During the closure a 13-foot width restriction will be in place.

All scheduled roadwork is weather permitting and subject to change.

(KNZA)--The city of Hiawatha is making plans for this summer’s chip seal project.

On the recommendation of Street Department Supervisor Nic Siebenmorgen, the City Commission agreed this week to use washed rock for this year’s project instead of haydite.

In addition, the Commission agreed to have the county haul the rock, with the city paying for the fuel and donating labor to the county when needed.

Siebenmorgen said the two moves would save the city more than $12,000.

The city switched to haydite several years ago after residents voiced concerns about the dust created by the washed rock.

To control the dust, Siebenmorgen says plans are to build a spray bar for wetting the rock down after its been applied to the streets.

The city plans to chip seal about 3 ½ miles of city streets this year, which is less than half what the city normally does.    

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Police Department is warning area residents that a skimmer has been used in the area to steal credit card and debit card information. 

Assistant Police Chief Jamie Baker explained a skimmer device is plugged into a machine that takes a debit or credit card, such as a gas pump. The skimmer records your information and is later put onto a blank card someone can use that has your information.  

Baker said that he has received reports of skimmers being used in Falls City as well as in the surrounding area.  

Baker says it is important to review your debit and credit card statements closely. If you find any type of fraudulent charges, you need to contact your bank or credit card company immediately as well as the police department.  

Baker said a skimmer can be attached to a gas pump, and that it would not necessarily be something you can see.  

(KNZA)--A man who let his 8-year-old granddaughter take the wheel of his car prior to a fatal Doniphan County wreck in 2015 has been ordered to pay nearly $18,000 restitution.

The Kansas Chief reports 57-year-old St. Joseph resident Dennis Meers was ordered to pay the restitution to the parents of Cadence Orcutt, of Troy, during a recent hearing in Doniphan County District Court.

Meers was placed on one year supervised probation in February after pleading no contest in December to a felony charge of aggravated child endangerment.

Authorities say Orcutt died in November 2015 when the car she was driving went down an embankment on a Doniphan County road west of Wathena and overturned.  Meers was a passenger.

Meers will serve 11-months in prison if he fails his probation.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Grocery and convenience stores could start stocking full-strength beer in two years under a bill passed this week by the Legislature.
 
The Senate passed the bill 27-11 on Friday. The House passed it 80-45 on Thursday.
 
Under the bill, grocery and convenience stores could sell beer with up to 6 percent alcohol by volume, while liquor stores could sell more non-alcoholic products, like mixers, shot glasses, lottery tickets and tobacco products.
 
Some lawmakers were concerned that large grocery chains stocking full-strength beer could put small liquor stores out of business.
 
The bill is a compromise between the two industries and their associations after a years-long effort to get wine, liquor and full-strength beer into grocery and convenience stores.
 
The bill still needs Gov. Sam Brownback's signature.

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Agriculture along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of emerald ash borer in Doniphan County.

According to a news release from the state Department of Agriculture,  several larvae were removed by KDA staff  on March 31st from an ash tree in a native stand of timber in rural Doniphan County near the town of Bendena.

Regulatory officials with USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Plant Protection and Quarantine confirmed the presence of the pest on April 4.

After confirmation, Kansas will expand the emerald ash borer quarantine, currently in place in Atchison, Douglas, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties, to include Doniphan County to help slow the spread of the pest in Kansas.

Emerald ash borer, a pest of ash trees native to Asia, was first discovered in North America near Detroit, Michigan, in summer 2002. Since that time, the pest has killed millions of ash trees in thirty states—including Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

In cooperation with the USDA, the Kansas Forest Service and K-State Research and Extension, the state Department of Agriculture plans to host educational meetings in Doniphan County on the pest.

(KLZA)-- A Falls City juvenile suffered what were described as non-life-threatening injuries when he was struck by a pickup Tuesday afternoon.  

Falls City Assistant Police Chief Jamey Baker said the juvenile stepped off the curb in the 1400 block of Fulton Street, which is the location of Falls City High School, shortly before 4 o’clock and was struck by a pickup driven by Charles Kreifels of Falls City.

The Falls City Volunteer Ambulance Squad transported the juvenile to Community Medical Center in Falls City. 

Baker said the investigation into the incident is ongoing and that no citations have been issued.

No other details are available at this time.  
 

(KLZA)-- A learning experience filled with smiles and tears.  

That is how Connie Laflin described her 26 years as City Clerk in Humboldt in her letter of resignation.

Laflin told MSCNEWS she has decided to retire this spring.  Her last day is likely to be in May. Laflin told the Council she would stay on until they find a replacement and she has had a chance to work with the new Clerk.
 

(KNZA)--A new trial date has been set for a former physician assistant accused of sexually abusing patients at an area Veterans Affairs hospital.

During a hearing Tuesday, the Leavenworth Times reports a judge set the trial in the case of Mark Wisner for August 28th.  Four days have been set aside for the trial.

It had originally been scheduled for this week in Leavenworth County District Court, but a continuance was granted March 24th to allow more preparation time for an expert witness for the defense.

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

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council has approved a bid for widening and doing an asphalt overlay of Bill Schock Boulevard from 28th Street to 35th Street. 

City Administrator Gary Jorn said the plan is to mill off three-inches of the existing asphalt, mill off the concrete curbs and then widen the road by a foot on each side. Once the overlay project is completed, the road will be striped.

Two bids were received for project.  Herzog was awarded the bid in an amount of nearly $146,000.  It was the low bid.  Pavers Inc. submitted a bid of nearly $184,000.  
 

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle wreck at the intersection of U.S. 24 and K-237 highways in Jefferson County Wednesday afternoon sent a Meriden woman to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says a southbound car on K-237 driven by 71-year-old Alice Blair pulled out in front of westbound car on U.S. 24 driven by 30-year-old Topeka resident Amber Holt.

Blair, who was buckled up, was transported to Topeka’s Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center with unspecified injuries.

Holt and two children’s in her vehicle, ages 5 and 11, escaped injury in the wreck reported shortly after 3:30.    

(KLZA)--The Judicial Nominating Commission for the District Court – First Judicial District has submitted four names for Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts to consider.  

Those up for consideration are Erin Ebeler Rolf of Eagle,a private practice attorney.  Louie M. Ligouri,  of Auburn, the Nemaha County Attorney; David J. Partsch of Nebraska City, the Otoe County Attorney and Julie D. Smith of Cook. Smith is the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services General Counsel and the former Johnson County Attorney.  

The primary office for the vacancy is in Auburn or another site to be determined by the appointed judge.  

The 1st Judicial District includes Richardson, Pawnee, Nemaha, Johnson, Gage, Jefferson, Clay, Fillmore, Nuckolls, Saline and Thayer Counties.  

(KNZA)--Saying there are too many unanswered questions, the Hiawatha City Commission has declined to sign a letter of support for the Kickapoo Tribe’s efforts to gain Congressional approval of a water rights agreement that will help it create a reservoir to provide a stable and permanent source of water on its reservation.  

That was the general consensus of Commissioners Monday evening.

Commissioners Bill Collins and Toni Hull along with City Administator Mike Nichols attended the Brown County Commission meeting Monday morning where state officials and the Tribe discussed the agreement and Tribes plans to construct a reservoir on their reservation.

Discussing the agreement were Kickapoo Tribal Attorney Steve Moore and David Barfield, chief engineer for the Kansas Division of Water Resources, along with Kansas Water Office Director Tracy Streeter.

Also participating in the discussion via phone were representatives of the offices of U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins.

Moore says the agreement, which quantifies the Tribe’s senior water rights in the Delaware River basin, was approved last September but still must be ratified by Congress.

“What we're asking for from the Brown County Commissioners today is a letter of support to the delegation that would allow us to go forward, introduce a bill, and go through the legislative process in Congress...there will be hearings in Congress to testify on these things.”

Under the agreement, Barfield says the Tribe may divert or redivert, as available, up to 4,705 acre-feet of water per year for use by the tribe.  An average of 50,000 acre-feet of water travels through the Delaware Drainage Area.

A group of landowners concerned with the Tribe’s effort to revive the Plum Creek Reservoir project urged the Commission in February not to sign a letter of support.    
 
Moore says the tribe is looking to downsize the Plum Creek project, getting it down to a size that makes more sense for water storage purposes and requires less non-tribal land.

He says there are other potential storage sites on the reservation.

“They all have the same situation that Plum Creek does. Some of that land is owned by the tribe, and some is owned by their non-Indian neighbors. In the future, the non-Indian folks that live on, and around, the reservation will have needs for water, too, so there may be a need for a cooperative development of a storage project.”

Moore said there will probably be more than one storage site.

The County Commission decided to table a decision on a letter of support until next week.

(KLZA)-- A General Municipal election was held Tuesday in Missouri.
Results in Holt County, contested races included:
Elected to serve on the Mound City School Board were Brian Tubbs, Jeff Holstine and Chad Derr. 
Elected to the South Holt School Board were Neal Prussman, John Mackey and Charles Tiger Parsons.
Elected to the Nodaway-Holt School Board were James Fuhrman, Nicholas Madden and Jane Hanson. 
Bill Keiffer  was elected to the Mound City Fire District Board.
Three people sought the two Craig, Alderman positions up for election.  Trevor Drewes received 30 votes.  Richard Thomas and Bruce Ideker each received 17 votes.  A recount of the votes will be done by hand on Friday. 
In Mound City, Duane Nauman was elected South Ward Alderman.
All of the Holt County questions and propositions passed by substantial margins including the Village of Big Lake 30-cent levy for pumping and dredging, the South Union Township Road question and the Maitland tax levy.
In Atchison County, Missouri election results, Ryan Kingery was elected Mayor of Fairfax.  Scott Poppa was elected North Ward Alderman in Tarkio.
Jerry Kirkpatrick was elected Mayor of Westboro. 
The Westboro election for two aldermen was very close.  Joseph Caton received 30 votes, Nathan Vardman 29, Sandra Marr 28 and Joe Ellen Estes Moore received 27. A recount was held Wednesday. County Clerk / Election Authority Susette Taylor said following the verification of the votes, there were no changes. 
In Watson Tammy Gibson was elected as a Trustee.  The Watson Tax Levy and Watson Road Levy both passed easily.  
The Fairfax tax question passed by a wide margin as did t he Rock Port Transportation Tax and Langdon Road Levy.  

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved resolutions clearing the way for a company moving to Falls City to receive over $400,000 in Community Development Block Grant Funds. 

Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise Executive Director Beckie Cromer spoke in support of the funding calling Great West Teeuwissen a great company. This will be the company’s second Nebraska location, the other being in York.  The corporate headquarters are in the Denver area.  Cromer said the company will offer good pay and benefits. 

The Falls City plant will operate under the name Falls City Foods.  One of the owners, Doug Haycock and his wife Kathy attended the council meeting.

Haycock provided some background on the company that started in someone’s basement. The company was started in 1980 and currently has around 100 employees. 

Haycock is hoping the company will increase the number of jobs from 10-12 to start out, quickly to 20 and eventually, hopefully in the 30-40 range. The company hopes to bring in new equipment to hopefully keep the company expanding and creating jobs. 

Craig Eberle with Southeast Nebraska Development District outlined the financing for the new business. It will include a $305,000 in new Community Development Block Grant Funds.  $300,000 of that is a direct loan.  There are $125,000 in CDBG RE-Use funds, that amount is forgivable based on job creation. EDGE is providing the company $75,000 in incentive funds for locating in Falls City.  The rest of the money is from private and bank funding. 

The City of Falls City is the actual applicant for the CDBG funds.  The money paid back, now will go into a regional re-use fund that can be used in the SENDD 15-county area. 

Council member Don Ferguson expressed thanks to Haycock for choosing Falls City, saying the City is excited to have the company move to town.

Work is underway to prepare the facility to be opened.  

(KAIR)--Flags will fly at half-mast today in Atchison County to honor the passing of former Atchison Fire Chief, Mike McDermed.

And as the city of Atchison continues to mourn the loss of former Fire Chief Mike McDermed, city officials have been assisting the family to plan a special memorial to honor Chief McDermed that will serve as a testament to his service to the community starting with a procession from Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home to the Atchison Event Center at 1:30 this afternoon.

Atchison City Manager said the route is planned from the funeral home to the Atchison Event Center.

All five fire trucks will be a part of the procession as well as fire trucks from Effingham.

“We really want to thank Shannon Fire District for providing fire coverage,” Cocking said. “We want to thank Atchison EMS and Rescue for providing rescue and EMS service during the funeral so all of our firefighters can attend. Obviously, if we get a large fire, then our firefighters will have to go attend to that. But, the normal day-to-day stuff, we have coverage in place to deal with.”

City Hall will be closed this afternoon so city employees can attend services as well, and the Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge will be red this evening to honor McDermed. Cocking said there will be enough space for anyone from the public to come to say goodbye to the former fire chief who died March 30 after a battle with brain cancer.

The family has asked that attendees wear Hawaiian or bright colored clothing to the service.

(KAIR)--Atchison County Sheriff's Office have one in custody on numerous charges after two Atchison County residents reported thefts including one's vehicle.

According to a report from Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, 23-year-old Brandon Ferguson, of Haysville, was arrested on charges inAcluding: two counts of burglary of a motor vehicle, burglary of a non-dwelling, felony theft, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The investigation began when Matthew Case and David Page, both of Cummings, reported thefts to deputies on Monday.

Case, reported items were taken from his 2004 Nissan Quest sometime between Sunday evening and Monday morning. The vehicle was sitting in the driveway of their rural home in Atchison County.

About the the same time, Page reported his 2001 Ford Taurus was stolen from his driveway along with his garage being entered and numerous items taken.

The report said while deputies were in the Cummings area, they located a subject walking along the highway.

When deputies made contact with the subject, who was Ferguson, he asked if he could get a ride. He was carrying objects deputies recognized and believed to belong to one of the victims.

Furguson was then taken into custody.

The Ford Taurus was recovered by deputies on 246th Road just off Neosho Road where it was stuck in the mud.

(KLZA)-- Tuesday, April 11 is the last day to put a ballot in the mail if you want to vote in the special Table Rock Village Board election.

The special election was called following the resignation of three board members earlier this year.  County Clerk Candi Nicholas is conducting the mail-in for the Secretary of State who set the election.  Ballots were sent out March 21.

The names of four candidates appear on the ballot.  They are Cayle Rauner, Shad Gager, Leland Schneider and Milan Tomek. 

(KLZA)-- It’s election day in Missouri.  Polls for the General Municipal Election are open until 7 Tuesday evening.

Contested races in Holt County include:
Mound City School Board – 3 to be elected – candidates are Jeff Holstine, Brian Tubbs, Chad Derr, Chris Zembles and Wendy Tubbs. 

South Holt School Board – 3 to be elected – candidates are Patrick Ezzell, Charles Tiger Parsons, John Mackey and Neal Prussman.

Nodaway-Holt School board – 3 to be elected – candidates include Nicholas Madden, James Fuhrman, Timothy Scott Clement, Jane Hanson and Jerrod Plummer.

For Mound City Rural Fire Protection Board – elect 1 – John Block and Bill Keiffer are seeking the position.

City of Craig – Alderman – electing 1 – candidates include Richard Thomas, Trevor Drewes and Bruce Ideker.

There is also a ballot question in Maitland on whether or not to extend the 24-cent tax levy  per $100 of valuation for general operations, street improvements and repairs for another 4-year period.

In Mound City Phil Blazer Jason Bierman, Duane Nauman and Michael Davis are seeking a 2-year term as South Ward Alderman. 

The Village of Big Lake will vote on Proposition One. Shall the 30-cent increase in the levy on $100 of assessed valuation for general pumping and dredging expenses within the Village of Big Lake be extended for four years?

Shall the South Union Township Special Road District of Holt County levy an additional tax rate of 35-cent levy per $100 of assessed valuation for four years.   

In Atchison County, Missouri, there are a number of ballot questions concerning tax levy’s.
Rock Port voters will say yes or no to imposing a one-half percent sales tax for transportation purposes.  

Fairfax voters will decided on continuing a tax levy of 30-cents for general municipal purposes for four years. 

The Village of Watson residents will decide whether or not to extend a  30-cent levy  for four years.

The Watson Special Road District voters will also decide on a 4-year extension of the 35-cent levy. 

In Tarkio, Scott Poppa and Jamie Clark Caldwell are seeking a two-year terms as North Ward Alderman.

In Fairfax Ryan Kingery and Jacob Bradbury are running for Mayor. 

In Westboro Jerry Kirkpatrick and Shawn Manchester are running for Mayor while Nathan Vardman, Joseph Cason and Michael Marr seek the two Alderman seats.  

Editor's note: the following was submitted by Brown Co Sheriff John Merchant

I would like to take this opportunity to inform the public  that April is
National Child Abuse Awareness month and provide information on what steps
need to be taken  in the event abuse or neglect needs reported by members
of the community.


INFORMATION ABOUT CHILD ABUSE::

Not all child abuse is physically violent; emotional abuse and neglect are
not as obvious as physical abuse but can do severe damage to the emotional
well being of a child.  The signs of emotional abuse is much harder  to
recognize as the scarring and wounds are on the inside of the child, not on
the outside.

By statistic over 90% of child victims are abused by someone they know or
are related to.

By reporting those who abuse and identifying those who are being abused,
help and counseling can enable the child victim to be able to deal with the
effect of the abuse and are less likely to become abusers themselves.  That
is why it is so important to report suspected abuse or neglect as early as
possible.

Most children who are abused  will not report the abuse.  Many times the
abuser is a close family member or friend. Most times the child is
threatened or pressured not to tell anyone of the ongoing abuse.  Children
need to be encouraged to tell a TRUSTED relative or friend if someone makes
them feel  uncomfortable or acts in an inappropriate way towards them.

Child abuse happens in families  of every race, culture and income level.
Sometimes loving parents can become frustrated and overreact.
Unintentional harm is abuse if the injury is due to a punishment.


SOME WARNING SIGNS OF ABUSE:

Unexplained or suspicious  bruises,burns, fractures or marks.

Explanation of injuries that make no sense

Disturbed sleep

Pain during urination or during bowel movements

Unusual knowledge of body parts

Acting out sexually with toys or other children

Fear of certain people or places

Pain while walking or sitting

Malnourished

Unusual flinching when approached

Withdrawn, lack of energy or interest, poor school attendance, failing
grades


Many people in many different professions are mandated reporters of
suspected child abuse such as teachers, law enforcement, mental health
professionals, medical professionals, etc. but It is the moral obligation
of everyone to report suspected child abuse and/or neglect.  We ask that
instead of a Child Abuse Awareness month in Brown County  we all practice
Daily Child Abuse Awareness. I am asking everyone in Brown County to become
more aware and proactive when it comes to keeping our kids safe.

Kansas has a Protection Report Center where concerned citizens may report
suspected child abuse anonymously.  That number is 1-800-922-5330---If
there is an immediate concern over the safety of a child please report
immediately to your local law enforcement at once.  IF YOU THINK YOU SHOULD
REPORT A CONCERN--PLEASE DO SO!!  Law enforcement would much rather
investigate a case that does not meet the criteria  of child abuse than to
let an abused child continue to be victimized.  All of the law enforcement
agencies in Brown County take child abuse very seriously and will use
extra precaution to keep children safe and protected. At any time the
immediate  safety of a child is in question, dial 911 immediately.


A big THANK YOU to all the agencies that work together in Brown County that
take an active role in child safety.  We are very fortunate to have a
dedicated group of caring individuals who work closely together for the
sake of our children.

Remember:   THERE'S NO EXCUSE, FOR CHILD ABUSE!


 

(KAIR)--No viable constitutional claims alleged.

That's the reason given by a federal judge who granted Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse's motion for dismissal of a lawsuit filed against him.

The lawsuit, filed in October 2016 by former Sheriff's Detective Al Dunn, claims Dunn was terminated because he refused to end an investigation focused on sex crimes involving 22-year-old Holton resident Jacob Ewing.

Official court documents state Dunn complained his civil rights were violated under the first amendment (speech and association) and 14th amendment (procedural due process) when Morse allegedly terminated him for reasons related to the upcoming election.

Dunn said when he began investigating Ewing for sex related crimes, because of his “speech related to the investigations” family members and friends of Ewing began complaining to Morse and used the upcoming election to influence Morse to stop the investigation.

Dunn said Morse yielded to the pressure and then stopped Dunn from investigating. The documents go on to say, as a result of Dunn's failure to comply with Morse, he was terminated July 12, 2016 for insubordination.

The court, however, said it was Dunn's sole burden to prove Morse had violated his constitutional rights. Ultimately, the court ruled he failed to do so, and the lawsuit was officially dismissed  March 31.

In response to the lawsuit dismissal Morse had this to say:

“I stand by my original statements, and while the court’s decision is of no surprise to me, I am thankful for their wisdom in this matter. I am very grateful for the support from the public, my peers and family during this ordeal. It continues to be my goal to provide this community with a top of the line law enforcement agency with the top of the line personnel. Every day I am humbled and grateful to be able to serve what I believe is the greatest county in Kansas.”

(KNZA)--A Leavenworth woman accused of murdering her mother last July has waived her right to a preliminary hearing.

The Leavenworth Times reports 60-year-old Victoria Smith was bound over for trial last Friday on a charge of first-degree murder.

Arraignment is scheduled for April 28th.

Smith is accused of killing her mother, Anna Higgins, on July 3rd.  The crime is alleged to have occurred at Smith’s residence.

The newspaper reports the probable cause affidavit in the case alleges Smith told police she struck her mother with a hammer.

She remains in the Leavenworth County Jail on a one million dollar bond.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Conservative state SenatorSteve Fitzgerald is running for the congressional seat that incumbent Lynn Jenkins will vacate when her term expires.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Fitzgerald, of Leavenworth, filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. He also told supporters in an email Saturday that he will seek the 2nd District seat Jenkins is vacating in January 2019.

Fitzgerald briefly sought the same Republican nomination in 2014 but dropped out before the primary.

Fitzgerald is a strong abortion opponent who called Planned Parenthood "much worse" than a Nazi concentration camp last month. He also has proposed legislation to ban sex-selective abortion and create death certificates for unborn children.

In November, Fitzgerald bested Democratic challenger Bill Hutton by 508 votes to narrowly win re-election.

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle wreck on I-229 a ½ mile south of St. Joseph Monday afternoon claimed the life of a Greer, South Carolina man.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says killed in the wreck was 65-year-old Thomas Nelson.

The Patrol says Nelson was northbound when his Dodge Durango left the west side of the roadway and struck a bridge pillar around 1:15.

Nelson, who was the lone occupant in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

(AP)--The Kansas House failed by a narrow margin Monday to override Gov. Sam Brownback’s veto of a bill that would expand Medicaid to thousands of low-income Kansans.

Lawmakers voted 81-44  to override the governor’s veto, three shy of the total needed to pass the bill without his support.

That effectively ends the Medicaid expansion push in Kansas after it passed out of both chambers with Republican and Democratic support earlier this year.

The bill would have extended the state’s health coverage for the poor, disabled and elderly under former President Barack Obama’s health care law to cover up to 180,000 more adults.

Brownback is a critic of the 2010 Affordable Care Act.

He argued in his veto message that expanding Medicaid would burden the state with what he called “unrestrainable” costs. Supporters said it would be a net plus for the state.

(KAIR)--A strong attendance, but no controversy, as Republican United States Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins joined Kansas Republican Representative Dr. John Eplee at Saturday's Legislative Coffee, held at Atchison's Santa Fe Depot.

Jenkins addressed the crowd, offering remarks of remembrance in honor of Mike McDermed, Atchison's former Fire Chief who died last week. “I also wanted to just say what a wonderful community you have and just how proud I have been in representing you all in the last several years,” Jenkins said. “I appreciate so many people coming out on a cold Saturday morning just to talk about good governments and what we can do to better serve you. We are going to miss you fire chief, Mr. McDermed who lost his battle with cancer. He was just one of the good guys that always was so easy to work with. I know there's a lot of you in this room that will miss him as well.”

Services for McDermed will be Wednesday.

State issues dominated Saturday's forum, with Eplee addressing a wide variety of topics, ranging from KPERS funding, to his support of the expansion of KanCare. “This is purely a health care access bill for vulnerable Kansas' that cannot afford to get health care at this time that are between Medicaid currently as it exists and private insurance,” Eplee said. “This will not begin to cover all those people, it will cover a percentage of those people and those that are most vulnerable that are tied more closely to poverty.”

Eplee, who has been surveying his constituents for their opinion regarding expansion, says results have shown 2 to 1 support for that plan. An impromptus survey at Saturday's forum generated similar results. “As a physician and as someone who works with a lot of folks like this, I see a lot of merits in it,” he said. “There were hundreds of proponents for it from the state of Kansas.”

Eplee, citing how the bill was written, said it met his criteria for approval. “It has a work provision in it definitely, Eplee said. “It has poison pill in it such that if the federal match drops below 90 percent, we stop the program within a year. So, it met all my criteria for going forward.”

Last week, the plan for expansion passed the Kansas Senate, which followed passage in the House in February.

However, Governor Sam Brownback vetoed the bill, citing concerns that Eplee says don't match the reality of the situation. “He said it was going to fund Planned Parenthood further and was going to keep people who are disabled from getting on this disability list,” Eplee said. “To me, that was an incredible leap because there's nothing in the bill that gives any funds directly to Planned Parenthood. And as far as deferring people on the disability list, it's complicated, but really, we've chosen not to fund it up to this point so, to say this is deferring funding away from that, really in my opinion, is not accurate.”

Despite strong, bipartisan support, such as that from Eplee, the override of the veto failed. On Monday, the House voted 81-44 Monday to do that but backers of the measure fell three votes short of the two-thirds majority necessary.

Prior to Saturday's Legislative Coffee, rumors had circulated that protesters planned to attend, as they have at similar forums featuring federal Republican leaders. However, such a presence failed to materialize.

(KMZA)--Former Marshall County Attorney Brian Carroll will be laid to rest Wednesday after dying unexpectedly over the weekend.

According to his obituary, Carroll died Saturday in Pratt at the age of 45 as a result of a pulmonary embolism.

Carroll served as Marshall County Attorney for about a decade before moving to Pratt in the fall of 2010.

He was an attorney and owner/operator of Carroll Consulting in Pratt.

Funeral services for Carroll will be Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 at the First Southern Baptist Church in Pratt. Burial will follow in the Luka Cemetery in Luka, Kansas.  

Among survivors are his wife, Shawna, three children and his parents, Wayne and Deb Carroll of Marysville.
     
The Larrison Mortuary in Pratt is in charge of the arrangements.

(MSC News)--A Wathena teenager has been charged in Buchanan County in connection with a shooting earlier this year.

17-year-old William Dowlen was taken into custody Friday on a felony charge of unlawful use of a weapon.

According to court documents, Dowlen is accused of shooting a 20-year-old St. Joseph man in his right leg during a large drinking party early January 22nd in the area of Southeast Mount  Zion Road.

The man was transported to a Kansas City hospital for treatment of the non-life threatening wound.

Dowlen is held in the Buchanan County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

His scheduled to appear in a Buchanan County courtroom Tuesday.

(KAIR)--Some good news, but still room for improvement.

That's what Andrea Clements, executive director of live well, live Atchison says is the main take away after Atchison County's health rankings were released.

“This ranks all the counties against each other,” Clements said. “There's two specific measures, the health outcome and health factors.”

She said, for health outcome Atchison ranked 44 out of 102 and 89th out of 102 for health factors.”

Clements said the difference between the two is health outcomes deal with how long people live in Atchison County, while health factors are the specific factors of how people live including: diet, exercise, access to doctors etc.

That's the category where Atchison County scored low.

“Obviously, that's concerning and indicates we need to continue to do what we're doing,” Clements said.

Clements said the date is important to look at to see where Atchison County is in terms of overall health. However, the data used for the rankings is sometimes older and affected by what other counties are doing.

“So we like to look at it to get an understanding of what this information is telling us,” Clements said. “But then, kinda set it aside, keep our heads down and continue to focus on what we're focusing on. We know that over the long term, those three things Live Well focuses on: physical inactivity, tobacco free living and healthy eating, we know those have a tremendous impact on a variety of health and economic factors for our community.”

For more information about the health rankings, contact Live Well, Live Atchison.

(KLZA)-- The Missouri Department of Transportation is asking drivers to turn off their phones for workers in work zones. Motorists will see more construction and maintenance work zones on the more than 5,600 miles of state roads and bridges across northwest Missouri in the coming weeks.

To help spread that message that “Work Zones are No Phone Zones,” we’re asking everyone to wear #OrangeForSafety on Monday, April 3, in support of all roadway workers.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, put their phone down and pay attention as they drive past work zones. 

Driver inattention was the number one cause of work zone crashes last year. The average text takes five seconds to read. Traveling at 55 mph, you will travel more than the length of a football field—blindfolded. 

Since 2012, the state Slow Down and Move Over law includes MoDOT vehicles parked with amber/white lights flashing. Motorists are required to slow down and change lanes when approaching MoDOT vehicles or law enforcement and emergency vehicles with lights flashing.

The law is simple: If you see flashing lights on the side of the road, move over to give workers and emergency personnel plenty of room to stay safe. If you can’t move over on a crowded highway, you should slow down as you pass them. 

In 2016 seven people were killed in work zone crashes on state system routes and an additional one on the local system, for a total of eight fatalities.

To help make your travel safer and to find out what work zones you’ll encounter, visit MoDOT’s Traveler Information map at www.traveler.modot.org/map before you go. 
 

(KLZA)-- Although it won’t be for three years, a new doctor has committed to joining the staff at the Pawnee County Memorial Hospital / Clinic. 

According to the Pawnee Republican, Pawnee City native Kent Niss plans to come home when he finishes his three-year medical residency in Salina, Kansas.  

Niss, the son of Randy and Deb Niss attends the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  He will be certified in family medicine 

(KLZA)-- Approximately 75 people attended a meeting at the Tecumseh Community Building in March to hear a proposal to build a new swimming pool.

The Tecumseh Aquatic Association has been formed to lead the effort to build a new pool to replace the current pool, which opened in 1964.  

A design of the new pool and bathhouse created by Olsson Associates was displayed.  

The proposal is to build a new pool at the site of the current pool. The proposal calls for six lanes for lap swimming, a diving board, two slides, a wading pool or splash pool and geysers.  The pool would feature a zero depth walk-in entrance.

A new bathhouse would also be required.  

According to a story in the Tecumseh Chieftan, the budget for the new pool is $3.5-million which includes contingencies.  Hopes are for the cost to be $3.2-million. 

The Tecumseh Aquatic Association and the City Council have approved the design of the facility, although the design is subject to change.

Funding options include a fundraising effort, community support, grants and possibly a half-percent sales tax increase. The committee is projecting to start construction at the end of the 2018 swimming season.

Tecumseh residents are encouraged to share their views on the proposal with City Council members or the Aquatic Association members.

(KLZA)-- It costs a little more now to make a purchase in Pawnee City.

Saturday an additional half-cent sales tax was added on to the previous one-and-a-half percent sales tax. The additional tax was approved by Pawnee City voters last year to help pay for a major street improvement project.

Originally, the street re-surfacing project was proposed to cover 36 blocks with a price tag in the neighborhood of $2.3-million. JEO Engineers are continuing to design the project, but no final plan has been approved. If the project were to grow to include around 50 blocks, the price could increase to the $4-million range.

Half the cost of the street project will be  covered by a blanket assessment to property owners throughout the entire community. A USDA Loan will be used to pay for the rest of the cost.  Highway allocation funds and the additional half-cent sales tax will be used to make the loan payments. 

City Clerk Tammy Stephens tells MSC News, she feels that due to the scope of the project, it could be 2018 before any street improvements are made. At the earliest she expects bids could be let late this year, with the work to begin in 2018. 

Meetings were held to discuss the street project prior to the sales tax ballot issue. There is a possibility more meetings could be held before the final plan is approved by the City Council.  

(KLZA-- Two Omaha teenagers were injured Sunday morning in Holt County, Missouri in a wreck involving a motorcycle and a 4-wheel ATV.

The Missouri Highway Patrol report indicates Garret McDowell was northbound on Juniper Drive about two miles north of Mound City on a motorcycle. As he attempted to overtake a 4-wheeler operated by Dylan Doblar, his front wheel struck the rear of the ATV.  Both are 13 years of age.

McDowell was ejected from the motorcycle.  He was transported to the Fairfax Hospital by the Atchison-Holt Ambulance and treated for injuries described as moderate.  

Dylan Doblar received minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene.
Both boys were wearing safety devices at the time of the wreck.

The Holt County Sheriff’s Office and Mound City First Responders also responded to the scene.  

(KAIR)--The City of Atchison remains on track in the goal to utilize STAR bonds to support the planned Muriel Museum at the Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport.

Muriel is a 1935 Lockheed Electra L-10E, which is a match to the airplane flown by Atchison native Amelia Earhart. The plane was brought to Atchison from California last summer, with the goal of the Amelia Earhart Foundation to create a museum to house the plane.

According to a Commission Action Report document from City Manager Trey Cocking, the City would petition the State of Kansas to issue the bonds needed to make that plan a reality. “It's a program through the state of Kansas where if there is an increase in sales tax revenue generated by a project or in conjunction with a project that both the increase

in state sales tax and local sales tax generated by that project can go back in and be used for improvements around the project and associated with the project,” Cocking told MSC News in a January interview about the issue.

Cocking, in the document included with the agenda for Monday's meeting of the City Commission, says the first step of the STAR bond process is the creation of a STAR Bond District, and adoption of a resolution scheduling the district for a public hearing.

The public hearing would be held Friday, May 5, at noon, pending action of the Commission on Monday.

According to Cocking, by creating a district at the current time, the City may be able to proceed with the project even if the State does not renew the current STAR Bond law, which is set to expire June 30.

An exact price tag for the museum is not yet known, but Cocking says preliminary numbers indicate that between $1.5 million and $2.5 million is available for use on the project.

Past plans had included the use of STAR Bonds for the possible expansion of the athletic field at Benedictine College. However, in his report, Cocking notes that the bonds would currently be pursued for the museum only, as City Staff continues to work on the college project, which will “require additional time for due diligence.”

(KNZA)--Two men were arrested in Jackson County late Friday night on drug and weapons charges.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says the Sheriff's Office arrested 34-year-old Humboldt, Nebraska resident Donald Vernon Larson and 37-year-old Sabetha resident Justin Lee Banks on the property of Gilmore Crane, north of Hoyt, around 11:30.

Morse says seized at the scene were drugs and a sawed off shot gun.

Larson is being held in the Jackson County Jail on charges of possession of morphine, methamphetamine, marijuana, lorazepam, diazepam, drug paraphernalia, unlawfully obtaining a prescription drug with the intent to sell and a felon in possession of a firearm.  

Banks is being held on possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.  

Morse says the two were also in possession of financial and personal documents not belonging to them.

He said further charges may be expected later.  

(KNZA)--The Kansas Highway Patrol, along with local law enforcement agencies across the state, recently conducted a seatbelt enforcement campaign near high schools.

According to a news release from the KHP, during thes annual 2-week high visibility seatbelt enforcement period 102 agencies reported and issued:  842 adult seatbelt citations; 172 teen seatbelt citations; 47 child restraint citations along with at least 506 other citations, including many for excessive speed, driver’s license violations, and several DUI arrests     

The seatbelt enforcement campaign was conducted in conjunction with the SAFE (Seatbelts Are For Everyone) program, a student-led high school initiative. Currently, 142 schools in 62 counties across Kansas participate in SAFE.

The release says the goal of the enforcement is not to issue citations; it’s to remind people of all ages that seatbelts save lives. In 2016, preliminary statistics show Kansas lost 13 teens in crashes, with only 38% of the victims being properly restrained.