(MSC News)--Atchison based MGP Ingredients Tuesday announced that it has entered into a merger agreement with an affiliate of SEACOR Holdings, Inc. and Pacific Ethanol Central, LLC that would result in a sale of its thirty percent equity ownership interest in Illinois Corn Processing, LLC ("ICP") to Pacific Ethanol.

“The sale of ICP will enable MGP to fully focus on growing our core businesses of premium beverage alcohol and specialty ingredients products,” said Gus Griffin, president and CEO of MGP.  “This transaction is another step in our strategic plan to realize the full potential of MGP for our shareholders.”

Total proceeds of $76 million will be paid in a combination of $30 million in cash and through the issuance of secured promissory notes with an aggregate principal amount of $46 million to both of the ICP members in proportion to their ownership.  The purchase price is subject to customary pre- and post-closing adjustments.

The transaction is subject to customary representations, warranties and covenants, including covenants with respect to the operation of ICP prior to the closing of the merger transaction. The transaction is also subject to customary closing conditions.  Guggenheim Securities LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Illinois Corn Processing, LLC.

MGP expects that its Board of Directors will declare a special dividend of approximately $0.85 per share of common stock outstanding, or $14.5 million in the aggregate, to occur within 30 days of closing the merger transaction. This dividend will primarily be funded from the initial cash proceeds from the sale and cash received from a dividend distribution from ICP of $6.6 million approved on June 26, 2017.

Effects of Transaction and Long Term Guidance

Income from MGP's ownership of ICP is reported as equity method investment earnings.  The transaction will not affect MGP's sales or operating income, but will reduce MGP's net income by eliminating equity method investment earnings after the date of closing.  For the period ending March 31, 2017, MGP reported equity method investment earnings of $471,000, or $0.02 per share.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, MGP had equity method investment earnings of $4.0 million from its ownership of ICP, or $0.17 per share.

The transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement would result in a gain on sale of equity method investment, net of tax, of approximately $8.0 million.  This pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only, is based on certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable, and is not necessarily indicative of the results of the contemplated transaction.

There is no change at this time to the Company’s previously-issued guidance regarding revenue or operating income expectations. Additional details of the merger transaction can be found in the Company's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 27, 2017.

About Illinois Corn Processing (ICP)

ICP produces high quality food grade alcohol, chemical intermediates, and fuel at its Pekin, Illinois facility.  Illinois Corn Processing Holdings Inc., an affiliate of SEACOR Holdings, Inc., holds the remaining equity in ICP.  MGP's share of the merger consideration will equal its proportionate ownership percentage.

About MGP Ingredients, Inc.

MGP is a leading producer and supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches.  Distilled spirits include premium bourbon and rye whiskeys, gins and vodkas, which are carefully crafted through a combination of art and science and backed by over 150 years of experience.  The Company’s proteins and starches are created in the same manner and provide a host of functional, nutritional and sensory benefits for a wide range of food products.  MGP additionally is a producer of high quality industrial alcohol for use in both food and non-food applications.  The Company is headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, where distilled alcohol products and food ingredients are produced.  Premium spirits are also distilled and matured at the Company facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. For more information, visit mgpingredients.com.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City Council has given second round approval to a new salary ordinance for city employees.  

Monday evening the Council voted 2-1 to advance the proposal calling for a three percent cost-of-living pay increase. Councilman John Dahlgren cast a nay vote. Councilman Mark Sunneberg Jr. was absent. 

The proposal must pass one more reading to be enacted.  

In other business the Council reviewed correspondence from Southeast Nebraska Development District representative Crystal Dunecke about using a Building Inspector on nuisance issues.

Currently Pawnee City does not have a Building Inspector. 
Pawnee City officials are currently dealing with multiple downtown buildings with nuisance issues as well as several houses.  City Clerk Tammy Stephens says there are other nuisance matters that need attention as well.
 

(KMZA)--Water customers in a portion of Nemaha County, Kansas Rural Water District #3 need to boil any water that's intended to be consumed.

That comes after a boil advisory was issued Friday due to a a water main break.

The advisory includes only those Nemaha Co. RWD No. 3 customers from J Road to N Road and Hwy 36 to 116th Road.

The boil advisory is a precautionary measure implemented anytime there is a potential for compromised water quality.

The advisory will remain in place until further notice.

Efforts are underway to repair the break, and water samples are being collected.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

           Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation, or use bottled water.

• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.

• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.

• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.

• If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.

LANSING, Kan. (AP) — An inmate who escaped from the Lansing Correctional Facility has been recaptured in Topeka.

The Kansas Department of Corrections says 34-year-old James Stewart II was arrested in Topeka Friday about two hours after he was seen driving away from the prison in a state of Kansas vehicle.

The corrections department said Stewart was a minimum-security inmate.

Stewart was convicted of aggravated robbery in three cases in Shawnee and Jefferson counties in 2003 and 2013.

He was apprehended by members of the U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force as well as the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

(KAIR)--One Atchison woman is injured after her vehicle struck a fire hydrant and overturned on its top in the early morning hours Thursday.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson first responders were called to the 1500 block of Applegate Drive at 3:00 Thursday morning.

“There they found 20-year-old Allyson Fuhrman laying next to a 2012 Ford passenger car,” Wilson said. “It was overturned on its top after striking a fire hydrant and a parked car. She was taken to the hospital by EMS for injures.”

Fuhrman had crashed her car after just leaving a nearby residence where a disturbance preceded the wreck.

“Reports on the accident investigation as well as the investigation into the disturbance have been forwarded to the county attorney's office,” Wilson said.

Wilson said Fuhrman could be facing potential charges related to both the wreck and the previous disturbance.

From the Brown County Sheriff's Office: RR Crossings at Iowa, Oregon and Miami St in Hiawatha are currently blocked.

Union Pacific is aware and fixing the problem

(MSC News)--Guilty.

That's the verdict handed down in the latest of a series of trials for a Holton man accused of sex crimes involving female victims.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports a Jackson County jury began deliberations around 10:30 Friday morning and returned their verdict about three hours later.

Ewing was found guilty on two counts of rape, four counts of aggravated sodomy, and two counts of battery. He was additionally found guilty on single counts of hosting a party involving minors, serving alcohol to minors, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The jury found Ewing not guilty of possession of marijuana.

The trial for the 22-year-old Ewing has lasted all week, and included testimony from the two victims of the crimes that prosecutors say happened in September 2014 and May 2016.

Sentencing was set for July 27th.

Additional trials for Ewing, for additional alleged sex crimes, are set for August and October.

He was acquitted of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl during his first trial in April.

The case has divided area residents, with some supporting Ewing, while others say he deserves to be punished. That includes the establishment of Facebook pages about the issue.

Earlier this week, the case was featured on CNN's HLN network, where host Ashleigh Banfield discussed the division.

(KNZA)--An Atchison man arrested last week after allegedly fleeing on foot from  Horton Police following a short vehicle pursuit will stand trial on charges.

Following his preliminary hearing Wednesday, 39-year-old Nichlos Norton was bound over to Brown County District Court on felony charges of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and possession of methamphetamine. 

In addition, Norton faces misdemeanor charges of driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked, no insurance and improper registration along with a traffic infraction of speeding.

Arraignment was scheduled for July 10th.

A Horton police officer attempted to stop Norton during the morning hours of June 19th for a traffic violation and a chase ensued.  Norton fled out of the Horton city limits east on U.S. 73 Highway and then turned north onto Nighthawk Road where he drove into a ditch and fled on foot into a heavily wooded area.  He was arrested following a five-hour search.         

Norton remains in the Brown County Jail on a $100,450 bond. 

(KMZA)--A new Marshall County appraiser has been hired.

The Marysville Advocate reports the County Commission voted 2-1 this week to hire current Washington County Appraiser Francine Crome for the position.  Commissioner David Baier cast the lone no vote.

The Commission approved a resolution appointing Crome to a 4-year term, beginning July 1st.

She replaces current appraiser Tami Antoine whose contract expires June 30th.

The Commission decided earlier this month to advertise the county appraiser position, although they expressed no dissatisfaction in the job Antoine was doing.  

Antoine was the lowest-paid appraiser in Kansas with a salary of $42,400, and Crome told the newspaper she will be taking a pay cut of about $500 to become the Marshall County appraiser.

Crome, who lives in Marysville, previously served in the Marshall County Appraiser’s office as a deputy appraiser for 11 years before taking the Washington County job.
    

(KAIR)--A verbal altercation turns physical, and that leads to a trip to the Atchison Hospital for one Atchison man, while another goes to jail.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie tells MSC News 48-year-old Thad Jenkins was arrested following the fight that left a 47-year-old man injured.

“Deputies were called to the hospital for a past fight that occurred out on Sheridan,” Laurie said. “They spoke to a gentleman there who had received quite a few cuts and bruises and a separated shoulder. There weren't any weapons involved in this altercation, but he received pretty extensive injuries.”

Laurie says the victim was transported for treatment by private vehicle, while Jenkins left the scene of the Wednesday night fight.

“We were able to locate him at his residence on Sheridan Road, just down the road from where the altercation took place,” Laurie said. “They were acquaintances and had gotten involved in a verbal altercation at first, and it just escalated from there.”

Once he was located, Laurie says Jenkins was taken into custody on a charge of aggravated battery.

Following his arrest, Jenkins was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KNZA)--Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is alerting the public of another scam circulating in the area.

Merchant said Thursday he's been notified by several businesses and residents that they are being contacted by phone by a  person who is representing
themselves as a WESTAR employee.  The caller ID even shows the call is from WESTAR.  

The caller is stating that their electric bill has not been paid and unless payment is received, electrical service will be disconnected within a short amount of time.  A number and extension is given.  So far, Merchant says all those reporting the scam have given the same call back number of 1-866-377-5292  extension #1 and they are being told to ask for Rachel Bankes.  

He is advising residents not to return the call under any circumstances. In addition, he advising residents not to trust what their caller ID says as any persons name or phone number can be programmed to show up on your caller ID.  

If you have been a victim of this scam, notify your local law enforcement at once.

(KNZA)--The preliminary hearing for a Hiawatha teen charged with rape has been pushed back for a second time.

The hearing for 18-year-old Nicholas Miller was continued Wednesday to August 9th.

Miller is accused of having sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl.

He was arrested June 12th following an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department.

Miller remains in the Brown County Jail, held on a $150,000 bond.  

(KNZA)--Additional charges have been filed in a Brown County burglary case.

County Attorney Kevin Hill filed an amended complaint Wednesday charging 33-year-old Hiawatha resident William Schaefer with two counts of burglary and two counts of felony theft.

Schaefer had originally been charged with one count each of burglary and theft.

According to the criminal complaint, he's accused of breaking into a residence at 1567 250th Street twice and stealing numerous items.  Among the items taken were a laptop computer, DVD player, game camera, several bows, pocket knifes and jewelry.

Schaefer waived his preliminary hearing Wednesday and was bound over to Brown County District Court for arraignment July 10th.

He remains in the Brown County Jail  on a $15,000 bond.

(KAIR)--AAA Kansas is sending a reminder: buckle up or pay triple the fine. That comes as a new Kansas law goes into effect Saturday.

According to a release from AAA Kansas, Senate Bill 89 means that a person 18 or over, who's not buckled up while inside a moving vehicle, will pay a fine of $30. The revenue generated through the increase will be administered by the Secretary of Transportation and fund an expansion of the student-driven Seatbelts Are For Everyone program, making it available to every high school in Kansas.

AAA spokesman Shawn Steward says the organization “strongly supports this new law, in hopes that the higher fines will provide more of a deterrent to not wearing seatbelts.”

According to AAA, 435 people died in motor vehicle crashes, in Kansas last year, making it one of the top ten causes of unintentional death in the state and the number one killer of teens.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, more than seven out of 10, on average, of all people killed or seriously injured in Kansas crashes are unrestrained.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission is considering replacing the existing courthouse lights with new LED lighting.

Brett Dovel with Yellow Blue Eco Tech presented a proposal to Commissioners Monday for the upgrade.  

The Commission will review the proposal and told Dovel to meet with them again on July 10th.

Also Warren Meers with Jeanne’s Distribution, of  Agency, Missouri, visited with Commissioners about installing LED lights, and will present a proposal to Commissioners.

Commissioner’s were told LED lights will result in a significant energy savings, are safer and last longer.

In other action, the Commission authorized the publication of a notice of intent to vacate a portion of 200th Road between Jackrabbit and Kestrel Roads.  The portion of road includes a bridge that was previously closed near a railroad crossing.  

A public hearing on the road vacation is set for July 10th at 9:00 in the morning in the Commissioner’s room at the courthouse.    

(KAIR)--A search for an Atchison man accused of harassing and threatening a 35-year-old victim on multiple occasions has ended with the suspect behind bars.

“Arthur Bryant was taken into custody on Saturday,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “He's charged with violation of a protection from abuse order and telephone harassment that occurred on May 16 and criminal threat and violation of a protection from abuse order that occurred on June 20. In fact, we had been looking for him Friday and Saturday and we located him in the early hours on Saturday.”

Wilson said 40-year-old Bryant was booked into the Atchison County jail where he was held on a $2,500 bond.

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph area man accused of stealing a SUV belonging to a man whose body was recovered from the Missouri River last month will undergo a  competency evaluation.

A Doniphan County judge Tuesday granted a motion filed by the attorney for 40-year-old Christopher Colhour for the evaluation, which is to be conducted by Kanza Mental Health.

A pre-trial hearing, which had been scheduled in the case, was placed on hold.

Colhour has been charged with felony theft.

The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department recovered the body of 64-year-old St. Joseph resident Daniel Purvis from the Missouri River, south of St. Joseph, on May 27th after it was spotted by a citizen.

Authorities had been searching the Wolf River and other nearby bodies of water for Purvis since May 22nd.

Colhour was arrested May 22nd for the theft of a 2009 Chevy Traverse belonging to Purvis.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has identified Colhour as a suspect in Purvis’ disappearance, and says further charges are pending.

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

HOLTON, Kan. (AP) - Jurors in the second trial of a Holton man facing a string of sexual assault charges heard testimony from one of his accusers.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the woman testified Tuesday against 22-year-old Jacob Ewing, detailing for more than an hour how he allegedly sexually attacked her in May of last year during a struggle after a party at his home. She said she told Ewing she didn't want to have sex.

Another alleged victim was expected to testify Wednesday.

The trial involves allegations from two of the five women Ewing is charged with sexually assaulting. Additional trials are scheduled in August and October.

During Ewing's first trial in April, he was acquitted of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. 

(KAIR)--The subject of a Wednesday morning Missouri River search has been located.

KQ2-TV reports the person, believed to have been operating an ATV that crashed on U.S. Highway 36, was located by authorities at Mosaic Life Care, in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

The extent of his injuries have not been made public.

The early Wednesday morning wreck of the ATV apparently followed a pursuit of the vehicle by the Doniphan County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies discovered the wrecked ATV on the side of U.S. Highway 36 early Wednesday morning, but the driver was missing.

That led to a search of the nearby Missouri River, with that effort assisted in part by the Fire Departments of Elwood, Kansas and Saint Joseph, Missouri.

The suspected ATV operator's name has not yet been released. 

The Doniphan County Sheriff's Office, when contacted by MSC News Wednesday afternoon, said no comment was immediately being made about the case as the investigation continues.

Editor's note: Below is the initial story following the start of the search effort. 

(KAIR)--A search is launched for a missing person near the Missouri River.

KQ2-TV reports the search was launched early Wednesday morning by the Doniphan County Sheriff's Department, following the discovery of a wrecked ATV.

Authorities believe the vehicle was being driven from Kansas towards Saint Joseph, Missouri, on U.S. Highway 36.

The ATV was found crashed on the side of the highway, but the driver was not found.

Blood was discovered in the area of the wreck.

Fire Departments from Elwood and Saint Joseph are assisting with the search effort, which included the use of boats, equipped with search lights, on the river early Wednesday morning.

The investigation is continuing.

HOLTON, Kan. (AP) - Jurors in the second trial of a Holton man facing a string of sexual assault charges heard testimony from one of his accusers.
 
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the woman testified Tuesday against 22-year-old Jacob Ewing, detailing for more than an hour how he allegedly sexually attacked her in May of last year during a struggle after a party at his home. She said she told Ewing she didn't want to have sex.
 
 Another alleged victim was expected to testify Wednesday.
 
The trial involves allegations from two of the five women Ewing is charged with sexually assaulting. Additional trials are scheduled in August and October.
 
During Ewing's first trial in April, he was acquitted of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.
   

(KLZA)-- A grand opening  and ribbon cutting was held for Falls City’s newest business Tuesday morning. 

Doug Haycock, President of Falls City Foods says the local facility was able to be up and running about 10 days after closing on the purchase of the facility. 

The company is owned by Great West – Teeuwissen, and also operates York Cold Storage in York, Nebraska and has additional operations in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.   

Great West – Teeuwissen does processing, importing and exporting, of animal by-products used by companies in the production of pet food and animal feed.  

Doug Haycock’s son Spencer manages the Falls City Foods facility.  

Falls City Foods has hired several employees to get started, with a goal of about 20 employees in about a year. 

Falls City Mayor Jerry Oliver, EDGE Executive Director Beckie Cromer and Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director Courtney Dentlinger joined Doug Haycock in speaking during the ceremony.

Haycock said the Nebraska Department of Economic Development directed him to Falls City as a possible location for expanding their business.  Great West – Teeuwissen is located in Colorado and there is another facility in operation in York, Nebraska. 

EDGE also played a key role in the process. Haycock praised the efforts of Beckie Cromer, noting he worked with the seller and was involved in every aspect of the transaction to make it happen. 

EDGE sponsored a free lunch, open to the public following the ceremony.

(KAIR)--A new manufacturing facility is set to open in Doniphan County.

That announcement comes in a press release issued by Doniphan County Economic Development, which states that Kindred Biosciences, Inc. has acquired a manufacturing facility in Elwood.

The release describes the firm as “a biopharmaceutical company focused on saving and improving the lives of pets.”

The property purchased by the company was previously owned by Boehringer Ingelheim and by Strategic Veterinary Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

It includes approximately 8 acres of land and two buildings encompassing approximately 180,000 square feet.

The total purchase price was $3,750,000 and the company expects to close within 30-days.

Co-Founder and COO of KindredBio, Denise Beyers, says that while the company already employs top talent in the Kansas City area, the acquisition will allow the company “to recruit additional talent to support the manufacture of drugs and biologics for companion animals.”

Organizations that assisted in attracting KindredBio to the region were the KC Area Development Council, the State of Kansas, the Kansas Department of Commerce, Westar Energy, KC Animal Health Corridor, and the Doniphan County Economic Development Commission.

(KNZA)--A  jury trial has been set for a Hoyt man charged with sex crimes involving a three-year-old child.

The Holton Recorder reports 26-year-old Theodore Purdy III pleaded “ not guilty” Friday in Jackson County District Court to charges of  rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

A trial was set for December 5th and 6th.

Purdy is charged with alleged offenses occurring between September 1st and October 14th of last year.

He was arrested by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office on October 20th, and was released on a $80,000 bond the same day.

Purdy remains free on bond.  

(KMZA)--A vehicle stolen from a residence in the Nemaha County community of Corning has been recovered.

The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department says a 2004 Ford Expedition was taken sometime early Sunday morning from 6351 Warehouse Avenue.

It was later located in Frankfort.

The case remains under investigation.

(KAIR)--A jury trial for the Denton man accused of stealing personal images from two female victims is canceled after he entered a guilty plea to a reduced charge.

42-year-old Jason Seetin had originally pled not guilty in Atchison County Court to two counts of breech of privacy and two counts of computer crime. A jury trial had been scheduled for June 27 in the case.

However, Seetin accepted a plea bargain Friday and pled guilty to an amended  computer crime charge.

Sentencing is set for June 30th.

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

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

(KAIR)--Following Atchison City Commissions approval, the city of Atchison will apply for two grants both geared toward improving Atchison transpiration.

According to a press release from Atchison Public Works and Utilities Director Justin Pregont, both grants are being sought from the Kansas Department of Transportation through the federal Transportation Alternatives Program.

The first, is for the Second Street Corridor Project. This aims to improve sidewalks, wheelchair ramps, intersection crossings, and pedestrian lighting along Second Street from Commercial Street to Division Street.

In the amount of $525,000, the grant would also seek to repair or replace the entire Amelia Earhart Historic District with fully restored brick sidewalks.

Pregont said this project is a high priority in the city's 2016 comprehensive plan by better connecting Benedictine College campus to downtown Atchison and the new YMCA and Holiday Inn Express.

The second application, is intended for the Atchison Middle School Safe Routes To Schools Stage 1 Project.

This is a collaborative project between the city, USD 409 and Live Well, Live Atchison among others.

Stage 1 seeks to make improvements to crosswalks surrounding Atchison Middle School, as well as sidewalks, wheelchair ramps, and intersection crossings along the Fifth Street corridor in south Atchison.

The release says grant award announcements from KDOT won't be announced until November of this year.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth man faces numerous charges in Atchison County, accused of firing a handgun as part of an argument.

Sheriff Jack Laurie says it happened in Cummings Sunday afternoon, where a woman reported that 22-year-old Brandon Ross fired multiple rounds from a handgun as he left a residence in a vehicle.

The shooting came after Ross allegedly had been arguing with people at the residence.

Children were present at the location, while another child was in the vehicle with Ross as he drove away.

According to Laurie, bullet casings were recovered at the scene of the alleged shooting.

Laurie says Ross was located later in Leavenworth where he was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, aggravated endangerment of a child, and criminal discharge of a firearm.

Initially booked into the Atchison County Jail on the charges, Ross was later freed on a bond of $25,000.

(KAIR)--Atchison city commissioners gave their stamp of approval for the redevelopment of the Royal Movie Theater after unanimously adopting a resolution of support.

At the June 19 commission meeting, commissioners heard from Theater Atchison Executive director Travis Grossman who presented Theater Atchison's intent to raise funds, renovate and operate a two-screen move theater at the old Royal Theater on Atchison's pedestrian mall.

Additionally, commissioners gave support for a part of Theater Atchison's fund raising strategy which includes an application to the State of Kansas Community Service Tax Credit Program.

Administrated by the Department of Commerce, the program features $3.6 million in tax credit funding with no individual awards greater than $250,000.

Grossman said after gaining commission's approval, that application process will be fast-tracked as the deadline to apply is July 1.

(KLZA)-- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a permit that is a key for the proposed Elk Creek Superalloy Material Project. 

NioCorp has been issued a U.S. Clean Water Act Section 404 permit authorizing the company to build all of the Elk Creek projects proposed 33-mile waterline to the Missouri River, except for the final 900 feet and outfall structures in the river. 

The construction of the final section is subject to the Corp of Engineers authorization also under Section 408 and 404.  The company said in a news release Monday, they are currently working to secure the final authorization. 

Mark Smith, Executive Chair and CEO of NioCorp is quoted to say, “once sufficient project financing is in place, the other federal permit is secured for the waterline’s outfall structure, and sate and local permits are finalized, the company should be clear to launch construction of the project.”

(KNZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Lakeside Village Improvement District in Jefferson County.

The advisory was issued June 20th because of a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

KDHE said Tuesday laboratory testing samples collected from the Lakeside Village Improvement District indicates no evidence of contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by agency officials to be resolved.  

(KAIR)--As the City of Atchison seeks bonds to aid in the enhancement of the downtown Farmers' Market, customers of the Farmer's Market are being asked to provide input.

That comes in a message posted on the official Atchison Farmers' Market Facebook page, which says City Manager Trey Cocking needs the information to present to the Department of Commerce.

The public support for the project would allow the state agency to see the need of the proposed enhancement, which includes the construction of a permanent covering for the Farmer's Market.

The work would be funded through STAR Bonds, issued by the state.

According to the Farmers' Market Facebook post, installation of a permanent covering would provide shelter at the location, blocking both the sun and rain, while allowing the location to be used for other community events.

Comments related to the use of the Farmers' Market can be provided through the use of a questionnaire posted on the organization's Facebook page, or by sending a direct email to longviewfarm3@gmail.com. 

The deadline to provide input is Thursday.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle wreck in Jackson County Monday morning sent a Willis man to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened shortly before 11:20 at the intersection of U.S. 75 and 162nd Road at the Mayetta city limits.

The Patrol says 69-year-old Mayetta resident Lester Crawshaw was driving a westbound pickup truck pulling a trailer on 162nd Road when he failed to yield to a southbound car on U.S. 75 driven by 52-year-old Byron Wakole, striking his car in the passenger side.

Wakole was transported by private vehicle to an unknown hospital.

Crawshaw was not hurt.

The Patrol says both drivers were wearing seatbelts.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha woman has been sentenced to three years in prison in two separate cases.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says 44-year-old Beth Mikita was sentenced Monday in Brown County District Court to 20 months in prison in a drug case and to 16 months in prison after her probation was revoked in a Hiawatha Chamber of Commerce embezzlement case.

Hill says the sentences were ordered to run consecutively for a total of 36 months in prison.

Mikita pleaded no contest last month to charges of possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor theft.  In exchange for the plea, two additional drug counts were dismissed.  

Mikita and Kalen Pyle, of Atchison, were arrested in January in the Hiawatha Wal-Mart parking lot after the Brown County's Sheriff's Department's K-9, Ari, alerted on their vehicle.

Last June, Mikita was placed on one-year supervised probation and ordered to pay more than $8,000 restitution after being convicted of embezzling funds while serving as Chamber treasurer between August 2014 and April 2015.      

(KLZA)-- The Subway Restaurant in Pawnee City suffered what was described as considerable smoke and heat damage in a Monday morning fire. 

Firefighters from Pawnee City and Table Rock responded to the fire alarm about 8:40 a.m.  The fire was under control around 9:00 a.m. 

No injuries were reported.  Pawnee City Fireman John Vetrovsky told MSCNEWS the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Nebraska State Fire Marshall’s Office.  

The building housing the Subway restaurant is located at 626, 6th Street on the north side of the Square in Pawnee City.  The Pawnee Progress Group operates the business. 

(KAIR)--An Atchison woman goes to jail after allegedly kicking an Atchison Police officer while he was attempting to place her under arrest.

“Shortly before noon on Sunday, we investigated a rock being thrown at a moving vehicle driven by a 67-year-old victim in the 700 block of North Sixth,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “We located the 51-year-old suspect in the 800 block of Parallel. When the officers were taken that suspect into custody, she kicked an officer in the chest. Now, she not only faces criminal damage to property in relation to the moving vehicle, but also battery on law enforcement.”

He said it was Cynthia Cook is who's also charged with obstructing legal process along with battery on a law enforcement officer and criminal damage to property.

Wilson added she was taken into custody in connection with an Atchison County District Court warrant for domestic battery, criminal damage to property and theft.

“That involved a mid-September disturbance that occurred in the 800 block of Parallel,” Wilson said.

Cook was booked into the Atchison County Jail held on a $2,500 bond.

(KLZA)-- The public is invited to a grand opening, ribbon cutting and free barbecue Tuesday for Falls City Foods.  

Falls City Foods opened recently at 404 Pacific Street.  The local company partners with Great West – Teeuwissen, a company doing processing, exporting and importing of animal by-products.  The products are sold to companies that produce pet food and animal feed industries.

Doug Haycock is President of the Company. His son, Spencer, is the manager of the Falls City facility.  

Tuesday’s free lunch is sponsored by Falls City EDGE and will include hot dogs, ice cream and refreshments.

The ribbon cutting ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by the lunch.  
 

(KNZA/AP)--The second in a series of trials for a Holton man accused of sexually assaulting five women began Monday morning with jury selection.

The trial involves two cases against 22-year-old Jacob Ewing — one involving the alleged rape and aggravated criminal sodomy of a woman in September 2014, the other involving the alleged rape and two incidents of aggravated criminal sodomy of another woman in May 2016.

A jury acquitted Ewing in May on charges of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl on the hood of his car in a local cemetery when he was 19.

Additional trials are scheduled in August and October. In May, Ewing was also charged with 13 counts of sexual exploitation of a child involving alleged child pornography.

The accusations against Ewing have divided the Holton community of some 3,300 people.  

His supporters have put signs in their front yards and packed court proceedings wearing T-shirts emblazoned with messages of support for him.

On the other side, advocates for the women he is accused of assaulting have formed a support group on Facebook called "I support the Victims of Jacob Ewing" that also has organized volunteers to sit in the courtroom during proceedings.
 

(KNZA)--Brown County will be searching for a new county appraiser.

Following an executive session Monday with County Attorney Kevin Hill,  the County Commission approved a resolution to not re-appoint Jeff Ball to the position.

Commission Chairman Steve Roberts declined to comment on the decision.

Ball’s current term expires June 30th, and he was up for re-appointment to a 4-year term.    

Ball had served as county appraiser since July 2015 when he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Paula Jones, who died unexpectedly in February 2015.

The county will be advertising for a new appraiser.

In the meantime, the Commission plans to appoint an interim appraiser until a qualified person can be found and will be working with the state Division of Property Valuation to find someone to fill the interim position.

(KLZA)-- During the June 26th City Council meeting in Falls City, information was presented concerning water damage to property in the basement of the Grand Weaver Hotel.

Gayle and Linda Swisegood operated The Flower Cart in a portion of the building and property of the business, stored in the basement, was damaged.

The City contracted with RS Electric to bring a new electrical service to the hotel, utilizing the alley on the north side of the building. RS Electric had a sub-contact with Rieschick Drilling for part of the work. 

The claim alleges a hole was left in the side of the building over the weekend, during which time more than an inch of rain fell.  Runoff from the rain came out of the hotel parking lot and off of several adjacent buildings allowing thousands of gallons of water to run into the basement of the hotel, damaging property The Flower Cart had stored in the basement. 

The Swisegood’s filed a damage claim with the city in an amount of nearly $5,400 which covered the damaged property and labor costs for the cleanup. 

At the present time insurance companies representing the City of Falls City, the contractor RS Electric and sub-contractor Rieschick Drilling are attempting to determine which companies will pay and how much. 

The Council tabled action on the claim. Meanwhile, debate between the insurance companies as to who will pay continues.  

(KMZA)--An all-terrain vehicle crash on a Pottawatomie County road Saturday evening claimed the life of a Havensville man.

The Kansas Highway Patrol identified the victim as 49-year-old Alex Blow.

The Patrol says Blow was driving a Polaris Scrambler 400 westbound on the Havensville Road when it entered the south ditch and struck a power pole.

Blow was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash was reported around 6:40 Saturday evening.

A celebration of life service for Blow will be held Friday evening at 7:00 at the Havensville Community Center.

(KLZA)-- The Humboldt City Council discussed the next steps in the City Auditorium renovation plan and the possible purchase of the building next to the Auditorium during their June 20th meeting. 

Dennis Crispin, chairman of the Auditorium renovation committee informed Council members Phase II of the architectural design work for the project has been completed. 

Crispin sought permission to use available funds to pay for Phase III architectural design.  

Concerns were raised about how much money the architectural designs will take and how much money is available were discussed. Eventually the Council approved moving forward with the Phase III design work.

Councilperson Dolores Martinez cast a no vote on moving forward. 

Crispin also presented information on the possible purchase of the building directly west of the Humboldt City Auditorium.  The placement of air conditioning units for the Auditorium will be difficult due to the proximity of the building next door.  Crispin also suggested the other building could be utilized for storage. 

At the urging of Councilman Dean Bogle, the Council voted to explore a purchase option, including negotiating the sale price before a final decision is made.  

(KMZA)--A general surgeon has joined the medical staff at Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville.

According to a news release, Dr. Cheryl Rice will begin her general surgery practice at the hospital, effective July 1st.  She comes to the hospital from Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence.

Rice grew up in Inman, Kansas and graduated from Inman High school.  She received her undergraduate degree from Tabor College in Hillsboro. Rice received her medical degree from University of Kansas School of Medicine in 2003, and completed her general surgery residency at St. Louis University School of Medicine. Rice has a special interest in diagnosis and treatment of breast diseases, especially breast cancer.

Rice says she’s excited to start her practice in Marysville, and looks forward to working with the physicians and staff at CMH.

Rice and her husband, Eric Albrecht, live in Marysville with their two children, Katherine and Brantley, and Rice’s father, Clyde Rice.  As a family, they enjoy being outdoors as much as possible, playing, walking, gardening, and swimming.

(KMZA)--A general surgeon has joined the medical staff at Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville.

According to a news release, Dr. Cheryl Rice will begin her general surgery practice at the hospital, effective July 1st.  She comes to the hospital from Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence.

Rice grew up in Inman, Kansas and graduated from Inman High school.  She received her undergraduate degree from Tabor College in Hillsboro. Rice received her medical degree from University of Kansas School of Medicine in 2003, and completed her general surgery residency at St. Louis University School of Medicine. Rice has a special interest in diagnosis and treatment of breast diseases, especially breast cancer.

Rice says she’s excited to start her practice in Marysville, and looks forward to working with the physicians and staff at CMH.

Rice and her husband, Eric Albrecht, live in Marysville with their two children, Katherine and Brantley, and Rice’s father, Clyde Rice.  As a family, they enjoy being outdoors as much as possible, playing, walking, gardening, and swimming.

(KMZA)--A general surgeon has joined the medical staff at Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville.

According to a news release, Dr. Cheryl Rice will begin her general surgery practice at the hospital, effective July 1st.  She comes to the hospital from Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence.

Rice grew up in Inman, Kansas and graduated from Inman High school.  She received her undergraduate degree from Tabor College in Hillsboro. Rice received her medical degree from University of Kansas School of Medicine in 2003, and completed her general surgery residency at St. Louis University School of Medicine. Rice has a special interest in diagnosis and treatment of breast diseases, especially breast cancer.

Rice says she’s excited to start her practice in Marysville, and looks forward to working with the physicians and staff at CMH.

Rice and her husband, Eric Albrecht, live in Marysville with their two children, Katherine and Brantley, and Rice’s father, Clyde Rice.  As a family, they enjoy being outdoors as much as possible, playing, walking, gardening, and swimming.

(KAIR)--Special recognition for an Atchison-based business leader.

That comes as Dave Rindom, the Vice-President and Chief Administrative Officer at MGP Ingredients, is named as one of “50 Kansans You Should Know.”

That's a special edition of the Kansas City publication, Ingram's Magazine, which was published in May.

According to a press release issued by MGP, the annual edition “spotlights individuals from all across Kansas who “stand out for their successes and achievements and help improve the quality of life for the people around them.”

The 50 Kansans selected are based on several factors that include professional achievements and how honorees “have set standards of excellence.”

Rindom joined MGP as a distillery operator in 1980. He was made assistant personnel director in 1984 and was promoted to personnel director four years later. In 1992, he was appointed corporate director of human resources. He remained in that role for eight years until becoming an officer of the company with his promotion to vice president of human resources.

Rindom has served as Vice president and Chief Administrative Officer of the company since December 2015.

He is the second MGP employee to be honored by Ingram’s this year. In April, Brandon Gall, director of supply chain finance and business development, received recognition as a member of the magazine’s 19th class of “40 Under Forty” up-and-coming business and professional leaders in the greater Kansas City metro area.

(KNZA)--No injuries were reported after a motor home was destroyed by fire Sunday morning in Jackson County.

Sheriff Tim Morse says the 2013 Hurricane 29x motor home caught fire on U.S. 75 Highway just north of 158th Road around 9:40.

The fire lead to the closure of the northbound lanes of Highway 75 for nearly 3 hours.

Morse says the vehicle and its two occupants were from Georgia.

Firefighters from Mayetta, Hoyt, and Prairie Band Potawatomi responded.

The agencies remained on scene until 12:30 Sunday afternoon.

(KNZA)--No injuries were reported after a motor home was destroyed by fire Sunday morning in Jackson County.

Sheriff Tim Morse says the 2013 Hurricane 29x motor home caught fire on U.S. 75 Highway just north of 158th Road around 9:40.

The fire lead to the closure of the northbound lanes of Highway 75 for nearly 3 hours.

Morse says the vehicle and its two occupants were from Georgia.

Firefighters from Mayetta, Hoyt, and Prairie Band Potawatomi responded.

The agencies remained on scene until 12:30 Sunday afternoon.

(KNZA)-A single-vehicle wreck late Friday afternoon on a Nemaha County road left one injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 26-year-old Dexter, Kansas resident Zackery Brumback was southbound on W Road, about two miles north of U.S. 36, when his SUV went left of center into the east embankment, causing the vehicle to roll into a fence.

Brumback, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was transported to the Sabetha Community Hospital for the treatment of possible injuries.

The wreck was reported shortly after 4:50 Friday afternoon.    

(KAIR)--The first spray park in Jackson County.

That's the goal set in the City of Mayetta, where fundraising efforts, to make the spray park a reality, are under way.

Mayetta Mayor Jonathan Wimer tells MSC News fundraisers are being held to generate the revenue necessary for the spray park's construction.

That includes a movie night, Saturday night, in the Mayetta City Park.

It begins at 8:00, and admission will be a free will donation.

Wimer says everyone, from anywhere in the local area, is invited.

He says signs will be put in place in Mayetta to guide guests to the park's location.

To hear the details about the planned spray park, here our full interview with Mayor Wimer here.

(KNZA)--Court proceedings for a St. Joseph teenager charged in connection with a fatal crash in April that claimed the lives of four other teens have been delayed.

A Buchanan County judge was told Thursday that investigators are still waiting on lab results in the case against 17-year-old Skylar Lucas-Cox.

He faces two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of 2nd-degree assault. Another hearing was set for August 8th.

Authorities say Lucas-Cox was driving a stolen pickup April 14th near the intersection of Riverside and Cook Roads in the northeast part of St. Joseph when he lost control of the vehicle and crossed into oncoming traffic, striking another vehicle head-on.

Four teens in the pickup, ranging in age from 15 to 17, died as a result of the crash. Three others, including Lucas-Cox, were injured. He remains held without bond.

(KLZA)-- The Humboldt City Council has approved hiring a temporary part-time office clerk. 

Linda Eis has been hired to work as a part-time office clerk, for three months. Her hourly wage will be $10.  

Eis will help catch up on back work in the Clerks Office now that City Clerk Carol Glathar has taken the position. 

The Council approved moving forward with more research on new welcome signs along Highway 4 on the north edge of Humboldt. 

Council members also approved moving the City insurance to the League Association of Risk Management at a cost of nearly $34,200.  That bid was approximately $4-thousand dollar lower than the proposed renewal rate with the previous company.  

The first Council meeting in July has been rescheduled for Wednesday, July 5th due to the July 4th holiday. 
 

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners have awarded a bid for a bridge project east of Humboldt. 

Five bids were submitted with a spread of more than $100,000 between the low bid and high bid.

Commissioners approved the low bid of nearly $241,000 from Vogt Construction from Bennett, Nebraska.  

The project is to begin April 1, 2018 and be completed in May, 2018.  The bridge is less than a mile east of Humboldt on 713 Trail. 

Commissioners also approved the appointment of J.T. Lyons to the position of Noxious Weed Control Superintendent upon completion and receipt of the certifications required from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture as a commercial applicator.  
 

(KLZA)-- Pawnee County Commissioners reviewed the pay policy for part time employees during their June 20th meeting.  

The Board approved pay for part time, non-certified employees shall be set by the individual department head or elected official, but is not to exceed the office deputy hourly wage.  

Commissioners met with Veterans Service Administrator Larry Bradbury to review the hours for the Veterans Service Office.  Hours are 8:00 a.m. to noon and the Board suggested those hours should be adhered to.

A proposal for a new Mack Truck from RDO Truck Center, the company with the state bid this year was reviewed with Highway Superintendent Chris Rauner.

No action was taken. The price for a new Mack Truck with a day cab was quoted at $104,545.  Rauner is to get more information for the Commissioners.  

 (AP) – Nebraska health and environment officials have issued a health alert for toxic blue-green algae at Iron Horse Trail Lake in Pawnee County.
 
Officials said in a news release Friday that the alert was issued following tests of the lake water.
 
Skin exposed to the toxin from certain strains of blue-green algae can develop rashes and blisters. Someone who drinks water containing the toxin is at risk for headaches, nausea and muscular pain.

Recreational boating and fishing are permitted, but the public is advised to use caution and avoid exposure to the water, particularly avoiding any activity that could lead to swallowing the water. Do not let pets get in the water or drink from the lake. People can still use the public areas for camping, picnics and other outdoor activities

(KAIR)--An Atchison native is receiving Hall of Fame honors.

That comes as Matthew “Chic” Downing is named as an inductee into the Kansas Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.

That will happen during ceremonies Saturday, in Salina, on the campus of Kansas Wesleyan University.

A news release issued by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association calls the graduate of Atchison High School and Benedictine College “one of the best athletes and coaches from the great state of Kansas.”

He played basketball for both schools, was drafted to the New York Nicks in 1972, and went on to coach in his hometown.

Last year, Downing was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, and has received similar recognition, time and time again, including his 1995 induction into the Kansas Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame, his 2000 induction into the Benedictine College Sports Hall of Fame, and his 2015 induction into the Kansas USSSA Slow Pitch Softball hall of Fame.

(KLZA)-- An Auburn doctor has received the Marion D. and Theodore Koefoot, Jr., M.D., Outstanding Preceptor in Rural Family Medicine Award.

Dr. Michael Zaruba practices at Auburn Family Health Clinic. He was presented the award at the annual, University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Family Medicine banquet.  

The Koefoot Award is granted to a rural Nebraska family physician, providing outstanding teaching and mentoring of medical students during their family medicine rural preceptorship and serves as an outstanding community physician.  

University of Nebraska Medical Center graduate Clayton Damme nominated Dr. Zaruba for the award, citing his mentorship and guidance, during his rotation at the Auburn Family Health Clinic. 

(KAIR)--After 26-years in business, Long John Silver's, in Atchison, is closing its doors.

Owner Karen Seaberg Thursday told MSC News the closure is set for June 30.

That follows 26-years in business at the Main Street location, which was opened by Seaberg, and her late husband, Ladd.

She says that while nothing's definite, plans are being put in place for the future of the location, with an announcement regarding re-purposing the structure planned to be made in the near future.

Seaberg gives warm thanks to the restaurant's patrons, as well as General Manager Roy Mingus and the staff.

To hear the full interview with Seaberg regarding the decision to close, go here.

KS Dept. of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism K-9 Officer Hunter/Credit: Brown Co Sheriff's Office

(KNZA)--A Highland man goes to jail in Brown County following what Sheriff John Merchant describes as a “short chase” early Thursday morning.

Merchant says it began around 3:00 when a Sac and Fox Tribal Police Officer spotted a vehicle in a ditch, near the Pemberton Village Apartments in Hiawatha.

When the driver drove away, the officer gave chase, with the pursuit lasting nearly 6 miles.

It ended when the suspect vehicle went off the roadway in the area of 260th and Plum Tree Road.

It was there the driver, identified as 34-year-old Zachariah Brown, fled on foot.

A search for his whereabouts was launched, with the Brown County Sheriff's Office, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and Kickapoo Tribal Police all assisting at the scene.

Merchant says Wildlife and Parks Officer Scott Stoughton, assisted by his K-9, Hunter, located Brown about 6 minutes later, 100 yards from where the vehicle has stopped in a field filled with tall corn.

Brown was arrested without further incident on charges of felony flee to elude, a Brown County warrant for felony flee to elude, and a Nemaha County warrant.

Brown was booked into the Brown County Jail following his arrest.

Merchant says additional charges are pending.

(KLZA)-- A Falls City Elementary School Teacher has been given the go-ahead to seek grant funds for new sound and lighting systems at Prichard Auditorium.  

During Monday’s Falls City Council meeting, Elementary Music Teacher Robin Ankrom said that for around25 years her students present two programs at Prichard Auditorium. In recent years she says audience members have said they could not understand parts of the program through the P.A. system. 

Ankrom said the current sound system is undersized, out of date and need repairs. 

Lanham Music in St. Joseph estimated the cost for new lighting on the stage area at just over $3,900 and the sound system has a price tag of more than $37,000. The total is nearly $42-thousand.

Ankrom suggested just applying for a sound system but Council members felt it would be better to try and accomplish both projects at once.

If successful in receiving a USDA Grant, a 25-percent match local match, amounting to more than $10-thousand would be required.  

Ankrom says she feels that by upgrading to a concert quality sound system, it would be a benefit to the City. 

In addition, the systems would require additional funds for required upgrades and incidentals. 
 

(KLZA)-- One to six years in prison is the sentence issued to a former Peru State College basketball player in Nemaha County, Nebraska District Court. 

25-year-old Jeffland Neverson, from Booklyn, New York was sentenced Wednesday morning for the September, 2016 assault of a Peru State football player. 

Neverson entered a plea of no contest to a charge of assault in April. Originally Neverson was charged with two felony counts.

Two Bobcat football players and another basketball player suffered stab wounds during the incident during a party at a home near the Peru State campus. 

Neverson was allowed credit for 106 days service in jail.  In addition, he must pay courts costs in excess of $1,300.   

(KMZA)--A sales tax proposal to provide financial support for Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville will not appear on the November general election ballot.

The Marysville Advocate reports a motion at this week’s Marshall County Commission meeting by Commissioner Lynn Feldhausen to place a half-sales tax on the ballot for the hospital died due to the lack of a second.

Representatives of CMH approached the Commission in April asking that they put the sales tax issue on the ballot.   

The Commission was told the hospital, one of only a few in Kansas that does not receive local tax support, faces increased financial struggles because of reduced federal Medicare reimbursements and a growing uninsured caseload.

A similar effort last year to get the Commission to place a sales tax issue on the ballot for the hospital also failed.

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

(KAIR)--A familiar face in local law enforcement is saying goodbye.

That comes as Russell Ross retires from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

Ross was serving as a corrections officer for the agency.

A ceremony in his honor was held Tuesday.

Ross' duties weren't confined to Jackson County. Instead, he once served the Atchison County Sheriff's Office, where he was employed for five years.

He also served the nation as a United States Marine.

According to a press release issued by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Tim Morse Tuesday presented Ross with a plaque of appreciation for his “dedication, commitment, and years of service to the safety of Jackson County and the citizens of Northeastern Kansas.”

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Regional Planning Commission is recommending that a zoning change to allow for the construction of a new Dollar General Store at Troy be denied.

The Board cited safety concerns with the proposed location in making the recommendation last week, with the County Commission to make a final decision at their July 3rd meeting.

The 75-hundred square foot store is being proposed at the northeast corner of the intersection of U.S. 36 Highway and Mesquito Creek Road.

Several Troy residents met with the County Commission Monday to voice their support for the zoning change.

Tom Gronniger said he feels the intersection would actually be safer with the addition of the store because it would be lit up and attention would be drawn to the building.   He asked the Commission to be pro-growth and pro-economic development.

Alice Clary, a former driver for the county public transportation service,  says she sees the need for such a store for the senior population that may not have the ability to go to St. Joseph but could still shop independently locally.

(KNZA)--Advertisements appearing online that purport to offer consumers a share of  a tobacco settlement agreement are a scam.

That warning from Kansas Attorney Derek Schmidt.  

Schmidt says the Master Settlement Agreement reached in 1998 was to repay Kansas taxpayers for the health-related costs of tobacco use in the state.  However, he says the agreement has never provided payments directly to individuals. Schmidt says any advertising that claims to help individual Kansans collect money from the settlement is a scam.

The online ads, which began appearing recently, suggest that consumers can receive thousands of dollars per month from the tobacco settlement. However, before the consumer can access the information on how to file a claim, they are directed to purchase a subscription to the website for between $79 and $129. The subscription form requires the consumer’s personal information and credit card number.

Schmidt reminded Kansans never to give out their personal or financial information online, except to known, trusted websites using secure connections.

Consumers who have received these advertisements and paid money to the scammers are encouraged to file a complaint with the attorney general’s office online at www.InYourCornerKansas.org or by calling (800) 432-2310.

TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) - An attorney for an inmate accused of strangling his cellmate has asked a judge to declare Nebraska's death penalty unconstitutional.

Concerns over the lethal injection procedure are among the 11 arguments in a motion filed Monday by Todd Lancaster, attorney for Patrick Schroeder.

Capital punishment was repealed in 2015 but recently reinstated by voters.

The move prompted a delay in Schroeder's arraignment that was set for Tuesday.

Schroeder has been serving a life sentence for murder but now also faces a potential death sentence for allegedly choking cellmate Terry Berry Jr. to death in April at the Tecumseh State Prison.

Lancaster says the state's death penalty is racially and geographically discriminatory. He says the decision to seek it is arbitrary because it's left to individual county attorneys.

(KNZA)--Hiawatha parks will be going tobacco free.

The City Commission Monday evening approved an ordinance prohibiting the use of any tobacco product—including electronic cigarettes- at city parks and playgrounds.

Signs will be posted designating the parks as tobacco-free areas.

Those violating the ordinance could face a fine.

Police Chief John Defore presented the ordinance to the Commission for their consideration.

It will take effect after publication in the local newspaper.

(KNZA)--Rodeo returns to Jackson County, with funds raised from Saturday's event earmarked to support the continued construction of the Northeast Kansas Heritage Complex, located just west of U.S. Highway 75, south of Holton.

According to a press release, Saturday's 8th annual Jackson County Ranch Rodeo is sponsored by the Jackson County Fair Association, and will include such events as team sorting, steer mugging, steer branding, and trailer loading.

The Grand Entry and rodeo begins at 4:00 Saturday afternoon, following the opening of the gates at 1:00.

The rodeo will be held in the Northeast Kansas Heritage Complex Arena.

Activities will continue into the evening, with Team Roping, open to all entrants, scheduled for the evening.

Entries start at 6:00, with the event set to begin around 7:30, following the Ranch Rodeo awards ceremony.

The admission cost to the family friendly rodeo activities will be a free will donation.

(KAIR)--The Elderly and the disabled in Atchison and Hiawatha have an opportunity to receive a free fan this Friday.

That word from a press release stating that the fans, donated by Westar Energy, are intended for those eligible without access to air conditioning during hot and humid weather.

In Atchison, fans will be distributed from 9:00 – 11:00 Friday morning at the Atchison Salvation Army Office at 926 Commercial Street. In Hiawatha, the distribution will happen at 1:30 Friday afternoon at the Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, located at 1803 Oregon Street.

According to the press release, Westar's local donations are part of a $60,000 fan contribution distributed throughout the communities it serves.

Along with elderly and disabled residents, the fans are also available to families with young children. If you meet the eligibility requirement, bring your ID and proof of address at the time of distribution.

Each household that qualifies will receive one fan while supplies last.

The Westar Energy In Motion trailer will also be available to provide account assistance and energy efficiency tips.

(KNZA)-- A portion of a Brown County road has been closed due to a bridge replacement project.

According to the county, Sunflower Road between 120th and 130th Roads, will be closed until further notice.

Husker Steel, of Columbus, Nebraska, is the contract on the around $270,000 project.

The project is expected to take several months.  

(MSC News)--The Elderly and the disabled in Atchison and Hiawatha have an opportunity to receive a free fan this Friday.

That word from a press release stating that the fans, donated by Westar Energy, are intended for those eligible without access to air conditioning during hot and humid weather.

In Atchison, fans will be distributed from 9:00 – 11:00 Friday morning at the Atchison Salvation Army Office at 926 Commercial Street.

In Hiawatha, the distribution will happen at 1:30 Friday afternoon at the Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, located at 1803 Oregon Street.

According to the press release, Westar's local donations are part of a $60,000 fan contribution distributed throughout the communities it serves.

Along with elderly and disabled residents, the fans are also available to families with young children. If you meet the eligibility requirement, bring your ID and proof of address at the time of distribution. Each household that qualifies will receive one fan while supplies last.

The Westar Energy In Motion trailer will also be available to provide account assistance and energy efficiency tips.

(KLZA)--Richardson County Commissioners have accepted the resignation of County Treasurer Austin Duerfeldt.  

During Tuesday’s weekly meeting of the Commissioners, Duerfeldt submitted his resignation, which is effective July 5th.

Duerfeldt has accepted a position as Agriculture Economist with the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Duerfeldt was appointed Treasurer in September of 2012 and was elected to the position in 2014.

Commissioners have authorized the Treasurer’s position to be advertised.  The appointee will serve the remainder of the term, which expires in January of 2019.  Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. July 10.  

(KLZA)-- The new engine for generating electricity for the City of Falls City is on the nearly to its final destination. 

The engine arrived in Falls City recently after being shipped from Finland to Texas on ship then by train to Falls City. 

Tuesday afternoon a transport trailer with nine axles moved the engine to the power plant.

The final leg of the journey to the engine platform is taking place Wednesday.

The cost to purchase the new engine made by Wartsila and preparing the plant for the new generator will be in excess of $11-million.  

(KNZA)--A Wathena teenager charged in connection with a shooting at an underage drinking party in January appeared in Buchanan County courtroom Monday  for arraignment.

The attorney for 17-year-old William Dowlen waived a formal reading of the complaint and entered a plea of “ not guilty” on behalf of his client to a charge of unlawful use of a weapon.

A jury trial is expected to be set during a July 21st hearing.

Dowlen is accused of shooting a 20-year-old St. Joseph man in the leg during a disturbance at a party in the area of Southeast Mount Zion Road during the early morning hours of January 22nd  Authorities say the victim suffered injuries that required multiple surgeries.

Dowlen remains in the Buchanan County Jail on a $25,000 bond.   

(KAIR)--An official location for this year's Wagner Carnival, a staple of the Amelia Earhart Festival in Atchison.

“What we are going to do is use half of the Fifth Street parking lot, which will include Main Street and the farmers market, and then half the Sixth Street parking lot,” said Atchison Chamber of Commerce Director Jacque Pregont. “In the middle of all this, I was getting information from the carnival saying, 'We bought new rides, we want more room.' Because we will have it available, we're going to use the Long John's Parking lot.”

She said once all the final logistics are complete, she'll publish a complete map of the carnival on Facebok so people will get a visual understanding of it.

“We are very, very grateful we have signatures from every merchant in the 500 block and every merchant in the 600 block telling us that they're willing to work with us on this,” Pregont said. “We're very hopeful people will be respectful of those businesses and we'll have a really fun time and the carnival will be a huge success.”

Pregont said she's expecting tickets to arrive and be available in the next few days.

Rumors had spread indicating there would be no carnival after controversary insued about where to hold the carnival since the old location—400 block of Main Street—is unavailable due to construction of the new Holiday Inn Express.

Pregont stressed that is not true as she and other organizers have been working since April to figure out a new locttion suitable for everyone's needs.

Now, that the location is final, she's said she's excited to spread the word and get everyone excited for the carnival.

(KNZA)--Two Hiawatha residents escaped serious injury in a two-vehicle wreck Monday evening at the intersection of Oregon and 4th Streets.

Police Chief John Defore says a vehicle driven by Tracey Erwin had stopped on Oregon Street, waiting to turn onto 4th Street, when her vehicle was struck in the rear by a vehicle driven by Dylon Johansen.

Defore says both drivers refused medical treatment by EMS on the scene.

(KLZA)-- Falls City Council members have voted to allow the consumption of alcohol at Stanton Lake Park by those camping and those who lease Candlelight  Cabin. 

Councilman Don Ferguson proposed the change during Monday night’s Council meeting.  Ferguson said he doubts if most of the campers even know alcohol is not permitted in the park, noting it is not listed on the entrance sign.

Ferguson noted campers are allowed to consume alcohol in Nebraska State Parks and suggested the change be made to allow it in confined areas.

Councilman John Vaughn noted that alcohol is not allowed on City property currently despite a policy change in recent years allowing special designated liquor licenses at Prichard Auditorium. Vaughn asked if alcohol is approved at Stanton Lake Park, will it be then be allowed for every park in town?

Ferguson said he had visited with residents in the neighborhood who said they had no issue with the change.  Ferguson suggested amending the cabin rental agreement and camper permits to not where alcohol consumption would be allowed. 

The proposal to allow alcohol consumption by campers and those renting Candlelight Cabin passed 5-2 with Vaughn and Councilperson Judy Murphy casting nay votes.  

Councilman Mike Dougherty was not present at the meeting.

Mayor Jerry Oliver said the proposal would now go to the City Attorney for his opinion.  
 

(KLZA)-- The Nemaha County, Nebraska Board of Commissioners met with Phil and Teresa Walker during their June 14th meeting to discuss damage to the turning land on Industrial Park Road, due to Phil Walker’s pickup catching on fire. 

Walker presented a letter from his insurance company. Nemaha County will file a claim with American Family Insurance to cover the cost of the repairs to the turn lane. 

Pieters Construction has submitted a bid for the repairs in the amount of $2,750.

In other business during the meeting Board members confirmed the appointment of Robert Sherman of Peru to the Veterans Service Board. His term will expire in 2022. 

An agreement was approved with Lancaster County Youth Service Center for juvenile services.  The agreement calls for Nemaha County to pay $276 per day when utilizing the service.  

(KAIR)--Following weekend storms that caused damage to Atchison trees, Assistant Public Works Director Clinton McNemee reminds Atchison residents of how to properly dispose of tree limbs in your yard.

“We do have special pick ups for tree limbs and other yard waste every Tuesday,” McNemee said. “We do have a few peraminters to consider on that. The ordiance will tell you that we do not accept tree limbs greater than four inches in diamter and that the brush shall be securely tied and bundled, not longer than 48 inches and 18 inches in diamter. And that the entrie bundle shall not exceed 55 pounds.”

For further assistance and questions about tree damage, call the city shop at 913-367-5561.

(MSC News)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the public water supply Lakeside Village Improvement District in Jefferson County. 

KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

The advisory took effect on June 20, 2017 and will remain in effect until conditions which place the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be adequately resolved.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation, or use bottled water.

• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.

• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.

• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.

• If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha USD 415 Board of Education accepted the resignation of High School Principal Andrew Gaddis during a special meeting Tuesday morning and agreed to waive his late resignation penalty.

Gaddis, who is just completing his third year as principal, has been hired as the new superintendent of Effingham USD 377.

The Board voted to hire Alan Jeffery as interim principal for the 2017-18 school year.  Jeffery previously served 7 years as principal at Hiawatha High School before resigning at the end of the 2013-2014 school year.

Brent Krauter, who currently serves as a social studies teacher at the high school, was hired as assistant athletic director for the 2017-18 school year.

The Board also accepted the resignations of Hiawatha Elementary School para-educator Stacy Jasper and High School Administrative Assistant Caroline Kunkel.

In other action, the Board approved the purchase and installation of a new refrigerator and freezer at the Hiawatha Middle School at a total cost of nearly $12,000 ( $11,747).

(KAIR)--A safe escape for two occupants of an Atchison home that caught fire Tuesday.

Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf tells MSC News it happened at 719 Washington Street, with fire crews called to the scene around 5:45 in the morning.

According to Graf, the fire was contained to the basement, and fire fighters were able to extinguish it by 7:20.

He says the two residents were at home when the fire began, but made it out safely.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(KAIR)--A new Superintendent for the Atchison County Community Schools awaits the start of the new school year.

That follows action of the USD 377 Board of Education Monday night, with the School Board agreeing to offer a contract to Dr. Andrew Gaddis to fill the role.

Board President Jeff Martin tells MSC News the two year contract consists of an annual salary of $105,000.

Gaddis is expected to begin serving as Superintendent July 1.

Gaddis is a well known educator in the local region, serving as Principal for the Hiawatha High School prior to seeking the Superintendent's seat.

He replaces Steve Wiseman, who served as Superintendent for 12-years, but leaves USD 377 to take a teaching position with the Saint Joseph, Missouri public schools.

The School Board Monday night also filled the vacant Position 2 seat on the board.

Appointed to that role is Greg Smith, of Cummings. Martin says he was the only applicant.

Position 2 became open following the resignation of longtime board member Patrick Kearney, who resigned in May.

The position represents the townships of Central, Mount Pleasant, and Walnut, as well as a portion of Jefferson County.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission has approved the hiring of a new parks and recreation director.

On the recommendation of City Administrator Mike Nichols, the Commission Monday evening voted unanimously to hire Stacy Jasper for the position.

Of three local candidates interviewed, Nichols said Jasper stood out with extensive knowledge and experience in parks and recreation programs.

She previously served as recreation director for the city of Colby for 6 years.  Prior to that, Jasper served as sports and aquatics program director for the Pittsburg, Kansas YMCA for two years.

Jasper is currently a para-educator at the Hiawatha Elementary School and is the high school girls junior varsity and freshman basketball coach.

She is to begin work with the city June 26th at an annual salary of $40,000.

Jasper will replace Grover Hargrove who has held the position the past 4 years, and is moving to Arizona.

(KLZA)-- A Falls City woman suffered non-disabling injuries in a wreck shortly before 9 Friday morning. 

59-year-old Roxane Woods of Falls City was driving a minivan north on Stone Street. The Falls City Police report indicates Woods stopped at the STOP sign at 21st and Stone Street then continued north in front of a Mack dump truck owned by Richardson County, driven by 50-year-old James Coonce of Rulo.  The truck left approximately 30-feet of skid marks prior to impact.  

The van slid about 20 feet after impact.  

Woods was transported to Community Medical Center by the Falls City Volunteer Ambulance Squad with a visible, but non-disabling head injury.

Coonce was not injured.

The van was totaled with the damage to the Richardson County rock truck estimated at $1,500.  

(KLZA)-- A Falls City man suffered disabling injuries in a wreck shortly after 1:30 Friday afternoon. 

The Falls City Police report indicates the wreck occurred at the intersection of Highway 73 and 35th Street.

The report indicates 62-year old Steven Thompson of Falls City was eastbound on 35th Street in a sport utility vehicle and drove through the intersection in front of a northbound semi-truck driven by 44-year old Justine Elliott of Searcy, Arkansas.  

The report indicates a witness said the Thompson SUV did not stop at a STOP sign at the intersection and continued east into the path of the semi truck.  

The Falls City Volunteer Ambulance Squad transported Thompson to Community Medical Center with disabling injuries.

Upon impact the Thompson vehicle spun around approximately 2 ½ times before coming to rest in the roadside ditch.  

Justine Elliott was not injured in the wreck.  
 

(KLZA)-- Nebraska continues to have one of the best unemployment rates in the nation. 

For the month of May, unemployment in Nebraska dropped a tenth of a point to 2.9 percent.

Locally, Pawnee County has the lowest unemployment rate at 2.7 percent, despite an increase of two-tenths of a percent in May. 

Johnson County had a tenth of a percent decline to 2.9 percent.

The May unemployment rate in Richardson County was up a tenth to 3.1 percent. Nemaha County, Nebraska has the highest unemployment figure in the area at 4.1 percent, which is up 4 tenths.

Unemployment figures were unchanged for the month in both Gage and Otoe counties.  The rate in Gage County was three percent and in Otoe County the May rate was 3.2 percent 

Colorado has the best unemployment rate in the country in May at 2.3 percent. North Dakota is second at 2.5 percent followed by a 2.7 percent rate in Hawaii.  Nebraska, New Hampshire and South Dakota are tied for fourth at 2.9 percent. Iowa is seventh at 3.1 percent. Kansas 16th at 3.7 percent and Missouri is 19th with a jobless rate of 3.9 percent. 
 

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved a quote for appraisal of over 400 commercial properties in Richardson County during their June 13th meeting.

County Assessor Pam Vice presented a revised proposal from Standard Appraisal Services, of Central City, Nebraska for the reappraisal of 424 properties at a cost of $78,440.  

The price per parcel is $185 and the company will have a representative at protest hearings if needed.  

In other business the Board approved an offer of $740 from the Nebraska Department of Roads to purchase a parcel for the purpose of additional right-of-way along Highway 73.
 

(KLZA)-- Effective July 9, there will be a new site vice president and chief nuclear officer at the Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville. 

The Nebraska Public Power District, which owns the Cooper Station, recently announced they have selected John Dent for the position.  Dent comes to NPPD from Entergy, a company which has a support services agreement with NPPD and provides managerial leadership to the statewide utility. 

Dent was formerly site vice president at Pilgrim Nuclear Station near Plymouth, Massachusetts.  He has more than 30 years of commercial nuclear power experience. 

Dent will assume the role from Ken Higginbotham, who is retiring at the end of June.  

Dent will report to NPPD President and CEO Pat Pope and Entergy Chief Operating Officer Larry Coyle.

(KLZA)-- Tuesday, June 20 marks the 150th anniversary of Nebraska’s first institution of higher education by the Nebraska Legislature.

A daylong celebration is planned at Peru State College to mark this historic event.  

Deborah Solie, Director of Alumni Relations for the Peru State College Foundation tells MSCNEWS that  its symbolic for Nebraska’s first and  oldest college, to be able to celebrate the sesquicentennial the same year as the State of Nebraska. Solie says Peru State’s History and Nebraska’s history mirrors the growth of the state.  

Tuesday’s events begin with Pioneer Day at the Normal School, which includes children’s activities for those in kindergarten through 8th grade.  

There will be Charter Day Speakers making presentations on the hour from 1 – 5:00 p.m.  There is an art program focusing on Nebraska artists and a 5 o’clock reception on the lawn of the T.J. Majors Hall.

The Peru State College Charter Presentation will be at 5:45 p.m. followed by a number of Chautauqua speakers.

The Peru State College Charter Day Celebration Banquet with guest speakers and music will begin at 6:45 p.m. in the Peru State Student Center. 

Peru State President Dan Hanson will provide his vision for the future of Peru State College.  Neil Clayburn with the Nebraska Education Association, also celebrating 150 years will speak as will First District State Senator Dan Watermeier who will talk about the impact of Peru State College on Southeast Nebraska. 

 For more information about the Peru State College Sesquicentennial Celebration, log onto peru.edu and click on the sesquicentennial button.  

(KLZA)-- The annual budgeting process is underway for the Nemaha Natural Resources District.  

During the June 8th Board of Directors meeting salary increases for the upcoming fiscal year were approved.  

The Board approved a recommendation from the Executive Committee to provide a 1.5 percent cost-of-living increase to all base-salaried employees and a 2.5 percent increase to the three non-base-salaried managerial staff. 

Funds were also approved for the Nemaha NRD Manager to award merit and service increased for the base-salaried staff.  The overall increases will total an average of three percent. 

The preliminary budget review provided to the Board indicates the next budget year will include fewer, large expenditures for projects.  Many of the numbers for the budget will not be known for at least another month.  

It was noted that property and liability insurance coverage, which will once again be provided by The Harry A. Koch Company for the next fiscal year, will be nearly $2-thousand less than last year.  The quote was $42,637.
 

(KNZA)--A preschool program will not be added at the Wetmore Elementary School for the 2017-18 school year.

Prairie Hills USD 113 Superintendent Todd Evans says a motion to add the program failed on a 3-3 tie vote at last week's Board of Education meeting.

Voting in favor of adding the program were Board members Jeff Demint, Ed Reznicek and Kent Kuckelman.  Voting no were Kathy Lippert, Jim Scoby and Leslie Scoby.

In addition to other issues, Evans said Board members voting against it expressed concerns about the demands on existing personnel.

The board was told no additional staff would be needed as the half-day pre-school would be in a combined classroom with kindergarten each morning.

Currently the other district schools at Sabetha and Axtell have a pre-school program.  

In other action, the Board approved the reduction of an elementary position at the Wetmore school.  Evans says the position was reduced by scheduling existing staff in a more efficient manner, which he says will benefit the viability of the facility.

Evans says the Board also voted to move forward with a handrail project at the Sabetha Middle School gym, with a district patron providing the nearly $,7,000 for the project.

Additionally, discussion was held regarding a donation of just over $47,000 from Saylor Insurance for a new digital display sign at Sabetha High School and whether the board would allow advertising on the sign. Currently, board policy prohibits commercial advertising on school grounds without prior board approval.

Following discussion, the Board voted to approve the digital display sign with business advertising from Saylor Insurance and USD 113 Foundation.

(KNZA)--An Atchison man is jailed in Brown County, arrested Monday after allegedly fleeing on foot from Horton Police following a short vehicle pursuit.

According to a press release from Horton Police Chief John Calhoon, 39-year-old Nicholas Norton was arrested around 11:30 Monday morning in the area of 105th and Mulberry Roads, just east of Horton, following a five-hour search.

Calhoon said an officer attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Norton for a stop sign violation in the city of Horton around 6:30 and a chase ensued.

Norton fled east on U.S. 73 Highway and then turned north onto Nighthawk  Road where he drove into a ditch, and then fled on foot into a heavily wooded area.

An air and ground search was launched by several law enforcement agencies.

Calhoon says several Kansas Highway Patrol troopers were patrolling rural roads in the area when they spotted Norton several miles away in a field.  He says Norton again attempted to flee on foot, but was apprehended a short time later by a trooper in a nearby creek as officers began to surround the immediate area.

Norton was booked into the Brown County Jail.  He faces numerous traffic related charges---including fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, reckless driving and driving while licensed canceled, suspended or revoked.  In addition, Calhoon said Norton was arrested on a warrant out of Atchison County and is believed to be on parole out of the state of Missouri.

(KMZA)--Voters in Vermillion USD 380 will go to the polls August 1st to decide the fate of a nearly $8.3 million bond issue for improvements at the Centralia and Frankfort schools.

Superintendent Mischel Miller says the part of the bond issue will go to fund safety and security improvements at the two schools—including doors that lock from the inside, secured entrances, electronic locks on exterior doors, improved intercom and camera coverage.

Miller says they are also looking at adding to and renovating existing spaces at the Centralia school—a new art room, three classrooms in the renovated old gym space, a new gym and updates to the Family and Consumer Science room. 

Additional space would  be created at the Centralia and Frankfort schools in order to allow the Early Childhood classes now housed in Vermillion to be moved back to their respective communities.

The Vermillion building would continue to house the district offices, Parents as Teachers program and be used for storage.

Additional information on the bond election is available on the USD 380 web site—including a taxpayer cost analysis.

The last day to register for the bond election is July 11th and the first day to request an advance or absentee ballot from either the Nemaha or Marshall County Clerk’s office is July 19th.  
 

(KLZA)--Falls City Police Officers issued 82 citations and 40 warnings during the statewide “Click It or Ticket” enforcement from May 22 and June 4.

A release from Police Chief Duane Armbruster noted overtime hours worked by officers during the effort, was paid for by the Nebraska Department of Roads Highway Safety Office.

Officers conducted enforcement throughout the city putting special emphasis on drivers not wearing seatbelts. The enforcement is designed to help reduce injuries from accidents through voluntary compliance with traffic laws.

During the period, 19 citations were issued for seatbelt violations along with 51 citations for speeding.

The National Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 2 a.m. Sunday.

In Northeast Kansas the watch includes the following local counties--Atchison, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth and Pottawatomie.

In Northwest Missouri the watch includes the following local counties--Buchanan and Platte.

(KNZA)--After more 20 years at the Wetmore Academic Center--the last five as principal--Janelle Boden is leaving for a new position.

Prairie Hills USD 113 Superintendent Todd Evans says the Board of Education Thursday evening accepted Boden's resignation, effective June 30th.

Evans says Boden will be continuing her career in education as an assistant principal at Manhattan High School.

He says several Board members expressed their appreciation of her leadership as Wetmore principal.

Evans says the Board voted to hire Rick Schnacker as the new principal at Wetmore for 2017-18 school year.  Schnacker has served the past four years as a physical education teacher at Wetmore.  He has previous experience as an activities director, assistant principal and principal in the former USD 488 and USD 113.     

(MSC News)--Extreme heat leads to the issuance of a Heat Advisory. 

The National Weather Service says dangerous heat this weekend is expected to impact local communities, leading to the issuance. Increased temperatures will persist over the area heading into the early weekend, resulting in heat indices as high as 105 to 109 degrees by Saturday afternoon.

Those with outdoor activities this weekend should plan ahead to hydrate, rest often, and even consider moving some activities either to cooler times of the day or to Sunday when temperatures will be significantly cooler.

A Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.

Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and neighbors.

(KAIR)--Severe thunderstorms rolled through the local area Friday night, into Saturday morning, causing damage, power outages, and the threat of a tornado.

A tornado warning was issued by the National Weather Service shortly after 11:00 when rotation was spotted in Atchison County, near Huron, where 65 to 85 mph winds were reported. “Right now it all seems like straight line winds,” Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter told MSC News early Saturday morning. “There was a rotation above the Huron area, but we can't confirm there was ever a touchdown.”

Lanter said initial assessments indicated that the Atchison County Community of Lancaster was the most hard hit by the severe weather. “Trees down, sheds damaged, houses damaged,” Lanter said. “Huron was checked out, and there was minor damage there, but nothing as major as what we've seen in Lancaster. Effingham also had some damage, trees down, and some buildings damaged. We had 83 mph winds clocked in Lancaster, 60 in Effingham, to 70 down by Nortonville”

The severe weather also left thousands without power throughout the local region.

According to Westar Energy, the area most heavily impacted by a loss of electricity was Leavenworth County, while thousands were also left in the dark in Atchison and Marshall Counties.

Other smaller outages were also reported as the storms swept through.

(MSC News)--A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in place early Saturday morning. 

The National Weather Service says the wate will stay in effect until 4:00 Saturday morning. 

Local Kansas Counties included in the watch are Jackson, Jefferson, Marshall, Nemaha, and Pottawatomie. 

(KAIR)--A Friday afternoon Leavenworth County motorcycle crash sends an Atchison man to the hospital.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, 48-year-old James Mcmanigle was transported to the University of Kansas Hospital, in Kansas City, Kansas, following the crash.

It happened when Mcmanigle was northbound on U.S. Highway 73, just east of 195th Street, and lost control, which caused the Harley-Davidson to overturn in the east ditch.

The extent of Mcmanigle's injuries are not specified.

The wreck happened shortly after 2:00.

TOPEKA – (June 16, 2017) – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt today warned Kansans that advertisements appearing online that purport to offer consumers a share of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement are a scam.

“The Master Settlement Agreement reached in 1998 was to repay Kansas taxpayers for the health-related costs of tobacco use in our state,” Schmidt said. “The MSA has never provided payments directly to individuals. Any advertising that claims to help individual Kansans collect money from the settlement is a scam.”

The online ads, which began appearing recently, suggest that consumers can receive thousands of dollars per month from the tobacco settlement. However, before the consumer can access the information on how to file a claim, they are directed to purchase a subscription to the website for between $79 and $129. The subscription form requires the consumer’s personal information and credit card number.

Schmidt reminded Kansans never to give out their personal or financial information online, except to known, trusted websites using secure connections.

Consumers who have received these advertisements and paid money to the scammers are encouraged to file a complaint with the attorney general’s office online at www.InYourCornerKansas.org or by calling (800) 432-2310.

(KAIR)--Legal trouble for an Atchison teen, accused of taking a relative's vehicle without permission.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News it happened Thursday, when the relative noticed the vehicle missing.

Police were notified, and Wilson says the vehicle was soon located.

“We did investigate a stolen vehicle report on Thursday afternoon,” Wilson said. “It involved a 2001 Honda Accord that was taken from the 1000 block of South Sixth Street. It was taken from a family member by a 15-year-old male. We did recover the vehicle in the downtown area on Thursday afternoon.”

Wilson says following the recovery of the vehicle, the 15-year-old teen was arrested for criminal deprivation of a motor vehicle and operating a vehicle without a license.

He was released to the custody of a parent.

(KLZA)-- An Oregon, Missouri woman suffered minor injuries in a wreck on Interstate 29 in St. Joseph shortly before 8 o’clock Thursday morning.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 33-year-old Jenna Curtis of Oregon was injured when her southbound car slowed due to traffic congestion and was hit in the rear with the front bumper from another car. The Curtis vehicle came to rest on the east side of the road.

The second vehicle, operated by 32-year old Amanda Kurtz, also from Oregon, MO. came to a controlled stop on the right shoulder of the road. Kurtz was not injured.

Buchanan County EMS transported Curtis to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. 

(KAIR)--The 2017 Biking Across Kansas event is coming to a close, with the eight day bicycle tour set to wrap up Saturday in Leavenworth.

According to the event's website, the annual bike ride across Kansas is held to promote health and wellness through bicycling.

Riders began their journey June 9 at the Kansas/Colorado border, just west of Tribune, and have been making their way to northeast Kansas ever since.

The route for the ride changes each year, with Friday's overnight stay in the Leavenworth County community of Tonganoxie, listed as a first for the annual bike ride.

The 21 mile ride from Tonganoxie to the city of Leavenworth Saturday will serve as the final leg of the 2017 tour.

Cyclists will commemorate the end of the ride with a picnic in Leavenworth.

That follows their morning arrival into the city's downtown area.

The ride hosts more than 800 riders each year.

The first Biking Across Kansas event was held in 1975.

(KLZA)-- Peru State College is hosting an all-college reunion this weekend.

All alumni and friends are invited to the Peru State campus for the events. 

Registration begins Friday from 3 – 6:00 p.m. There will be campus tours throughout the weekend, a party to launch a book detailing the 150-year history of Peru State College, class photos, workshops and a block party on the Campus Quad. 

The theme for the all-college reunion is “Shaping Nebraska’s Future for 150 Years.

Alumni will have a chance to look back at the history and get a look into the changes that have occurred at Nebraska’s first college.

For more information on the year-long celebration go the Peru State website at peru.edu and click on the Peru State College 150 shield.  
 

(KNZA)--Federal funding will be sought through a Kansas Department of Transportation program for the replacement of two Brown County bridges.

Following consultation with a representative of BG Consultants, of Manhattan, the County Commission decided Monday to seek funding through the Off-System Bridge Program for fiscal year 2019  for the replacement of a bridge on 160th Road over a tributary to Buttermilk Creek and a bridge on 180th Road over Grasshopper Creek.

If approved, federal funding would pay for 80 percent of the construction cost with the county responsible for the remaining 20 percent.

KDOT is to announce in September the projects awarded funding.

In other action, Commissioner Keith Olsen announced that construction is  to begin later this month on a bridge replacement project on Sunflower Road, about a ½ mile north of K-20.

Husker Steel, of Columbus, Nebraska, has the contract on the around $270,000 project.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central school board during their regular meeting this week continued making progress in laying the ground work for next school year. 

Student fees, including lunch fees were approved. Most fees will remain the same with the exception of breakfast and lunch prices which will increase $.10. Breakfast will increase from $1.80 to $1.90. Lunch prices will be $2.70 for students in PK-5 and $2.85 for students in grades 6-12.

One final teaching contract was approved for Emily Suther as the Special Education Early Childhood teacher at the elementary school. Also approved were three additional supplemental contracts for Sheila Heinen, head junior class sponsor; Joan Buessing, assistant junior class sponsor; and Chelsey Haverkamp, Choraliers & New Generation vocal groups. Hourly classified staff were also approved.

School nurse services will continue to be contracted through Nemaha County Community Health Services with the renewal of that contract.

And a  two-year lease for the rental of the Special Education office at 316 Main was approved with Michael Sudbeck for $600 per month. Also approved was new flooring for the office at a cost not to exceed $3,500.

The final meeting for the fiscal year was set for Wednesday, June 28 at 5:00 p.m

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners have approved a recommendation from the County Health Insurance Committee, approving a quote from Strong Financial for the health insurance coverage for county employees. 

Richardson County expects to save nearly 128-thousand dollars by switching to the Aetna plan, which will go into effect July 1.  

Commissioners also approved a resolution to make a change in the employee handbook concerning the hours worked to be eligible for insurance.

To be eligible for health insurance an employee must not work 30 hours per week instead of 20.  In addition, there is a 60-day waiting period from the date of being hired.  

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha teen has been arrested on a charge of rape.

18-year-old Nicholas Miller was arrested Monday following an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department.

Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says Miller has been charged with one count of rape, involving an allegation of sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old.

He made his first appearance in a Brown County courtroom Wednesday on the felony charge.

A preliminary hearing has been set for the morning of June 21st.

Miller remains in the Brown County Jail, held on a $150,000 bond.

(KLZA)-- An investigation is underway by the Nebraska State Patrol and Nemaha County, Nebraska Sheriff’s Department following an incident Thursday evening in which a Deputy Sheriff fired his gun at a dog and shrapnel struck an individual.  

According to a news release from the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy responded to the area of 8th and “N” Streets in Auburn about 6:00 p.m. for a complaint of a reckless driver. 

The deputy initiated contact with an individual believed to have been involved with the reckless driving call.  The individual’s dog, initially chained up by the owner, broke loose and was aggressively coming toward the deputy.  The deputy shot at the dog and in doing so, a third party near the residence received a small laceration to his arm from what appeared to be a piece of shrapnel that had ricocheted.

Initially the individual struck by the shrapnel declined medical treatment.  Later at the request of law enforcement, the individual did go to the Nemaha County Hospital to be examined. 

The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating the incident in relation to the individual that was injured.  The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office is investigating in relation to the harboring of a potentially dangerous dog and the discharge of the deputy’s firearm resulting in the injury of a person, as it relates to Sheriff’s Office policy.

The identities of those involved have not been released  
 

(KLZA)-- An Iola, Kansas woman was injured in a rollover wreck in Holt County, Missouri on Tuesday morning.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports that shortly before 11:30, 41-year-old Tina Wickey was southbound on Interstate 29, about a mile south of Craig, when the wreck occurred. 

The sport utility vehicle Wickey was driving traveled off the east side of the highway, into the median then returned to the road, skidded off the west side of the roadway and overturned, coming to rest on its top. 

Wickey suffered what were described as minor injuries in the wreck.  Her vehicle was totaled.  She was transported by the Atchison-Holt Ambulance to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.  

The Holt County Sheriff’s Department, Mound City Police Department, Atchison-Holt Ambulance and Holt County Fire Department all responded to the scene to assist.  

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has signed into law a measure to increase the state's funding on public schools in response to a court mandate.

Brownback acted Thursday on the bill, which would phase in a $293 million increase in aid to public schools over two years.

The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in March that the state's $4 billion a year in education funding was inadequate. The court is expected to review the new law.

Attorneys for four school districts suing the state have said they'll challenge the new law because they believe it still falls hundreds of millions of dollars short of adequately funding schools. But the justices did not set a figure when they told lawmakers to pass a new school funding law by June 30.

(MSC News)--Severe Thunderstorm Watches have been issued for the local area.

According to the National Weather Service, a watch, issued Thursday evening, will remain in place until 1:00 Friday morning for the Kansas counties of Atchison and Doniphan, along with the local area Missouri counties Buchanan, Andrew, and Holt.

The southeast Nebraska counties of Pawnee, Richardson, Nemaha, Otoe, and Johnson, are also included.

A second watch was also issued Thursday evening, and remains in place until 2:00 Friday morning.

The National Weather Service says it includes the local Kansas counties of Brown, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha, and Pottawatomie.

(KNZA)--A recent Hiawatha High School graduate has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Kansas Sheriff’s Association.

According to a press release from Executive Director Sandy Horton, Kyle Tollefson, of Hiawatha,  is among thirteen awarded a $1,000 scholarship for 2017.  In addition, there was one $2,000 Sheriff Matt Samuels scholarship recipient.

Sheriff Samuels was killed in the line of duty in January 2005, and shortly thereafter, a scholarship was established.

Each year the Kansas Sheriffs Association awards up to $15,000 worth of
educational scholarships to eligible members or family members.  

An eight-member committee, chaired by Osborne County Sheriff Curtis
Miner, receive the written applications and conducts interviews with all
applicants.  This year, thirty-one scholarship applications were considered.

Tollefson’s application was sponsored by his grandmother, Paula Segrest.  She has worked for the Brown County Sheriff’s Office for nearly 30 years.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council has approved on first reading amendments to the dangerous dogs Ordinance.

During the June 5th Council meeting, City Administrator Gary Jorn outlined the additional language proposed for the Council.

Included is a requirement that owners of breeds of dogs, included in the dangerous dog ordinance, have the dog undergo an annual temperament test, utilizing the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test.

Jorn noted the Humane Society would like to have certain breeds of dogs on the list allowed in Falls City.  Jorn called the new language a compromise.

The proposals need to be approved by the Council two more times.

The dangerous dog ordinance that includes the dog owners carrying liability insurance policies on specific dog breeds would remain in place.

(KAIR)--A search of Lake Perry ends with the recovery of a body.

That follows a search launched Wednesday evening after the man was reported as a drowning victim.

The victim Thursday afternoon was identified publicly as 19-year-old Adam Perkins, a resident of the Jefferson County community of Grantville.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig tells MSC News Perkins was among a group of people at the lake Wednesday evening when he disappeared in the water on the south end of the lake. ““He was out with some friends, and they saw him [when] he jumped in the water to go retrieve a beach ball,” Herrig said. “I don't know if he had cramps, or something going on, and ended up yelling for help, and they thought he was joking around and he never came back up. They couldn't find him at that point so they called us.”

Herrig's office was notified around 8:30 Wednesday night, and a search of the water was initiated.

Ending late Wednesday night due to weather conditions, the search resumed Thursday morning.

Herrig says Perkins' body was recovered around 10:20 Thursday morning.

(KLZA)--The Mound City Board of Aldermen voted to adopt the budget for the new fiscal year beginning July 1 when they met June 8.  

The budget ordinance passed unanimously on two readings. The budget is effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.  

The Board also approved a dollar per hour pay raise for the Reserve Police officer. 

During the Police report, Aldermen approved Chief Jon Panning working security June 23 and 24 at the Rumble By the Refuge Truck and Tractor Pulls.  The Board also approved putting the 2012 Chevy Impala that was a police car out for bid.  

(KLZA)--The Nemaha Natural Resources District Board took no action on a request to help pay for a stream gage on Muddy Creek east of Falls City. 

The consensus of the Board was the gage would not provide enough benefit to the District to justify the cost. 

The Nemaha NRD contribution would have been $4,500 for installation, but it would require $5-thousand annually for maintenance.  

Other local entities in Richardson County could still decide to move forward on the project. 

(KNZA)--New LED lighting will be installed in all South Brown County USD 430 facilities.  

The Board of Education Monday evening accepted a bid from Jeanne’s Distribution, of Agency, Missouri, for the project in the amount of $77,756.

The bid includes the disposal of all the current ballast’s and bulbs and installation of new LED bulbs and sockets.

Bids were received from two companies.

Following an executive session, the Board approved the hiring of Travis Torkelson as head boys basketball coach at Horton High School for the 2017-18 school year.

It marked the final meeting for Superintendent Dr. Steve Davies and High School Principal Dave Norman.

Board member Jason Smith thanked the two along with Board of Education staff members Jean Becker and Alice Smith for their service to the district and wished them all well in retirement.

BASEHOR, Kan. (AP) - A Leavenworth County man has been convicted in a crash that killed two relatives on the same day the three were supposed to be groomsmen in a wedding.
 
The Leavenworth Times reports that Leavenworth County jurors Tuesday found 22-year-old William Wilson, of Basehor, guilty Tuesday of one count of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol in the deaths of 29-year-old Jesse Aldrich and 34-year-old Justin Wilson.
 
Sentencing was set for July 21st.

Authorities say William Wilson was driving a pickup truck that left a road and struck a tree around 5:00 the morning of June 13, 2015. His brother was supposed to get married later that Saturday at a winery in Basehor. But authorities say the wedding was postponed after the crash.
 
County Attorney Todd Thompson described the case as a "horrible tragedy all the way around."

(KLZA/AP)-- A Tecumseh Prison inmate is accused of setting a fire during a deadly uprising at the prison earlier this year.

According to a news release from Deputy Johnson County Attorney Benjamin Beethe, 26-year-old Eric Ramos has been charged with a felony count of arson.  A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 21st.

Ramos’ is the first person charged in connection with the March 2 riots that left two inmates dead.  Prison officials have said inmates became violent after prison staff members confiscated 150 pounds of homemade alcohol.

Ramos is serving eight to ten years on a conviction for criminal mischief, domestic assault and weapons charges.  

(KMZA)--The Marshall County Community of Frankfort will be celebrating its 150th anniversary with four days of activities, June 15-18th.

Activities will kick off Thursday evening with a free swim at the city pool and other activities in the city park—including a polish and pie supper, watermelon feed, old fashioned games and music from the Bryton Stoll Band from 6 to 9 on the stage in the park.

Friday evening, there will be historical walking/riding tours beginning at 5:00, Old Abilene Gunfighters display in the square every hour from 5:30 to 8:30, a treasure hunt, ice cream social, Monarch baseball and railroad history presentations, a barbecue and music by the Rick Lister band.

A full slate of activities is planned Saturday, beginning with a parade at 10:30 that morning with the Fort Riley mounted color guard.

Also planned for Saturday are a co-ed softball tournament, Boom Battle Sports, Legion hamburger feed, inflatables, vendors, kiddie train, cake walk, dunk tank, pedal power tractor pull, vintage wedding gown display and fashion show, bingo, Frankfort trivia and beard contests and a pulled power supper.

Other highlights Saturday include an 1860’s reenactment ballgame starting at 6:00 at Tom Watson Field, music by the Jared Daniels Band starting at 7:00 in the park and a fireworks display at 10:00 at the football field.    

The celebration will conclude Sunday with an ecumenical church service at noon and community potluck lunch in the park at 1:00.

You can visit FrankfortTurns150 on Facebook for more information.
      

(KAIR)--A new prioress is selected by the Sisters of Mount Saint Scholastica in Atchison.

According to the Mount Saint Scholastica website, elected to serve in that role is Sister Esther Fangman, OSB.

The Seneca native becomes the twelfth prioress in Mount Saint Scholastica's 153-year history.

Sister Esther Fangman will begin her six year term of leadership with a Mass and installation ceremony on Sunday, July 9.

She replaces current prioress Sister Anne Shepard, who served for two terms.

Sister Esther Fangman holds a doctorate in counseling, and currently serves clients in the Kansas City area.

She is also the former president of the Federation of Saint Scholastica, a role she served from 1998 to 2010.

(KAIR)--A traffic stop in Atchison lands two Independence, Missouri residents behind bars on multiple charges including possession of methamphetamine.

“At 8:15 on Tuesday evening, an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 800 block of U.S. 59,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “The driver 30-year-old Jade Riechmann, of Independence, was taken into custody for driving while suspended. Both Riechmann and her passenger, 31-year-old Donald Biggs, were taken into custody for obstructing legal process related to giving a false identity for Biggs.”

Additionally, K-9 departments subsequently alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle and methamphetamine and marijuana were located, he said.

He said Riechmann, the driver, was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine in addition to her other charges.

Biggs, the passenger, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia as well as multiple outstanding warrants in Platte, Jackson and Clay counties in Missouri and Doniphan County in Kansas.

Both were booked into the Atchison County Jail where they are held without bond.

(KNZA/AP)-- A former Kickapoo volunteer firefighter has admitted to covering up for the department's former leader who is charged with arranging for fires to be set that the tribe was paid to fight.

 The U.S. Attorney's Office in Kansas says 35-year-old Arlene Negonsott, of Horton, pleaded guilty Tuesday to concealing a felony. She admitted through her plea to not telling investigators what she knew about former Kickapoo Tribal Volunteer Fire Department Chief Stephen Ramirez when she was interviewed about a series of fires on the Kickapoo Reservation in Brown County.
 
Sentencing will be set for a later date. Negonsott faces up to three years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Ramirez is awaiting trial on wire fraud charges. Prosecutors initially said Ramirez recruited Negonsott to set fires on reservation in 2015 that the department fought. The Bureau of Indian Affairs paid the department $600 for each fire.

DILLER, Neb. (AP) - Officials are investigating what caused the collapse of a large wind turbine tower in the Steele Flats Wind Farm in southeastern Nebraska.

Beatrice radio station KWBE reports  that the turbine had been standing just southwest of Diller and was part of the $138 million wind farm, developed by Florida-based NextEra Energy Resources. The wind farm includes 32 wind turbines in southeast Jefferson County and 12 more in southwest Gage County.

NextEra Energy spokesman Bryan Garner says the company is investigating the cause of the collapse.

Garner says the turbine went offline shortly before 5:00 Tuesday morning. He says there's no evidence of sabotage and that the manufacturer will be able to help the company look into the cause of the failure.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle wreck in the Jefferson County community of Nortonville early Tuesday morning sent one to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened shortly before 6:30 at the intersection of K-4 and U.S. 59 Highways.

The Patrol says 35-year-old Nortonville resident Tomas Subelka was traveling on U.S. 59 Highway when he failed to stop at a stop sign and his car struck a SUV on K-4 driven by 32-year-old Silver Lake resident Jamie Johnson, causing the SUV to roll multiple times.

Johnson, who was buckled up at the time of the wreck, was transported to Topeka’s St. Francis Hospital for the treatment of unspecified injuries.

Subelka was not hurt.

(KAIR)--An Atchison girl is using her birthday as a special fundraiser for a Kansas City hospital.

She's 10-year-old Braelynn Chartier and her mom Janafer says they've raised more than $1,000 and the number is growing.

Janafer said Braelynn decided she didn't want any presents for her birthday, but wanted to raise money for Children's Mercy in Kansas City.

“Close to her birthday she said, 'Okay, what do we need to do to get a lemonade stand so we can raise money for Children's Mercy,'” Janafer said. “I let her take the lead. From there, it went. It's kinda blown into a bigger experience that what we ever imagined it would be.”

They set up the lemonade stand in Willis, Kansas but have since had mailed-in donations, as well as online and even a local business that offered to contribute a portion of profits to the fund.

Janafer said Braeylenn's desire to help Children's Mercy is personal.

“Two years ago she was in the hospital, we found her unconscious in the night,” Janafer said. “They rushed her to Children's Mercy and we spent a week in ICU. While we were there, the child life specialist would come into the room and she always felt like it was just a vacation. She was happy as could be to be at Children's Mercy and she wanted all of her money that was raised for the lemonade stand to go for games and toys for the child life specialist.”

Janafer said anyone can contribute to the online fund at the Children's Mercy website.

“Braelynn had a desire in her heart to donate to kids for her birthday,” she said. “She's just a very fun loving kid and always thinking of other people. It really shows who Braelynn is.”

You can donate to the Braeylenn's birthday fund here: http://give.childrensmercy.org/site/TR?fr_id=1300&pg=team&team_id=2451.

(KNZA)--Rainbow Communications is not collecting cash payments through door to door solicitations.

That word comes from both the Doniphan County Sheriff's Office and the Brown County Sheriff's Office.

According to alerts sent by both offices, Rainbow is confirming that the attempts are a scam, as the company does not conduct business in such a way.

Anyone who is visited by the fake Rainbow representatives are told to contact law enforcement immediately.

Meanwhile, the Brown County Sheriff's Office is working to alert the public of a heavily reported text message scam alert.

According to Sheriff John Merchant, area residents have reported receiving a message telling them to visit a website in order to provide personal information, including social security numbers, in order to keep an unspecified account from closing.

Merchant says any particular account should be handled individually, with such unsolicited texts a likely scam to gain financial information.

(KAIR)--A missing Atchison teen has been located safely.

That word from Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson Tuesday afternoon.

16-year-old Andrew Sinclair became the focus of a search after he disappeared last weekend.

The case went viral after the Kansas Missing and Unsolved Facebook page posted a missing poster outlining the details of Sinclair's disappearance.

He had apparently accepted a ride to the south side of Saint Joseph Sunday morning, where he began a trek that Wilson says ended with his recovery in Kansas City.

According to initial reports, Sinclair was in the possession of a bicycle at the time he was dropped off at a Saint Joseph convenience store.

There's no immediate official word regarding what led Sinclair to leave home.

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – On June 12, the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety launched a new week-long campaign focusing on pedestrian safety. The campaign will be geared toward pedestrians and drivers, educating both about what to watch out for to ensure everyone is safe.

Statewide, from 2013-2016, a total of 347 pedestrians were killed, and 1,021 were seriously injured.

The top five pedestrian contributing factors involved in the 347 fatalities were failure to yield (100 fatalities), alcohol impairment (55 fatalities), distraction/inattention (44 fatalities), drug impairment (20 fatalities) and physical impairment (11 fatalities).

“We want to be sure that citizens are as safe as possible in all modes of transportation,” said Bill Whitfield, chair of the coalition’s executive committee. “We encourage all drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to make safe choices so everyone, no matter the mode of transportation, makes it to their destination safe.”

Keep the following pedestrian safety tips in mind anytime you walk:

Drivers and pedestrians need to make eye contact with each other. Don’t assume that the other one has seen you.
If you must exit a stalled vehicle alongside the roadway, do so on the opposite side of traffic and do not attempt to walk across the oncoming traffic.
Only cross at an intersection or crosswalk – stepping out from between parked cars or other obstacles by the road can keep a driver from being able to see you and stop in time.

Look left, right and then left again before crossing an intersection or crosswalk – you always want to double check the lane that you’ll be entering first.
Be aware of drivers even when you are in a designated crosswalk – drivers can look and use their mirrors, but there are always blind spots.
Avoid walking with headphones in – you won’t to be able to hear if a car is coming.
Always wear brightly colored clothing for visibility when exercising alongside a roadway.
Always walk against the flow of traffic rather than with the traffic.
Always be cautious when exiting parking lots, and be on the lookout for pedestrians.

For more information, visit savemolives.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter at Save MO Lives.
 

(KLZA)-- During the June meeting of the Nemaha Natural Resources District Board of Directors, a plan for a sediment basin at Kirkman’s Cove Recreation Ara near Humboldt was approved. 

HDR Engineering provided a pair of options, one expanding the size of the basin so it would provide an additional water hazard for the adjacent Kirkman’s Lakeview Golf Course.  The other, was a basic sediment basin design option. 

With no additional sediment storage realized by the first option, and the golf course not interested in paying the extra cost associated with that option, the Board approved the basic design option. 

The next step is to begin processing the 404 permit with the Corps of Engineers.  Construction of the sediment basin is not likely to begin until next year.   

(KLZA)-- The Mound City Board of Aldermen approved several projects when they met June 8.

Three bids were opened for retaining walls and a sidewalk at City Hall.
The project includes removal and disposal of the existing wall and dirt, building concrete block walls on the north and west sides of the building, turf repair and replacing the sidewalk.

The bind was awarded to Mann’s Lawn and Landscape in an amount of $154,600.  It was the low bid submitted. Aldermen did not approve an optional component of replacing the existing stairs.  

Aldermen voted to allow the Mound City School to place a new sidewalk along Nebraska Street closer to the street than the existing sidewalk.

Hall Construction was awarded an $800 bid for a 2-inch manhole riser at 8th and Main and a contract for grading and adding a tube at the east end of Second Street in an amount of just over $3,100

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee County Commissioners received an update on the statewiede radio system during their June 6th meeting. 

Emergency Manager Clint Strayhorn, Sheriff Jaymee Reed, other members of the Sheriff’s Department as well as Amanda Burke with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department were among those meeting with Board members.  Following the discussion, Commissioners voted unanimosuly to approved the updates to the memorandum of understanding between Johnson and Pawnee counties.  

Sheriff Reed and Chief Deputy Braden Lang met with Commissioners regarding the Sheriff’s current budget and office updates.  Following the discussion, Commissioners voted unanimously to transfer $5-thousand from the Pawnee County Jail budget to the Sheriff’s budget.  

The Pawnee County Courthouse windows were discussed.  The Board budgeted $4,500 to have Jim Hill’s Glass of Falls City do window repairs on the courthouse.  

Commissioners also voted to renew the liability, official and workers compensation insurance through NIRMA at with the same deductibles as the current year. 

Updates to the Pawnee County Employee Handbook were also reviewed.
The changes will concern travel expenses and travel time.  The changes will be presented for approval during the June 20th meeting. 

(KAIR)--Atchison's movie theater has long stood vacant, but plans are going in place to bring new life to the former Royal Theater, located on Atchison's Commercial Street.

It closed its doors in 2014. 

Now, Theater Atchison, the local home of community theater, looks to enter into the movie theater business.

MSC Radio News Director Brian Hagen talked with Executive Director Travis Grossman about the plan. Hear the interview here. 

(KMZA)--A state grant is being sought again for the construction of a new fire station in the Nemaha County community of Bern. 

The Nemaha County Commission Monday approved an application on behalf of Fire District #4 for a nearly $240,000 KAN-STEP grant through the Kansas Department of Commerce.

The fire district will provide a nearly $129,000 match in the form of volunteer labor.  

The grant application will be submitted Wednesday and grant writer Garrett Nordstorm says he expects to hear back within 30 days whether the grant application is accepted or not.

The first application was denied last September, with the Department of Commerce saying they deemed the proposed six-bay fire station to be in excess of the size needed to adequately serve the community.

Fire district officials downsized their plans to a 3-bay fire station. The building will also include a meeting/training room, storage room, bathroom and kitchen.

If awarded, the old quonset currently being used as a fire station will be demolished and a new building constructed on the existing lots owned by the fire district.

USD 415 Superintendent Dr. Penny Hargrove( right) presents a plaque to Denise Elffner ( left) in recognition of her 12 years of service on the Board on Education.

(KNZA)--A longtime Hiawatha Board of Education member has resigned. 

The Board Monday evening accepted the resignation of Denise Elffner, with regrets, effective July 31st.

Elffner held position 6 on the Board, consisting of the area of Wards 1 and 2 of the city of Hiawatha and all the area of Hiawatha Township north of 240th Street.

The Board approved publishing a notice of the vacancy.

The Board will have to appoint someone to fill the remainder of Elffner’s  term, which expires in January 2018.  

The position is up for election in November and Keith Erdley is running unopposed for election to a 4-year term, beginning in January.  

Those interested in filling the unexpired term are asked to contact Board Clerk Leslie Grimm.  The Board plans to interview candidates at their July 10th meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Penny Hargrove presented a plaque to Elffner in recognition of her 12 years of service on the Board.

In other action, Board President Dr. Pete Rosa presented a certificate of recognition to high school counseling assistant Kristene Petersen who was nominated by a district patron for her exceptional work.

As part of the consent agenda, the Board accepted the retirement resignation of District Librarian Joyce Kesler, effective at the end of next school year.

The Board also approved a mentoring contract with the Kansas Educational Leadership Institute for new superintendent Lonnie Moser.    Former USD 415 superintendent John Severin will serve as Moser’s mentor for a year.  He will be paid $1,450.   

Moser, who officially begins work July 1st, was on hand to observe the meeting.  

(KAIR)--A registered sex offender is jailed in Atchison County, arrested Monday for alleged crimes committed in Atchison as well as in connection with a warrant issued by Leavenworth County.

According to a report from the Atchison Police Department, 26-year-old Wesley X. Jackson was arrested in the 1200 block of North 5th for criminal damage to property and obstructing legal process.

Additionally, he was taken into custody on a Leavenworth County warrant for aggravated criminal sodomy.

Following his arrest, Jackson was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News his office was contacted by Leaveworth County authorities regarding the whereabouts of Jackson. Wilson says he was located at an apartment complex in the 1200 block of North Fifth in Atchison where he allegedly attempted to tell police he was not who they were looking for. At one point, Wilson says Jackson fled through a window, but was caught and taken into custody.  

According to online records, Jackson was convicted in October 2009 on a charge of attempted aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

The online records say the crime was committed in March 2009, and involved a 14-year-old girl.

As part of his conviction, Jackson was required to register as a sex offender in the state of Kansas.

(KLZA)--A staffer at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution faces a felony charge for allegedly having unauthorized communication with an inmate.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services says corrections corporal Sarah Murillo was suspended without pay on Friday after she was arrested.

Officials say the Nebraska State Patrol is still investigating her alleged activities. Murillo was charged with unauthorized communication with a prisoner. She has worked at the southeast Nebraska prison since July 18, 2016.

Department officials did not specify what led to the charge, but in a statement, corrections director Scott Frakes says introducing contraband into the prison can lead to a safety breaches and will not be tolerated.

(KAIR)--An Atchison teen is missing, with the public alerted to notify authorities if they know his current location.

That word comes from the Kansas Missing and Unsolved website, which says 16-year-old Andrew Sinclair has been missing since Sunday.

He's described as white with brown hair and blue-green eyes, weighing 220 lbs and standing 6'2". He wears black framed eye glasses.

According to the Missing and Unsolved website, Sinclair was given a ride to a convenience store on the south side of Saint Joseph, Missouri, where he was dropped off around 9:00 Sunday morning. Sinclair had a light green bicycle with him at that time.

On Monday, the website posted an update to the original information, saying Sinclair had been spotted that afternoon around 2:00 on I-29, near Platte City, Missouri. It's believed he is enroute to Kansas City. 

Anyone with information regarding Sinclair's whereabouts is urged to contact police at (913) 367-4323.

(KLZA)-- An officer at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution was arrested Friday morning at the prison by the Nebraska State Patrol.

21-year-old Sarah Murillo, a Corrections Corporal at the prison north of Tecumseh was arrested for unauthorized communication with a prisoner and lodged in the Johnson County jail. She has been suspended without pay. 

Department of Corrections Director Scott Frakes said in a department news release,  “The introduction of contraband can lead to a variety of security breaches and will not be tolerated. Maintaining appropriate boundaries is a key component to safety and security.”

The Department of Corrections news release noted that Murillo had been employed at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution since July of 2016.  
 

Credit: Facebook

(KAIR)--The donations are counted and a successful fundraiser in the battle against cancer goes down in the books.

According to the organizers of the Atchison County Relay for Life, $20,000 was generated by the 2017 fundraiser, a $3,500 increase over the funds raised the previous year.

The event, organized through a partnership with the American Cancer Society, was held Saturday at Atchison's Warnock Lake, with teams walking to raise funds, cancer survivors celebrated, and victims memorialized.

Auctions were held as part of the fundraising effort, which also included entertainment and such family friendly activities as Zumba, knockerball, bounce houses, and a balloon release.

According to organizers, all funds raised on behalf of the Atchison County Relay for Life remain local, earmarked for cancer-related assistance.

(KLZA)-- A Graham, Missouri teenager suffered serious injuries when he was involved in a motorcycle wreck shortly before 6 Saturday evening.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 18-year-old Logan Zimmerman was westbound on Route E at the intersection of Route U and Route E when his motorcycle left the road and struck an embankment.

The Patrol report indicates Zimmerman was taken by Life Net helicopter to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. 

The Atchison County, Missouri Sheriff’s Department and Atchison County EMS also responded to the wreck. 
 

Credit: Facebook

(KAIR)--Strong winds are being blamed for an overturned kayak that led to a weekend water rescue by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

According to the department's “Game Warden” Facebook page, the rescue unfolded on the Perry Reservoir, when a game warden spotted the overturned kayak, and saw a woman without a life jacket struggling in the waves of the water.

According to the post, winds were gusting at around 35 mph at the time of the rescue.

The game wardens went to work to save the woman by managing to get a life jacket to her. The game wardens then used a rescue bag to get her to safety aboard the patrol boat.

The post does not say whether or not the woman required medical attention following the water rescue, and her name has not been made public.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved a bid for the purchase of outdoor warning siren upgrades during their June 6 meeting. 

Two bids were submitted. The difference was less than $175. Commissioners approved the low bid of $24,640 from Schmader Electric Construction Company.  

County Assessor Pam Vice presented a proposal to the Commissioners form Standard Appraisal Services of Central City, Nebraska for the reappraisal of the commercial properties in Richardson County.  The Board requested that Vice contact the company to review the quote submitted, and to reduce the number of properties to be appraised to include only the City of Humboldt and Falls City. 

Mark Novak, representing the Humboldt Shares group met with the Board to review an agreement for the County to provide $5-thousand funding to Humboldt Shares Inc. for the period of August 1, 2016 and July 31, 2017.  Commissioners will have the County Attorney review the agreement and will consider the request this week.  

(KNZA)--This year’s Relay for Life of Brown County is being called a big success.

As of Monday morning, organizer Michelle Moreno said the Relay had raised $42,900 with additional money to still come in.

Moreno said the Relay, which was held Friday evening at a new location--the Brown County Courthouse Square in downtown Hiawatha--went over very well with alot of participants.

Moreno said they had 24 teams take part—including several new ones.

In addition, she said a car show held in conjunction with the Relay for Life  went well with 40 cars.

All funds raised from the event will go to benefit the American Cancer Society.

(KAIR)--An Atchison County educator earns national honors, named as a recipient of the 2017 Henry Ford Teacher Innovator Award.

Wanda Small is an instructor at the Atchison County Community Elementary School where she teaches Project Based Learning STEAM classes, according to the USD 377 website.

The Muscotah resident is one of ten educators selected to receive the grand prize honor, which includes what the Henry Ford website calls “an Innovation Immersion Experience” at the Dearborn, Michigan-based Henry Ford, described as “a large indoor and outdoor history museum complex and  National Historic Landmark.”

The award includes round-trip airfare, accommodations, behind-the-scenes tours with curators, and a recognition ceremony.

According to the Henry Ford website, the Teacher Innovator Award is presented to educators who “demonstrate ingenuity and resourcefulness, who approach teaching and learning creatively, and who are using the classroom to inspire innovation, creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking.”

Along with the ten grand prize winners, ten educators from across the nation are also recognized with first place honors.

Small's selection, along with the others earning the award, was announced Monday.

(KMZA)--Farmers Cooperative will hold a dedication Tuesday for their new train shuttle facility near Frankfort.

An open house will be held from 10 to 3 with tours, prizes and giveaways.  A brief ribbon-cutting ceremony will start at 10:30 and a meal will be provided.

 The new facility, located at 2084 Tumbleweed Road, is an advanced, automated grain-handling system.

The $30 million facility has a total storage capacity of 4.1 million bushels.  Farmers Cooperative plans to handle at least 8 to 10 million bushels each year from the facility.

The shuttle loader contains more than 8,000 feet of track in a loop system. Unit trains with 110 cars can easily be loaded in fewer than 15 hours.

According to Dennis Kenning, sales and marketing manager, the facility was constructed to better serve Kansas and southern Nebraska producers.

Dale Hayek, Farmers Cooperative grain manager, added the facility will bring new grain markets to northeast Kansas. He said it will save freight expense while providing higher cash prices for grain.

Farmers Cooperative includes major locations in Beattie, Frankfort, Summerfield, Marietta, Waterville, Blue Rapids, Hanover and Herkimer. The company headquarters is located in Dorchester, Nebraska.

(KNZA)--Troy-based Doniphan Electric Cooperative has a new manager.

The Kansas Chief reports James Lednicky took over as manager June 1st.

He replaces Jim Currie, general manager of Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative, who had also been serving as manager of Doniphan Electric since October of last year.

The 58-year-old Lednicky previously worked for Rainbow Telecommunications, retiring as general manager April 1st.  Lednicky began work with Rainbow in 1988 and took over as general manager in 1998.

Doniphan Electric is the smallest Rural Electric Cooperative in the state of Kansas serving over 1,650 residential and business consumers.   

(KAIR)--A Jackson County man is dead, killed early Sunday evening in a tractor accident about a mile south of Hoyt.

Sheriff Tim Morse identifies the victim as 43-year-old Ethan Everts, of Hoyt.

Morse says the Sheriff's Office received a 911 call shortly after 5:00 reporting that a man had been injured when his tractor rolled over on property located at 10348 S. Road.

The Hoyt and Mayetta Fire Departments, along with Jackson County EMS, and the Sheriff's Office, all rushed to the scene, where Everts was pronounced dead.

Morse says Everts had been pulling out tree stumps with a small Ford tractor when the accident occurred.

(KMZA)--A car-deer accident early Sunday morning in Pottawatomie County sent a Soldier man to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 21-year-old Aaron Goforth was southbound on K-63 Highway when he struck a deer in the roadway, north of Grandview Road, shortly after 6:00.

The Patrol says Goforth, who was buckled up, was transported to the Onaga Community Hospital with unspecified injuries.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle collision in Jefferson County Saturday morning sent a Valley Falls woman to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened at the intersection of Edwards Road and K-4 Highway about 4 miles south of Valley Falls around 8:20.

The Patrol says a car driven by 48-year-old Gina Ryan, of Valley Falls, failed to yield at a stop sign and struck a car driven by 30-year-old Joshua Gerety, also of Valley Falls.

A passenger in the Gerety vehicle, 30-year-old Michelle Gerety, was transported to Topeka’s Stormont-Vail Hospital for the treatment of what the Patrol described as possible injuries.

Joshua Gerety and two children in his vehicle, ages 2 and 3, escaped injury.  Ryan and a 17-year-old passenger in her vehicle also were not hurt.

(KNZA)--A pedestrian was struck and killed on I-29 late Friday night about five miles south of St. Joseph.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 26-year-old Kansas City, Kansas resident Taano Aisek had exited his vehicle after being in another non-injury wreck, when he ran out in front of a northbound pickup, and was struck on the roadway.

Aisek was pronounced dead at the scene.

The pickup driver, 27-year-old Shawnee, Kansas resident Kaitlin Ericson, was not hurt.

The accident was reported around 10:40 Friday night.

(KLZA)-- A Tecumseh prison inmate accused of killing his cellmate could face the death penalty if convicted.

According to a release from the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, the state has filed a Notice of Aggravating Circumstances,  alleging Patrick Schroeder was previously convicted of another murder or crime involving the use or threat of violence to the person, or has a substantial prior history of serious assaultive or terrorizing criminal activity. 

Schroeder has been charged with first degree murder and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony in the death of 22-year-old Terry Berry.  Schroeder and Berry were cellmates at the prison north of Tecumseh on April 15 when Corrections personnel were alerted to respond to the cell.

An autopsy ruled the cause of death was asphyxia, and labeled the death as a homicide. 

In filing the Notice of Aggravating Circumstances, Schroeder is eligible for the death penalty sentence. Schroeder is scheduled to appear in Johnson County District Court on June 20, at 2:30 p.m.

Schroeder is currently serving life in prison for the April, 2006 robbery and murder of Kenneth Albers who lived on f farmstead just outside of Pawnee City.  

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

(KAIR)--Two teenage brothers from Lancaster required hospital treatment following a single-vehicle, noon hour crash in Atchison County Friday.

Sheriff Jack Laurie says 15-year-old Gabriel Livingston, identified as the driver of a minivan, and his 14-year-old brother, John, were both transported by Atchison County EMS to the Atchison Hospital for the treatment of minor, non-life threatening injuries.

According to Laurie, the minivan was westbound on 286th Road, about 2 miles west of U.S. Highway 73, when Gabriel Livingston lost control of the vehicle, causing it to collide with a road sign.

Laurie says the driver was issued a notice to appear in court for the infraction of driving on restrictions, as the teen had a learner's permit.

The impact of the crash caused significant damage to the passenger side of the minivan, and left both brothers with scrapes and bruises on their arms.

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle Brown County wreck Friday morning sent a Horton teen to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on K-20 Highway about 8 miles west of Horton around 7:50.

The Patrol says 15-year-old Felicity Thomas-Rodecap was westbound when her Ford Ranger went off the road and struck a bridge railing.  The vehicle rolled into a creek bed.

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

(KLZA)-- Falls City parks have beomce a common target for vandalism.

Mayor Jerry Oliver addressed the issue during Monday nights City Council meeting, noting reports of vandals damaging doors and spreading mud throughout the bathroom and bath house facility at Stanton Lake Park. 

Grandview Park restrooms have been a target of vandals for many years. Because of that history, the restroom doors are locked at night.  Last week someone tried to break the door down to get into the restroom.

Calling it a sad situation, the Mayor is asking for the public to call the Falls City Police Department when they see suspicious activity.  Oliver said if you call in information, no one will find out who calls in. 

The Stanton Lake Park restroom and shower house is used by campers and those that rent Candle Light Cabin. In the past year the facility was updated with improvements to the walls and floors.
 

TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) - Authorities say an inmate's escape attempt was thwarted at a state prison in southeast Nebraska.
 
The Nebraska Correctional Services Department says the attempt occurred around 4:15 Thursday afternoon as prisoner Dillon Martin was being returned to the prison in Tecumseh from court in Lincoln.
 
The department says that when the transport van stopped at the prison entrance, Martin opened a bag of an unidentified powder and dispersed it. The van driver and another staffer got out as a third staffer, who was with Martin in the back of the van, engaged an electronic restraint and deployed a chemical agent.
 
The department says Martin charged out when the van's inmate door was opened, but he was soon subdued.
 
The department says none of the staffers or Martin suffered any serious injuries.

(KNZA)--For the third time, the jury trial for a Hoyt man accused of sex crimes involving a girl under the age of 14 has been delayed.

A 4-day trial for 50-year-old Leon Holloway had been set to begin next Tuesday in Jackson County District Court but a judge this week granted a continuance due to the death of Holloway’s attorney, William Rork.

Rork, of Topeka, died May 31st.     

The trial was rescheduled for week of  November 27th.

Holloway faces charges of rape, indecent liberties with a child and two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy stemming from alleged sex offenses occurring between April 2013 and March 2015.

He was arrested in May 2015 following an investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and remains free on bond.

(KNZA)--Hiawatha residents will be able to set off fireworks at the City Lake again this year.

The City Commission Monday evening approved allowing fireworks to be discharged July 1st-4th.

Residents will be allowed to set them off until midnight on July 1st and 3rd, and until 11 p.m. on July 2nd and 4th.

Its illegal to discharge fireworks in the city limits.

The city will hold its Independence Day celebration Monday, July 3rd near Noble Park.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man goes to jail after allegedly striking another man multiple times with a hammer.

“Shortly after 7:00 pm on Wednesday evening our officers responded to a disturbance called in the 2000 block of Birch Street,” said Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. “A 50-year-old male who resided in the residence had been struck in the head, arm and leg with a hammer by a 40-year-old male who also resided at the residence. A television, table and wall were also damaged during this disturbance.”

He said 40-year-old Andre Green was arrested on charges of aggravated battery and criminal damage to property in connection with the incident.

“We know that there had been a verbal dispute in the residence that led to this criminal damage occurring when this hammer was used to damage this property within the house,” Wilson said. “That was subsequently followed by 40-year-old striking the 50-year-old about his body with the hammer.”

The 50-year-old victim did not seek treatment for his injuries.

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

(KLZA)-- Several agenda items during the Falls City Council meeting Monday evening concerned the new electrical generator project currently underway. 

The new engine, made in Finland by Wirtsila has traveled by ship to Texas. It has been transferred to a railcar.  It is expected that 14 cargo containers carrying parts for the engine will arrive next week, prior to the engine arriving.

The engine will be removed from the railcar and stored at the Herzog facility until its final move to the Power Plant in about two weeks. 

Monday evening the Council approved a recommendation from the Board of Public Works on a contract with Profile Contracting to install a higher capacity natural gas line to the Power Plant at a cost of nearly $544-thousand.  Utility Superintendent Alan Romine explained the new engine for electrical generation requires a higher gas pressure than is currently available. The upgrade will also improve the towns border station gas capacity.

The Council also approved a change order for the generator project amounting to nearly $71-thousand. Due to some of the equipment for the new engine not arriving soon enough, a larger hatch will be required in the building floor to get the engine set in place.  The added funds will pay for demolition, additional concrete and steel and a temporary wall to be constructed for use while there is a hole cut in the back of the building when the new foundation is being constructed. 

Total cost to complete the generator project will be in excess of $11-million. 

In a related agenda item, City Administrator Gary Jorn sought approval by the Council on a resolution allowing some of the $4.3-million in bonds the city will use for the project to reimburse the city of out-of-pocket expenses prior to the bonding is in place. 

The resolution passed unanimously.  

LENEXA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who is helping lead President Donald Trump's commission on election fraud, says he is running for governor.
 
The Republican announced his 2018 bid Thursday in Lenexa.
 
Kobach has helped draft laws and ordinances in several states aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration, and he has a national reputation for championing tough voter identification laws. He has been advising Trump since before the election.
 
Kobach's announcement comes just two days after Kansas legislators enacted a law rolling back income tax cuts championed by current Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. Lawmakers did so by overriding Brownback's veto. Kobach strongly criticized the move.
 
 Kobach is also a strong abortion opponent and gun-rights advocate.
 
The 51-year-old has been Kansas' secretary of state since 2011.

(KAIR)--Some Atchison water customers may notice changes in their water in the next few days as planned water tower maintenance may affect water pressure in areas around the tower.

According to a press release from Atchison Public Works and Utilities Director Justin Pregont, the area impacted is Grandeur Road to the east, Shannon Industrial Park to the west, 306th Road to the north and 274th road to the south.

Beginning Saturday, June 10 though June 17, the water tower just northwest of County Club and Pratt Roads will be under safety inspections.

Pregont said, McGuire Iron, a water tower maintenance company will work on behalf of the city to preform a series of safety and sanitation upgrades to the tower.

The work is designed to help balance the pressures in the immediate area around the tower as well as help to supply a steady volume of water to Rural Water District #5.

He stressed this type of work is normal, necessary and planned. Every precaution is being taken so the tower will only be out of service for a minimal amount of time.

Pregont if customers notice any change of significant nature or if you have any questions, to contact the Public Works Shop at (913)367-5561.

(KAIR)--The search for a new Superintendent of the Atchison County Schools could be in the final stretch, with the last of two finalists for the position expected to be offered a contract later this month.

That word from USD 377 Board of Education President Jeff Martin.

He tells MSC News the Board anticipates extending a contract to Dr. Andrew Gaddis at the Board's next regular meeting, scheduled for June 19.

Gaddis currently serves as the Principal of Hiawatha High School.

He was named as one of two finalists for the position which became open due to the resignation of current Superintendent Steve Wiseman, effective June 30.

The School Board Monday evening extended a contract to the first of the two finalists, Destry Brown.

On Tuesday morning, Brown, who currently serves as Superintendent for USD 250, in Pittsburg, Kansas, declined the offer, paving the way for the selection of Gaddis as the possible next Superintendent.

(KAIR)--The search for a new Superintendent of the Atchison County Schools could be in the final stretch, with the last of two finalists for the position expected to be offered a contract later this month.

That word from USD 377 Board of Education President Jeff Martin.

He tells MSC News the Board anticipates extending a contract to Dr. Andrew Gaddis at the Board's next regular meeting, scheduled for June 19.

Gaddis currently serves at the Principal of Hiawatha High School.

He was named as one of two finalists for the position which became open due to the resignation of current Superintendent Steve Wiseman, effective June 30.

The School Board Monday evening extended a contract to the first of the two finalists, Destry Brown.

On Tuesday morning, Brown, who currently serves as Superintendent for USD 250, in Pittsburg, Kansas, declined the offer, paving the way for the selection of Gaddis as the possible next Superintendent.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission has approved seeking bids to extend sewer service to a property annexed in 2008.

The action came during the Commission’s meeting Monday.

Bids will be solicited for the extension of more than 400-feet of 8-inch sewer main in order to provide service to property at the southeast corner of North 4th Street and Hatfield Road.

City Administrator Mike Nichols says while city water is available at the location, sanitary sewer is not.   He said the city is obligated to provide the service as part of the annexation.

Nichols said construction of the line will also open sewer availability to future development west along Hatfield Road and south along 4th Street.

He said plans are to open bids on June 14th, and present them to the Commission at their June 19th meeting.

The Commission also approved advertising for bids to provide janitorial services at City Hall and the Law Enforcement Center.

(KLZA)-- A Tecumseh State Correctional Institute inmate died Tuesday at a Lincoln hospital. 

According to a release from the Department of Correctional Services, staff members were alerted to the cell of 22-year-old Daelan Lamere on May 27, where he was unresponsive and having difficulty breathing.  Lamere was taken to the Johnson County Hospital in Tecumseh, and later transferred to the Lincoln hospital where he remained until his death. 

Lamere was serving a 6 to 11 year sentence from Douglas County for four counts of robbery and one count of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony. 

The Nebraska State Patrol will investigate Lamere’s death.  The official cause of death has not been determined.  Reports indicate Lamere tested positive for methamphetamine and ecstasy at the hospital.

Whenever an inmate dies in the custody of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, a grand jury will be convened to conduct an investigation. 

(KNZA)--More than $1 million in grant funds are received by the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, earmarked to support the Kickapoo Child and Family Programs initiative over the next three years, and join the network of children and youth programs that currently support the families in the community.

That word is delivered in a press release issued by the Kickapoo Tribe, which explains that the grant comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, through the Center for Mental Health Services' Circles of Care Program.

Kickapoo Tribal Secretary Carla Ramirez says the initiative "will focus on building staffing, infrastructure, and internal supports for a system of care that brings existing programs and departments together under a focused and holistic vision." She adds that goals of the program, funded through the grant, "include strengthening a system of supports for children and families; improving availability and accessibility of behavioral health and wellness programs in the Kickapoo community; and building strong connections to promote Kickapoo culture and tradition."

Tribal Chairman Lester Randall says the Circles of Care grant program will allow the tribe to build upon, and strengthen, the support system for families in the area.

Grant funds are awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration through a competitive application and review process, with a growing effort to provide assistance to American Indian and Alaska Native communities across the country.

(KLZA)-- A suspect in the murder of a former Falls City Man has been extradited back to Omaha following his arrest in Denver last month. 

31-year-old Antoine Johnson, of Omaha, was booked into the Douglas County Jail Tuesday on charges of second-degree murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

Johnson is accused of shooting 29-year-old Trent Stutheit,  who resided in Omaha, April 16, in an Omaha apartment complex parking lot.  

Stutheit was taken to an Omaha hospital, where he later died. 

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council voted unanimously Monday evening to be the sponsoring entity for a $50-thousand grant application for the purchase of a new ambulance for the Falls City Volunteer Ambulance Squad.  

City Administrator Gary Jorn, who is the President of the ambulance squad, said donations have been accepted toward the purchase of a new ambulance. Jorn says the squad intends to apply for a USDA grant which would fund a large portion of the cost. 

USDA rules will not allow the ambulance squad to apply for the grant, it must be a foundation or a municipality to be the borrower for the USDA funds. 

Jorn explained the new unit will be used for both local calls and long distance transfers. Jorn said the squad intends to be the main source to transfer patients from Community Medical Center in Falls City to larger hospitals.

During the presentation Jorn said so far in 2017 the squad has already responded to 206 calls for service.  

Jorn also explained the Falls City Volunteer Ambulance Squad is a stand-alone corporation, maintaining all of the ambulance squads, paying their own insurance and buying supplies from revenues generated by calls of service. 
 
Mayor Jerry Oliver noted the City donates the land for the Ambulance Squad garage and does not charge for utilities in the building. 

Longtime squad member Jim Gerweck told MSC News it has been about 15 years since a new ambulance was purchased.  A new ambulance is anticipated to cost about $135-thousand, not counting equipment that will be added.  

(KLZA)-- A Bellevue man suffered serious injuries in a wreck Tuesday evening in Holt County, Missouri.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 23-year-old Dustin Barrett was northbound on Interstate 29 shortly before 9:30. Barrett’s car traveled west, off   the northbound lane into the median, then crossed the southbound lanes of I-29, overturning, coming to rest on its wheels, off the west side of the southbound lane.

Barrett was transported by Atchison-Holt Ambulance to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph.  

The Holt County Sheriff’s Office, Mound City Police Department, Oregon Police Department and Mound City Rural Fire Department all responded to the scene, approximately six miles south of Mound City. 

The vehicle was totaled.  

(KLZA)-- A Falls City woman was transported to Community Medical Center in Falls City following a two-vehicle collision at an intersection Friday afternoon.

The Falls City Police report indicates 29-year-old Trischa Clow was southbound on Barada Street when the Jeep Wrangler she was driving was struck by a pickup driven by 27-year-old Lance Driskell of Falls City.  Driskell was headed west on 22nd Street.

Clow was transported by the Falls City Volunteer Ambulance Squad to the hospital with possible, but not visible injuries.  Drikell was not injured.

Damage to the Jeep was estimated at $3,500, there was no estimate of damage to the pickup. 

Driskell was issued a citation for failure to yield the right of way.  

(KNZA)--Municipal band concerts will be held again this summer in Hiawatha.

The City Commission Monday evening approved a contract with David Kerwood to direct five concerts.  He will be paid $400.

The concerts will be held on Monday evening’s at 7:30, beginning June 19th and running through July 17th, with a rain date of July 24th.  

The concerts will last about an hour and be held on the north side of the Brown County Courthouse, with the exception of the July 3rd concert which will take place at Noble Park in conjunction with the Hiawatha fireworks display that evening.       

(AP)--Kansas legislators have voted to override Republican Gov. Sam Brownback's veto of a bill that would repeal or roll back past income tax cuts he has championed.
 
The House voted 88-31 Tuesday night to overturn Brownback's veto of a bill that will increase income taxes to fix the state budget and provide additional funds for public schools. Supporters had four votes more than the two-thirds majority necessary to override a veto.
 
The Senate earlier voted 27-13 to override, exactly a two-thirds majority.
 
The tax increase is expected to raise $1.2 billion over two years by increasing income tax rates and ending an exemption for 330,000-plus farmers and business owners.
 
Kansas faces projected budget shortfalls totaling $889 million through June 2019 and the state Supreme Court ruled in March that education funding is inadequate.
 
  

(KAIR)--An Atchison woman required helicopter transport for treatment of her injuries following a collision with a semi Tuesday afternoon.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News 46-year-old Catherine Gonzales was behind the wheel of a pickup truck on U.S. Highway 73 at 274th Road when the wreck happened.

Wilson says Gonzales was first transported to Atchison Hospital by EMS, but later flown to Mosaic Life Care in Saint Joseph.

The driver of the semi, Jason Roloff, of Atchison, was not hurt.

Wilson says the investigation into the crash determined that excessive speed on the part of Gonzales was a factor in the wreck, which happened around 1:00 Tuesday.

(KAIR)--A two vehicle Jackson County crash Tuesday afternoon sent a Holton woman to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 63-year-old Nancy Weber was transported to Holton Community Hospital for treatment of her injuries following the noon hour crash.

It happened when Weber's vehicle rear ended another vehicle that was stopped at a stop light on U.S. Highway 75,at Banner Road, on the south side of Holton.

That driver, identified as 52-year-old Sioux City, Iowa resident, LeRoy Prosser, was not hurt.

Both drivers were buckled up when the wreck occurred at 12:30.

(KAIR)--Guilty.

That's the plea entered by an Atchison man accused of involvement in a a fire at an Atchison residence that authorities deemed an arson.

47-year-old Gary Skeen entered his plea to one count of felony interference with a law enforcement officer, in connection with his arrest pertaining to the fire that happened at 918 Atchison Street last month.

The plea came as part of a plea agreement which included the dismissal of a felony arson charge.

According to the Atchison County Attorney's Office, sentencing for Skeen is set for the morning of July 7.

At that time, the amount of restitution owed by Skeen will be determined.

Skeen remains in the Atchison County Jail.

According to online records, Skeen is a registered violent offender in the state of Kansas, stemming from the role he was convicted of playing in the 2000 Atchison County murder of Kurt Boldridge.

(KLZA)-- USDA Rural Development funds totaling more than $1.5-million have been awarded for Southeast Nebraska projects.

Accoriding to a USDA news release, among the organizations receiving funding is Johnson County Rural Water District #1.  $1,123,000 from USDA will be used to replace water mains, install new lines, repaint the standpipe and to replace a well pump. 

The loan is for 40 years with an interest rate of 3.375 percent.

The Pennsylvania Colony Historical Society of Nebraska has been awarded $2,000 leveraged with nearly $3,800 from the Historical Society to connect the house to the Richardson County Rural Water District for potable water.

In addition, the Historical Society received $5,100 from USDA leveraged with more than $9,500 from the Historical Society to renovate the original barn on the Pennsylvania Colony Historical Society of Nebraska site in Dawson.  

(KAIR)--An agreement is reached and an official location determined for a memorial commemorating the Bartlett Grain Elevator Explosion that killed six men Oct. 29, 2011.

That follows Monday's Atchison City Commission meeting when commissioners voted unanimously to approve a motion regarding a River Road location for the memorial.

Robert Adrian, representing the Riverfront Foundation Board, presented the plan to commissioners saying the stone is to be placed along River Road on the northwest corner where Atchison Street meets River Road.

Adrian said the Riverfront Foundation has no objection going forward with the Bartlett Memorial being placed on River Road.

Denton resident, Eddie Burke—who initially presented the plan for the memorial spoke at the meeting saying the location was acceptable to her and all others working on this memorial.

Adrian and City staff said they are currently working on drafting permanent guidelines that will be put in place determining what other type of memorials will be placed along River Road in the future.

Brown Co Relay for Life organizers ( back row L-R) Pam Smith, Jessie Brintnall and Michelle Moreno attend County Commission meeting for signing of proclamation declaring June 9th " Relay for Life" day in Brown County.

(KNZA)--The Relay for Life of Brown County will take place Friday at a new  location---the Brown County Courthouse Square in downtown Hiawatha.

The theme of this year’s Relay is “ Paint Your Square Purple.”

The event will run from 6 to 11 Friday evening.

The Relay will kick-off at 7:00 with the National Anthem followed by the Survivor’s Lap.  Teams will be walking around the courthouse square to raise money to fight cancer.  The Luminaria Ceremony will be at 9:30 on the north side of the Courthouse.  

There will be a couple of new activities as part of this year’s event---including the “ Miss Survivor” pin-up contest sponsored by the Brown County Bombshells and a car show.

All proceeds from the event will go to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Brown County Commission Chairman Steve Roberts Monday signed a proclamation declaring Friday as “ Relay for Life” day in Brown County, and encouraging residents to participating in the event.
   

(KNZA)--The city of Hiawatha is preparing for this summer’s chip and seal project.

The city has announced that city crews will be trimming trees next week, June 12th-16th, for the upcoming project.

Trees will be trimmed on 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 13th and West Apache Streets.

Residents who would like to have their trees done professionally are asked to notify City Hall by this Friday, otherwise city crews will trim limbs off the right-of-way.   
 

(KNZA)--A power outage is planned for customers of Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative served by the Willis substation.

The Cooperative says it will happened Wednesday morning, beginning at 8:30, and last about two hours due to a large house being moved through the area.

The general area that will be affected will be north to 190th Street, south to 294th Road in Atchison County, east to Purcell and west to the Kickapoo Reservation.

The Cooperative apologizes for the inconvenience it puts on customers affected by the outage.

(KNZA)--With the filing deadline come and gone, the field of candidates vying for Doniphan County school board positions up for election in November has been set.

Five candidates are seeking three seats up for election on the Doniphan West USD 111 Board in District 2.  They include incumbents Brad Holzhey and Carla Johnson along with Jeff Albers, Cody Peters and Stephanie Symns.

Four candidates are vying for three seats up for election on the Riverside USD 114 Board in District 2.  They include incumbents Barbara Derrick and Tim Smith along with Jennifer Davis and Christopher Hewins.

The three incumbents seeking re-election to the Troy USD 429 Board will face no opposition.  They include Jennifer Luedke, Sandy Reel and Nikia Weber.     

In addition, Nathan Geiger has filed to fill the remaining two years of the unexpired term he was appointed to in November 2015 following the resignation of Galen Mitchell.

The general election will be held November 7th.   

(KNZA)--The 4th annual Hiawatha summer lunch program kicked off Monday.

The program is put on by Hiawatha ACES in conjunction with the St. Joseph-based Second Harvest Community Food Bank and the USDA.

Free meals will be provided to youth up to the age of 18 Monday through Friday from 11:30 to 1:00 in the basement of the Brown County Sheriff's Office.  

The program's goal is to help ensure that children in Brown County have the opportunity to receive a nutritional, well balanced meal for lunch throughout the summer free of charge.

Last year, the program served 84 kids a day on average.

(KNZA)--No injuries were reported after a semi tractor-trailer catches fire on U.S. 36 Highway in Brown County.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says it happened around 10:00 last Thursday evening near the Hiawatha Wal-Mart store.

Merchant says the semi driver, Marshall County, Missouri resident Jeffrey Basnett, said he head a noise and then noticed flames coming from the trailer.  Basnett pulled off of the roadway, but could not put out of the fire.

The Hiawatha Fire Department responded and extinguished the flames.   

The semi truck and trailer were a total loss.

(KLZA)-- A meeting is planned for Monday evening, June 5th at the United Methodist Church in Barada concerning Richardson County Rural Water District #2 expanding services.

The Rural Water District has entered into a contract with Nebraska Game and Parks to provide water to Indian Cave State Park. The Rural Water District has the option of up-sizing and adding additional customers.

In recent years water shortages in private wells have been a concern. 
During the 5:30 p.m. meeting, interested parties will be able to receive more information about getting connected to the rural waterline. 

Rural Development representatives will be on hand to answer questions and discuss financing for additional lines and hookups from Falls City, north to the Nemaha County, Nebraska line.  

For more information you may contact Paul Benitz at 402-245-5502 or Jerry Yount at 402-883-2485.

Commissioner Keith Olsen ( right ) presents a plaque to longtime road and bridge employee Randy Ashton ( left) for his service to the county.

(KNZA)--Three Brown County Road and Bridge Department positions have been filled.

The County Commission announced Monday the hiring of Shawn Babb for the District 1 road crew, Nicholas Isaacs for the District 2 road crew and Brandon Killoren for the new rover position.

The three were among four applicants interviewed by the Commission at their May 31st meeting.

Isaacs will replace longtime road and bridge department employee Randy Ashton who is retiring.

Commissioner Keith Olsen presented a plaque to Ashton in recognized of his year’s of service with the county.  His last day will be June 19th.

(KAIR)--Atchison Police officers have Royals baseballs cards to give away all summer.

That word from the Boys and Girls Club of Atchison Director Sean Crittendon who announced a partnership between Atchison Police and the Boys and Girls Club.

“About a month ago, I got a hold of Chief Wilson and told him I'd been in contact with a representative from the Royals and they were bringing the baseball card giveaway back to communities,” he said. “As a kid, I was always excited when we would approach officers and they would have those cards available. Wilson said he remembered it and was welcoming of this partnership.”

Crittendon said this community initiative has a special purpose.

“Youth approach officers and they have cards available, to capture that moment—whether it be a selfie, some sort of picture with the card with members of the community,” Crittendon said. “Because we want to show our support for the law enforcement community of Atchison. That's what we want to base our campaign around, Atchison supports the Atchison Police Department. Of course, everyone loves the Royals so tying that all into one creates excitement.”

He's asking everyone who takes pictures with law enforcement to upload them to the Community Initiative album on the Boys and Girls Club of Atchison's Facebook page or text them directly to (913) 680-7563.

“When you approach law enforcement, thank them for the job that they do,” Crittendon said. “And capture the moment.”

Crittendon wants to remind the community not to approach officers who look busy

The baseball card giveaway will be going on in Atchison all summer or until cards run out.

(KAIR)--A comprehensive walking/biking trail master plan is in the works for the City of Atchison.

That follows a special meeting held by Live Well, Live Atchison and facilitated by PedNet—an organization that helps communities build walking and biking trails.

“We had a good group of community members that attended,” said Live Well, Live Atchison Director Andrea Clements. “We laid out maps of the city of Atchison and surrounding areas and everybody gathered around those maps and looked at the status of our current biking and walking facilities.”

She said a major concern coming out of the meeting was areas around Atchison that don't have any sidewalk at all.

“Some of the outlying areas of our community don't have any sidewalks,” she said. “That was scary to folks that were in our meeting.”

Clements said the next step is for PedNet to take all the information from the meeting and draft a pedestrian/bike trail plan for the city of Atchison.

Live Well will then present that plan to the Atchison City Commission. Clements said she hopes commissioners will officially adopt that as part of Atchison's master plan.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth man requires hospitalized care following a weekend wreck while riding a motorcycle in Atchison County.

Sheriff Jack Laurie says it happened Saturday night, around 10:30,when 35-year-old Odell Mitchell Vanpatten was traveling southbound on K7 Highway, north of 330th Road.

His motorcycle went off the road and hit a rock in the grass, causing it to wreck.

Vanpatten was transported to Mosaic Life Care, in Saint Joseph, for the treatment of what Laurie says was a laceration to his forehead, along with other precautionary treatment.

Laurie says Vanpatten was issued a notice to appear in Atchison County District Court for DUI and violation of restriction. That means the motorcycle he was riding, which did not belong to him, was not installed with an interlock device, as required by law, based on Vanpatten's DUI history.

( KNZA)--A weekend shooting on Kickapoo Reservation sent a young girl to the hospital.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says the Sheriff's Office received a report of a gunshot victim on the Reservation Saturday.

Merchant says the male suspect and female victim were both under the age of 14.

The girl was taken to the Horton Community Hospital and then later air-lifted to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City with serious, but what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries.

The shooting remains under investigation, and no additional details are being provided at this time.  

(KNZA)--A zoning change is being sought to allow for the construction of a proposed new Dollar General Store in Troy.

The Doniphan County Regional Planning Commission will hold a public hearing Wednesday, June 14th at 7:30 in the evening in the District Courtroom of the Courthouse in Troy to consider a change in zoning for  property located at 1286 Mesquito Creek Road.

Being sought is a change from an Outer District to Mixed Use.

Those appearing at the hearing will be given an opportunity to speak in support of or opposition to the zoning change.

Following the hearing, the Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the Doniphan County Commission.

(KNZA)--With the filing deadline come and gone, the field of candidates vying for Jackson County school board positions up for election in November has been set.

There will be a contested race for a position on the Jackson Heights USD 335 Board.  Robert Mock is challenging incumbent Ed Rostetter for position 5.

Kelly Kennedy is running unopposed for re-election to position 4 and Doug Amon for position 6.

There will be a contested race for a position on the Holton USD 336 Board.   Incumbent Allen Arnold is being challenged by Michelle Evans in his bid for re-election to position 4.

Mike Ford is running unopposed for re-election to position 5 and Christina Schlodder Murphy is running opposed for position 6.   Position 6 is currently held by Robert Phillips who didn’t seek re-election.

There will be contested races for two positions on the Royal Valley USD 337 Board.  Incumbent Jeff Stithem is being challenged by Nathan McAlister for position 5 and Sonja Willms is challenging incumbent Ann Kelly for position 6.

Linda Hegemann is running unopposed in her bid for re-election to position 4.

The Kansas Legislature passed a bill two years ago moving city and school board elections from April to November.  The new election cycle begins this year.   

(KNZA)--A primary election will be needed to narrow the field of candidates vying for two seats on the Elwood City Council.

Seven candidates filed by the June 1st deadline, and Doniphan County Clerk Peggy Franken says the field will be narrowed to four during the August 1st primary election.

The candidates include incumbent Dennis Smith along with Tim Hontz, Paula Hunsaker, Mickey Meers, Dennis Muse, Peggy Wood and Ronnie Young.

The general election is November 7th.

Timmy Kieser, Sr. is running unopposed for re-election as Elwood mayor.
 

(MSC News)--Local FFA members are awarded their State FFA Degree during the 89th Kansas FFA State Convention, held last week on the campus of Kansas State University.

The State Degree is the highest honor the Kansas FFA Association can bestow upon its members.

Recipients of the degree must meet a number of requirements, including having received their Chapter FFA Degree, been an FFA member and agricultural education student for at least two years, earned at least $2,000 or worked 600 hours in their Supervised Agricultural Experience program, given a six-minute speech about agriculture or FFA, participated in eight different leadership activities, received a “C” average or better in high school and shown a record of outstanding leadership and community involvement.

FFA members from the local area receiving the honor include: Atchison County: Jacob Chalfant, Madison Rae Hetherington, Spencer Dennis McNerny; Axtell: Nicholas Buessing, Sierra Perry, Oliver Schmitz; Doniphan West: Jaime Albers, Brantley Cluck, Hailey Fee, Carson Dean Lackey, Landon Parsons, Phillip Simmonds, Trevor Taylor; Hiawatha: Tayler Bacon, Kyle E. Tollefson, Emma Williams, Tess Julianna Wolney, Aubrey Wright; Holton: Brett Bontrager, Alexandra Clark, Eldon Harris, Ian McAsey, Tel Wittmer; Jackson Heights: Kaleb Keehn; Marysville: James Patrick Borgerding, Dayne Christopher Brown, Michael Allen Crome, Emma Nicole Hill, Megan Renee Hill; McLouth: Emma Jolley, Mable Mestagh, Natalie Richardson, Hannah Sparks, Rachael Sparks; Onaga: Shay Duer, Jesse Fairbanks, Maggie Revell; Riverside: Jenae J. Anderson; Royal Valley: Lucas Broxterman, Jordan Cox, Wyatt Winter; Sabetha: Maggie Kruse, Cameron Renyer; Valley Heights: Garrett Link, Chevelle Murk, Adrian Paul Pishny; Wamego: Peyton Ashleigh Freeman, Keith Aaron Zerbe.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Republican lawmakers have cleared the way for vote in the Kansas House on a plan that would increase income taxes and boost state spending on public schools.

The House expected to vote Sunday night on a plan that would raise more than $1 billion over two years by increasing income taxes. The same measure would phase in a $285 million increase in spending on public schools over two years.

Republican negotiators for the House and Senate tied the two measures together to increase the chances of the tax increase passing.

Democrats strongly objected. The Legislature’s rules allowed them force votes in both chambers on whether the package could be considered.

But the votes to move forward with the package were 72-49 in the House and 25-14 in the Senate.

(KAIR)--A Holton man is dead following what authorities believe was a drowning in Jackson County.

Sheriff Tim Morse identifies the victim as 78-year-old Dan Mehringer, whose body was found Sunday near a kayak in the water on the northwest side of Banner Creek Reservoir, located west of Holton.

Morse says his office received an emergency call shortly before 3:00 Sunday afternoon reporting the discovery of the body.

Mehringer was reported to have been boating in the kayak at the time of the drowning.

Morse says he was found wearing a life jacket.

Mehringer was pronounced dead at the scene.

His body has been sent for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Morse says the long-time Holton resident is being remembered as “a kind and caring person, who helped others, and always had something positive to say.”

The Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Holton Police and Fire Departments, the Potawatomi Tribal Fire Department, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, and Jackson County EMS.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A Leavenworth woman has pleaded no contest to fatally beating her 85-year-old mother with a 3-pound mallet.

The Kansas City Star reports that 60-year-old Victoria Smith entered the plea Friday.

Authorities say Smith was screaming that she had killed someone when police responded in July 2016 and found her mother, Anna Higgins, dead. She later admitted to being surprised by being awakened by Higgins. The Leavenworth County Attorney says Smith then struck her mother with a flashlight in the doorway to her bedroom, moved her to the living room and proceeded to strike her several more times with the mallet.

Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson described the case as a "sad situation all the way around."

Sentencing for the second-degree murder charge is set for July 21st.

The 2017–18 Kansas FFA Officer team includes( L-R) President Eli Ohlde, Clifton-Clyde FFA; Vice President John Kennedy, Jackson Heights FFA; Secretary Marie Reveles, Hays FFA; Treasurer Quentin Umphenour, Jayhawk-Linn FFA; Reporter Riley Sleichter, Abilene FFA; and Sentinel Skyler Denio, Hoxie FFA.

(KNZA)--A local FFA member is among six Kansas FFA members elected to serve as state officers for 2017-18.

Jackson Heights FFA member John Kennedy was elected as vice-president during the 89th Kansas FFA Convention held May 31st-June 2nd on the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan.

Kennedy was among 14 candidates running for a state officer position to represent more than 9,000 Kansas FFA members.

The State FFA Officer team will travel across the state sharing their passion for agriculture, leadership and service. Kansas FFA officers present workshops and conferences across the state and challenge FFA members to serve their communities and the agriculture industry.

A four-year FFA member, Kennedy has served as the president of his chapter, as well as the secretary for the Northeast District. His Supervised Agricultural Experience program is landscape management, where he is the groundskeeper for three local cemeteries. He plans to attend K-State with hopes of becoming a high school agricultural education instructor.

Kennedy is the son of Kelly and Kim Kennedy. His advisor is Paul Lierz.

(KLZA)--The man wanted in connection with the shooting death of a former Falls City man is now in custody.

The Omaha World-Herald reports 30-year-old Antoine Johnson, of Omaha, was arrested in Denver, Colorado Monday.

Johnson was wanted on a warrant for suspicion of second-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony.

Authorities say he shot Trent Stutheit, who was residing in Omaha, on Easter Day, April 16, at an apartment complex in Omaha.

Stutheit, following the shooting, was transported for hospitalized treatment, but later died.

At last check, Johnson was awaiting extradition to Nebraska. 

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Antoine Johnson as a former Falls City resident. The story has been updated for accuracy. 

(KNZA)--Plans for the construction of a new Hiawatha water treatment plant advance.

The City Commission Tuesday evening approved seeking bids for construction of the new plant to address the ongoing problem of high nitrate levels in the city’s water supply system.

That follows final approval of the revised plans and specifications for the project from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

City Administrator Mike Nichols says bids are to be opened July 13th, with a recommendation made to the Commission at their July 17th meeting.

Construction is expected to take 12 to 18 months.

The new plant is to be constructed on property north of Hiawatha.  

The total project cost is estimated at more than $4.9 million.

Initial funds for the project with come from a loan through KDHE, which comes with a 30 percent principal forgiveness.

(KAIR)--$1,000 scholarships are awarded to 55 Kansas FFA students, with several from the local area among those earning the Ford Trucks/Built Ford Tough Scholarships.

The program recognizes FFA members' talents and accomplishments while encouraging their future academic achievements.

Among the winners are Atchison County's Jacob Chalfant, Hiawatha's Kyle Tollefson, Horton's Abby Ross, Onaga's Jesse Fairbanks, and Sabetha's MiKayla Deters.

The scholarships were awarded during the third session of the 89th Kansas FFA State Convention, held on the Kansas State University Campus from May 31 through June 2.

(KAIR)--The preliminary hearing for a Leavenworth County man, already sentenced to life in prison for the shooting death of a police officer in Wyandotte County, has been continued.

The Leavenworth Times reports that's due to Thursday's absence of the defense attorney for 30-year-old Curtis Ayers, of Tonganoxie.

Ayers, convicted of killing Police Detective Brad Lancaster in Kansas City, Kansas, is charged in Leavenworth County with aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery and criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The crimes were alleged to have been committed in Basehor on May 9, 2016, the same day that Lancaster was killed.

It's alleged that Ayers, after the murder, drove a stolen car to a Basehor residence, where he parked in a garage.

Inside the car were two children, who were passengers in the vehicle when stolen by Ayers.

Ayers is accused of entering the home and robbing a resident of the home at gunpoint, taking the keys to another vehicle, along with a sweatshirt and shoes.

He allegedly fled behind the wheel of the resident's vehicle, and was arrested later in Kansas City, Missouri.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - Employees at WireCo WorldGroup have left the plant for the last time, after decades of working in St. Joseph.
 
The international wire and synthetic rope company announced in March 2016 that it would end most manufacturing operations in St. Joseph and eliminate 49 jobs.
 
Lanny Mears, who worked at Wire Rope for almost 30 years, said Thursday over half of his co-workers were laid off last August.
 
The St. Joseph News-Press reports falling oil prices hurt WireCo in recent years, with net sales plummeting $172 million in 2015. President and CEO Chris Ayers announced $18.3 million in expense reductions in 2015.
 
Hillyard Industries of St. Joseph, maker of cleaning and hygiene products, plans to redevelop about 25 acres of WireCo's downtown property into a manufacturing and national distribution center.
 

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph area man accused of stealing a SUV belonging to a man whose body was recovered from the Missouri River made his first appearance in Doniphan County courtroom Thursday.

40-year-old Christopher Colhour appeared on a charge of felony theft.  A pre-trial hearing was set for June 27th.

The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department recovered the body of 64-year-old St. Joseph resident Daniel Purvis from the Missouri River, south of St. Joseph, last Saturday after it was spotted by a resident.

Authorities had been searching the Wolf River and other nearby bodies of water for Purvis since May 22nd.

Colhour was arrested May 22nd for the theft of a 2009 Chevy Traverse belonging to Purvis.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has identified Colhour as a suspect in Purvis’ disappearance and says further charges are pending.

 Colhour remains in the Doniphan County Jail without bond.

(MSC News)-- The National Pony Express Association will celebrate the 157th anniversary of the founding of the Pony Express by conducting a re-run of the famed mail service, beginning Monday.

Commemorate letters and personal mail will be carried by horse and rider relays 1,966 miles from the Missouri River to the Sacramento River.  The first rider will depart the Patee House in St. Joseph Monday afternoon at 3:00,  and the last rider will arrive in Old Sacramento, California June 15th.  The re-ride will cross 8 states.

Since 1980, the group has conducted a re-ride of the mail route each June.

The re-ride honors the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company, founded by Russell, Majors and Waddell, a Missouri freighting firm.

It carried letters and telegrams from April 1860 to November 1861, to prove the Central Route passable year-round to win a federal mail contract.     

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth man is dead, killed Thursday afternoon while riding a motoped on Atchison's River Road.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie says 56-year-old Mark Randolph Forman was riding the motorized bicycle southbound on River Road, about a mile south of 244th Road, when the fatal wreck happened.

According to Laurie, Forman came off a bridge while traveling between 15 to 20 mph, struck loose gravel, and veered off the road. The bike's front tire struck a very small indentation on the side of the road, which caused the bike to throw him off, likely over the handlebars. The investigation indicates Forman, who was wearing a helmet, may have landed on his head, possibly suffering a major neck injury.

Laurie says an autopsy will be conducted to confirm the exact cause of Forman's death.

The deadly accident happened shortly before 2:30 Thursday afternoon.

(KMZA)--Several additional candidates filed for city and school board positions up for election in November in Nemaha County before Thursday’s deadline. 

In the city of Seneca, Mayor Joe Mitchell filed for re-election to another term and Jim Mitchell for re-election as 3rd Ward Councilman.  Both are running unopposed.

2nd Ward Councilwoman Alice Lackey is also running unopposed in her bid for re-election.

No candidates filed for the 1st Ward council seat currently held by Bruce Hermesch.

On the Prairie Hills USD 113 Board, Ann Shaughnessy filed for position 6.  The position is currently held by Kent Kuckelman, who did not seek re-election.

Incumbents Jeff DeMint and Ed Reznicek are running unopposed in their bids for re-election to the Board.

There will be no contested races this November for three positions on the Nemaha Central USD 115 Board.

Dave Clements is seeking re-election to position 2.  Joe Reitz has filed for position 4, which is currently held by Ilene Enneking.  Reitz currently holds position 3 on the board, but has moved out of that member district.  John Deters has filed for position 6, which is currently held by Jean Placke.

(KAIR)--A Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputy is facing numerous charges following his Thursday morning arrest in Polk County, Iowa.

According to a news release issued by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, 30-year-old David Schmitt, of Meriden, was taken into custody on charges including aggravated battery, disorderly conduct, two counts of aggravated endangering a child, two counts of intimidation of a witness or victim, and two counts of aggravated assault.

The alleged crimes are related to an April 13, 2016 domestic violence incident, along with what the KBI calls “other alleged conduct,” while Schmitt was free on bond following his initial arrest on April 15 of last year.

Schmitt was not formally charged following his initial arrest for domestic battery, and since then has remained on administrative leave from the Sheriff’s Office.

 Following his arrest Thursday, Schmitt was booked into the Polk County Jail where he awaits extradition to Kansas.

(KAIR)--The filing deadline has now passed for candidates seeking election to local city government seats and school boards in the November 7 General Election.

That includes seven running for the three open seats on the Atchison City Commission.

Those candidates include incumbents Larry Purcell, Dr. Allen Reavis and David Haussmann, along with former Atchison County Commissioner George Ross, Jr., Atchison Planning Commissioner Floyd “Jay” Robinson, Atchison Parks and Forestry Board Member Shawn Rizza, and Michael Hein.

Four seats are open on the USD 409 Board of Education, with the incumbents currently holding those seats facing no challengers.

In the Muscotah City Council race, filings include Brian Higley for Mayor, while Susan Higley, Darryl Hundley, Dale Small, and Dalia Wilson all filed for council positions.

Lancaster Mayor Tim Callahan will seek re-election, as will Jaquetta Peak, in Huron.

(KAIR)--The filing deadline has now passed for candidates seeking election to local city government seats and school boards this fall.

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.

The deadline was noon Thursday for those wishing to run in the November 7 General Election.

In Atchison County, that includes three open seats on the USD 377 Board of Education. However, according to the Atchison County Clerk's Office, only two candidates filed to run.

Kelli Bottoroff is seeking position 4, currently held by School Board President Jeff Martin, while Corey Neill filed for position 5, held by Steve Meeks.

Martin and Meeks did not file for re-election, while no one, including incumbent Tanna Hoffman, filed for position 6.

(KAIR)--Despite a rumor circulating locally, the discussion of annexation is not on the agenda for the next Atchison City Commission meeting.

That word from City Manager Trey Cocking, who tells MSC News there is no truth to the talk that the City is planning to annex land from Pratt Road to Osage Road.

“We we're contacted by several people who were concerned, they had heard rumors from their neighbors and other people that we were going to annex a large of swatch of ground from Pratt to Osage Road,” Cocking said. “Those statements are 100 percent, not true. The city does not have any pending annexation cases at this time. I'm pretty shocked where it came from.”

Cocking says that while a public hearing is scheduled for the June 5 Commission meeting, as the rumor states, it has nothing to do with annexation.

“We do have a public hearing that night on star bonds—setting our districts for star bonds to help with the Muriel Museum. But, absolutely nothing to do with annexation.”

Cocking says anytime plans of annexation arise, potentially affected property owners will be contacted directly by the City of Atchison.

(KNZA)--Two additional candidates filed before Thursday’s deadline for positions up for election this November on the South Brown County USD 430 Board.

James Stuart filed for position 4, which is currently held by Tim McClaskey.   McClaskey did not seek re-election.

Stuart joins Katelyn Ross is seeking the position.

Samantha McClain filed for position 6, which is currently held by Jacob Bruning who is seeking re-election.

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph teen charged in connection with a two-vehicle collision in April  that claimed the lives of four other teens appeared in a Buchanan County courtroom Thursday morning.

17-year-old Skylar Lucas-Cox waived formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of 2nd degree assault.

A trial date is expected to be set during a June 22nd hearing.

Authorities say Lucas-Cox was driving a stolen pickup April 14th near the intersection of Riverside and Cook Roads in the northeast part of St. Joseph when he lost control of the vehicle and crossed into oncoming traffic, striking another vehicle head-on.

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

Lucas-Cox continues to be held in the Buchanan County Jail without bond.

(KNZA)--The preliminary hearings for two Sabetha residents charged in connection with a Hiawatha home invasion have been postponed to next month.

The hearings for 21-year-old Edgar Martinez and 23-year-old Jazmene Hicks were continued Wednesday to July 12th at the request of their attorneys.

The pair face felony charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and aggravated battery along with a misdemeanor count of criminal restraint.

They are accused of breaking into a home at 121 Apache Street on May 16th.  The occupant, Ray Atlakson, told police he was battered and robbed, with his hands bound behind his back before the suspects fled the scene.

Atlakson was treated for injuries at the Hiawatha Community Hospital.

According to the criminal complaint, the suspects are accused of taking a pair of car keys, billfold and an RCA tablet by force.

Martinez and Hicks remain in the Brown County Jail on $175,000 bond each.

Meanwhile, a warrant has been issued for a third suspect in the case, 27-year-old Bern resident Oscar Martinez.  He remains at large.   

(KNZA)--A member of the Holton FFA chapter earned first place in a public speaking event during the 89th Kansas FFA State Convention being held this week on the Kansas State University campus, in Manhattan.

According to a news release from the Kansas FFA Association, Cailin Parks is this year’s FFA Creed Public Speaking Career Development Event winner.  

As the winner, Parks received a plaque and cash award.  After being announced as the winner, she presented the FFA Creed to members and guests in attendance at the opening session of the Kansas FFA Convention.

Members in grades 7 through 9 recite the five-paragraph FFA Creed from memory and answer questions about its meaning.  

Parks will represent Kansas at the 2017 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mayor Steffen Shamburg (left) presents a Certificate of Recognition to Dave Grimm (right) for his service as public works director. Grimm will return to his previous role as wastewater superintendent.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission has approved elimination of the position of  public works director and a return to having superintendents oversee departments. 

The action was taken during Tuesday evening’s meeting.

Dave Grimm ,who has held the position of public works director since its inception seven years ago, will return to his previous position as wastewater superintendent at salary of $24.35 an hour, effective June 3rd.

In a letter to Mayor Steffen Shamburg and the Commission, Grimm said that with several new regulations facing the city’s sewer plant, he feels he should focus solely on operating the plant.  Grimm said the city currently has a great team of employees in place to lead city departments.

Mayor Shamburg said when the position of public works director was created it was met to be temporary.   He presented a Certificate of Recognition to Grimm for his service in the role.

The Commission also approved the promotion of Nic Siebenmorgen to the position of street superintendent at a salary of $18.00 an hour, effective June 3rd.  

Additionally, the Commission approved a salary increase for Water and Lights Superintendent Rick Koenig  to $24.35 an hour, effective June 3rd.