(KMZA)--A single-vehicle wreck early Saturday morning in the city of Seneca sent one to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 21-year-old Ross Hermesch, of Goff, was northbound on South 8th Street when his Dodge Grand Caravan collided with a concrete barrier wall at a closed railroad crossing.

Hermesh was transported to the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca for the treatment of unspecified injuries.

The Patrol says Hemesch was not buckled up when the wreck occurred shortly after 2:30 Saturday morning.    

(KAIR)--A Platte City clinic is among seven sold to new ownership by Mosaic Life Care.

KQ2-TV reports the move comes as the health care company enters into an agreement with Saint Luke's Health System to take over ownership of the seven located in the Kansas City area.

Mosaic Life Care CEO Mark Laney is quoted by the TV station, saying “the integration of health clinics and a hospital system just makes a great deal of sense, financially, but more importantly, for the best patient experience.”

The transition of ownership is not expected to affect the 200 employees that work at the affected clinics.

Terms of the financial agreement have not been made public.

Mosaic Life Care built the state-of-the-art clinics in 2012.

(KLZA)--A Pawnee City man has been arrested on a Richardson County warrant for burglary.  

The Nemaha County, Kansas, Sheriff's Department arrested 27-year-old Jonathan Dawson on December 22nd.  

Dawson was released to the custody of the  Richardson County Sheriff's Department December 27.  

An investigation into a burglary at Wild Bill's Restaurant and Bar at Rulo in the early morning hours of December 9th led to an arrest warrant being issued for Dawson.  

Dawson is being held at the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center in Falls City.

(KAIR)--An arrest is made in connection with a Christmas Eve crash that sent an Atchison man to the hospital.

An investigation launched as a result of the wreck alleges that 28-year-old Sean Grippando was driving under the influence at the time the crash occurred.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News the wreck happened around 7:00 Sunday evening. "Grippando was eastbound on Harper Drive, at K-7 Highway, when the 2002 Chrysler mini van he was driving left the roadway, crossed a ditch, and drover into a yard where it struck a tree. He was taken to the hospital by private vehicle."

The investigation led to the issuance of a District Court warrant, charging Grippando with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence, no vehicle registration, and no proof of insurance.

Wilson says Grippando was arrested Thursday and booked into the Atchison County Jail.

He has since been released on a $1,000 surety bond. 

(KMZA)--A Sabetha teenager required hospitalized care following a late Wednesday morning wreck on a Nemaha County, Kansas road.

According to the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office, 17-year-old Tanner Williams was southbound on W road, about 300 feet south of 168th Road, shortly before 11:30 Wednesday morning.

The Kia Optima driven by Williams left the roadway and went into a ditch, leading to the injuries suffered by Williams.

The Sheriff's Office report says Williams, as a result of the wreck, was transported by ambulance to the Sabetha Community Hospital for the treatment of his injuries.

(KAIR)--A buyer has been found for the former Northwest Pipe Company operations in Atchison.

According to a press release issued Thursday by the Vancouver, Washington-based company, the remaining Energy Tubular Products assets have been sold to Almacenadora Afirme.

The facility was sold to the Mexican corporation for a total purchase price of $37.2 million.

It's not immediately known what the buyer has planned for the future of the Atchison location.

The line pipe Energy Tubular business first went idle, and was then permanently closed in January 2016.

More than 100 jobs were lost with the company's decision to close the Atchison location, citing falling oil prices that affected the demand for the manufacture of oil field equipment, such as that manufactured at the location.

Northwest Pipe instead began what President and CEO Scott Montross calls “a multi-year transformational journey” to refocus efforts “on becoming a pure play water company.”

Montross, in the news release, says the sale of the Atchion facility, which he calls “a non-core asset,”will strengthen Northwest Pipe's “ability to pursue growth opportunities in the water and wastewater infrastructure markets.”

(MSC News)--Ringing in the New Year means for many a chance to celebrate, and those celebrations are often accompanied by alcoholic drinks.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, citing statistics from the 2016-2017 New Year's reporting period, half of the fatality crashes reported in Kansas were alcohol related.

Those same statistics also show that one in five injury crashes also involved alcohol.

Due to those factors, AAA Kansas is warning of the dangers of drunk and buzzed driving.

The organization is urging acting, and responsibility, to prevent tragedy during the holiday.

Party hosts are encourage to provide a variety of non-alcoholic beverages to encourage safe travel, while party goers are reminded to select a designated driver.

Collecting keys from guests who plan to drink alcohol is another option, and serving high protein foods, such as meats and cheeses, is also encourged.

A press release from AAA also encourages party-goers to carpool together, or have alternate travel arrangements set in advance.

AAA sends the reminder that it takes one hour for the body to process the average drink, saying 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer and 1.5 ounces of liquor all contain about the same amount of alcohol.

Tips for Party Hosts

AAA Kansas’ provides the following ABC’s of party hosting to make drunk driving less likely:

A - Alcohol Awareness

Ask your guests to choose a designated driver for the evening. Have a car key collection when your guests arrive. Mix drinks yourself and avoid open bars. Stop serving alcohol 90 minutes before the party is over.

B - Buffet

Always serve high protein foods such as meats and cheeses. They stay in the stomach longer and slow down the rate of intoxication. Starchy foods are great too. Minimize salt. Salt makes people thirsty and speeds up intoxication. Always provide non-alcoholic drinks; soft drinks, juices, punch and delight everyone with the delicious mocktails. Culinary students from Washburn Institute of Technology recently created these mocktails during a competition hosted by AAAKansas and Washburn Tech. The top three winning “counterfeit cocktail” recipes include Creamy Pumpkin Pie, Wishy Washy and Blueberry-Mint Sparkler.

See the AAA Kansas Mocktails brochure, including the mocktail recipes by visiting here.

C - Carpool

Remember: only TIME will make your guests sober. It takes one hour for the body to process the average drink. 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer and 1.5 ounces of liquor contain about the same amount of alcohol. Keep watch on behavior. Arrange a cab or ride share service (such as Lyft or Uber), ride with a designated driver, or invite intoxicated friends to sleep over. For irate guests, “hide” their keys until they have found another ride home.

Tips for New Year’s Revelers

Preventing drinking and driving is a shared responsibility to save lives. New Year’s Eve party-goers can do their part by heeding the following advice:

• Always plan ahead to designate a non-drinking driver before any party or celebration begins

• Never get behind the wheel of a car when you’ve been drinking alcohol – even after just one drink

• Never ride as a passenger in a car driven by someone who has been drinking alcohol – even after just one drink

• Do not hesitate to take the keys from friends or family members who may be impaired

• Call a taxi or arrange a Lyft or Uber ride for a friend in need

• If you encounter an impaired driver on the road, keep a safe distance and ask a passenger to call 911 (or pull over so a safe location to make the call yourself)

• Remember: Prescription, over-the-counter medications and illegal drugs also can impair your ability to drive safely.

(KMZA)--The 14-year-old driver was among two injured Wednesday morning in a Pottawatomie County single vehicle crash.

The Kansas Highway Patrol's report states that Mathias Hodges, of Saint George, was behind the wheel of a Mercury Mountaineer, southbound on K-99 Highway, just north of Louisville Road, when the front tire of the SUV left the roadway,

Hodges over-corrected, causing the vehicle to enter the west ditch, where it rolled over.

Hodges was transported to Wamego Hospital with possible injuries.

His 62-year-old passenger, Gary Hodges, of Saint George, suffered what the Patrol describes as “disabling injuries,” and was transported for treatment at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas.

The Patrol says the pair was not buckled up when the wreck happened shortly after 9:30.

(MSC News)--Several area residents are among those nominated by United States Senator Pat Roberts for appointments to U.S. Service Academies entering the class of 2018.

The Kansas Republican recorded a video message sent to the 37 Kansans receiving the nomination.

Local nominees to various Service Academies include Knox Tweed, of Winchester, James Sayles, of Meriden, Cierra Robinson, Abigail Waugh, and Carson Lucas, all of Leavenworth, Zachary Bolen, of Fort Leavenworth, and Leah Wiegers, of Lansing.

In making the nominations, Senator Roberts followed the recommendations of his Academy Screening Board. According to a release issued by Roberts' office, the nonpartisan board is comprised of eight volunteers from across Kansas and is overseen by Gilda Lintz, Senator Roberts’ District Director and Military Academy Coordinator in Topeka.

As part of the decision-making process, board members conduct personal interviews with the applicants, as well as review their written applications, G.P.A. and standardized test scores.

Once nominated by Senator Roberts, the applicants then must meet the individual admission requirements of each academy.

The academies will make the final decision on who will receive an appointment of admission.

Due to the limited number of openings at each academy, not every nominee will receive an appointment. The academies this spring will announce appointments for the class entering in July 2018.

(KAIR)--Uninvited entry into an Atchison residence, ending with the theft of more than $1,000 worth of items, leads to an investigation by Atchison Police.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News it's believed that the crime happened late last week. "An unlawful entrance was made into a residence in the 900 block of North 10th, sometime between Thursday evening and Friday morning. Several televisions, jewelry, and a laptop computer were among the items taken."

According to Wilson, the missing items are valued at a total of around $1,600.

Anyone with information about the burglary is urged to contact police.

Police had also been searching for a jon boat that disappeared from an Atchison address last week.

However, Wilson says the boat has been located, and no charges will be filed.

(KAIR)--Be careful where you make your online payment to the City of Atchison.

That warning is delivered in a social media post alerting customers to the potential problem.

According to the post on the City of Atchison's official Facebook page, an on-line bill pay website appears to be affiliated with the city, but is not.

The post explains that Doxo.com is a third-party website that allows customers to pay their utility bills. However, extra fees may be incurred, and the City of Atchison can't control when payments will be received, meaning a potential for late fees or even disconnection due to non-payment.

The post says that the only guaranteed payment method is by going to the City directly by using its website, cityofatchison.com.

(KAIR)--Five died on Missouri Highways during the Christmas Holiday reporting period.

According to a press release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, two of the fatalities investigated by the agency happened in the Lee's Summit area, one in the Springfield area, and another in the Weldon Spring area.

The fifth fatal crash also occurred in the Springfield area, and was investigated by the Springfield Police Department.

Troopers, during the period, investigated a total of 491 crashes which caused 125 injuries, made 91 arrests for driving while impaired, and 49 for drug-related crimes.

The Christmas Holiday period ran from 6:00 Friday evening through 11:59 Monday night.

(KLZA)--A new Veterans Service Officer has been appointed in Nemaha County, Nebraska.

During their December 12 meeting, Board members met with now former Veterans Service Officer Bill Hessler  and Veterans Service Committee members Janet Olsen and Ray North. 

The committee requested Jim Reed be appointed as part-time Veterans Service Officer at a pay rate of $15.00 per hour. Under the proposal, Reed will work at least nine, but no more than 30 hours per week. Reed will also receive benefits for a part-time employee.  

Reed began his duties December 18th.

(KLZA)--Two St. Louis residents were hospitalized following a one-car rollover wreck Tuesday evening in Atchison County, Missouri.

The Missouri Highway Patrol report indicates that wreck occurred approximately two miles north of Watson, in the northbound lanes of Interstate 29.

45-year-old Darvon Wright was lost control of the car which went off the left side of the roadway and into the snow-packed covered median. The car overturned several times before coming to rest on its wheels.

Darvon Wright suffered moderate injuries. A passenger, 46-year old Arneatha Wright suffered serious injuries. Both were transported to Grape Community Hospital in Hamburg, Iowa.

Both of the victims were wearing safety devices at the time of the wreck.
The Atchison County Sheriff's Office, Atchison-Holt Emergency Medical Services and Atchison  County Fire and First Responders all assisted with the wreck.  

(KLZA)--Pawnee County Commissioners discussed salaries for the next term of office for elected county officials which will be 2019-2022 during their December 19th meeting. 

Elected County officials met with the Board to review the salary proposals. 

Commissioners voted to increase the salary of the Assessor, Attorney, Clerk and Treasurer $5-thousand dollars to $45-thousand for 2019. The Sheriff's salary will be 112-percent of other elected officials in 2019 which will amount to $50,400.

Commissioners salaries will be cut from 50% to 45% of the elected officials salaries in 2019 which will bring their salary to $20,250.  

All of the new salaries will have a three-percent increase each year of the term, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Office deputies salaries will remain at 75-percent of the elected county officials salary.  

A salary resolution is expected to be approved during the January 2, Commissioners meeting.  

The Board met in executive session with Highway Superintendent Chris Rauner to discuss personnel.  Following the executive session the Board approved the 2018 salary for the Highway Superintendent of $51,500, an increase of $2,500.  In 2019 the salar will increase by another $2,500. 

(KAIR)--A second arrest is made in connection with the Atchison County theft of a handgun.

According to the Atchison County Sheriff's Office, 18-year-old Robert Turner, of Atchison, was taken into custody on an Atchison County District Court warrant for theft of a firearm.

Following his arrest Friday, Turner was released to the custody of the Atchison County Jail.

The handgun was stolen in November.

According to a report issued by the Sheriff's Office at that time, the Walther P22 .22 caliber handgun is owned by Amos Hale, and was inside his pickup truck parked at 5723 Trego Road at the time it was stolen.

It's believed the gun was taken between November 24 and November 27.

Following a short investigation, the Sheriff's Office first arrested 18-year-old Ethan Hale in connection with the theft.

The handgun is valued at $350.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Protests that erupted after a white St. Louis officer's acquittal in a black suspect's shooting death was among the top 10 stories in Missouri in 2017.  

Hundreds of people were arrested at demonstrations after Jason Stockley was found not guilty in the 2011 shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith. Allegations of heavy-handed action by police led to an ACLU lawsuit and an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.  

Another major story was Republicans rising to unprecedented power in Jefferson City. The 2017 legislative session marked the first time in Missouri history that the GOP controlled the governor's office while holding supermajorities in both legislative chambers.  

Also making the list was controversial Facebook posts about assassination and hanging by two lawmakers and the slaying of a transgender teen.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The uncertainty surrounding Gov. Sam Brownback's departure after his nationally watched tax experiment came to an end was among the top 10 stories in Kansas in 2017.

President Donald Trump nominated Brownback for U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom at the end of July. But the post was in limbo after the U.S. Senate failed to vote on confirming him before finishing its business for year, lengthening an already awkward transition to a new governor.

Also making the list were prison disturbances, an allegedly racially motivated bar shooting, wildfires, the release of two wrongfully convicted inmates, questions about the state's child welfare agency, a closer-than-expected Congressional race, a small town sexual assault case, the discovery of human remains in a storage unit and a revenue department shooting.

(KAIR)--A phone call, claiming to collect business information to update what the caller identifies only as a business directory, is raising suspicions.

The Atchison office of KAIR Radio received the phone call Tuesday morning, with the caller providing no identifying information up front. Instead, she began to pose questions related to the location of the business.

When asked who the call was representing, the caller stated that the call was being made for “the National Chamber.”

When pressed further about the information being collected, the caller refused to offer any specifics, other than to say the information was to update a directory.

Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce President Jacque Pregont tells MSC News she has no knowledge of the calls, which she confirms are not associated with the local Chamber of Commerce.

A Google search confirms there is no organization known as “the National Chamber.”

There is a U.S. Chamber, which represents local Chamber's of Commerce, and an email sent to the organization, asking about the phone call has not immediately been returned.

Area businesses are alerted that the unsolicited phone calls should be considered suspicious, and no information should be provided to the caller.

(KMZA)--One person is dead following a Tuesday morning Pottawatomie County house fire.

WIBW-TV, citing the Kansas Fire Marshal's Office, reports the body was found inside the home, located in the 3700 block of Stewart Farm Road.

Early on Tuesday, authorities had stated that one person was unaccounted for after four others reportedly made it to safety.

The cause of the fire, which happened just south of Highway 24, between Wamego and St. George, remains under investigation.

The name of the victim has not been made public.

Firefighters responded to the location around 3:45 Tuesday morning, and faced sub-zero temperatures, strong winds, and snowfall.

The home is reported as a total loss.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man takes a trip to the hospital, following a single vehicle Sunday evening wreck.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News 28-year-old Sean Grippando was behind the wheel of a mini van when the wreck happened around 7:00. "Grippando was eastbound on Harper Drive, at K-7 Highway, when the 2002 Chrysler mini van he was driving left the roadway, crossed a ditch, and drover into a yard where it struck a tree. He was taken to the hospital by private vehicle."

Although it's not believed that winter weather placed a role in the wreck, Wilson says it remains under investigation.

Wilson says his officers also worked several other minor accidents during the Christmas Holiday weekend, including one being blamed on the wintry weather. "We had several other minor accidents that occurred over the weekend, which included an accident at Hickory and Division, which was weather related."

The drivers in that Sunday crash, identified as William Cochrane, of Atchison, and Nicholas Maclaroy, of Shawnee, did not require hospital treatment.

A third wreck also caused no injuries, but serves as a reminder of the dangers deer pose on area roadways.

Wilson says that happened when a deer ran into the side of a vehicle traveling on Grandeur Road.

(KAIR)--No injuries are reported following a frigid battle to contain a Tuesday morning structure fire.

The Kansas Fire Marshal's Office confirms it happened on the Kickapoo Reservation, west of Horton, with the Kickapoo Tribal Fire Department overseeing the investigation.

Details regarding the structure aren't immediately released, and the condition of the structure remains unknown following the blaze.

According to local authorities, a number of Fire Departments assisted at the scene, including Horton, Powhattan, and Fairview.

The Fire Marshall will assist with the probe into the cause of the fire.

Sub-zero temperatures were faced by the firefighters, along with falling snow and drizzle that fell across the local area.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A spokesman for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback's nomination for an ambassador's post is set to return to the White House.  

McConnell communications director David Popp said in an email Friday that Brownback'snomination is not on a list of those to be carried into next year.  

The Senate finished its business for the year Thursday night without voting on Brownback's nomination by President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. Brownback was nominated in July.

Under the Senate's rules, an appointee whose has not received a confirmation vote by the end of the year must be nominated again unless senators agree unanimously to carry the nomination into the following year.

Brownback appears not to have received such unanimous consent.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House and Senate leaders will present former Republican Sen. Bob Dole with the nation's highest civilian honor to recognize his decades of service as a soldier, lawmaker and statesman.

House Speaker Paul Ryan's office says Dole will receive the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony scheduled for Jan. 17. Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will take part in the event at the U.S. Capitol.

Dole represented Kansas for 35 years, first in the House and then in the Senate. He was the GOP presidential nominee in 1996 and lost the election to Bill Clinton.

Now 94, Dole suffered severe injuries during World War II and was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star.

(KAIR)--An Atchison woman goes to jail, arrested on four warrants stemming from a drug-related case dating back to last summer.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News 40-year-old Kelly McGuire was arrested Wednesday, taken into custody when located as part of a separate investigation. “we responded to a loud party complaint at a residence in the 1900 block Harper Drive shortly after 8PM on Wednesday. Kelly McGuire was at the residence and taken into custody on four warrants which included three failure to appear warrants and a warrant charging her with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia related to a mid July case by KHP”

Following her arrest, McGuire was booked into the Atchison County Jail, held on a bond of more than $13,000.

A blast of winter has again arrived in Kansas, just in time for the busy pre-Christmas holiday travel period. Record numbers of travelers will be hitting the roads in Kansas and across the nation from Dec. 23 to Jan. 1, so to avoid ill-timed delays and breakdowns, here isr a selection of useful resources for motorists.

Winter Car Care Checklist

Before heading over the river and through the woods on a holiday road trip, a properly maintained vehicle is crucial, to avoid being one of the 2,400 motorists AAA Kansas Emergency Roadside Assistance expects to rescue during this holiday season. Special attention should be paid to the car battery, tires, hoses and belts, windshield wipers and fluid, and lights. Use this easy-to-follow list to check key vehicle systems or have them handled by a professional car care technician.

Winter Emergency Kit to Keep in Your Car

Far too many drivers become stranded on the roadside this time of year. Nationwide, AAA expects to handle more than 900,000 emergency roadside assistance calls this holiday driving season, with the most common problems being dead batteries, lockouts, towing and flat tires. AAA Kansas recommends keeping the following items in your “emergency kit” for winter driving:

• Bag of abrasive materials such as sand, salt or cat litter for gaining traction in snow and ice

• Snow shovel

• Flashlight with extra batteries

• Gloves, mittens and warm coat

• Ice scraper and snow brush

• Jumper cables

• Tools

• Blanket or sleeping bag

• Warning flares or triangle

• Cellular phone (with AAA Mobile App) and emergency charger

• Food and water

• First aid kit

• Extra winter formula, de-icing windshield wiper fluid

• AAA membership card in case roadside assistance is needed

This infographic provides a visual depiction of what to include in a winter emergency kit.

How to Drive on Snow and other Winter Driving Tips

There may be a chance for snow in Kansas this weekend, and Kansans may be driving to other locations this holiday season where snow will be a certainty, so being prepared and knowing the right techniques for navigating snowy roads can make the drive a safer one. These tips and this video provide useful information on safe winter driving.

(KAIR)--A $300,000 grant is received by Atchison's Benedictine College, earmarked to be put toward the completion of the college's science and engineering building.

According to a news release, the funds were granted by the Sunderland Foundation, of Overland Park.

It's the sixth capital project on the campus of Benedictine College supported by the foundation.

College president Steve Minnis says the college is “excited and honored” to see the latest investment, calling the latest grant the largest gift the foundation has given to the college. He says that “demonstrates their commitment to education and the benefits they see in supporting a liberal arts college with an impressive reputation in the sciences and engineering.”

The $25 million Westerman Hall project is the largest capital project in the history of the college.

The press release states that once renovation and construction are complete, the resulting 100,000 square-foot structure “will be one of the best STEM facilities of any small college in America.”

Westerman Hall was originally built in 1964 and houses the college’s astronomy, biology, chemistry & biochemistry, computer science, engineering and mathematics departments.

As part of its strategic plan, Benedictine 2020, Benedictine College faculty, staff, administration and trustees identified the renovation and expansion of Westerman Hall as a key to the school’s future.

Construction of the first phase began in fall 2016.

For more than seven decades, the Sunderland Foundation has focused on supporting bricks and mortar projects, awarding grants to nonprofits in the Kansas City region.

Past gifts to Benedictine College from the foundation have gone toward the completion of the Student Union, the renovation of Elizabeth Hall and the Haverty Center, and construction of the state-of-the-art Ferrell Academic Center.

St. Joseph, MO - December 21, 2017 - Just six months ago Triumph Foods donated nearly 33,000 pounds of meat to Second Harvest Community Food Bank for distribution through its network of 100 Partner Agencies. And the Company is back at it again.

This 32,700 pound donation of lean high quality pork butts, spareribs, hams, sirloins and other cuts of meat is enough food to help provide over 130,000 meals across the 19 counties Second Harvest serves in Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas. This area currently has more than 54,000 individuals who aren’t sure where they will get their next meal. Included local northeast Kansas Counties are Atchison, Doniphan, Brown, and Leavenworth.

“The 32,700 pounds of meat donated by Triumph Foods comes at an important time of the year as the holiday season is upon us.” Said Chad Higdon, CEO of Second Harvest Community food Bank. “This protein will be used to feed those in need within our service area.”

“Triumph Foods is always happy to help the many in need in St. Joseph and Buchanan County. Especially around the holiday season.” said Chris Clark, Communications Manager at Triumph Foods. “We will continue to partner with Second Harvest Community Food Bank and look forward to finding new ways to continue the fight against hunger and food insecurity with them in the future.”

The vision of Second Harvest Community Food Bank is to build hunger-free communities in Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas. To find out more about Second Harvest visit, www.OurCommunityFoodBank.org or call at 816.364.FOOD.

(KNZA)--A Jackson County jury finds a Holton man guilty of murdering his wife.

Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller tells MSC News the verdict was handed down Thursday for 67-year-old George Fleshman, Jr. following about three hours of deliberations.

Fleshman was charged with 2nd-degree murder in connection with the death of his 62-year-old wife, Elizabeth.

She was killed at the couple's residence in October 2015.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says an autopsy showed she died due to trauma to the spleen.

Fleshman was arrested in March of 2016 following an investigation by the Sheriff's Department.

The trial, following two previous postponements, began Monday.

Miller says Fleshman's sentencing is set for the morning of January 12.

He was remanded to the Jackson County Jail pending sentencing. 

(KMZA)--It could take a couple of weeks before traffic lights, located at the intersection of Seneca's 6th Street and U.S. Highway 36, are again working.

That word from Seneca Police Chief Jordan Weaver who tells MSC News the traffic light pole, located on the northwest corner of the intersection, was knocked down Thursday morning by a semi.

The truck attempted to make a right hand turn at the intersection, but instead jumped the curb and collided with the light pole, which held the control panel for the corner light switches.

The outage does not affect highway traffic, and Weaver says stop signs have been put in place for 6th Street traffic.

It's likely that replacing the pole will take a couple of weeks.

No injuries are reported from the wreck, which happened around 8:00.

From left to right: Brandon Kopf, Melissa Pospisil, Cody Rhyne, and Whitney Cooper

(KNZA)--Firearms, ammunition, and methamphetamine are among the items authorities say were seized from a Hiawatha residence following the execution of a search warrant.

According to a press release issued by Hiawatha Police Chief John Defore, the case began with a request for assistance from his office by the U.S. Marshal's service in apprehending a fugitive.

Responding to a residence at 911 Iowa Street Wednesday afternoon, the two agencies successfully located the fugitive, identified as 33-year-old Brandon Kopf, who was wanted on a State of Nebraska warrant related to being a felon in possession of firearms.

Kopf was taken into custody at the residence, as was 39-year-old Teena Holcomb, who was wanted on a felony Buchanan County, Missouri warrant.

A search warrant was then obtained, leading to the seizure of what the press release identifies as 20 firearms, 2,000 rounds of ammunition, methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

The seizure led to the arrest of three others at the residence, identified as Hiawatha residents 29-year-old Cody Rhyne, Whitney Cooper, and 32-year-old Melissa Pospisil.

All three were taken into custody on charges of possession of illegal narcotics, possession of firearms, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to a report from the Brown County Jail, all five remain in custody.

(KAIR)--A car and semi collide in Jackson County Thursday morning, sending one to the hospital.

According to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, it happened shortly after 6:00, on U.S. Highway 75 at 102nd Road.

According to the Patrol, a Kenworth tractor trailer, driven by 53-year-old Ricky Dreasher, of Hoyt, was westbound on 102nd Road when he failed to yield when turning south onto the highway.

That caused a Pontiac Bonneville, driven southbound on the highway by 56-year-old Circleville resident John Boyd, Jr., to rear end the trailer.

Boyd suffered possible injuries, and was transported by Jackson County EMS to Topeka's Stormont Vail for treatment.

Dreasher was not hurt.

The crash remains under investigation.

(KNZA)--Plans for Hiawatha street improvements move forward.

The City Commission Monday evening approved an agreement with BG Consultants, of Lawrence, to provide engineering services for a brick street rehabilitation project on Utah Street between 6th and 7th for a fee of $88,500.

A grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation will be pay for 80 percent of the estimated more than one-million dollar project, with the city responsible for the remaining 20 percent or nearly $250,000.

Bid letting for the project is set for next October.

Engineer Brian Kingsley with BG Consultants updated the Commission on the street improvements project to be funded through a half-cent sales tax approved by Hiawatha voters in November 2016.

Kingsley said around $5.7 million is available for construction. He said he’s considering a bid package with a base bid scope of work plus “ add alternate” streets that can be added as the budget allows.

Commissioners prioritize seven “ add alternate” projects they would like to see done, as funding allows.

The street improvements will include new concrete pavement along with curb and gutter replacement.

Kingsley said the design phase is nearly complete, and the bid phase can begin after funding approval by USDA Rural Development.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A private corrections company's CEO is seeking to reassure Kansas lawmakers that a plan they're reviewing for building a new state prison is the most cost-effective option.  

A joint committee on budget issues met Wednesday to review a plan for a new prison for 2,400 inmates in Lansing to replace the state's oldest and largest prison there.  

The state Department of Corrections wants to have private-prison giant CoreCivic build the prison and lease it to the state for the first 20 years.  

A union representing state employees questioned whether the lease-purchase deal would be cheaper than having the state issue bonds to finance the project.  But CoreCivic CEO Damon Hininger told the panel that it can build the project faster than the state can and with lower financing costs.

(KAIR)--Red Kettles continue to be seen, and bells continue to be heard, in Atchison, as the Salvation Army continues it's annual Christmas time push to raise funds earmarked to assist those in need locally.

Kim Bottorff, County Coordinator of the Atchison Red Shield Service Center, tells MSC News, “The Red Kettle Campaign is our annual campaign to raise our funds for the entire year. It stays one-hundred-percent here in Atchison County and supports the clients of Atchison County completely throughout the year.”

Bottoroff says collections are continuing to be made as Christmas Day approaches, with the received funds supporting a variety of local needs. “[The donations] serve any of our clients who come in who need assistance with utilities, or maybe gas to and from a doctors appointment, rent, or things that would be considered emergency. It goes for food assistance.”

Bottoroff says the fundraising campaign is now in the “Rush the Red Kettle” phase of the season, with this week serving as the final push to generate funds for assistance.

She says that effort will include an early morning “Rush the Kettle” Drive by spot on Friday.

Those wanting to make a contribution to the campaign can do so by driving by the corner of Atchison's 5th and Kansas Avenue from 6:30 until 8:00.

(KAIR)--An Atchison woman, arrested in October after authorities found what they say were needles used for heroin stored beneath a pillow near a sleeping child, is sentenced to probation.

24-year-old Brittany Elmore learned her fate December 15 in Atchison County District Court.

Initially sentenced to 11-months in prison on the charge of possession of heroin and to 6-months behind bars on the charge of aggravated child endangerment, Elmore's sentence was instead suspended, and she was placed on supervised probation for 18-months.

On November 3, she pleaded no contest to the charges as part of a plea agreement.

Elmore was arrested October 19, prior to the execution of a search warrant, at her Terrace Hills apartment. Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, following the arrest and raid, said that along with the drugs and drug paraphernalia found inside the apartment were syringes underneath a pillow, located less than a foot away from a baby sleeping on the bed where the pillow was located.

Also arrested that day was 24-year-old Kyle Wrightsman, who authorities say shared the apartment with Elmore.

Charged with crimes including aggravated child endangerment, possession of methamphetamine, and distribution of methamphetamine, a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wrightsman on the morning of December 28 in Atchison County District Court.

(KAIR)--A late Wednesday morning single-vehicle Doniphan County crash sends two to the hospital.

According to the report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, 46-year-old California resident Robert Peace was driving southeast on K-7 Highway, at Eminence Road, when his car went off the roadway.

The Kia Optima ran into the south ditch, and then went airborne, overturning multiple times.

Peace and his passenger, 46-year-old Brigette Robidoux, of Hiawatha, were both transported to Mosaic Life Care, in Saint Joseph, for the treatment of their injuries.

The Patrol says Peace was buckled up, but Robidoux was not, at the time of the wreck, which happened shortly after 10:30.

(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved an extension of the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise, Inc. during their Monday night meeting.

The extension continues through December 31, 2020. 

EDGE, a non-profit corporation focuses on economic development and works with the City to create a positive image of Falls City and market the community as a preferred business location to create quality employment opportunities.

The City provides funding for services, not to exceed $120-thousand annually.  

The Council also approved requesting an extension from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for Downtown Revitalization to allow time for property owners and the City to complete projects.  

Council President Judy Murphy conducted the meeting in the absence of  Mayor Jerry Oliver.  
 

ATCHISON, Kan. (AP) — The federal government has sharply reduced the fines facing a Kansas City-based company after a grain elevator explosion killed six people and injured two others in Atchison. 

A pending settlement would require Bartlett Grain Co. to pay $182,000 in fines, safety audits and improvements at its 20 grain handling facilities in six states.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration had proposed $406,000 in fines after the October 2011 explosion. 

The Kansas City Star reports the agreement must still be approved by an administrative law judge.

Kansas investigators previously determined the grain dust explosion was accidental. Federal investigators have declined to file any criminal charges.

OSHA said previously that the deaths could have been prevented had operators addressed known industry hazards.

(MSC News)--Tax reform legislation is approved, first by the United States House, followed by a Tuesday night vote of the Senate.

Tuesday afternoon United States Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins took to the House floor to voice her support for the plan.

The Kansas Republican said the overhaul will be a benefit to residents of her home state. 

Republican Kansas Senator Jerry Moran also weighed in, releasing a statement Wednesday that says, “Today, Congress sent a pro-growth tax reform bill to the president’s desk that works for Kansas families and businesses. By lowering the corporate tax rate, businesses will be encouraged to stay and grow in America, fostering an environment for businesses to create more jobs, better jobs and higher-paying jobs. These jobs and increased paychecks will have a positive impact on middle-class and lower-income families. Additionally, by lowering tax rates across the board, significantly increasing the standard deduction and doubling the child tax credit, Kansas families and individuals will be able to keep more of their earnings and save for the future.”

According to Fox News, President Trump is expected to sign the bill, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, sometime before Christmas.

(KLZA)-- A Sabetha man, charged with breaking into the Richardson County Courthouse in October, has entered a plea of not guilty to a felony count of burglary and three additional misdemeanor charges in Richardson County District Court. 

25-year-old Harvey Webster Jr. appeared before Judge Julie D. Smith Tuesday charged with burglary,  theft by unlawful taking, criminal mischief and resisting arrest. 

A pre-trial conference has been set for February 13 in Richardson County District Court.  Bond was continued in the case. Webster is currently being held at the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center. 

Webster is accused a breaking into a second floor window of the courthouse late October 23rd or early October 24th.  He is accused of taking monetary funds, pass cards, license plates and miscellaneous items valued between $500 and $1500.

Webster is also alleged to have damaged courthouse property and resisting arrest when Richardson County Sheriff's Deputies attempted to arrest him October 25th. 

Nemaha County, Nebraska County Attorney, Louie Ligouri is serving as Special Deputy Richardson County Attorney in the case.

(KNZA)--Brown County employees have been granted a pay raise for 2018.

The County Commission Monday approved a 50 cent an hour across-the-board cost of living increase for all full and part-time employees, excluding those employees already granted pay raises. The pay increase is effective January 1st.

On the recommendation of the county’s micro-loan committee, the Commission approved a $25,000 loan for the Bread Bowl, located at 100 Oregon Street in Hiawatha.

The loan is for 84 months at an interest rate of 5.5 percent.

Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development Director Mikaela Moore says the loan will be used to finish an addition to the business, for equipment and furniture for the addition along with working capital.

The Commission also received a letter of resignation from Brown County Historical Society member Larry Kneisel, effective December 12th. Kneisel has served on the board for 15 years.

(KNZA)--Brown County employees have been granted a pay raise for 2018.

The County Commission Monday approved a 50 cent an hour across-the-board cost of living increase for all full and part-time employees, excluding those employees already granted pay raises. The pay increase is effective January 1st.

On the recommendation of the county’s micro-loan committee, the Commission approved a $25,000 loan for the Bread Bowl, located at 100 Oregon Street in Hiawatha.

The loan is for 84 months at an interest rate of 5.5 percent.

Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development Director Mikaela Moore says the loan will be used to finish an addition to the business, for equipment and furniture for the addition along with working capital.

The Commission also received a letter of resignation from Brown County Historical Society member Larry Kneisel, effective December 12th. Kneisel has served on the board for 15 years.

(MSC News)--A one-of-a-kind proposal.

That's what a press release issued by 1st District State Senator Dennis Pyle calls the legislation he's pre-filed to prevent court ordered school closures. The rural Hiawatha Republican, in the news release, says, “This sensible proposal is a unique approach and is necessary to prevent the centralized bureaucracy of Topeka from using extreme measures and bullying tactics to push their political agendas of more power and control by disrupting the education of children."

If adopted, it would amend the Kansas constitution, and give exclusive authority over schools to local school boards. "In the past there have been many constitutional proposals stating the courts cannot close schools, and the statutes clearly state this, however, this unique approach provides local control of these issues and gives exclusive authority to elected school boards, not bureaucrats or judges in Topeka who continue to wastefully spend and grow government."

According to the press release, Pyle's proposal would need support from a two-thirds majority of the Kansas Legislature and a majority vote by Kansans to become law. “Make no mistake this is a battle for the survival of our rural schools. There is a massive Topeka administration and bureaucracy that is growing out of control, if we don't take this step to fight it soon there won't be anything left to fight for.”

Because of the April 30 deadline imposed by the courts, the proposal calls for a special election on April 17, 2018. If that's not feasible, the press release says it would be held on the next practicable Tuesday.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas health officials say the flu is increasing in most parts of the state.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment spokesman Gerald Kratochvil say three flu outbreaks have been confirmed in Sedgwick County and another was confirmed in Douglas County.

The department says the flu was expected to increase in Kansas and it likely has not peaked in the state yet.

An estimated 5 to 20 percent of people are expected to get the flu this year, depending on the severity of the season.

Health officials say in a news release that influenza was the direct cause of 99 deaths last year, and it may have contributed to another 1,108 deaths among Kansas residents.

(KAIR)--An area elementary teacher, accused of sex crimes involving a young student, appears in court.

KQ2-TV reports 27-year-old Cole Charboneau was arraigned Tuesday on charges of 1st degree statutory sodomy.

During Tuesday's hearing in Buchanan County Court, the judge ordered Charboneau to have no contact with minors while free on $50,000 bond.

Charboneau, a teacher at the Saint Joseph School District's Eugene Field Elementary, has been placed on unpaid administrative leave by the district.

He was arrested Friday following an investigation launched after the allegations were brought to the district's attention.

Court documents state the alleged crimes, involving a child under the age of 12, took place at Charboneau's home, between August 1, 2015 and February 1, 2017.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 25.

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

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

Named as the $1000 prize winner was Theresa Meyer, whose winning ticket came from Mainstreet Flower Shoppe.

Mary Thompson was selected as the winner of the $500 giveaway. Her winning ticket came from Just For You Jewelry and Gifts.

Numerous local businesses participated in the annual “ Shop Local” campaign, which ran from November 13 to December 15.

(KAIR)--A Saint Joseph man is dead, killed early Tuesday afternoon in a three- vehicle Doniphan County crash. 

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 22-year-old Denzel Chilcoat died in the crash that happened outside of Elwood, at K-238 and Roseport Road. 

The Patrol reports that Chilcoat was westbound on Roseport Road when he failed to stop at a stop sign, causing his car to be broadsided by a dump truck, northbound on the highway, and driven by 43-year-old John Davis, Jr., of Oregon, Missouri. 

The impact sent both vehicles into the southbound lane, where they were both hit by a southbound pickup truck, driven by 55-year-old Timothy Sherican, of Saint Joseph. 

Sherican and Davis were both transported to Mosaic Life Care, in Saint Joseph, with possible injuries. 

The Patrol reports none of the drivers were buckled up at the time of the fatal crash, which happened around 12 noon. 

(KAIR)--Forced entry into the control room of an Atchison car wash leads to an investigation by Atchison Police.

Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News the crimes of burglary and theft happened sometime in the early morning hours of Monday.

It was then that someone forced their way into the area of the Irish Mist Car Wash, located in the 900 block of U.S. Highway 59 and took what Wilson says was a small amount of cash.

The investigation is continuing.

Atchison County authorities are also investigating a theft, with the crime reportedly occurring in rural Effingham.

According to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, resident Robert Jones reported that an aluminum cargo carrier was stolen off of his four wheeler, which had been parked on a trailer located in his driveway.

The theft, valued at around $160, is believed to have occurred sometime between 4:00 Sunday afternoon and 2:00 Monday morning.

Anyone with information about either of the two crimes should contact Atchison area authorities.

 WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - An audit has found that the largest school districts in Kansas have received millions in funding not allowed by state law.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the Kansas State Department of Education has given more than $45 million to the districts in just the past five years to help bus students to school. State auditors estimate Wichita's district alone will get nearly $3 million more than legally allowed.

The audit report released last week found the department is distributing transportation funds to districts using a method repealed by lawmakers in the 1970s. The method results in districts with the highest population densities receiving more aid.

The report recommends the department remove the unauthorized aid beginning in the 2018-19 school year.

Department officials say they began making the payments decades ago after a request from lawmakers.
 

(KAIR)--An officer escapes injury after an Atchison man allegedly flees from the scene of a weekend traffic stop.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News 27-year-old George Fulsom, Jr. initially stopped for the officer, but then chose to speed away from the scene. "About 12:30 Sunday morning, we had an officer on patrol stop a vehicle in the 1400 block of South 7th on a traffic violation. The vehicle did stop, but once the officer had approached the vehicle, in fact a second officer had backed him, and was near the car also, when all of a sudden the driver of the vehicle put it in gear and sped off, nearly hitting the officer that was outside his vehicle."

Wilson says the officer gave pursuit, leading to the arrest of Fulsom. "There was about a three-block pursuit, at which point, the suspect driver reached a dead end street. He then jumped out of the vehicle and ran on foot, and there was about a three-block foot pursuit. He was apprehended and taken into custody by the officer."

Fulsom faces charges including aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, fleeing and attempting to elude, driving while suspended, obstructing legal process, and reckless driving.

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

(KNZA)--A Brown County road closure is planned.

County officials say Prairie Road will be  closed Wednesday and Thursday, December 20th and 21st, between 290th and 300th Roads.

The road is being closed for a culvert replacement project.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Council approved an extension of the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise, Inc. during their Monday night meeting.

The extension continues through December 31, 2020.

EDGE, a non-profit corporation focuses on economic development and works with the City to create a positive image of Falls City and market the community as a preferred business location to create quality employment opportunities.

The City provides funding for services, not to exceed $120-thousand annually.  

The Council also approved requesting an extension from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for Downtown Revitalization to allow time for property owners and the City to complete projects.  

Council President Judy Murphy conducted the meeting in the absence of  Mayor Jerry Oliver.  

(KNZA)--Security will be enhanced at the Brown County Courthouse.

The County Commission Monday approved a security plan presented by County Attorney Kevin Hill.

The plan will take effect January 1st.

As part of the plan, all those entering the courthouse will have to come through the north entrance and pass through a metal detector.

Three part-time security officers will be hired to man the courthouse during regular business hours.  The security officers will be employee’s of the Sheriff’s Office.

The Commission meet in executive session with Sheriff John Merchant to review applicants for the positions.  Friday was the application deadline.

In implementing the new plan, Hill noted there has been some security issues at the courthouse in the past, especially with those appearing in court.   

(KNZA)--A longtime Hiawatha city department head is retiring.

The City Commission Monday evening accepted the resignation of Water and Lights Superintendent Rick Koenig, effective February 9th, 2018.

Koenig is retiring after around 44 years with the city.

Mayor Steffen Shamburg and Commissioners thanked Koenig for his service.

The Commission voted to advertise to fill his position.

Koenig is the second city staff member to announce their plans to retire next year.

City Clerk Vivian Constable announced last month she plans to retire in May when her position is up for re-appointment.

(KNZA)--Testimony has begun in the trial for a Holton man accused of killing his wife in 2015

That came Monday after a jury was seated to hear the case against George Fleshman.

Fleshman is charged with second-degree murder in the death of his 62-year-old wife, Elizabeth, at the couple's residence in October 2015.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says an autopsy showed she died due to trauma to the spleen.

Fleshman was arrested in March of 2016 following an investigation by the Sheriff's Department.

The trial, which had previously been postponed twice, is scheduled to last through Friday in Jackson County District Court.  

(KAIR)--A Denison resident requires hospital care following a single-vehicle Monday afternoon Jackson County rollover crash.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says it happened near 178th Road and U.S. Highway 75 when 29-year-old Shea Deegen was southbound on the highway.

Deegen's car went off the west side of the roadway, then headed southwest, crashing into a Kansas Department of Transportation fence.

The impact caused the car to rollover numerous times, landing over 100 yards west of the highway, where it struck a tree.

Deegen was transported by Jackson County EMS to a Topeka hospital for the treatment of what Morse identifies as non-life-threatening injuries.

The crash, which happened around 4:00, remains under investigation by the Sheriff's Department.

Assisting at the scene was the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Police, Fire, and EMS, the Mayetta Fire Department, and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

(KAIR)--The victim was under 12-years-old when the crimes began.

That detail is among others outlined in court documents related to the arrest of a former elementary teacher for the Saint Joseph, Missouri School District.

KQ2-TV reports the alleged crimes committed by 27-year-old Cole Charboneau occurred between August 1 2015 and February 1, 2017.

The documents state the incidents involving the young victim happened on multiple occasions at Charboneau's home and included improper touching, kissing, and showering together.

School District Superintendent Dr. Robert Newhart said the district learned of the accusation on November 17 and immediately contacted Missouri's Family Support Division. At that time, Charboneau was placed on paid administrative leave.

The TV station reports the School District Monday announced that Charboneau would be placed on unpaid administrative leave, effective immediately.

Charboneau remains jailed in Buchanan County, held on a $50,000 bond.

He's scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.

(KNZA)--A new director has been hired for the Morrill Public Library in Hiawatha.

The Library’s Board of Trustees has announced the hiring of Jessica Ezell, effective January 2nd

Ezell is re-locating to Hiawatha from Austin, Texas where she served as a specialist with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Ezell grew up in Hiawatha as a child and has family in the area.

She will replace former library director Jenny Marr who left in late summer to relocate to her home state of Michigan.

Ezell says she wants to bring a high level of awareness to all patrons the Morrill Public Library serves when it comes to programs and resources that are available.  In addition, she says she wants to identify the best way to reach those that may not be aware of what the library can do for them.

(KMZA)--Applications are being sought for an upcoming vacancy on the Seneca City Council.

The 1st Ward Council position, currently held by Bruce Hermesch, will come open next month.

Hermesch didn’t seek re-election and none of the five residents who received a write-in vote during the November 7th election expressed an interest in the seat.

The city is asking any resident living in Ward 1 that’s interested in filling the seat to fill out an interest form at City Hall by January 11th.

The position is for four years, beginning in January 2018.

The 1st Ward includes all of the city north of Main Street and east of 6th Street.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central Board of Education is moving forward with plans for a classroom addition at the elementary/middle school and a greenhouse at the high school.

The Board last week approved a proposal from HTK Architects, of Topeka, to provide design services for the two projects.

The three-classroom addition is to connect to the high school, and the greenhouse for the new FFA/Vo-Ag program is to be built west of the tech building.

Superintendent Darrel Kohlman says number of students at the elementary/middle school is more than the building was built for and more room will be needed in the future.

The estimated cost of the three-room addition is nearly $1.6 million and cost for the greenhouse is estimated at $270,000.

Kohlman said funding for the classroom addition will be come from the capital outlay fund and that most of the funding for the greenhouse will be through donations.

(MSC News)---A St. Joseph School District teacher has been charged with allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a student.

KQ2-TV reports the school district was notified late Friday that 27-year-old Cole Charboneau was arrested and charged with a felony count of first degree statutory sodomy with a minor.

According to a statement from School Superintendent Dr. Robert Newhart, the district learned of an accusation against Charboneau on Nov. 17th. Newhart said the district immediately notified Missouri’s Family Support Division and place Charboneau on paid administrative leave pending further investigation. He has remained on leave.

Charboneau was a teacher at Eugene Field Elementary.

He was jailed on $50,000 bond, and is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday. 

(KAIR)--A Holton man and his dog both required treatment after being struck by a car, just east of Holton, on K-16 Highway.

According to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, 22-year-old Sean Coop, of Holton, was riding a skateboard westbound in the center of the westbound lane of the highway, accompanied by his Dalmatian.

It was there that a westbound Chevy Impala, driven by 58-year-old Holton resident Dana Scheele, came over the hill in the roadway and struck Coop and his dog.

Coop was transported to a Topeka hospital by Jackson County EMS for the treatment of what Morse calls non-life-threatening injuries.

The dog was treated and then transported to a local veterinarian.

The accident, which occurred around 5:45 Saturday evening, remains under investigation.

Holton Police assisted.

(MSC News)--The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle at approximately 5:45 pm just east of Holton on K16 Hwy. Sean Coop, 22, of Holton was riding a skateboard westbound in the center of the westbound lane of the highway with his Dalmatian dog. A 2007 Chevy Impala driven by Dana Scheele, 58, of Holton was headed westbound on K-16 Hwy, came over the hill and struck the pedestrian and the dog. Coop was transported by Jackson County EMS with non-life-threatening injuries to a Topeka hospital. The dog was treated and transported to a local veterinarian. The Holton Police Department also assisted with the incident. The accident remains under investigation.

(KNZA)--The wife of a Holton man arrested early this month following an armed standoff now faces charges herself.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says 23-year-old Erica Miller was arrested Thursday on a Jackson County District Court warrant for two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of domestic battery.

She was booked into the Jackson County Jail and was later released on a $10,000 bond.

Morse says the warrant was issued as a result of an investigation by the Sheriff's Office into an alleged domestic altercation involving a fireman between Erica Miller and her husband, Patrick, late December 3rd in Holton.

It's alleged that Erica Miller was in the possession of a handgun when authorities responded to the domestic incident; and it's alleged that once she was in the custody of the Sheriff's Office, her husband, from inside the home, began shooting at law enforcement, including at a Sheriff's Office vehicle where Erica Miler was being detained.

Patrick Miller faces 17 counts including three counts of attempted capital murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder.

He remains in the Jackson County Jail on a one-million dollar bond.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The first woman to enter the 2018 governor's race in Kansas joins a crowded field of men seeking to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.
 
Democratic State Sen. Laura Kelly becomes the 22nd candidate to launch a campaign or appoint a treasurer. Twelve Republicans, seven Democrats and three independents are in the race.
 
The 67-year-old has served in the Senate since 2005.
 
Kelly is the top Democrat on the Senate Ways and Means Committee and is highly visible in budget and tax debates. She is a leading critic of the Brownback administration, including its oversight of the state's foster care system and Medicaid programs and a proposal from the state Department of Corrections for a private company to build a new prison in Lansing.
 

(KAIR)--Three Atchison residents are among ten from across the local region indicted on what federal authorities are calling a $5.4 million methamphetamine conspiracy.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie tells MSC News the indictments came as the result of a local case involving a large quantity of methamphetamine. “This stems back from an instance in late March where the narcotics deputy had arrested Charlsie Harris and found her in possession of about 56 grams of methamphetamine. We were able to figure out, and track down, where the narcotics were coming from...later on he was able to tie in Eric and Linda Ballard with the same group...they were all coming from the same source...this is where this indictment, on our side, stemmed from."

Along with the Atchison trio, Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, says Missouri residents, including a pair from Saint Joseph, are charged in a five-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury on November 16.

The defendants named in a release from Larson's office are: Michaela Joeanne Hernandez, 36, of Raymore, Mo., Brandy Michael Morgan, 44, of Kansas City, Mo., Anthony Dewayne Fifer, 46, of Mexico, Mo., Sharmyn Leanne Shryock, 27, and Jeffery Allen Jennings, 31, both of St. Joseph, Mo., Charlsie Kim Harris, 33, Eric Edward Ballard, 25, and Linda Kay Ballard, 65, all of Atchison, Kan., Brian Joe Russell, 36, of Amazonia, Mo., and Adrian Leon Madrigal, 27, address unknown,

The federal indictment, unsealed following the arrests and initial court appearances of some of the defendants, alleges that all ten participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Jan. 1, 2015, to Nov. 16, 2017. The indictment alleges the distribution of more than 321 kilograms of methamphetamine during the conspiracy. Five of the co-defendants are also charged together in one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the drug-trafficking conspiracy. 

In addition to the conspiracy counts, Hernandez is charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Hernandez allegedly was in possession of a Springfield Armory 9mm handgun and a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun between April 1 and Oct. 14, 2017. 
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Hernandez has a prior felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance. 

The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require all 10 co-defendants to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the alleged drug-trafficking conspiracy, including a money judgment of $5.4 million. This represents the amount of money received in exchange for the unlawful distribution of methamphetamine, the indictment says, based on an approximate sale price of $600 per ounce and distribution of at least 9,000 ounces (approximately 321.4 kilograms) of methamphetamine. 

According to an affidavit filed in the original criminal complaint, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hernandez’s prior residence in Grandview, Mo., on April 5, 2017. Hernandez was arrested and officers seized approximately 1.46 kilograms of methamphetamine, the Springfield Armory 9mm handgun and drug paraphernalia. Hernandez allegedly told officers she distributed approximately 200 pounds of methamphetamine per month during the three to six months prior to her arrest. 

On Oct. 14, 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hernandez’s Raymore residence. Hernandez was arrested and officers seized approximately 228 grams of methamphetamine, the loaded Taurus 9mm handgun and drug paraphernalia. According to the affidavit, Hernandez told investigators that she pays between $4,700 and $6,500 per pound of methamphetamine. Hernandez allegedly stated she resupplies with the pound quantities approximately every four days.

Larson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Rhoades. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Plattsburg, Mo., Police Department; the Atchison County, Kan., Sheriff’s Department; the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force and Sheriff’s Department; the Jackson County Drug Task Force; the Clinton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department; the Missouri State Highway Patrol; the Cass County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department; and the Clay County Drug Task Force. 

(KNZA)--The Brown County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in locating a stolen pickup truck.

Sheriff John Merchant says a 1999 Ford F-250 diesel truck was stolen in Fairview, sometime between late Thursday night and 6:00 Friday morning.

The truck is two-toned, dark blue on top and silver along the bottom. It sports a flat bed with an aluminum tool box, a silver brush guard on the front, and running lights on top of the cab.

Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call the Brown County Sheriff's Office at (785) 742-7125.

(KLZA)--The Richardson County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating two persons of interest in connection with a burglary early December 9th in Rulo.

The Sheriff’s Office says 27-year-old Cara Cavaness and 36-year-old Nathan O’Grady are “ persons of interest” in the burglary of Wild Bill’s Restaurant and Bar.

Both have active Richardson County warrants for unrelated matters.

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

(KMZA)--Monday's Nemaha Central USD 115 Board of Education meeting marked the last for two longtime members.

Illene Enneking began with the USD 442 board in July 2009, and then was elected to the USD 115 board in 2011.  Enneking held position #4 on the board, which includes the southern and eastern rural parts of the district.

Jean Placke, who represented the western side of the district, began her term of service in July 2011.

Both women were presented with parting gifts and certificates at the meeting.

Beginning January 8th, John Deters will assume Placke’s position on the board and Joe Reitz will move into Enneking’s position.  The Board accepted Reitz resignation from position #3, effective January 7th.  He moved outside that position’s boundaries last year into the position #4 area.   

The Board will fill position #3 by appointment.

(KLZA)--An architectural firm is selected to design the Southeast Community College-Falls City Center.

According to a press release from Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise, SCC has chosen BCDM, of Omaha, for the design project.

The selection was made following meetings that included two other firms.

Bob Morgan, Vice President of Program Development, and the Beatrice Campus Director, in the release, says the overall design of the project will begin after the first of the new year, with actual construction planned for spring.

Completion of the center is tentatively set for the fall of 2018.

The center will include space for health sciences, general active learning and manufacturing.

The site of construction, acquired by SCC in December 2016, is located immediately north of the Falls City Aquatic Center, on the east side of Bill Schock Boulevard.

The Tri-State Labor Basin committee of EDGE began organizing public support for a community learning center in August 2014 based on the community’s remote location from the main SCC campuses in Beatrice. Resolutions were passed, and letters of support received, paving the way for the construction to become a reality.

The Center is one of six community Learning Centers being developed by SCC to increase service to residents of the 15 county service area in accordance with SCC’s long range plan for facility and program improvement.

(KNZA)--Two outgoing longtime South Brown County USD 430 Board members were recognized during this week’s meeting for their service on the Board.

Superintendent Jason Cline and Board President Jason Smith thanked and recognized Tim McClaskey and Gregg Dishon for volunteering their time on the Board.  

Monday’s meeting marked the last for the two who did not seek re-election this year.

McClaskey is stepping down after 16 years on the Board and Dishon after 12 years.  

Katelyn Ross was elected in November to replace McClaskey and Jamie Bottom was elected to replace Dishon.  Both will take their seats on the Board in January.

Following an executive session, the Board accepted, with regrets,  the retirement resignations of Horton Elementary School 1st grade teacher Connie Yaussi and Everest Middle School head cook Dora Miller, effective at the end of the current school year.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle collision in Jefferson County Thursday afternoon left two Perry residents injured, including an infant.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened on U.S. 24 Highway around 3:20 about two miles east of the U.S. 59 junction.

The Patrol says 24-year-old Topeka resident Eugene Bennett was westbound when he crossed the center line and struck a car driven by 21-year-old Cadence Nunez-Ruckman, of Lawrence, head-on.

Neither driver was hurt but two passengers in Nunez-Ruckman's vehicle, 20-year-old Mariah Young and two-month-old Niya Ruckman, were both transported to a Topeka hospital.

WIBW-TV reports Bennett was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.      

(KLZA)--Now open to traffic.

That's the word from the Nebraska Department of Transportation regarding the Nebraska City-Southeast Interchange which opened Wednesday.

Constructors Inc., of Lincoln, Nebraska, has the $24.4 million contract for the more than a mile long project, south of Nebraska City on US-75/N-2.

Enhancements included as part of the work are ramps and new alignments on N-2.

A news release from the Transportation Department says some work will remain ongoing, with traffic being restricted to one lane each way, for approximately one mile in the eastbound and westbound lanes, from 3rd Street and 63rd Street on N-2.

Traffic will also be narrowed on US-75 to allow for traffic signal work, with reduced speed limits put in place.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Police Department hosted the Kansas City Royals mascot Sluggerrr at the Hiawatha Elementary School Wednesday.

Police Chief John Defore says the focus of their visit was an anti-bullying program which is entitled “STRIKE OUT BULLYING.”

The elementary school students got to hear from actual KC Royals players, and had a chance to play games and learn from Sluggerrr and his spokesman.  

Defore says it was truly an honor for the Police Department to be able to sponsor such an important visitor to the community to help spread the word against bullying.  

Defore says its their intention to bring Sluggerrr and the KC Royals back to the elementary school again next year.

(KAIR)--A 19-year old Valley Falls woman plans to use her Kansas Lottery winnings to help pay for college.

Logan Wichman is a criminal justice major at Highland Community College; and, according to a news release from the Kansas Lottery, Wichman became thousands of dollars richer when she recently accompanied her mother on a shopping trip to Topeka.

During that time, she cashed in a $10 winning ticket, and then purchased a $10 Holiday Greetings ticket worth $75,000.

Purchased on a Saturday at the I-70 BP in Topeka, Wichman had to wait until the following Monday to claim her prize at the Lottery's Topeka headquarters.

Putting the ticket first in a fireproof safe, and then placing that into a bigger gun safe at her Valley Falls residence, Wichman, in the release, calls the waiting “a stressful couple of days,” having to take a college final on the morning prior to visiting the Lottery office.

Wichman, who works as a waitress during school breaks and every summer to save for school, says she can now use that time to study instead, earmarking her earnings to help fund her education.

(KNZA)--A Holton man accused of shooting at law enforcement officers during an armed standoff early this month is facing attempted capital murder charges along with multiple other charges.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says 31-year-old Patrick Wayne Miller is being held in the Jackson County Jail on a one million dollar bond.

Morse says Miller faces three counts of attempted capital murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder.

In addition, he faces four counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, six counts of reckless endangerment along with one count each of aggravated assault, criminal threat, and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

Holton Police and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office responded late December 3rd to a report of domestic disturbance at 802 Ohio in Holton.

Miller allegedly fired multiple rounds at officers from the residence and struck a sheriff’s office vehicle. A Holton police officer returned gunfire, but no one was hit.

Authorities negotiated with Miller for about two hours before he peacefully surrendered.

A woman involved in the dispute was arrested and later released.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the Holton officer who returned fire at the suspect.

Morse says the investigation is expected to be completed Thursday when it will be forwarded to the Jackson County Attorney’s Office for review.

(KAIR)--Although no actual robbery is reported, apparent panhandlers in the Atchison Walmart parking lot cause alarm, as outlined in a widely read Facebook post made this week.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News his office was alerted to the suspected panhandler, or panhandlers, who remains unidentified.

"We did begin investigating as much as we could, with the limited information we had as to what may have occurred in the parking lot. We did speak with a lady on Tuesday evening who told us that she'd been approached by the panhandler in the parking lot earlier...she walked away from the panhandler and nothing further occurred."

Wilson says the first report was made Monday, followed by the now deleted Facebook post that began circulating Tuesday; and while no victim has come forward alleging an altercation, his office continues to investigate. "We're going to increase our patrols out there and try to prefent any of this from happening, and to identify any problems that come about."

Wilson says the concern being shown is a reminder to remain vigilant and aware year round, but specifically during the Christmas shopping season, and to take certain steps if approached by a stranger seeking money. "Don't speak to them, walk away, walk back to the store area if it's in the parking lot. Report it to some staff member, or person in the area. Get back to where there's larger groups of people...don't isolate yourself."

Anyone who encounters any aggressive activity is urged to notify police immediately.

(KLZA)--A Sabetha man accused of breaking into the Richardson County Courthouse in October will stand trial on charges.

25-year-old Harvey Webster, Jr. was bound over to Richardson County District Court last week on a charge of burglary following his preliminary hearing.

Arraignment is scheduled for December 19th.

Webster was arrested October 25th following an investigation by the Richardson County Sheriff’s Department and Nebraska State Patrol.

The investigation determined that someone had scaled a light pole and broke into the courthouse through a second floor window sometime late October 23rd or early October 24th.

The county clerk’s office was ransacked.  The register of deeds and county treasurer’s offices were also entered.

The Sheriff’s Office says property stolen during the break-in was recovered during Webster’s arrest.

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha CPA has been hired as the new director of finance and board clerk for USD 415.

Following an executive session Monday evening, the Hiawatha Board Education voted to hire Sarah Windmeyer for the position.

Windmeyer will begin her new job, effective December 18th.  

She will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Leslie Grimm who resigned effective December 1st after 16 years with the district.

Windmeyer has worked at the Hiawatha CPA firm of Jim Scherer since 2013.  Prior to that, the Hiawatha High School and Peru State College graduate worked for a large CPA firm in St. Joseph.

In other action, the Board recognized members of the state 3A champion Hiawatha girls cross county team and coach Becky Shamburg.

Board President Dr. Pete Rosa presented a certificate of recognition to Shamburg, who was selected last month as the Class 3A cross country coach of the year by her peers.   Shamburg says the award belongs to the entire team.

The state 3A champion Hiawatha girls cross country team, and coach Becky Shamburg, were recognized at this week's USD 415 Board of Education meeting.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A disciplinary panel is recommending that Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd be publicly reprimanded for professional misconduct.

The panel's recommendation now goes to the Missouri Supreme Court for a final decision.

KCUR reports a complaint was filed against Zahnd in August over his reaction to residents of a northwest Missouri town defending a convicted child sex offender. Zahnd reportedly threatened people who wrote letters supported the offender before his sentencing. He then sent out news release publicly naming the residents after the man was sentenced.

A public reprimand does not limit Zahnd's right to continue practicing law. If state Supreme Court follows the recommendation, the reprimand would become a public record.

Zahnd said he disagreed with the panel's recommendation and is still determining what his response will be.
 
    

(KNZA)--The Prairie Hills USD 113 Board of Education this week heard a proposal for a new three-story press box at Sabetha High School.

Superintendent Todd Evans says the proposal was presented by representatives of the Sabetha Booster Club.

The board voted 5-2 to provide up to $60,000 for the project, with Board members Kent Kuckelman and Jim Scoby voting no.   

Evans said the Booster club plans to use district funds along with their funds, donations and advertising to pay for the project.

The Board approved allowing advertising on the press box, subject to final approval of the Board.

In other action, Evans says the Board accepted the low bid from Nebraska-based Pro Track and Tennis for maintenance work at the Sabetha High School track in the amount of $52,340.  The firm will seal existing cracks, add an eighth-inch of new rubberized coating along with seal and paint all track surfaces.     

The Board approved seeking bids on two roofing projects at the Wetmore Attendance Center.  The project will include insulation along with a membrane roof over the older portion of the building as well as the gym.

Evans says the Board also approved adding an additional half unit to existing Parents as Teachers Program, which will serve an additional 4 families in the district at a cost of $875.   
 

(KAIR)--A Kansas City man has been arrested in connection with alleged domestic battery incident in Atchison in July.

According to Atchison County Sheriff’s reports, 36-year-old Nathaniel E. Wiggins was arrested Saturday morning on an Atchison County District Court warrant charging him with Aggravated Domestic Battery and Criminal Damage to Property.

The report says that early on the morning on July 18th of this year, a 25-year-old female resident of Atchison reported that she was a victim of Domestic Battery. The report goes on to say the female victim stated that Wiggins came into the residence and choked her, and that during the struggle her fingernail was torn off and her cell phone broken by Wiggins.

As of Monday afternoon, Wiggins remained in custody on a 10-thousand dollar surety bond.

(KMZA)--Two teenagers have pleaded no contest to charges in connection with the vandalism of the Wetmore Attendance Center in August.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert says 18-year-old Jarred Kramer and 18-year-old Jayme Hodge, both of Netawaka, entered the pleas Tuesday morning to charges of felony criminal damage to property and theft.

In exchange for the pleas, Lippert says the remaining charge of burglary was dismissed without prejudice, which means the charge can be re-filed if a new misdemeanor or felony is committed within the applicable statute of limitations.

Sentencing for both teens was set for January 16th in Nemaha County District Court.

The pair were arrested in September following an investigation by the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department.

Damage was estimated at about $65,000.

(KNZA)--The Richardson County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect in a Rulo burglary.

The sheriff’s office says a burglary occurred at Wild Bill’s Restaurant and Bar  in the early morning hours on Saturday.

Surveillance video from the bar shows one man inside, but the sheriff’s office believes two people are involved.

It is unknown what was taken from the bar.

Anybody who may recognize the man on the video is asked to call the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office at 402-245-2479.

(KMZA)--Nemaha County will seek a grant through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for the purchase of new baler for the county recycling center.

Rural Development Association of Northeast Kansas Director Nancy Gafford met with the County Commission Monday to discuss the grant application she is preparing to submit for the new piece of equipment.

If approved, the grant would fund 40 percent of the $82,000 cost for a new baler.

The county would be responsible the remaining 60 percent.  

Gafford said the current baler, which was manufactured in 2002, is no longer working well.

Commissioners gave Gafford approval to submit the grant application which is due Friday.

(KMZA)--The Frankfort Community Care Home located in Marshall County, and a business partner with Marshall County Partnership 4 Growth, had a vision to expand their non-profit through providing needed independent living senior duplex housing. The plans for the Frankfort Community Cottages were drawn up, but then came to a stand-still for nearly two years. The land across from the Frankfort Community Care Home and situated next to the Nutrition Center needed infrastructure first. The cost would be about $300,000 and neither the city of Frankfort, nor the Care Home could afford it.

Laura O’Neil, Administrator of the Frankfort Community Care Home, shared this with issue with Ellen Barber, Director of Marshall County Partnership 4 Growth. Jarrod Smith of JD Construction, a partner investor of the group, was also the developer and could not move forward with the build. So Barber found the Moderate Income Housing Grant that would provide infrastructure as long as it was connected to housing, and presented it to her Board. They approved Barber and Smith to advocate with their investor partner, the City of Frankfort. After Barber and Smith presented the details of the grant to the Frankfort City Council last August, the council agreed unanimously to be the pass-through for the grant monies for the needed infrastructure. The Partnership would handle the coordination, writing and reporting of the grant with O’Neil and JD Construction.

Barber says, “Besides the many financials, the grant required proof of need, and O’Neil did an outstanding job of documenting the need for housing in Frankfort. There were numerous letters from employees who verified that they couldn’t live in the community near work due to lack of housing. There were statements from many older residents in town stating their housing had become unsafe for them and they needed senior-adapted housing. There were letters of support from Mayor John Horigan, the Frankfort Area News, and many residents.”

Other verification included the number of jobs available, but not filled due to lack of housing. This was documented by three local housing studies that Barber pulled from to show the lack of housing affected local employment. She explained that with eight new homes for seniors, eight homes in the community would open up for needed local use. JD Construction’s James Kroeger provided the number of jobs the build would create and provided the estimates of the build.

The KS Housing Corp recognized the Frankfort area housing need, and awarded the full amount of $300,000 exclusive to infrastructure in late November. Barber states, “We are really pleased to see that this million dollar project that was on hold, can now move forward. This is how we envisioned the Marshall County Partnership 4 Growth to work. The partners of our organization, public and private, all worked together to pull this off for the community of Frankfort, and now a new senior community is in the works to start in the spring of 2018. You can’t get better than that!”

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha teen accused of the rape of a 13-year-old girl has been found competent to stand trial.

Brown County District Judge Jim Patton made the determination during a November 21st hearing for 18-year-old old Nicholas Miller, based on an evaluation conducted by Kanza Mental Health.

A preliminary hearing has now been was set for January 10th.

The case against Miller had been placed on hold in August after Patton granted a motion by Miller’s court-appointed attorney for a competency evaluation.

Miller was arrested in June following an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department.

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

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth teen is facing numerous charges – including auto theft – following a police pursuit that ended with the vehicle he allegedly stole crashing into an Atchison restaurant.

That restaurant was Mueller’s Locker room, located at 120 South 2nd Street.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson says the incident began at 3:30 Saturday morning, after an officer observed a vehicle driving recklessly in the downtown area.

He said the officer attempted to stop the 2001 Chrysler passenger car as it proceeded east on Main Street.  Wilson says the driver failed to negotiate the second main curve, and struck the building.

He says the 17-year-old driver, Tyler Chappell, was taken into custody at the scene on charges of theft, reckless driving, fleeing and attempting to elude, and other traffic offenses. He was released to juvenile intake.

Wilson says it was later learned the car had been stolen several hours earlier from a residential area in Leavenworth.

He says the wreck caused significant damage to a gas meter and protective rail on the southwest corner of the building.

Additionally there was some damage done to the exterior brick wall of the restaurant, which carried through to the interior wall.

The Atchison Fire Department also responded to the incident to assist with shutting off the gas.

(KAIR)--No injuries were reported – but some structural damage resulted from a chimney fire that broke out early Monday morning at an Atchison home.

According to Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf, crews were dispatched to the residence at 601 Atchison Street shortly after midnight.

Graf says fire crews could see flames when they pulled out onto the apron since the residence is only one block north of the fire station.

He said the fire was not in the flue, but in a wooden enclosure around the chimney that had recently been built.

Graf says that the house received some smoke and water damage, but is likely still habitable.  A damage estimate wasn't immediately  available.

Graf says the homeowners were home when the fire broke out, but got out safely.

(KAIR)--A Jackson County traffic stop leads to the recovery of a stolen vehicle and sends an Oskaloosa man to jail.

30-year-year-old Jordan Lee Thornton is facing charges of felony possession of stolen property, interference with law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and driving while suspended.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says a Deputy stopped Thornton for a traffic violation near 126th Road and U.S. Highway 75, near Hoyt, around 10:30 Friday night.

The Deputy discovered that the vehicle, a 2012 Toyota Prius, had been reported stolen from a Topeka auto dealership.

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

(KAIR)--The elderly Netawaka woman, badly burned Friday and airlifted for hospitalized treatment, has died.

According to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, 75-year-old Catherine Duncan was pronounced dead shortly before 9:30 Friday night in the burn unit at the University of Kansas Hospital, in Kansas City, Kansas.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office responded to Duncan's emergency phone call, made Friday morning around 7:45 at her 622 Commercial Street residence.

She had apparently caught fire when open flames on a cooking stove ignited her clothing.

The stove was being used to heat her Netawaka residence, which incurred no damage.

The Netawaka and Whiting Fire Departments, along with Jackson County EMS and the Sheriff's Office, all responded to the scene.

(KMZA)--Foul play is not suspected in the death of a missing Missouri man whose body was found earlier this week in Nemaha County, Kansas.

Nemaha County Sheriff Rich Vernon told MSC News Friday that the body of 34-year-old Kyle Dillman, of St. Joseph, was found Tuesday afternoon in a car at the end of 124th Road, south of Baileyville, just a 1/2 mile west of "C" Road.

The Sheriff's Department had been notified of a car that been sitting in the same spot for over a 24-hour period..

Vernon said the death appears to have been caused by suicide, but remains under investigation.

The St. Joseph Police Department sent out an alert November 30th seeking the public's assistance in locating Dillman.  He had last been seen on November 26th.

(MSC News)-- A St. Joseph woman has been charged in the death of her 6-month-old baby.

KQ2-TV reports 27-year-old Sydney Jones was charged Friday with a felony charge of child abuse resulting in death.

The probable cause statement alleges Jones abused the child by submerging the infant completely underwater and holding the child there.  According to witness statements, Jones allegedly pinned the infant down with an inflatable child's tub in a bathtub while the water was running.

An investigation was launched after St. Joseph Police responded to an apartment complex in the 200 block of Texas Avenvue Thursday night.

Jones is to appear in a Buchanan County courtroom Tuesday for arraignment.

(KNZA)--The two persons of interest in the disappearance and death of a Lincoln, Nebraska woman now face federal charges related to stolen property, and the case has a local tie.

The Omaha-World Herald reports 51-year-old Aubrey Trail and 23-year-old Bailey Boswell have each been charged with transporting stolen items across state lines.

According to court documents, the charge alleges that the pair carried stolen merchandise valued at more than $5,000 from Hiawatha, Kansas, to Beatrice, Nebraska on Oct. 20.

The maximum punishment is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Boswell made his first appearance in federal court in Lincoln on Thursday and Trail appeared Friday.

Both were ordered detained until further order from the court and remain in the Saline County Jail in Wilber.

Trail and Boswell have been identified by the FBI as persons in interest in the disappearance and murder 24-year-old Sidney Loofe, but have not been charged in the case.

A body believed to be that of Loofe was found Monday in rural Clay County, in southeast Nebraska.

Loofe  was reported missing on Nov. 16 after she failed to report for work.

(KAIR)--A Leavenworth woman, convicted of raping a 16-month-old child, will spend the rest of her life behind bars.

41-year-old Mahogany Payne learned her Friday in Leavenworth Country District Court.

According to a news release issued by County Attorney Todd Thompson, it will be 25-years before Payne is eligible for parole.

During the sentencing, a supporter of Payne was removed following a courtroom outburst. That came the same day that another of Payne's supporters plead no contest to disorderly conduct for causing a courtroom outburst on November 8.

The Leavenworth County Attorney’s Office filed charges following two incidents involving two separate victims at Payne's Leavenworth home.
On January 12, 2016, Payne was babysitting a 16-month-old girl when the rape occurred.

In October, a jury found Payne guilty of the crime, but acquitted her of the allegation involving a 5-year-old.

Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, in the news release, said that while he's seen many cases, he “can't think of many worse than this.”

Payne has a prior conviction for felony child abuse that occurred in 1999 in Sedgwick County.

(KNZA)--An elderly Netawaka woman was airlifted to a Kansas City hospital after she was badly burned Friday morning at her home.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse says the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from 622 Commercial Street shortly after 7:40.  

Morse says the 75-year-old victim’s clothing apparently caught fire from open flames on a cooking stove, which was being used to heat the residence.

The woman, whose name was not released, was flown to the University of Kansas Hospital by Life Star Ambulance.

The house was not damaged.

The Netawaka and Whiting Fire Departments responded to the scene as well as Jackson County EMS and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.  

(KMZA)--The write-in winner for a position on the Seneca City Council has turned down the position.

The City Council was notified Wednesday evening that Kerry Bramhall has declined to accept the 1st Ward Council seat, which is currently held by Bruce Hermesch who didn’t seek re-election.  

Bramhall’s name was drawn from a hat by the Nemaha County Commission last month to break a five-way tie for the position from the November 7th election.

The Council discussed contacting the other write-in candidates to see if they would be interested. They include Kylie Luckeroth, Mary Baker, Ray Shinn, who already holds a seat on the Council, and Hermesch.

If none of the candidates are interested, the Council will then advertise for applicants from the 1st Ward.

The Council would then appoint someone to the seat, which opens in January.     

(KMZA)--The Nemaha County Commission has approved the purchase of a new vehicle for the county appraiser’s office.

The Commission Tuesday accepted a bid from Nemaha Valley Motors, in Seneca, for the purchase of a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee for $33,800.  The bid does not include a trade-in.

County Appraiser Betty Roeder presented bids from three local auto dealers for both a SUV and a pickup.   

The Commission did not accept the low bid, which was submitted by Honeyman Ford for a 2018 Ford Escape in the amount of $24,783, because it didn’t meet the county’s specifications.

Roeder said the department’s current vehicle is not sturdy enough for some of the roads they have to drive on.  

The county plans to keep the current vehicle and use it in another department.

Manhattan, Kansas-based Action Pact, internationally known for its innovations in senior living, is pleased to announce their purchase of Maple Heights in Hiawatha as of December 1st.

Action Pact is bringing its trademark Household Model to Hiawatha with this purchase with plans to replace the building with new construction in mid to late 2018 with residential suites designed to reflect family-style living with 20 private residences within each household, at which time the community will be renamed.

Priorities for Action Pact include installation of new technology – both software and hardware, introduction of Action pact operating systems, and staff training. Denise Wolney will continue as Administrator. Chef-prepared made-to-order meals are served at the resident’s request and not in a cafteria-style environment at set times. “Maple Heights has a group of very dedicated employees and we are pleased they are all now part of the Action Pact family,” said LaVrene Norton, Action Pact Community Leader and Co-Founder.

“We are excited to become part of the Hiawatha community. We have felt very welcomed by Maple Heights and the broader community and we look forward to the future together, noted Steve Shields, CEO and Co-Founder of Action Pact.

Action Pact plans to turn the community into a neighborhood that encourages individuals to live life on their own terms, with the support of highly-trained staff members. Their mission is to create a deep sense of connectivity between elders, their family and friends, and the community they live in.

The development is owned, designed and managed by Action Pact and will replace the existing Maple Heights facility with Action Pact’s proprietary households in the first phase. The project will offer a culture of wellness, quality of life, dignity, privacy, and connectivity for individuals who need healthcare and assistance with daily activities, including those with memory loss.

( KLZA)--Falls City Council members approved two action items Monday evening concerning nuisance properties in Falls City.

The Council approved a request from the City Attorney to be allowed to file necessary documents to file a lien for costs associated with the removal of an unsafe structure at 1813 McLean Street.  

The house was removed  at a cost of $8,700 with a total cost to the City of just over $9-thousand.

Council members also approved having the City Attorney file necessary documents to remove unsafe structures at 1102 Barada Street. City Administrator Gary Jorn sent a letter to the property owner identifying the deficiencies with the structures, and asked the buildings be brought into compliance.

Since that time the property owner has removed all the doors and windows leaving it wide open.

A civil abatement action will be filed, allowing the City to remove the structures if approved by the court.

There is a house and a garage on the property.  

(KAIR)--An early evening residential fire leaves an Atchison home uninhabitable.  

Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf tells MSC News fire crews responded to 1203 South 7th Street around 6:30 Thursday evening, and worked in the frigid temperatures to extinguish the fire, which was confined to a bedroom.

No injuries are reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

( L-R) Carmen Ukele, Marlee Ukele and Stephen Ukele were killed November 25th in a head-on collision on U.S. 75 highway in northern Jackson County .

(KNZA)--A Sabetha native has started an online petition to get ten-thousand signatures to ask for state and federal funding to widen U.S. 75 Highway north of Holton to four lanes.

Janie Murk, who currently lives in Junction City, started the petition after three members of a Sabetha family were killed November 25th in a head-on collision on U.S. 75 in northern Jackson County.

Killed in the crash were 42-year-old Carmen Ukele, 11-year-old Marlee Ukele and 62-year-old Stephen Ukele.  59-year-old Lee Ukele was badly injured in the wreck. 

The family was returning home from Hutchinson after watching the Sabetha Bluejays win the state 3A football championship by defeating Marysville.  Carmen and Lee Ukele's two sons, Tanner and Carson, played on the winning team.       

Murk told The Topeka Capital-Journal she started the petition because she knows the Ukele family and witnessed a near head-on collision earlier the same day the Ukele's were killed as she and her family were traveling on the stretch of highway. 

Others signing the petitions have told Murk that they, too, have witnessed similar incidents or know people who have died in or come close to being involved in a head-on crash on the section of highway.

Murk started the petition December 1st at change.org, and as of Thursday it had garnered more than 88-hundred signatures.

She hopes to send the petition to Governor Sam Brownback, Kansas Transportation officials, state and federal lawmakers and others.

(KNZA)--Charges have been filed in connection with a fatal hit-and-run last month that claimed the life of a St. Joseph man.

KQ2-TV reports 20-year-old Mickayla Helfrey has been charged with a felony for leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in the death of 30-year-old Randy “ Scott” Hardin on November 26th as he was riding his motorcycle on King Hill Avenue.

According to court documents, Helfrey made a left turn from West Kansas Avenue to travel north on to King Hill Avenue with Hardin traveling toward her.  

Police said that Helfrey stopped her vehicle and Hardin's motorcycle went down on its side. Hardin was ejected off the bike and struck the front driver's corner of Helfrey's car.   Helfrey then allegedly left the scene.  

Hardin was transported to Mosiac Life Care in St. Joseph where he later died from his injuries.

Helfrey turned herself in to law enforcement about two hours later. She told authorities that she left the scene because she had a warrant out of Andrew County.

Helfrey's car was recovered and upon a search of the vehicle, police said  they could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside through an open window.

According to the probable cause statement, Helfrey has a prior for driving while intoxicated and is on probation for the same charge.

Helfrey turned herself in this week before the warrant could be served.  She is currently free on a $25,000 bond, and is scheduled to appear in a Buchanan County courtroom on December 19th for arraignment.   

(KMZA)--A bid has been approved for a highway resurfacing project on K-63 Highway in Pottawatomie County.

The Kansas Department of Transportation says Shilling Construction Company, of Manhattan, has been awarded the bid for the milling and overlay of nearly 27 miles of K-63 from the north city limits of St. Marys to the Pottawatomie/Nemaha County line.

The bid was for nearly two million dollars ( $1.983).

The bid letting took place November 15th in Topeka.

A date has not been set yet for the project.

(KNZA)--A Highland man has pleaded no contest to charges in connection with a short Brown County chase in June.

35-year-old Zachariah Brown entered the plea Monday in Brown County District Court to charges of  fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and possession of methamphetamine.

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

Sentencing was set for February 5th.

Brown was arrested June 22nd after leading a Sac and Fox Tribal officer on a nearly 6-mile chase.  The chase began in Hiawatha and ended in the area of 260th and Plum Tree Roads after Brown’s vehicle went off the roadway.

Brown fled on a foot into a corn field and was arrested a short time later after a K-9 was brought in.

He remains in the Brown County Jail on a $55,000 bond.

(KAIR)--The expanded Atchison Family YMCA/Cray Community Center is ready to serve the local area.

That comes as ceremonies are held for the grand opening of the downtown Atchison facility.

The renovation, and expansion, was made possible through an $11.3 million funding campaign.

That ability to achieve the goal wasn't lost on Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, who served as a featured speaker at Wednesday's ceremony. "This is a wonderful community, that often comes together. Don't ever lost that ability to come together," Brownback told the crowd.

Among the other speakers who addressed those gathered was Atchison Mayor Allen Reavis, who commended the numerous individuals responsible for making the expansion possible, calling it an example of the community coming together to accomplish great things.

Atchison's Rick Berger, chair of the capital campaign for the new Y, and a member of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City Board of Directors, also spoke, citing the YMCA's long term commitment to the Atchison community. "As I've said many times before, the Atchison YMCA has been an anchor for this community for well over 100-years."

A new lobby and lounge, a renovated swimming pool, a multi-purpose studio, a community room, a gym with an upper level walking track, and a new Kids Zone are all part of the finished, expanded Y.

The new, expanded name of the facility was put in place to honor Atchison's Cloud L. “Bud” Cray, Jr., who served as the honorary chair of the capital campaign.

Cray, and his family, have long supported the YMCA, both through use and through funding.

(KLZA)--Falls City Tree Board members presented an update to the City Council Monday evening on their recommendations on how to deal with the impending Emerald Ash Borer infestation.

Tree Board member Gerald Hopp said there are about 200 Ash Trees on City terraces and in the parks which are the responsibility of the City.

Hopp said with that many ash trees in the community, not counting trees on private property, it is nearly certain the Emerald Ash Borer will make it's way to Falls City. Doniphan County, Kansas is the closest know location where the borer has been confiremd.

The Tree Board is currently recommending the Ash trees be removed rather than treated. The current philosophy is remove, re-use, re-tree and grind stumps.

Hopp noted the wood from removed trees has a number of uses, including mulch. A city ordinance requires that a tree be replanted for each tree removed from city property.  

Tree Board member John VonBehren said the most effective way to treat the trees is by injection.  He said even if the treatment is only required every two or three years, they are estimating the cost to average $100 annually. You must multiply that by the number of Ash Trees you have.

An unknown factor, is how many years will treatment be required to protect the trees. Will it be a 4-year process or a 10-year process which impacts the cots.  

For the current year the City budget included $5,000 to deal with the Ash tree issue. The Tree Board is suggesting that be doubled for the next fiscal year.  

VonBehren said waiting to react, once it is known the Emerald Ash Borer has arrived in Falls City, could have a big impact on the City budget. He says the Tree Board is suggesting a slow process to minimize the impact on the City budget. If action is delayed,  you might be forced to remove all the trees at one time, affecting both manpower and finances.

It is estimated that it takes two – four years before  you see the affects of the Emerald Ash Borer on a tree.  

(KAIR)--Atchison County investigations into the distribution of methamphetamine has tied into the federal indictment of five in Saint Joseph, Missouri.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie cites the stepped up efforts of his agency, saying, “some of our investigations here helped their case, and we're pretty proud of that.”

According to a news release issued this week by Tom Larson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, the five Saint Joseph residents have been indicted for their roles in a $2.1 million conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

27-year-old James Pardee, 25-year-old Eleeseea Crail, 29-year-old Johnathan Graf, 26-year-old Michael Ramsel, and 38-year-old Adam Lowe have been charged in a three-count superseding indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Missouri on November 16. It was unsealed and made public following the arrests and court appearances of Pardee and Ramsel, both in federal custody.

The other three defendants are being held on unrelated state charges.

The indictment alleges the distribution of more than 99 kilograms of methamphetamine during the conspiracy. The five co-defendants are also charged together in one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the drug-trafficking conspiracy. 
In addition to the conspiracy counts, Pardee is charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. 

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph man has pleaded not guilty in Brown County District Court to a charge of electronic solicitation of a child.

70-year-old William Buehler entered the plea Monday to the felony charge.

A jury trial is expected to be set during a January 8th pre-trial hearing.

Buehler was arrested in July following an investigation by the Hiawatha Police Department.

He is accused of communicating through the internet with a person he believed a 14-year-old girl between May 1st and July 10th in an effort to commit or submit to an unlawful sex act.  However, Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill says Buehler was actually communicating with an undercover officer with the Hiawatha Police Department’s cyber crime unit.

When Buehler arrived in Hiawatha at a pre-arranged meeting place to meet with the supposed 14-year-old girl, he was instead met by officers and arrested.

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

(KNZA)--Pay raises have been approved for four Brown County elected officials.

The County Commission Monday approved a $3,000 a year salary increase for the sheriff, county clerk, county treasurer and register of deeds.

The raises are effective January 1st.

Commissioners also asked that department heads bring back recommendations to the Commission on raises for their employees for 2018.   

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle collision Tuesday afternoon on K-4 Highway at the Shawnee/Jefferson County line claimed the life of a Topeka man.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says killed in the wreck was 67-year-old Thomas Prescott.

The Patrol says Prescott was northbound when a southbound SUV attempted to pass two slower vehicles to avoid a rear-end collision and struck his car head-on.

The driver of the SUV, 37-year-old Topeka resident Henry Carey, Jr., was transported to a Topeka hospital for the treatment of minor injuries.

The Patrol says both drivers were buckled up when the wreck occurred shortly after 4:30 Tuesday afternoon.

(KLZA)--A vacancy has been filled on the Falls City, City Council.

The Council Monday evening approved Mayor Jerry Oliver's recommendation of Mitch Merz to fill the vacant Third Ward Council seat.

Merz, general manager of Merz Farm Equipment in Falls City, will serve the remainder of the term of John Vaughn.

Vaughn resigned from the Council in November. 

(KAIR)--A process that began nearly five years ago becomes a reality Wednesday, as the Atchison Family YMCA/Cray Community Center unveils the newly renovated, and expanded facility, in downtown Atchison.

Donors, members, volunteers, and community members, will join together for an 11:30 ceremony marking the grand opening.

Executive Director Lorin Affield told MSC News Kansas Governor Sam Brownback will also be in attendance. "[He's] going to come and help dedicate this building, which is really a great statement for the Y...we're very excited about that opportunity."

$11.3 million was raised to fund construction of the more than 30,000 square-foot building, named in honor of Cloud L. “Bud” Cray, Jr. and his family, for their long-time involvement in the Y, and the goal to improve it.

(KAIR)--A request for funding is under consideration by the Atchison City Commission, as the Atchison Art Association looks to 2018 and a goal of six public art installations.

A presentation for the $2,500 request was made during Monday's meeting of the Atchison City Commission.

Representing the Art Association were board member Angela Cairo and Executive Director Deborah Geiger.

Among the planned works is one inspired by Bethany Root, the General Manager of Atchison's Amelia Earhart Airport, who died in a small, antique airplane crash on July 16.

During the presentation, it was announced that the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots will induct Root into the International Forest of Friendship in September, with the sculpture to be unveiled on the weekend of her induction. 

Although the Commission voiced support for the Art Association's plans, no immediate decision to provide the funding was made.

Instead, the matter will be explored, and addressed by the Commissioners during their next regular session.

(KNZA)--A jury trial has been set for a Manhattan man charged in a hit-and-run in April that left a Horton woman with serious injuries.

The Manhattan Mercury reports Nicholas Blaha pleaded not guilty Monday in Riley County District Court to charges of aggravated battery and leaving the scene of an accident.

His trial is set to begin April 23, just over a year after the incident occurred.

Authorities say Blaha was driving a pickup truck that alleged struck Amber Wilhelm early April 14th while she was crossing Bluemont Avenue in Manhattan, and then drove away.

He turned himself in to Riley County authorities in August, and is currently free on a $20,000 bond.

(KNZA)--A Sabetha woman was injured in a two-vehicle wreck Monday afternoon on U.S. 75 Highway, north of Sabetha.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 69-year-old Susan Meyers was traveling northbound when she attempted to make a left turn onto 200th Road.  A semi tried to pass her as she was making the turn and struck her car.

Meyers was transported to the Sabetha Community Hospital for the treatment of unspecified injuries.

The semi driver, from Brownsville, Texas, was not hurt.

The Patrol says both drivers were buckled up when the wreck occurred shortly after 2:50 Monday afternoon.

The wreck closed down a portion of U.S. 75 for a period of time.

(KMZA)---A boil water advisory has been rescinded for the Pottawatomie County community of St. George.

The advisory was issued November 30th for portions of the city due to the  loss of water pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says laboratory testing samples collected from St. George indicate no evidence of contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.  

(KAIR)--State Senator Dennis Pyle plans to introduce legislation to prevent a court ordered school closure.

According to a press release issued by the Kansas 1st District Republican, if adopted, the proposal would amend the state constitution, giving that exclusive authority to local school boards. "Parents deserve to have the decisions that impact their children and schools, made by their elected school boards not unelected judges. Decision making is best left to locally elected officials who are closest to the people, not bureaucrats or judges in Topeka."

Pyle is currently in the process of drafting the language, and plans to pre-file the legislation before the Legislative session begins in January. "Putting the issue of school authority before the voters is a sensible proposal for resolution of these continuing costly legal battles. If adopted, this would restore local control to boards and patrons. Forced consolidation is not the answer. Each district is unique, not all districts, rural or urban, have the same funding issues. Unilaterally closing all schools based upon a lawsuit brought by a handful of districts is an extreme measure and is a  bullying tactic at least. I have said for years that the wasteful spending and bloated bureaucracy in Topeka are the greatest threat to rural schools and this measure would give our local school districts one more weapon in the fight."

According to the release, the measure would have to be passed with a two thirds majority of the legislature to be put before voters.

Pyle is considering a special election for the proposal.

(MSC News)--Motorists traveling near Sabetha Monday evening might experience a delay.

That's due to the closure of a stretch of U.S. Highway 75, in Brown County, north of Sabetha.

WIBW-TV is reporting that the northbound stretch was shut down due to a wreck involving a tractor-trailer, which was left blocking the path of travel, near 290th Road.

Local area sources tell MSC News the semi collided with a car, but that is not immediately confirmed. 

It's not immediately known if any injuries were suffered in the wreck, or when the stretch of highway will reopen.

(MSC News)--Pottawatomie County is experiencing issues with its 911 emergency telephone system. 

The County Sheriff's Office late Monday afternoon issued the following statement: 

Please be advised that we are experiencing intermittent technical difficulty with our 911 lines. Please advise the public to attempt to use the 911 system and if they experience issues then they should use our admin number of 785-457-3353.  The phone company is working on the issue, and no resolution time has been provided. 

(KAIR)--An Atchison man is facing drug related charges, along with other infractions, following his arrest last week.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News when officers detained Perez Smith, the 33-year-old failed to cooperate, giving them a fake name. “About 6:30 Wednesday evening we had an officer saw a subject in the area of 6th and Kearney who he believed we had an active, outstanding warrant for. He dealt with that 33-year-old man, and at first, that person gave him a fictious name. His true identity was determined, and he was taken into custody on an outstanding failure to appear warrant. When he was taken into custody, he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Smith, following his arrest, was booked into the Atchison County Jail, facing charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstructing legal process, and a District Court warrant for failure to appear.

(KAIR)--The Horton City Commission meeting has been canceled.

The meeting had been planned for this evening, Monday, December 4.

According to Horton City Clerk and Administrator Kimberly Knudson, the inability of two Commissioners to attend led to the decision.

It's not immediately known if the meeting will be held at a later date, or whether the Commission will wait until the next regular session of December 18 to meet.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska death row inmate John Lotter, of Falls City,  is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up his challenge to his death sentence.     

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Lotter is asking the country's highest court to review a U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals order issued in July denying his motion to proceed with an appeal in federal court.

Lotter is challenging Nebraska's three-judge method for determining death sentences. He cites a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down Florida's death penalty process, saying it gave too much power to judges to make the ultimate decision.     

Lotter was condemned in 1996 for his role in the 1993 slaying of Teena Brandon, a 21-year-old woman who lived briefly as a man, and two witnesses, Lisa Lambert and Philip DeVine, at a rural Humboldt farmhouse.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission is taking steps to enhance security at the county courthouse.

The Commission voted Thursday to advertise for a part-time security officer.

Commissioners say they plan to hire about three part-time officers so the courthouse can be manned during regular business hours.

The Commission also plans to add a metal detector and require entry through the north doors only.

In other action, the Commission approved a resolution to vacate a portion of 285th Road between Grasshopper and Goldfinch Roads following a hearing attended by two county residents.

A group from Hamlin township approached the Commission in October requesting that the half-mile stretch of road be vacated to allow surrounding landowners to build an irrigation dam across the road.

The Commission also approved pay raises for county Noxious Weed Director George Bruning and county Solid Waste Supervisor Charlie Brockhoff to $18 an hour, effective January 1st.

(KLZA)--An open house is scheduled for Wednesday, December 6th at City Hall in Pawnee City for residents to learn more about the proposed street improvement project.

The open house is scheduled from 3:00 – 6;00 p.m. Representatives from the engineering firm designing the project will be on hand to discuss how the Street Committee arrived at their decisions in determining the priorities for the improvements.

Over a year ago, Pawnee City residents approved an additional half-percent sales tax to help pay for the street improvements.

(KNZA)--Due to the high winds and dry conditions, a burn ban has been issued for Doniphan County.

That word Monday from county Emergency Management Coordinator Julie Meng.

Meng says no open burning is permitted at this time.

The burn ban will remain in place until further notice.

(KNZA)--An all night stand-off, including shots fired at law enforcement on the scene, comes to an end in Holton, with two taken into custody early Monday morning.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse talked to MSC News' Brian Hagen regarding the case. The interview can be heard here.

Morse identifies the man accused of firing at law enforcement as 31-year-old Patrick Wayne Miller. He faces several charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and remains in custody at the Jackson County Jail. 

After Miller was in custody, a search warrant was obtained for the residence where Morse says a large number of firearms were seized Monday.

The woman who was taken into custody prior to the standoff was released from custody Monday. Her name is not released. 

Morse says numerous rounds were allegedly fired by Miller. 

A Holton Police Officer exchanged gunfire at one point during the standoff and that, too, is being looked into as part of the overall investigation, overseen by the Sheriff's Office. 

(KNZA)--The South Brown County Ministerial Association will hold the 27th presentation of the Christmas Luminaries in Horton Sunday evening, December 3rd.

The event, which will take place from 5:30 to 7:30, transforms 10 city blocks into living dramatic scenes depicting the life of Jesus Christ.

Members of the association’s churches participate in the scenes as biblical characters.  Live animals, props, costumes and music add to the experience, and the route’s atmosphere is enhanced by 13-hundred glowing candles that guide visitors from scene to scene.

The route begins at 15th and Central Avenue.  

Shuttle buses have been added to help with traffic flow.  They may be boarded at no charge at Jim’s Thriftway.

A freewill donation may be given at the end of the route to support the outreach of the ministerial association.

(KNZA)--A mistrial has been declared in a Jackson County child sex case.

A judge declared the mistrial Friday afternoon in the case against 52-year-old former Hoyt resident Leon Holloway after a jury was unable to reach an unanimous verdict on charges of rape, indecent liberties with a child and two counts of criminal sodomy following about six hours of deliberations in the week long trial.

Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller told MSC News that the state will try the case again.

Holloway was arrested in May 2015 by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department following an investigation into alleged sex offenses occurring between April 2013 and March 2015 in the city of Hoyt involving a girl under the age of 14.

Holloway also faces a charge of exploitation of a child in a separate case based on an investigation by the Sheriff’s Department focused on the alleged possession of child pornography.

He was arrested on the new charge in October and is currently free on a $25,000 bond in that case.

(KAIR)--A Winchester resident escapes serious injury following a Friday evening collision with a deer on an Atchison County road.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie says 56-year-old Lorene Stephan was traveling in the area of Osage and 206th Roads when the deer hit the driver's side of Stephan's SUV, causing the side air bags to deploy.

Despite complaints of a chest injury due to the seatbelt, Laurie says Stephan refused transport to the hospital after having been checked at the scene by Atchison County EMS.

The wreck was reported around 5:30 Friday evening.

Deer are most active on area roadways from October through December, with the deer rutting season underway.

Motorists are reminded to be alert as they travel, especially during dawn and dusk, the most active time for the animals.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas legislative committee won't endorse a plan from state corrections officials to build a new prison mainly because of how the project would be financed.
The state Department of Corrections outlined its plan Thursday to have the nation's largest private prison operator build a replacement for the state's oldest and largest prison in Lansing, which is near Kansas City.
CoreCivic, based in Nashville, Tennessee, would lease the new prison to the state for 20 years before the state owned it.
The legislative committee wants the department to pursue financing the project with state bonds instead.
The committee's recommendation to delay the project will go to top legislative leaders and Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.

State law gives them the final say on whether the project moves forward.

(KAIR)--Atchison Police are looking for a missing car.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News the vehicle was discovered missing by owner Mike Slattery around 7:00 Wednesday morning. “We are investigating the theft of a 1998 Ford Taurus, that's light blue in color, that was taken from the 600 block of North 4th, Tuesday night.”

Wilson says the car was taken sometime after 8:00 Tuesday night.

Anyone with information about the car's whereabouts, or who was involved with taking it, is urged to contact Atchison Police.

(KAIR )--A two vehicle crash in southwest Jefferson County left two dead Friday morning.

The Kansas Highway Patrol identifies the victims as 66-year-old Gerald Baxter, of Clay Center, and 65-year-old Carla Polson, of Blue Rapids.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig tells MSC News the fatal crash happened in Grantville, on U.S. Highway 24, at Barton Road.

Baxter and Polson were traveling in a van driven by Baxter, eastbound on U.S. Highway 24, when a car, northbound on Barton Road, failed to yield, striking the van on the right side, causing it to lose control and roll over several times.

No one in the car was hurt, including driver Hannah Stark, and two children, all of Grantville.

They were all wearing a seat belts at the time of the crash.

Three other passengers in the van, all from Clay Center, were transported to Topeka's Stormont Vail for treatment of their injuries.

They include 64-year-old Ruth Baxter, who suffered disabling injuries.

Also injured was 61-year-old Barbara Jean Stewart, while 61-year-old Robert Stewart suffered possible injuries.

Another passenger in the van, Martha Hanson, of Riley, was not hurt.

The Patrol says she and Ruth Baxter were not buckled up at the time of the wreck, which happened around 7:10 Friday morning.

(KNZA)--Westar Energy has begun a meter replacement project in the Atchison and Hiawatha areas.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant is alerting local residents of the project.  He said the company will be replacing all meters during the next three to four months.  

Westar is in the midst of a multi-year project to upgrade decades old analog meters with new digital “Smart Meters” that remotely send information to Westar about each account’s energy use.

The company has completed almost 600,000 meter changeouts over the last three years and they are wrapping up their last 100,000+  meters.

Merchant says most meter changeouts will be completed by Westar personnel in Westar trucks and clothing.  He says there are also  four contractors who work for Oasi staffing or Aerotek staffing but their time in the  area will be limited.  The contractors will have yellow vests that state they are Westar contractors and large vehicle magnets with the same.

All employees and contractors have Westar identification as well.

Those with questions or concerns are urged to contact their local law enforcement agency.

(KNZA)--An increased demand for space is prompting a St. Joseph business to expand.

According to a press release from Nor-Am Cold Storage, the company has finalized the purchase of the former Affiliated Foods distribution Center in Elwood, Kansas.

Nor-Am General Manager Justin Brandt says they plan to use the 478,000-square-foot facility to meet the demand of their current customers as well as attract new customers to the area.

The release says Nor-Am plans to hire up to 50 employees for the Elwood facility in the first 12 months, with a 5-year projection of roughly 90 jobs.

The company says the building has been well maintained but it will take $2 to $3 million worth of upgrades and renovations to get the building ready for production.

A handful of Nor-Am employees are to begin working out of the new warehouse around the middle of December.  

Nor-Am is a privately held, family operated public refrigerated warehouse.  Founded in 1999, the Iowa-based company currently has 300 employees with facilities in four states and the newly acquired location in Kansas.

(KLZA)--Pawnee City Council members learned of the discovery of a new problem with the City swimming pool when they met Monday evening.

Premiere Pools, the company hired to make improvements to the pool, discovered a number of voids that will need to be filled in under the pool.

The voids are spaces where the dirt under the pool is gone, creating safety issues for the pool.

It is anticipated the cost to deal with the voids could be an additional $20,000.

Pawnee City received a grant from Nebraska Game and Parks that will reimburse half the amount of the pool upgrades up to nearly $88,000. However the grant money will not be paid until the project is completed.

With Pawnee City having to pay out all of the money for the repairs now, in addition to costs for the new Assisted Living Project being constructed, and engineering fees for the street project, it is creating a shortfall in the City General Fund.

Julie Bauman, CPA met with the Council Monday night to review the cash-flow issue.

The City has also received an inquiry about splitting the estimated cost of paving the alley at the new assisted living facility. The cost is estimated at $20,000.

(KLZA)--The Pawnee City Council learned this week the City has been approved for $252,000 in Community Development Block Grant for housing rehabilitation.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development approved the funding, which is anticipated to be enough for eight rehab projects.

Applications for the funds will be available at City Hall.  To be eligible, household income must be at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income within the City of Pawnee City.